Tuesday 26 January 2010

Ned looks forward to the derby

The first team squad's only boyhood City fan (unless I've forgotten anyone) can't wait for the game:
"It's probably as big a game as we've played in, an absolutely massive game and one that won't be forgotten for a long time. We need to make sure that at the end it's in our favour.

"It's the first time in a long time there's been so much pressure on United to beat us. But if you start thinking of defending at Old Trafford, it usually leads to bad things happening.

"We have to attack. If we score the first goal then it puts a lot more pressure on them. And if the game gets stretched later on, there are players on our side who will relish it."

He's right. If we sit back for the whole game I doubt we'll keep a clean sheet. If it's 1-0 at 90 minutes we will have extra time left to score but if we go out with the wrong mindset I think we'd struggle to make it that far. But with Bellamy, Wright-Phillips and Tévez all starting we just might be able to hit them on the break once or twice.

And Nedum goes on to say that the mentality to play this game correctly might now be in place, after the change in managers:

"You could see the way that the mentality changed in a short time, and there was even greater expectancy.

"It was good to be able to watch things develop and know the level you needed to be at if you want to be in the side. It's a challenge, but if it's too easy you probably lower your standards."

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