vs 
Manchester City vs Leeds United
Etihad Stadium
Sunday 17th February
Kick Off 2pm
Referee: Mark Clattenburg
Things have gone from bad to worse at the Etihad over the last week with a display away at Southampton that put politely was totally abject. With the exception of Pablo Zabaleta there was no passion, no desire and no determination. With the title race on the brink of slipping away many at City were just looking for their team to put in a good performance. Instead the travelling faithful were treated to a performance more reticent of the Rose and Crown on a Sunday morning. Sloppy passing, horrible individual errors and a woeful lack of fight from nearly all in blue; all in all not a pleasant trip for those that made it to the South Coast, and not much better for those that watched on TV.
So barring a miracle of biblical proportions it appears that only the FA Cup remains if the trophy cabinet is not to lie dormant for another season and unless there is a dramatic improvement on last week’s performance you would not bet against Leeds coming away from the Etihad with a decent result. Warnock’s teams are not renowned for playing magical football but you can guarantee that they will come to the Etihad well organised and difficult to break down. Last year this tie would not have fazed City in the slightest. Playing with confidence the Etihad was impregnable, it didn’t matter who turned up and how many buses they brought to park. Led by Merlin City would patiently knock the ball about and wait for an opening and when it did arrive, more often than not Aguero was there to apply the finish. Fast forward twelve months and it just doesn’t seem to work. City continue to pass the ball neatly but seem to completely lack the killer instinct of last year. The chances don’t seem to flow as freely as they did, and when they do fall they are falling to a collective of centre forwards who just seem to be struggling to find the back of the net.
There are many that would point the finger of blame at the manager for the problems suffered this season and with the league now looking a total write-off the whisperings for his removal grow louder. Sacking the manager is the easy way out though; just because the team doesn’t perform it doesn’t mean the manager is to blame. Looking at the Southampton game the manager simply cannot legislate for England’s number one forgetting the basics of goalkeeping or Gareth Barry scoring a bizarre own goal. This season’s problems stem from failings in the last two transfer windows. Nastasic aside the new recruits have flattered to deceive. Garcia is showing signs of making the grade at City but Maicon, Rodwell and Sinclair have not contributed to the improvement of the squad. By failing to strengthen the competition for places has dropped when it should have risen. To take Nasri as an example; he can go out and perform poorly and still play next week because Mancini does not have good enough options to replace him. All of the best teams around the world strengthen every year, even if they sweep all before them, and if they don’t they can pay the price.
Neil Warnock browses his video collection looking for City highlights!!
Whilst the Leeds tie has the potential to be tricky, the first thing you look for in an FA Cup tie is a home draw and the second thing you look for is a team from a lower league. City have both of these things and so on paper should be looking at an easy home win. Unfortunately Leeds and Warnock will have other ideas and they have been having a pretty decent season this year. Warnock will have sat them down, shown them a video of the Southampton game and told them this City team are there for the beating. He’ll point to their victory over Tottenham to show they’ve done it before and can do it again. They will be well organised at the back and look to hit on the break. They will constantly harry and pressure City’s players and not give them a moment on the ball and their fans will get right behind them so they could cause problems.
Mancini has not hidden his disappointment with the recent performances of his side.
Mancini has promised to ring the changes for this game and – whilst I don’t believe the threat will be extended too far with the cup being the best chance of silverware – I’m sure the gutter press have probably already written their garbage articles about him “swinging the axe” and “discontent in the camp.” Joe Hart is rumoured to be the first to fall foul of Mancini’s wrath but every proper Blue will know that Pantilimon has been the go to goalkeeper for the cup so this hardly constitutes a real reaction to his mistake against Southampton (Sun Headline: Mad Mancini Axes England Number One). Fitness permitting he is likely to return to his favoured centre half partnership of Nastasic and Kompany as any manager would, although Kompany may well not be risked and if not Kolo Toure will probably be called upon (or as the Mail might report it: Lescott Brutally Axed Again.) Zabaleta need have no fear for his place unless Mancini wishes to rest him, but with the options available that looks very unlikely. Slightly more likely would be Kolarov starting ahead of Clichy although Clichy has performed reasonably lately so will probably retain his spot. The midfield may see a bit of tinkering and Gareth Barry is one who the papers have also decided will be dropped. Barry has been ever present in the engine room this season and probably could do with a break. He did look tired against Southampton and I think Mancini may push Rodwell into the starting XI. Other candidates for the middle of the midfield include Garcia, Yaya, Razak and Milner but if he is going to start with Rodwell I think Toure will be preferred as his partner. The “wide men” are likely to be two from Silva, Milner, Sinclair and Nasri. Following his recent performances I can’t see Nasri getting near the starting XI and polar opposite I can’t see Silva not starting which leaves one space for either Sinclair or Milner. Whilst I’m a big fan of Milner on this occasion I’d opt for Sinclair and give him a chance to impress but with the importance of this game expect Mancini to opt for Milner because you know exactly what you’ll get. Upfront options are limited, Guidetti is still not fit, Lopes won’t be thrown in with so much at stake so it’s two from Dzeko, Aguero and Tevez with the latter pair favourites to start for me.
Despite a solid season this year Leeds are struggling for form themselves currently and since selling top scorer Luciano Becchio are having difficulty finding the back of the net. They are likely to be led up top by Ross McCormack and everyone’s favourite pantomime villain El-Hadji Diouf. On the wings, Luke Varney and Paul Green are decent players but shouldn’t have enough about them to trouble Zabaleta and Clichy. The middle of the park will be a tough place to be on Sunday with Jamaican Rodolph Austin nicknamed “the beast” and ex City hero Michael Brown. It seems a very long time since Brown made his City debut in 1995 and a lot has changed since then, although it is certain that his tough tackling and work rate will still be the same.
Michael Brown – still looks the same nearly 18 years on.
At the back Leeds have Tom Lees a good young centre back who I watched a little of when he played on loan at Bury and former Liverpool youth player Lee Peltier, on the plus side for City neither Lees or Peltier are very large and with our tendency not to defend corners small opposition centre backs will be a welcome sight. At full backs Leeds look likely to field to academy graduates, something which is always good to see with Aidan White and Sam Byram filling those roles. Last line of defence for Warnock recently has been the man who nearly destroyed the dreams of the City faithful on the 13th May Paddy Kenny but it is expected that Jamie Ashdown will get the nod as he has started all of their FA Cup games to date.
Prediction
Mancini to field a strong City side with a serious point to prove and Warnock to bring a Leeds side who will fight hard and put up a good show but ultimately be outclassed. I think patience might be a necessary quality for City fans come Sunday but expect them to run out 3-0 winners in the end.
Huge thanks go to barryconlonsbaldspot for providing this preview for ManCityFans.Net