In fairness to Batdude, I agree with some of his analysis of the City side. I'm not a fan so I only know from what I watch in TV rather than following the ins and outs but I do feel like Kompany, Toure and Silva are probably past their best. Toure to me seems very lax, without the drive that he once had. I'm assuming Pep will move him on when he comes in. Silva also seems to be in decline to me. He could be revitalised by being dropped deeper to pull the midfield strings and De Bruyne taking his place further up the pitch upon his return.

Since that 2011/12 title winning season, in spite of spending a fair amount of money, I feel like City are still reliant on that central axis of Hart, Kompany, Toure, Silva and Aguero and that they're kinda coming to the end of their time as central figures. Pep has a rebuild on his hands.

Interesting. Play your worst game of the season, get named man of the match, next stop the Euros!


Of course I am joking, he has been very good indeed this season for Leicester, so why shouldn't he have a shot at the Euros. Just as long as this is not a cunning plan by Hodgson to distract everyone prior to announcing Lampard and Gerrard as members of the England squad for the Euros.

Don't get me wrong, the 5 you mentioned are our key players and the fact that they are rarely all fit at the same time is one of the reasons I think we've not been consistently at a level we should be at.

I feel Hart, Silva & Aguero still have alot to give and I think City fans are hoping Guardiola gives them a new lease of life, it's all become abit predictable and safe over the last 2 seasons.

Kompany & Toure for differing reasons I feel we have seen the best of them in a City shirt unfortunately.

De Bruyne has already shown he's a key player and his contribution has been sorely missed over the last couple of months.

I think that Guardiola probably has the toughest task of his managerial career so far with coming to us, but he still has plenty to get on with and no doubt there'll be a few incomings over the summer.

Agree mostly but I can't see aguero leaving city anytime soon. Bit of wishful thinking, God Forbid?

Firstly what he will do is install a clearly patented playing style. One which will make it easily recognisable who is coaching the side. After that history says the trophies will follow but its no certainty.

For me within the first couple of years getting City to the Semi Finals of the CL and challenging for the title up until the end will be progress.

Great to see that danny drinkwater has been rewarded for his outstanding season at leicester city by being called up for england duty. Maybe the leicester magic might rub off on englands campaign in france this summer. But that all depends on whether they are given the chance. Representing your country is the next level for leicester players. Vardy drinky and albrighton should be given their opportunity

I see the superb Kante has been called up to the France squad in preference to Schneiderlin

French handler Deschamps said he had prefered the 24-year-old Kante to Manchester United's Morgan Schneiderlin.

"It's not that I don't trust Morgan, but I wanted to give Ngolo a run out before making a final decision (on the Euro squad)," Deschamps said.

"He's a complete midfielder, a great ball winner and passer with a great sence of positioning," said Deschamps. "He's been stringing together top level performances with Leicester, who are top of the Premier League."

Payet has also been recalled to the France squad.

http://www.afp.com/en/news/leicester...et-france-call

The worry is Rooney and even Jack Wilshere will probably be starters even if they aren't fully fit which is where we have gone wrong before..

Can see why Sturridge and Welbeck are in the squad as Hodgson has faith in them despite fitness but Walcott is living on past "success"

I hope Drinkwater gets a chance and isn't just in the squad to make the numbers up before Wilshere comes in..

Good to see them rewarded for their form. Few things annoy me more in football than players coasting into their national sides on reputation.


Will Wilshere even be fit? He never is.

In fairness to Welbeck, he's been industrious since he's come back and has got a few goals. I wouldn't start him but he's good to have in the squad. If England can get beyond the mentality of picking players based on their club or the media hype around them, they could have a good side. There's plenty of pace, skill and effort in the newer breakthroughs and I think Kane and Vardy could compliment each other well up top. Of course, Rooney will probably be picked ahead of Vardy but he really aught not to be.

It was said on here by myself and others that if Welbeck and/or Sturridge strung a few games together at the end of the season they would be in ahead of the so-called lesser "on form" strikers, and I think this is exactly whats going to happen.

Vardy already has, he's approaching his fifth cap

Yes I agree Welbeck and Sturridge can do a job as would a fit Jack Whilshere of course but it must be a risk taking and relying on them when maybe not fully fit.

TBF Welbeck seems to be back in form - and can cover a couple of attacking positions whilst Sturridge as you say has that ability to nick a goal.

We know what the media and some fans will be like - expecting great things from Rooney and Wilshere for example despite not being fully fit.

I was suggesting that vardy drinkwater and albrighton are given the chance in france by being in the starting line up. I know what vardy has done

So which pundit will be the first to say whoever scores the first goal at Old Trafford will have all the momentum/advantage/will be favourites to go on and win the tie ..

Very hard to see Vardy making the team. Rooney is a cert, while Kane would be next in line and then there's also Sturridge, who will probably be brought as the "wildcard" bench option. Welbeck is a cert to travel too, although he'll probably mainly feature out wide.

With Lazio getting a hiding this will mean all Italian sides out of Europe.

Therefore 4 places in the champions league will be retained for at least two more seasons

Scholes saying Fellaini must get away with 15/20 fouls a game. Yep, Scholes said that.

Martial v Milner seen as a key battle, with Milner at full back

An early goal by United would set the match up nicely for me

Valencia out - more pressure for Neville.

United were poor in the first leg but Liverpool were a bit overrated

Ah, who better to analyse such a pivotal match between two giants of English football than Trevor Francis and Michael Owen.

For crying out loud.

Interesting the way Milner reverted to being a left winger then.

Fellaini, as he did regularly at Everton, smacks someone in the mush with his arm. Really ugly player.

Forgive me for using a terrible football cliché but Liverpool are showing Man Utd too much respect at the moment.

It's only because of an uncharacteristically bad miss from Mata that they're not behind.

Spurs Reserves are against Dortmund.

No way of confusing the quality on display tonight with the Bayern v Juve match last night.

Penalty - Clyne on Martial.

Not much contact made, mind...

Penalty for Man U