Pre-derby nerves are up there with some of the worst things in the world, closely followed by an Aguero selfie with a Tory leader and human rights abuser and marmite.
I feel as though I need to comfort myself before we kick off at 2:05 in Stretford on Sunday, as I, and most probably many other blues are working ourselves up into an unstable mess of nervousness and angst. So I’m here to talk me, and you, out of it- but also keep us relatively wary and realistic for whatever has taken place come 4pm Sunday afternoon.
On the one hand- the glass half full hand- I look at the last nine derbies to see we’ve won six of those games, and many of them comfortably. Notably the memorable 6-1 demolition at Old Trafford, a 4-1 mauling at the Etihad in 2013 and a cruising 3-0 victory at Old Trafford in the Moyes-era. Another stat which gives me peace of mind is the difference in goals scored over the last nine derbies. Our friends from Stretford have scored a mere 12 compared to a commendable 23 goals scored on our part. The point being our ability to outscore United is evident and is one that should not be overlooked. Remember such things blues! We can be an excellent attacking outfit at times and with the likes of Sterling, Navas and KDB running directly at opposition defences, this isn’t something our rivals will be taking lightly.
I also look at our team and see a plethora of quality. Yes, we’ve lost two absolute gems in Agüero and Silva but along with that we’ve seen Bony and Sterling’s ability to fill in goals-wise for the Argentinian striker and the emergence of Kevin De Bruyne as an immense, game winning talent in Silva’s absence – both of these have steadied some of my nerves prior to this weekends clash and should do for you too.
BUT! This is City, we shouldn’t forget about our special ability to cock-up a momentous occasion, something which is intrinsic to the ‘City experience’ and a worry entrenched within every City fans psyche. “Typical City” was a phrase coined by the most vehement of City fans who experienced what it was to be extremely average, but football is evolutionary and has dealt us a kind hand- we’ve moved on from the notion of “Typical City”. However, the derby is an occasion, making it non-sequitur from your bog-standard league game. Irespective of the professional rhetoric Pellegrini will no doubt spout about it being “just another game”, be wary because it’s not just another game, it’s huge.
This in mind, United are a danger. They showed they can play the occasion by dispatching us by a friendly 4-2 score line last time we visited Old Trafford. The pricey but clearly talented Anthony Martial has been a hit and looks like a player who could trouble the often-immobile Eliaquim Mangala and notoriously dodgy Aleksandar Kolarov when ran at. The universally hated Wayne Rooney has massively dipped in form, so who better to rectify that against? Yes, he’s lost his edge but we have to be wary of him and what he holds. Anyway! With a hard-hitting dose of devils-advocate out the way, I’m saying be confident because it’s well within our means – but remember it’s an occasion and 90 minutes of uncertainty, hatrid, elation and passion in which either side can come out on top!
Here’s to hoping Manchester wakes up to a Blue Monday.
