Match Thread Manchester City(1) Vs Everton(2) - Capital One Cup - Semi Final 2nd Leg - Weds 27th Jan - 19:45 KO

[carlos21]

Hello mate I will be watching it in my house, what about you?

In my house mate can't wait for it now,

 

[blue61]

Ijjy is your man mate, his gig.

And so he should, it would be like bringing in Howard for Robles.

 

[efcfanwirral]

Sorry, this is just me being honest, but the thought of losing to them at Wembley again is too difficult to comprehend.

If we win tonight I wouldn't go to the final. Football is corrupt and it'll all be rigged for them to win anyway.

I agree, but you have to give them the chance to make the decisions. Being 3-0 up there's nothing the refs can do, but at 0-0 diving in with a ridiculous tackle in the box in the 90th minute you cant completely blame the ref

 

[davek]

I agree with you regarding the fractions and maybe a couple of draws into wins would releive the pressure, its the manner in which we are consistently conceding goals that is costing us the two dropped points. Its the inability to drop a underperforming howard, it was for the majority of time about playing kone and cleverley out wide when we have mirallas, lennon and at one point delboy on the bench together. (something he has recently changed - see newcastle and chelsea for our stronger starts to a game, balance etc), it is all good talking about bigger pictures when the here and now is suffering, one thing i wont do is judge him on tonights game alone, after all cups can be a lottery, but he must show to his doubters that he is prepared to win ugly, something that may be required tonight.

Howard's presence is a red rag to a bull. It's something that cant possibly continue. It'll only do so if Martinez has knowledge that he has total backing for his tenure from the club's owners that as long as there's no slump to a relegation battle he's in a job at the end of the season (at which point Howard will be allowed a dignified exit). Retaining Howard as a starter only makes sense in that context, because Martinez is digging a large hole for himself if he hasn't got those assurances.

 

[St James the Less]

Just about to leave for game, 2 pick ups to make on the way. Weather is awful but if we get through I dont care! Just hope the eight thousand plus blues remember the words to: "Tell me ma, me ma"

See you soon Mikey!

COYB!

 

[Khalekan]

Ijjy is your man mate, his gig.

So you and Tim Howard will both lose out to your understudies....

 

[COYB]

ffs im scared [of the match] might get hammered now before go
but then probs will cheer in the city end if i am. hmmm

 

[yakublue]

I fancy us to park the bus from kickoff, and comfortably see out a goalless draw.

 

[Jags]

To the contrary of Yakblue, I expect us to go out all guns blazing with Martinez hopeful of getting an early goal. 4-3 it is then, to whom is anybody's guess

 

[COYBL25]

I fancy us to park the bus from kickoff, and comfortably see out a goalless draw.

Lol, no chance of this ever happening with a Martinez team !

 

[granter79]

ffs im scared [of the match] might get hammered now before go
but then probs will cheer in the city end if i am. hmmm

sound hammered already pal

 

[ashvale32]

Anyone know any good pubs to watch this in London tonight?

 

[Kaiser Soysauce]

Howard's presence is a red rag to a bull. It's something that cant possibly continue. It'll only do so if Martinez has knowledge that he has total backing for his tenure from the club's owners that as long as there's no slump to a relegation battle he's in a job at the end of the season (at which point Howard will be allowed a dignified exit). Retaining Howard as a starter only makes sense in that context, because Martinez is digging a large hole for himself if he hasn't got those assurances.

That would be a daft assurance set by the board. Who cares about a dignified exit. We stand to lose some of our best players. Surely Rom can't be happy bagging all these goals to finish mid table simply to allow Howard a graceful exit?! Retaining Howard make no sense in any context mate. Don't get me wrong, Howard has been a great servant to the club, surely dropping him to the bench and allowing him to wind down is dignified enough.

 

[royalbalou]

To the contrary of Yakblue, I expect us to go out all guns blazing with Martinez hopeful of getting an early goal. 4-3 it is then, to whom is anybody's guess

I think I'm right in saying that 4-3 to either side puts us through anyway...so I hope your prediction is correct

 

[MACCA75]

The main worry is that we seem to be so weak mentally. For all the talk of 'no fear' with Martinez, we still can't win at the really tough grounds, and when faced with top opposition in cup games, we've been badly exposed.