mancityblues.com

Bring it on!

I'm not sure how Mancini has done it but Manchester City is changing. There are areas of improvement that are easily highlighted, but the speed and efficiency with which they have been made has been impressive. Changing from 4-4-2 to 4-2-3-1 on saturday with a depleted squad underlines Mancini's approach to winning games. Sending out a team that can win the game, yet having a plan b (& c) in hand. This bodes well for Mancini's biggest test so far, the heavyweight clash against Ferguson's "kids".

Our injury issues show few signs of improvement although initial fears for Micah Richards may be premature. In any case the Belgian duo of Kompany and Boyata may be the only reasonable option for Wednesday night, but the pair did well against lowly Middlesboro. It is notable though, that our entire back four, including Zabaleta and Garrido, are not quick by any means which could well prove a problem against United. Balance against this the possible return of SWP and RSC, potentially vital in this fixture. It's anybody's guess who Ferguson will pick as O'Shea and Ferdinand are injured - but I would not be surprised if Berbatov/Owen and Welbeck start up front, with Scholes, Gibson and Giggs playing some part in midfield.

So how best to combat United? As Mancini can only guess at Ferguson's selection, he will perhaps err on the side of caution initially and play a 4-2-3-1 formation, perhaps switching to something less conservative later on. This will allow the introduction of Santa Cruz, who can mix it aerially with the likes of Vidic and Evans and allow our talented midfield to get on the ball. Playing five in midfield will give City the best chance to stifle the likes of Giggs and Carrick. Gibson has a good long distance shot, so Barry and De Jong will need to be aware of this. Otherwise 'Mancini tactics' - pressing the ball relentlessly, keeping the defensive shape at all times, creating space intelligently.

----------------------Given--------------------------

Zabaleta-------Kompany------- Boyata---------Garrido

-------------De Jong---------------------Barry-------

---SWP----------------Tevez -------------- Bellamy--

--------------------Santa Cruz----------------------

bench; Taylor, Sylvinho, Vidal, (Robi?), Weiss, Petrov, Benjani

Petrov makes way for the defensive qualities of SWP. De Jong and Barry are developing into a good partnership under Mancini, reminding me of Petrov and Barry when they played together at Villa. Bellamy on the left and Tevez in the centre harrying the United backline and their holding midfielder, as well as running off RSC. Garrido takes the left-back slot almost by default, and Robinho will be useful as an impact player if needed. What price a Benjani winner? ~~~BLOOVIC~~~

This is a gigantic game, and my selection would be...

-------------------Given-----------------
Zabaleta----Kompany----Onouha----Silvinho
SWP------Barry----De Jong----------Petrov
--------------Tevez----Bellamy-----------

Kill them with pace and trickery. The disadvantage with this set up crossing the ball, or long balls, will be pretty ineffective, so we'd have to play to feet with lots of triangles ~~~MERLIN~~~