Despite all the speculation otherwise, and the hopes of many that Roberto would be left on the bench for the game against Spurs, it seems Manuel Pellegrini is set to continue with the Spaniard.

This would be in line with ClaretandHugh‘s report of some days ago that David Martin would not get a chance to step in as No 1 for the game.

The manager could hardly have been clearer in his backing of Roberto at his pre-match presser and and it would be a massive shock if he went back on his own words and promoted the No 3 David Martin.

Rightly or wrongly the decision seems to have been made and we can only hope and pray that the guy produces the performance of his season so far on Saturday and keeps a clean sheet.

We ran a piece immediately before this in which we gave a reminder of what Phil Parkes had said but it looks impossible that his advice will be heeded.

Here’s what the boss told his press conference: “Every player when they are in a bad moment needs the confidence of us behind them. Roberto has a lot of experience in a lot of countries.

He knows it’s not his best performance in the last game, but I think, all of us – the fans, the players and the staff – must trust in him.”

Unless something has been lost in translation that very much looks to be that then!