Preview
'Never felt more like singin' the blues, City win, United lose, oh City, you've got me singin' the blues'. One of my favourites, and a melody that has become even more familiar with the mouths of Manchester City fans in the last two years.
David Moyes and, more recently, Louis Van Gaal have done their best to blunt the forks on the Manchester United blivet, and the Dutchman's latest calamity against MK Dons even forced Edin Džeko into hysterics. But it's a Red Devil's former striker who has presented Manchester City fans with the most joy in the last four years - a man the Etihad Stadium have a lot to thank for.
Mark Hughes was appointed Manchester City manager in June 2008. The Welshman brought in the likes of Craig Bellamy, Carlos Tevez, Joleon Lescott, Vincent Kompany and Pablo Zabaleta - players that propelled the club into the realms of success - but the current Stoke City boss is considered as one of the worst managers in City's recent history.
(Hughes spent £138m in his first season at the club, but could only guide the blues to a disappointing 10th place finish)
Hughes spent £138m in his first season at the club, but could only escort the blues to an embarrassing 10th place finish. The former Blackburn manager showed naivety, often prioritising all-out attacking play over defensive solidity. But there was no organisation, and his excessive dependence on Robinho left City vulnerable.
Although many will draw similarities between both Hughes' and Pellegrini's appreciation for fluid, attacking football, the colour of their hair poses the only real connection between the pair. The Welshman is an accomplished manager, but when given unlimited resources (as he was at Manchester City and Queens Park Rangers), he resembles a rich child in a toy store. His Chilean counterpart is different; he looks to reinforce, organise and improve, rather than create imbalances. Since Mark Hughes left Manchester City in December 2009, he is yet to record a win over his old suitors after seven failed attempts.
But the 50-year-old isn't a bad manager, and he has successfully infused his attacking philosophies into a Stoke City side that used to be unbearable to watch. The summer arrivals of Bojan Krkić and Victor Moses evidence Hughes' intentions to emerge from the long-ball system that Tony Pulis soiled the Premier League with, and to introduce a free-flowing style of play to the Britannia Stadium. It's refreshing, and after finishing in 9th place last season, it's clearly working.
(Former Barcelona man Bojan Krkić is set to excite Stoke City fans this term)
The Potters have endured a discouraging start to the 2014/2015 season, losing to relegation candidates Aston Villa and sharing the points with Hull City. Faced with the threat of a carnivorous Stevan Jovetić and a Manchester City side that strolled past Liverpool without ever breaking a sweat on Monday night, Mark Hughes looks set to suffer his sixth defeat in eight fixtures since leaving the Etihad Stadium.
Prediction: 2-0
Line-Ups
Possible Manchester City XI
- Sagna in line to start - Zabaleta can be afforded a rest this season
- Mangala and Negredo (still injured) unfit to start
- Džeko is fine despite picking up a knock against Liverpool, but Agüero could make his first start of the season after scoring against Liverpool
Possible Stoke City XI
- Bojan could start after recovering from a rib injury
- Bardsley is 50/50 to start after picking up a knee injury
- Former City midfielder Stephen Ireland still waiting to score against his old club
Match Facts
- Manchester City have won their last seven home fixtures against Stoke
- Stoke City last won a top flight away tie against the blues in 1980
- Mark Hughes is yet to pick up a win against the club he managed from 2008 to 2009
- City have won 23 of their last 26 Premier League home games
