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

[Bobby G]

No creativity to create chances for the strikers.

Dunn will have to focus more on defensive duties.

[Darwen Rover]

Brave or nieave time will tell...

[mattym]

Eh? I've had SSn on for the last hour, no mention of who's starting (why would there be at this time?)

You obviously had a different SSN on than me !! As you will see this has now been confirmed !!!

Keanes the only muppet in the league to give his team to the media 2 hours before a must win match

[broadsword]

A ) wait until its confirmed

It's not really that big a deal, is it? Whether or not people try to come up with a line-up before all injury news is in.

It's not like they're trying to do a team down or put a bad juju on Steve Kean.

[pick32]

hopefully Emerton is going to stay back otherwise I don't fancy Salgado's chances with Johnson or Silva.

[Exiled_Rover]

Brave or nieave time will tell...

Horribly naive sadly. I've honestly no idea what Kean's intention is with this formation. Playing two upfront suggests he wants to attack, but then he puts that midfield out. Bizarre.

[broadsword]

Having seen that line-up I think we should take Dunn out and put Bunn on and play him and Robinson in goal.

[DE.]

[Oklahoma]

Keanes the only muppet in the league to give his team to the media 2 hours before a must win match

Mourinho sometimes gives his team to the media in the day before....

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

It's a shame Hoilett's not playing. Kolarov's ok going forward but a defender he isn't. Let's hope Brett can get at him. It's really important we start off with a high tempo and get them on the back foot,let the energy levels drop and City will take over.

[rebelmswar]

Sadly that midfield does look as toothless as a Atlanta crackwhore.

I fear we will be torn to shreads.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Having seen that line-up I think we should take Dunn out and put Bunn on and play him and Robinson in goal.

I've often wondered who'd win if a conventional team of 10 outfield players and 1 goalkeeper played a team with 9 outfield players and 2 goalkeepers.

[magicalmortensleftpeg]

It's not really that big a deal, is it? Whether or not people try to come up with a line-up before all injury news is in.

It's not like they're trying to do a team down or put a bad juju on Steve Kean.

Sadly there are so many people on here who can't wait to stick the knife into Kean that even if Sky somehow get the teamsheet half an hour early, Kean is to blame. The team is largely as expected however instead of Rochina and Kalinic he's playing Benjani and Roberts. More physical approach certainly. Hope it pays off.

[Tom]

Just sat in my car and heard the team and seriously wanted to head straight home but I'm going to brave it.

This clown is taking us down, rochina was our best attacking player last week and without hoilett maybe the only spark.

Clueless!

Changed my prediction to 0-4 now

[imy9]

Sky sports announce 4-3-3

[broadsword]

Sadly there are so many people on here who can't wait to stick the knife into Kean that even if Sky somehow get the teamsheet half an hour early, Kean is to blame. The team is largely as expected however instead of Rochina and Kalinic he's playing Benjani and Roberts. More physical approach certainly. Hope it pays off.

While I agree that there can sometimes be a feeding frenzy on the smallest morsel of half-truth if it appears to be negative, I really don't think Phil was trying to start a wave of negativity just by trying to come up with a team.

I also hope it pays off, but the team is lacking in pace and I fear we'll get picked off. I hope that's unfounded and we don't lose. I would definitely take a draw out of this.

[rebelmswar]

I don't know if I should be terrified or excited with us playing such a formation.

[Drunx2002]

I'm not sure it matters whether Mancini knew that Roberts and Benjani were up front yesterday, two hours ago, or just now.

When he has Manchester City's squad to pick from, I doubt he's that concerned about any of our forwards even getting near the ball considering our sterile midfield.

Worrying thing for me is J Jones is probably going to have to sit on Silva or Y Toure, which leaves Dunny left with the other one. I say "left with", I kind of mean "trailing in the wake of" the other one.

Only realistic hope is that it's one of those crazy games where the result defies all the odds. Thankfully, City seem to be a bit rubbish away from home at the moment.

[Oklahoma]

No matter what the starting 11 is, a lot of what happens in games comes from the way the players enter in it.

I hope Kean can make the players give all they have and a little more to get a result in all the games we have left.

[broadsword]

OK, I'm off to the pub with a mixture of fear and outright terror in my bowels.

Here's hoping the team can give us a most welcome surprise.

[Iceman]

its like an old vcr machine vs a 3D Player lol

[Daremz]

Hoilett is out for the season. Just to keep the spirit a bit higher, this is not announced, but I think Jr. won't play any more matches for us this season.

And we'll lose tonight. 0-3.

[Ricky]

A midfield diamond!!!!!

Adam Johnson is going to have a lot of fun!!!!

[Maverick]

We will struggle in midfield. No pace or workrate. Hope we can get a lucky early goal on a set piece.

[Anti-Dingle-Brigade]

If we lose, we lose. Just put up a proper fight please.