City's old pros will be back for Arsenal

September 22, 2004

MANCHESTER City boss Kevin Keegan expressed his satisfaction with the young charges he gave a chance to against Barnsley last night - but the old guard will be back for Saturday's clash with Barclays Premiership leaders Arsenal.

Willo Flood, Stephen Jordan and Bradley Wright-Phillips all got a rare opportunity to shine and Flood in particular impressed as City romped to a 7-1 Carling Cup victory, Keegan's biggest win since he replaced Joe Royle in 2001.

But Keegan is acutely aware that Arsenal, who will arrive at Eastlands unbeaten in their last 45 Premiership outings, represent significantly different opposition to the hapless Tykes, so Nicolas Anelka, David James and Richard Dunne are certain to return.

"I rested players with Arsenal in mind," said Keegan.

"The young lads who came in have not done themselves any harm but Saturday is a significant step up and the more experienced players will come back in."

Whether Robbie Fowler is among those recalled remains to be seen.

The '6million signing from Leeds did not even make the substitutes' bench last night, even though Anelka's absence meant Shaun Wright-Phillips partnered Jon Macken up front.

It will not have been any consolation to Fowler that Wright-Phillips created five City goals and scored another. If anyone can unhinge Arsenal, it is the little England winger.

"I wanted to see how Shaun Wright-Phillips did up front and now I don't think Arsene Wenger will bring his team here thinking the result will be a foregone conclusion," said Keegan.

"We will go into the game thinking we have a chance because we have players who can hurt them.

"In fairness, they have 11 who can hurt us but we gave them a hell of a game last year and were unfortunate not to get something out of it.

"If we can defend well and reach the standards of the last couple of matches, who knows what could happen."

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Paul, Radcliffe (22/09/2004 at 09:35)

No disrespect to Barnsley, but, they are not that good, I was impressed by Flood and Jordon last night. As for Saturday, Arsenal have not looked there best in the last two games and especially against PSV. If City play welll then I think we have a chance, the record as to be broken sometime, but, if we draw with them then it won't be a bad result.
Just a worry about Thatcher, hasn't had a good game for us yet and Jordon looked very assured, I suspect Thatcher is due a good game, hope it is on Saturday.
Just another comment being a Citycard holder I get potluck on seats, my seat yesterday was a spot for a disabled person, are well!!!!.

Ernie, Virginia (22/09/2004 at 09:47)

Positive attitude, CITY can win.

Come on you BLUES!

steve, m/c (22/09/2004 at 11:20)

Good performance against poor opposition. The most noticable thing was Fowler missing. If there ever was an oppertunity to get confidence this was it. I sense a fall out has happened. If so leaves us desperately short up front. Come on City

Borg Elites, Cheadle (22/09/2004 at 11:44)

Steve M/C - I really do hope that Fowler has fell out with KK and he goes the same way as Eyal etc... we are far shorter of quality up front when Fowler plays than when he doesnt,the sooner he is gone for good the better,how can you say he needs his confidence boosting that is crap , Macken needed that and took it as did Sib .

A Miller, Manchester (22/09/2004 at 11:47)

Last night's result - albeit against very poor opposition - reveals a few very important home truths. Firstly, Trevor Sinclair has looked out of place ever since he signed for City. There can be no doubt whatsoever that last night he was in his best position: nowhere near the pitch. The same can be said of Robbie Fowler who is in danger of becoming another Gazza. The only bleak point in this fantastic performance was the appearance of David Sommeil. Although he did not stain this "debut part deux" with one of his trademark blunders, most City fans were trying to forget the fact that he still plays for us. There is never a good time to be reminded of this...

BEEP, BEEP (22/09/2004 at 11:58)

SWP should play up front from now on!

Phil Andrews, Cornwall (Ex Ardwick) (22/09/2004 at 13:15)

If ever there was a time for Mad Kev to go 4-5-1 or 4-4-1-1, now's the time. Bring on Arsenal!

Sandy, Dublin (22/09/2004 at 13:17)

KK says he played SWP in a forward role to see how he did. Now he's seen it why not employ it vs. Arsenal, even if this does mean playing Flood on the right. Throw the young lad in at the deep end and see how he copes. Let's face it, if we get a draw vs. Arsenal it would be an achievement so why not experiment in the big games you should have pencilled in as earning you nil point at the start of the season. Team: James, Mills, Dunne, Dustbin, Thatcher. Flood, Barton, Reyna, Siberski. SWP behind Anelka. This will allow some interchange between Flood, Siberski and SWP i.e. let them change positions ad-hoc during the game to keep the opposition guessing. We may as well attack Arsenal than try and defend a 0-0.

Number Six, The Village (22/09/2004 at 14:19)

Flood for Reyna & Jordan deserves a run as he can't be worse than Maggie.

Andrew, Brentford (22/09/2004 at 14:31)

Old pros back? Depends which ones! Certainly not Fowler after Macken's last two matches! If I was KK I would pack the midfield and put Sibierski behind Anelka up front alone and try and restrict Arsenal's supply line. Must play high tempo, need youngsters not Bosvelt cos he isn't fast enough or fit enough. Push them back, use width and don't give Henry an inch! Piece of piss really! 3-0 City!

Chris, Chorley (22/09/2004 at 15:17)

Would like to see Flood given another chance, I think whoever we put in midefield will be torn to pieces Viera, Pires, Ljunbery and Silva, so just treat it as part of his education. The only thing that could save us is a midifled full of pace and energy, to harry them for 90 minutes. With Bosvelt and Reyna in the middle, I am short of confidence. Hope Macken can hold it up at their end as much as possible and pray for the defence.
Team - James, Mills, Thatcher, Distin, Dunne, Barton, Sun, SWP, Sibierski, Macken, Anelka bench:- Waterrus, Flood, Bischoff, Sinclair, Reyna

Colin Blair, Bury (22/09/2004 at 15:26)

I agree that the experienced players should come back for the Aresenal game, but only the good ones who will improve the team. Anelka, Dunne and James should come back but Bosvelt, Fowler and Thatcher should be left out. Jordan looked much better than Thatcer at left back so isn't it about time he was given a real run in the first team? Why not play Anelka and SWP up front against Arsenal? Surely that would cause the Gunners a lot of problems? Maybe Sib should be given a chance upfront as he's looked really good in recent games and is obviously not a left winger.

steve, sale (22/09/2004 at 17:29)

experience is needed against Arsenal. My team.... Burridge, Seagraves, Stepanovic, Henry, Bond, P.Futcher, Silkman, Sugrue, Palmer, Bennett, Shinton... Bench, Suckling, Tolmie, Parlane, Viljoen & Lee Mills.

stonie, audenshaw (22/09/2004 at 21:48)

ye can't wait for the arsenal game,think i will be having 8 or so stellas before the game to blunt the pain,then another 10 after just in case the first 8 dident work.

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