Man City vs Man Utd 8:00PM Monday SS1

copacetic wrote: »

Just hope it's a decent game and that a silly decision by the officials doesn't decide it.

Agreed, I genuinley hope that the best team wins it on their own merits, not on silly ref decisions.

Both teams are on form. United , but for their slip up against Everton, have actually been playing better football of late but their defencive collapse against Everton will be a major worry.

City can approach the game with only one target - a win . . Sounds funny, but I think its easier to prepare for a game you have to win, then it is to prepare for a game you really just dont have to lose.

I hope United's plan is to pick off City on the counter, but the key is to keep things quiet for the first 20mins so city cannot pick up momentum. Their fans will get impatient as time goes on and their players have shown a very nervy side to their play. Indeed it was only when they were written off in the league title that they started to play football again (much easier when there is no expectation) and its no surprise that Mancini has been trying to keep this pressure off by continually publically conceding the title.

For United, this is a huge test of their character and their mettle. They have the players and most importantly the experience to get a result. However, all the pressure is firmly on them as the team expected to win the league and also a team whom many think have shown a fragile centre that threatens to derail their title charge. The know if they lose this, they more then likely throw away the league and will forever be remembered as the United team that bottled it !

Against my better judgement, I have organised with some neighbours to go down to the pub to watch this decider. No doubt, there will be the same "neutrals" looking to annoy United fans, but sure it usually makes the wins all the sweeter.

For me, the biggest question is which teams will show up ? City, the team that looked scared as hell when it looked like they might actually win the league (and their form collapsed) or the team that can destroy any team on its day. United, the strong, consistant, confident team that can grind out results irrespective of performance or the team that looks like it was dragged off a park the day before the match.

Fascinating stuff, but as a United fan I am not looking forward to the game. United have more to lose then City (I fear for the long term ramifications of losing this and the league) and even finishing 2nd will be a progressive season for City.