MAN CITY v Wigan: The PREVIEW – City’s Probable Team
16 Apr
After the exertions of the past week, Roberto Mancini may make a number of changes for what is, on paper at least, a far simpler challenge than a visit to Old Trafford and an FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea. Joe Hart will return in net, whilst Micah Richards and Maicon could be on the both as they near full fitness. Joleon Lescott is in line for a start, as is Aleks Kolarov who is likely to replace the exhausted Gael Clichy.
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Gareth Barry has been simply magnificent in the past couple of games, but he may be rested for this encounter, with Javi Garcia expected to be handed a start. Yaya Touré was another of those who was out on his feet (during and) after the cup victory but he never misses a game when available, whilst up-front, Edin Dzeko is almost certain to be named in the starting line-up.
Here is the side Mancini could select:
Referee: Anthony Taylor – He has officiated two previous City matches this season: the 2-2 home draw with Liverpool and the thumping 5-0 victory over Barnsley in the FA Cup.
Prediction: MAN CITY 2 – 0 Wigan – The Blues, despite resting a few stars, should have more than enough at home against an unpredictable Wigan outfit. Goals to be scored by Edin Dzeko and Carlos Tévez.
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Wigan have rolled over at our ground in recent years it seems, however I don’t recall playing them near the end of the season when it appears they would give Barca a game. Potential banana skin if we are not 100% but I think we should have too much for them
If it were me, I would rest Yaya for Spurs game and start with Rodwell. Though I would never want to see Kolarov on the pitch but I believe if there is one game he should not screw up is this one. So let’s hope he does not disappoints if he starts.
Winning this game would be immense for City as it keeps Wigan in relegation battle and that should ease up their focus for FA Cup final since survival in EPL would be their highest priority.
Now is the time to give John Guidetti his run out in the first team cant understand why Mancini keeps overlooking the lad. He`s back to full match fitness and more importantly back scoring!!! GIVE HIM HIS CHANCE NOW PLEASE… Does anyone else agree?
It is not over until it is mathematically impossible for City not to finish second or third. Till then, no chances should be taken. As much as I am all for youth, I believe Guidetti can play the last 20 minutes only if City has already the game in the bag in any game [save Spurs] till the end of season
I agree. City are probably going to be second.
Mancini’s got to go for it, obviously, but the moment Utd have the league in the bag, he should load the first team with fringe and academy players like Guidetti, and see what he’s already got before he buys anyone else.
The ex-Barcelona boys upstairs will understand, and the fans will be overjoyed. We gans are all happy campers anyway – nobody chose City over Utd for success. Every week I’m seeing great football, I really love the way Mancini has City playing.
In the past, there would be a cross into the box and nobody on the end of it. Now, City players are queing up to score.
zorrin, you can not believe if we played fringe and academy players that fans and the board alike would be happy if we finished badly. It is not worth taking any such risk, at best I would have Guidetti on the bench and give him 20-30 minutes at the end. If we are lucky there will be 1 or 2 in the academy who will have the ability in this level in the future, so to give 8-10 players a chance and leave players like Aguero and Kompany out of the squad for the sake of finding 1 player (if we were lucky) who might be good enough in 3 years would be madness at this stage.
Mancini has been talking about developing the youth players alot, but he rarely give anyone a chance. Its not rocket science, leave out Sinclair/Nasri from the bench and bring on Lopes/Suarez/Guidetti. If we are in a comfortable lead with few minutes left, give them some minutes instead of calling out mediocre players with no future for development. Unless, it will leave us with no other option than letting future stars go for cheap ’cause they want playing time(in the worst case for free) and buying someone new. Only because we haven’t got anyone with experience in the youth ranks.