The phoney wars and fitness crusades will end at Celtic Park this evening as boss Mark Hughes demands an improvement in performance.
So far, the Blues' two friendlies have resulted in a single goal defeat to Hamburg and a 2-2 draw with neighbours Stockport and Hughes wants his men to step up from those outings and the two facile UEFA Cup wins over Faroe Isles minnows EB/Streymur.
He expects the intensity levels to be switched up a notch in front of a partisan Glaswegian crowd that he reckons doesn't do friendlies!
Hughes admitted that there was still time for players to catch his eye for the opening day assignment at Aston Villa but noted that, for a few familiar faces, opportunities were running out.
"Some of the pre-season games I have seen have been like basketball or netball matches with teams saying `you have an attack and we will have an attack' and very little contact," he smiled.
"Those kinds of matches do not prepare a side in the correct way and I anticipate that our next two matches - against Celtic tonight and AC Milan on Saturday - will be nothing like that.
Performances
"Now is the time that we are starting to look for performances from individuals and the team whereas, up to this point, it has to a certain extent been about getting fitness levels right and getting enough fitness into players' legs.
"That is what we have been trying to do in early games but that will change from tonight onwards. Some players have really impressed me but others have a little bit more to do in that respect."
City will be without Italian striker Rolando Bianchi who misses out with some fluid on the knee but otherwise will be at full strength and expect to give more game time to the weekend headline grabbers Valeri Bojinov and Tal Ben-Haim.
Key figures Richard Dunne, Micah Richards, Michael Johnson and Martin Petrov will also return to the fray after seeing no action at Edgeley Park and will come up against former team-mate Georgios Samaras.
"I have been pleased with the work ethic the players have shown. Now we want to add to the quality of performance and hit the ground running. Tonight will be a big test," the manager continued.
"We will still split the squad so that not too much weight of work falls on too few players but we want to win the next two matches. It helps momentum.
"There will be a special atmosphere tonight and there will be an edge I am sure. Celtic fans are renowned for turning up in vast numbers and having seen games up there before, I know first hand that their support is unbelievable.
"In fairness, I may take some of the younger players to sample the atmosphere because it is so unique and will stand them in good stead."
How do you think the team is shaping up? Have your say.
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Doesn't sound like a manager who's just found out the club are selling Corluka behind his back, does he ?
Hat-trick for the Greek goddess tonight no doubt!
So, if we are fielding our strongest team then Corky will fill the RB slot?
Two or three astute buys and we will be up and running. Trust in Yosser...
OH NO!!, No Bianchi, what'll we do
I really couldn't give two shits about this game or anything els at the moment.
Bit of a relief this story. A good performance will do wonders hopefully in many ways. I can do with a bit of positive news.
only bianchi is missing ? would the muen like to rewrite that article and give corluka a mention or is it assumed he is part of the full strength squad ?
any news on whether Corluka is going to be in the squad heading north of the border?
COME ON YOU BLUES a good win
CITY TILL I DIE
will the players minds be focused with all the rumours surrounding the club the last couple of days? If Corluka is not with the squad is he gone? Will Corluka be cup-tied having played in the game against EB last week so not available to Spurs. Hope the boys put on a performance but just can't see a win tonight!
And watch the Athenian Fenian go !
Who the hell is Celtic Chalmers, Judiths brother?
And how has Bianchi got housemaids knee?
What a poof!
I reckon we all need to forget the Thaksin stuff, after all unless one of us has got a couple of hundred million quid spare there is nowt we can do about it. Looking forward to tonight's game as another step on the way to the new season. Hope the young strikers get another chance.
So if we sell Corluka, can we get Jihai back?
Off subject slightly, Steve Coppell says that 'Nicky Shorey will be leaving Reading by the end of this week' Does that mean he will be joining us? Hope so, better than the joker we have at left back now.
a much quicker tempo please?
Bring on the Jocks, live on setanta au early am.
GO GREECE LIGHTWEIGHT
is the match on tv or live feed on internet ant1 no plz?
Bluereed my voice only
6/08/2008 at 10:49
Absolutely brilliant, just about sums it all up. I am still laughing now..
Oh how i wish that we were playing rangers or at least that they were allowed to go into the uefa cup....would love to meet a few of them after the cheeky twits wrecked my town - dead brave that whilst all the other local 'boys' weren't around !! wrecking cars and terrifying innocent straight members of the public!
expat blue-sat in bar sio8, a-u-l
Setanta 1, or for internet try footballstreaming.info
I reckon we all need to forget the Thaksin stuff, after all unless one of us has got a couple of hundred million quid spare there is nowt we can do about it. Looking forward to tonight's game as another step on the way to the new season. Hope the young strikers get another chance.
Monkeyhanger, Wigan
6/08/2008 at 13:01
Totally agree!!!
chicityblue, chichester
6/08/2008 at 13:49
I've calmed down and popped me PROZAC,i'll be screaming at the telly tonight cheering the boys on.