City and England defender Joleon Lescott gears up for the Manchester FA Cup derby by telling it like it is over Sir Alex Ferguson’s most infamous City team talk…
The powerful centre half has been in fine form for a lengthy period and is eager to point out that despite Taggart’s persistent dismissal of The Blues, the league leaders are where they are on merit:
‘We take the noisy neighbours term with a pinch of salt now. We felt it was a bit disrespectful at the start, but I think even now they have started to regret saying it because we are consistent and a good team…We are not just making noise, we are top of the league and rightly so. We know now that wherever we go we are the team to beat.’
Lescott, who will partner classy City skipper Vincent Kompany in front of Joe Hart on Sunday went on to give his insight into the two most recent derby results. One in London and the other in Stretford.
The Community Shield:
‘That was the most significant result. We learnt more from that game than beating United 6-1 or in the FA Cup last season. Going in 2-0 up at half-time, I hate to say it, and nobody said it, but we maybe though we weren’t going to lose. We aren’t the kind of side to concede three in a game, never mind one half. But we were a bit naive. United taught us a lesson in the second half. That humbled us a lot. Since the start of the season we have never looked like that. We’ve always thought we need to get another goal. It taught us something about the mentality of champions.’
The Six One:
‘After that game, we could have been really noisy but we showed respect. All the boys were hyped up but the manager came in and said it was just three points. That settled us right down and we got changed and went home.’
And on to this weekend, Lescott had this to say ahead of the eagerly anticipated clash:
‘Last season there were a lot of new faces and it was always going to be hard. This year the confidence is there and we have a year’s worth of experience of playing together. To beat United again would be great, but it will be tough. They are a great club and it’s very rare they lose three games on the bounce…So we have to be focused. It is all about mental strength.’
UPCOMING FIXTURES:
all times East Manchester
Su 8 Jan 13:00 City v Rags, The Etihad, FAC3
We 11 Jan 19:45 Liverpool, The Etihad, LCSF1
Mo 16 Jan 20:00 Wigan, DW Stadium, PL
Su 22 Jan 13:30 Spurs, The Etihad, PL
We 25 Jan 19:45 Liverpool, Anfield, LCSF2
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