TERRY VENABLES
Last Updated: 28th April 2012
Q WE’VE seen plenty of twists and turns this season, so is Monday’s game really the title decider?
A If Manchester United win at City, yes. But if they don’t, then no it won’t.
Victory at the Etihad would send United six points clear at the top of the table.
And, even with a slightly inferior goal difference, it would take a monumental catastrophe in their final two matches for them to blow it from there.
City go into this colossal contest knowing a win would be enough to return them to top spot and the destiny of the title would be back in their own hands — something they could never have dreamt of a few weeks ago.
But should City pull it off, they would be wise not to rush out on Tuesday morning and book the open-top bus.
Yes, Roberto Mancini’s men would be in the driving seat. But their next stop is St James’ Park next Sunday.
And if there is one United other than Manchester you don’t want to play at the moment, it is Newcastle.
Toon have confounded everyone this season. We all thought they would fade in the second half of the season, but they have not done so.
If anything, signing Papiss Cisse in January made them stronger and they are now deservedly closing in on a Champions League place. So, whatever happens on Monday night, City will not find it easy on Tyneside.
Beating the United in red will not clinch the title as long as the one in black and white stripes still lurk around the corner.
Q THE title race could and probably should be all over by now. Both teams have had chances to put the title to bed — so why have they failed to do so?
A It’s been a strange season. For so long it looked as though City would walk it, then they had a slump and United steamrollered their way over them to the top.
We all thought they would go on to retain the title quite comfortably. But it’s not happened... for various reasons.
Just like City have been off the pace away from home, United have not been their usual insurmountable selves at Old Trafford.
They have slipped up a couple of times, most recently against Everton last Sunday.
Maybe the pressure from across the city has been harder to handle for them than the challenge they usually have to fend off from London or Merseyside.
But if City were better away and United more convincing at home then either could have been celebrating already.
Q CITY have the league’s best home record and United the best away. Which team holds the advantage going into this battle?
A I would say City. United might be three points clear at the top of the table. But City have a little bit of momentum having been handed an unexpected second chance in this title race.
And with their home form so good this season, I think they have the upper hand.
Q WHERE will this game be won and lost?
A Normally, I say you have to win the midfield battle — but Barcelona won theirs with Chelsea TWICE and where did it get them?
So this time I would say in defence and attack.
This is not a boxing match, you can’t win on points. The team who lands the killer blows will win.
There will be so much attacking talent on display — with the likes of Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero for City and Wayne Rooney and Antonio Valencia for United.
So it will be down to both defences to try to keep tabs on the attacking talent on view. And it could just end up being the extra midfield man who gambles and gets into the box who makes all the difference.
Someone like Yaya Toure.
Q HOW do you expect United to approach this one? Can they go to City and play for the draw?
A Alex Ferguson has been in this situation so many times to know you cannot set up looking for the draw. Offer him a point now and he would take it, but you can’t play that way.
They will defend hard and try to hit City on the counter.
But they have to make sure they do not get done in the same way as City love to break quickly too, especially at home.
Q HOW about City, what’s their approach going to be?
A This is a big chance for them but I do not expect them to go gung-ho. Mancini is no stranger to playing it cagey and the last thing he will want to do is to concede a goal, so he will be looking to keep Rooney under check.
But when City do get on the ball they will be instructed to break fast.
Q AFTER the season he has had, how much is the stage set for Carlos Tevez to have a huge impact on the outcome?
A Some things seem written in the stars and I would not be at all surprised if the Premier League’s biggest conundrum came up with the solution of how to beat United.
Nobody approved of the way he behaved at City earlier this season. It was disgraceful.
But he has been punished and that is all in the past now.
And the good news for City is he seems to have returned to form and fitness at exactly the right time.
Q YOU have already said Roberto Mancini should not be sacked if City fail to win the title. But if United win it again, how much longer do you think Alex Ferguson will carry on as manager?
A I can’t see Fergie ever retiring. And the emergence of City only seems to have given him fresh impetus.
Q WHAT is your prediction for the match?
A I think it will be close but I’m going for City to win.
Q AND who is going to win the title race?
A Even if City do win on Monday night, it will still be advantage to United.
No comments:
Post a Comment