versus
MAN CITY___________versus_________THE SHIT
MON 30th APRIL 2012 THE ETIHAD STADIUM, MANCHESTER. KO: 20:00hrs
THIS IS IT…..THE BIG DERBY…THE BIGGEST DERBY…..EVER!!!
…So let’s define the moment. “YOU WANT IT, WE’VE GOT IT.” In simple terms, that’s the challenge we face. Put another way, “YOU’VE GOT IT and WE WANT IT.” The ultimate prize; the right to wear the crown, sit on the throne and call ourselves the CHAMPIONS OF ENGLAND. It is ours for the taking; it is in our own hands. We control our own destiny. Win our three remaining games and the title is ours. What makes it all the more tantalising, is the irony that the first obstacle we must overcome is THE RAGS, the present holders of the title we want so much and have dreamt about for too long.
THE OFFICIALS
Referee: Andrew Marriner.
Ref’s Assistants: Watt & McDonough.
4th Official: Jones.
MARRINER’S CITY/RAGS STATS RECORD 2011-12
NO PREVIOUS CITY GAMES THIS SEASON
RAGS. Pl 3, W 2, D 1, L 0, Yell Cards Rags 5, Opps 4.
In total he has officiated in 21 City games, 10 wins, 6 draws and 5 losses. City 28 yellows, opponents 26, he has red carded 2 City players and 2 opponents and awarded 1 penalty for and 1 penalty against us.
His record with the rags is; Reffed 13, 11 wins, 1 daw and 1 loss. He has shown 18 yellow cards each to the rags and their opponents and has sent off 3 rag players and 1 opponent. He has awarded the rags 3 penalties and their opponents only 1.
THE GAME IS IN EXPERIENCED HANDS BUT ARE THEY SAFE?….Time will tell.
- HAS THE SCRIPT ALREADY BEEN WRITTEN?
- Joe Mercer & Malcolm Allison wrote the original script. Can Mancini write a similar ending?
The race was run, it was all over, the rags advantage over City was unassailable, the reigning champions of England were going retain their crown and the trophy was being polished for yet another swamp presentation. Chants of “CHAMPIONS” rang out from their stands and it all seemed so inevitable. Just three games to go…Then it happened!!!! The rags tripped up, fell over their own arrogant feet and dropped easy points. Unbelievable! Suddenly, as if by miracle, all City had to do was “win the remaining games”…City could WIN THE LEAGUE. Sound familiar? Not 2012 but way back in 1968…all those years ago.
- THIS, MY FRIENDS, COULD BE HISTORY IN THE MAKING. THIS DERBY IS THE BIG DERBY, THE BIGGEST DERBY….EVER!!!!
City’s forwards were a real handful for the rags’ defenders.
- THE LAST PREMIER LEAGUE MEETING
6-1 was the result, but does the 3:21 refer to a win of biblical significance?
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ROMANS 3:21”… the righteousness of the God has been made known…”
Last October a crowd of 75,487 in the swamp watched BALOTELLI (Why always him?) score the opener (22mins). A similar crowd saw MARIO’S second (59mins) and AGUERO adding City’s third (68mins). But even though the rags had scored a goal of their own, with their defence at SIXES AND EVANS, there were only the vast swathes of EMPTY rags’ seats tipping themselves backwards in despair that witnessed; DZEKO (89), SILVA (90) and DZEKO again (92) added the 4th, 5th and 6th, to completing the rout. And what did Johnny Evans care? He had a nice clean early bath, all to himself. Taggart later admitted it was the worst defeat in his football career. An admission that City would love to revise this Monday evening….Jelly and ice cream anyone?
“It should have been ten……………..”
- FORM AND STATISTICS
2011 – 2012 PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE
1st RAGS…..Pl 35, W 26, D 5, L 4, Pts 83, (GD 54)
2nd CITY…..Pl 35, W 25, D 5, L 5, Pts 80, (GD 60)
2011 – 2012 FORM,
M.C.F.C. (Home) – Pl 17, W 16, D 1, L 0, 49pts.
THE RAGS (Away) – Pl 17, W 12, D 3, L 2, 39pts.
THE TEAMS AND TACTICS
For City, the back and front almost picks itself. HART, KOMPANY and LESCOTT will already be written in. Though Zabaleta has played the last three of four, RICHARDS would be my choice on one side with CLICHY ahead of Kolarov on the other. Up front, the recently found “Gaucho” pairing of AGUERO and TEVEZ, ably and creatively supported by SILVA has to be a must too.
With eight places already sorted, it is the last three and what role they play that will define the strategy of the team. Much will depend on how Mancini views Taggart’s approach. For the rags, a draw will suffice but City have no choice, City have to score and win. The rag’s strengths are at the front, their weakness at the back and Taggart daren’t lay his back four bare to the ravages of City’s creative attack. By putting bodies in midfield, he will protect them and limit the space City’s front men operate in. To have any chance, he must pack the middle and use it as a springboard for fast counter attacking, down the flanks.
With a choice of Yaya, Barry, de Jong, Milner, Johnson and Nasri to fill the last three spots, I think Mancini will opt for the experience and cool of YAYA anchored by BARRY to protect the back four and to springboard forward when chance allows. Both offer a better passing option the de Jong who I feel will miss out. Contrary to some recent opinion I think NASRI, who has sometimes flattered to deceive, will start. With space at a premium and speed and movement critical, again he offers more than the others.
Milner, de Jong, Johnson, Zabaleta and even the possibility of Balotelli will give Mancini plenty of options to change things round if it is needed. Pantilimon should be n his usual seat.
As far as the rags are concerned, I neither know nor care who Taggart selects. De Failure, Plug, Shrek, Phil the Ghost of Duncan Edward or the dolphinesque Young. There is a fair chance that Giggs will be dragged from his residential care home and the stuffed corpse of the ginger whinger may be exhumed and embalmed for yet another outing. Johnny Evans is a must, if not for his football capabilities, in fact, most certainly not for his football capabilities, then for the amusement of the City crowd. Though according to Taggart’s Gospel to the Uneducated, “Evans is the best defender in the country.” A career in comedy awaits Taggart on retirement.
They beat the rags and finished the job at Newcastle…CAN WE?
U – N – I – T – E – D, That spells……..”
NOTES FOR RAGS ATTENDING THE GAME
For those NOT of the “blue persuasion”, please note that the Etihad Stadium referred to is the one located in Manchester, England and NOT the Etihad Stadium in Melbourne, Australia. For those rags unsure of where England is, please ask your travel agent for advice on this matter.
The EXIT doors in the ground are situated on the concourse. They will be opened at kick off and will remain open for the duration of the game. This will allow you to access your train/plane/boat and permit you to “do one” as soon as City score the 1st goal.
As this is a live game, you will NOT be supplied with an armchair, a Sky viewing card or a TV remote, nor will your wife be allowed into the ground at any time to brew up for you.
The lack of noise from other attending rags sat around you is NOT because the volume control has been turned down nor the mute button pressed. This is most likely due to already vacated and empty seats being unable to sing.
In the interests of health, hygiene and to stop you infecting home supporters, you will be isolated in your own area of the ground and will be “sheep dipped” both on entrance and exit from the stadium.
If this is your first visit to the Etihad Stadium, you should visit the City Store in City Square to stock up on your Blue souvenirs. You could wear your new Sky Blue shirts, hats, scarves during the game and don’t forget to wave your new City flag to help create a happy rocking derby atmosphere and add colour to the away end.
Unbelievable thanks to
- John68
from www.mancityfans.net for this derby day match preview