Premier League preview: Blackpool v Manchester City
Thanks to the international break, Blackpool have had some time to celebrate their remarkable 2-1 win at Liverpool.
Having been promoted via the play-offs to the Premier League, Blackpool had been tipped to go back down straight away, but Ian Holloway’s men have surprised many.
A 6-0 defeat at Arsenal and a 4-0 defeat to champions Chelsea is no shame, and were games they were expected to lose, but beating Wigan, Newcastle and Liverpool on their own patch has been tremendous.
There are parallels to what Hull City did in their first season when they were promoted, but then they hit a slippery slope and started climbing down, surviving on the final day of the season. Will Blackpool follow suit? Possibly, but at least if they do start to have a similar pattern to Hull, they have the perfect man in Holloway to give the team a kick up the backside.
Holloway has described today’s game as a clash of “biggest opposites” in the Premier League.
“This is the match between the biggest opposites in the division - massive-spending City and us. You won't get two more opposite ends of the spectrum,” said Holloway.
No one could have predicted Blackpool would be where they are at the moment, ninth in the table, and nine out of their 10 points from away matches. With only one point taken at home so far this season, Holloway is looking for a change. “We have one point out of six at home and I want to improve on that. If we have four out of nine after Sunday, where would we be in table then? It is scary to think about,” said Holloway.
Holloway says things as they are, and he deserves more credit than he is getting at the moment. He sometimes comes across as having a laugh with the media, but there is no doubt he is deadly serious about his job, and the task in hand to handle City’s multi-million stars today.
“I have enough to worry about with City, especially when you see how they can counter-attack,” he said. “Hopefully we will take it in our stride, and whatever happens the fans will be just as excited as they have been so far.
City are living up to what is expected of them this season. Second in the table, and with their team formed of players who Blackpool wouldn’t be able to afford, they are expected to win this game comfortably.
City manager Roberto Mancini would have been advised to look at the DVDs of Blackpool’s performances in their wins, especially at Anfield, and not take anything for granted. His side beat Chelsea a few weeks ago and have since drawn confidence from that. Blackpool presents a different kettle of fish today. “I have watched Blackpool three or four times and this will be a very tough game,” he said. “I have a lot of respect for them. If we want to win there we must play better than we did against Chelsea.
“They play good football. What I like is that they don't just defend and wait for something to happen just because they don't want to concede a goal,” he added.
The issue on tackling has flared up again, and that was down to City’s Nigel de Jong’s challenge on Newcastle’s Hatem Ben Arfa, which unfortunately broke his leg. It looked innocuous to begin with, but it has prompted managers up and down the country having their say, especially when Fulham’s Danny Murphy comes out saying hard tackles are done deliberately by orders from managers.
De Jong was dropped by the Netherlands in their international games for the challenge. Mancini has backed his man, but fears referees will be having a close eye on the Dutchman. “Nigel must pay attention in the next two or three games because referees could see him in a different way. But, for me, he is a hard player and a lot of midfield players are like Nigel. He is an honest player,” said Mancini.
“I have spoken about it with Nigel, but he will be able to play [against Blackpool] because he wants to play. He's quiet at the moment, but he's not worried. He will carry on,” Mancini added.
With De Jong on the pitch, there are bound to be fireworks. Blackpool will test City’s resolve by getting in their faces and giving as good as they get.
The win at Liverpool was great, but City should avoid an upset despite having to face the shrewd Holloway.
Prediction: Blackpool 1 Manchester City 2
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