The mancityfans.net football forum

Derby Day, say no more.

Beefymcfc wrote:Derby Day, say no more.

Other than lets smash the scum

nottsblue wrote:

Beefymcfc wrote:Derby Day, say no more.

Other than lets smash the scum

Smash 'em, and smash 'em hard!

Preview from the Beeb

TEAM NEWS

Manchester United striker Robin van Persie will miss out despite returning to training following an ankle injury.

Chris Smalling is doubtful because of illness, while Luke Shaw is injured and Jonny Evans suspended.

Manchester City will assess captain Vincent Kompany, who has a hamstring injury and remains doubtful.

Forward Wilfried Bony is sidelined by ankle and knee problems, while Dedryck Boyata and Stevan Jovetic will also miss out.

City boss Manuel Pellegrini admitted that 2015 "is not a good year for us" but claimed "we are not a disaster, we're not a mess" as his side aim for a fifth successive victory over their local rivals.

"They dominated the league for so many years but one time Sir Alex Ferguson said the neighbours are disturbing them a little bit more - so I say that's double motivation for us," added Pellegrini.

Asked about winning his first Manchester derby, Van Gaal replied: "I dream of it, every player shall dream of the victory."

MATCH PREVIEW

Welcome to Manchester - this season more likely to be a 'key marginal' rather than the seat of the Premier League title, as it has been for the last four years and seven of the last eight.

As the national picture turns a darker shade of blue, City's problems are of a local nature too, with a significant swing to the reds that has seen United go above them in the table for the first time all season.

United have 11 points more than at the same stage a year ago, whilst City have mustered nine fewer.

Failure to get back above the opposition in May will surely see their supporters call for a change of leadership!

"The biggest problem for Manchester City is that they have been too easy to play against and, therefore, too easy to beat. But this is a huge game for them and I think we will see City's big players like Yaya Toure rise to the occasion."

Leaving the poor political puns aside, who can say they genuinely thought even just a few weeks ago that Louis van Gaal's team would be ahead of Manuel Pellegrini's by the time of this derby?

United have found great form to go with previous good fortune, and Van Gaal has found a system: Daley Blind at left-back, Michael Carrick deep in midfield, Marouane Fellaini working well with Ander Herrera, Ashley Young flying, Juan Mata starting, Wayne Rooney up front.

It all works - particularly with those last two names playing how and where they are.

In losing five of their last seven matches, City's system has looked rigid and rickety.

Will Pellegrini finally bow to pressure and change from his preferred 4-4-2 (mainly 4-2-4!) to deal with United's in-form midfield? Unlikely - and so might be a win for his team unless Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero really step up again.

Aguero, like Van Gaal, believes the title can still be won. His lack of a goal in the last five league games is one reason why City surely won't win it.

It's all about the Manchester mini-league now. It's the 152nd Manchester league derby. Chelsea and Arsenal would cheer a 50th draw.

MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head

Manchester City can claim five successive league wins against Manchester United for the first time.

It would also be the first time a Premier League side has won five in a row against United.

City have won six of the last seven Premier League meetings.

They have also won on their last three visits to Old Trafford, scoring a total of 11 goals.

Manchester United

Since losing to Manchester City on 2 November, the Red Devils have suffered just two defeats in 21 league games (W15, D4).

United have claimed 40 points at home - more than any other Premier League side.

They are chasing a sixth consecutive league win.

Wayne Rooney has 170 league goals for United. Only Denis Law (171), Jack Rowley (182) and Sir Bobby Charlton (199) have scored more.

Against Aston Villa, Angel Di Maria became the second player to reach 10 Premier League assists this season (after Cesc Fabregas).

Manchester City

City have lost their last three Premier League away games. A fourth defeat would represent their worst run on the road since a sequence of seven straight losses in 2006.

They have not kept a clean sheet away from home in eight league and cup matches since 13 December.

Sergio Aguero has five goals in six league games against Manchester United.

However, Aguero has only netted three times in his last 12 top-flight appearances - with two of those goals penalties.

Bugger! Was watching F1 and missed the 4-1 drubbing of the Rags at our place last year.

Do I dare watch Sunday Supplement?

C'mon you blue boys. No passengers No regrets and remember the fans. This is their day. Turn the season around today. Cheers.

On the back of the Love / Hate threads in off topic and seeing as we have two Deb day threadS, Let's have one for those who want to get behind the team and feel the love and the other for those who wish to witter on all game.

See which has the most posts and see of one can stay positive while the other erupts into abuse.

Cone on City!

Well, blow me down with a feather! Sunday Supplement journo's saying what we all know, that FFP kills everybody's dreams and keep the elite at the top, with David Gill forcing the issue for the Rags. And the Rags are the prime example of what is wrong with it, having the Glazers put them in huge debt yet we're free from any and regenerated the area.

Things are looking up today, my optimism is rising.

Come On The Blues!!!

Ha ha ha, the commentary on this is quality!

Been looking for the Summerbee commentary when he said 'We''ll come here soon and absolutely annihilate this bunch of fucking stinking Rag cunts!', but can't find it anywhere?

This is how it feels to be lonely:

Fuckin hate the rags. No doubt Rooney will be stuck to the ref like fuckin glue all match.

Not pasting it in but if you've got time it's worth a read.

Manchester derby A-Z: Backheels, noisy neighbours & X-rated

Come on you fucking blues. Let's smash them scummy bastards!!!

Hazy2 wrote:C'mon you blue boys. No passengers No regrets and remember the fans. This is their day. Turn the season around today. Cheers.

Turn it around? It's over. Today is just about pride and banter. In actuality, I can't remember a derby that's probably meant less since the takeover.

Cheers

The nerve shits and restlessness has started. Running out if stuff to clean / plant etc just to keep me busy tI'll kick off.

fuck
these
cunts
up

Come on, City. Let's fucking batter these bastards.

Seeing my arse over this. Come on city.

DoomMerchant wrote:

Hazy2 wrote:C'mon you blue boys. No passengers No regrets and remember the fans. This is their day. Turn the season around today. Cheers.

Turn it around? It's over. Today is just about pride and banter. In actuality, I can't remember a derby that's probably meant less since the takeover.

Cheers

I actually think this is as important as any other Derby. We're not only playing for pride, this time we are playing for an automatic qualifying place as well as putting breathing space between us and the likes of the Dippers & Saints. With the new CL money kicking in it's essential that we qualify automatically, enabling us to plan our summer accordingly.