Derby Day: City Out to Silence the Rags Again

In any football fan's life there are two words that keep a supporter up all night: Derby Day.

This Sunday, Manchester City and Manchester United will square off for the 150th time. The war of words has been instigated, the supporters chomping at the bit. However, the boys over at United are making a big mistake:  they are slagging off their opponents.

Manchester United's talking heads (Wayne Rooney and Lady Alex Ferguson) have been talking all week about how City are not a threat, that they are not worried and about how they are the "Kings of Manchester". They seem to be treating this match as if they can just walk in and City will just let them win and bow to their might. 

They seem to think that City's double over them last season was a fluke. The fixture at Eastlands last season may have been. City were dominated but United still failed to score. The fixture at the swamp...err Old Trafford was a different story. 

City dominated the match while United looked to not have a clue of what hit them.  Ronaldo didn't get the soft calls from Howard Webb and City took advantage of sloppy United play.

This season, City are a far better club than they were last season. They have a better scoring punch, better play-makers and a better manager.  Although the results haven't shown it, Man City are on the verge of breaking out. 

The last week has shown what City can be. A dominant home victory over Arsenal and an away win against a strong Schalke 04 side has shown that when City play with the right blend of attack and defence, they are a very dangerous side to beat. They also proved that they can win without Robinho (who will be fit for Sunday).

Manchester City will have a lot going in their favor on Sunday. The atmosphere alone will fuel them. United fans might want to bring earplugs as they aren't use to loud crowds at home. 47,000 screaming blues singing "Blue Moon" will help City. 

The other factors in City's favor include a fan favorite who has made life miserable for United: Shaun Wright-Phillips. He has mesmerize United with his speed and ability to set up and finish.  Remember the 4th goal in 2004? Look for Shaun Wright-Phillips to play a big part in City's attack.

Another positive for City is the man who Mark Hughes would not let get away, and for good reason. Stephen Ireland has found his form in a spectacular way.  Every time he has touched the ball he has been a threat. Whenever he has not been on the ball, he has been doing everything right to either get in position to make a play or fighting for possession. 

He has done just about everything right this season.

Over the past week, Mark Hughes has also shown why he is one of the best managers in football. With a huge match in Europe to play, he managed to keep his players focused instead of looking ahead to the Derby match. He has also avoided getting into the war of words with Ferguson by sticking to talking about his team. 

There is not one man connected to this match that is not more focused than Mark Hughes. He sees this match as the next steeping to in the growth of the club. He knows that in order to be a big club, you have to beat other big clubs. His side is starting to learn that as well.

When you talk about a Derby match, the placement in the table, the amount of trophies, the size of the club or the amount of money invested mean nothing on the pitch.  This is a war of attrition.

It's a battle over who wants it more. Who is willing to reach deep for that last bit of strength in the face of adversity. There is no club in football who have faced more adversity than City. The players know it, the manager knows it. 

City are very confident, they are not cocky like their neighbours. The biggest mistake you can make in sports is the get too cocky and not acknowledge the danger the looms ahead. Mark Hughes and his players are ready to exploit that and make United pay.

In this match it is quite clear who wants it more and that club is Manchester City.  They aren't grandstanding and disrespecting their opponents.  They are looking forward to the challenge of a Premier League derby match.  If the City players treat this match like a cup final, as they did last season - they will win.

Predicted starting XI for City.

Hart, Zabaletta, Kompany, Dunne (C), Richards, Wright-Phillips, Ireland, Hamann, Robinho, Sturridge, Benjani.

Predicted score.

City 3-2 United

It will be a close, hard fought war.  Don't expect Howard Webb to give Ronaldo any soft calls. City will come out on top with the home crowd!  Regarding Howard Webb as well, United have failed to win in both matches he has refereed for them.  City won the one match he presided over...a 3-0 win over West Ham United.

Expect to hear this all day long...

Blue Moon, You saw me standing alone
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own

Blue Moon, You knew just what I was there for
You heard me saying a prayer for
Someone I could really care for

Then suddenly they'll appear before me
The only one my arms could ever hold
I heard someone whisper "Please adore me"
And when I looked my moon had turned to gold.

Blue Moon, now I'm no longer alone
I have a dream in my heart
I have a love of my own