Ahead of Sunday’s Manchester derby, we caught up with Josh Lawless, a City fan who also happens to be the editor of Read Man City. Here’s what he had to say…
1) Hi Josh! Let’s start by talking about last time out – were you expecting United to be so thorough and clinical?
I wasn’t, no. I felt we started the game off really brightly and were good value for our lead when Aguero slotted home after lovely combination play from Milner and Silva. I think we had a couple of good chances to extend our lead too but paid the price when United came into their own. Herrera dazzled, Fellaini bombarded us and United totally deserved the win. But I think we’ve come on a long way since then.
2) Aguero always seems to score against United. How big a miss will he be for City?
Aguero is an unbelievable player who always seems to score against most teams, but in particular against United. Eight goals in nine derbies is quite breath-taking. So inevitably, his absence is a huge blow and we really need Bony and Sterling to step up in his absence. They did so against Bournemouth but this is a different ball game.
3) Is Wilfried Bony the right man to lead the line, or would you prefer a certain Anthony Martial?
I do like Bony. I think he’s incredibly strong in the air and a lot better technically than many give him credit for. I’m hoping that he comes good and think he will eventually but it’s clear he’s not at Aguero’s level. Martial has impressed me and many others with his instinctive play and overall contribution in attack so yes, at this stage I would rather have someone of his ilk in a game like this.
4) What do you make of United’s summer transfer activity – did they get it right?
It was an interesting window to say the last. Memphis is obviously someone they feel can develop into a top player but he hasn’t set the world alight yet. Schweinsteiger is a steady player but it does look as though his best years are behind him. I like the Schneiderlin signing a lot as he’s a really intelligent footballer and of course Martial has hit the ground running. I do believe they needed that top-tier defender to play alongside Smalling and would have been better off keeping Januzaj instead of loaning him out.
5) And now your own… Kevin de Bruyne came with a big price tag but he’s certainly delivering! Is he your most dangerous player?
For sure he’s up there, with Aguero out and Silva also likely to miss the game – though there have been whispers of him making a return to the fold. I’ve been referring to De Bruyne as ‘an attacking machine’ and I think that sums up what he’s all about. He’s so effective and always takes on the responsibility of creating things. He didn’t put in his greatest performance on Wednesday but did superbly to score the winner and we’ll need him in top form on Sunday.
6) City are notorious for being poor in Europe but are doing better than United at the moment – what would you put that down to?
The whole European deal has not really been something that City fans have fully taken to. Of course, it’s the pinnacle of European football but we’ve not seemed to get going and that’s transferred off the pitch too. The same problems seem to keep cropping up – quite slow and pedestrian and affording opposition attackers too much space. It was another massive result on Wednesday though and I’m really hoping the Sevilla win will see us finally turn that corner.
7) Do you think either or both of the Manchester teams can get to at least the quarter finals of the Champions League this time around?
I think both will be in the last 16 if everything goes to plan but it always seems to depend on the draw – we know that having been paired with Barcelona for two straight seasons. If City managed to secure top spot and earn a more favourable draw than we would have enough about us to progress to the quarters but we aren’t elite or well drilled enough to go much further. United I think are still a bit far behind too and would do well to reach the quarters.
8) United play the first derby of the season at home on Sunday; we’ve had quite a period of this fixture coming at the Etihad first – will that have an impact on the result?
It’s quite strange to be playing the first one at Old Trafford – I think the last time that happened was the famous 6-1 win. I wouldn’t mind that again. I’m not so sure it means a great deal but we would probably have preferred to play the first one at home turf. Having said that, maybe it’s a blessing that we go to Old Trafford having played so poorly in our last visit. Here’s hoping that the players are desperate to avenge that defeat and come away with a positive result.
9) What is your favourite derby goal? I’ll guess at it being a Vincent Kompany header at the Etihad…
The Kompany one is definitely up there for its significance so it’s not a bad guess to be fair. I could quite easily say all six that were scored at Old Trafford in 2011 but my favourite is Aguero’s in the 2012/13 season. That solo goal was ridiculous, how he danced through so many players with such balance and then had the composure to apply the finish. That season is an easily forgettable one for us but that goal is still fresh in the memory.
10) What is your prediction for the game?
Honestly, I think we are due a draw. You have to go back to the 2010/11 season to see the last time it was evenly poised. I’ll go for 1-1. De Bruyne and Rooney to score the goals.
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