Shhhhh! Don’t say it, not yet! They are listening. Don’t dare! Shhhhh! Not even in the quietest of whispers. Shhhhh! Those mysterious, unseen entities that have the power. Shhhhh! Those God’s of football that know every thought, every emotion, every dream. Shhhhh! The ones who crept into your minds every night this week, inserting fear and doubt into your slumber. Shhhhh! Those wretched, controllers of football that have ramped up the speed of your heartbeat and wrenched your guts. Shhhhh! Please!!! Don’t disturb or annoy them, for it is they that ordain and confer the title “CHA – - – - – -“. Shhhhh!

MANCHESTER CITY VERSUS QUEENS PARK RANGERS

THE ETIHAD STADIUM,
MANCHESTER.
SUNDAY 13th MAY 2012
KICK OFF 15:00Hrs

THE LAST HURDLE

THE RIDE OF YOUR LIVES
On Sunday 13th May, at around 2.50pm, Manchester City FC will emerge from the players’ tunnel at the Etihad Stadium, for what will be the most significant game in 44 years. Mancini will have selected his players, discussed tactics, the players will be tuned to just the right amount of tension and their minds will be focussed….I repeat, their minds will be focussed…But where will yours be? Will you be capable of thought or will you be reduced to a quivering, jellified, emotional wreck?

You are about to board the highest, longest, most sensationally thrilling and frightening emotional ride of your Manchester City life. I know, because 44 years ago, I rode that same ride at Newcastle. This circus has taken a long time to come back round to the City side of town and for the City fanatical thrill seekers, it will be the first chance most will have had to step on it. It will take you higher than the upper bounds of the Universe and I pray it will not drop you down, because down will be beyond hell. A football abyss that will run right to the depths of your blue soul.

ENJOY THE RIDE…BUT WILL YOUR BLUE HEART SURVIVE?

This game is not about Manchester City versus Queens Park Rangers, it is not about Mancini, nor Hart, Yaya, Kompany. This game is about far, far more than that. This game is about your soul, about your fears, doubts, nightmares and dashed promises. Your hopes, your aspirations, your dreams. The final closing of the door on “Typical City”, it is about the future being unleashed, here, now, in the present.

Wherever you may be. in the ground? Behind a chair? Not daring to look? In Australia, the USA, Switzerland, France, Italy, Kuwait, Holland or Japan? It will not matter. You will be joined by your blue soul to the Blue Universe. You will be linked by that invisible Blue umbilical cord to the Etihad Stadium. For this game is not about Manchester City versus Queens Park Rangers, it is about YOU.

You are MANCHESTER CITY FOOTBALL CLUB. Every stride, every pass, every shot, every kick and tackle. You will live and die a thousand times before the final whistle. You will cry a thousand tears. Happiness or devastation? Only, as that final whistle blows, will you know…and if joy, prepare yourselves for the earthquake that will begin deep down, ignited by the pain of years and set free by the will of the Gods of football. An earthquake that rises through every vein and rents your heart asunder as you can finally stand taller than you have ever stood before and scream out………”CHA – - – - – -“…..but not yet, only then…..Shhhhh!

IF EVERYTHING GOES ACCORDING TO PLAN, MANCHESTER CITY WILL BE…..

…..SHHHHH!

1936 – 1937

1967 – 1968

2011 – 2012?

SHHHHHH!

A MASSIVE thanks to John68 for his HAT-TRICK of title challenging previews

Cast your mind back to the 31st March at around 4:15pm. A Manchester City side that had won every league game at home had just gone 1-3 down to Sunderland after 55 minutes of play. The home fans couldn’t believe what they were seeing. Their team had been incredible for the first half of the season and looked to be bolting away with the title. However with the finish line in sight the juggernaut was running out of steam. Something had slipped. The dream of the first title for 44 years was fading. Players and staff that had been so cool and collected were now looking frustrated and increasingly desperate.

Theories were put forward as to why City lost league games against Sunderland, Everton and Swansea. Yaya Toure going to the Africa Cup of Nations was a big miss. The media was putting too much pressure on the team. Stefan Savic was just not good enough. The refs were against City. Carlos Tevez departure to Argentina had left the team short of striking options. Whilst these all may have been contributing factors, the simple fact was that City had lost its mojo. The creative spark had disappeared and the team was piecing together results due to the quality of its playing staff rather than the quality of its play. Make no doubt about it. The pressure of the title race had got to them. City had choked.

So back to the 31st of March at 4:15pm. Seb Larsson had put the Black Cats 3-1 up. Only United had previously put 3 goals past the City defence this season (Charity Shield and FA Cup) and they went on to win both games. The signs were not good. However, inspiration from Mario Balotelli and Aleksandr Kolarov dragged City out of the mire and salvaged a 3-all draw. It was a disappointing point but a point nonetheless. The title challenge was in freefall but the point was to prove invaluable.

Rock bottom came the following week at the Emirates. A lacklustre display saw City lose 1-0 to Arsenal. It was a laboured performance lacking in both tempo and inspiration. Mario Balotelli collected yet another red card to compound the loss. He was out for the next 3 games.

Roberto Mancini then made the declaration that not only marked the occasion but began the revival. The pressure had reached boiling point, but with two words Mancini released the pressure that was strangling his team. “Eez finished,” he said referring to the title challenge. Whether it was intentional or not, it proved to be a masterstroke. As City was no longer chasing the title, the pressure was off. With no pressure the team set about reclaiming its mojo. Carlos Tevez replaced Balotelli in the line-up and set about restoring his reputation with some impressive displays, best exemplified with a hat trick against Norwich. A sense of freedom came back to City’s play and the goals began to flow again.

Mancini’s quote also made an impact at Old Trafford. The club that had spent the past 20 years fighting for titles now had no-one to battle against. The intensity of the contest evaporated, and results began to slip. Defensive frailties exposed in European and Cup competitions were being exploited. Firstly, there was a loss to Wigan. An 8 point lead became 5. A fading draw against Everton brought the margin back to 3. The momentum had swung. City was back in form and United had the staggers. The shift in momentum came to fruition in the derby. After an early struggle City controlled the game for the last 80 minutes with a 1-0 win- giving the fans plenty to sing about. The result flattered United as their display was one of reaction and frustration. City was back in front on goal difference, and most importantly, back in control of its destiny.

With spirits rising City took this momentum into the away game against Newcastle. As this was the early Sunday game, United knew that if Newcastle could do them a favour, they could regain the title ascendency. However, when news of City’s 2-0 win filtered across Old Trafford the atmosphere for the start of their game against Swansea was one of despondency. The 2-0 win was a listless performance with little celebration, no fanfare. Furthermore, the result made no impact on the goal difference which remains at 8.

Taking a look at the goal difference, here is a list of the main contributors to City and United’s GD column:

City +63
Norwich +9
Blackburn +7
Man United +6
Tottenham +5
Sunderland -1

United +55
Wolves +8
Bolton +8
Arsenal +7
Fulham +6
Man City -6

It’s interesting that City and United have handed hidings out to differing teams. Sunderland made the worst impact on City’s goal difference while United’s bogey team is City. The derby results caused a 12 point swing in the goal difference. This means that United has actually got a better goal difference over the other 18 teams. The derbies, and the 1-6 in particular, has made all the difference.

Which brings us to now. Here we are. The final week. The final hurdle. The final 90 minutes plus injury time. A win for City and the title is secured; only a 1 goal victory and a 9 goal winning margin by United could cause a slip (goal difference would be the same but United would have scored more goals.) A loss or draw gives United the opportunity to snatch an unlikely title. Whilst United crave their 20th championship, even the staunchest fan would have to concede this means so much more for City. This is the opportunity to end 44 years of pain, suffering and plain old being made to feel second best. It will all evaporate in a flash. One more win, just one more win.

The team with the worst away record in 17th place take on the team top of the table with the best home record. Easy, right? Well… perhaps. West Brom away was supposed to be easy for City. Swansea away was supposed to be easy. Sunderland at home was supposed to be easy. The beauty of football is that things don’t always pan out as they are supposed to. Both the club and supporters have wrestled with an inconsistency that has brought on some amazing victories and shocking defeats. The FA Cup victory went some way to putting paid to this, but some habits are hard to break. Bizarre results can and do occur. And Manchester City is no stranger to bizarre results.

There is a subtext to this match which suggests the bizarre could occur. QPR were the first team to really challenge City in the Premier League this season. In November the R’s led and drew level before Yaya Toure rescued the game for the blues. Neil Warnock was manager that day. Of course he has since been replaced by the ex-United player ex-City manager Mark Hughes. The man who was charged with setting City on its upward trajectory was fired before he could reap the rewards. If any manager can tap into and exploit the old City mentality it will be Mark Hughes. If any opposing manager knows the weaknesses of the City side it will be Hughes. If any manager is motivated by a sense of revenge it is Mark Hughes.

There’s more. The Superhoops have three City old boys in its ranks: Shaun Wright-Phillips, Nedum Onouha and Joey Barton. How motivated will they be for this game? There is also some tenuous United links in the side too. Anton Ferdinand would love to help his brother win another trophy. And of course QPR has its own relegation battle to focus on. Should Bolton win away at Stoke, the R’s would need at least a point to ensure survival, due to their superior goal difference (as they would be equal on points.) The Superhoops will be desperate for a result and will push City all the way.

Players to watch.

Djibril Cisse. Which Cisse will we get? He’s played 7 games. He’s scored in 5 of them and been sent off in the other 2. If QPR stay up it will be thanks to his goals. Cisse has been a fantastic signing by Mark Hughes and will be a real handful for the City defence.

Alejandro Faurlin. The Argentinian midfielder will no doubt move to a bigger club next season. He’s a quality player and provides the glue that holds the midfield together.

Paddy Kenny. He’s had an inconsistent season in goal but in the games he’s played well in he has really shone. If he has an on day City may have some problems getting through.

Yaya Toure. When a game is there to be won Yaya has the uncanny knack of creating chances for himself. Yaya is a player that laughs in the face of the typical City tag. He admitted in an interview during the week that he doesn’t know a great deal about City’s history. This is probably a good thing.

Sergio Aguero. The majority of Kun’s 22 Premier League goals have been at home. This is a home game. Put 1 and 1 together.

Joe Hart. How many saves has Joe made this season that no other keeper in the world could make? Hart has had an imperious season and is building a legend similar to that of Schmeichel.

Referee for the game is Mike Dean.

Mike Dean’s City Record 2011-12
Refereed 4 games. 4 wins. 5 City yellows/6 opposition yellows, 2 City pens.

QPR Record
Refereed 3, 1 win, 2 losses. QPR 8 yellows/5 opposition yellows. Opposition 2 pens.

Odds. Manchester City 1.10 Draw 9.50 QPR 16.00 There are odds about of 2.10 for both teams to score/neither side score. Should City take control of the match early, there could be a lack of defensive intensity which could lead to consolation goals. Despite this, 1.65 for one team to score is the better bet.

For Manchester City, this game is about mentality and execution. The side need to be determined and show the attitude that if they are patient and play with the same work rate of the past 5 weeks then victory will follow. Should things not go their way early, if they stick to their principles of the past 5 weeks then victory will follow. If City can execute as they have done over the past 5 weeks then surely victory, the title, the glory, will follow.

The ultimate bragging rights are up for grabs. If City were to fail, the ridicule would be crippling. The songs, put downs and snide remarks will haunt the side for next season and beyond. However, if City can get over the line the victory would be nothing short of magnificent. It would dwarf the FA Cup victory of last season and truly show the world that the Manchester City dynasty is here to stay. That cup victory put “Typical City” on its knees. To win the title would consign the phrase to the history books. The first title victory in a fans life is always the most memorable, the sweetest. The players will be immortalised and stories of the season will become legend. History beckons. Manchester City fans can hold their head up high and sing with conviction, pride and the true knowledge that “City, City, the best team in the land and all the world.”

A MASSIVE thanks to Dazby of www.mancityfans.net for this excellent match preview

….Now all that lies between City and becoming the Champions of England are the final two games, the first being;-

NEWCASTLE UNITED versus MANCHESTER CITY

Sunday 6th May 2012
St James’ Park

Dateline…1968…The rags tripped over their own feet and in doing so had fallen into the door and nudged it open. Manchester City took full advantage and strode through it. Equal on points, ahead by goal average, City had only to win the last two games and we would be CHAMPIONS OF ENGLAND.

Dateline…2012…The rags tripped over their own feet and in doing so had fallen into the door and nudged it open. Manchester City took full advantage and strode through it. Equal on points, ahead by goal difference, City had only to win the last two games and we would be CHAMPIONS OF ENGLAND.

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee; HOWARD WEBB, Ass Refs: CHILD, MULLARKEY: 4TH Official; HALSEY.

SEASON 2012

M.C.F.C; Reffed: 4, Won; 3, Drew; 1, Lost; 0, Yellows Cards: City; 4 Yaya (2), Glichy, Barry. Opps; 8. Penalties for City: 1.
N.U.F.C: Reffed: 4, Won 3, Drew 1, Lost 0. Yellow Cards: Magpies; 8, Opps; 8. Red Cards: Opps; 1.

FORM

M.C.F.C. (Away): Played; 18, Won; 9, Drew; 4, Lost; 5, For; 36, Against; 17, GD; 19, 31Pts.
N.U.F.C. (Home): Played; 18, Won; 11, Drew; 5, Lost; 2, For; 29, Against; 15, GD; 14, 38Pts.

LEAGUE TABLE

M.C.F.C: Played; 36, Won; 26, Drew; 5, Lost; 5, For; 88, Against; 27, GD; 61, 83Pts
N.U.F.C: Played; 36, Won; 19, Drew; 8, Lost; 9, For; 55, Against; 46, GD; 9, 65Pts.

“Ah me lads, ye shud only seen us gannin’,
We pass’d the foaks upon the road just as they wor stannin’,
Thor wes lots o’ lads an’ lasses there, all wi’ smilin’ faces,
Gannin’ alang the Scotswood Road….TO SEE THE CITY ACES.”

THA’ TALK A’ THA’ TOON

From Music Hall joke to possible candidates for a Champions League place, Newcastle United are without doubt the surprise package of the season. It was not that long ago that their fans’ disgust and hatred for the ruling “Cockney Mafia”, made them the Premier League’s “Demonstration Capital”. Manager Alan Pardew set his target at the beginning of the season as a top ten finish and the Magpies have far surpassed that.
They remained unbeaten in the League for their first eleven games, until their visit to the Etihad, where City ran out 3-1 winners. Though it was their first loss, their previous fixtures showed they had not beaten any team of note and most of their points had come from teams around the bottom.
It is only latterly that they have dragged themselves back into contention for a Champions League place. Seven wins from the last eight games has pushed them only a single point behind 3rd place (Arsenal) and only goal difference behind Tottenham.

THA’ MAN TA’ WATCH

Whilst it would be unfair to label Neeuwcassell as a one man team and grossly inaccurate but should a certain Mr Cisse continue, he will undoubtedly be added to the Geordie Nation’s “Messiah” list alongside the likes of ‘Wor Jackie, Malcolm McDonald, Alan Sheerah’ and King Kev. A cursory look at the latest game stats show the following since his arrival last February: A late winner v Villa (2pts), 1 goal in the Wolves draw (3pts), the winner v Norwich (5pts), 2 goals v West Brom (7pts), both goals v Liverpool (9pts), both goals v Swansea (11pts) and both goals the other night v Chelsea (13pts). I have only mentioned the goals that have proved crucial to the result, as Cisse has scored more. A snip at £9,000,000, considering his record, he has scored 13 goals in only 12 appearances and his 2nd goal at Stamford Bridge is a contender for goal of the season. Whether fluke or not, he had the confidence to try it. Kompany and Lescott beware.

TEAMS AND TACTICS

HART, ZABALETA, KOMPANY, LESCOTT, GLICHY, YAYA, BARRY, NASRI, SILVA, AGUERO AND TEVEZ.

They served City so well with a magnificent display that saw them overpower the rags in the derby. So well in fact, that the rags never even managed a single shot on target throughout the whole game. The only question mark after such an emotionally and mentally draining performance will be whether the energy levels left in the tank are sufficient to rise to this occasion. The answer to that particular question will be already known to Mancini and his backroom staff and he will cut his cloth accordingly. With a bench of Pantilimon, Richards, de Jong, Balotelli, Milner and, Johnson, as in the derby, City have enough options to be tactically flexible.

It would be wrong to disrespect the Magpies, who, backed by a packed and what should be a noisy crowd to drive “tha’ lads” onwards, will be as dangerous as dangerous gets. Like City, they are an emotional club and City will have to silence them. Starving Cisse may not be the whole answer but it will certainly help.

Like City, Newcastle are an emotional club and with a packed house driving them on, could be “ADRENALINE DANGEROUS”. Control of the midfield and a high tempo passing game should hopefully quieten them. Neither team has the luxury Taggart had in the derby of a draw, so we should expect blood and thunder. Both teams HAVE TO WIN. For the Magpies it is Champions League qualification, for City, the right to become Champions.

But, we must not forget, though this fixture and battle is against Newcastle, the war is against the rags and the aim is to remove the trophy they believe is theirs by divine right, from its resting place at the swamp, to a far safer location at the Etihad Stadium. Given a polish and some sky blue ribbons, that trophy would look quite good on the City sideboard.

Another MASSIVE thanks to John68 from www.mancityfans.net for this excellent match preview.

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?

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

Swansea City AFC vs Manchester City FC

By BlueinBosnia for mancityfans.net

Fresh from their second trip to Portugal of 2012, Manchester City visit mid-table Swansea City this weekend. Going into the game at the top of the table, City will be hoping to take maximum points from the fixture. Swansea, on the other hand, will know that a win could potentially catapult them into the top half.

The Premier League newcomers have firmly established themselves as neutrals’ favourites. Their meteoric rise from near-bankruptcy and the foot of the Football League less than ten years ago under the stewardship of chairman Huw Jenkins has seen them become the first Welsh club to enter the Premier League. Their inaugural Premier League campaign started with a trial by fire at the Etihad, losing 4-0, but they have since achieved a series of results which currently hold them 11 points clear of the relegation melee.

Previous meetings

The two clubs have met before in the league 21 times, but (somewhat surprisingly) never in a senior cup competition, the most extraordinary of these fixtures being in 1927-28, when the two fixtures between the teams – held just eight games apart – yielded an incredible 19 goals (a 7-4 victory for City at Maine Road, with the Swans taking the spoils in a 5-3 game at the Vetch). The teams cohabited the old First and Second Divisions together between 1981 and 1984, with the teams being relegated together at the end of the 1982-83 season, with both teams’ situations in part to blame on financial mismanagement. However, the teams’ paths of fortune soon parted, with City returning to the top flight after two seasons, while Swansea plummeted to the foot of the Football League, with three relegations in four seasons, mirroring their meteoric rise under John Toshack just a few years earlier. During that period, the two teams played six times, with City winning four and Swansea two. The last match between the two clubs in Wales ended in a 2-0 victory to City, with goals from Derek Parlane (who was sold to Swansea the following season) and Steve Kinsey.
City have rarely ventured into Wales since that game, with the most recent trip resulting in a 2-0 victory over TNS in the 2003-04 UEFA Cup Qualifying Round.

The Stadium

Old and New: The Vetch (top) and the Liberty (bottom)

Swansea left the Vetch Field, their home since 1912, at the end of the 2004-05 campaign for the 20,000-seat Liberty Stadium, which is shared with regional rugby side the Ospreys. Although for the majority of fans, this will be their first visit, this isn’t the first time a City team has visited the Liberty. On 2nd December 2008, City played the Swans in the third round of the FA Youth Cup, coming away 3-0 victors with Robbie Mak opening the scoring, and Alex Nimeley grabbing a brace. From that match, only one player has represented either side in the Premier League this season; Ashley Darrel Jazz Richards, the Wales U-21 right back, who generally acts as understudy to Spaniard Angel Rangel.

The Fans

Swansea Fans – Upstanding Members of Society

Like City, the Swans have been inundated with latecomers to the party. Attendances have swelled this season, and the club has, at times, issued requests to fans to refrain from wearing opposition teams’ colours in the home stands. Nevertheless, the club fills their stadium for almost all matches, and plans for expansion are already being mooted, in spite of the controversial granting of planning permission in recent weeks for a fast food restaurant adjacent to the ground in a lot that would prove crucial to the stadium’s development. However, the club has always had a relatively strong core of regular supporters (including their notorious mascot, Cyril) who consider the Vetch’s North Bank their spiritual home, akin to City’s Kippax, who should ensure a lively atmosphere!

The Squad

After 27 league games, Swansea have enforced their reputation for playing an entertaining passing game, which they began to develop under Robert Martinez’s stewardship, and continued under the management of Paolo Sousa and now Brendan Rodgers. With Rodgers having this week quashed rumours that he is interested in returning to former club Chelsea, fans can rest assured that Swansea will continue to play in their current vein. The passing game promoted by Rodgers has also made an impact on the Europe-wide statistics, with midfielder Leon Britton vying with Barcelona’s Xavi for the best passing accuracy record, and Joe Allen also featuring in the Top 5, keeping out the likes of Andrés Iniesta. Britton is also the only creative player in Premier League history to register a 100% pass success rate in a game.
Swansea’s signing strategy was the subject of much scrutiny at the start of the season. With goalkeeper Dorus de Vries having joined Wolverhampton Wanderers on a free transfer, Swansea were forced to dive into the transfer market, signing de Vries’ compatriot Michel Vorm from Utrecht for €1.7 million. Vorm has proved to be a revelation, topping lists of ‘Best value transfer of the season’ from pundits and fans alike, and consistently putting in performances which will surely bring attention from clubs of greater stature. Premier League experience was added to the squad with the signings of Leroy Lita (Middlesbrough) and Wayne Routledge (Newcastle)

“Danny Graham is one in every three striker in lower leagues who had a fine (not great, but fine) season in the Championship. He’ll be eaten alive by Premier League defenders.”

“This is exactly how you build a team that will go down immediately and probably in debt as well.”

Graham seems to have disproved some of the sentiments espoused by Manchester City fans upon hearing of his signing. With 10 Premier League goals to his name this season, the club’s record £3.5 million signing has proved a valuable asset to Swansea’s campaign.
Rodgers continued to build on his reputation for astute signings in the January transfer window, capturing widely-touted youngster Rory Donnelly from Cliftonville, and loanees Gylfi Sigurðsson (whom Rodgers had previously managed at Reading) and Josh McEachran, from 1899 Hoffenheim and Chelsea respectively.

End of season prospects?

The general desire amongst neutral fans is for Swansea’s survival in their bid to avoid relegation. However, the club may be aiming higher. With an 11-point safety net already in place, and a packed mid-table, Swansea could realistically aim for a top half finish. Furthermore, Swansea’s story of the season may not simply end with Premier League safety and the garnering of new friends for their flowing football. The team are currently second in the Premier League’s Fair Play table, behind dead-certs for European competition Tottenham Hotspur. Providing the rest of the league behaves itself, Swansea could be entering further unknown territory next season in the Europa League. This would be the club’s first competition on the European stage since 1991-92, when, as Welsh Cup winners, they were thrashed 10-1 by eventual winners AS Monaco in the First Round of the Cup Winners’ Cup.

Team News

Swansea City:
Long-term absentee Ferrie Bodde has recently suffered a further setback, with an injury to his right knee, which will keep him out for an indefinite amount of time.
Nathan Dyer begins his three-match suspension following his dismissal in the 2-0 win over Wigan. However, Leroy Lita is expected to recover from illness in time to participate.

Manchester City:
Mancini has hinted at dropping Mario Balotelli after he breached a club curfew in the days preceding last week’s 2-0 win over Bolton Wanderers. Such a move could see outcast Carlos Tevez make the bench. The type of reception he would receive from either set of fans were he to feature is yet to be seen.

City’s right backs Micah Richards and Pablo Zabaleta are both injured, although it is believed there is a chance Richards could feature on the bench.

Prediction

Swansea City 0 – 2 Manchester City
Without the suspended Dyer, Swansea will lack a considerable part of their ability to counter-attack, and their offence will fall mute against City’s attack-minded play. In spite of Vorm’s reputation as one of the best stoppers in the league, defensive slip-ups will cost Swansea dearly.

With thanks to john68 & Hywel R. Jones