I think Fabrice has some confidence back in him, which he seemed to lose at the back end of last season. I'm a big fan of his and never lost the faith, if he keeps playing like he did against QPR (particularly in the second half), then Coyle will have a real tough choice choosing who will partner Holden when he's fit again.

I wouldn't drop Klasnic. He's the only striker we have with the predator instinct.

I wouldn't drop Klasnic. He's the only striker we have with the predator instinct.
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I think you'll find the charges were dropped.

Corporal_Fabrice

Muamba was poor for the last couple of months of the season. He was also excellent on Saturday. I'm not getting carried away after one game.

I think Fabrice suffered with the loss of Holden and having to partner Elmander and Cohen in the middle.. He was left exposed a hell of alot and this must have been tough..

NRC is a proper midfielder and with backup from Pratley and the return of Mavies, he has no excuses..

I was one of Muambas critics last season. He wasn't disciplined enough after we lost Holden.

He may have looked a little better against QPR on Saturday, but it is QPR!! A lot of teams will beat them by a lot of goals this season. They aren't very good.

I was surprised to see Muamba and NRC in midfield vs them - it looked very defensive and bearing in mind our attackers aren't very creative, I still think we could do with a 'creator' in midfield.

Tuncay is a great creator and will drop off the striker at all times to play between the lines. I would prefer SKD to be dropped for Tuncay as I believe Klasnic will score goals given chances, which Tuncay can create.

Then I would be happy with Mumaba and Reo Coker. But dropping SKD won't happen, meaning we won't be able to keep posession up front and the ball will just keep coming back to our defence against City. Midfield will struggle to probe because of lack of movement up top from SKD.

Obviously I hope that doesn't happen, but I think it will

i hope nigel comes alive again at bolton like he was with us because he was wasted at villa

Muamba is like a headless chicken, he just needs some guidance from his partner in midfield, last season Holden offered that until injury when his form dipped but this season he's also got Sergeant Nigel with him so I think he'll have a great season, considering putting a tenner on him to get 5 goals or more !

TRR

Your right.. The interplay and movement we are developing does not lend itself to a SKD type.

Don't stop there, I'm going to put a bet on for him to be the leagues top scorer! I'm a Muambeliever.

MT

I am a big believer that the best form of defence is keeping the ball. Muamba, NRC and Tuncay dropping off could work nicely with Klasnic being a predator on the last man.

SKD's lack of movement will work against us vs City and thats what will make Muamba struggle. City will be able to press the game, as SKD, nor Klasnic will run behind their defence so they can press our midfield, and make us make give the ball away.

Coyle has 2 options vs City; either play Tuncay for SKD or play Mavies for Muamba

He'll not drop the captain after a 4-0 win.. There will be opportunities this season though, when it will be the right moment to tinker and allow us a different way..

SKD still has a part to play, but he should not be untouchable from dropping/resting..

I still think the team carry Muamba, Reo Coker was much better on saturday. Muamba in fairness scored a very good goal but I thought he was poor otherwise, those pundits probably haven't seen the game and only picked him as he scored...

I'm no fan of Muamba but you don't change the team after a 4-0 away win. I like Mark Davies but if he plays against City we will get kicked off the park. City are 3-0 up as I type, i think we are in for a tough game.

Benjirob, maybe all the pundits didn't see the whole game, fair point, but a lot of us did and disagree with your assessment that he was "very poor". I don't know what you're expecting of the lad if that performance was "very poor". Wow.

I can understand that, Rusty.

It is a tough decision for Coyle, or any manager really. Do you be bold and try to keep the ball, or do you stick men behind the ball and defend. Personally, I would always go for the keep ball option.

Doesn't really matter anyway because Coyle aint gunna change a team that has just won 4-0,no matter who we played!

I'm not sure it matters what side we put out - City were very impressive tonight. I'm hoping we can get a draw but you never know, if City have an off day, a very off day, we just might be able to sneak a win.

I dont think we should change that team either.

Citeh have 2 thugs in Yaya Toure and Nigel de Jong so we're going to need Muamba and Nigel to combat that if we are to have a hope of something for this game.

City are likely to go three in midfield, so I suspect we will need to look at that.. Eagles & Petrov seems a luxury to me.. I'd be tempted to go 4-3-3 also.. Tuncay & Eagles behind SKD and a midfield 3 of NRC, Muamba & Pratley..

Ps; Petrov, Mavies and Klasnic is then a decent attacking option on the bench if/when needed..

Robbo on Da Silva will be interesting!

Not really sure why Yaya Toure is being labelled as a thug?

Toure is quality.. Big lad who has developed from a defensive midfielder at Barca to a real box to box threat..

I like him. I'd also like 2 or 3 of his monthly pay cheques too..

Kerching...

Yep.

I think he can become as great as Vieira was. And that's saying something.