City have a chance to repeat last season’s achievements by reaching the quarter final of the FA cup. Just one thing that stands in their way, a tricky away tie at Preston who have quite a good record against City.
Vital Quotes:
Stuart Pearce on his approach to the game:
‘My main criteria whenever I get on a coach is to a.) win the game and b.) not get beaten. That`s the way it`s always been.
‘As long as come the Sixth Round of the cup and we`re still in there, fighting and scrapping, I don`t care if we`ve got to go all the way to penalties at home.’
On how he see’s the Preston side:
‘They`re doing fantastically well in the Championship and the result could go either way. I`m not naïve enough to sit here as a Manchester City Manager and think this is nailed on and we`re in the Sixth Round and I don`t think any of our players are either.
‘They are a decent side, they`ve got a good manager and a good coaching staff that have got them going in the right direction.’
Preston Team News:
Simpson has lost Brett Ormerod and Kelvin Wilson from his squad. Wilson is suspended after being sent off against Wolves last week, while Ormerod has suffered a fractured cheekbone.
Sean St Ledger, Seyfo Soley and Pavel Pergl are all battling to come into defence.
With Ormerod out, Simpson has options like Neil Mellor or Danny Dichio – although Patrick Agyemang and Adam Nowland could feature, depending on what formation is used.
Player to watch: David Nugent
A premiership striker in waiting who City had a look at while he was at Bury 2 years ago.
Manchester City Team News:
Manchester City’s main injury worry is striker Darius Vassell. The former Aston Villa man is still struggling with a hamstring complaint.
City boss Stuart Pearce will be hoping Vassell does not join an increasing injury list at Eastlands.
Should Vassell fail to make the game then youngster Daniel Sturridge could be handed a fresh chance to impress.
Hatem Trabelsi, Trevor Sinclair, Paul Dickov and Nedum Onuoha are all out of the match, but goalkeeper Nicky Weaver could make the bench.
New signing Emile Mpenza is not available due to international clearance not being pasted in time.
Player to watch: Joey Barton
The driving force in City’s midfield.
Match Facts & Stats
The last two meetings at Deepdale have resulted in a defeat and a draw for City. Other than that the two teams have rarely met in the past couple of decades. So history does not really play any part as only Weaver and Dunne are the only two members of our squad that were at the defeat in October 2001.
Ref Watch:
Mike Riley – the Manchester United supporting yorkshireman! He last referee’d City just prior to Christmas in City’s 2-0 defeat to Bolton where Barton got sent off for a late lunge.
Match Prediction:
City to score first but Nugent to equalize to send the game back to COMS. 1-1.
Next Fixtures:
Wigan Athletic, Sat 3rd March 3pm kick off at home after a possible 2 week break.