Manchester Evening News

CITY SPECIAL Don’t feel Blue, try a non-league game

- By RICHARD FAY sport@men-news.co.uk @ManCityMEN simon.bajkowski@trinitymir­ror.com @spbajko

IT’S difficult to enjoy internatio­nal football when City are in such irresistib­le form.

The Blues sit at the top of the Premier League and it seems agonising there is another week before Pep Guardiola’s men are back in action. But it is not all doom and gloom. While so many of City’s stars are on internatio­nal duty, Blues fans will be searching for a distractio­n to prevent them from repetitive­ly checking their phones all weekend in the hope of no fresh injury concerns.

Thankfully Non-League Day is here to do just that.

Launched in 2010, Non-League Day was set-up to help promote the wonders of lower league football and remind fans of the core values at the heart of the sport.

In an era of multi-billion-pound television deals and a £198m player it’s refreshing to know that there are still grounds where you can buy a season ticket for less than some top-flight clubs charge for a replica kit.

Although a Guardiola tactical masterclas­s can’t be promised, fans can expect a warm community welcome whilewatch­ing affordable football at 3pm today – and what’s more its probably right on your doorstep too!

Many clubs are running promotiona­l offers to get fans through the gates – and there’s various discounts available to City season ticket holders too.

For more informatio­n about the day be sure to visit nonleagued­ay.co.uk. CITY are sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League as we make our way through the October internatio­nal break.

There’s not a bad word to say about Pep Guardiola’s side... apart from we’ve been here before.

The Blues were a point clear at the top of the league this time last year only for things to go very south, very quickly as Chelsea strolled to the title.

City’s coach has been keen to point that out to anyone looking to bill his team as title contenders.

However, they do look stronger this time round. With the potential for significan­t egg-on-face before the year is out, here are five reasons why their challenge should be much better.

DEALING WITH ABSENCES City were badly hurt by absences last season. Vincent Kompany was a big hole that the defence never filled, Ilkay Gundogan offered something nobody else could provide while even suspension­s for Sergio Aguero and Fernandinh­o proved costly.

 ??  ?? Ederson has been an important signing for City
Ederson has been an important signing for City

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