[Archived] Rovers versus Manchester City, 25th April 8pm

[PAFELL]

I hope they're making it up. Two of the worst players in the Prem.

Benjani may consider he has something to prove to Man city - so if playing may play his heart out.

ok I am trying to be positive.

[imy9]

I can see Benjani and Roberts causing problems for City, as long as Hoilett is firing behind them.

[PAFELL]

Nothing confirmed Re the teams yet.

Roberts upfront might work, City struggled against physical strikers such as Davies and Carroll, so can see the thinking behind Roberts starting. Benjani has ability to score goals, he will be ok for 50 minutes or so.

Let's wait for the teams to be confirmed first.

I am hoping for and expecting a lot lot better performance than v everton

[Craigman]

Robinson

Salgado

Samba

P Jones

Givet

Emerton

Dunn

J Jones

Olsson

Benjani

Roberts

Bunn

Kalinic

Formica

Pedersen

Rochina

Hanley

Diouf

All from official text

[Oklahoma]

1-0 Rovers, late goal by Samba after fighting hard to keep a clean sheet.

I was optimistic but after seeing our team, I am no longer... Our midfield is too poor...

[RibbleValleyRover]

Robinson

Salgado

Samba

P Jones

Givet

Emerton

Dunn

J Jones

Olsson

Benjani

Roberts

Bunn

Kalinic

Formica

Pedersen

Rochina

Hanley

Diouf

All from official text

No Hoilett, must be too soon.

City should batter us and I think they will, 3-0 City.

[Kamy100]

4-4-2, very brave move consider the strength that City have in midfield.

[Exiled_Rover]

Robinson

Salgado

Samba

P Jones

Givet

Emerton

Dunn

J Jones

Olsson

Benjani

Roberts

Bunn

Kalinic

Formica

Pedersen

Rochina

Hanley

Diouf

All from official text

Oh dear, we're going to get battered.

[Anti-Dingle-Brigade]

Formica on the bench, interesting.

Looks like a solid 4-4-2, Olsson back on the wing. Shame no Hoilett.

[Fife Rover]

Well if Roberts does play at least the linesman will be happy. He will get more smiles and winks than the prettiest girl in a pub.

Errrrrr! You think Roberts has a "thing" for men in black and specifically linesmen do you?

[Amo]

If Hoilett is injured, then surely Diouf or Rochina should replace him? I don't even rate Diouf, but he'll do more on that right-flank than Dunn or Emerton.

[PAFELL]

Robinson

Salgado

Samba

P Jones

Givet

Emerton

Dunn

J Jones

Olsson

Benjani

Roberts

Bunn

Kalinic

Formica

Pedersen

Rochina

Hanley

Diouf

All from official text

Sadly no Junior - but if he is still in need of time to heal from his injry - but is available for Bolton, so be it. still positive.

[Tim Southampton Rover]

Formica late winner

[DanLad]

Nothing confirmed Re the teams yet.

Roberts upfront might work, City struggled against physical strikers such as Davies and Carroll, so can see the thinking behind Roberts starting. Benjani has ability to score goals, he will be ok for 50 minutes or so.

Let's wait for the teams to be confirmed first.

As ypou say, there is a logic to it, but I'm afraid that it's flawed. The trouble is that Roberts isn't really physical. He's man mountain, but spends all game being pushed about and whinging to the ref. A Davies or Carroll he most certainly isn't, I'm afraid.

[ben_the_beast]

Given the lineup I think we are going to get battered. Not what I would have chosen. Hope I'm made to eat my words though.

[rebelmswar]

Errrrrr! You think Roberts has a "thing" for men in black and specifically linesmen do you?

He seems to.

Wonder if he is also a Cash fan?

[imy9]

Could it be 4-3-3? With Benjani in the middle and Roberts and Olsson on either side?

[Anti-Dingle-Brigade]

I think our midfield is about right, it's somewhat solid and has some creativity. But whether it will be enough...

[magicalmortensleftpeg]

Hoilett out is far more of an issue then Benjani and Roberts starting. Its certainly a change in formation. Lets hope it works.

[Oklahoma]

Don't feel very positive about this but now it's not the time to complain!!!

GO ROVERS!!!! WE NEED 3 POINTS TODAY!!!!

[Bobby G]

Cant believe the lineup.

Emo? Dunny will get over-run. Wouldve liked Phil Jones in midfield with Givet central and maybe Olsson left back.

Oh well.

More worried than ever.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Giving Hoilett more time with a view to the more winnable games ? I wouldn't have gone 4-4-2 from the off but if I had to I would have had Benjani and Kalinic. Can see us getting overrun in midfield with this line up. J Jones needs to play the game of his life and blot Toure out.

[RibbleValleyRover]

Same City lineup from the cup game by the looks of it.

[Anti-Dingle-Brigade]

City:

Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Kolarov, De Jong, Barry, Yaya Toure, Johnson, Silva, Balotelli.

Gulp.

[BRFC1995]

Robinson

Salgado

Samba

P Jones

Givet

Emerton

Dunn

J Jones

Olsson

Benjani

Roberts

Bunn

Kalinic

Formica

Pedersen

Rochina

Hanley

Diouf

All from official text

thats really....SLOW