City to rest stars

August 28, 2007

Sven-Goran Eriksson

CITY manager Sven-Goran Eriksson will rest some of his first-team stars and give youngsters a chance to impress in the Carling Cup tie at Bristol City.

With the likes of teenage midfielder Shaleum Logan set to be handed their chance, it seems Eriksson will allow senior players such as Dietmar Hamman, Richard Dunne and Micah Richards the night off at Aston Gate.

That could mean Croatian Vedran Corluka is moved to the centre of defence.

Striker Rolando Bianchi, substitute in the last two matches, could also start against the Coca-Cola Championship side.

Manchester City (from): Schmeichel, Logan, Corluka, Dunne, Ball, Onuoha, Johnson, Ireland, Geovanni, Mpenza, Bianchi, Elano, Garrido, Hart, Corradi, Petrov, Fernandes, Richards, Sun Jihai.

What team should City send out against Bristol City? Have your say.

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adders, Withington (28/08/2007 at 15:19)

It worries me resting first-team players. I know they may benefit personally, but it`s so long since we won anything I feeel we should go all out for success in something. Also, should we suffer a defeat, it isn`t good for morale.
Time enough to start putting out weakened teams when we have broken our 31 year failure to win silverware.

OxfordBlue, Oxford (28/08/2007 at 15:23)

Time will tell if this is a wise decision.

robbo98, wythenshawe (28/08/2007 at 15:23)

not another 2nd round exit i hope.seem to remember pearce doing this last year and the year before the omens aren't good we're on sky for the 3rd year running too.
the only time they show us is when they think we might get beat unlike the rags they've been on every match so far

uwe rossler's jockstrapp, reddish (28/08/2007 at 15:24)

Well i totally disagree with resting players in this cup,not meaning to be negative but this other than the FA cup is our best chance of silverware this season.also how can players be tired after four games,just my opinion but should play the same eleven as he did against the gunners?

sven is god, stretford (28/08/2007 at 15:26)

yes rest hamman,ireland and mpenza but not the heart of the defence thats just asking for trouble

The Truth (28/08/2007 at 15:27)

Sven is absolutely right. Irrespective of our barren recent history it would be folly to risk injury and fatigue on the likes of Micah etc.

bluefield, chesterfield (28/08/2007 at 15:28)

Hart,Onuoha,Ball,Corluka,Dunne,Fernandes,Geovanni,Ireland,Petrov,Bianchi,Corradi.

anglo-saxon rcfc, North Carolina (28/08/2007 at 15:30)

Oxford Blue, Oxford:

now THAT is a classic Donald Farrer comment.

You've made me laugh out loud, cheers.

STURRIDGE! Go on moi saaaaahn. I'd also start Sun Jihai in the middle for a laugh, and Corradi up front, with Sturridge.

I know I am in a minority, but this season I couldn't care less about the C-Cup.

Blue in Spain, Almeria, Spain (28/08/2007 at 15:32)

O.K. Guuuullllp!! It seems like each new manger has to learn this lesson the hard way.

At least we can concentrate on the league.

jamy (28/08/2007 at 15:39)

I wonder if Adriano will start

Doug (28/08/2007 at 15:42)

Sturridge is injured. Give Ched Evans a go.

mickty (28/08/2007 at 15:44)

Surely a good time to play some of the players that might be on the way out but want to stay?

Hey Almeria Blue - where are you? I'm in Cuevas del Almanzora

George, Amsterdam (28/08/2007 at 15:54)

I notice D Mills, Dabo, Dickov & Samaras aren't listed in the squad list. Haven't they made the final 19 or so players in the squad or are they part of the 3 or 4 in talks with other clubs which Sven confirmed earlier? Come on MEN ask the questions!

john@staustell (28/08/2007 at 15:58)

Are we suddenly in the Champions League? I think not, and we should always play our strongest team, aside from any little knocks or injuries which need a rest. There is a fortnight's break soon for goodness sake!

eddieeric, holmes chapel (28/08/2007 at 15:58)

forward wth sven in him we trust

MCFC1996, Manchester (28/08/2007 at 16:04)

This competition is our best chance of winning something. We need to play a very strong team and get the game won. In the recent past we have been knocked out by worse teams than Bristol City.

Cider Drinker, Bristol (28/08/2007 at 16:05)

you're getting get turned over lads

Cider Drinker, Bristol (28/08/2007 at 16:07)

I'm glad SGE is thinking he can walk this game, hes gonna have egg on his face, you mark my words, Bristol City will win by a few goals, no team goes to ASHTON GATE and gets a result, M'boro failed, Everton struggled, this was when they were in league 1, now they have much better players and are really up for this, this is Man Citys only way into Europe, and SGE will regret not playing his best 11, good,

Abracadabra, Mars (28/08/2007 at 16:15)

GK - Schmeichel
RB - Sun Jihai
CB - Onuoha
CB - Dunne
LB - Ball
DM - Fernandes
DM - Johnson
AM - Geovanni
AM - Ireland
AM - Petrov
ST - Bianchi

Subs - Hart, Richards, Elano, Mpenza, Vassell

Colin, Always Blue, Hollingworth, Hyde (28/08/2007 at 16:17)

Hart; Garrido, Corluka, Onuoha, Ball; Logan, Fernandes, Geovanni, Petrov; Corradi, Bianchi, Subs: Schmeichel; Sun Jihai, Evans, Grimes, Mpenza

If Corradi is one of the ones to go then play Evans from the start and put one of the other kids on the bench.

This would be my team - I am really not too bothered about last year or the year before - we have far better quality players in and around the first team squad and the players listed should still beat Bristol 2or3 - 1.

Who knows - we may even have a new striker on the bench!

In Sven We Trust. CTID

zedgie, "I've got high hopes", Manchester (28/08/2007 at 16:17)

I hope he knows what he's doing given recent seasons in
this competition.I was hoping
we could have a good run in this cup for once,but he has
done no wrong so far so whoever plays be professional
& do the job.

41andnotseenowtreally, Heaton Misery (28/08/2007 at 16:20)

NO ! NO ! NO ! Must play strongest team. This is the most important comp to us !!

Back on the M6, St Albans (28/08/2007 at 16:22)

Good move Sven. How about trying Kelvin Ethu and/or Ched Evans up front. Would also like to see Karl Moore.

black and blue, whalley range (28/08/2007 at 16:23)

IF THE PLAYERS THAT ARE TO BE RESTED WERE INJURED THEN WHO DO YOU THINK WOULD REPLACE THEM? IF WE ARE TO BE A FORCE AGAIN THEN WE NEED SQUAD PLAYERS GOOD ENOUGH FOR FIRST TEAM ACTION.CTID.

Steve, Droylsden, Tameside (28/08/2007 at 16:24)

George, Amsterdam: I made the mistake a while ago in thinking that the squad listed in the MEN actually WAS the squad before a match. Doh!

No, it's just a best guess from the newspaper.

Cider Drinker, Bristol: I didn't need cheering up, but thanks for the laugh anyway...

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