STUART Pearce will make sure his Manchester City side front up to any physical challenge Blackburn lay down at Ewood Park.
Mark Hughes' men came in for harsh criticism after their FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal for their aggressive tactics.
However, Pearce is not one who will complain about Blackburn's robust approach, saying: "Mark and I have had our moments on the pitch in the past where we have swapped hair stylists and that sort of thing.
"He has got his side battling away in a similar way to what we have here. They are well organised, fighting for one another and have a good team spirit in their camp.
"It will be another tough place to go, that's for sure.
"I have no fears about the physical side of their game and I would never complain about a side being too physical against my team.
"We have to match them in that department, then tactically, technically and finally try to be a touch cleverer than they are. That's the nature of football."
Pearce has no fresh injury worries ahead of the trip and may opt for an unchanged line-up with Dutch international midfielder Paul Bosvelt again sidelined but this time on the bench.
Jon Macken should also travel after recovering from his hamstring injury.
The Blues boss may go for a more traditional 4-4-2 formation from the start after its success in the second half against Birmingham.
"The result was great on Wednesday night but the performance could have been better, the staff know that and so do the supporters," he said.
"We have to brush up on delivery in the final third and putting more pressure on the opposition.
"Great credit to the players. What they have shown in my first five games is a willingness to stick at it and there is a resilience abut them. The tempo of our training has been helping and our confidence has been growing."
Meanwhile, former Blues striker Paul Dickov is out of Blackburn's team.
The Scottish forward has a knee injury and could be joined on the sidelines by midfielder Robbie Savage, who is doubtful with a groin injury.
Morten Gamst Pedersen will have a fitness test on a calf injury.
Blackburn (from): Friedel, Neill, Flitcroft, Pedersen, Mokoena, Reid, Thompson, Matteo, Todd, Nelsen, Amoruso, Emerton, Tugay, Short, Stead, Savage, Johnson, Enckelman.
Manchester City (from): James, Weaver, Mills, Onuoha, Dunne, Distin, Sommeil, Jordan, Thatcher, Croft, Bosvelt, S Wright-Phillips, McManaman, Reyna, Flood, Barton, Sibierski, Musampa, Fowler, Macken, B Wright-Phillips.
Blackburn v City - the stats
Rovers - L D W L W
City - L D W D W
Recent encounters
Nov 13, 2004 City 1 Rovers 1
Jan 17, 2004 City 1 Rovers 1
Aug 25, 2003 Rovers 2 City 3
Mar 1, 2003 Rovers 1 City 0
Sep 15 2002 City 2 Rovers 2
Top scorers
Rovers - Dickov 10, Pedersen 7
City - Fowler 10, S. Wright-Phillips 10, Anelka (now Fenerbache) 7
Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside) - Amazingly he is vying with Uriah Rennie for the title of most lenient referee in the Premiership. They are the only two regular officials averaging fewer than two bookings per game.
Danger man: Jonathan Stead - Will be looking to reignite his Blackburn career after a quiet season, but is a danger both in the air and on the ground.
Prediction: Blackburn 1 City 1
How do you see the game going? Have your say.
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Blackburn are a team who like to disrupt a team from playing football, lets just say by using forceful tactics.
But if there is any manager that can stand up to this, and match it, then its Psycho.
I hope CITY break the latest trend of drawing away from home and winning the game.
Blackburn 0 CITY 2.
Come on you BLUES!
Isn't Dicky injured? Wish he was still at City.
blackburn might have physical players in thier team but so have city barton,reyna,bosvelt and dunne come on you blues.
Blackburn are beatable, especially as they won't have Dickov to score his obligatory goal against us. James, Onuha, Dunne, Distin, Thatcher, SWP, Reyna, Barton, Musampa, Macken/BWP, Fowler, subs: Weaver, Mills, Bosvelt, BWP/Macken, Croft. No Sibs, as he is far to lightweight to face Balckburn (or most other prem teams for that matter), Savage & co will probably target SWP, to eliminate the threat, and to wind up the City players. Keeping their cool will be very important. If weather is anything like today, it will be roasting (I work in Blackburn), so timing of substitutions will also be important. Is Andy Todd suspended?
I'm looking for 10 points out of the last 4 and that will put City in with a very good and realistic chance of finishing 7th. The two points are most likely to be spoiled at Rovers, as I think they are a very hard team to beat at the moment. Hopefully they have a hangover from their FA-Cup exit. It'll be a draw or a narrow win for City.
I would be tempted to bring back either Mills or Thatcher or both and definately Bosvelt in the modfielf.how about starting BWP up front with Robbie.City to win 2-1.CTID
"What they (the players) have shown in my first five games is a willingness to stick at it and there is a resilience abut them." Says Perace! My only concern Stu is the fact that we have actually conceded late goals in 3 of those 5 games so perhaps the concentration is missing! Same team for me but the formation has to be 4-4-2. There maybe a case for bringing Thatcher back in to replace Jordan as the lad has looked a bit shaky and I'm afraid to say, too slow, in the last couple of games and his passing is poor but SP may give him another go.
Agree with you lot. 1-1, Barton to be city's goalscorer.
Ernie, Sanks, Eric Jonker give Pearce a break guys! 10 points from 4 games? - he's only temp manager and kk only got that because you were fighting relegation. I am starting to think you three are the closet RAG trio?! Mark Hughes - glorious player, phenominal record - decent manager! Sure you can nick it though with SWP back
Justine, must be hard to get a life in France? Were you banned from your homesoil? And what's that rag-thing you have? Or is it indeed the only word you have locked in your silly little brains? This site is for letting your opinion known and for discussions. As long as it makes any sense and yours isn't mate.
Warning to City Strikers. Make sure you dont run into that 'Accidental' Andy Todd because he runs back towards his goal with his elbows at head height.
Eric steady, it seems someones on here impersonating Edski and Juste trying to stir.
442 is theobvious formation and it would be well handy if Dickov and Savage are out as they frequently haunt us! Probably make for a cleaner game too which would suit our style! Must improve on the Fulham performance and take our chances when they present themselves but with SWP back for the full 90 our firepower is much improved. Not sure about Macken though! Keep BWP on bench or starting! I'd start Bosvelt if I thought he would play a blinder but he's been a bit off form recently in my opinion and nothing like as good as he was at, for example, Portsmouth.
I'm glad Dickov is out he has been nothing but a pain in the backside every time he has come back. Barton versus Savage will be interesting. Joey has to be getting the scalps of players like Savage week in week out if he is to be who he wants to be.
Hmm Sparky vs Psycho. It should be a genteel affair tomorrow. Would be happy with a point, but provided we don't get kicked out of being able to play the football we are capable of playing, we should easily outclass Blackburn.
I saw Blackburn's match against Palace, and, the vile behaviour of Savage notwithstanding, they should have won by more. However, City are just the team to repel their heavy-handed tactics and land the result every football lover (OK, not including rags, who bitterly hate City, and Blackburn fans) wants - a win for City. Go for it lads, there's nothing to fear - 2-0 to Pearce's plunderers. CTID
Juste Lovet someone told me you were still in Goodison Park crying your eyes out cause your Multi Million strikers could,nt get just ONE goal between them.
Get back to your Swamp .
I've been a strong advocate of playing 4-4-2 with BWP along side Fowler for weeks now. But we might want to adopt a 4-5-1 against Blackburn - their midfield will be strong in terms of battling and I thing, perhaps, strength in number may be the answer. James, Thatcher, Distin, Dunne, Onuoha. Musampa, Barton, Bosvelt, Reyna, SWP. Fowler. Subs. Jordan, Mills, Croft, Sibierski, BWP. Gotta agree with Eric. What's that French geezer on about? What a sad, puddled individual. Anyway, back to footy. A few weeks ago, I had this game down for a draw, with a sending off or two. Although I can still see Barton & Savage clashing throughout the game, we can definitely win this one. 2-1 for City. Come one Blues! We could be breathing down the neck of whoever's in 7th by 4:45pm tonight.