By Boris Mellor
October 21 2005

Here is last year’s team sheet against City – would you have predicted a 1-1 draw? Is it a stronger or weaker team than the team for Saturday?

 

·                                 Manuel Almunia

·                                   Ashley Cole

·                                 Philippe Senderos

·                                 Kolo Toure

·                                 Justin Hoyte

·                                 Fredrik Ljungberg

·                                 Cesc Fabregas

·                                 Patrick Vieira

·                                 Robert Pires

·                                 Robin van Persie

·                                 Thierry Henry

Henry was playing and so was Vieira, true Campbell wasn’t playing, but then neither was the favourite scapegoat, Cygan.

 

So what went wrong? We played quite well, they defended well, James played out of his skin. And then Vieira diffidently controlled the ball and  lost it, a quick pass to SWP and the ball was in the back of the net It was a great goal. We then had to recover from that. Even Henry could not score, it was Freddy who finally broke the deadlock.

 

It was a cold night, and One-One  meant the league title was now slipping away. Henry says we haven’t forgotten Vieira yet, well that’s one performance I prefer to forget.

 

Man City are on a good run and have better away form than us, so don’t expect an easy time. Campbell, Reyes, Freddy and Cole will not be playing. Bergy and vP are available. If Henry plays he will probably find City’ s defence a far tougher prospect.

Prediction? Nah it’s a mugs game – that’s why bookie are rich.