Biggest derby ever

The City kit boss and former Latics star writes every week for Chron Sport

SIR Alex Ferguson is right — Monday’s all-Manchester clash at the Etihad Stadium is the biggest derby ever.

City go into the game three points behind United but with a superior goal difference, meaning victory would take us top of the table with two games remaining.

We have been saying for months that the race for the Barclays Premier League title would probably come down to this fixture and it turned out to be correct.

Our cause was obviously helped by Everton’s performance in the 4-4 draw at Old Trafford, coupled with our 2-0 win at Wolves.

Those results added even more spice to Monday’s clash and it also made it impossible for the Red Devils to clinch title glory at our stadium, about which Blues fans everywhere will be relieved.

I believe if we beat Ferguson’s men, we will go on to lift the trophy. The momentum is with us now.

We probably wouldn’t be three wins away from winning the league if it wasn’t for a certain Paul Dickov.

The second-biggest game behind this Monday was surely the old Division Two play-off final against Gillingham at Wembley back in 1999.

Had Dicky not equalised in the fifth minute of stoppage time, taking the fixture to extra-time and penalties, which we won, I dread to think where we would be now.

These days as we all know, Dicky is a manager at my former club, Athletic, and I was delighted to see them confirm their npower League One status at the weekend with a 1-1 draw against Preston North End.

This summer the team can regroup and Paul can see what he can come up with to help them kick-on next term.

If he gets a few new faces I am sure they can do well.