KEVIN Keegan believes Manchester City fans can travel to Old Trafford in real hope of victory tomorrow.
Despite a run of seven games without a win in all competitions, four Premiership matches without a goal and slipping to 10th place in the table, Keegan remains buoyant about his team's chances for the derby and prospects for the rest of the season.
And he feels that there is enough big-game quality in the Blues side to extend their unbeaten run in Manchester derbies to four matches.
No-one gave City much hope last season yet they ripped four points off their neighbours and Keegan is hoping for a repeat.
"Obviously we would have preferred to be playing Manchester United on a run of form but remember we lost to Wigan before the first derby last season," he said.
"I don't think our fans should be going to Old Trafford on Saturday with massive amounts of trepidation. It is a tough place to go for everyone. Villa played quite well last Saturday, United didn't play well and scored four goals. That tells you that they are a side that can play well and win and can play average and win. That is what makes them the team they are.
Enjoyment
"It is a game that we should look forward to. We are capable of going there and playing them and of course we got a draw there last season and could have won it in the end.
"So we don't have to look too far back in our history to know we are capable of giving them a game."
The Blues boss has not approached the match any differently to others and is counting on his players' experience and mental toughness to come shining through.
David Seaman is winning his fitness battle, which is a boost, as is the return from suspension of regular left back Michael Tarnat, who last faced United in a European Cup final while playing for Bayern Munich. Tarnat for David Sommeil is the only likely change from the team that drew at Everton.
"I have not altered our approach on the training ground for this game," said Keegan.
"The players will alter their approach mentally because they know it is a big and tough game and they know it is one in which they all have to be rowing the same way.
"You might get away with carrying one or two players in some League games and still get a result. But in derby matches you do need everyone there. That means they have to be 100 per cent committed, 100 per cent up for it and that is the minimum requirement.
"Then you have to add to that the ability and the strength to handle big matches and I think we have those players.
Choices
"If we don't do well at Old Trafford on Saturday it won't be because we have been fazed by it. It will be because we haven't had the rub of the green, we haven't got the decisions, we haven't made the right choices or we have made mistakes. Or we have not just been good enough.
"It will not be because the atmosphere got the better of us. We cannot hide behind that one. We have got players who have played there many times, who have scored goals there and have won games there in different teams.
"We have got the ammunition available to be able to go there. We have got the ability to be able to play them and that is what we shall do. That is what we did last year when we got four points out of six.
"That was a terrific achievement as they were the champions and not many other teams did that. But that was last year, now we have to do it again.
"Make no mistake about it, this is our toughest game of the season and, in our fans' eyes the biggest of the season, and we are aware of that."
Last season: Manchester United 1 Manchester City 1
Key opponent: Ruud van Nistelrooy - right back in for at just the wrong time as far as City are concerned.
BETFRED:
Man Utd 2/5 Draw 11/4 Man City 7/1
Correct Score
Man City To Win
1-0 14/1
2-0 50/1
2-1 25/1
3-0 125/1
3-1 66/1
3-2 50/1
1st/Last Goalscorer In Match
Nicolas Anelka 9/1
Paolo Wanchope 11/1
Robbie Fowler 10/1
Jonathan Macken 12/1
Antoine Sibierski 14/1
Trevor Sinclair 18/1
Steve McManaman 22/1
Eyal Berkovic 20/1
Claudio Reyna 25/1
Anelka & Man City 2-0 275/1
Fowler & Man City 3-1 375/1
Sinclair & Man City 3-0 950/1
Other odds available on request. Prices subject to fluctuation. Ring BETFRED on 0800 73 11 210
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Utd 2 (Van Greg Laganis 2 pens)
City 2 (Robster 2)
Message to KK. Could you please contact the M.e.n. and ask for all negatives and copies of that photo. Any story, no matter how serious is instantly ridiculed by that hat. It makes you look like a care in the community case. I feel that the M.e.n could not believe their luck to have got that shot and probably have a good old laugh every time they use it, which seems to be almost every day.
All the Blues, keep telling yourselves that we are going to get a good hammering tomorrow, as city will always do the opposite of what everyone thinks.
If kk, believes he can win on Sat , then is it not time you stopped moaning and got behind your manager.... with a sectioning order. At least then he`ll get treatment for his delusions.
I wish KK could shut up for once...
"City can win on Saturday"
just like: "City can have a long run in the UEFA cup, City can win the Carling Cup, we can finish top 4 (or 6..) Anelka can win the golden boot, Fowler only needs a few games, we will always score goals.. " the list is getting endless......
This is the one, this game isn't just the derby, this game could decide our season and our future. So much is hanging on this game. We know we can do this, and we know we can do it well. BLUE MOON! COME ON CITY!
When did City last win a league game against United at Old Trafford? I think it was the game when Dennis Law back heeled it into the net and United where relegated. 27th April 1974.
I was 33 years old then. Today I am 63! And every city manager since then (and there has been a hell of a lot of them)
Kevin Keegan 24-05-2001 Present
Joe Royle 18-02-1998 21-05-2001
Frank Clark 29-12-1996 17-02-1998
Phil Neal 08-11-1996 29-12-1996
Steve Coppell 06-10-1996 08-11-1996
Alan Ball 02-07-1995 27-08-1996
Brian Horton 28-08-1993 16-05-1995
Tony Book 26-08-1993 28-08-1993
Peter Reid 15-11-1990 26-08-1993
Howard Kendall 06-12-1989 05-11-1990
Mel Machin 01-05-1987 30-11-1989
Jimmy Frizzell 01-10-1986 01-05-1987
Billy McNeill 30-06-1983 22-09-1986
John Benson 03-02-1983 07-06-1983
John Bond 01-10-1980 03-02-1983
Malcolm Allison 16-07-1979 01-10-1980
Tony Book 12-04-1974 01-01-1979
has said 'yes, I believe we will win it' as yet I've never heard of one putting his wages on it.
David Banner, Iowa, USA : I saw the hat too but it was only after reading your post that I nearly laughed myself to death, it took me 10 mins to recover... God bless you, and no disrespect to KK since his choice of head-gear is the least of his faults, but, this photo is precious, unbelievable...
This man keeps builting us up only for us to tumble to defeat. Is it not enough we play rubbish football! Again we need to have him removed, his five year plan what a joke, and onto tomorrow all i see is a large humilating defeat.
David,
he does not look like a care in the community case he looks like a beardless Gnome, which is far worse!
MANCHESTER ONLINE HEADLINES SUNDAY 14 DECEMBER 2003 - rags 0 City 5 (Goataldo, L Past 2 (1 penalty), Jericho 2 own goals). taggart resigns. Tony Blair scraps care in the community to make sure roy keane isn't free ever again. Joey Barton to be knighted for services to football. Cesspit in stretford wiped out by 'friendly fire' during US midnight raid on salford looking for osama bin nistelroy, 50,000 weeping red shirted cockneys feared lost. COME ON CITY!!
Very clever Deeno, just three things.... First, I don't ever remember coppel saying anything at all. He was never actually the manager, he was just brought in to look sad and hopeless, which he did very successfully from the first day he arrived till he left. Second, Tony Book was right in 1974 wasn't he? (a wonderful day) Finally, don't ever, EVER, mention the names al*n b**l, j**n b*nd or f**nk c**rk on these pages without issuing a health warning first. Damn near put me off my cigar. CTID
HA HA HA HA< the game will be over by half time in Uniteds favour but the srewards wont allow the City fans to walk out they will have to endure a slaughtering from the REDS >mark my words!!!!! 3-0 at half time providing Mark Halsey officiates FAIRLY!!!
I have to agree with the comments on here regarding the derby result........NO regarding the tactical team selection for today.........NO regarding Keegans Hat YES!!!
That has to be the most comical picture I have ever seen of King Kev, looking like King Elf, Santa's chief helper, in the current festive season. Good on you Kev for sporting such seasonal headgear and putting a smile on our faces. Actually I think that this picture was first used before on of our European games (Groclin away) I think, so why the MEN have dug it out again is probabaly to have a good old laugh. Anyway, on to football, like most I have really mixed feelings about today. I keep getting asked what I think the score will be, but the simple fact is, until I see what happens in the first five / ten minutes of the game, I haven't got a clue. Lets hope the lads surprise us all and give a good account of themselves. CTID
The Horse will finally be put down today!!