Joe Hart seems confident, so does Jovetic the birthday boy who turns 25 on Sunday.
Good day to you all and Happy Hallowe'en! We've certainly endured a fair few horrors in this past week or so but hopefully, there won't be any scary stories in today's headlines.
So, what 'treats' can I bring you today? (Sorry, I'll stop now).
Well, unsurprisingly, attention has turned to Sunday's mouth-watering Manchester derby - and while we fans may be encountering a case of the nerves, Joe Hart insists he feels no pressure heading into the clash.
Quoted on an article on the SkySports website, the shot-stopper states: "It’s an amazing thing to be involved in. This is a great city, with two very good clubs both fighting to be at the top of their game.
"It’s a special occasion and I feel like I'm part of Manchester now I've been here a long time. It’s something you definitely look forward to.
"You've got to put it in perspective and think of it as three points. Whether we're playing against Manchester United or anyone else - especially at home.
"It's three points that are up for grabs and that's what we need to get towards our goals. It obviously feels good on the day but as soon as it's over, you move on to the next game."
Eager to kick-start City's season, Hart acknowledges the champions' weakness has been at the back - a problem he's desperate to have resolved as soon as possible.
Joe Hart
"I hate conceding goals," he asserted. "Any defender, any 'keeper, hates conceding.
"It's the same old thing - if you win 6-1 you still get annoyed by the one. The main thing is results and they've been the worrying thing at the moment but we'll be fine."
Positive thinking. I like it!
Elsewhere, according to FIFA's website, Stevan Jovetic believes City are favourites to emerge victorious from the game.
When asked whether he thought United were more likely to win following the champions' rough patch, he simply replied: "I don't think so."
He added: "Confidence cannot go away in two games. We are all very good players. Every one of us has big confidence and we just need to show that on Sunday.
"If you win the derby, it is going to be much easier and we are going to forget [the Newcastle] game. I am sure we are going to show our real face against United.
"I think it is a good game because always when you play a derby, your motivation is 100 per cent. It is going to be difficult because they are a very good team.
"They have new players - good players - but we believe we can believe we can win and we need to show that.
"I am 25 on Sunday and the best gift for me is a victory in the derby. I am always sad when I don't score because that is my job.
"But after a long time, I played 90 minutes [against Newcastle] and I feel good. I was fit both games [last year] and I didn't play. But I know what the derby means."
On that topic, talkSPORT have ranked the clash of the Mancunians as #3 in their 'top 20 biggest derbies in the world' - and it appears players on both sides understand the importance of the game.
Within his column in the Independent, former United midfielder Paul Scholes has shared his thoughts, stating: "The Manchester derby was always a huge occasion for me, as a Manchester boy, even when City were an afterthought for some United fans.
"I was temporarily retired when United lost 6-1 at home to City in 2011. I was at Old Trafford that day and it made me feel ill watching that defeat. But this is football, life goes on. Even so, beating City – as United’s new group of players should know by now ahead of Sunday’s game – is a vital part of life at the club.
"These are the kind of games that get remembered for a long time by supporters, on either side of the city’s divide. For players like [Luke] Shaw, [Radamel] Falcao and [Angel] Di Maria, it is their first taste of playing against their local rivals. From my experience, it is not a game you want to lose."
Most definitely! That's all for today. Come back to mcfc.co.uk again tomorrow for what I'd imagine will be a media round-up packed with yet more pre-match build-up!
Until then, tell us what you think about the derby using #CityBlog and your comments could be featured on our website!
City v CSKA
The night will belong to us when City face CSKA Moscow on Wednesday 5 November in the UEFA Champions League - and the Blues desperately need a victory to fan the flames in Group E.
CSKA Moscow fans are not permitted to attend this fixture so we will have the entire Etihad Stadium available for home supporters only.
To celebrate this rare opportunity to pack both ends of the stadium with home supporters, fans who buy one ticket will receive an additional ticket completely free. This offer applies to fans who have already bought tickets for this match, and those looking to buy a ticket now.
Get yours now here.
Good day to you all and Happy Hallowe'en! We've certainly endured a fair few horrors in this past week or so but hopefully, there won't be any scary stories in today's headlines.
So, what 'treats' can I bring you today? (Sorry, I'll stop now).
Well, unsurprisingly, attention has turned to Sunday's mouth-watering Manchester derby - and while we fans may be encountering a case of the nerves, Joe Hart insists he feels no pressure heading into the clash.
Quoted on an article on the SkySports website, the shot-stopper states: "It’s an amazing thing to be involved in. This is a great city, with two very good clubs both fighting to be at the top of their game.
"It’s a special occasion and I feel like I'm part of Manchester now I've been here a long time. It’s something you definitely look forward to.
"You've got to put it in perspective and think of it as three points. Whether we're playing against Manchester United or anyone else - especially at home.
"It's three points that are up for grabs and that's what we need to get towards our goals. It obviously feels good on the day but as soon as it's over, you move on to the next game."
Eager to kick-start City's season, Hart acknowledges the champions' weakness has been at the back - a problem he's desperate to have resolved as soon as possible.
Joe Hart
"I hate conceding goals," he asserted. "Any defender, any 'keeper, hates conceding.
"It's the same old thing - if you win 6-1 you still get annoyed by the one. The main thing is results and they've been the worrying thing at the moment but we'll be fine."
Positive thinking. I like it!
Elsewhere, according to FIFA's website, Stevan Jovetic believes City are favourites to emerge victorious from the game.
When asked whether he thought United were more likely to win following the champions' rough patch, he simply replied: "I don't think so."
He added: "Confidence cannot go away in two games. We are all very good players. Every one of us has big confidence and we just need to show that on Sunday.
"If you win the derby, it is going to be much easier and we are going to forget [the Newcastle] game. I am sure we are going to show our real face against United.
"I think it is a good game because always when you play a derby, your motivation is 100 per cent. It is going to be difficult because they are a very good team.
"They have new players - good players - but we believe we can believe we can win and we need to show that.
"I am 25 on Sunday and the best gift for me is a victory in the derby. I am always sad when I don't score because that is my job.
"But after a long time, I played 90 minutes [against Newcastle] and I feel good. I was fit both games [last year] and I didn't play. But I know what the derby means."
On that topic, talkSPORT have ranked the clash of the Mancunians as #3 in their 'top 20 biggest derbies in the world' - and it appears players on both sides understand the importance of the game.
Within his column in the Independent, former United midfielder Paul Scholes has shared his thoughts, stating: "The Manchester derby was always a huge occasion for me, as a Manchester boy, even when City were an afterthought for some United fans.
"I was temporarily retired when United lost 6-1 at home to City in 2011. I was at Old Trafford that day and it made me feel ill watching that defeat. But this is football, life goes on. Even so, beating City – as United’s new group of players should know by now ahead of Sunday’s game – is a vital part of life at the club.
"These are the kind of games that get remembered for a long time by supporters, on either side of the city’s divide. For players like [Luke] Shaw, [Radamel] Falcao and [Angel] Di Maria, it is their first taste of playing against their local rivals. From my experience, it is not a game you want to lose."
Most definitely! That's all for today. Come back to mcfc.co.uk again tomorrow for what I'd imagine will be a media round-up packed with yet more pre-match build-up!
Until then, tell us what you think about the derby using #CityBlog and your comments could be featured on our website!
City vthis past week or so but hopefully, there won't be any scary stories in today's headlines.
So, what 'treats' can I bring you today? (Sorry, I'll stop now).
Well, unsurprisingly, attention has turned to Sunday's mouth-watering Manchester derby - and while we fans may be encountering a case of the nerves, Joe Hart insists he feels no pressure heading into the clash.
Quoted on an article on the SkySports website, the shot-stopper states: "It’s an amazing thing to be involved in. This is a great city, with two very good clubs both fighting to be at the top of their game.
"It’s a special occasion and I feel like I'm part of Manchester now I've been here a long time. It’s something you definitely look forward to.
"You've got to put it in perspective and think of it as three points. Whether we're playing against Manchester United or anyone else - especially at home.
"It's three points that are up for grabs and that's what we need to get towards our goals. It obviously feels good on the day but as soon as it's over, you move on to the next game."
Eager to kick-start City's season, Hart acknowledges the champions' weakness has been at the back - a problem he's desperate to have resolved as soon as possible.
Joe Hart
"I hate conceding goals," he asserted. "Any defender, any 'keeper, hates conceding.
"It's the same old thing - if you win 6-1 you still get annoyed by the one. The main thing is results and they've been the worrying thing at the moment but we'll be fine."
Positive thinking. I like it!
Elsewhere, according to FIFA's website, Stevan Jovetic believes City are favourites to emerge victorious from the game.
When asked whether he thought United were more likely to win following the champions' rough patch, he simply replied: "I don't think so."
He added: "Confidence cannot go away in two games. We are all very good players. Every one of us has big confidence and we just need to show that on Sunday.
"If you win the derby, it is going to be much easier and we are going to forget [the Newcastle] game. I am sure we are going to show our real face against United.
"I think it is a good game because always when you play a derby, your motivation is 100 per cent. It is going to be difficult because they are a very good team.
"They have new players - good players - but we believe we can believe we can win and we need to show that.
"I am 25 on Sunday and the best gift for me is a victory in the derby. I am always sad when I don't score because that is my job.
"But after a long time, I played 90 minutes [against Newcastle] and I feel good. I was fit both games [last year] and I didn't play. But I know what the derby means."
On that topic, talkSPORT have ranked the clash of the Mancunians as #3 in their 'top 20 biggest derbies in the world' - and it appears players on both sides understand the importance of the game.
Within his column in the Independent, former United midfielder Paul Scholes has shared his thoughts, stating: "The Manchester derby was always a huge occasion for me, as a Manchester boy, even when City were an afterthought for some United fans.
"I was temporarily retired when United lost 6-1 at home to City in 2011. I was at Old Trafford that day and it made me feel ill watching that defeat. But this is football, life goes on. Even so, beating City – as United’s new group of players should know by now ahead of Sunday’s game – is a vital part of life at the club.
"These are the kind of games that get remembered for a long time by supporters, on either side of the city’s divide. For players like [Luke] Shaw, [Radamel] Falcao and [Angel] Di Maria, it is their first taste of playing against their local rivals. From my experience, it is not a game you want to lose."
Most definitely! That's all for today. Come back to mcfc.co.uk again tomorrow for what I'd imagine will be a media round-up packed with yet more pre-match build-up!
Until then, tell us what you think about the derby using #CityBlog and your comments could be featured on our website!
City v CSKA
The night will belong to us when City face CSKA Moscow on Wednesday 5 November in the UEFA Champions League - and the Blues desperately need a victory to fan the flames in Group E.
CSKA Moscow fans are not permitted to attend this fixture so we will have the entire Etihad Stadium available for home supporters only.
To celebrate this rare opportunity to pack both ends of the stadium with home supporters, fans who buy one ticket will receive an additional ticket completely free. This offer applies to fans who have already bought tickets for this match, and those looking to buy a ticket now.
Get yours now here.
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