Manchester City face West Brom tonight at the Etihad as they look to bounce back from the weekend’s defeat.
If Manchester City have any slight chance still of winning the title, they will need to get three points against the Baggies.
Here are five questions for supporters to consider in the build-up to the match.
Will the players play with urgency or freedom?
Many fans do not believe the title is a possibility for City this season, but will that translate to the players? If the players remain professional, they should play with the absolute urgency they would do if they were level on points with United at the top. While it is still mathematically possible to win the league, City must keep fighting, after all, who knows what will happen when United visit Wigan. A loss would put City right back in it. City’s players may also play with increased freedom now the pressure is off. For the last month the intensity of the title race has been a burden to them. Now nobody is expecting them to win the league, their fortunes could be reversed.
Can they return their home to a fortress?
City’s home record this season has been tremendous, dropping just two points in total. Those two came in their last home game against Sunderland, when they drew 3-3. In that game the Etihad looked anything but a fortress, as Sunderland threatened all game to take three points, City escaping with a late comeback draw. This game with West Brom is City’s final game before Manchester United visit, and they will want to recapture their momentum. United’s visit could still have something riding on it, if the Red Devils slip up somewhere, and in any case, City will not want to slip to defeat against them. A win against West Brom will put City back on track, and lift supporters’ spirits.
How will Samir Nasri respond to criticism?
Samir Nasri has been writing all kinds of headlines after engaging in a needless Twitter spat with Piers Morgan over his Arsenal exit. Nasri was defending himself from criticism after saying he left to win trophies, but also found his own form under the spotlight. He will be more determined than ever to put in a positive performance, to show the world what he can do and prove a point. Will Mancini even start him, or will he decide to axe him for a lack of professionalism?
Is it time to start Carlos Tevez?
Mancini has taken criticism for bringing back Carlos Tevez, but he has barely made an impact as yet, with just four substitute appearances. His assist against Chelsea was promising, but he has contributed nothing since. With Balotelli suspended and Aguero out of form, Mancini might as well throw in Tevez and see what he can contribute. City need a spark from somewhere to reignite their season, and wouldn’t it be ironic if Tevez was the one to provide it.
Will City stay united?
Forgive the choice of words above, but City were a very fractured side in their last home game, and seemed to be lacking unity. Most fingers here were pointing at a certain Mario Balotelli, who started an argument with Alexander Kolarov over the taking of a free-kick, and it will be interesting to see City’s dynamic without him involved tonight. He is suspended after his red card on Saturday, and it will be a chance to see how City approach the game without him. Will signs of dissent continue and frustration show? Or will the game be incident free? How could Carlos Tevez affect the team if he starts? It will be fascinating to see the game progress and see the stories unfold.
What are your predictions for tonight’s match? Will it be a cruise or a struggle for City?
image: © imbecillisalad
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