The Citizens versus the Tykes

City put their efforts to close the Stretford Gap aside for another weekend as they take on Barnsley in the FA Cup Quarter Final...

Roberto Mancini:
" I don't think it is serious but in this moment we can't take a risk with Sergio. Vinnie was training with the team yesterday but I don't think we can risk Vinnie. Maybe he is ready for the next game against Everton. Jack is so-so. I think we need two or three weeks after the international break"

David Flitcroft:
" I`m looking forward to leading a town, a team and a club out. We`ve carried ourselves well ahead of this game, but we`ve got to keep that momentum going and give everyone connected to the football club a day out they can remember and be proud of. If the whole club and team can carry that momentum forward, and we go out there and give a positive performance, then the result might be positive as well. What will make me proud is that our fans go away from the game not feeling let down and disappointed"

Gael Clichy :
" I think we`ve learned this year that we can`t go into any game thinking it is going to be easy and that we will progress without a problem. We lost to Aston Villa at home when everyone expected us to win so that is an example of what can happen. A team like ours should not think like that but we started the season really slowly and I think we are only now hitting our true form in terms of performances so we won`t be underestimating Barnsley at all. We just want to win this game - we know we are fighting for the title but the FA Cup is the first trophy available and we have enough quality and character to make sure we are focused and professional for this match."

Stephen Foster :
" It`s got to be up there with one of the biggest games of my career, without a doubt. I`ve played in big games before but this is going to a great occasion. It`s a chance to pitch yourself against Manchester City`s superstars. They are a team full of class. It`s impossible to say really who I`m most looking forward to playing against because they have so many good players. Whichever team they put out we`re going to have to be on our mettle. There`s no point turning up just to enjoy the occasion, we want to win."

OUT:
Richards
Maicon
Rodwell
Kompany
Aguero

LATE FITNESS TEST:
City from: Hart, Pantilimon, Zabaleta, Lescott, Nastasic, K Touré, Clichy, Kolarov, Milner, Sinclair, Nasri, Barry, Y Touré, Garcia, Silva, Tévez, Dzeko, Lopes, Suarez, Razak

Understated. Unassuming. Under the radar. Gael Clichy goes about his work for the team quietly but effectively and in many cases his contribution can go unnoticed. From showing the coolness to control the ball with his chest back to his keeper in a crowded penalty area to making timely interceptions (especially late in the game) and providing overlapping support he has proven to be a reliable member of the City back line and has become the first choice left back. A defender who likes to defend but isn`t shy of getting forward.

OUT:
Goldbourne

LATE FITNESS TEST:
Dawson
Delap
Barnsley from: Steele, Lidakevicius, Foster, Cranie, Kennedy, Dawson, Wiseman, Hassell, Delap, Etuhu, Perkins, Mellis, Tunnicliffe, Harewood, Dagnall, O'Grady, Cywka, Scotland, O'Brien

Having signed for the club in the January transfer window last year Dagnall is currently Barnsley`s leading scorer having found the net 9 times in all competitions this season. Hailing originally from Liverpool the 28 year old striker started his career at Tranmere before spending four years at Rochdale where his record is a respectable 57 goals in 155 appearances.

THE NUMBERS GAME:
City put 7 past Barnsley at their last meeting but that was in the League Cup nearly a decade ago so not much store can be set by that result.

Chris Dagnall leads the scoring for Barnsley this term with 9 goals from 28 starts. Midfielder Tomasz Cywka has netted in the last three games.

The City strike force of Aguero, Dzeko and Tevez have scored 38 goals between them this season in all competitions.

Prior to losing to Bristol City at the end of last month Barnsley had put together an impressive show of form winning 8 of the preceding 9 games in all competitions.

Neither side has yet conceded a goal during this year`s FA Cup competition:

FA CUP PROGRESS
Man City:
05 Jan 2013 Man City 3 - 0 Watford
26 Jan 2013 Stoke City 0- 1 Man City
17 Feb 2013 Man City 4 - 0 Leeds Utd

Barnsley:
05 Jan 2013 Barnsley 1 - 0 Burnley
26 Jan 2013 Hull City 0 - 1 Barnsley
16 Feb 2013 MK Dons 0 - 3 Barnsley

HEAD TO HEAD:
Total: 16 City Wins, 10 Draws, 6 Barnsley Wins
FORM LAST 6 GAMES ALL COMPETITIONS:
City: DDLWWW
Barnsley: WWWLLD

CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW THE GAME LIVE IN THE VMC FORUM

CLASSIC CITY TUBE: City vs Barnsley FA Cup 1993
mcfcvideos: 'City take on their former manager Mel Machin`s Barnsley in the FA Cup….'



BETTING: City 1/8 Draw 7/1 Barnsley 18/1Racing Post Soccerbase

TV COVERAGE: ESPN
LiveOnSat.com
The FA Cup with Budweiser Semi-Final Draw will take place at 6.35GMT, Sunday 10 March 2013 Wembley Stadium Live on FATV & ITV1.