It’s time for City to bounce back

Manchester City’s roving reporter writes every week for Chron Sport

MANUEL Pellegrini threw in one or two of the kids for Manchester City’s FA Cup game at Chelsea and unfortunately it didn’t quite work out.

I can understand the manager resting the senior players, though, and some of the youngsters acquitted themselves on their debuts. The lad Garcia looks a good prospect.

Of course it will be a different team altogether for tomorrow’s match at Dynamo Kiev. It’s a tie that City will be confident of progressing from - certainly more so than if they had drawn Barcelona again or Real Madrid.

I think Mr Pellegrini will be happy with anything out of the first leg game, whether that’s a draw or maybe a couple of away goals.

It’s then down to Wembley again on Sunday for the Capital One Cup final against Liverpool.

I think the result in Ukraine during the week will have a bearing on what kind of City team goes out to seal the first piece of silverware on offer this season.

Don’t forget City have lost their last three games now, so they need to bounce back tomorrow.

It’s not very often the side has lost three on the spin in recent years, so there’s a test of character ahead for the players as well.

Liverpool will be desperate to win the League Cup because it’s probably their only chance of winning

something this season. City have got to match that detemination and resilience.

It will be great for Mr Pellegrini to get a trophy in the cabinet early in what is his final season at the club.