Inspired by @robinamicrowave messaging me volunteering to answer some questions, I've decided to do this weeks solely on the caf. Problem is only two City fans replied, so decided to ask two hardcore United fans some questions too, hope you all enjoy this. Thanks to @robinamicrowave, @BobbyManc, @Annihilate Now! and @Rood.
Q1 (City fans): What have you made of van Gaal's time in charge of United so far and both clubs contrasting fortunes on the pitch since the retirement of Fergie?
robinamicrowave: It’s already clear that, despite being worse off after the same number of games, Van Gaal’s United are showing promise. There’s the sense that once you get the back four together you’ll be causing some serious damage to your opponents because of your enviable attacking talent.
I do think you made a mistake in the summer by neglecting the chance to strengthen your back four, given there’s not much more than adequate cover for Jones and Rojo and no cover at all for your full-backs, but I’ve been very impressed with Tyler Blackett this season. His red card against Leicester was unfortunate, as he was sold down the river by a terrible performance, but he will come good.
As for our contrasting fortunes, I said at the time you employed Moyes that if we’d replaced Mancini with him I’d have been absolutely devastated. I think that tells you everything you need to know about how I feel. The 3-0 win at Old Trafford barely felt like a derby because of how little confidence United had going in to the game.
BobbyManc: To be honest, I've been a little underwhelmed by Van Gaal's reign so far. With all the hype he was getting and the signings you've made I was expecting you to start better than you have done. Injuries haven't helped but with your line-up you should be doing better. The contrasting fortunes since Fergie retired haven't shocked me at all. I didn't think Moyes would be THAT bad but, not even taking into account how important Fergie was, losing a manager who has been at the club for 26 years is inevitably going to have a hugely detrimental impact, even if they were useless. It's a complete change of culture of the club and everyone has to adjust.
Q1 (United fans): What have you made of Pellegrini's time in charge of City so far and both clubs contrasting fortunes on the pitch since the retirement of Fergie?
Annihilate Now!: I think he's a million times the manager that Mancini was... but then I think Mancini was garbage to be perfectly honest, so not sure how much of a compliment that is. Thing is, considering that vast amounts of money and talent City has, its hard to see what good 'ol Manuel does... you know, apart from pick XI players every week and manage to not motivate them against "lesser sides".
Having said that, they won the league last year over a "rampant" Liverpool, and you never hear much of a bad word said about him from those around the club... so clearly he's doing something right. I do have to agree with Big Sam (get that...) in his assertion that he's very much a "stuck in his system" manager - in that he never seems to adapt his side to the teams he faces in the way that Mourinho, Fergie or the Big Man himself do - and that's often why they can be beatable.
Rood: I didn't expect him to get immediate success in the PL, thought it would take him time to adjust so he did well last year. However, I did think he would do better in Europe as he took a pretty average Malaga team to the brink of the semis and obviously City have a better squad, very glad to see them fail on that front!
Q2: What is your favourite and least favourite derby memory?
robinamicrowave: My favourite memory has to be the FA Cup semi-final in 2011. We came to that game as - and showed in the first half hour that we were – inferior opposition. But we stuck together and came out the other side as the team you know us by today. A landmark day in our recent rise, you might say.
My least favourite memory has to be Rooney’s last-minute winner in the League Cup semi-final in 2010. We probably would have won the final, too.
BobbyManc: Actually hard to pick a favourite moment
I'll go for the 1-0 win at the Etihad in 2012. Never been so nervous during the last 10 minutes of a game. The 6-1 was so surreal I couldn't even enjoy it that much, I was just in a daze for days. I'd put the FA Cup semi final a close second. Least favourite is also hard to choose! Luckily I missed Owen's 4-3 winner but if I hadn't it would definitely be that. As it is, I'd say it's equal between RVP's freekick and Rooney's last minute Carling Cup goal.Annihilate Now!: You know, I love a last minute winner - and in that 2009-2010 season we scored 3... THREE last minute winners, Owen and Scholes in the league and Rooney in the Carling Cup. All brilliant moments, and all absolutely hilarious. On which point, the 3-2 at the Etihad with RVP getting the last minute winner is also up there. I was so fecked off we threw it away, that to grab it back at the end felt incredible.
Worst is 6-1. Of course.
Rood: In recent times, Owen's last minute winner is difficult to beat, was a mental end to a derby match. Also Rooney's overhead kick - I was sat right behind the goal that day as well.
Unfortunately I was also at the game for the 6-1, still also remember the shame of going to school the next day after getting beat 5-1 in Fergie's early days.
Q3 (City fans): With Aguero's great form recently, are you worried about the possibility of other teams attempting to sign him? (suggested by Herrera)
robinamicrowave: In all honesty, no. Every summer since he came to the club we’ve been told he’s off to Real Madrid, or off to Barcelona, or back home to Atletico, or that he loves Liverpool more, but he’s sat on a huge 5-year contract now and seems to really enjoy living here. I think he’ll leave before his contract expires, but by that time you’d hope the masterminds in our boardroom will have sussed out how to replace him.
BobbyManc: No, not at all. He signed a new contract in August and seems genuinely happy at City.
Q4 (City fans): Toure has been questioned over his performances this season, do you feel he is still fighting for the cause, or mentally checked out from city? (suggested by clarkydaz)
robinamicrowave: Of all the players in poor form this season, it’s been hardest to look at Yaya. It’s clear his influence on games is diminishing, but having had such a turbulent summer I think it’s knocked him on a year or two. I don’t believe for a second that he genuinely wanted out in the summer, but the way it was allowed to drag on has soured some relationships. Pellegrini’s persistence with 4-4-2 isn’t helping, either – I don’t think it’s any coincidence that Yaya scored after we switched to 4-3-3 in the final minutes against Aston Villa a few weeks ago.
BobbyManc: Has Toure ever looked like he is fighting for the cause? He has always been a little bit lethargic but with a player of his quality he can get away with it when he's playing well but when we're not he becomes an easy target. I think he is physically exhausted this season and yeah, I imagine losing his brother has affected him. Has probably just took some of his motivation away for the time being.
Q4 (United fans): Van Persie has been questioned over his performances this season, do you feel he is still fighting for the cause, or mentally checked out from United?
Annihilate Now!: I think he is fighting. He's fighting a crazy battle between the United cause and father time itself. Who will win? We'll have to wait and see...
Rood: I've not questioned RvP at any point, he is a vital player for LvG as he is one of the few that knows his 'philosophy' and has been captain in the absence of Rooney - he's doing a lot more work for the team and yet still scoring goals as well so I don't have a problem with his form.
Q5 (City fans): Looking from the outside in, City have been really naive when playing in Europe. Do the fans believe they have to go with a MF 3, most preferably of Toure-Fernando-Fernandinho? (suggested by VanGaalEra)
robinamicrowave: Yes, we do. I’d argue that we all do.
BobbyManc: A midfield three is a must. Not just in Europe but in some domestic matches as well. Pellegrini isn't flexible enough with his approach to games. The defence hasn't been protected enough this season.
Q6 (City fans): There have been many significant changes to the club since its purchase by Abu Dhabi group. You have gone through multiple managers and several major signings have come and gone since that period. Do you feel there is somewhat of an "identity crisis" at City? Do you feel there is a "vintage" City team of recent years, or really any constant in particular that defines Manchester City over the past decade? I ask, because it would seem that there is not much consistency in any aspect of the club, except for its colors and Joe Hart. Players and managers coming and going at such a high frequency, and most of your starting XI from 2007 would not even get a look into the starting squad now. (suggested by Ji_Maria)
robinamicrowave: I’m glad that the club we were before the takeover no longer exists. We can look back at that time in a vacuum and pick out the 2-0 win away at West Ham under Sven, or the shock derby victories under Pearce and Keegan, or Shaun Goater’s 100 goals for City, but in reality we were a club on the brink of liquidation being run by a man who had a disgraceful Human Rights record. You can see now that we’re a much slicker and, let’s face it, bigger club.
BobbyManc: What? I'm sorry but I think this a little bit of a stupid question. 2007 was 7 years ago, I'd say it was more of a worry if we still had many players from that time ago still playing for us. How many United players are still in the starting XI from 2007? Apply that to any team. Our team has many players who have been here for some time now, long enough to have genuine affinity for the club: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Toure, Silva. Since Abu Dhabi took us over in 2008 two managers have been sacked, and only one which they appointed. There's hardly an identity crisis. In fact I'd argue right now United are going through more of an identity crisis than City are.
Q7 (City fans): What do you think of the team's fighting spirit? The team has often been labelled as mercenaries, especially when the going gets tough, can you see your team battling back after having several unfavourable results? (suggested by shadowcat)
robinamicrowave: I’ve always compared this current City side to United’s treble-winning team because you’re across the city centre and have always been the shining example of never-say-die in English football. I think four trophies in four years speaks for itself that our squad has the desire to come back from adversity, but there are times when I think we’re nothing more than flat-track bullies. The Champions’ League has exposed a crippling mentality problem which should be sorted out in the coming years when the next cycle begins.
BobbyManc: Ah, the good old 'mercenary tag'. Utter load of nonsense. Our players are as passionate as anyone else's, trust me, if they weren't it would be City fans who'd be the first to notice. You don't win two leagues in three seasons by having mercenaries who don't care. We have a great team ethic and we will suffer poor form like everyone else, but both the times we won the league it was by bouncing back from a poor run of form right when it mattered.
Q7 (United fans): What do you think of the team's fighting spirit since the retirement of Fergie?
Annihilate Now!: Well it's Jekyll and Hyde really. Hyder under Moyes (and not solely on apperances alone) and Jekyll under LVG. There didn't seem to be much - if anything - under Moyes... though to be fair, Moyes was about as inspirational as a desk tidy... so little wonder we had zero fighting spirit under him. It's been much better under LVG, with recent displays being a testament- both to having our backs against the wall (Everton/West Ham) and getting back into the game (WBA/Chelsea) so the signs are positive.
Rood: Well last year all the spirit had died by about Xmas, the players just didn't believe in Moyes. But they all clearly behind the new manager and in the last couple of games we have seen us battling until the last minute just like under Fergie.
Q8 (City fans): It is decided by the Gods that be that it is unfair that you have the two best players in the league within your ranks (Silva and Aguero) and so must sell one of them to us... which one do you let go off and why? (suggested by Annihilate Now!)
robinamicrowave: You can have Aguero if we can have Falcao. You can have Silva if we can have Di Maria. I think that’s a fair deal.
BobbyManc: Aguero. Horrible question though. But you already have Rooney, Falcao, RVP so while Aguero would, in my opinion, be a step-up on those it's a fairly minimal difference and your problems certainly aren't up front. Silva on the other hand is the best player in the league for me and would improve any team immensely. Aguero, as good as he is, is a striker and they're are plenty of top quality strikers around. But who else is attainable and even close to Silva's ability at what he does?
Q8 (United fans): It is decided by the Gods that be that it is unfair that you have two quality players in the league within your ranks (de Gea and di Maria) and so must sell one of them to City... which one do you let go off and why?
Annihilate Now!: Feck, my own question is coming back to bite me here. Erm, Probably De Gea - though he would solve the seemingly everlasting game-show crisis that is "Joe Hart - is World Class?" - but shoving one of the best players in the world into their team like Di Maria would be a bit frightening. It'd be as worrying as Chelsea buying Fabreg... oh.
Rood: De Gea - they already have a decent keeper so it won't improve them as much as adding a world class player like Di Maria.
Q9: What would you give Yaya Toure for his 32nd Birthday? (suggested by Annihilate Now!)
robinamicrowave: Honestly? A transfer to a new club. By the time he hits 32 he’s going to be on his way out and we need something to encourage transfer activity in the middle of the park. Somebody like your old mate Pogba or Ross Barkley, just to shake things up a bit and begin the first ever ADUG-era rebuild at City.
BobbyManc: A kick up the arse as things stand.
Annihilate Now!: I'd buy him this - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Crap-Teams-Geoff-Tibballs/dp/1843175983 - as a complete guide to which games he definitely does not have to turn up for.
Rood: feck all - the spoilt bastard!
Q10: Liverpool have Balotelli, we have Rooney/Mata/Insert Defenders Name here, Arsenal have Ozil... Who is the current Man City scapegoat? (suggested by Annihilate Now!)
robinamicrowave: I would say it’s Yaya Toure, which I think is horrifying really. Given everything that he’s done for the club (won us the FA Cup, won us the League Cup, produced iconic moments of genius to win us two Premier League titles), the way some fans have turned on him this season without considering how difficult the summer was for him is at a worryingly high number.
He is in a poor run of form and deserves to be dropped, but only to give him some time to himself and come back in a better place. Think Joe Hart last season; it was clear he was lacking something of himself, so we gave him time to gather his thoughts and let him come back at his own pace. We ended up winning the title with him providing some crucial saves at big moments. It can work.
BobbyManc: Yaya Toure, as already mentioned, because of his perceived laziness. Mangala as well because of his price tag.
Q11: I'd like your opinion on what you expected at the start of the season and now? Have they changed? (suggested by iBlu)
robinamicrowave: I predicted we’d finish 2nd with a cup in hand. I still think we’ll finish 2nd, but we’re going to have to make a big go of it now to get the FA Cup given what happened against Newcastle.
BobbyManc: Start of the season I expected Chelsea to win the league so my main hope was to improve in the Champions League, while giving Chelsea a good run for their money. I expected us to finish 2nd and at least get out the group stages of the CL but no more than that because you never know we can face after that. Right now I expect us to finish 2nd still but not comfortably and I'd be amazed if we get out the group stage.
Annihilate Now!: At the start of the season I expected top 4. About 2 weeks in I expected 7th. Now I'm back to expecting top 4... thanks to a combination of us looking half-decent, and Arsenal/Liverpool/Spurs all looking a bit naff.
Rood: I expected Top 4 and I'm still confident of that - not much has changed in my opinion really.
Q12 (City fans): Is Joe Hart your keeper for the future? (suggested by Warlock1)
robinamicrowave: Not for me, no. Between August 2010 and May 2012 he looked unbeatable, and he was a huge tip of our spine in that first title-winning season. But since then he’s regressed horribly in every aspect of his game. There were rumours of him developing a serious back problem towards the end of the summer in 2012 after we won the title, but I don’t think that accounts for his poor concentration, lack of vocal work and poor ball control. He’s still a great goalkeeper who can produce wonderful saves, but he can’t deal with crosses, he can’t stay focused like he used to, and he’s simply not the same goalkeeper.
BobbyManc: Nope. Have said we should replace him for a while now. I was incredibly wound up by him last season and was delighted when Pantilimon replaced him temporarily. Caballero won't be challenging him though on evidence so far.
Q12 (United fans): Is de Gea your keeper for the future? What do you make of his contract situation?
Annihilate Now!: Keeper of the future of mankind. Give that man all the moneys and all the years.
Rood: He's already pulled off some epic match winning saves this season, the longer he stays the better.
Q13: If you had to fit 3 players from the opposing team into your regular starting line up, who would you pick and why? (suggested by KristoferK)
robinamicrowave: De Gea
Zabaleta – Kompany – Demichelis – Kolarov
Silva - Yaya Toure – Fernandinho – Di Maria
Aguero - Falcao
Let’s form FC Manchester and play in purple, shall we?
BobbyManc: De Gea - best keeper in the league for me.
Di Maria - world class player.
Struggling for a third one. I'd pick Herrera because all of our midfielders have started poorly this season so he wouldn't do any worse.
Annihilate Now!: Easy, Kompany, Silva, Aguero. Kompany would instantly sort out our defence, and whilst you could argue that someone like Toure or Fernando/inho would go along way to suring up our midfield - when you have the two best players in the league to pick from, you don't turn them down.
DDG
Rafael ---- Kompany ---- Rojo/Jones ---- Shaw
Herrera ---- Blind/Carrick
Silva ------ Rooney/Mata ----- Di Maria
Aguero
Rafael ---- Kompany ---- Rojo/Jones ---- Shaw
Herrera ---- Blind/Carrick
Silva ------ Rooney/Mata ----- Di Maria
Aguero
What a side that is, now if you'll excuse me I'm going to wash this City players love-in off myself.
Rood: Well our defence needs strenghtening so Kompany is an obvious pick, I'd take Zabaleta as well as we don't have any proper cover for Rafael and he doesn't have a good injury record. Aguero and Silva are top players but I think we are well stocked in those areas so my last pick would be Toure - he was unstoppable last season.
Q14: What team would you like to see your side field on Sunday?
robinamicrowave: Hart
Zabaleta – Kompany (C) – Demichelis – Kolarov
Fernando – Fernandinho
Yaya Toure
Milner – Aguero – Silva
BobbyManc: Hart
Zabaleta Kompany Demichelis Kolarov
Fernando Toure Fernandinho
Milner Aguero Silva
Annihilate Now!: Hard to say considering we don't know who is/isn't fit yet (answered before LVG's press conference). I'd be happy with the same line-up that went against Chelsea... though if Rooney's back (fully) fit (a half-fit Wayne Rooney is generally very crap) I'd have him instead of Mata... or indeed, if Falcao's back I'd have him instead of Mata. Would be tough to drop Januzaj after a really good game, but then we're losing out with Di Maria being out wide... so potential move back to a diamond might not be a bad idea, but then City could murder us considering they're strengths...
Rood: DDG - Rafael, Smalling, Rojo, Shaw - Blind, Fellaini, Herrera - Di Maria, Rooney, RvP
In short. I don't really know. That's why LVG is the manager.
Q15: Predictions on final score/result?
robinamicrowave: Well,up until very recently I thought City would come out on the right side of a high-scoring game, but our recent run of form makes me think we’ll batter you. We seem to enjoy turning up against United more than any other side, and while you’re still not quite gelled together I think we’ll take advantage like we did last year.
I fully expect you to get revenge in the Old Trafford game, though. You’ll get it together by Christmas and finish 4th. Good luck for the rest of the season!
BobbyManc: 3-2 City
Annihilate Now!: City will win. They're on a bad run of form, and this is just that sort of game you can see them a)turning up for and b) getting back on track with. I'll say it'll be 2 or 3 nil to them.
Rood: I predicted 1-1 on the Football Bloody Hell podcast and am sticking with that.
