Can we win the derby?

[shawzy]

Worse case scenario:
No Robson, Tevez.Ade.
You reckon we still got the ammo without these guys to kickass.
Im still confident with SWP,Bellers and Petrov upfront.
Im just worried about plan b.
Opinions?

[King Kev]

Of course we can beat them. Even with the missing players we have a much stronger team than when we beat them in the munich game a couple of years ago.

[gillie]

If we defend properly we will kick ass imho.

[Slim]

Yes, don't be daft.

[Ted Hughes]

We CAN beat them but with each injury that becomes less likely. They have a big advantage in that their team is a seasoned unit. Our strength to fight against that is in the number of quality players we can put out. With the possibility that Ireland's carrying an injury & Ade may be suspended that strength has been almost removed. We can still do it of course but it's likely to be about 50% more difficult.

[Somerset Blue]

Can we? Absolutely. Will we? Really don't know...

[Blue in the face]

Ive no doubt we can win. Our defence is getting better every week. Tevez is due back and Ade will play pending appeal (if necessary).

[LookMumImOnMCF.net]

We can, obviously. I just hope that we're a lot more offensive than we were against them both at matches last season. I was really disappointed by the lack of spirit and adventure in the last two derbies. The same line up and tactics we employed after Arsenal's first yesterday would be nice ta!

[spiv]

Have we still got Benjani on the books ? We could dig him out coz he scores on derby day.

[Dingus McDouchey]

Burnley did it :)

[Somerset Blue]

Burnley did it :)

...but at Burnley.

[spiv]

Burnley did it :)

...but at Burnley.

Same thing, both grounds are shit holes.

[Wooders]

We can definately do it - strong at the back and win the midfield battle will be the order of the day - wrap bellemy in cotton wool for a week as well

[Vhero]

Gonna be a nervous wreck of a game but we could.. Depends on if they play Berbashite as he will obviously lower their goal oppertunitys :p. Not like they will get many against us.

[Dameerto]

Play a four five one with de Jong and Barry playing deep, Ireland more advanced behind who ever's available up front. With the flexibility to change it to a four four two if needed. We need someone on Rooney's arse the whole match though.

[feedthegreek]

ade will play in the derby because, whatever ban he gets he will be able to appeal,
so he will appeal late in the week therefore be playimg against the scum.

[Vhero]

Play a four five one with de Jong and Barry playing deep, Ireland more advanced behind who ever's available up front. With the flexibility to change it to a four four two if needed. We need someone on Rooney's arse the whole match though.

Think Petrov should start over Ireland this weekend after the gooners match.

[Dameerto]

I think Ireland should get the nod if they play him further forward - Petrov doesnt give us much defensively. If Ade is available Bellamy might start on the left if we play 4-5-1. I have a feeling we might approach this like we did Barca, though the RAG midfield doesnt deserve quite as much respect as Barca's.

[Alex Sapphire]

Bearing in mind we are stronger than them is 10 out of 11 positions, it should be a piece of piss even without 100 mills worth of striker.
I'll be there as per sat on my hands sat next to some sporting tourists.
I expect a result.

[Oooh Vonky Vonky]

We CAN beat them but with each injury that becomes less likely. They have a big advantage in that their team is a seasoned unit. Our strength to fight against that is in the number of quality players we can put out. With the possibility that Ireland's carrying an injury & Ade may be suspended that strength has been almost removed. We can still do it of course but it's likely to be about 50% more difficult.

Interesting point about ' their team being a seasoned unit'. i was discussing this with a few rag mates on saturday night. We discussed if you could pick a team from both City and their squad as it stands to day what would the team be.

the team we got was:

Given

Richards Ferdinand Vidic Evra

SWP Barry Ireland Robinho


Ade Rooney



So 7 City players out of 11 - i reckon 2 or 3 years ago i would have been no more than 1 ( if that)

But what we did agree was that whilst City have better individuals.........at this stage they have a more experienced team unit. And after all it is a team game so thats where their strength is...they all know there roles and what each other can do. So personally, with my logical head on i would say it is them who are favourites to win but there is not much in it ( depending on the side we are allowed to field !) and any result is realistically possible at weekend.