Manchester City v West Brom: Match Preview
Alan Pardew plans to rough Manchester City up – but will stop short from telling his players to fly in dangerously.
City boss Pep Guardiola complained about a lack of protection for his players after a horror tackle from Cardiff City defender Joe Bennett in the FA Cup left Leroy Sane sidelined for six weeks.
Pardew confirmed he would not be encouraging that sort of reckless behaviour, but did warn Guardiola that his players would be aggressive.
“Maybe we should get him a video of 1972,” said Pardew. “Check a First Division game then, you’d see a lack of protection. I understand his point, perhaps the challenge the other day was mistimed a bit. I think the player apologised.
“I understand you want to protect these great players. I want to see Sane on the pitch, you want to see Kevin De Bruyne on the pitch, you don’t want to see them leave through injury.
“No-one does. But you still have to play rough and tough to have a chance.
“We’ll go there with a tough game plan, but we will not be encouraging those sort of challenges for sure.”
Although City have shown potential opponents a slither of hope in recent weeks after a draw with Crystal Palace and defeat to Liverpool, Pardew is still aware of the massive threat the runaway league-leaders pose.
But he reckons Saturday night’s famous victory at Anfield will give his side confidence they can get something out of the match.
“Some of their performances have been outstanding,” said Pardew. “It’s not something I’m going to enjoy for 90 minutes, but as a neutral it’s superb.
“We proved at Liverpool that we go to games and set ourselves up with a game plan where we try to win.”
Liverpool beat City 4-3 with a high-tempo, high-pressing game, but Pardew thinks Albion will have to try a different approach.
“Liverpool are one of the few teams who could play a high-press against City and have great rewards,” he said.
“I don’t think it’s possible for us to do that so we’ll have to have a different game plan, see if we can find another way of unlocking the door.
“The balance is always important, but none of my teams have ever entered the field with fear, they never will.”
New loanees Daniel Sturridge and Ali Gabr are both expected to be named on the bench.
The Baggies are sweating on fitness tests over left-back Kieran Gibbs, striker Hal Robson-Kanu and centre-back Jonny Evans after all three picked up hamstring problems at Anfield. “The most important thing is performance level,” said Pardew. “We’re up against the best of this year, there’s no doubt about that.
“If we come off with a high performance I’ll be happy regardless of the score, but we still need points, so don’t go thinking we won’t go hunting for points, we will. We’ve got a lot of work to do.”
Dangerman
Kevin de Bruyne
In line to be name the player of the year, Manchester City’s midfield conductor has 10 assists to his name so far this season – the equal most in the top flight alongside team-mate Leroy Sane. He has also scored six goals this campaign and showed his ingenuity with a clever free-kick against Cardiff on Sunday.
The Key Man
All eyes will be on whether Daniel Sturridge can make an impact on debut. Though he’s likely to start on the bench, he should get his chance to shine
Predicted Lineup
Albion: Foster; Brunt, McAuley, Dawson, Hegazi, Barry, Krychowiak, Phillips, McClean, Rodriguez, Rondon.
Subs from: Myhill, Nyom, Gabr, Yacob, Livermore, Robson-Kanu, Strurridge
