BLUES fans hoping that Bolton minds will be on the Carling Cup final and not Premiership revenge are barking up the wrong tree.
That's the belief of City chief Kevin Keegan as he prepares his beleaguered and suspension-hit squad for the trip to the Reebok.
Keegan must plan without banned trio Paul Bosvelt, Joey Barton and Nicolas Anelka as he attempts plot his way out of a winless maze stretching all the way back to November 1.
And Trevor Sinclair will be added to that lengthy list of absentees if his injured calf doesn't pass a morning test.
Full back Jihai Sun could return to the squad but he only arrives back from World Cup duty from China on Friday and the Blues will have to check his jet-lag before naming him in the squad.
Chances
Youngsters Stephen Elliott, Paddy McCarthy, Willo Flood and Stephen Jordan are all likely to be in the travelling party and at least one of them could find a place on the bench.
Keegan will use the 6-2 October mauling of Wanderers to motivate his players but understands only too well that it will be a different Bolton side that the Blues meet tomorrow in terms of their mental strength and belief.
"They can be very proud of what they have achieved this season," he said.
"It looks at this stage that they are not going to be involved in the relegation scramble.
"From the day that we beat them so well, they have gone on a very good cup run. They have got themselves into a final and that is a fantastic achievement.
"I don't think being in the final next week will be on their minds. Sam Allardyce's teams are always very much up for it.
Flattered
"I have been very impressed watching them this season. They did not play well against us at Eastlands but I think 6-2, to be fair, flattered us a bit. It was quite a close first half.
"I am expecting a tough game. It is a game we both need something out of.
"It is nicely set up. I don't know if their minds will be on the final the week after but I doubt it, knowing the way Sam is."
Keegan has had to endure his managerial qualities being questioned severely during the current run and the intensity of the spotlight and the speculation grows with every non-winning game that passes.
Support
It is one of the reasons he has been so appreciative of the continued support of City fans.
"Until we start improving them you can not blame people for having a go at us outside of the club," he said.
"The supporters have been very loyal and very understanding. They have seen us lose games that we shouldn't have and have stuck behind us.
"I think that is going to be the key to us not only surviving in this division but also climbing the table."
Last season: Bolton 2 Manchester City 0
Key opponent: Jay-Jay Okocha - Perhaps the most skilful player in the Premiership
Prediction: Bolton 1 Manchester City 1
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James, Sun, DVB, Distin, Tarnat ,SWP, Bosvelt, Barton, Macca, Sibierski & Fowler playing 4-4-1-1 can get us a result. Bring on Bolton!
Phil, did you read this artical?
James, Tarnat, DVB, Distin, Sun ( He won't be jet lagged)SWP, Reyna, Sib, Macca, Elliot, Macken...
City ur going down, best fans don't make me laugh. On second thoughts that's just what you are going to do on Saturday ha ha ha ha
Bosvelt and Barton are suspended Phil so while your selecton is admirable it won't happen. I think KK will use this as an excuse to keep Dunce and go 3 at the back.Whatever happens we are short of a tackling midfielder because of the suspensions so if he is not playing full back I think Sun is worth a punt as the holding midfielder. Even though he's only just back from China he's probably the fittest player at the club and imho is our best chance of keeping JayJay quiet.
James, Tarnat, DVB, Distin, Sun, Sibierski, Macca, Reyna, SWP, Elliott, Fowler. Like the sound of this Stephen Elliott. He deserves a chance and the way things are going at the moment, we need a change.
My team for saturday would be DEFENCE= james,sunji,van buy,bischoff,distin MIDFIELD swp,sib,reyna,tarnat FORWARDS macken,fowler
If City lose tomorrow then i will never be able to show my face in public again. As i am stuck in bolton with all the evil trotters i will be ridiculed for the rest of the year. Another point, the reebok toiletbowl isnt in bolton, its in horwich, much like the meccano deathstar is in salford, so bolton arent from bolton. COME ON CITY! SAVE US FROM RELEGATION ZONE SHAME! COME ON YOU BLUES!
Come on you BLUES !
See what thinking positive does to you! - I had forgotten all about the suspensions b " and coupled with the injuries - it doesn't look promising to say the least.
Day by day KK sounds just like Joe Royle 3 years ago,
he is now into must not lose fear mentality rather than a must win. ONLY 3 POINTS A GAME WILL DO FROM HERE ON IN!
Play Wiekens as the holding player (he can look after Jay Jay). Partner him with Reyna. Macca (slightly better last week) and SWP on the flanks. SJ, DVB, SD,MT at the back and Fowler and Elliot up front. Elliot is an unknown quantity to opposing defenders and will give us something different.
I know that Nic Anelka is suspended for tomorrow but I've just seen him popping into Selfridges...................in Birmingham!!!! I hope he's not here "on business."
No Phil, I think it's living in Cornwall that does it to you!
Still, wish we had your weather...
Phil, it's all them pasties mate!
James,Sun,Distin,Van Buyten,Bischoff,Croft,SWP,Sibierski,Elliott,Fowler,Macken
Difficult to say what KK will do tomorrow but his hand is obviously forced due to suspensions in midfield. Carl- Mcr, do you have the same inside knowledge that I do? You could be right, don't be at all surprised to see a recall for a certain Mr Gerard Weikens! He will surely have to play 5 across the back due to Barton and Bosvelt's bans and that 5 might just include a long overdue return to the starting line-up for the dependable Dutchman. He may stay loyal to Dunney but don't bank on it. James; SWP, DVB, Weikens, Distin, Tarnat; Reyna, Macca, Sibierski; Macken, Fowler. Subs; Sun, Dunne, Elliot, Arason, Sinclair if fit or Flood.
Interesting mix of team selections here. The most pleasing thing for me is that not one of the selections includes Richard Dunne. Perhaps the penny has dropped! I only hope Kevin Keegan has recognised it also. Dunne is worth a goal start to all City's opponents.
Do you remember a few weeks ago when every one was heralding dunnes return a a turning point??
Here we go again. He's only been here a few weeks and now he's fallen for the "injured in training" routine. DVB out tomorrow as KK thinks unlikely to pass late fitness test. Dunne in again by default. Be better playing 4-1-3-2 Sun, Bischoff, Distin and Jordan with what's left at the back with Wiekens as a sweeper and SWP, Reyna and Macca in midfield and Elliott and Macken up front.
Think we'll see Wiekens and Negouai before we see the youth.
We finish early on Sat so we`ll turn out later for you lot thats if you want a victory.
Our dear Steviee Mac (kissess** Kisses!) and Robbie Fowler will score against Bolton this week. The last time our prince charming was here he terrorised everyone in the new Reebok and made a goal for Robbie. Macca also scored two goals for me and Darlene in 1995's League Cup final at Wembley against the cruel Wanderers. Go Go Go Mac Go!
My boyfriend tells me City have no hope against Bolton but to be honest, I think I've never ever seen a City team that has looked this good... They have David Armani James, Shaun Sexy Wright PhilLIPS and the ever quint and classily gorgeous Steve McManaman. Bolton don't stand a chance do they?
SWP is da MAN!!! for us! The kid has talent abound and he's really our only hope to rival Okocha/Djorkaeff. Spin em round and run em ragged Shauny. And KK can sign off if he plays American cheesecake Reyna instead of Willo or Jordan. Our youth deserve their chance to play and go alongside SWP or learn from Macca and Bosvelt.