Preview
Rösler returns in nostalgic Quarter Final clash.
The 'Mancunian Mullet', back after 20 years. The egregious do may have departed from the head of the former East Germany international, but Manchester City fans certainly haven't forgotten one of their most hallowed cult heroes.
The bank notes may be brimming in the catastrophic cauldron that is the Etihad Stadium this season, but Rösler's return provides a valuable history lesson to scornful opposing fans who continue to bore us with their cash-based insults. Amusingly, City fans have never denied the significance of money in their club's recent rise up the Premier League hierarchy, and in all honesty, it would be impossible to summon a different reason for our success in the last four years. But rather than wallow in the guilt our fellow football fans attempt to impose on us every week, we'll enjoy it, because 35 years without a trophy and regular attendances of 35,000 in Division One springs the word 'deserving' into mind.
Yes, our history lacks the sparkle of many of the Premier League's top teams, but it's still there, and we make sure we celebrate it every single time we plant our rears on a stadium seat.
(Rosler joined the blues for just £500k in 1994)
But Manuel Pellegrini is not prepared to let things get hairy on the German's big day, and has told his players to save the welcome until after the game. In an interview with the Manchester Evening News, the Chilean made reference to the 'important link', but inisisted his side would not go easy on the City legend.
Pellegrini said: “I know he has an important link with this club but now he is the manager of Wigan and he will want to win.
“Maybe it is not a usual match but I am sure that we are just thinking to win this match and not all the other things outside.”
The South American's comments were characterised by all the focus and endeavour that propelled the blues to the Capital One Cup trophy six days ago, and after knocking José Mourinho's Chelsea out of the competition, Manchester City have an aperitive opportunity to lift their second domestic trophy of the campaign. Although blues can be accused of speculative forward thinking, a flourishing winning mentality and a wealth of talent makes those predictions somewhat forgivable.
(City have won four trophies since their takeover in 2008)
The big man himself has had his say on the eagerly anticipated tie, and in the midst of a five game winning streak, Rösler has told his side to play without any pressure. Wins over Sheffield Wednesday, Cardiff City, Barnsley, Brighton and Hove Albion and Nottingham Forest have seen the Latics elevate to 7th position in the Championship and come within touching distance of a trip to Wembley, but their German general believes the FA Cup tie is just a 'bonus'.
"My first reaction was to ban all talk about the game, Rösler said.
"We only started talking this week about it - I think it was important prior to that that wefocused on the league.
"And now, off the back of such a good month, I have said to the boys that this is a bonus game.
"Not that we will take it easy, but we will go into it with no pressure whatsoever. The pressure lies on City.
"We have already achieved a wonderful cup run - it is only the third time the club has been in the sixth round in our history, and doing that after last year's win has made it even more special."
With two games in hand on 6th placed Reading and just 14 games left to play in the Championship, Rösler could achieve legendary status at yet another English club come the end of the season.
(The Latics could pierce the boundaries of the play-off zone should they win their next two games in hand)
The return of an admired Manchester City legend won't soften the approach adopted by the blues who will be desperate to revenge a 90th minute Ben Watson header in the final of last year's competition. The holders will be harbouring dreams of another FA Cup upset, but fresh from their meeting with silverware and ready to embark on yet another malignant march, Manuel Pellegrini's marauders won't allow the memory of one of their finest sons to cloud their path to Wembley.
Prediction: 3-1
Manchester City's injury troubles are beginning to enter the realm of positivity and only two casualties will miss the clash on Saturday afternoon. Matija Nastasić and Stevan Jovetić make up a relatively unstained injury list and are expected to return to training next week.
Sergio Agüero returned from injury to lead City's forward line at Wembley last week and played 55 minutes for Argentina in their mid-week draw with Romania. The Argentine could be given another chance to regain fitness on Saturday.
(The Balkan pair are City's only absentees this weekend)
Manchester United loanee Nick Powell is unlikely to feature after recently returning to training, but Callum McManaman could return after recovering from an ankle problem.
Possible line-ups
Manchester City: Pantillimon, Zabaleta, Lescott, Kompany, Clichy, Milner, Fernandinho, Yaya Touré, Navas, Negredo, Agüero.Wigan Athletic: Al-Habsi, Perch, Boyce, Barnett, Beausejour, McCann, McArthur, Gomez, Waghorn, Maynard, McLean.
- Ben Watson's 90th minute header won the FA Cup for the Latics in last season's final with Manchester City
- Wigan have won just twice at the Etihad Stadium, once in 2006 and a year later in 2007. Both were 1-0 victories.
- In the last ten clashes between the sides, Wigan have won just once.
- The sky blues ran out 5-0 winners in the last meeting between the sides on the road to their Capital One Cup triumph.
- Wigan Athletic have failed to score on their last 7 visits to the Etihad Stadium.
