Yet more noise from the Noisy Neighbours

Yes they are at it again the last few days have seen a glut of articles in the press from players from Old Trafford. Wait with the headline you were expecting me to say the Etihad Stadium weren't you??  Well that's the thing despite "Noisy Neighbours" being a United put down and something Fergie invented it is actually them making all the noise as the title race enters the home straight.

In the last few weeks there have been articles from Danny Wellbeck and Jonny Evans basically saying United's experience will see them through to their 20th title and they will win at the Etihad Stadium to all but clinch the title in late April.  Jonny Evans must be trying to cheer himself up still after his red card played a small part in City's 1-6 win in the Derby earlier in the season.  As for Wellbeck he's young and has been bred into United arrogance.  They are brought up believing they are the best they deserve all the success they have had.  Whilst true they have been the best many times the fact the challenge has come from City really does appear to be getting to the players as the weekly articles are beginning to show more and more.

Put simply they expected City to have choked by now and it's scaring them that despite a few wobbles City are still top because United also wobbled at the same time.  It's really eaten at them that despite their comeback win in the Community Shield (a footballing lesson according to Wayne Rooney) they haven't been able to shake off City as the massacre at Old Trafford proved City are for real.

But here is the thing the league table shows City and United pulling away from 3rd spot which quite probably means worst case scenario City would finish 2nd.  And that would be a best ever season since the Premier League started in 1992-93.  That would be progress for City it's a win win situation either way we've nothing to lose yet everything to gain it would be disappointing having come so far not to win the title but it isn't the end of the world.  Where as for United the reverse is true they have everything to lose if their local rivals pip them to the top spot.

The press make a big deal about the youngsters in United's side whilst completely ignoring the age of City's squad so lets look at that.  In goal Joe Hart is 24 in defence Micah Richards is 23 Vincent Kompany is 25 Pablo Zabaleta is 27, in midfield David Silva is 26 James Milner is 26 Nigel De Jong is 27 Adam Johnson is 24 and up front Sergio Aguero is 23 Mario Balotelli is 21 Edin Dzeko is 25.  In other words most of the first team aren't at their peak yet City have many years challenging at the top left in them.

So winning the title isn't an urgent must do 2nd place would still be a sign of progress.  The "Noisy Neighbours" will come good it might be this season it might be next the point is time is on City's side.

Who are the noisy neighbours

Back in September ’09 when United beat City 4-3 Sir Alex Ferguson  first uttered the phrase “noisy neighbours” gloating about the victory they had snatched late in injury time,  it has becoming something of a buzz word that United  and the press have used to beat City down with.  Indeed every time either City beat United or vice versa the “noisy neighbours” have either been silenced or made a statement.  It has become that much of a buzz word that City winning the FA Cup was greeted by the line of “the noisy neighbours have just got louder”

The Community Shield was a “footballing lesson” according to Wayne Rooney on twitter as United came from 2-0 down to win 3-2.  Then of course came the derby at Old Trafford as City thrashed United 1-6 and yet again the buzz word popped up in most match reports as the noisy neighbours made a huge statement.  There have been comments from David De Gea apparently saying that United in the long term will pip City in the race for Premier League glory.

Paul Scholes has also said similar and yet again that buzz word crept in again as Ferguson even repeated it pre the aforementioned Community Shield.  Perhaps you can see the patten emerging here?  Yes that’s right all the noise appears to be coming not from the Etihad Stadium but from Old Trafford.  This could actually be a key in the title race United do appear that wrapped up in what City are doing instead of what they are.  That said it is unusual to go in to February with the top 2 so close.  Normally one side does have a healthy lead, indeed looking at the table United are ahead points wise as at the same point why is this?  Simply it’s keeping on City’s tail that has got them to that level.  The “Noisy Neighbours” are bringing a level of consistency and performance that means this title race could well go down to the game at the Etihad Stadium in late April or even into the last couple of games.

United do have the experience edge they have been there and won titles so many times in recent years but you actually do get then impression much as they won’t admit it their focus is on what is happening at the Etihad instead of their own performances.  When interviewed you tend to see Roberto Mancini and his players asked directly about the title race and United yet they usually reply with comments about it simply being about Manchester City winning and not looking at other results.  This is the key all Manchester City can do is focus on their own results and not worry about what is happening at Old Trafford or any other stadium.  In my opinion that is what cost Newcastle the title in the mid 90′s as Kevin Keegan got sucked into mind games and the Toon Army threw away a title which was theirs for the taking.

There is however a difference Roberto Mancini despite still being young in managerial terms he knows what it takes to be champions as he proved in  Serie A.  The first title was handed to him and Inter Milan as Juventus were stripped of their win during the match fixing enquiry in ’05-’06, but he followed that that up by retaining the title twice.  The term Noisy Neighbours is a United invention and actually sums them up it is them making all the noise mainly about the fact they will catch City and in the end win the title.    Time will tell I don’t have a crystal ball but honestly without us would United be in their current position points wise? Will they win the title? Will City win?  Who knows but it’s going to have many ups and downs as the race for the Premier League title enters it’s last games.