We got approached by Ric of the Blue Moon Man City blog to do a Q&A. I have answered the questions and you will find them here. (You will see our friend John Baker from Blues Muse has also contributed.)
Here are Ric’s answers.
1. Who do you think will be City’s key players this season?
Joe Hart, Vincent Kompany and Nigel de Jong are the spine of the team, whilst Aguero, Nasri & Silva provide the creative spark.
2. Were you happy with the business conducted during the transfer window?
Absolutely delighted. Signing Aguero was a real coup – it’s not often a player of his ability comes onto the market. Nasri was a key signing also, as we needed another creative midfielder to play alongside Silva.
3. What are your expectations for this season?
With the squad we have we should be genuine title contenders. United have started strongly, but I expect us to finish in the top two.
4. Are you happy with the manager?
Mancini polarised fans for a while, with some feeling that he was too cautious at times. However, since delivering our first trophy for 35 years he has almost unequivocal backing from the supporters.
5. Are there any rising starts in the squad that we might not have heard of?
Juan Roman, Abdul Razak, and Gai Assulin are all promising youngsters, and there is a good chance we might see them involved in some capacity tomorrow.
6. If you could have any Birmingham player in your team who would you choose?
I know it sounds arrogant, but such is the disparity in resources available to each team at the moment that it is unlikely any of your players would get into our squad. At a push, I’d say Nathan Redmond as he looks like an exciting prospect.
7. What is your perception of Birmingham as a club?
There’s never been any love lost between City and Birmingham, although I’m not really sure why there is animosity. It was a shame to see Birmingham go down, as they are a proper football club, but it looks like Hughton will do OK for you. Seems to be a bit more attack minded than McLeish.
8. Likely City starting XI for Wednesday, and score prediction?
Pantimillon
Zabaleta
Savic
Kolo Toure
Kolarov
Razak
Milner
Johnson
Assulin
Balotelli
Tevez
2-0 to City
2-0 eh? Well I’m not that optimistic. If we defend anything like we did on Sunday it will be three or four times that! I dread to think what a Manchester City team up for the match will do to us. Hopefully they’ll be gentle with us and only beat us by four 🙁
I,d take a 2-0 nil now. If we can get a performance aswell CH would take it too.
Only 2-0 was a big relief and satisfactory result.
Hedged your bet a bit there Ric. CITY to win …. which City ? LOL
There’s only one City, Dave 😉
Just wish I’d had the courage of my convictions to put a bet on it!
Good luck for the rest of the season.