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City go to Albion

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City look to build on last week’s 5-2 win at Charlton with an improvement in recent form against the baggies.

Vital Quotes:

Stuart Peaarce looks to build on last week-end’s win at Charlton:

‘To score five in a Premiership away game takes some doing and I was more than pleased with the result we got down there. But all that victory did was keep us in touch with the big boys above us. To nibble away at them and maybe get above a couple, we need another result.’

Ex Rag, Bryan Robson, believes his team is showing improvement as the player’s become used to each other:

‘For me the the run of performances and results over the last few league games is down to Neil Clement and Curtis Davies getting to know each other’s game. It’s down to Ronnie Wallwork and Junichi Inamoto linking well in the centre of midfield and Kanu and Nathan Ellington doing the same in attack.’
Taken a while then Robbo?


West Bromwich Albion Team News:

Albion’s Kanu is struggling to be fit for the game however they are boosted by the return of Chris Kirkland who played a stormer on the opening day of the season at Eastlands.

Player to watch: Kirkland

Probably the best of England’s young keepers.

Manchester City Team News:

City are expected to field the same team that trounced Charlton 5-2. Danny Mills will be missing for at least 5 weeks, allowing David Sommeil a chance to stake a claim.

Player to watch: Vassell

In fine form, something to prove to the England manager in world cup year and should enjoy putting one over the local rivals of his last club.

Match Facts & Stats

City have struggled against the baggies in the last two seasons managing a paltry 2 points from 9 available. This is the reverse fixture of the opening day 0-0 draw, a match that was probably less exciting than the cricket at Old Trafford that same day. Considering only 4 overs were bowled due to the rain it doesn’t take much to imagine the standards set. Worse still came at The Hawthorns last season when City put in probably their worst performance of the season, going down 2-0. City currently lie 8th with 24 points while Albion continue to struggle in 17th with just 13 points. Albion have never won a Premiership game in December, a run we hope continues.

Ref Watch:

Mike Dean …. A vast improvement on last years man in the middle, one Graham Poll.

Match Prediction:

If the team can reproduce the form of last week this should be a comfortable victory, however taking into account the Typical City factor and our recent record against the baggies I’ll settle for a 1-1 draw.

Next Fixtures:

Birmingham (h)
Wigan (a)
Chelsea (h)

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