Man City v Chelsea – Q&A

MAN CITY – Vital Man City editor
1) Even though the team is currently 7th in the table, do you think you can still claim a top four place at the end of the season?

We’ve certaintly got the personnel with the right quality and Premier League experience to do it. The task that Mark Hughes faces is getting the mix to gel. He’s gone for the blend of MCFC Academy graduates and established stars which have won wholehearted approval across Planet Blue

Astonishingly we have only been beaten once in all competitions to date in that 97th minute scandal at the swamp but really should have won at least four more games. The capacity to throw away a lead has hopefully been ironed out with the excellent League Cup win over a very capable Arsenal reserve side.

I maintain that once everything clicks into place we will give somebody a right pasting, but for now, the development continues and this season the Premier League has been refreshingly open.

2) You have drawn seven league games in a row, how frustrating is it that your supported team isn’t getting wins on the board?

Immensely frustrating, especially in the knowledge that we were in control in four of those games, We comfort ourselves in the knowledge that Manchester City has a long tradition in it’s very own “tales of the unexpected” so we can expect whoever is in the shirt to pull together and turn up with wins when least expected!

3) Is Mark Hughes the right manager to take Man City forward?

I think he can. With each day that passes he cements himself deeper into the job with that outstanding backing of his highness Sheikh Mansour. Sparky is growing in stature, experience and as an ambassador for the club. Even though I have previously asked for the trigger to be pulled such has been my frustration at certain tactics, I recognise the need for stability and continuity at our club after so many years of pain and upheavel. After all, we were entrenched in the third tier of English Football 10 short years ago, a stunning fact considering where we are now.

4) Defender Joleon Lescott cost the club between £22-£24 million, it is very rare to see a defender move clubs for that amount of money, even though he has only been at the club for a couple of months is Lescott worth £22-£24 million?

I believe that the word has quintessentially gone out of the window. Lescott has the equipment to do a sound job for City and there are signs he is getting it together. You don’t make the English national side without having something about you.

5) Lastly the all important score prediction?

Too close to call. I think we are going to give them a game after numerous false dawn drubbings, City 1-0 Chelsea

CHELSEA – ChelseaMad editor
1) Chelsea are currently five points clear at the top of the Premier League table, do you believe the title is already in Chelsea’s grasp?

It’s not the sort of question most Chelsea fans like to think about, but it’s certainly more in Chelsea’s hands than it is the others.

2) Are you happy with Carlo Ancelotti, or did you prefer Guss Hiddink?

To be honest they are interchangeable I doubt any of the players have noticed a great change since Hiddink. Ancelotti can’t believe his luck, he’s come from an old team in AC Milan to a slightly aging team in Chelsea, but player by player Chelsea are a better side. What Ancelotti has done is brought with him the know-how from the medical system employed at Milan, they are famous for designing bespoke training plans for individual players. For example Drogba has a continuing problem with a knee, Chelsea have now identified how the knee reacts to playing and training and how best to treat it so he misses far fewer matches that he has done before. The players totally buy into the med system and follow it, it gives them great confidence that when they are on the pitch they are in the best possible condition. That is reflected in their powerful displays. So on balance it’s Ancelotti over Hiddink for this reason only.

3) Next month is the African Cup of Nations, many Chelsea players will be heading out to Africa to play for their respective country’s, do you think Chelsea will struggle without the likes of Drogba, Essien and Kalou?

No, too many changes like we saw at Blackburn Rovers in the Carling Cup this week might result in a downturn in performance and hence lost points, but if it’s carefully managed, then there should be no noticeable difference. No disrespect to the likes of Hull City, Sunderland, Birmingham City or Burnley, but the boys should be able to win most if not all of them games.

4) Joe Cole has returned from injury, however with him being injured do you think his chance of a World Cup place has deteriorated because of his injury?

Yes, without a doubt – Joe is down in the pecking order at the moment. Capello will consider him of course, but he needs a long run of games to get back to the level where he’s considered a certain starter, for England was occupying that “problem” left side – but that does not exist any more. I fear for Joe and his World Cup place, it does not help that Ancelotti is toying with playing Deco ahead of Joe either, it’s a case of watch this space, Joe is out of contract in the summer and has yet to sign a new one, in three weeks he can talk to the likes of Arsenal and Manchester Utd who would make him a key player in their side. If Chelsea can’t give him what he wants – the prospect of no World Cup might make Joe think twice about staying at Stamford Bridge.

5) Lastly the all important score prediction?

A tight one this – but i’m going for Manchester City 0-1 Chelsea.