City appear to have had a good start to the season, with only two defeats all season, whilst Stoke are in a more than acceptable 11th and we travel to Eastlands looking solid if unspectacular. Do you think the hosts have a good chance of picking up three points?
I WOULD EXPECT MAN CITY TO WIN A VERY TIGHT GAME.
The Potters are well known for a physical style but what kind of style are City likely to play?
I THINK , EVEN AT THIS EARLY STAGE , YOU COULD SEE A MUCH TIGHTER DEFENSIVE PERMANCE FROM US , AND I REALLY DON'T SEE THERE BEING MANY GOALS IN THIS AS I'M EXPECTING STOKE TO COME HERE WITH A 'NO LOSE' ATTITUDE.
Mark Hughes is gone and Roberto Mancini is in. The players were reportedly unhappy with that decision. Do you think this will have an effect on the performance or will it all be put aside for ninety minutes?
HARD TO SAY ... BUT I'D HOPE OUR PLAYERS ARE PROFESSIONAL ENOUGH TO WANT TO PLAY FOR THE FANS ANYWAY , REGARDLESS OF WHOEVER IS IN CHARGE , BUT I DO THINK THAT MANCINI WILL 'WIN THEM OVER' ........ THE PLAYERS WOULD DO WELL TO REMEMBER THAT THEY ARE WELL PAID , AND THAT IT IS THEY WHO GOT HUGHES THE SACK IN THE FIRST PLACE!
Are there any Stoke players you are wary of?
I'M NOT WORRIED ABOUT ANY ONE PARTICULAR STOKE PLAYER , AS WE SHOULD REALLY BE ABLE TO COPE WITH THAT , IF WE PERFORM AS WE REALLY SHOULD ...... IT'S MORE THAT STOKES COLLECTIVE 'TEAM SPIRIT' THAT COULD TROUBLE US .... A 'NEVER-SAY-DIE' ATTITUDE COULD EASILY WIN YOU POINTS AGAINST CITY , AS THE LIKES OF BURNLEY AND FULHAM HAVE FOUND OUT RECENTLY ...... AND THE LIKES OF TOURE HARDLY FILLS ME WITH MUCH OPTIMISM THAT WE WON'T CONCEDE GOALS AGAIN.
Who should we keep an eye out for?
WE HAVE SOME GOOD PLAYERS , PLAYERS WHO ARE REALLY GOOD ENOUGH TO TROUBLE ANY SIDE , BUT IT'S ALL ABOUT THEIR ATTITUDE TO THE GAME THIS WEEKEND ....... OBVIOUS THREATS ARE SWP , TEVEZ , IRELAND ...... THEY ARE PROBABLY THE THREE MOST LIKELY TO GIVE A GOOD PERFORMANCE REGARDLESS ..... AND YOU'LL HAVE TO WATCH RSC TOO , HE'S STARTED FINDING HIS FEET HERE NOW.
...and finally, a prediction?
MAN CITY ....... 2 STOKE ....... 0