KEVIN Keegan has called up two teenagers to breach the gap as Manchester City struggle to cope with a growing injury crisis against Chelsea tomorrow.
Keegan has been robbed of Joey Barton, Claudio Reyna and Trevor Sinclair but at least has better news of another trio Richard Dunne, Steve McManaman and Antoine Sibierski who have all shrugged off various ailments to declare themselves ready for action.
The home side will name teenagers Willo Flood and Bradley Wright-Phillips in their squad and make a late decision on striker Robbie Fowler.
Despite his own selection headaches and the fact that Chelsea are unbeaten with only one goal conceded in eight Premiership outings, Keegan is approaching tomorrow's match with typical optimism.
"We need an Arsenal type performance with a little bit more creativity," he said.
"As a unit we are defending better and that is promising. The expectancy is on Chelsea. They are expected to win the Premiership now. They have spent something like '200m.
"Chelsea look like they are in it for the long haul. If their left or right backs get injured then in come England internationals, if they get a forward injured in comes another top international.
"They have got several players who would walk into many other Premiership clubs who are out on loan.
Invincible
"However, if you ask me whether we can beat them I would say yes, of course, because no one is invincible.
"We should be going into this game thinking we can turn them over. We know it will be difficult but it is possible.
"I know they have only conceded one goal but I always fancy us to create chances, especially at home. We will get opportunities what we have to do is stick them away.
"Where Chelsea benefit is that the manager has two players for every single position. He could get 11 players injured, all in different positions, and still be able to put out a side that would be envy of most Premiership clubs," Keegan added.
"The difference between the two sides at the top is that Chelsea could take injuries to three or four key players and it wouldn't weaken them that much whereas I don't think Arsenal could lose Henry and Vieira for long periods."
Manchester City v Chelsea: Statistics
FORM
City: LWWLD
Chelsea: DWWWW
HEAD TO HEAD
Sat Feb 28, 2004 City 0 Chelsea 1
Sat Sep 25, 2003 Chelsea 1 City 0
Sat Mar 22, 2003 Chelsea 5 City 0
Sat Oct 19, 2002 City 0 Chelsea 3
TOP SCORERS:
City: Anelka (5), Wright-Phillips (2), Macken (2), Sibierski (2)
Chelsea: Drogba (5), Terry (2)
REFEREE: H. Webb (S. Yorks) - a relatively new name on the Premiership list but he has been making his mark this season with an average of four cards per game which has him in third place in the 'strict list'.
LAST SEASON: City 0 Chelsea 1
DANGER MAN: Frank Lampard - the Londoners have a wonderful array of striking talent, much of it out on loan elsewhere, but it is the England midfielder who drives them forward.
PREDICTION: City 2 Chelsea 2
Do you agree? Have your say.
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Lampard will slaughter us. Like the Righteous Brothers, I am afraid I have lost that Lovin' Feeling for City at the moment. At one time I went to the matches with a feeling of optimism but now it tends to be more resignation. I just wish Macca and Fowler would come good but I really can't see it now. Ah well, "Come On Ye Blues".
Robbed of players like Renya & Sinclair ha ha
No place for Negouai, he was excellent as hold up man in reserves and can also play midfield. Ideal sub or has he burnt his bridges with KK after the incident with his knee injury, his sending off at Blackburn or his missed drugs test. He certainly seems to have done something wrong. If only he had as many chances as SMcM, JM, or TS.
It will be tough tomorrow but I think we can beat them (I know they have only conceeded 1 goal!!) But our defence has improved a lot and they do not look that good going forward!!! The crowd tomorrow should get right behind the team from the start and create an atmosphere like we used to at Maine Road!!! Come on CITY!!!!
Midfield has to be key here. Chelsea play basically a 3 man midfield with either Joe Cole or Damien Duff in a loose role behind the strikers. We need to stop Lampard/ Makalele playing them in and crowd them out with extra numbers. Bosvelt, Barton and SWP should take the central midfield roles. Allow Bos to sit in front of our back four and just break things up and provide and extra obstacle for Cole/Duff to get around. When he's knackered drop Sun into this role and let Flood have a run, moving Macca from right mid into the centre. SWP would then need to drop as Macca will push on as is his natural game. Sib will have to play left mid and Anelka will have a lonely day up front on his own. Mills, Dunne, Distin, Thatcher and DJ in goal. And for God's sake when Chelsea take a corner and have only 3 men in the box as is their way can we use one or two of our extra men to stand edge of box / midfield are to collect cleared balls. To get a result from Chelsea will be great as they are the ultimate defending team, never over commit, never outnumbered at the back, in fact I don't see how Jose could have critised Spurs for being negative, he's got the most negative team in the Premiership, but Sweet Jaysus are they effective! C'mon City ( I'm starting to sound like Ernie!) need to dig deep for this one. Oh and KK whilst your on the touchline have a word with Jose about taking Mutu on loan if they pay half his wages!
2-2 !!! hah ! The only thing we can hope from this game is KK sorts a deal to take Mutu & Geremi on loan in January, then he can get on with the task of offloading Fowler in the new year
I'm getting a bit tired of the 'defending better' mantra. If all it means is we are losing by one goal instead of two, where does it get us? Scoring on the break is all well and good but teams are shutting up shop against us and not giving that opportunity. We need anther Ali or Berko to open up defences from the midfield, but where is he? Not in the present squad, that's for sure.
Go into this game with a positive attitude and a fighting spirit.
Its the RICH versus the POOR (cash wise).
Come on CITY you can do it !
Its about time we beat this mob. With all of the so called Chelsea supporters springing up from everywhere, I couldn't stand another defeat to the Russians. C'Mon CITY
Living in ESPN International land where the Prem consists of the Arse, Chelski and the swampdwellers (in that order) I have seen all of the Russians' games this season and the kid Drogba is awesome. Strong as an ox and tasty on the ball. Without Joey our midfield looks cack against theirs and who'll partner Nico? Well, at least I get to seee a City match. Sing yer hearts out for the lads. Wish I was there... (er well, sometimes!)
Luckily Drogba is still out injured.
to Dave from sale, regarding Negouai, dont think he is a good replacement for our midfield now because the fasting month has just started!
perhaps that is the main reason he is not in kk's book anymore, a lesson learnt is to check a players' religion before buying them...
I would love to beat these "ruski cockney's" as they have had the rub of the green in a lot of one nil wins over the past 10 years, so we owe them big time.
However, I fear this too has got last years result written all over it. Chelsea are playing "workman like" at the moment, but have quality all over the park ( especially in midfield ) and are getting the results without playing great. City will probably play as well as the Arsenal game, i.e better than Chelsea, but again just be lacking that end product. The match is on Greek Tv so at least I can assess the new injury free Macca - I'm assuming that means he's able to point with both hands now?
Dublin, Brasil, Virginia, so ladies the next time you comment on the amount of foreign posters on our site, look at your own first! That said good luck tomorrow.
Dianne, give me a call, I can help ya baby.
4,4,1,1. Jamo in goal. Mills, Dunne, Distin, Thatcher
SWP, McManaman, Bosvelt, Sun, Sibierski, Anelka.
Subs: Watterhaus, Jordan or Sommeil, Flood, Macken, BWP
Just seen that Drogba's out on Sky's site. So, I'd like to say that Lampard and Teryy are also playing brilliantly this term. (I'll check Sky in an hour to see if they've fallen to my jinx as well!)
CTID09 - Bit harsh. Should KK ditch the Elk then? Don't remember Ramadan affecting his performance before. Also Ali B managed OK.
yellow chick off sesame st. I remember you. You irritated me as a kid. To put things in perspective a wee bit. I am in Brasil because my wife is from Brasil. I was born and bred in Manchester and I also work here. Judging by the quality (or lack of), posted on your site the English language is as foreign to your overseas fans as Manchester itself. I can only guess that - like most english rags - your contributers have never been to Manchester. Work? Ever considered it you muppet? Go and talk jibberish on your own swamp-sites.
As for tomorrow, City are capable of turning Chelsea over but I must admit that they look patient and when they move up a gear (as in the Porto match) can be as good as any team in Europe. That said City never fail to surprise. THAT'S WHY WE LOVE THEM raggy muppet.
Muppet, yellow chick, wow someones been recieving the MEN by e-mail, just to learn the lingo! Stick at it pal. From Manchester dream on there, probably think this is Manchester in the big old U of SA.