In the scheme of snow driven things, City’s game against Rovers has become The Blues’ long awaited game in hand. A 4th consecutive league win would propel Mancio’s men into 4th position..
Vital Quotes:
Roberto Mancini:
VMC City Video Link: Mancini and Vieira pre Blackburn Press Conference
Sam Allardyce:
“I think Mancini has had a look and thought even though they have only lost two, they have drawn so many games because they haven’t managed to keep the clean sheet. If they had done that they would have won more games rather than drawn them, where it’s the opposite for us – we’ve not scored enough. They have always managed to score with the talent they have got but they have been a little open and lost some very important leads to end up drawing. I think he’s put that right. We need to get some wins quickly. That is going to be difficult at Manchester City, but not impossible.”
Martin Petrov:
“It is very clear what each individual must do under this manager and I think that’s normal, because he comes from Italy. And you know how it is in Italy with the tactical stuff.
“If you play with all 11 players acting as a team on the pitch then it’s good.”
Patrick Vieira:
“Mancini is a winner. He is a really ambitious man. He came here because he knows he can achieve something. He will do everything for the team to be successful and win games.
“There are similarities between Mancini and Arsene Wenger. They both like to work on the pitch and like to be next to the players. They manage players and believe in communication. That is really good and I regard it as a compliment that I am the first player Mancini has brought to City.”
Carlos “El Apache” Tevez:
“The manager has already shown he will give anybody a chance if he likes what he sees in training. It’s been at a good level ever since I came here, but it’s even more intense now and you have to bring the best out of yourself.”
Micah Richards:
“You know what, he (Mancini) came in and introduced himself to all the lads in the dressing room. We were all there and it’s like the first day at school all over again. He shook hands with everyone, and by that I mean he had all the academy lads in there as well. That was really impressive.”
Manchester CITY Team News:
The postponement of City’s League Cup semi-final with the rags has given the squad a little more time to ease it’s many injuries, but Ireland, Onuoha, Wright-Phillips, Lescott, Johnson and Bridge should all be missing from the starting line up, crocked.
Santa Cruz, whom Mancio has praised this past week returns to availability hoping to build upon a pisspoor 3 starts for The Blues.
Vieira has failed a fitness test on a calf strain.
Richards should be back in defence having been forced off injured against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup. Toure and Adebayor are away with their international sides.
Player to watch: Carlos Tevez
Yet again I am selecting Tevez as the man to make things happen for City. 8 goals in 9 games, 12 goals from 20 City starts. The rags must be seething.
Blackburn Rovers Team News:
It’s a clean bill of health all round for Big Fat Samuel save for Grella who was knacked in the recent defeat at Villa. The dreadful Diouf is suspended from a red card in the same game.
Player to watch: Morten Gamst Pedersen
With the horrible Diouf suspended, let’s turn to another player who always does a job against us. Pedersen came on as a sub against Villa last time out and has a knack of scoring against City which annoys us intensely. Seeing him played out of this game would certainly indicate that City are playing at a new level.
Match Facts & Stats
After Wolves, City go in search of their second double of the season.
Tevez has scored 7 goals in the last 6 league outings.
Rovers have scored an abysmal 4 goals in their last 8 league games.
MATCHDAY THREAD: Man City v Blackburn – Mon January 11th – KO: 8pm UK Time
VMC Q&A With City Legend Gary Owen: Post Your Questions To Gary At This Link
Ref Watch:
Mr. C Foy Merseyside This is the man who in a long line of Taggart terrified refs gave the hapless rags 6 minutes to try and equalise against Lids last week. This will be Foy’s 3rd game at Eastlands this season, the two previous being wins over West Ham and Arsenal. The Arsenal League Cup game was notable for the gunners losing their discipline completely. He booked 8 players in that game but otherwise is a steady card flourisher. Current Season Record: Games: 20 Yellow Cards: 68 Red Cards: 3
Match Prediction:
The eyes of a footy starved Premier League public will be focused upon Eastlands and Mancio will be hoping that his side can send a declaration of intent to the league’s top sides as a competition that has become a monotonous procession in previous years threatens to become exciting.
Rovers’ league form is poor and surely City, with their newfound resilience have the momentum and edge to realise a top four position by the final whistle. I suggest it could be with some style. Again, Eastlands expects: Johnny On The Spot: CITY 3 Blackburn 0
Next Fixtures:
A: Everton, Sat 16 Jan 17h30 GMT
A: the rags, LCSF1, Tue 19 Jan 19h45 GMT
A: Scunthorpe, FAC4, Sun 24 Jan 16h00 GMT
A: the rags, LCSF2, Wed 27 Jan 20h00 GMT
H: Portsmouth, Sun 31 Jan 13h30 GMT