Manchester City 6 v 1 Huddersfield Town

Manchester City v Huddersfield Town
Sunday 19 August, 1:30pm kick off, Etihad Stadium

I’m not going to go over the top, but the loss to Chelsea was disappointing on several fronts. Conceding three goals, woeful defending, in particular Schindler, he missed several important headers which led to uncomfortable moments. Lack of opportunities up front, sounds familiar? Depoitre and Mounié have proven they are most definitely NOT on the same page on the field. They may be big mates off it, but it doesn’t reflect on the grass. Why did Wagner not go with some more attacking intent? As stated a line or two ago, LDP and Mounié is not an option. Why take Pritchard off? Why not have Mbenza at least on the bench? I’ll leave it there.

So, another potential stuffing, or is it? City have lost a key player in De Bruyne. Yes, they have many other quality players, not including Sterling, why is he picked for England, he shouldn’t even get in the City team! De Bruyne is the cement, the glue, the fabric, the playmaker. In all honesty, it is how Wagner sets Town up to then see if they will get anything from this encounter. Yes, we got a great point against them in the close of the last season, but they had won the title by then.

If Wagner starts with Diakhaby and Mbenza, we may give the sky blues a scare. If he wheels out the same team as last week, it’s game over before we start. Obviously, Hamer will be warming the bench, he had a howler last week. Poor kicking was his main issue after having a very good pre season! Billing will get the nod if Hogg doesn’t shake the hip problem. Billing frustrates me no end, he waltzed back for the third goal, yes, Kongolo should have covered Pedro, but Billing virtually walked back and showed no intention of busting a gut. For that misdemeanour, I’d have him benched! As for his defending, when he can be rarsed getting there, don’t bother lad! He has no idea who to mark or what to do.

On with the positives! There’s another week of growth and preparation for the pitch to look like a Premier League pitch and not a Sunday league one; the groundsmen didn’t even blank out the rugby lines, WTF! Pritchard last week looked keen and menacing, well done kid. Mounié will bag a goal or two soon, he was very unlucky not to equalise against Chelsea. Er, that’s it…

I predict a very predictable game. Town will block the fook out of the defensive third. Town will try and counter, with some good intent, but fail to get many shots on target. Mooy will play his crab football when a quick ball forward will suffice. Billing will not track back quickly enough. The new lads, if they do start will be up and at ‘em, which may just shake up the game and City. Wagner will play a lone striker, maybe Mounié getting the nod to start. After all that, City will pick off Town at the appropriate moments!

I was excited last week, honest, but that starting eleven made me shudder!

I’ll be watching the match live on Optus Sport, a decent kick off time of 8:30pm here in Perth, Australia.

City fans, expect Town (Wagner) to frustrate you by being very defensive, you’ve seen it before. However, get too complacent and the little Terrier may just bite your nuts!