Manchester City

[philipl]

Responding to den's request.

Sunday sees Sven Goren Eriksson make his debut in a Rovers' dug out about ten years too late.

There is no doubt the man did the dirty on Jack Walker and Rob Coar and equally no doubt the club suffered enormously as a result. When we look at how effectively SGE has operated in the transfer market with the Thai's millions, one can only wonder at what he would have assembled at Ewood with the £40m largely wasted by Hodgson and Kidd.

That is behind us and on Sunday, we face the first of two games against the two clubs who are the early Premiership pace-setters.

SGE was undoubtedly having a laugh when he talked about only seeing his players on video but the man's signings look to be both astute and to be gelling into a very attractive team to watch.

I have watched most of the Man City v United and v Arsenal games live and this is going to be a massive challenge for Rovers and one we could easily lose. This is no "it's only City" game and even when it has been "only City", they have nicked quite a few results at Ewood. 3-2 in our title season and 4-1 in their title season (OK down a division) come to mind.

This City side are playing for each other with a resolve that is Rovers-like. In both the Man U and Arsenal games they were under pressure for long periods but in truth neither Man U nor Arsenal carved out much by way of clear chances. Equally Man City looked extremely dangerous for about a quarter of both games in sustained periods of attacking football that rocked both Man U and Arsenal onto the back foot.

What's the City secret?

Yes Micah Richards is playing brilliantly well under Sven but three unsing heroes have emerged:

Richard Dunne is an absolute rock- nothing is getting past him and his reading and positioning overcomes all his failings

Stephen Ireland does all the simple things right in midfield

Diddi Hamann has a new lease of life and whilst a tiny bit of his pace has gone he is playing marvelously well

Of the new boys, Corluka, Petrov and Elano have all caught the eye as being potentially the best players brought into the Prem this summer whilst Mpenza is a bruiser of a forward and Bianchi is not a player to miss a chance if it comes his way.

Having seen how Rovers dealt with Everton in the first half at Goodison, I think Hughes has the players and the tactical nouse to out smart one of the smartest club managers in the world.

This is another game that has equal odds on all three results so I will plump for a draw: 2-2 this time.

However, I am very confident that Rovers v City could well be an entertaining classic and that the probable full house will come away very well served by Premier League football at its best. Let's just hope the ref doesn't ruin it.

[Paul]

This City side are playing for each other with a resolve that is Rovers-like. In both the Man U and Arsenal games they were under pressure for long periods but in truth neither Man U nor Arsenal carved out much by way of clear chances. Equally Man City looked extremely dangerous for about a quarter of both games in sustained periods of attacking football that rocked both Man U and Arsenal onto the back foot.

I always look forward to the City games, good atmosphere, lots of travelling support and you never know which City team is going to turn up. I haven't seen them play this season but if philip's comments are accurate we should be in for one hell of a game. Perhaps one that will start to prove to the doubters, myself included, that chucking all this money around during the summer hasn't been a complete waste.

An interesting preview and one that has raised my anticipation further for next Sunday. I say 2-1 Rovers, Santa Cruz and MGP.

[philipl]

Realised I haven't mentioned Geovanni- that is one heck of a talent as well!

Don't know what strip City will wear as both their first and second choices (predominantly white with a light blue shoulder) clash with Rovers as far as I can tell unless they are allowed to play in all light blue.

Glad you are looking forwards to the game Paul- I really wish I could have got to Ewood for this one.

[1864roverite]

I am going to the game with a city die hard and he seriously consider Rovers to be a tough game, so much so that he actually expects City to lose, which is a bit rare considering the fans ego trips on tv this season so far.

There is little doubt that Elano and Geovanni have not come up a midfielder like Savage and I expect this to be the vital area for Rovers to set out their game.

City have not got the players for a physical battle in the middle and this is where the game will be won.

Richards and Dunne have formed quite a partnership at the heart of the back 4 but I expect Rovers to have the means to get a couple of goals in a 2-0 win.

The unbeated run to continue all the way to Stamford bridge

[MCMC1875]

Would dearly love to win this one in front of a full Ewood. It would go some way to making up for the dropped points at Goodison and last season's exit from the UEFA cup in front of all those Rovers fans.

[Jordan]

I am really confident that we will beat City on Sunday. Hopefully there will be a big gate and the BBE will be in good voice.

Rovers 2 Citeh 0.

[Sydney Rovers]

Don't know what strip City will wear as both their first and second choices (predominantly white with a light blue shoulder) clash with Rovers as far as I can tell unless they are allowed to play in all light blue.

Had a quick look at their club shop webiste and they have a purple and white pin striped jersey - https://shop.mcfc.co.uk/images/Awaysszoom.jpg

[frosty]

It'll be tough. I'll go for 1-1.

[ABBEY]

5-0 rovers and the gimp to jump off the stand roof!!!

[Daremz]

I seriously fear Elano. He's a player with vision, speed and flair. If we can stop him, we have a chance of nicking a draw. But Man City are full of confidence and as I said before - hungry as hell. Our first loss of the season. Bianchi - 0-1.

[joey_big_nose]

Man City are a very high quality side with pace and a solid defence. As 1864 said they lack, since Barton left, that physicality in midfield, but we are deluding ourselves if we think they won't be able to hurt us. THeir pacey front line will threaten our standard gameplan which involves the fullbacks getting well forward.

A win would be sensational as Man City are the form team outside the top four, and it would perhaps make me think that a topfour challenge is possible this season.

A draw would be honourable.

[Hasta]

Maybe I've not been paying total attention to their actual games but I really don't fear City at all for Sunday. The only extended highlights I've seen were against man U were they got absolutely hammered. I last spoke to a City mate of mine after they beat Derby when he said they'd done just enough to grind the win out. I think the hype around Sven and his 'glamour' signings is making people a bit more wary of City than they should be. I really can't see them being above the likes of Everton and Tottingham come May.

However admittedly I've not mentioned their two best performances - a win at West Ham and by all accounts a good performance at the Emirates against Wengers spoilt brats. I may well be eating humble pie come Sunday tea-time but I'll go for a 2-1 win.

Like the Arsenal game I am really looking forward to this. I don't know why but this season seems to have caught the imagination in me a bit more than previous ones. Maybe it's because we've had a decent start, maybe it's because we feel we genuinely are a top 7 side this year or maybe it's just because the first two home games have been against interesting opposition rather than say Fulham and Pompey. Whatever the reason roll on Sunday.

Be interesting to see the attendance. This is the acid test for the new ticket prices and really is one that should be practically a sell out. Guaranteed 7,500 away support (plus probable infiltration). Local derby. Cheap £20 tickets. 3pm (albeit Sunday) kickoff, not on TV. Anything not close to or above the 29,000 mark would be disappointing.

[philipl]

Hasta, since when have highlights of Man U v anyone not shown anyone getting absolutely hammered.

In the Man U and Arsenal games, total shots on/off target were fairly even which showed City were giving as good as they got in front of goal.

[Bazzanotsogreat]

Hasta, since when have highlights of Man U v anyone not shown anyone getting absolutely hammered.

In the Man U and Arsenal games, total shots on/off target were fairly even which showed City were giving as good as they got in front of goal.

I watched the United game and although, they defended well on another day they would of lost 4/5-1 , it was a mixture of luck and very poor finishing on united's behalf

[Hasta]

Hasta, since when have highlights of Man U v anyone not shown anyone getting absolutely hammered.

In the Man U and Arsenal games, total shots on/off target were fairly even which showed City were giving as good as they got in front of goal.

Phillip

I saw all of the first half and about 30 minutes of the second half of their game against Man U and, as Bazza says, City got absolutely leathered.

[USRoverME]

I think Rovers match up well against City. They are a flair side when given time on the ball, they are a grinding team when pressured. I have a feeling we'll pressure them, don't you?

Besides, City have apparently been the favorite team for fox soccer channel over here, I got a chance to watch them play 3 times this season so far. To me, Corluka is a liability, He's big, but not pacy, and I've seen him get away with a lot of pushing and has been covered well by his teammates. I expect MGP to make him look awful. Garrido v. Bentley is also a matchup I think favors us, even though I rate Garrido better than Corluka. But Dunne and Richards, with their pace, have really covered for those 2, in my eyes. Hamman playing "marvelous"????? seriously, anyone saying that can't have actually seen him play. He's playing like savage only he's slower, and maybe a tad more headless, that hardly qualifies as marvelous, as much as you might like Sav.

City would be more dangerous without Petrov. He always seems to shoot horrible when a pass is the better option, or pass horrible when he should take people on. He's been a let down, but he racks up a lot of shots (just very few on target). I feel that Dunny and Savage will keep their midfield bottled up, I think Samba can keep Bianchi in check, Nelsen will read any quick plays up the middle from the Brazillians, and we should be fine. I expect a 1-0 for us, or the seemeingly frequent 1-1.

Forgot to add, in the first half against Arsenal, young Kasper looked lost on a fair few crosses, not all of which were of great quality. I expect, we could even give City a hiding if MGP and Bentley get into gear and start whipping good balls in.

[blue phil]

It'll be tough. I'll go for 1-1.

A couple of decent results from City and people are getting edgy

City have had a bit of luck......which will run out at Ewood .

Rovers are a very organised , disciplined team and I fancy a fairly routine 3-0 victory .

I'm not entirely convinced by young Schmeichal either ; he should be tested . Stick Samba near him at corners and hope that Pedersen can get the ball past the front man .....

[American Rover12]

Rover's need to capitalize on little Kasper's 1st loss/goal given up and attack hard and fast very early in the game. If we can get one in quick, it'll shatter his confidence and make the job a lot easier.

[frosty]

I'm not entirely convinced by young Schmeichal either ; he should be tested . Stick Samba near him at corners and hope that Pedersen can get the ball past the front man .....

I agree BP, he hasn't looked comfortable from crosses or corners - Samba should give him something to think about.

It will also be interesting to see how Santa Cruz gets on against Richards and Dunne.

[Daremz]

I agree BP, he hasn't looked comfortable from crosses or corners - Samba should give him something to think about.

It will also be interesting to see how Santa Cruz gets on against Richards and Dunne.

Somehow, that post really excited me. Never thought Dunne was quality but as far as I can see, this season he's class, alongside young Micah. Defenitely interesting to see how our strikeforce will battle them. Still though - watch Elano!

[RoyRover]

I also feel that we can win this one and lay down another marker to the rest of the league about how serious we are this year after the great performance against Everton. Man City have signed a lot of quality players and have started the league well. But they were very fortunate against Man United and should have been stuffed by Arsenal. Obviously we don't have the same quality as these two teams, but we are playing well, we don't have any new injuries and we are at home. I'm going for a 3-1 victory for us, with Santa Cruz, Benni and Samba scoring.

[DanLad]

It's got to be shoot on sight against the inexperienced GK? That's where the weak link is.

Lots of set pieces flung into the box and lots of good early crosses.

[G Somerset Rover]

It's got to be shoot on sight against the inexperienced GK? That's where the weak link is.

Lots of set pieces flung into the box and lots of good early crosses.

My feelings exactly. For all the hype surrounding the lad he hasn't really had much to do as of yet. Dont get me wrong he looks promising-but we should be testing him come Sunday with plenty of shots and crosses.

[cletus]

Recent history of Rovers vs City home league games (since 1992)

(92/93).....Rovers 1 v 0 City......att...19,433

(93/94).....Rovers 2 v 0 City......att...18,741

(94/95).....Rovers 2 v 3 City......att...27,851

(95/96).....Rovers 2 v 0 City......att...28,915

(96/97).....n/a (city in Div1)

(97/98).....n/a (city in Div1)

(98/99).....n/a (city in Div1)

(99/00).....Rovers 1 v 4 City......att...29,913 (division 1)

(00/01).....n/a (Rovers in Div1)

(01/02).....n/a (city in Div1)

(02/03).....Rovers 1 v 0 City......att...28,647

(03/04).....Rovers 2 v 3 City......att...23,361

(04/05).....Rovers 0 v 0 City......att...24,646

(05/06).....Rovers 2 v 0 City......att...25,731

Total attendances = 227,238

average att =25,249

Rovers won 5

City won 3

Drawn 1

goals for 13

goals against 10

[LWX]

i predict another smashing atmos at ewood and a home win.......