Edin Dzeko on the verge of City move

If reports are to be believed, it is almost time to eschew the Dzeko puns (Dzeko Edin our way to Edin Kolarov's corners etc. etc.), with the Bosnian striker set to seal a long anticipated move to Manchester.  The fee is reported to be somewhere between £24million and £34million, or £24million rising to £34million with all the little add-ons and complications.

The deal could be completed early enough for Dzeko to make his debut at The Emirates on the 5th January - leaving City with an embarrassment of riches upfront.  Although one would expect this to precipitate the moves of Emmanuel Adebayor and Roque Santa Cruz out of the club.

Dzeko would give City a striker who is capable of leading the line - leaving Tevez to hover, in the way he most prefers, in a deeper position.  Presuming they both play, this gives City the option to play the following ultra-attacking combination:

Hart

Boateng,     Kompany,     Kolo Toure,     Kolarov

De Jong,     Yaya Toure

Silva,     Tevez,     Balotelli

Dzeko

Although you would imagine someone with the aerial ability of Dzeko would benefit from the wing play of Adam Johnson too.  It adds to City's wealth of options and increases Mancini's challenge to keep everyone happy.

As quoted in the Guardian, Mancini had the following to say about our long term target:

 "We have the chance to win the league this year and the decisive factor could be Edin Dzeko.  This player can decide titles and that is why we want him."

Some praise indeed.  Personally I have not seen a lot of him, but he falls into the bracket of a player young enough to have the desire to prove himself on one of the biggest stages.  This desire to sign players who 'want to write the history of the club' seems to be an important part of Mancini's thinking and Dzeko should fit this mould.

Despite how imminent this deal may seem according to the reports, City's status as a rich club and the board's justified stance not be milked as a result, may put this deal back a little - as most of our deals to date would suggest.

City 4 - 0 Villa: Match report

Yesterday's thrashing of Aston Villa has ensured a very pleasing end to 2010: as the clock strikes midnight for the new year, City will be [joint] top of the Premier League.  For a side that is growing as a team, this is not a bad position to be in at just over the half way stage.

One of the factors which is starting to make people look at City seriously is the strength of the squad and that was proven yesterday.  Despite Ian Cheeseman and Nigel Gleghorn quivering away in the pre-match build-up on Radio Manchester - the side Mancini picked, minus Tevez, Barry, Kolarov etc, was still mightily impressive.  I'm sure it will not have been much of a consolation to a Villa fan to hear that 'Tevez isn't playing, but City will be fronted by Adam Johnson, David Silva and Mario Balotelli.'

The quick start was vital for City and an already pretty demoralised Villa side, looked completely so once the first goal had been conceded and Houllier's containing plan had to be thrown out of the window.  It was indicative of the spirit at the club that a contentious decision such as Lescott's second went completely unchallenged by the Villa players.

City had started at a blistering pace and the seemingly effortless ease at how David Silva and Yaya Toure picked their ways through the Villa defence was a delight to watch.  Both players got a rousing reception when replaced and it is no coincidence that City's added verve and style has coincided with the coming to form of both of these players.

Balotelli has taken all the headlines for his hattrick and he worked well in the lead striker role.  People will grumble about his style, but he seems to possess that vital attribute for a striker: being in the right place at the right time.  He can do almost anything with a football - the application will hopefully come with adapting to the Premier League - but as long as he is scoring goals then it is hard to complain (not that that put the people who sit around me off!).  The cockiness with which he tackled the two penalties was superb - and whilst it may put some people off him, that belief is very important for a striker.

Another player who took his opportunity to shine was Adam Johnson, who had a superb, well-rounded game.  The previous criticisms of his game centred on him being a bit one-dimensional, but he worked hard in all departments today - coupling some breathtaking runs with some equally impressive defensive work.

The game had an air of one that was over after about half an hour - giving City the opportunity to ease off a little, which is ideal given the build-up of games.  Villa looked a poor side and you can imagine Houllier won't get much more time to change things there and, at a time when things are going well for City, hearing the one time regular City chant of "we're shit and we know we are" coming from the Villa end is a timely reminder of how far we have come.

Carlos Tevez: will it all blow over until the summer?

If Carlos has been paying close attention to the reaction of the British press, City fans and especially the club this week, he will be in no doubt that he has taken on something that is bigger than himself.  As important as he is to City, unlike Rooney at United, we are equipped to deal with his possible departure and to continue growing as a club.

With everything starting to come together at City recently, David Platt's post-match comments at the weekend, blessed with foreknowledge, that any player would rattle the goals in at the head of our creative quartet are probably not far from the truth.  Yes, Carlos has worked tirelessly for us, won games on his own, and is, at least whilst on the pitch, a good professional, but things have begun to change.  David Silva has started to be more influential than Carlos of late and there are even arguments to be made that Tevez slows down the fast-flowing football that the rest of City's forward-minded players are capable of playing.  In dropping deep so often he can also deprive the team of being the focal point of the attack, as is intended.  This is not to ignore the vast impact he has had at the club or to slight his grand achievements with us, but he may have pitched his case just as our dependability on him has started to decline.

There has not been too much clarity since the announcement on Saturday night but it is clear City must not pander to our, hopefully erstwhile, captain.  Whatever happens, even if it is to move him out in January, has to happen in the best interests of the club.  City need to make sure that they don't set a dangerous precedent.  A club of City's riches will always be a target.  Make any unreasonable concessions to Tevez and who knows where it will stop - a player who lives and trains in Spain and flies back for games at the weekend?! City are strong enough now not to do this.

What City do depends on how much of a disruptive influence they think Tevez could have on the team.  It is hard to think of a Tevez who wouldn't give his all during a match of football - I'm not sure he can do it any other way - so I don't think that would be a problem.  If we are to believe all of his account, he has been playing some very effective football for the past six months whilst almost as unhappy as he is now.  It depends on how much of a fuss he is willing to kick up - which is the relative unknown.

If this will not blow over, which seems likely, then Tevez has to leave at some point.  City want to build a team who want to play for each other and the club - as most successful teams do - so anyone who doesn't want to be a part of it, should be out of the club for that reason alone.  The ideal solution would be to sign some replacements for Tevez in the January transfer window - to challenge Tevez's role within the team and to act as insurance against him losing his last modicum of commitment to the club - and then to let him go in the summer, after he has had the chance to help City to some success and/or City have begun to get on without him.

Another reason this subject is hard to tackle is the vagueness of his reasons to want to go: homesickness? Kia Joorabchian and money? Garry Cook and boot deals/broken promises (The idea that Tevez would want to leave the club because of a relationship with a man he mustn't regularly see is hardly believable and certainly points back to Mr Joorabchian)? Lack of Champions League? Lack of football for Roque Santa Cruz?!  A mix of all these things and more?

The most obvious move at this stage is to strip Tevez of the captaincy.  The captain, the leader of the team on the pitch, should not be a player who is actively seeking to leave the club.  This is the most important factor.  His captaincy style to date has been to lead by example and some could argue that his reaction to being substituted against Bolton was already enough evidence that he shouldn't be leading the football club.  There are many better options within the first-team regulars - with Vincent Kompany as the stand-out candidate.

On the day it emerged Edin Dzeko has issued a come-and-get-me plea to City, it is clear that the only way forward at a club is to have players who want to play for you.  A natural centre-forward leading the line ahead of the likes of Silva, Balotelli and Yaya Toure has a good chance of being successful in front of goal.  Whilst players like Ezquiel Lavezzi at Napoli could fit the Tevez mould at a fraction of the price.  City have the luxury of being in a position to grow in the absence of their star-player.  If City hang on to him until the summer, it will give City the option to have dealt with his position before he has even walked out of the door.

Match report: West Ham 1 - 3 City

City have notched up their third away win from four today against a struggling West Ham side.  Pre-match sceptics pointing at City's record without Tevez will have been disappointed, as an attacking quartet - led by the inspired Yaya Toure - put three goals away.

In a nod to City's recent successes, Mancini preferred Jo to Adam Johnson on the left as he sought to keep the balance of the formation that has seen City producing such free-flowing football since our last trip to London to face Fulham.  The front four of Yaya Toure, David Silva, Jo and Mario Balotelli had free reign of the pitch and their constant movement in the opening stages made it hard for the Hammers' defence to get near them.  Jo is the sort of player who can play anywhere across the front three and, in Balotelli's normal role, he caused a number of problems early on.  With the success this fluidity is bringing to the team, you have to wonder what kind of opportunities will be reserved for wingers like Adam Johnson.

Yaya gave an interview in the week outlining what a learning curve it has been for him since he has joined City and how he is now feeling he is getting used to the league and his more advanced role.  This has certainly showed in the last three games he has been involved in - Fulham, Bolton and today.  After not being one hundred per cent convincing in the earlier stages of the season, he now seems an integral part of the team and is beginning to dictate the play more.  You get the feeling that the growing influence of Yaya and David Silva in the past month or so has played a big part in our increasingly stylish football.

The front four's success is made all the more comfortable by the consistently high quality of performances from players like Vincent Kompany and Nigel de Jong - who were both outstanding again today.  It must be a relief to the front four that there is such a reliable base behind them.  Whereas pre-Fulham, Tevez quite often cut a lonely, isolated figure upfront, City now have players dashing forward to support in attack - and this can only be done with confidence in the defence (although it was decidedly woeful for West Ham's consolation goal!).

West Ham improved in the second half, getting closer to City's players, but when an otherwise impressive Tomkins showed Yaya the way to goal, the game was as good as over.  Silva's exquisite pass to Johnson just served to show that there are goals in a team that is growing as a group, regardless of whether our Argentine captain is on the field or not.

Perhaps the only disappointment was Mario Balotelli, who was getting more and more frustrated to the point where he threw his gloves off and headed down the tunnel on being substituted.  Mancini was right to withdraw him as the petulant side of his game threatened to take over, and Roberto is one of the most experienced in the world at dealing with our young Italian striker.  To any fearing that Balotelli will be getting an easy ride with Mancini, this was a sign that Super Mario won't be getting it all his own way.  

City looked comfortable and within themselves today, and the brand of football that we are starting to show on a regular basis is very promising.  With City joint top and everything starting to click together, things are looking up in the run in to Christmas!

My man of the match:  Yaya Toure

Everything but the goals! City 1 - 0 Bolton: Match report

City's general play was so good yesterday that the nerve wracking ending seemed like it should belong to a different game.  The first twenty minutes were breathtaking - showing what is really an attacking quartet at their best.  Yaya was everywhere and, forgetting a couple of lapses in concentration where he nudged the ball back towards the defence, he was in fine form.  The flowing footballing intelligence of Silva, Yaya and Balotelli behind Tevez, with Zabaleta and Kolarov supporting at every opportunity, shows why, amidst the recent allegations of negativity, this really is an attacking formation when everything clicks.

After a bit of a goal drought at home recently, detractors may say that the inability to turn such dominance into goals shows one of City's weaknesses.  Although yesterday, as Mancini points out, City were just a bit wasteful with several glorious opportunities:

"Sometimes we were too selfish. We shot when it was better to pass - we must improve this situation.  When we have a chance, we must score. If I had played I would have scored two or three goals."

Whilst it would have been nice to avoid the jitters supplied by Kolarov's sending off, the way City carved out chances shows a team that is really beginning to click on the pitch.

Mancini's mention of his own goalscoring prowess, could perhaps be a warning to some players who feel themselves above the manager's decisions - notably Carlos Tevez.  Whilst he was once again central to most of the good work from City yesterday, he was also having a bit of an off-day in front of goal.  His reaction to being substituted with only a couple of minutes remaining is not what you would expect from your captain.  Yes, it is great he wants to be on the pitch at all moments (I remember him reacting similarly in the World Cup when he was taken off whilst chasing a hat-trick), but the captain should put the team first - and it is understandable, against a team with considerable aerial threat, to leave Balotelli on.  Silva, who was having another outstanding game, didn't grumble when he was replaced by Micah Richards with more minutes left on the clock.

The two most contentious decisions on the day were Silva's offside and Kolarov's sending off.  Silva wasn't offside and if it wasn't for Barry's instinctive move forward then I am sure the goal would have stood.  Even still, the linesman would've only needed to hold his flag for a second or two to establish the correct run of play.

Kolarov's is more difficult because of the way he went into the challenge.  It is one of those things where people will bemoan the changing face of the game when tackles like that aren't part of it anymore, but the game being like it is - winning the ball isn't always enough: full-blooded challenges are often penalised.  Whereas I would've liked him to have remained on the pitch, I can see how Mr Mariner thought otherwise - in a game he really failed to get a grip of.

The sending off made for a nervy ten minutes but as de Jong said after the game, City stopped them from creating any clear cut chances.  City are a hardier team than they have been in recent years and a lot of the praise can go to Vincent Kompany, who was immense once again.  After Joe Hart's slip, the resultant nerves that could have attended it were nullified by some clever play by Kompany - for the next five minutes, he caught the game by the scruff of the neck - exuding a calmness in possession that helped stabilise City for the remainder of the game.

There may be frustration in the City camp at not making more of some sparkling football, but from the stands what we are seeing is very encouraging indeed.

Stoke 1 - 1 City: Match report

A decent away point acquired in a frustrating fashion.  Stoke were on a good run of form - coming off the back of three successive wins against Birmingham, Liverpool and West Brom - and they started like a team with the confidence to win the game.  City began in a fairly ponderous mode with midfield sloppiness tilting the first half in Stoke's favour.

Ricardo Fuller and Kenwyne Jones proved to be a bit of a handful for Kolo and Kompany, with Jones' flick-ons frequently wrong-footing our back line in the first period.  City were thankful for Fuller's dragged shot across goal when a neat interchange between Stoke's forwards created the best chance of the opening forty-five.  Yet as long as these efforts weren't threatening Joe Hart, one of the beauties of having a side so rich in quality is that you never feel too far behind the game.  Silva has gained lots of praise within the City camp for his performance yesterday - in a game that sceptics will have earmarked as too tough for him from the very day he signed.  Joe Hart's comments are typical:

We have great characters, we have players with great strength but we also have someone like David Silva. On that pitch, people may have thought he would have had nothing to do with the game but he ran the show. That showed big character from him.

His reading of the game means he can avoid the roughing up that teams would probably like to give him but he is not afraid of the physicality of the game either.  An interview in the Guardian with Daniel Taylor at the beginning of the season pointed this out:

 "It's not that easy in Spain either, you know," he [Silva] points out. "There are people who can dish it out there as well. It's not something that daunts me in any way." Indeed Silva can be a feisty little so-and-so. Luis Aragonés, the former Spain manager, once described him as having the "biggest balls" in the national team.

He is the playmaker the side has been crying out for and his influence on the side is continuing to grow.

City came out stronger in the second half and began to dictate the play - with Balotelli coming closest in the opening exchanges.  Despite City's tightening control on the game, Stoke came closest before Micah's goal when Milner had to clear off the line.

Micah's goal showed an imagination and footballing creativity that you might not associate with the player.  Aware of the runner to his outside, he sold a dummy that put him within clear sight of goal and, keeping his composure, he drilled his shot across goal for what appeared to be the winner.

The composure shown there was missing for Etherington's equaliser.  With time and options, Kolo hoofed the ball aimlessly forward to the Stoke keeper - inviting them onto us and giving them the belief that we were on the ropes.  A neat backheel later and Etherington had tucked it away to take two points away at the death.

A frustrating end to the game but not a bad point really.  To use a slightly warped statistic, the last time City took three points away from the Britannia it took a winner from Gerard Wiekens back in 1999.  Obviously contests have been few and far between since then, and the team is quite a bit stronger than it was (a team that contained Lee Crooks, Jeff Whitley and Jamie Pollock), but the Britannia Stadium is a notoriously difficult place to visit and City met a Stoke side high on confidence and in good form.

Mario Balotelli was under instruction to control his temper and the fact he succeeded under not inconsiderable provocation is an encouraging sign for the future of his Premier League career.  It was also encouraging to see Kolarov put in another good performance - he is the first left-back we have had in years who looks solid in defence.

After all the negativity at the Birmingham game, these two away games represented a tough test for the togetherness of the City squad and four points, that were very nearly six, shows a good return.  Overall the team played for each other, and their manager, and hopefully this is a sign of a developing spirit that will be vital for the team to succeed.  I would hope Mancini can expect a similar welcome of support in the upcoming home games.

A glimpse of what is to come! Fulham 1 - 4 City: Match report

Today's performance was an answer to all the panic mongerers who would have sent Mancini packing.  It may be getting carried away to say it but in Mancini's first few months at City he said that Barcelona are the benchmark.  All top European teams build from a strong defence (the main task Mancini was given on replacing Hughes), and today City showed glimpses of where Mancini wants to take us in terms of style.  On Sky television, Jamie Redknapp enthused that it was the best performance he has seen from any side this season in the Premiership - and the twenty-four pass move that made the second goal typified City's first-half performance. 

After Kolo's rallying cry about the lack of effort some of his teammates were putting in, this was a performance where everyone worked for each other - in a display of unity that is so often touted as missing.  The formation was essentially the same as it has been throughout the season, despite the thought that Jo's introduction might mean a traditional two upfront - but the workrate meant that there were always options and the midfield did far more to support Tevez in attack.  Jo, in effect, played the Balotelli role and whilst he didn't have a hugely influential game, it meant City played in the fashion that Mancini evidently wants from his team.  In choosing Jo over Milner or Johnson, Mancini chose his system over player-names - and it works.  On a number of occasions, Mancini has said he would need Balotelli fit to play the system he wanted - but the team looked far more balanced playing that system with a SuperMario 'stand-in'.

To be fair, it makes a huge difference playing away from home where the emphasis of the opposing team is further from defending.  Fulham allowed it to be far too open for their own good and City's flowing passing football thrived in the time that was given to us. 

On a more worrying note, is the difference between the home and away support.  The support was much needed after all the negativity at the Birmingham game, but even before the goal, or any meaningful opportunities for that matter, the City fans were audibly behind Mancini and the team.  Away support is always better than home support, but it could almost be like two different sets of fans at the moment.  Most of the country would enjoy seeing City fail now, so it needs the fans to be behind the club. 

All the players put in impressive displays.  Yaya looked greatly improved, Silva was effortlessly brilliant, Tevez was everywhere, Zabaleta doubled his goal tally for the club.  It couldn't have gone much better in the first half.  Not many teams win at Craven Cottage.  With all the results going our way, we are now only three points off the league leaders - and this after being amidst a 'crisis' in the past few games - now to press on to Stoke, another difficult away game, with the same attitude. 

Goalless draws highlight need for a Dzeko-type

Coming away from yesterday's game, one of the main problems seemed to be Mancini's lack of confidence in his replacement strikers.  After the derby, Mancini talked about how tired or lacking in fitness some of his players were, but you got the feeling he was primarily talking about Carlos Tevez.  In some places, Tevez was rated as 50/50 to make the derby and he was hauled off yesterday to protect his thigh injury. If Adebayor was available (or above him Balotelli), you'd imagine Tevez may have had a rest.  Without him the options start to shrink. 

One of the truths levelled at this team is that we rely too much on our Argentine captain.  One of the problems is that when the striking options from the bench aren't deemed up to it, Tevez isn't the type of player who tends towards attacking play.  Tevez is a sensational player - he carries us, and can create chances through his sheer tenacity - but he has always played like a second striker.  He drops deep looking for the ball (increasingly deep when opposing teams pack the defence); when a player gets into a crossing position, he will often drop back to receive a pass rather than get into the box - and when, as yesterday, Silva is the man trying to make up the numbers in the box, we are rarely going to get much success against such strong defenders.  When the focal point of the attack needs to drop back - it naturally slows down the play and limits our options going forward.

This was why we suddenly seemed so potent when Balotelli played against West Brom.  Balotelli makes runs behind the defence and into the box - freeing Tevez to be his effective best in a deeper role.  Tevez's two hat-tricks under Mancini last year came when playing behind a centre-forward - Adebayor, vs Wigan, and Benjani, vs Blackburn. 

If the rumours are true that Garry Cook has gone to the Middle-East to seek talks about the posibility of signing Edin Dzeko, the 6ft 4" Bosnian striker would fit the mould of someone who could lead the line infront of Tevez.  Although if Balotelli can keep calm and injury-free, his presence makes a similar difference to the side without the need for more transfer activity. 

Even though yesterday's performance looked far from it, we are close to something good and it would be a shame to jeopardise it by starting all over again.  I know that the money spent seems to demand more, but we are still a growing side and patience is key. 

There were people around me who were abusing players before they'd even kicked-off and it is funny what some people consider as 'going to support your team'.  Fans play a part in matchday too and it is important our home games are still an advantage in that way. 

Not too surprisingly, one of the positives yesterday was our defensive display - although it could do with being coupled with a bit more adventure, that is three consecutive clean sheets now - and the partnership of Kolo Toure and Kompany is continuingly impressive.  Both were visibly disappointed with the result - Kompany (who tried to up City's tempo on his own) fell to the turf and Kolo's interview is the most distracted and least chirpy I've ever heard from him. 

Yesterday's result was hugely frustrating but, with tough away games coming up, it is important our support is still there. 

'Crisis' averted! West Brom match report

After the Lech Poznan game I wrote that the visit to the Hawthorns was the perfect opportunity for City to show the togetherness that was alleged to be missing.  Out of, the largely media-inspired, adversity came a team performance that should, at least temporarily, stop all those who are too quick to criticise.  The resounding chants for Mancini were just another sign that the way City will beat the knockers is by coming together.

With City's woeful record against West Brom and the host's formidable home form (today they lost their ten-month unbeaten run), this was always going to be a test but City settled quickly after an open first five minutes.  Buoyed by the returns of Tevez and De Jong, in particular, and the mastery of Silva, City looked assured in possession and just needed the spark for a breakthrough.

Man of the hour, Mario Balotelli was going to be that spark.  Teetering on the brink of petulance and brilliance, Super Mario helped banish the 'they only win when Carlos Tevez scores' statistic, with two well taken goals.  He will run the line more than Tevez (even from his wide position), leaving our captain free to play his own game, and his eye for goal will hopefully play a positive role in the season to come.  Mancini had hinted he was waiting for the return of Balotelli to play the style he wanted - and a front three of Balotelli, Tevez and Silva could be an unstoppable combination.

If this was Balotelli announcing himself to the Premier League, then it included both sides to his game.  I think the red card was harsh and probably looked worse than it was but, wrongly or rightly, he will have to learn to keep his mouth to himself or referees are likely to presume the worst.  Many of the world's greatest players have managed to channel a temper into their precocious talent and, at twenty, there is time for Balotelli to mature into one of those players.

Yet, despite Balotelli grabbing the headlines, it was a solid performance from the whole team - a togetherness that also helped to weather the post-sending-off storm. Typified by a host of steamrollering runs, Yaya Toure had a much improved game in his attacking midfield role.  His marauding runs and link-up play seem to be far more impressive than the defensive side of his game - perhaps, if people keep watching him, they will stop saying City are playing with three defensive midfielders.  Kolo and Kompany returned to form after the Wolves game and with De Jong and Barry in front of them, City resembled the tough unit that saw so few goals conceded at the start of the season. 

With results going our way, it is funny what one game can do for the 'crisis' tag.  City are now only five points behind Chelsea, level with Arsenal, and in touching distance of those in second place.   As Mancini appreciates in one of his favourite sayings: 'football is strange', and the feelings of panic and negativity will inevitably now have turned to optimism for the derby on Wednesday!

The Poznan Panic! Lech Poznan match report

An unpopular suggestion: I didn't think City played too badly last night.  Pre-match, I thought that this would be a difficult game.  The Poznan cauldron of noise, as previewed in Manchester, coupled with other intangible factors like the new-manager-syndrome and an under-performing team, were always going to make for a contest - no matter how 'much more our squad cost' etc. etc.  Despite all the post-match frothing, a contest it was.

City looked at ease in the first twenty minutes and should have made the pressure pay when Boyata made a hash of a header from six yards out.  Poznan then settled and played some nice football but only really threatened Given from long-range- which turned out to be enough of a threat.  With the addition of Silva, City were on top for large periods of the second half, before Poznan found quick routes through the centre of our midfield.  With the match poised, and Silva just missing a presentable chance, the ball ricocheted off the back of their central defender's head for the lead.  To seal Clive Tyldesley's joy, a Poznan wondergoal put a nice gloss on the scoreline.  Not ideal, but hardly awful, sack-the-lot-of-them territory. 

A team on the top of their form would have finished the game when they were on top and City should have capitalised on early dominance.  Some players, lacking in match fitness and confidence, were fairly woeful - Wright-Phillips and Bridge were the main offenders.  In areas we were a bit soft in the tackle.  Yes, City are not the finished article yet, but I don't think there is any reason to panic.

If you didn't travel to Poland for the game, then you were stuck with ITV.  This can go one of two ways.  Both ways involve anger!  Either you listen to what the commentators say and think "yeah. City aren't good enough! This is a disgrace!" or, like me, you have a built-in distrust of commentators and you stubbornly dig-in - "they've got an agenda! They're misinformed! They hate City!"  Either way is pretty unhealthy.  

Then there is the build-up where presenter Matt Smith seems unable to complete a sentence without mentioning 'bust-up', 'disharmony', or 'rift'.  'We'll see you after the break, RIFT?'...

The point is, the general hysteria surrounding City - which is as much a welcome to the big-time as genuine distaste for what we are doing - is fairly new to us City fans.  When all you're used to hearing in the past are whimsical tales of comedy and mishaps from Maine Road - 'City lost at home to Bury today' - and all we could do was shake our heads and agree, this current focus is hard to escape too.

Two weeks ago, second in the Premier League and top of our Europa League group, the media were trumpeting out their belief that we would be genuine title contenders.  Today, we are fourth in the league and joint top of our Europa League group, and it is a crisis.  Yes, there is the considerable matter that three games have been lost in a row but, in my opinion, only one of those has been a disaster - and even teams on their way to Champions League qualification will lose games.

We are, as ever, a work in progress.  Whilst everyone is very happy to point out that the money spent should equal instant success, football has never been as simple as that.  If we roll back the clock ten years, City have come a long way in a very short amount of time, and whilst some may have grown weary of the steady progression - City are getting stronger.  Let's not make a crisis out of a blip!

As Milner said in the preview, as everyone outside the club revels in speculation about the demise of City, it is all the more important for City to stick together and that goes for the supporters too.

Let's take that mentality into the game at West Brom on Sunday.  A tough game at a place we always do badly - the ideal place for City to show the togetherness that is allegedly missing.

"Crisis" at City; Michael Johnson and Vieira; Stephen Ireland

Consecutive losses for the first time during Mancini's reign have sent the media mill spinning.  High up the Newsnow feed is the Belfast Telegraph's headline that 'Man City [are] to axe Mancini' - pedalling serial job threatener Frank Rijkaard as the man waiting in the wings... or, if he doesn't sign up for Saudi Arabian club football, Martin O'Neill, for the local interest.

Whilst, undeniably, things aren't clicking completely for City at the moment, the reaction is a remarkable turnaround from the generally positive response to the Arsenal defeat (a defeat that put an end to a run of four straight Premier League victories).  Daniel Taylor's comments in the Guardian that "the mitigating circumstances were so extreme an asterisk should be put in the record books to explain the unorthodox nature of Arsenal's win," and that there is "no cause for alarm" being fairly typical from a paper who also praised City's bold response to facing 85 minutes against a side known for their passing and moving style. 

Taking that stance, the reaction has come purely off the back of the weekend's result and a Wolves team who were due a win.  Whilst not an ideal outcome, it is hardly a reason to panic.  City are in the Champions League places - within reach of our main competitors - despite having a side that is widely thought to be  finding it's feet - as all the players return and 'gel' together.

The ever-generous Patrick Vieira continues to encourage our academy graduates today with praise for the determination of Michael Johnson.  Vieira had the following to say:

“I have been at the club and seen him working every day, and when someone works that hard, I am sure he will be successful.

“I hope for him, for City and English football that he does get back to his best.

“He is a really good player – a talented English player – and it’s good for English football. The future looks bright for him. His determination will bring him back to his best. He is working harder than anyone else, and he is still young so he has time to come back.”

Michael Johnson arguably has the greatest potential of all the recent academy graduates and, if his reported lifestyle has changed in line with his determination, than he can still be a huge asset to City this season.  Ever since Ireland lost his workrate again, City have needed Johnson's dynamism in midfield and his natural class would give City some much needed cohesion and balance in the centre of the midfield.  The big 'if', of coure, is his fitness, and everyone involved in City will be hoping he can put his run of injuries behind him.

In the same article Vieira claims to be feeling back to his best this season - and he has certainly impressed when he has had the opportunity.  If this is to be his last season, City should look to ward off reported interest from Arsenal and snap him up for a coaching role immediately.


Johnson's fellow academy graduate, Stephen Ireland has come into a lot of criticism for his slow start at Villa.  For my Villa supporting friend's birthday we went and sat in the Holte End to watch Villa vs Burnley in the Carling Cup last week, and whilst there does seem to be a general degree of patience amongst the Villa fans, there were one or two who were more than vocal about their disappointment.  Gerard Houllier had this to say in response to dropping him for the Birmingham derby:

"We know he is a good player. But I don't want to have players who you say: 'He's a good player but ...'
If you say: 'He's a good player but he doesn't defend, but he doesn't run back, but he loses too many balls in crucial areas', that's difficult. He needs to get rid of these 'buts' and be a good player. We put him in at Sunderland behind the striker and he needs to get hold of the ball and play"

Which more or less sums him up.  Incredible potential but without the general mentality to back it up.  Whilst I was hoping he would start his Villa career in a way that wouldn't make me regret his departure, it is a shame that a player with such natural ability seems in danger of letting his career drift past him.  

In an almost completely unrelated City/Villa link, Lee Westwood's rise from 266 in the world rankings to the very top has in part been accredited to his fitness coach, Steve McGregor - who came to him from Manchester City and Aston Villa... So, in a way, you could say, City have had a small hand in a great achievement for British golf... but it would be pushing it a bit!

I'd have picked Boyata; Pleat praises 'bold Mancini'. City 0 - 3 Arsenal: Match report

Arsenal are one of the last teams in the world you would want to face with a numerical disadvantage - especially for the vast majority of the match.  They are renowned for their intelligent passing and moving style, so when the red card was shown - the angry reaction from the fans was more a foreboding of what was to come rather than a disagreement with the actual decision.

The inconsistencies are infuriating, as Mancini pointed out after the game.  If Boyata is sent off, why wasn't Williamson against Newcastle when he was deemed to have fouled Tevez for the penalty - is the penalty considered punishment enough?  Or there is Vidic in the Carling Cup final last season -  with similar timing to this one, where the referee presumably didn't want to ruin the spectacle of a cup final.  But in the rules of the game, it is hard to put up an argument.  Boyata didn't act out of malice or gamesmanship, it was just a clumsy and costly moment for the young lad. 

Unfortunately, I have no 'match preview' to back this up, but I would also have picked Boyata before the game - and, as such, it is impossible for me to join those happy hindsighted few who blame Mancini's selection here.  Generally speaking, I have far fewer nervy moments watching Boyata than I do Lescott, and the Boyata/Kompany partnership has always looked strong and reliable on previous occasions.  There is definitely a great future for that partnership, but they have always looked assured enough right now, when it matters, as well.  People will say that it is too big an occasion to test this theory - but this is a young man who helped stop Chelsea earlier this season, has played in big games against United, and excelled against Juventus a few weeks ago.  A number of the same people would probably also complain if the young players weren't getting their chances.

Boyata made a mistake, and a large one, but football is full of mistakes and it is just one of those things.  As well as Micah played yesterday, or Bridge for that matter, it is hard to say the potential for mistakes isn't there.  Even Joe Hart has had his moments this season.  Boyata is a very promising player for us and he should continue to get the chances to prove himself in the big matches. 

City worked til the legs wouldn't move anymore and Arsenal had all of 85 minutes to make sure City tired enough for them to take advantage.  David Pleat's tactical focus in the Guardian this morning was in praise of Mancini's seeming determination to still have a go with ten men: 

Nine out of 10 managers would have fallen back on a 4-4-1 system and isolated a forward. Boldly, however, Mancini challenged his players to work a 4-3-2 structure with the skilful and tireless David Silva and Carlos Tevez charged with occupying Arsenal's back four.  The home side maintained a level of attacking threat by keeping two players up front and Mancini merits praise for his outlook. His side rarely sat back, even if their efforts demanded maximum energy. Yaya Touré was initially switched to centre-back to partner Vincent Kompany, with City going narrow – dragging Silva from the touchline – just as Arsenal, with their numerical advantage, were attempting to stretch the pitch using the full width with Andrey Arshavin and Samir Nasri pinned wide...  As a tactic, with Arsenal's own back line ever conscious of the threat posed by Tevez and Silva, it succeeded until City ran out of legs.

Even though Arsenal were comfortably in control of the ball, it is testament to this approach that Fabianski got the Arsenal website's official man of the match.  It started to show at around the hour mark, as players such as Micah Richards lost their legs - this was Micah's second ninety minutes in four days after a few weeks on the sidelines.

It was hard to expect much after the sending off, and Arsenal used the advantage well in the second half, but considering the first goal was preventable (as Barry, in a makeshift role, failed to follow his man), the third goal was a mixture of out-of-play and offside, and the red card - it probably wasn't as bad as the scoreline looks. 

It was good to see the return of Mario Balotelli, who, despite looking a bit off the pace and a little intent on showing what he can do on his own, will be a welcome option - especially if Tevez's knock is anything more serious than expected.  Boateng looked a lot happier in the centre of defence - with the pace to cover any lapses at the back. 

It is a blow to lose heavily to a rival but circumstances changed the face of the game as a contest.  Now it is time to pick ourselves up for the next encounter. 

The Spanish Kinkladze? Blackpool 2 - 3 City: Match report

I'm not sure I can handle the suspense of Silva being teased into his Manchester City career.  I know it is probably necessary, as he grows into the physicality of the Premier League, but he is the sort of player you want to watch all the time and the increasing glimpses of his pure quality point to an exciting future for Silva and City.  His close control for the third goal yesterday evening was reminiscent of Kinkladze in the nineties - I don't think I've seen a City player beat someone using such technique and skill since. 

Silva's introduction changed the game and, if Adam Johnson can win the official man of the match award for coming on and scoring against Newcastle, Silva did more than enough to earn it here.  At full flow, as he now appears, Silva is the missing link: the hard-working, intelligent, creative midfielder that we lost when Ireland reverted back to form after his Player of the Season campaign.  Before his arrival, City weren't threatening Blackpool - there was no spark from midfield:  De Jong looked subdued by the recent furore and Barry looked off the pace - so, as much as having nothing to offer Tevez and Adebayor, Charlie Adam was given time to dictate the tempo. 

At half-time I wasn't particularly concerned as the final product from Blackpool didn't look like troubling Joe Hart in goal - and despite the run of the game Adam Johnson's shot from the right and Tevez's confused chest into the keeper represented the half's best chances.  This all changed in the first minutes of the second half - when Lescott followed the ball instead of DJ Campbell, leaving him with a golden chance to score, and Gary Taylor-Fletcher had his goal controversially chalked off. 

My uncle rang me after the game to tell me that City have become one of those big clubs who get the key decisions - which on the scant evidence of the last two games could be true - and once Tevez's offside goal was ruled onside, City had the foothold they needed.  With Silva on the pitch, City had more control of the ball, looked more composed, and continued to threaten - with Milner hitting the bar before Harewood's classy header. 

Silva's goal was pure class and you could see how much it meant to him to get off the mark in the Premier League. 

It was very refreshing to play a team that attacks you - funnily the two promoted teams we have faced have been the least conservative.  I have been very impressed by both Blackpool and Newcastle - and West Brom took a tidy point somewhere at the weekend too - and to them it must be a bit demoralising to play a team that can claw their way back into a game with the help of a £24m World Cup-winning substitute - but such is the quality that the money brings, that we can finish off games that we haven't necessarily been on top of. 

The man of the match award for me is a battle between Carlos Tevez and David Silva but, as the pivotal game changing player, the wee Spaniard gets it.  

In slightly different news, do you think there is any coincidence in the fact that a couple of days after Mancini said this:

'I do not understand players drinking until they are drunk … I tell my players it is better that they go with a woman than drink'

 Wayne Rooney is linked with a move across the city? Hmm.

Also, as I've managed to wrangle him into the title, any excuse to show this:

City 2 - 1 Newcastle: Match report and player ratings

City recorded their third successive Premier League victory to move into second for the International break and, in doing so, proved themselves a good team by the logic of an old cliche: 'the sign of a good team is to win when not playing well.'  Although this often just means that the 'good' team has enough quality in it (Adam Johnson) to make the most of rare opportunities.

It was a strange start.  Newcastle were playing with such a high line that I thought it would only be a matter of time before City broke through.  But on the rare occasions when we did break through, we were wasteful - with Barry and Milner often guilty.  It was a departure from what City usually face - deep lines of defence - and it was suprisingly effective.

Atkinson's decision to book Williamson said a lot about how certain he was about his penalty decision.  With Tevez about to shoot, Williamson's tackle stopped a clear goalscoring opportunity - which by the letter of the law, should see a red card.  Subsequent replays show he had reasons to doubt if what he was doing was right - which is usually where the referee hedges his bet and opts for the yellow card.  Tevez nearly dislodged the netting with his powerful spot-kick and it represented the highlight of what was otherwise a frustrating afternoon for him.

Newcastle deservedly struck back through the impressive Gutierrez, after the Argentine reacted quickly to a loose ball in the box, and for the rest of the first half Newcastle took control.  They defended in tightly packed numbers due to their high defensive line, and were adventurous with the ball - it was perhaps the most positive performance an away team that has put in at Eastlands this season.

Not half of this, however, can be attributed to a lethargic City team.  The same three central midfielders that shone in combat against Chelsea, largely seemed to stand off Newcastle.  It was almost as if they were intimidated by a fairly well-behaved Barton and Nolan.  City can perhaps justly cite tiredness as an issue, having played every three or four days since the last international break, and players like Milner, who has been suffering from illness this week, looked off the pace.

Another player who looks in need of a break is Yaya Toure.  Despite being sharp and resourceful with the ball, at times he also looks behind the pace of the game.  Whether this is unfamiliarity with his attacking midfield role, getting used to the English game, tiredness, or something more deep-rooted is something we will find out as the season progresses.  At a half of his size, David Silva looked far more commited to the defensive side of the game - even if his slight stature doesn't always let him compete in this field.

Lescott stood out as the square peg in a round hole.  Not necessarily the brightest footballer, he is far better in the centre where he can concentrate on defending and not what to do with the football.  If the 'injury crisis' continues, surely Boateng - who looks equally comfortable with his left-foot - can play on the left and Boyata (yes, another central defender!) can play at right-back.  City were lucky to survive Lescott's clumsiness late in the game. 

We were better in the second half, and the increased impetus on attack helped City get a foothold on the game again.  Adebayor looked far better than he did after his troublesome run-out against Juve and, alongside Adam Johnson, he helped City push on.  Johnson was only on the pitch for 18 minutes and he still got the official man of the match.  This says more about what preceded it than his own performance, as good as it was, but it took his direct style of play to break through Newcastle - and his goal was superbly taken.

It is hard to be disappointed with a third successive win that takes City above United into the international break - and although Newcastle matched City for a lot of the game, it is important to keep winning.

On another note, it was nice to see Joey Barton applaud the City fans at the end of the game (applause that was widely reciprocated) after the 'mixed reception' he received during the match.  For all the 'troubles' in his life, he does owe City a lot for his young career and, despite the disgraceful end to his time at City, he was one of our best players for a good part of the last decade.  Hopefully the signs that he has got his life back on track are genuine. 

Player ratings:

Hart 7;  Boateng 6,  Kolo Toure 6, Kompany 7, Lescott 4;  De Jong 6, Barry 6 (Adam Johnson 7), Yaya Toure 5 (Adebayor 6);  Milner 5, Silva 6, Tevez 6 (Vieira N/A). 

Man of the match:  Vincent Kompany

City bid to halt the Juve revival. Juventus Preview

I know it is a well-worn comparison, but if someone had said to me ten years ago that 'in ten years time City will be lining up against Juventus in Europe', I would not have believed them.  Things have changed dramatically since then, at Juventus too, but the prestige attached to the name of Juventus still makes it one of the most attractive sounding ties City could face. 

One person who is all too aware of the prestige of Juventus is Roberto Mancini - a boyhood supporter of the club - so there is no danger that the opposition will be treated with a lack of respect that is sometimes shown in Europa League competition.  Therefore it is likely City will field a full-strength team.  The returns of Shaun Wright-Phillips, Micah Richards and a recovering Boateng may even result in a stronger side than that which defeated Chelsea at the weekend.  Boateng could start at left-back to handle Milos Krasic, although Mancini has said he is not quite ready for the full ninety - so it will depend if he is up to that baptism of fire. 

With Newcastle only 'two days and two nights' (as Mancini described it) after the conclusion of the game, some players will have to be rested either tomorrow or on Sunday - but with the likes of Adebayor, Adam Johnson, Patrick Vieira and Shaun Wright-Phillips on the bench, for example, Mancini has the option of changing faces at the weekend without too great an effect - and should City reach a stage of comfort at any stage during the ninety minutes, then Mancini will have the luxury to think ahead and give some players a rest.

Possible eleven:

Hart

Richards,  Kolo Toure,  Kompany,  Boateng

Yaya Toure,  De Jong,  Barry

Milner, Silva

Tevez

Juventus have had a patchy start to the season so far - a start that laughs in the face of the stereotype of 'boring Italian football'.  Juve have scored 12 goals and conceded 9 in their opening five matches of the season - their latest being a 4-2 victory over Cagliari at the weekend.   Milos Krasic grabbed the headlines with a hat-trick and instant comparisons with semi-lookalike and Juve legend Pavel Nedved resurfaced.  Their only other win came in a 4-0 thumping of Udinese, but these victories have been tainted by losses to Palermo (at home) and Bari.  Put these next to their unimpressive 3-3 home draw with Lech Posnan, and it is hard to know what to expect from Juve. 

They have also undergone mass changes since the disappointment of last year and their unbalanced start to the season perhaps just reflects this.  If their 4-2 victory against Cagliari is a sign of things starting to click (Cagliari were fresh from a 5-1 thrashing of last year's runners-up Roma earlier this season), then City could be facing a very different task to that which faced Fulham in last years competition.  Luigi Del Neri took Sampdoria into the Champions League last year, and he is expected to deliver success at Juve - with the Europa League another chance for silverware for them too. 

They travel to Inter Milan on Sunday, so City could benefit from a straying focus - but with pressure at a high at Juventus, this will not be readily allowed. 

Tomorrow night's game is an excellent opportunity for City to make ground in this competition.  If City can post maximum points from the first two group games then it will put us in an excellent position considering our supposed main rivals would be five points behind.  Juventus come with a huge, if recently sullied, reputation, but if there is one thing that the Chelsea game taught us, it is that our players don't shy away in the face of reputation - and if we can see two examples of this winning mentality in under a week, then optimism is sure to thrive stronger than ever. 

City 1 - 0 Chelsea. Match report and player ratings

City recorded their third successive win against England's best team yesterday in a display that suggested we can compete at the top end of the table.  It is the games against the teams beneath you that make a season, but the mark of the strength of a team is how they perform against the very best and City look increasingly at home in the top encounters.  Before our three victories against Chelsea, the four preceding  seasons brought eight losses and a 19-1 aggregate score.  If we can raise ourselves for the games against the lesser teams of the Premiership, like we have against Liverpool and Chelsea this season, then we could well be a force to be reckoned with. 

Recently revealed as the heaviest Premier League side, and boasting a midfield that included the brawn of Essien and Mikel, Chelsea are well suited to a physical battle - so the fact that a lot of our success came from out-competing them is very refreshing.  This was a team performance to ridicule Drogba's pre-match overtures about Chelsea being the possessors of the 'spirit' - that implied City would be lacking in this department.  Everyone worked together like 'brothers', as Mancini said of the defence, and didn't allow Chelsea the space to be at their devastating best.

What ensued fell short of some neutrals' thrill-a-minute expectations (foolish expectations considering the two meanest defences of this campaign were lining up against each other), but the contest was enthralling to those with interest.  It was always going to be a tight game.  People complain about City's three central midfielders, but Chelsea have played with three central players for years, and only in the Ancelotti era have people decided that it is the height of the beautiful game.  The game was always going to pivot on the battle in the centre, and Barry and De Jong, in particular, were superb in overcoming Essien, Mikel and, to a lesser extent, Ramires.  De Jong has added nearly flawless passing to his combative game this season and his partnership with Barry is becoming formidable.  On top of this, our front three (if I can get away with calling them that?) all got back to put a foot in - including Silva, who continues to show he isn't afraid of a challenge despite being at a physical disadvantage. 

A lot was made of our selection worries at the back, but in a lot of ways you can trust Boyata and Zabaleta more than Richards and Lescott.  Boyata was excellent out of position and, having played ninety minutes on Wednesday, did well to last as long as he did when the pace of first team games is still relatively new to him.  Kolo Toure and Kompany continue to grow as a defensive partnership, and whilst outsiders (Buffon, for example!) would point to this being our weakest area, it is proving to be the backbone of the team.  The 'unplayable' Drogba was played well by both of them and as a unit City restricted Chelsea to very few chances.

For the goal, Tevez was allowed to reach full flight and Silva's decoy run opened up the space for a perfect finish.  There were never going to be many chances and Tevez is the man to convert them - notching up his 25th goal in 29 Premier League games.

Chelsea will probably still be champions, but City have a little piece of evidence that they can compete at the top level.  All will be worthless though if we don't follow it up with a victory against Newcastle next Sunday!

Player ratings:

Hart 6, Boyata 8, Kolo Toure 9, Kompany 9, Zabaleta 8, De Jong 9, Barry 9, Yaya Toure 8, Milner 7, Silva 8, Tevez 9. 

Man of the match:  Nigel de Jong

Football Italia: Javier 'Zidane' Pastore staying put; Bojinov finds Parma are feared

There are two stories of interest to City fans on the Italian Football site Football Italia today.  Firstly, Argentine prospect, Javier Pastore has been talked up by Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini:

"He is the new Zidane.  He is very strong and complete.  Within two years he will be worth as much as Messi.  He won't be moving away from Palermo, neither in January nor in June."

Pretty hefty praise.  Time will tell if he is doing a president's job in hyping up the value of his player or whether the next world star is waiting in the Sicilian city.  With fairly extortionate price tags attached to him in rumours of a move to City, it seems he doesn't need to do too much more to raise Pastore's price.

Zamparini's words came after Palermo's 3-1 away win to upcoming Eastlands visitors Juventus last night.  Pastore impressed with silky feet and vision - as well as tucking away the first goal of the night.  He is an attacking midfielder, or support striker (not positions City are desperate to fill), probably closest to Silva in style out of our current players.  Although unlike Silva, he is 6'2".  The only slightly worrying thing about him is that in his posture and his hair he bears some resemblance to Georgios Samaras.

I have seen him twice this season for Palermo and he seems to be the creative fulcrum of the team.  He also made a couple of appearances at the World Cup in the summer.  On these limited viewings, he certainly looks the part. 

Secondly, on ex-player watch, Bojinov is lamenting the reputation Parma have built up this season.  Bojinov started and scored in the opening game of the season, a 2-0 win over Brescia, but believes teams have come to fear Parma, after a few shrewd summer signings, and that no team is brave enough to let them play.  Sounds familiar to me.  Bojinov was replaced in all of the first three games of the season, and lost his place to Hernan Crespo for the last game - only to come on at half-time as Parma recovered from a goal down.

Robinho is yet to start for Milan and has only featured in the 2-0 defeat against Cesena and for three minutes in their draw against Lazio. 

Beating weaker teams. Chelsea preview

A lot has been made of the opposition Chelsea have had to face whilst thrashing their way to the top of the table this season.  West Brom, Wigan, Stoke, West Ham and Blackpool have all had the honour so far.  Such is the extent of their domination so far this season that the Blackpool fans were rejoicing with chants of "you've only got four."  Which, having watched Chelsea's barren second half, they were quite lucky to get away with.   They haven't faced any stern tests yet but, as the old mantra goes, 'you can only beat what's put infront of you.'    If it weren't for a Scott Parker consolation goal, they would have had twenty-one goals without reply this season.  Weak opposition or not, it is hard to understand those who aren't impressed by the sheer dominance of Chelsea.  Mancini may well be right to say that Chelsea could retain the title 'easily' this time around.  

City have been the long anticipated first test to Chelsea's strength.  'The Clash of the Cash' - as a lot have it - finds two clubs on an entirely different end of the development spectrum.  City, despite all the money spent, are still growing, still improving, still finding their feet in the upper echelons.  Chelsea are reaping the rewards of the post-investment stability.  Mancini's focus on buying young players who can 'write the history' of the club, should afford City the same luxury in the years to come.  

Both teams enter the game off the back of disappointing Carling Cup exits, but it is City who seem to be  the most wounded.  In the pre-match press conference, Mancini revealed we only have three fit senior defenders:  Kolo, Kompany and Zabaleta.  Which leaves a potentially under-guarded left-back position.  Talk that Barry could be played there was quashed by Mancini, although it could well be the best option.  Otherwise it appears to rest on last minute talks with Boateng and Lescott, who would both be below 100%, or playing a youngster in there - with suggestions it could be Boyata, who would be out of position.  Our injury issues will be the mirth of the rest of the league after our reinforcements but, in defence in particular, it has become a real problem at this early stage - especially with the frequency of games - Juventus and Newcastle come within eight days of the Chelsea fixture.  

Last season's double against Chelsea was achieved through stubborn, tight, counter-attacking football, on the whole, and I imagine City will continue with a midfield-heavy selection.  Considering Chelsea usually play with three central midfielders as well, this is no bad thing.  With the quality of their midfield three, it is important City can compete in the centre of the pitch - and the Essien/De Jong battle could be key.  

Kolo Toure has fared fairly well against his compatriot Didier Drogba in previous encounters, whilst playing for City, so it will be interesting to see how that duel goes.  Vincent Kompany will also attempt to get as tight as possible to the man who is increasingly described as 'unplayable'.  

Possible line-up:

Hart

Boyata, Kompany, Kolo Toure, Zabaleta

Yaya Toure, De Jong, Barry

Milner, Silva

Tevez

It should be an interesting contest and, should it go well, it could provide a spring-board for City's season - with the potential to plant us more firmly in the top-four and to keep ground with the leaders as well. 

Wigan 0 - 2 City. Match report and player ratings

So the 'jinx' is broken.  Or the jinx wasn't a jinx but really the remnants of an era where we didn't regularly win away from home.  Nevertheless it is satisfying to overcome these records, and whilst there will be some who would be looking for more dominance or ambition, City needed to return to winning ways after the sloppy moments in the past two games and they achieved this comfortably in the end. 

The rain made for difficult playing conditions and it took a while for the game to rise out of the realms of the scrappy.  Richards, who sometimes seems to struggle with balance in completely perfect conditions, could hardly stay on his feet and Nigel de Jong didn't care to tone down his combative style in spite of the slippery surface.  For most of the first half neither goalkeeper was threatened and for all City were striving for intricacies, the opener came from a long punt forward from Joe Hart.  As the Wigan fans' cheers for Hart's slip died down, Tevez was through on goal at the other end and he showed his class with an exquisite chip over Al Habsi. 

Tevez was integral throughout and started to show a return to the form of last season.  It is a difficult job playing upfront on your own, but he fought well, used the ball intelligently and was central to both goals.  There are even hints that an understanding is developing between him and Silva, with a couple of clever combinations suggesting a good future for them as a pair. 

City took control in the second half with the comfort of the lead and despite a late Diame header that flashed wide, Hart wasn't called into action.  City have been playing possession football throughout the season (or at least trying to) and it is never more effective than when holding the lead.  The lead draws the opposition out and instead of passes in and around the back-four, City have full reign for expansive, probing football.  It wasn't at its best yesterday, but it allowed City to retain control. 

All that said, Wigan were masters of their own downfall.  Both goals were comically defended - especially the second - and they presented more gifts on top of them. 

Without really reaching full heights this season, City are sitting in the top four.  Listening to some people you would hardly guess it.  Yes, there is room for improvement, but with players to return, others yet to find full fitness, and the mystical 'gelling' that will improve as the games come, to be within reach of the top at this stage is nothing to be worrying about! 

Player ratings:

Hart 6, Richards 7, Kolo Toure 7, Kompany 7, Zabaleta 7, De Jong 6, Barry 7, Yaya Toure 7 (Jo 6), Milner 6, Silva 7 (A. Johnson 6), Tevez 8 (Wright-Phillips N/A).

Man of the match:  Carlos Tevez

Whelan and Martinez support City's rise: Wigan preview

The backlash to the City-hating has begun in the guise of Dave Whelan and Roberto Martinez ahead of our clash with Wigan tomorrow.  In an interview with the MEN, Whelan says all the things a City fan would want to hear:

“Everybody seems to want to have a pop at City. There’s so much jealousy around. Those who are knocking City would give anything to be in the same position and have the same kind of opportunities.


“I always look forward to welcoming City to Wigan, it’s always a good game and they have a great set of supporters who are as good as anyone around.


“The City fans are tremendously loyal, they deserve to see their team be successful.  I remember playing City in the old third division in front of 40,000 fans at Maine Road."

He also points to the slowly fading hatred of Chelsea, his admiration for his friend Garry Cook, and the fact that, as the money is all City's, it is up to us to spend it as we like.

The trouble is 'it's always a good game' for Wigan and I'm sure that helps Whelan's enjoyment of City's visits.  5,000 City fans are set to travel up to Wigan tomorrow hoping to see City win their first ever game at the DW Stadium.  To fuel the statistical worriers, The Guardian published the two following facts in their 'Match Pointers section:

•  Wigan are one of two teams that City have faced twice or more and never beaten away from home in the top flight (five times, along with Arsenal)
• City haven't won away from home in the league during September since 2004

Statistics are, of course, completely useless.  Before last season we hadn't done the league double over Chelsea since the fifties.  It doesn't take me to tell you that things are changing at City.  Yet, as evidenced on the Official Site, City can use the 'jinx' to ensure that the players do not underestimate a trip to Wigan.

Despite an initial two games that caused a lot of footballing people to instantly, and foolishly, write-off Wigan from the league at this early stage - The Latics are actually only one point behind us.  A win at Tottenham and a draw against Sunderland will have done something to restore some confidence to their side.  Wigan will probably struggle this season, but directly after the famously, and officially, 'unlucky' loss to Chelsea by six straight goals is too early to call it.

With apparently no new injury concerns for Mancini to deal with, City have the option to remain unchanged from the side that triumphed in Austria this week.  The only likely changes will be for both Jo and the impressive Silva, who both looked exhausted by the end of the game.  I imagine both will have a part to play at some point, but it may well still be from the bench at this stage.

Micah Richards is likely to return at right-back, leaving Mancini with the option to switch Zabaleta to left-back as Wayne Bridge continues his comeback from injury.  Milner and Johnson could fill the other free berths.

Possible line-up, 4-3-2-1:

Hart

Richards,  Kolo Toure, Kompany, Zabaleta

De Jong, Yaya Toure, Barry

Milner,  Adam Johnson

Tevez

After two disappointing results against Sunderland and Blackburn, City will be hoping to reignite their league season at Wigan - and break a 'jinx' whilst at it!

FC Energy Drink 0 - 2 City: Match Report and Player Ratings

 

City's Thursday evening introduction to the group stages of the Europa League was one of those games that could have delighted the circling press:  huge excitement in Austria, a fairly low key team yet the only team to win every game in the group stages last season, an allegedly difficult playing surface.  The ingredients were there, but it turned out to be a fairly routine victory in the end.

It was a good night for the players striving to cement a place in the first eleven.  David Silva, subject to a lot of praise over the past week, got his first goal for the club, is beginning to look up to pace, and should now be ready to join the Premier League campaign in earnest.  

Jo made his first start for City since 2008 and capped it with a goal and an assist - and helped free Tevez to play his favourite role.  If he is to play more football for City, then the goal will do him good - and he looked visibly exhausted by the end of the match, such is the rarity of him completing ninety minutes of football.  

The other player hoping to retain his place was Wayne Bridge, who, to the suprise of the statistic compilers, completed a cross in the build up to Silva's goal in the eighth minute.  He wasn't unduly tested defensively but his adventurous style of play hinted at how Mancini will eventually hope to use Kolarov and Boateng - a tight midfield with attackingly effective full-backs. 

It was the first we have seen of the diamond formation that we saw a lot of in pre-season and you can't help but feel we will see a lot more of it once everyone is up to speed - perhaps with Silva, Tevez and Balotelli as the top three. 

Kolo Toure and Vincent Kompany's partnership continues to grow, and both were impressive again when called upon.  

Milner talked about one of the positives of the quantity of games being that we will be able to rectify disappointments almost instantly, whilst building up some momentum and togetherness in the process.  The trick now will be to take this into the game against Wigan.

Player ratings:

Hart 6,  Zabaleta 6, Kolo Toure 8, Kompany 7, Bridge 7 (Boyata 6), De Jong 7, Barry 7, Yaya Toure 6, Silva 7 (Wright-Phillips N/A), Tevez 7 (Vieira N/A), Jo 7.

Man of the match: Kolo Toure

One month in, do we know our best eleven?

A month has now passed since the start of the Premier League and a pretty stable eleven has started to establish itself:

Hart

Richards, Kolo Toure, Kompany, Lescott

Barry, De Jong, Yaya Toure

Johnson, Milner

Tevez

However, to a great extent this has been forced by the injuries to Boateng, Kolarov and Balotelli, and the coming to fitness of David Silva.  Mancini was quoted in the week saying the following about Silva's start at City:

"I thought he did very well when he came on [against Blackburn] but I always said that he would need time because it is very different here than playing in Spain. The internationals are over now and I think it will be time for him to play in the team from the next game."

Which appears to say he is now ready to be a starter in the City team, in the Premier League as well as the Europa league.  He certainly looked bright against Blackburn, and we may need his class to make the most of the pressure we have been able to apply in the last two games.  If this is the case, then the very least it means is that one of Johnson, Milner, Barry, De Jong or Yaya Toure will have to make way.  Not the simplest of decisions.  It seems fairly evident that most of these five will have to get used to a small degree of rotation as the season progresses and we can always feel comfortable with whichever combination is put forward, but you have to presume there is a 'best eleven' in there somewhere.

I prattled on after the Blackburn game about getting the best out of Carlos Tevez and how the leading striker role does not suit him best:

I don't take issue with the 4-2-3-1 formation that was used, as it is favoured by most teams now and being a man light in the middle can lead to an uneven contest, but I don't think Tevez is at his best as the leading striker. Primarily because he doesn't act like one when he is played there. You cannot fault his energy and his ability to hold up the ball (which are both important in a leading striker role), but he almost never makes forward runs. Quite often a player will be breaking from midfield, Milner say, and Carlos will either run next to him or, more often than not, drop back - leaving the attacking midfielder with no option other than to cut-back on the attack or go it alone. He is much better as the man behind the strikers, where he can drop back, get involved and link up with the centre-forward. Because of his lack of forward runs, we often look like we are playing without a striker, in what is otherwise quite an attacking formation.

The issue here is that it will further complicate an already difficult choice in midfield. De Jong's knock and Barry's rest meant it appeared easier yesterday - with Milner allowed to start in his preferred central role - but, if Tevez is to drop back, Milner, Yaya Toure, De Jong, Barry and Vieira will have to battle over just two positions. Which is not an easy choice at all.

Obviously with Adebayor out and other candidates perhaps not quite up to it, Tevez will probably remain there for awhile - and therefore, this doesn't apply directly to yesterday's match, but it is a problem on the horizon and I don't think we will be fully effective until it is sorted out.

However, with the fear of sounding like a bit of a hypocrite, we don't have too much choice at the moment other than to play Tevez up front on his own.  Balotelli has increasingly depressing news about how far from action he might be; Adebayor is suffering from a small injury; Jo may not quite be the answer; and Roque Santa Cruz  is rarely available and seemingly a long way down the pecking order.  I still believe the decision to drop Tevez back should come at some point, but at the moment he will continue to lead the line.

If Silva is to come back in, it means a decision has to be made on who out of the midfielders should drop out.  With the will to retain a semblance of attacking football I think Milner and Johnson should remain untouched, leaving the tough decision between Barry, De Jong and Yaya Toure.  On current form, they have all staked their claim, but I don't think it would be too bad for Yaya Toure to get some of the Silva treatment - a bit of time to adapt to the English game in rotation with Barry and De Jong who, for me, have been too good to lose their places this season.  Yaya has shown glimpses of utter class on the ball in these early games, and it is hard to make that call, but whoever is left out would have huge grievances.

So, my choice for the best current eleven (before Boateng, Kolarov, and Balotelli return), would be the following in a 4-2-3-1 formation:

Hart

Richards,  Kolo Toure,  Kompany,  Lescott

De Jong, Barry

A. Johnson, Milner,  Silva

Tevez

 I guess the answer to the title of this piece is a resounding 'no' and I'm sure both Mancini and many of you will have wildly differing ideas about what would be the ideal solution to funnelling all our talent into eleven places.  Of course, the answer will be rotation, and many of the players can be interchanged with little effect to the strength of our team - so, it doesn't really matter as much as some people will have it whether Mancini knows his 'best eleven' or not.  The scope is there to adapt our team to suit the occasion and the sheer weight of games should see everyone involved, but come a big match, a cup final say, you would presume there is an eleven Mancini prefers...

City 1 - 1 Blackburn: 4-2-3-1 is right but wrong; player ratings

To borrow a Mancini favourite: Football is strange. What, but for one moment of madness from our goalkeeper, could have been a fairly satisfying win, ends up leaving a feeling of frustration. An obstinate defence besides, I don't even think this was Blackburn at their best, so a point doesn't really feel like enough.

As the nation's darling of the moment, Hart will not face too great a criticism for his blunder yesterday - Match of the Day even over-emphasised Kolo Toure's role so much that Hart's actions may almost have sounded normal - but for all the points he has saved this season, these were ones he lost. Grella, who seemed to be willfully wasteful with the football up until their goal, punted a nothing ball forward, and Hart, to answer seemingly no danger whatsoever, decided to intervene in a situation that was already covered some twenty-five yards from goal. It was a moment of madness, and a calamitous way to concede your first goal from open play this season - and it set City the tough task of breaking through Blackburn and Paul Robinson. Hart has been exceptional this season and he will recover, but this should help him to keep a little more grounded.

Adam Johnson was our main threat in the first-half as City struggled to respond straight away - coming tantalisingly close with a curled shot across goal.

I don't take issue with the 4-2-3-1 formation that was used, as it is favoured by most teams now and being a man light in the middle can lead to an uneven contest, but I don't think Tevez is at his best as the leading striker. Primarily because he doesn't act like one when he is played there. You cannot fault his energy and his ability to hold up the ball (which are both important in a leading striker role), but he almost never makes forward runs. Quite often a player will be breaking from midfield, Milner say, and Carlos will either run next to him or, more often than not, drop back - leaving the attacking midfielder with no option other than to cut-back on the attack or go it alone. He is much better as the man behind the strikers, where he can drop back, get involved and link up with the centre-forward. Because of his lack of forward runs, we often look like we are playing without a striker, in what is otherwise quite an attacking formation.

The issue here is that it will further complicate an already difficult choice in midfield. De Jong's knock and Barry's rest meant it appeared easier yesterday - with Milner allowed to start in his preferred central role - but, if Tevez is to drop back, Milner, Yaya Toure, De Jong, Barry and Vieira will have to battle over just two positions. Which is not an easy choice at all.

Obviously with Adebayor out and other candidates perhaps not quite up to it, Tevez will probably remain there for awhile - and therefore, this doesn't apply directly to yesterday's match, but it is a problem on the horizon and I don't think we will be fully effective until it is sorted out.

All that said, we did create a number of chances to finish the game - some great last ditch defending from Blackburn prevented both Tevez and Jo after Silva had clipped them through; Robinson produced a good save from Barry; and Johnson could well have had a penalty after a great run into the box. But, for the second game running, City will be left rueing missed chances and dropped points.

Without Hart's blunder, we would be looking at a one-nil win that could've been more, with it, it is a frustratingly thwarted draw. The margins in football are very thin and matches hinge on such small events... 'Football is strange.'

Player ratings:

Hart 5, Richards 7, Kolo Toure 6.5, Kompany 7.5, Lescott 6, Wright-Phillips 6 (Jo 6), Vieira 6.5 (Barry 6.5), Yaya Toure 6, Milner 6.5, Johnson 8 (Silva N/A), Tevez 7.

Man of the match: Adam Johnson

City vs Blackburn - match preview

After the Sunderland game, the last thing Mancini would've wanted was a two week gap. All going to plan, City will play almost every three days all season - so to have a little break to stew over the failings against Sunderland will hopefully see everyone desperate to get back to winning ways.

The man who may be more desperate than most, Carlos Tevez, faces a late fitness test following a knock on international duty. He scored a hat-trick in this fixture last season - and other contenders, principally Adebayor, will really have to up their game to cover his possible absence.

Talk of Boateng making his long awaited debut seem to have been premature, with Mancini suggesting he is still some seven to ten days away from competitive football. At the end of the Sunderland game, we expected Boateng, Bridge and Balotelli to be fit for selection - but there will be no new faces in contention for a starting place.

Therefore the back four should remain the same - with Lescott continuing at left-back after his impressive display in the centre for England in the week. Micah missed international duty through illness, but he should be back - and he will be hoping the Blackburn defence will be as obliging to him as they were for his goal last January.

The man who provided the assist for that goal, Benjani Mwaruwari, could make his debut for Blackburn tomorrow. He will always be remembered for his City debut when (in case you need reminding!) he scored the winning goal at Old Trafford to seal a City double against United.

Blackburn have had a promising start to the season without too much to show from it. Victors against Everton on the opening day, they have since been unlucky to lose away to Birmingham, and lost narrowly against Arsenal. Allardyce, who quite wonderfully hasn't ruled himself out for the next England manager's position, has backed City's pursuit for honours, drawing parallels between City and successful Blackburn and Chelsea teams of the past two decades.

On loan rag Mame Diouf has four goals in his last two games, and rotund playmaker, David Dunn should now be fit enough to start for a Blackburn team that should be at full strength.

I know it won't happen, but I would like to see Adam Johnson on the left to see him terrorise Michel Salgado. Milner could do a similar job, but despite good showings for City and England, I don't think he looks at his most comfortable out there. You can't help but think that a tough decision is looming for Mancini over Milner, Yaya, Barry and De Jong - but the news of Balotelli's injury and Silva's gentle easing into Premiership life, could allow him to delay that decision a little longer.

I think Mancini will stick to the team that lost against Sunderland, with possession the key to wearing down a sturdy Blackburn defence, rather than trying to out-muscle them. To have the option of throwing on Silva and Adebayor will allow Mancini to exploit a tiring Blackburn resistance later on.

Possible line-up:

4-2-3-1

Hart

Richards, Kolo Toure, Kompany, Lescott

De Jong, Barry

Johnson, Yaya Toure, Milner

Tevez

However, we haven't seen the diamond formation yet that was used quite a lot in pre-season, which could result in a lack of width and the difficult dropping of a confident Johnson (who could be key tomorrow), but end with two-strikers and a more offensive looking line-up for a home fixture. I think home fixtures against teams outside the top five or six in the league were the occasions Mancini had planned this formation for, but Adam Johnson's international form may have persuaded him otherwise.

Blackburn are traditionally not as strong away from home, but they are sure to be resilient opponents, and patience may be the watchword again, as it is now that more and more teams grow to fear us! I remember Allardyce's press-conference at the first game of last season at Ewood Park, where he intimated that he would be happy with a home point from us, so I think it is fair to say a similar ambition may be applied to tomorrow.

City don't mind cup-tieing Shaleum Logan; "Forza Milan"; Silva

With City's Europa League group stage kicking off properly next week against Red Bull Salzburg, another exclusive group of twenty-five has been announced for the first group phase. And again, one ever-present of the squads so far is Shaleum Logan - who didn't travel with the team to the USA in pre-season because he was taking trials with teams in the Championship. If he is to be involved sometime, perhaps in Turin once everything is already decided (one way or another!), then it would hinder him moving to another club involved in the Europa League...

Which is not the case for Roque Santa Cruz. Lazio are the tipped destination for Roque and they finished a good way off European football last season, so this would not harm a potential move there, but there is no reason to exclude other potential buyers. This is as clear a sign as any that Roque's City career is coming to a close - and perhaps, despite a place in the Premiership 25, that pushing him out before the September deadline would've been the ideal solution for both the player and for City.

City have also been obliged to name a second list that states the under-21 players that can be available should City need them. The full list is on the UEFA website, but the youngsters include: Boyata, Nimely, Ibrahim, Ben Mee, Scott Kay, Vidal and Benali. The rules are slightly different than the Premier League ones in that the young players still need to have been at City for a number of years to qualify for this second list - hence why Balotelli needs to be registered for the Europa League and not the Premier League.

In other news, Balotelli has emerged from surgery and his doctor has suggested that a rehabilitation period of six to eight weeks will be necessary before he can return to action - continuing a frustrating start to his City career. It didn't take too long for him to return to the Italian papers either - responding to Milan President Galliani's unhelpful comments by singing Milan songs out of the window. Galliani protested his innocence:

"As a child he was a Milan supporter. This morning I sent him a text message wishing him good luck, seeing as he’s one of our fans.

"Now that’s enough, otherwise we’ll create a diplomatic incident! At the very least I’d like to avoid causing trouble for Manchester City."

If I was being kind to him, I'd suggest he realised this last part just a little too late!

To complete a bit of a rambling post, the 'news' stories circulating suggesting Atletico Madrid are monitoring Silva could just as easily read 'Press are eagerly monitoring Silva for signs of unhappiness.' When he signed, Mancini suggested he would need a bit of time to adapt to the pace and brawn of the Premier League - so substitute and Europa League performances at this stage of the season should hardly be a surprise. He is evidently an enormously talented player, with the right attitude as well, so, needless to say, it is far, far too early for people to be expecting unrest. The fact that the Daily Mail article I read it in was only three lines long says it all.

Mixed messages from Lazio about Santa Cruz

Sky Sports ran a story today stating that Lazio are still in the market for Santa Cruz. They quote Lazio's sporting director, Igli Tare, saying:

"In January we will see if it is appropriate to make a transaction, perhaps with Santa Cruz."

Which backs up earlier claims from Claudio Lotito, the club's president, that they would still look at the possibility of signing him in the January transfer window.

This, however, was comically contradicted by reports from the Daily Mail that believe the Lazio coach, Edy Reja, vetoed the move due to 'some misgivings about Santa Cruz's tactical aptitude as well as his technical attributes.' In other words, he has misgivings about whether or not Santa Cruz is useless! It only really leaves Crocky room to be admired for his physical abilities, which would be considerable if reliability isn't an important factor.

Now, in Italy, it has been known for the coach to have a limited input on transfer dealings, so Reja's reported feelings about Santa Cruz may not matter too much. But Roque may have some work to do before January to impress upon Reja that his recent form has largely been the product of unreliable fitness.

Santa Cruz's agent was quoted as saying:

"Santa Cruz is a great professional and he will give everything for Manchester City."

In the 25 and with the games coming thick and fast this season, he should get the chance to prove this on the pitch - and I think Mancini would respond well to a fully committed and professional Santa Cruz. We need someone to lead the line and to act as a foil for Tevez and that is what Santa Cruz is made to do. He has shown few signs of becoming that man for City, but forever short on fitness and confidence, we certainly haven't seen the best of him either. He has everything to gain from showing the desire to be part of the team - whether it is to push his way closer to the City team, or just to prove to Reja that his failing body is worth the gamble in January.