City v Wigan Match Preview

City of Manchester Stadium, 8 PM Kickoff

History

It was at the Battle of Cannae where Hannibal forced a magnificent struggle against a vastly superior Roman army on Italian soil. It was 216 BC and the Second Punic War – who can forget? – and Hannibal had created a real unrest among the Roman public with his forays into Northern Italy over the Alps and continued aggression over several years. The Roman public was dissatisfied with how long the war was taking, and had no palate for an extended military campaign. The masses, worn down by the Attrition Warfare — an approach for the military leader with greater resources and the patience to sit and wait for the enemy to collapse in defeat — wanted an end to the war and a crushing victory to end it. After much political turmoil in their leadership, the Romans installed leaders they felt could battle Hannibal and win the hearts and minds of the Roman Empire who longed for an attacking army to end the war instead of the complacent, defensive struggles they’d suffered through which were causing doubt and unrest among the population. Fears of losing ground, and ceding regions or nation-states were high on the minds of the Senate, and anything short of complete victory over Hannibal and his minions was unacceptable.

As they prepared the battlefield for the Battle of Cannae, the Roman army had been bolstered by several small victories en route, and felt they had the numerical and tactical advantage over Hannibal and his seemingly rag-tag band of foreign fighters from points unknown. However, what the Romans failed to realize, was that their shift from the attrition-based approach of former dictators to a more attacking field battle scenario aimed at crushing Hannibal created an opportunity for Hannibal to use the Roman zeal and passion for a more confrontational battle against them. The Roman army was now prone to a thoughtful military mind such as Hannibal breaking them down along the flanks and taking the battle to them using their strengths, and not simply sitting back and waiting for the superior Roman numbers to bear out the predictable result the Romans so needed. Ultimately, the Roman army was outflanked, outthought, outfought and destroyed. Hannibal and his army used their weapons, and their knowledge of each other’s strengths in fighting in different fashions in a thoughtful but confrontational approach, which created a remarkable military victory studied in depth to this day, and rarely, if ever repeated in the modern era. Ultimately, the Romans relegated Carthage to that of a city-state of Rome over the coming decades but not without massive Roman losses, and decades of strife and battle.

How well does Roberto Mancini know Italian history?

Recent Form

City have earned 9 pts from their last 6 matches DDWDWL
WIgan have earned 6 pts from their last 6 matches LLWLLW

City sit 8th while WIgan are 16th on current form over those last 6 matches. City’s unevenness continues to haunt their pursuit for Champions League football, while WIgan have earned some crucial points in hopes of avoiding a relegation scrap with wins over Liverpool and Burnley. A victory over City would go a long way to ensuring the last month of the season is slightly more comfortable for Roberto Martinez’s men. Sitting only 4 pts above the relegation zone seems precarious, however in this season’s Premier League it could be that 35 pts is the new 40 as surely someone will be safe with less than 37 pts this season it seems.

City meanwhile come off the back of an historical dismantling by Everton, having done the double over City in a season where the blue half of Merseyside seemed to strengthen their resolve while playing City while City found no corresponding passion to confront that dedication in either match this season, and as a result City have suffered a drop to 6th place in the league. City do have two games in hand over 5th place Liverpool and 1 match over 4th place Spurs. City’s ability to focus and find the desire to earn 4th will be the highlight of the last 6 weeks of the season as the battle for 4th seems to be more interesting ultimately than who wins the league this season.

Last Five Premier League Meetings (courtesy wiganlatics.co.uk)

18/10/09 – Wigan 1 City 1
17/01/09 – City 1 Wigan 0
28/09/08 – Wigan 2 City 1
01/03/08 – City 0 Wigan 0
01/12/07 – Wigan 1 City 1

Wigan are chasing their first back to back wins of the campaign after defeating Burnley 1-0 last time out. City have won every match after a loss this season, and have only one home loss in what was a fantastic undefeated home record until Everton’s turnover of the Blues at COMS at midweek.

Danger Men

City

Emanuel Adebayor

Returning from a 4-match ban earned for a simple lash out during one of a seeming endless number of dire Stoke matches City played since the turn of the year, Adebayor needs to earn his keep and supply City with a goal to keep things moving forward. His link up play with Tevez and the midfield will be key. Will we see the moment of class that makes him seem worth 25M?

Aye Aye Cap’n. Howzabout a goal now that yr back with us matey?
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And, my fave Cap’n…City will be hoping for a new Barry as well. Ahem.
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Wigan

Hugo Rodallega

A beast who won’t be playing for Wigan next campaign based on his success this season.

Howard Webb at his best — protecting criminals from the hardcore edge of Columbian Rodallega. Go get em Hugo.
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Also, my favourite Hugo…Could he be the winning candidate?
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Injury Report (courtesy physioroom.com)

City
Stephen Ireland Ankle/Foot Injury 29th Mar 10 (Probable)
J Lescott Hamstring Injury 1st May 10
W Bridge Gilmores Groin 24th Apr 10
M Petrov MCL Knee Ligament Injury 29th Mar 10
M Johnson Knee Injury 10 Jun 10

Wigan Athletic
Scharner Hip/Thigh Injury 29th Mar 10 (Probable)
C N’Zogbia Ankle/Foot Injury 29th Mar 10 (Doubtful)
Emerson Boyce Hip Injury 29th Mar 10 (Doubtful)

Prediction

City 3 – 1 Wigan

City find their legs to earn the 3 pts they coveted in midweek and desperately need to keep their hopes alive for 4ht, but in not as flattering a fashion as the scoreline will suggest. Roberto Mancini needs to find his best lineup, his favored formation and learn about his players more for any shot at 4th place.

Thanks to DoomMerchant of ManCityFans for writing this preview.

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