City look to get their season on track in the FA Cup as they entertain Brian Laws’ League 1 outfit, Scunthorpe United.
Vital Quotes:
Speaking to the official site, www.mcfc.co.uk, Stuart Pearce reels out the top flight cliches.
‘Every cup game is a potential banana-skin because the bottom line is that you can go out of the competition. Whether it’s against Scunthorpe, Man United or whoever, the stakes are exactly the same. You want to go through to the next round and not go out in this round.’
Pearce also stresses the need for a good cup run.
‘It’s a good competition, there’s the chance of playing in the new Wembley but it’s an opportunity for us to be in front of our own supporters again and put a show on. It’s important for this football club that we have a good run in the cup.’
Manchester City Team News:
Sibierski is fit again after missing the Spurs debacle. Riera is unavailable because of the failure to obtain international clearance in time.
Player to watch: Barton
In fine form and the only player to come out of Christmas with any credit.
Scunthorpe United Team News:
40 year old, ex blue, Peter Beagrie has a chance of turning out against his old club.
Player to watch: Beagrie
Simply for the blue connection.
Match Facts & Stats
This cup tie brings two ex playing colleagues together as opposing mangers for the first time. Laws and Pearce both played for Forest in the Clough era and both will be looking to get one over the other with a win. City have only met Scunthorpe on 2 previous occassions, winning both games. City are in a poor run of form with 1 point from a possible 12 over Christmas and New Year. Scunthorpe find theselves in relegation trouble, sitting 17th in League 1.
Match Prediction:
This game is needed to lift morale at Eastlands. Despite Scunny giving Chelsea a tough time last season I really cannot see them getting anything off City. The team will see it as an opportunity to get back on track with a win before next weeks big derby and hopefully set out on a long awaited cup run. Scunthorpe will have a large following which should make for a real cup tie atmosphere but I don’t see them returning home celebrating. Nothing to spectacular for the blues, 2-0 and a place in the 4th round.
Next Fixtures:
Rags (h) 14/01/06