Blackpool v City Match Preview
Form: Blackpool: WLLWDL City: WWWDLW
Odds: Blackpool: 5-1 City 8- 13 Draw: 3-1
Last League Meeting: Blackpool 0 – 0 City (15th January 1999)
Here it is then, The Big One.
And there’s Valhalla, The Big Dipper…
Yes that’s right for the first time in over a decade City head west to the seaside for Sunday’s encounter with low spending, high flying Blackpool. In this part of the preview I wrote a short piece about being in the doldrums of (the then) Division One and the meteoric rise. But it turns out the Manchester Evening News have covered it much better
Just one interesting thing to add to the above is that striker Brett Ormerod who came on as a second half substitute in that game is still a regular in today’s Blackpool side.
Many of the previews for this game have focused around the glaringly obvious differences in spending between City and this week’s opponents. However some of the articles, such as this one, again from our very own M.E.N and this one from what appears to be the internet’s equivalent of ITV2, goal.com, stray, frustratingly, into patronising territory for both sides. The tone of these kind of David & Goliath stories strips all merit from the recent achievements of both clubs, whilst also casually ignoring the only slightly less recent struggles so thoughtfully discussed by Morrison.
City news over the past week or so has focused on how Nigel de Jong is harder than those arcade games where the 10p coins dangle temptingly over the edge and how Carlos Tevez is as frustrated as the punter who’s been sucked in. No doubt in a show of solidarity these two names will be first on Roberto Mancini’s team sheet as the Us Versus The World card comes out perhaps just a little too early into the season.
Last Time Out
Much like 33 Chilean miners that went before them, the Liverpool team that were beaten by Blackpool must’ve wished that the ground would just swallow them up. Trapped, desperate and completely in the dark for months, Anfield has never looked a sorrier place. In keeping with the theme of the aftermath the focus has centred around Liverpool’s dire performance rather than the Tangerine’s unflappable start to their top flight campaign. Blackpool were good value for their 2-1 victory and should take the fact that this result was not seen as a monumental shock as a huge compliment.
Meanwhile City’s 2-1 win wasn’t nearly as convincing. Marred by Hatem Ben Arfa’s leg break perhaps the match was best summed up when the stadium announcer declared 72nd minute inductee Adam Johnson as man of the match. A few dubious decisions in the penalty areas of both sides meant Newcastle wouldn’t be leaving with the point they decided to drop their main threat to the bench for. As for City, this was definitely one for those who prefer points to performance, but going into the international break in second place didn’t leave too many leaving Eastlands upset.
Team News
Hopefully Johnson’s virtuoso performance will win him a place in the starting eleven, though 90 minutes of international duty on Tuesday means he may not make it all the way through. With Kolarov out until the end of the month and Jolean Lescott looking shakier than a Tom Hicks court order, Wayne Bridge could make an awaited return. Whether this is an improvement or not is open to interpretation. Elsewhere, Yaya Touré & James Milner both have knee injuries and are doubtful otherwise a similar team to the one that took the points against the Toon is expected.
Ian Holloway’s only notable absentee is, well, himself. Holloway will serve a one match touchline ban for swearing at Mike Dean (how many of us have done that?!) and will watch the game in the stands, which are now presumably built. Blackpool have no fresh injuries or suspensions post Anfield and with the only rotation on the coast being the axles spinning the Cups and Saucers the same team that beat Liverpool is likely to start.
Look Mum’s Prediction
Despite a decent beginning to their campaign Blackpool’s defence looks to be made from sandcastles. Collectively Chelsea and Arsenal have put 10 past them, I see no reason we can’t do the same. Of course the reason we won’t do the same is down to our tactics. Still, points make prizes, 0-1.
Just a quick word to express my condolences to the friends and family of Malcolm Allison who passed away Friday morning. Like myself many City fans are too young to have witnessed your leadership or to have seen the club lift a major trophy, but your part in our historic past keeps us optimistic about our bright future.
R.I.P
A special thanks to forum member LookMumI’mOnMCF.net from www.mancityfans.net for this weeks fantastic Match Preview.[/quote]