March has been a pivotal month for SWP in his second stint at City. Revered by the fans for what he has done for the club, the grumbles don't often reach the stadium (at least audibly) but a growing number must now be questioning what future Shauny has at the club.
With the financial backing available and the ambition to support it, any player who doesn't seem to be a vital part of the squad must be living in fear of the summer. Since Mancini's arrival Shaun has, injuries permitting, seen himself fall behind Johnson, Bellamy and a fit Petrov in the pecking order, and with regular transfer rumours in the papers about City's interest in wide players, SWP would be forgiven for thinking his days are numbered as a force at City. Hence, in my opinion, his contract demands.
The month started in explosive form for him as an England substitute against Egypt, where he came on for his lacklustre competitor, Theo Walcott, and both scored and assisted in a strong second half display - a display which, people said at the time, would as good as guarantee him a spot on the plane to South Africa. Perhaps on the strength of this cameo, both Ian Wright and Shaun came out to talk about wage demands in the same week. A move which, I believe, rather than being greedy, sought to test the club's belief in him at a time when he was beginning to doubt his importance to the City team. Ill-advised, as he has appeared to be in his career, Shaun would always have been better off proving his worth on the pitch.
So what better managing than to send him out for a start in the next game against Sunderland. Mancini persevered with a lacklustre display from him until the 73rd minute, when Adam Johnson replaced him with a match-saving display - which dislodged him for the rest of the month. He managed six minutes against Fulham, struggled to influence the game after coming on after 41mins against Everton, and then was taken off at half-time, despite some promise, against Wigan. Unlucky perhaps, but hardly the type of involvement of a certain starter like Bridge with whom he wants pay parity.
One of the problems may be the Italian philosophy of football - where technique rules over rush and commitment. Shaun is at his breath-taking best when he is flying at players and has little time to think - give him time to think about a pass, or a shot, and he is often found lacking. I do not know the workings of Mancini's mind, but I think it is fair to say an Italian footballing education would be looking for more technical ability from its wide players.
I love Shaun for all he has done for the club, but I fear he doesn't fit into the plans anymore, and furthermore, I don't think he is showing the attitude to be able to fight for it. He has always been a confidence player and the general uncertainty he has in part created around himself is probably affecting his performances, but then it is only down to him to be able to change that.
A number of comments surrounding this subject have revealed Shaun's frustration since the arrival of Mancini - why, when the rumour mongerers started putting it about that Mancini would only last til Mourinho's arrival in the summer, announce to the press that Mourinho is the best manager you have ever worked with? And even with this story his comments seem to run against the popular belief that Cook and Marwood are solely in charge of these sort of matters: "At one stage I was very confident that would happen. It looked like everything would be sorted when Mark Hughes was in charge. He was keen to agree a new deal. But since he left, there has been nothing."
There is no doubt he is frustrated with things at the moment, especially as he faces slipping out of the World Cup squad in the same tantalising fashion that he did last time, but he has to take some responsibility himself. If he believes strongly enough in himself, then the only way to do the talking is on the pitch - and the quicker he realises it, the greater chance he has of saving his City and international career. With only seven games remaining, his time is running out.
Wednesday, 31 March 2010
Tuesday, 30 March 2010
Wigan player ratings
Given 7.
Good save from Scharner and looked assured on crosses. May be glad Moreno and Rodallega put their chances wide, but looked comfortable.
Zabaleta 6.
Rodallega proved to be a test that he was not always on top of and the booking puts him out of the trip to Burnley and the home game against Birmingham.
Toure 6.
Doesn't always inspire confidence but defended pretty soundly.
Kompany 7.
His reading of the game is excellent and he used to limit the lively Moreno on a number of occasions.
Garrido 7.
Thought he did well. Is good to have someone at the back who can play a bit of football as well. Fairly comfortable defensively and supported the attack well, including an assist for Tevez's second.
Wright-Phillips 6.
Unlucky to be withdrawn at half-time. His runs caused some problems and he set up the best chance of the half for Tevez.
De Jong 6.
A bit overrun due to an off-the-pace Vieira, but coped well and was thankful that the red card lightened his load.
Vieira 5.
Would've been a four if it weren't for some quite incisive passes in the second half - including the one that confused Stojkovic into the first goal. Looked a long way behind the game though for large periods and the red card gave him the extra space he needed.
Johnson 7.
Had the beating of Figueroa in the second half and his running caused Wigan a lot of problems. The final ball was not always on for him but he kept asking questions of Wigan's defence.
Tevez 9.
Superb. Brimming with confidence, he ran at defenders, he opened up play, he was both the most creative player as well as the greatest goal threat (his through-ball that put Adebayor one-on-one with the keeper was exquisite), and he won the three points with his second hat-trick under Mancini.
Adebayor 7.
Worked very hard. Spread and linked up play well. Perhaps the lack of games recently accounted for him fading a bit towards the end.
Substitutes:
Bellamy (on for Wright-Phillips, 45mins) 7.
Made a big difference. Ran at Wigan on every opportunity. Came inside looking to influence the game and always wanted the ball. May even have scored at the end.
Sylvinho (on for Tevez, 88mins) N/A.
Main role was to give Tevez a standing ovation.
Onuoha (on for Garrido, 88mins) N/A.
At least he is becoming more involved now, but he will want more game-time to prove his worth to Mancini.
My man of the match: Carlos Tevez.
Good save from Scharner and looked assured on crosses. May be glad Moreno and Rodallega put their chances wide, but looked comfortable.
Zabaleta 6.
Rodallega proved to be a test that he was not always on top of and the booking puts him out of the trip to Burnley and the home game against Birmingham.
Toure 6.
Doesn't always inspire confidence but defended pretty soundly.
Kompany 7.
His reading of the game is excellent and he used to limit the lively Moreno on a number of occasions.
Garrido 7.
Thought he did well. Is good to have someone at the back who can play a bit of football as well. Fairly comfortable defensively and supported the attack well, including an assist for Tevez's second.
Wright-Phillips 6.
Unlucky to be withdrawn at half-time. His runs caused some problems and he set up the best chance of the half for Tevez.
De Jong 6.
A bit overrun due to an off-the-pace Vieira, but coped well and was thankful that the red card lightened his load.
Vieira 5.
Would've been a four if it weren't for some quite incisive passes in the second half - including the one that confused Stojkovic into the first goal. Looked a long way behind the game though for large periods and the red card gave him the extra space he needed.
Johnson 7.
Had the beating of Figueroa in the second half and his running caused Wigan a lot of problems. The final ball was not always on for him but he kept asking questions of Wigan's defence.
Tevez 9.
Superb. Brimming with confidence, he ran at defenders, he opened up play, he was both the most creative player as well as the greatest goal threat (his through-ball that put Adebayor one-on-one with the keeper was exquisite), and he won the three points with his second hat-trick under Mancini.
Adebayor 7.
Worked very hard. Spread and linked up play well. Perhaps the lack of games recently accounted for him fading a bit towards the end.
Substitutes:
Bellamy (on for Wright-Phillips, 45mins) 7.
Made a big difference. Ran at Wigan on every opportunity. Came inside looking to influence the game and always wanted the ball. May even have scored at the end.
Sylvinho (on for Tevez, 88mins) N/A.
Main role was to give Tevez a standing ovation.
Onuoha (on for Garrido, 88mins) N/A.
At least he is becoming more involved now, but he will want more game-time to prove his worth to Mancini.
My man of the match: Carlos Tevez.
City 3 - 0 Wigan
Not an entirely convincing three-nil win, but a three-nil win nonetheless. City were a little out of sorts first half, but you would be excused from thinking we had lost the game reading some reports across the internet. Yes, Wigan put up a spirited display, and the game was much closer than the scoreline perhaps suggests, but I was still confident City would score before Caldwell's red card - which, from where I was sitting, I couldn't make head or tail of through a wall of players.
Wigan set up like Everton, but with a deeper-lying Cahill figure. Which, mostly owing to the off-the-pace Vieira, meant City really struggled to control the midfield in the first-half. And this led to most of the frustration. Wigan looked assured and comfortable - which is testament to Martinez's style - and they certainly weren't without threat, but City still had the best chances of the half - the block on Adebayor, the close ranger from Tevez, and the Torres-esque curler from Tevez. Scharner forced a good save from Given, but it wasn't close enough to the corner to really worry him.
The red card certainly made things easier. Scharner was pulled out of midfield and suddenly Vieira had the time he needed and De Jong was able to cover better. The increased freedom wasn't without the odd scare from Wigan though and the impressive Moreno fired narrowly wide and Rodallega perhaps should have done better with another close miss.
Ludicrous goalkeeping gave City the break they needed and sparked the 12 minute hat-trick from the outstanding Carlos Tevez. The only worry about these games lately is the gulf between Tevez's performances and some of his teammates. Would City be winning these games without him? His influence in everything City did last night suggests we'd struggle. He is quickly establishing himself as a City legend!
The need for a creative midfielder was there again. When forced, there aren't many options to come from our midfield pairings and with Ireland seemingly unable to play in an ordinary midfield role, that position has to be the priority for the summer. Mancini knows Ireland cannot play in the deeper role and has always adapted the team to suit his position when he has been picked, but the side needs someone who can dictate the game in an attacking sense from midfield, not just in a battling sense. You feel this is part of the legacy of Mark Hughes - attacking in formations earlier this season, but not in personnel.
Not entirely convincing from City, but three points were always going to be the main thing. Keeping within touching distance of Tottenham was important considering their next three games should see them dropping points.
Wigan set up like Everton, but with a deeper-lying Cahill figure. Which, mostly owing to the off-the-pace Vieira, meant City really struggled to control the midfield in the first-half. And this led to most of the frustration. Wigan looked assured and comfortable - which is testament to Martinez's style - and they certainly weren't without threat, but City still had the best chances of the half - the block on Adebayor, the close ranger from Tevez, and the Torres-esque curler from Tevez. Scharner forced a good save from Given, but it wasn't close enough to the corner to really worry him.
The red card certainly made things easier. Scharner was pulled out of midfield and suddenly Vieira had the time he needed and De Jong was able to cover better. The increased freedom wasn't without the odd scare from Wigan though and the impressive Moreno fired narrowly wide and Rodallega perhaps should have done better with another close miss.
Ludicrous goalkeeping gave City the break they needed and sparked the 12 minute hat-trick from the outstanding Carlos Tevez. The only worry about these games lately is the gulf between Tevez's performances and some of his teammates. Would City be winning these games without him? His influence in everything City did last night suggests we'd struggle. He is quickly establishing himself as a City legend!
The need for a creative midfielder was there again. When forced, there aren't many options to come from our midfield pairings and with Ireland seemingly unable to play in an ordinary midfield role, that position has to be the priority for the summer. Mancini knows Ireland cannot play in the deeper role and has always adapted the team to suit his position when he has been picked, but the side needs someone who can dictate the game in an attacking sense from midfield, not just in a battling sense. You feel this is part of the legacy of Mark Hughes - attacking in formations earlier this season, but not in personnel.
Not entirely convincing from City, but three points were always going to be the main thing. Keeping within touching distance of Tottenham was important considering their next three games should see them dropping points.
Sunday, 28 March 2010
Wigan preview
The Wigan game is the perfect chance for City to test their 'bouncebackability'. Statistics are pointless on the whole, but it is reassuring to know that City have won every game following their previous four losses of this season. This will be more important than ever if City aren't to lose touch with Tottenham - who are sitting five points above us now - not insurmountable considering the final home clash of the season, but still not favourable psychologically. Micah sees this as the pressure being passed to Tottenham, but surely this is only the case if we resign ourselves to losing the battle with them.
Wigan themselves are an unpredictable opponent. Traditionally we have struggled against them in the Premier League, but this was before Roberto Martinez came along and opened up their style a bit. I watched their victory over Liverpool, when even Liverpool's mediocrity couldn't mask a very good performance from Wigan - where players like N'Zogbia, Diame, McCarthy and Figueroa looked top-class, but then the following game they crashed to a 4-0 defeat against Bolton. The star performer from that Liverpool game, N'Zogbia is out of tomorrow night's encounter - which could allow for the more attacking option of Garrido at left-back.
Martinez has been vocal in his support for Mancini and his success since joining City - "He is an extremely experienced and talented manager and he has given that extra spice to the Premier League." Martinez's teams like to play football and this should hopefully play to City's strengths.
Adebayor makes a welcome return upfront for City and hopefully he can continue the improving form he was showing before his suspension. Tevez could benefit from having a partner to play off - as he did successfully against Fulham with Santa Cruz. After resting De Jong at Fulham, I think it could be Barry's turn against Wigan, as he is still looking a little leaden at the moment and as Vieira only played a small part against Everton, he should be ready to start again.
Mancini is beginning to be known for his Tinkerman-esque changes, so it is hard to pick a probable team, but I think he will opt for an attacking eleven. Possible team:
Given; Zabaleta, Kompany, Toure, Garrido; Johnson, De Jong, Vieira, Bellamy; Tevez, Adebayor.
I think this could be a must win game if we are to stay in the battle for fourth and it will be important for City to react in the right way to the Everton result.
Wigan themselves are an unpredictable opponent. Traditionally we have struggled against them in the Premier League, but this was before Roberto Martinez came along and opened up their style a bit. I watched their victory over Liverpool, when even Liverpool's mediocrity couldn't mask a very good performance from Wigan - where players like N'Zogbia, Diame, McCarthy and Figueroa looked top-class, but then the following game they crashed to a 4-0 defeat against Bolton. The star performer from that Liverpool game, N'Zogbia is out of tomorrow night's encounter - which could allow for the more attacking option of Garrido at left-back.
Martinez has been vocal in his support for Mancini and his success since joining City - "He is an extremely experienced and talented manager and he has given that extra spice to the Premier League." Martinez's teams like to play football and this should hopefully play to City's strengths.
Adebayor makes a welcome return upfront for City and hopefully he can continue the improving form he was showing before his suspension. Tevez could benefit from having a partner to play off - as he did successfully against Fulham with Santa Cruz. After resting De Jong at Fulham, I think it could be Barry's turn against Wigan, as he is still looking a little leaden at the moment and as Vieira only played a small part against Everton, he should be ready to start again.
Mancini is beginning to be known for his Tinkerman-esque changes, so it is hard to pick a probable team, but I think he will opt for an attacking eleven. Possible team:
Given; Zabaleta, Kompany, Toure, Garrido; Johnson, De Jong, Vieira, Bellamy; Tevez, Adebayor.
I think this could be a must win game if we are to stay in the battle for fourth and it will be important for City to react in the right way to the Everton result.
Kolo urges Mancini stay - Managerial stability is key
It is reassuring to hear Kolo supporting Mancini today and ridiculing suggestions of a new manager in the summer. He says "It's really difficult to beat us and what he brings is that everytime we play, we feel really strong. He's bringing experience and he knows what he wants to do for this club and he needs time."
He goes on to one of my favourite arguments: "You can't keep changing managers. Every time the players have to adapt to a new strategy and the thinking of the new manager, which is really difficult and takes time." The last two sackings, Sven and Hughes, have created friction amongst the players and a change of regime always puts the squad back at square one. There is always the initial-impact factor, but for true success a manager needs time to instil his beliefs on a team.
Kolo goes on to say "With Roberto we're starting to know what he really wants and he's working well." Which suggests that Mancini's communication, and understanding of the English game, is improving and, despite the blip against Everton, I think that is beginning to show on the pitch.
I wrote in more detail on the merits of managerial stability a couple of weeks ago after Real Madrid's exit from the Champions league:
Paul Wilson, in the Observer this morning, has written about the managerial instability at Real Madrid and how it is hindering their chances of success:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2010/mar/14/real-madrid-champions-league
He uses the European success of United and Arsenal this week to contrast with Real. The answer, he says, comes down to managerial stability. After their exit to Lyon at the first-knockout phase of the Champions league - the sixth year running they have fallen out at this stage of the competition - the Spanish papers were screaming for Pellegrini's head. Real have had 24 managers in the last 24 seasons and as such resemble a group of the world's most gifted players but by no means a team. Never has one manager in their recent history been allowed to develop his vision for the team. Nor really have a set of players been able to develop partnerships and relationships with each other. And this shows. With the talent available at that team, you'd imagine a settled year would produce a more competitive team next season. But it is highly unlikely that will happen, even though they look on course to win La Liga.
The same goes for QPR, as mentioned in a previous post. Despite being the richest club in the Championship, they have been struggling for the past few seasons precisely because of this instability. Neil Warnock is their fifth manager of this season. Newcastle too have suffered through this type of mismanagement.
Even if City finish a very disappointing seventh this season, Mancini should be allowed to stay and develop what he started, just as Hughes argued he should have been allowed time to see through his plan for his burgeoning 'project'.
Just as Real Madrid have proved this week, money is incredibly important in football nowadays, but people (fans and media) should differentiate between money and what makes a winning team. Money is never enough on its own and a manager, with very few exceptions, can never be expected to produce the pinnacle of his work in his first view months in charge - in any profession. Although money breeds an impatience for success, that success won't be attained without a little patience.
-
If anything, the defeat to Everton should act as further evidence to the owners that to build a true team long-term stability is needed.
He goes on to one of my favourite arguments: "You can't keep changing managers. Every time the players have to adapt to a new strategy and the thinking of the new manager, which is really difficult and takes time." The last two sackings, Sven and Hughes, have created friction amongst the players and a change of regime always puts the squad back at square one. There is always the initial-impact factor, but for true success a manager needs time to instil his beliefs on a team.
Kolo goes on to say "With Roberto we're starting to know what he really wants and he's working well." Which suggests that Mancini's communication, and understanding of the English game, is improving and, despite the blip against Everton, I think that is beginning to show on the pitch.
I wrote in more detail on the merits of managerial stability a couple of weeks ago after Real Madrid's exit from the Champions league:
Paul Wilson, in the Observer this morning, has written about the managerial instability at Real Madrid and how it is hindering their chances of success:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2010/mar/14/real-madrid-champions-league
He uses the European success of United and Arsenal this week to contrast with Real. The answer, he says, comes down to managerial stability. After their exit to Lyon at the first-knockout phase of the Champions league - the sixth year running they have fallen out at this stage of the competition - the Spanish papers were screaming for Pellegrini's head. Real have had 24 managers in the last 24 seasons and as such resemble a group of the world's most gifted players but by no means a team. Never has one manager in their recent history been allowed to develop his vision for the team. Nor really have a set of players been able to develop partnerships and relationships with each other. And this shows. With the talent available at that team, you'd imagine a settled year would produce a more competitive team next season. But it is highly unlikely that will happen, even though they look on course to win La Liga.
The same goes for QPR, as mentioned in a previous post. Despite being the richest club in the Championship, they have been struggling for the past few seasons precisely because of this instability. Neil Warnock is their fifth manager of this season. Newcastle too have suffered through this type of mismanagement.
Even if City finish a very disappointing seventh this season, Mancini should be allowed to stay and develop what he started, just as Hughes argued he should have been allowed time to see through his plan for his burgeoning 'project'.
Just as Real Madrid have proved this week, money is incredibly important in football nowadays, but people (fans and media) should differentiate between money and what makes a winning team. Money is never enough on its own and a manager, with very few exceptions, can never be expected to produce the pinnacle of his work in his first view months in charge - in any profession. Although money breeds an impatience for success, that success won't be attained without a little patience.
-
If anything, the defeat to Everton should act as further evidence to the owners that to build a true team long-term stability is needed.
Thursday, 25 March 2010
Transfer rumours: The New Zidane
What was strikingly obvious in last night's game against Everton is that City lack a player who can unpick a defence, like Ali Bernabia once did. Stephen Ireland is that man in the squad, but if he is unfit or misfiring as has been the case in a frustrating season for him, then there aren't many creative options left to choose from.
Pretending for one moment that all the rumours we hear are true, which of course they aren't, City would appear to be in the market for creative flair players: Martinez, Cavani, Krasnic, and new Zidane - Sofiane Feghouli. I have to say, I know nothing about him that I haven't just read on wikipedia, but the introductory passage on there describes him as a player who "is more noted for creating goals than scoring them". From what they describe, he sounds like a poorly advised player, who has let a bright reputation persuade him to let his contract run out this summer. At twenty, he fits in with the "transfer acquisition strategy" (Cook 2009) of sourcing the world's best young talent.
City rely too much on the pace of the likes of Bellamy for attacking on the break. When a team sits deep and soaks us up, like Everton last night, City cry out for a creative influence in the centre of midfield. If Ireland cannot slot into the deeper position as part of a central two, then Mancini will probably look to bolster the squad with a player who is more rounded - like Gago for instance.
The player who would be perfect for that role, of course, is Michael Johnson - but it will take some time for him to recover his full level of ability after so long on the treatment table.
Acquiring a creative central midfielder in the summer, who can play alongside a Barry, De Jong or Vieira, would give City an extra dimension, and could be enough to transform a few of the points dropped this season.
Pretending for one moment that all the rumours we hear are true, which of course they aren't, City would appear to be in the market for creative flair players: Martinez, Cavani, Krasnic, and new Zidane - Sofiane Feghouli. I have to say, I know nothing about him that I haven't just read on wikipedia, but the introductory passage on there describes him as a player who "is more noted for creating goals than scoring them". From what they describe, he sounds like a poorly advised player, who has let a bright reputation persuade him to let his contract run out this summer. At twenty, he fits in with the "transfer acquisition strategy" (Cook 2009) of sourcing the world's best young talent.
City rely too much on the pace of the likes of Bellamy for attacking on the break. When a team sits deep and soaks us up, like Everton last night, City cry out for a creative influence in the centre of midfield. If Ireland cannot slot into the deeper position as part of a central two, then Mancini will probably look to bolster the squad with a player who is more rounded - like Gago for instance.
The player who would be perfect for that role, of course, is Michael Johnson - but it will take some time for him to recover his full level of ability after so long on the treatment table.
Acquiring a creative central midfielder in the summer, who can play alongside a Barry, De Jong or Vieira, would give City an extra dimension, and could be enough to transform a few of the points dropped this season.
Everton player ratings
Given 6.
Not to blame for either goal and wasn't tested much besides. Looked more assured on crosses but slightly wobbly on distribution.
Richards 6.
Enthusiastic enough going forward and some crunching tackles early on, and actually kept Pienaar quite quiet. Positional awareness still liable to leave us exposed on the right though. Short, flat passes to player in right-wing position often put City on the back foot.
Toure 6.
Looked quite nervous at times and won only a few of the aerial tussles with Saha. Was actually quite an asset going forward with his runs, would be interesting to see if he could cut it in midfield - was signed by Wenger as a right-winger apparently.
Kompany 6.
Not as good as recent performances but, bar a couple of wobbles and some slightly shaky distribution, stood up to the test.
Zabaleta 7.
The only player along the back line who looked forward with conviction - Everton did limit City's options for a pass from defence, but it was only really Zab who worked at it.
De Jong 6.
Harried well til the end but as Eveton managed to place the creative burden on him and Barry, he struggled to influence the game in that way as it is not really what he is there for.
Barry 6.
Had a good first half, but he, like De Jong, struggled to break Everton down in the second.
Ireland 5.
A bit mixed during his time on, but was the man capable of unlocking a strong Everton resistance - and his injury cost City.
Johnson 6.
Unable to influence the game too much and withdrawn shortly after half-time.
Bellamy 5.
A deep lying Everton defence cut off the threat of his pace and, as much as I hate to say it, was played well by Neville.
Tevez 7.
Tried many times to make it happen on his own. Excellent workrate as ever, and managed to carve out some opportunities for himself. Struggled with the sheer size of the Everton defence though.
Substitutes:
Wright-Phillips (on for Ireland, 41mins) 5.
Struggled to influence the game. Touch was fairly poor and lack of targets meant his crossing was mainly in vain.
Santa Cruz (on for Johnson, 57mins) 5.
Increasingly used as a target as City ran out of ideas and patience, but was well-matched by Distin and Jagielka in aerial battles.
Vieira (on for Richards, 75mins) 6.
A fairly uneventful fifteen minutes for him.
My man of the match: Tevez.
Not to blame for either goal and wasn't tested much besides. Looked more assured on crosses but slightly wobbly on distribution.
Richards 6.
Enthusiastic enough going forward and some crunching tackles early on, and actually kept Pienaar quite quiet. Positional awareness still liable to leave us exposed on the right though. Short, flat passes to player in right-wing position often put City on the back foot.
Toure 6.
Looked quite nervous at times and won only a few of the aerial tussles with Saha. Was actually quite an asset going forward with his runs, would be interesting to see if he could cut it in midfield - was signed by Wenger as a right-winger apparently.
Kompany 6.
Not as good as recent performances but, bar a couple of wobbles and some slightly shaky distribution, stood up to the test.
Zabaleta 7.
The only player along the back line who looked forward with conviction - Everton did limit City's options for a pass from defence, but it was only really Zab who worked at it.
De Jong 6.
Harried well til the end but as Eveton managed to place the creative burden on him and Barry, he struggled to influence the game in that way as it is not really what he is there for.
Barry 6.
Had a good first half, but he, like De Jong, struggled to break Everton down in the second.
Ireland 5.
A bit mixed during his time on, but was the man capable of unlocking a strong Everton resistance - and his injury cost City.
Johnson 6.
Unable to influence the game too much and withdrawn shortly after half-time.
Bellamy 5.
A deep lying Everton defence cut off the threat of his pace and, as much as I hate to say it, was played well by Neville.
Tevez 7.
Tried many times to make it happen on his own. Excellent workrate as ever, and managed to carve out some opportunities for himself. Struggled with the sheer size of the Everton defence though.
Substitutes:
Wright-Phillips (on for Ireland, 41mins) 5.
Struggled to influence the game. Touch was fairly poor and lack of targets meant his crossing was mainly in vain.
Santa Cruz (on for Johnson, 57mins) 5.
Increasingly used as a target as City ran out of ideas and patience, but was well-matched by Distin and Jagielka in aerial battles.
Vieira (on for Richards, 75mins) 6.
A fairly uneventful fifteen minutes for him.
My man of the match: Tevez.
City 0 - 2 Everton
Mancini's altercation with Moyes at the end summed up a frustrating night for City. On a high from a good run of away results - seven points from nine, six from six in London - and returning to "fortress" Eastlands, there was some optimism that this would be the start of a charge at fourth place. But it is never as easy as that! Everton demolished City's impeccable home record and chalked up their third successive win at the COMS - and for all City's possession, they probably deserved it.
City started well and applied some decent pressure but Cahill's goal just after the half-hour signalled an end to that, as Everton closed up. At the time I was incensed at the award of the free-kick for Cahill's goal, but Nigel Gleghorn and the Radio Manchester team now assure me it was a foul, and I'm willing to take their word for it - but I think City failed to settle quickly enough for that free-kick, and that tiny piece of indiscipline cost us.
From then on in Everton produced a masterclass of defensive football, with the central triangle of Heitinga, Distin and Jagielka proving too colossal to break down. As City have had a lot of success this season on the break using the pace of Bellamy, Everton's deep backline pretty much negated this form of attack and City struggled to break through the wall. The withdrawal of Ireland (due to a slightly suspect looking tackle from Heitinga) meant that City lost the precise incision that even an off-form Ireland can provide - De Jong and Barry, good battlers as they are, are not the players to break down a defence.
I was surprised that there were so many changes in the team after the success of the weekend, but Mancini set out a team to match Everton's style and in fairness to him, it worked before the withdrawal of Ireland forced him into a plan B.
The refereeing deserves a mention, because it was largely to blame for the niggly atmosphere. It was always going to be a physical game, but his inconsitency was infuriating in the first half - why was Tevez booked for his first infringement (his amazingly heroic throwing of his head infront of a Jagielka clearance - a booking for dangerous play that was mainly only dangerous for himself!) when Arteta's cynical foul on Tevez as City broke clear was left unchecked. These things may not have a bearing on the outcome but they certainly have a bearing on the atmosphere, and I don't think City are as well equipped to deal with that atmosphere as Everton are.
The result is a blow for City, considering the chance was there to go fourth, and it is important that City react in the right way to this setback. It is still in our hands, as we face Tottenham at home, but it will take more clinical displays than this one to reach that fourth spot.
City started well and applied some decent pressure but Cahill's goal just after the half-hour signalled an end to that, as Everton closed up. At the time I was incensed at the award of the free-kick for Cahill's goal, but Nigel Gleghorn and the Radio Manchester team now assure me it was a foul, and I'm willing to take their word for it - but I think City failed to settle quickly enough for that free-kick, and that tiny piece of indiscipline cost us.
From then on in Everton produced a masterclass of defensive football, with the central triangle of Heitinga, Distin and Jagielka proving too colossal to break down. As City have had a lot of success this season on the break using the pace of Bellamy, Everton's deep backline pretty much negated this form of attack and City struggled to break through the wall. The withdrawal of Ireland (due to a slightly suspect looking tackle from Heitinga) meant that City lost the precise incision that even an off-form Ireland can provide - De Jong and Barry, good battlers as they are, are not the players to break down a defence.
I was surprised that there were so many changes in the team after the success of the weekend, but Mancini set out a team to match Everton's style and in fairness to him, it worked before the withdrawal of Ireland forced him into a plan B.
The refereeing deserves a mention, because it was largely to blame for the niggly atmosphere. It was always going to be a physical game, but his inconsitency was infuriating in the first half - why was Tevez booked for his first infringement (his amazingly heroic throwing of his head infront of a Jagielka clearance - a booking for dangerous play that was mainly only dangerous for himself!) when Arteta's cynical foul on Tevez as City broke clear was left unchecked. These things may not have a bearing on the outcome but they certainly have a bearing on the atmosphere, and I don't think City are as well equipped to deal with that atmosphere as Everton are.
The result is a blow for City, considering the chance was there to go fourth, and it is important that City react in the right way to this setback. It is still in our hands, as we face Tottenham at home, but it will take more clinical displays than this one to reach that fourth spot.
Wednesday, 24 March 2010
Moyes' mind-games. Everton preview pt.3
The Lescott affair has really set David Moyes against Manchester City. He seems to be overwhelmed by an idea that his club represents the very antithesis of City's riches. In doing so, he has tried to invoke an almost class-war - depicting his side as the popular working-class team that is high in spirit but blighted by rich oppressors - the biggest offenders of which are a nouveau riche City side that is full of players too distracted by their own pay packets to care for one another and the team.
Whilst it is true that the team-spirit at Everton seems very good, from all one can tell, City's isn't at all bad for a team that has largely only been together for a season. Of course, this stability is key to creating the long-term bonds that enable a good team spirit, and City are not currently in the position for that to be particularly high, but in coming seasons the turnaround of players should decrease dramatically and the added stability would help add to a growing sense of togetherness amongst the players.
Considering all the possible negative influences on the team spirit, all of which probably come down to a sense of instability and insecurity, the club could be in a far worse state than it appears to be in from the outside.
However, Moyes has sung to popular theme of mine - which is that, no matter the outcome of the race for fourth, wholesale changes in management and players would be detrimental to the club's development.
The press coverage in the build-up of this game should leave no illusions about the respective popularities of City and Everton across the nation. Arteta targets six wins from eight, Phil Neville reckons he might make the leap to South Africa, Moyes continues to be lauded for his work on a small budget - whilst Mancini is asked whether he will be sacked at the end of the season, the stability of the squad is questioned, and City's conduct in the transfer deal for Lescott is again brought into question. It was perhaps a bit naive of me to think neutrals would be happy for the increased competition in the Premier League, but City have certainly lost some public popularity (better read as sympathy) for the increased success the money has brought to the club.
Whilst it is true that the team-spirit at Everton seems very good, from all one can tell, City's isn't at all bad for a team that has largely only been together for a season. Of course, this stability is key to creating the long-term bonds that enable a good team spirit, and City are not currently in the position for that to be particularly high, but in coming seasons the turnaround of players should decrease dramatically and the added stability would help add to a growing sense of togetherness amongst the players.
Considering all the possible negative influences on the team spirit, all of which probably come down to a sense of instability and insecurity, the club could be in a far worse state than it appears to be in from the outside.
However, Moyes has sung to popular theme of mine - which is that, no matter the outcome of the race for fourth, wholesale changes in management and players would be detrimental to the club's development.
The press coverage in the build-up of this game should leave no illusions about the respective popularities of City and Everton across the nation. Arteta targets six wins from eight, Phil Neville reckons he might make the leap to South Africa, Moyes continues to be lauded for his work on a small budget - whilst Mancini is asked whether he will be sacked at the end of the season, the stability of the squad is questioned, and City's conduct in the transfer deal for Lescott is again brought into question. It was perhaps a bit naive of me to think neutrals would be happy for the increased competition in the Premier League, but City have certainly lost some public popularity (better read as sympathy) for the increased success the money has brought to the club.
Tuesday, 23 March 2010
Robinho saga discouraging Brazilians from PL
On the Guardian Football Weekly podcast, Brazilian based journalist Fernando Duarte has suggested that Robinho's struggles at City have dissuaded some potential young stars from trying their luck in the Premier League. City failed to get the best out of a number of Brazilians on a consistent basis (consistency being the key word here) - with only perhaps Glauber Berti as an exception - and this is a trend across the league (Juninho being a notable exception to the rule).
Fernando Duarte suggested that the potential stars of the future looked to Robinho, who still has world-star status in Brazil, and his suitability to the Premier League as an indicator of their potential success in England, with the light-weighted flair players discouraged as a result.
The English league, as has been proved time and time again, has physical demands that do not necessarily sit well with the Brazilian philosophy of football which favours style and design to graft and commitment.
I would love to see Robinho return to City better-adjusted for his break, but his natural talent is compromised by a league that doesn't suit players with the Brazilian philosophy as described above. Perhaps the best chance is to get players young - Neymar would probably still have time to adapt to the game, for example - but English clubs and Brazilian players alike will always think twice about the compatibility here - with Spain and Italy far better suited.
The Daily Mail Online ran a similar story today saying that Robinho has discouraged Neymar from the Premier League. The story seemed to be sourceless, but you can understand the theory behind it.
Fernando Duarte suggested that the potential stars of the future looked to Robinho, who still has world-star status in Brazil, and his suitability to the Premier League as an indicator of their potential success in England, with the light-weighted flair players discouraged as a result.
The English league, as has been proved time and time again, has physical demands that do not necessarily sit well with the Brazilian philosophy of football which favours style and design to graft and commitment.
I would love to see Robinho return to City better-adjusted for his break, but his natural talent is compromised by a league that doesn't suit players with the Brazilian philosophy as described above. Perhaps the best chance is to get players young - Neymar would probably still have time to adapt to the game, for example - but English clubs and Brazilian players alike will always think twice about the compatibility here - with Spain and Italy far better suited.
The Daily Mail Online ran a similar story today saying that Robinho has discouraged Neymar from the Premier League. The story seemed to be sourceless, but you can understand the theory behind it.
Everton preview pt.2
With six home games in the last nine, starting with Everton tomorrow, the race for fourth is in City's hands. All history as a City fan trains you to know it won't be as easy as that - Fowler could miss that penalty, Lomas might keep it in the corner - but City are in a strong position and backed by a stronger team than on those occasions. The thrashing of all City's previous records alone should be enough to prove that this is no ordinary City season.
The 2-0 defeat at Goodison in January was Mancini's toughest test as City manager yet and the score maybe even flattered City a little bit. Although the architect of that defeat was Fellaini and the City players will be happy not to have to deal with his power on this occasion. Their attributes of hard-work and organisation are complimented by the skills of Arteta and Pienaar, and their recent form suggests a team at the top of their powers.
Incidently Moyes has laughably blamed their poor start this season on the injured Joleon Lescott - funny how one man, completely detached from the Everton set-up, can completely derail a run which would have had them knocking about with Chelsea, Arsenal and United on post-Lescott-crisis form. He then qualified this outburst, like he did last time, with a reminder that it is in the past now. Quite.
Without Lescott, Mancini will probably hand a second start to Garrido, unless Zabaleta switches to left-back with Micah coming in. After the success of the weekend, I would be surprised if there were any changes - although De Jong is unlucky to now find himself on the bench. Therefore I think a probable team will be as follows:
Given; Zabaleta, Toure, Kompany, Garrido; Johnson, Vieira, Barry, Bellamy; Santa Cruz, Tevez.
Mancini dubbed this a 4-2-4 in his press conference earlier today and whilst it is true Bellamy and especially Johnson are not defensively minded players, they are still charged with the duties of a wide-midfielder. This attacking mindset - as practised in Sporting Lisbon's successful defeat of Everton in the Europa League last month - would give City the impetus, but I wouldn't be surprised to see the three-midfielders option with De Jong earlier than it was called upon against Fulham.
This is our game in hand and a win would really see City establish their fight for fourth. To occupy fourth would be a huge boost mentally for the run-in and would pass the weighting of pressure onto the chasing teams.
The 2-0 defeat at Goodison in January was Mancini's toughest test as City manager yet and the score maybe even flattered City a little bit. Although the architect of that defeat was Fellaini and the City players will be happy not to have to deal with his power on this occasion. Their attributes of hard-work and organisation are complimented by the skills of Arteta and Pienaar, and their recent form suggests a team at the top of their powers.
Incidently Moyes has laughably blamed their poor start this season on the injured Joleon Lescott - funny how one man, completely detached from the Everton set-up, can completely derail a run which would have had them knocking about with Chelsea, Arsenal and United on post-Lescott-crisis form. He then qualified this outburst, like he did last time, with a reminder that it is in the past now. Quite.
Without Lescott, Mancini will probably hand a second start to Garrido, unless Zabaleta switches to left-back with Micah coming in. After the success of the weekend, I would be surprised if there were any changes - although De Jong is unlucky to now find himself on the bench. Therefore I think a probable team will be as follows:
Given; Zabaleta, Toure, Kompany, Garrido; Johnson, Vieira, Barry, Bellamy; Santa Cruz, Tevez.
Mancini dubbed this a 4-2-4 in his press conference earlier today and whilst it is true Bellamy and especially Johnson are not defensively minded players, they are still charged with the duties of a wide-midfielder. This attacking mindset - as practised in Sporting Lisbon's successful defeat of Everton in the Europa League last month - would give City the impetus, but I wouldn't be surprised to see the three-midfielders option with De Jong earlier than it was called upon against Fulham.
This is our game in hand and a win would really see City establish their fight for fourth. To occupy fourth would be a huge boost mentally for the run-in and would pass the weighting of pressure onto the chasing teams.
Lescott out for 4-6 weeks
After a short period of mystery, the extent of Lescott's injury has now been revealed to be the slower-healing tendon injury - putting him out of action for up to six weeks. This is not only a blow for City, but shortens the chances of City-representatives in the England squad.
On the back of some impressive performances for City recently, Lescott had put together a strong argument for his inclusion this summer. Not only would he offer his versatile help in the weak left-back position (and versatility is an important attribute in a tournament where games come quickly), but he was looking like an adequate replacement for the injury-prone first-choices of Terry, Ferdinand and Upson. If, at worst, Lescott is only fit enough for selection in City's final two games of the season, will Capello have reservations about picking him.
On Lescott's side is the same theory that will hinder Adam Johnson's late claim. Capello will already have a good idea of the squad he wants to take. As Lescott made the last squad and the fact he can offer cover at left-back, should weigh in his favour. His race to be fit for City's run-in is vital though, as Capello is unlikely to pick a player who hasn't featured for his club since early March.
For City, Lescott has been our star performer of late and he can offer the aerial dominance that is lacking throughout the rest of the team. Toure is a very good defender when the ball is on the ground - a fact that facilitated his success against the ball-playing Fulham, but important tests against Carew and Crouch, for example, would have benefited from Lescott's extra inches.
The other options are academy duo Nedum and Micah. City will be hoping that Onuoha will be able to blow away the cobwebs of inactivity to be able to produce the high-level performances he is undoubtedly capable of, should he need to be called upon. Questions still remain about Micah's awareness for the role in the middle, but his extra bulk could put him in good stead against the more physical sides. The key player in Lescott's absence is Kompany and he will need to stay fit to avoid a return of Hughes-era leakiness.
On the back of some impressive performances for City recently, Lescott had put together a strong argument for his inclusion this summer. Not only would he offer his versatile help in the weak left-back position (and versatility is an important attribute in a tournament where games come quickly), but he was looking like an adequate replacement for the injury-prone first-choices of Terry, Ferdinand and Upson. If, at worst, Lescott is only fit enough for selection in City's final two games of the season, will Capello have reservations about picking him.
On Lescott's side is the same theory that will hinder Adam Johnson's late claim. Capello will already have a good idea of the squad he wants to take. As Lescott made the last squad and the fact he can offer cover at left-back, should weigh in his favour. His race to be fit for City's run-in is vital though, as Capello is unlikely to pick a player who hasn't featured for his club since early March.
For City, Lescott has been our star performer of late and he can offer the aerial dominance that is lacking throughout the rest of the team. Toure is a very good defender when the ball is on the ground - a fact that facilitated his success against the ball-playing Fulham, but important tests against Carew and Crouch, for example, would have benefited from Lescott's extra inches.
The other options are academy duo Nedum and Micah. City will be hoping that Onuoha will be able to blow away the cobwebs of inactivity to be able to produce the high-level performances he is undoubtedly capable of, should he need to be called upon. Questions still remain about Micah's awareness for the role in the middle, but his extra bulk could put him in good stead against the more physical sides. The key player in Lescott's absence is Kompany and he will need to stay fit to avoid a return of Hughes-era leakiness.
Robinho saga discouraging Brazilians from PL
On the Guardian Football Weekly podcast, Brazilian based journalist Fernando Duarte has suggested that Robinho's struggles at City have dissuaded some potential young stars from trying their luck in the Premier League. City failed to get the best out of a number of Brazilians on a consistent basis (consistency being the key word here) - with only perhaps Glauber Berti as an exception - and this is a trend across the league (Juninho being a notable exception to the rule).
Fernando Duarte suggested that the potential stars of the future looked to Robinho, who still has world-star status in Brazil, and his suitability to the Premier League as an indicator of their potential success in England, with the light-weighted flair players discouraged as a result.
The English league, as has been proved time and time again, has physical demands that do not necessarily sit well with the Brazilian philosophy of football which favours style and design to graft and commitment.
I would love to see Robinho return to City better-adjusted for his break, but his natural talent is compromised by a league that doesn't suit players with the Brazilian philosophy as described above. Perhaps the best chance is to get players young - Neymar would probably still have time to adapt to the game, for example - but English clubs and Brazilian players alike will always think twice about the compatibility here - with Spain and Italy far better suited.
The Daily Mail Online ran a similar story today saying that Robinho has discouraged Neymar from the Premier League. The story seemed to be sourceless, but you can understand the theory behind it.
Fernando Duarte suggested that the potential stars of the future looked to Robinho, who still has world-star status in Brazil, and his suitability to the Premier League as an indicator of their potential success in England, with the light-weighted flair players discouraged as a result.
The English league, as has been proved time and time again, has physical demands that do not necessarily sit well with the Brazilian philosophy of football which favours style and design to graft and commitment.
I would love to see Robinho return to City better-adjusted for his break, but his natural talent is compromised by a league that doesn't suit players with the Brazilian philosophy as described above. Perhaps the best chance is to get players young - Neymar would probably still have time to adapt to the game, for example - but English clubs and Brazilian players alike will always think twice about the compatibility here - with Spain and Italy far better suited.
The Daily Mail Online ran a similar story today saying that Robinho has discouraged Neymar from the Premier League. The story seemed to be sourceless, but you can understand the theory behind it.
Monday, 22 March 2010
Robinho saga discouraging Brazilians from PL
On the Guardian Football Weekly podcast, Brazilian based journalist Fernando Duarte has suggested that Robinho's struggles at City have dissuaded some potential young stars from trying their luck in the Premier League. City failed to get the best out of a number of Brazilians on a consistent basis (consistency being the key word here) - with only perhaps Glauber Berti as an exception - and this is a trend across the league (Juninho being a notable exception to the rule).
Fernando Duarte suggested that the potential stars of the future looked to Robinho, who still has world-star status in Brazil, and his suitability to the Premier League as an indicator of their potential success in England, with the light-weighted flair players discouraged as a result.
The English league, as has been proved time and time again, has physical demands that do not necessarily sit well with the Brazilian philosophy of football which favours style and design to graft and commitment.
I would love to see Robinho return to City better-adjusted for his break, but his natural talent is compromised by a league that doesn't suit players with the Brazilian philosophy as described above. Perhaps the best chance is to get players young - Neymar would probably still have time to adapt to the game, for example - but English clubs and Brazilian players alike will always think twice about the compatibility here - with Spain and Italy far better suited.
The Daily Mail Online ran a similar story today saying that Robinho has discouraged Neymar from the Premier League. The story seemed to be sourceless, but you can understand the theory behind it.
Fernando Duarte suggested that the potential stars of the future looked to Robinho, who still has world-star status in Brazil, and his suitability to the Premier League as an indicator of their potential success in England, with the light-weighted flair players discouraged as a result.
The English league, as has been proved time and time again, has physical demands that do not necessarily sit well with the Brazilian philosophy of football which favours style and design to graft and commitment.
I would love to see Robinho return to City better-adjusted for his break, but his natural talent is compromised by a league that doesn't suit players with the Brazilian philosophy as described above. Perhaps the best chance is to get players young - Neymar would probably still have time to adapt to the game, for example - but English clubs and Brazilian players alike will always think twice about the compatibility here - with Spain and Italy far better suited.
The Daily Mail Online ran a similar story today saying that Robinho has discouraged Neymar from the Premier League. The story seemed to be sourceless, but you can understand the theory behind it.
Five teams fighting for Europe? Everton preview pt. 1
With the absence of the Lescott side plot (although it didn't stop Moyes bringing it up last time), Mikel Arteta has come out fighting today by suggesting Everton can win six of their last eight games and claim a European spot for themselves - starting with the trip to Eastlands on Wednesday.
Everton are only five points behind Villa and six points, with a game in hand, from pipping their cross-city rivals, so Arteta's target is perhaps not too wildly optimistic. On the post-Christmas form cards, Everton would be right in the mix but it will take something very special for them to break in at this late stage. Barring something disastrous, City and Tottenham are beyond their reach with so few games remaining, but if Villa mimic their capitulation of last season (which looked a possibility judging on their Wolves performance), Everton certainly do still have something to play for.
Our very recent home form against Everton hasn't been great. A very painful injury time winner from Cahill gave Everton a 1-0 win last season, with our very own Joleon Lescott scoring in a 2-0 victory the year before. New Year's Day in 2007 was our last victory courtesy of a brace by the Greek Tragedy himself, Samaras, in a team that included such names as Trabelsi, Dabo, Weaver, Jordan and DaMarcus Beasley. Seems a lifetime ago! But if there is anything that the last few weeks have taught me, it is that the form guide does not apply to this season - and Arteta's claims that this game is "so important", apply to both teams, with City finally able to make the spare fixture count for something.
Everton are only five points behind Villa and six points, with a game in hand, from pipping their cross-city rivals, so Arteta's target is perhaps not too wildly optimistic. On the post-Christmas form cards, Everton would be right in the mix but it will take something very special for them to break in at this late stage. Barring something disastrous, City and Tottenham are beyond their reach with so few games remaining, but if Villa mimic their capitulation of last season (which looked a possibility judging on their Wolves performance), Everton certainly do still have something to play for.
Our very recent home form against Everton hasn't been great. A very painful injury time winner from Cahill gave Everton a 1-0 win last season, with our very own Joleon Lescott scoring in a 2-0 victory the year before. New Year's Day in 2007 was our last victory courtesy of a brace by the Greek Tragedy himself, Samaras, in a team that included such names as Trabelsi, Dabo, Weaver, Jordan and DaMarcus Beasley. Seems a lifetime ago! But if there is anything that the last few weeks have taught me, it is that the form guide does not apply to this season - and Arteta's claims that this game is "so important", apply to both teams, with City finally able to make the spare fixture count for something.
Sunday, 21 March 2010
Fulham player ratings
Given 6.
For the third away perfomance running, had little to do and is being offered good protection at the moment.
Zabaleta 7.
Coped very well with a Duff who has been on top form this season.
Toure 8.
An excellent performance from a player who has come under a lot of criticism this season. Made numerous key interceptions and challenges, including clearing off the line in the build up Santa Cruz's goal. Seems the winning centre-back formula is Kompany plus one.
Kompany 8.
Consistently high-level performances from Kompany have made him one of the indispensables in City's team. Had the measure of Zamora before injury took him off.
Garrido 6.
Got sucked in a few times in the first half - leaving a lot of space on the left, but settled into the game a bit more in the second.
Barry 7.
A good perfomance alongside Vieira. Moved the ball well and was unlucky to give away the penalty which gave Fulham their first chance for about an hour of play.
Vieira 8.
Majestic perfomance from the big man. Controlled the midfield. Great battler and great distribution.
Johnson 8.
Another good game for Johnson. Has great potential. Was unlucky not to score himself, but also picked out many great passes including the well weighted one over the top for Bellamy. The whispers about his South Africa chances are getting louder!
Bellamy 8.
His pace caused lots of problems for the Fulham backline and his growing understanding with Tevez is proving to be lethal. Set up both goals.
Tevez 9.
Had a hand in everything for City. Fantastically taken goal, great work ethic, but also some great vision to add to his armoury today. Brilliant.
Santa Cruz 8.
Plays an underestimated role in games like this today. Won every ball in the air, and holds up play like every good targetman should. Takes up good positions and was rewarded with a goal for running the length of the pitch to catch up with play. Hope the injury was just cramp.
Substitutes:
De Jong (for Santa Cruz, 79mins).
A steadying influence, not the man you'd want put through on goal though!
Wright-Phillips (for Johnson, 84mins).
Worried Fulham with his pace on the right-wing - pinning them back for fear of the counter. Did his bit, but a little wasteful with his opportunity.
Onuoha (for Bellamy, 90+4mins).
Too late to mark.
My Man of the Match: Carlos Tevez.
For the third away perfomance running, had little to do and is being offered good protection at the moment.
Zabaleta 7.
Coped very well with a Duff who has been on top form this season.
Toure 8.
An excellent performance from a player who has come under a lot of criticism this season. Made numerous key interceptions and challenges, including clearing off the line in the build up Santa Cruz's goal. Seems the winning centre-back formula is Kompany plus one.
Kompany 8.
Consistently high-level performances from Kompany have made him one of the indispensables in City's team. Had the measure of Zamora before injury took him off.
Garrido 6.
Got sucked in a few times in the first half - leaving a lot of space on the left, but settled into the game a bit more in the second.
Barry 7.
A good perfomance alongside Vieira. Moved the ball well and was unlucky to give away the penalty which gave Fulham their first chance for about an hour of play.
Vieira 8.
Majestic perfomance from the big man. Controlled the midfield. Great battler and great distribution.
Johnson 8.
Another good game for Johnson. Has great potential. Was unlucky not to score himself, but also picked out many great passes including the well weighted one over the top for Bellamy. The whispers about his South Africa chances are getting louder!
Bellamy 8.
His pace caused lots of problems for the Fulham backline and his growing understanding with Tevez is proving to be lethal. Set up both goals.
Tevez 9.
Had a hand in everything for City. Fantastically taken goal, great work ethic, but also some great vision to add to his armoury today. Brilliant.
Santa Cruz 8.
Plays an underestimated role in games like this today. Won every ball in the air, and holds up play like every good targetman should. Takes up good positions and was rewarded with a goal for running the length of the pitch to catch up with play. Hope the injury was just cramp.
Substitutes:
De Jong (for Santa Cruz, 79mins).
A steadying influence, not the man you'd want put through on goal though!
Wright-Phillips (for Johnson, 84mins).
Worried Fulham with his pace on the right-wing - pinning them back for fear of the counter. Did his bit, but a little wasteful with his opportunity.
Onuoha (for Bellamy, 90+4mins).
Too late to mark.
My Man of the Match: Carlos Tevez.
Fulham 1 - 2 City
With Tottenham pulling out a surprise win yesterday, these three points were vitally important to keep the pressure on. Craven Cottage is not an easy place to visit, but the level of control City showed for vast quantities of the match was exceptional - to the extent that the final push from Fulham in the last ten minutes (after a more than dubious penalty decision) would have been very unfair on the blues.
People will point to Fulham's game with Juventus as an important factor, but the same people, previous to the game, were pointing at a Fulham win because of the momentum gained by that result. The truth was City exerted the sort of superiority that our recent play has deserved.
In a further step towards silencing the doubters, Mancini fielded a very attacking line-up from the start and his wish to play in the attacking style of the second-half at Sunderland was immediately vindicated. With Bellamy and Johnson playing far up the wings, this was nearer a 4-2-4 than 4-4-2 at times, and City had enough chances to avoid the tense finale. Tevez was superb and relished the opportunity to play off a genuine targetman - his relationship with Bellamy is also growing every week and the move for Tevez's goal puts it up there amongst City's best this season.
The players coming into the side - Toure, Johnson and Vieira - were all outstanding, which is not only testament to the competition in the side but also shows what is evident from our past three games - Mancini is getting to know his side and the league more every week. To come away with seven points from the last three games - Chelsea, Fulham and Sunderland - all away from home, is a real achievement, especially as our away form is meant to be our weakness. Some would have given us four points at best from those fixtures, and with a lot of home games coming up, it is now in City's hands. Impressive stuff.
People will point to Fulham's game with Juventus as an important factor, but the same people, previous to the game, were pointing at a Fulham win because of the momentum gained by that result. The truth was City exerted the sort of superiority that our recent play has deserved.
In a further step towards silencing the doubters, Mancini fielded a very attacking line-up from the start and his wish to play in the attacking style of the second-half at Sunderland was immediately vindicated. With Bellamy and Johnson playing far up the wings, this was nearer a 4-2-4 than 4-4-2 at times, and City had enough chances to avoid the tense finale. Tevez was superb and relished the opportunity to play off a genuine targetman - his relationship with Bellamy is also growing every week and the move for Tevez's goal puts it up there amongst City's best this season.
The players coming into the side - Toure, Johnson and Vieira - were all outstanding, which is not only testament to the competition in the side but also shows what is evident from our past three games - Mancini is getting to know his side and the league more every week. To come away with seven points from the last three games - Chelsea, Fulham and Sunderland - all away from home, is a real achievement, especially as our away form is meant to be our weakness. Some would have given us four points at best from those fixtures, and with a lot of home games coming up, it is now in City's hands. Impressive stuff.
Saturday, 20 March 2010
Fulham preview
Most of the debate in the build up to this game is about how Fulham will react to their outstanding victory against Juventus in the week. With just two days in the interim, City will be hoping for an After the Lord Mayor's show type performance from a jaded Fulham side rather than a confident side riding on the success of that night - a night Hodgson said was good enough for them all to retire straight away. It is a shame from City's point of view that weak refereeing made the night easier than it should have been for Fulham - had Cannavaro remained on the pitch, it would be a far wearier Fulham side tomorrow than it is otherwise.
Fulham can welcome back Danny Murphy to the side after he missed the Juve win with a suspension and he will have to kept quiet as the hub of Fulham's creativity - a job made for our swashbuckling central midfield. Zamora is obviously the man with the form and pushing for an England place, but you get the feeling that, if he was picked for an important England game, he'd soon forget how to score goals again. City will offer a sterner challenge to him than the delapidated Juve defence on Thursday however - and if he plays a lone role, as he has been doing of late, Kompany and Lescott should be favourites in that battle.
According to the training-watch sources on the net, as I read on the Man City Issues blog, Mancini will be setting up his side to carry on where it left off against Sunderland - which rings true with his prematch comments that he wants to attack from the off, in order to win these games. The midfield suggested by the City Forum is Bellamy, Vieira, Barry and Johnson with RSC and Tevez in attack - the team that finished the game against Sunderland but with Barry in for De Jong. City certainly carried more threat once players got closer to Tevez against Sunderland and Mancini will be looking to carry on in that form.
Whether he plays 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1, or even the 4-3-2-1 of before, I think Vieira has won his place back in the midfield. Against Sunderland his ability to carry the ball forward and create attacks was vital in City's transformation, as only Barry was having limited success amongst the sitting three before his arrival. He is still getting used to the pace of the English game again, but he could be very important in the run in if our usual central creative maestro, Ireland, is not firing.
I still think Mancini will opt for Zabaleta at left-back, despite clarifying his best position as midfield in an interview this morning. Garrido does offer him good competition, and will definitely feature at some point whilst Bridge is out, but from Mancini's comments, I think he feels Zabaleta is a capable left-back. He added his name to the list of left-backs offered to him at the press conference and also speaks about his ability at left-back in this mornings interview too - and he will probably be a bit more robust for when Duff switches wings.
Depending on formation, I think a possible team could be:
Given; Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Zabaleta; Vieira, Barry; Johnson, Tevez, Bellamy; Santa Cruz.
Or if 4-3-2-1:
Given; Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Zabaleta; De Jong, Vieira, Barry; Johnson, Bellamy; Tevez.
Craven Cottage is a tough place to go and play - and Fulham have managed to beat United, Liverpool and Juventus convincingly there this season, but City have a chance if they attack from the off like in the second half against Sunderland, with the deep lying midfielders cutting off the supply from Gera and Murphy. Villa could put City into seventh going into the game against Fulham, so some points would certainly be handy to counter the pressure of that league position.
Fulham can welcome back Danny Murphy to the side after he missed the Juve win with a suspension and he will have to kept quiet as the hub of Fulham's creativity - a job made for our swashbuckling central midfield. Zamora is obviously the man with the form and pushing for an England place, but you get the feeling that, if he was picked for an important England game, he'd soon forget how to score goals again. City will offer a sterner challenge to him than the delapidated Juve defence on Thursday however - and if he plays a lone role, as he has been doing of late, Kompany and Lescott should be favourites in that battle.
According to the training-watch sources on the net, as I read on the Man City Issues blog, Mancini will be setting up his side to carry on where it left off against Sunderland - which rings true with his prematch comments that he wants to attack from the off, in order to win these games. The midfield suggested by the City Forum is Bellamy, Vieira, Barry and Johnson with RSC and Tevez in attack - the team that finished the game against Sunderland but with Barry in for De Jong. City certainly carried more threat once players got closer to Tevez against Sunderland and Mancini will be looking to carry on in that form.
Whether he plays 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1, or even the 4-3-2-1 of before, I think Vieira has won his place back in the midfield. Against Sunderland his ability to carry the ball forward and create attacks was vital in City's transformation, as only Barry was having limited success amongst the sitting three before his arrival. He is still getting used to the pace of the English game again, but he could be very important in the run in if our usual central creative maestro, Ireland, is not firing.
I still think Mancini will opt for Zabaleta at left-back, despite clarifying his best position as midfield in an interview this morning. Garrido does offer him good competition, and will definitely feature at some point whilst Bridge is out, but from Mancini's comments, I think he feels Zabaleta is a capable left-back. He added his name to the list of left-backs offered to him at the press conference and also speaks about his ability at left-back in this mornings interview too - and he will probably be a bit more robust for when Duff switches wings.
Depending on formation, I think a possible team could be:
Given; Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Zabaleta; Vieira, Barry; Johnson, Tevez, Bellamy; Santa Cruz.
Or if 4-3-2-1:
Given; Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Zabaleta; De Jong, Vieira, Barry; Johnson, Bellamy; Tevez.
Craven Cottage is a tough place to go and play - and Fulham have managed to beat United, Liverpool and Juventus convincingly there this season, but City have a chance if they attack from the off like in the second half against Sunderland, with the deep lying midfielders cutting off the supply from Gera and Murphy. Villa could put City into seventh going into the game against Fulham, so some points would certainly be handy to counter the pressure of that league position.
Friday, 19 March 2010
More on the SportCity development plans
An article published by the Building Magazine sheds further light on the scale of the proposed redevelopment of the City of Manchester Stadium:
http://www.building.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=29&storycode=3160099&c=1&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+everyarticlefrombuilding+%28Every+article+from+building.co.uk%29
According to the article, the owners are looking to add up to another 30,000 capacity to the stadium which would transform the stadium into a 78,000 seater - one of the biggest grounds in the country and the biggest in Manchester!
Furthermore, these plans were drawn up soon into the owner's spell at City, with prospective plans alledgedly used to try and woo Kaka to Eastlands. Besides the audacity of that specific transfer negogiation, this proves the extent to the owner's ambitions to establish City as one of the world's biggest clubs - on and off the field.
To have all this completed within six months of being at the club on top of all the behind-the-scenes changes wrought in that time (improvements were made to Carrington, the website, as well as working on transfer deals) is just another example of the owner's commitment to the club.
It would be fantastic to think of City filling a 78,000 seater stadium every week, but I hope work will be done to ensure that this would be possible, and that the atmosphere would not be lost up in the rafters of the stadium (the extra 30,000 would be built on top of the existing tiers). When the final designs are drawn up, it is imperative that the engineers consider how well the noise would stay inside the stadium. Upon the completion of these plans City will be hosting their games from one of the most impressive set-ups in world football - worthy of attracting players like Kaka regardless of the money that is offered to them.
http://www.building.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=29&storycode=3160099&c=1&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+everyarticlefrombuilding+%28Every+article+from+building.co.uk%29
According to the article, the owners are looking to add up to another 30,000 capacity to the stadium which would transform the stadium into a 78,000 seater - one of the biggest grounds in the country and the biggest in Manchester!
Furthermore, these plans were drawn up soon into the owner's spell at City, with prospective plans alledgedly used to try and woo Kaka to Eastlands. Besides the audacity of that specific transfer negogiation, this proves the extent to the owner's ambitions to establish City as one of the world's biggest clubs - on and off the field.
To have all this completed within six months of being at the club on top of all the behind-the-scenes changes wrought in that time (improvements were made to Carrington, the website, as well as working on transfer deals) is just another example of the owner's commitment to the club.
It would be fantastic to think of City filling a 78,000 seater stadium every week, but I hope work will be done to ensure that this would be possible, and that the atmosphere would not be lost up in the rafters of the stadium (the extra 30,000 would be built on top of the existing tiers). When the final designs are drawn up, it is imperative that the engineers consider how well the noise would stay inside the stadium. Upon the completion of these plans City will be hosting their games from one of the most impressive set-ups in world football - worthy of attracting players like Kaka regardless of the money that is offered to them.
Tottenham rearranged
To up the ante a little bit more in the showdown for fourth, City will now face both Villa and Tottenham at Eastlands within the space of five days. This means that the final home game of the season (midweek to Tottenham) could well be the decisive fixture of the season.
Already important, this increased pressure on the game should really weigh in favour of the home crowd - and we will be hoping to produce a highly-charged Hamburg-esque environment that is quite rare but very influential when it occurs. Tottenham are considered by most to be our main rivals for fourth and regardless of the results in the run up to this fixture, one would think, this game should still hold real import for the final positionings. Where best to settle it then than at home, at night, and with 48,000 eager City fans roaring the team on.
Already important, this increased pressure on the game should really weigh in favour of the home crowd - and we will be hoping to produce a highly-charged Hamburg-esque environment that is quite rare but very influential when it occurs. Tottenham are considered by most to be our main rivals for fourth and regardless of the results in the run up to this fixture, one would think, this game should still hold real import for the final positionings. Where best to settle it then than at home, at night, and with 48,000 eager City fans roaring the team on.
Jo's living it up
An interesting update from Turkey on our first big-money Brazilian, Jo. According to the "Off the Post" website, Jo has become an unpopular neighbour in Istanbul after hosting all-night parties "every night" since his arrival in Turkey. If justice reigned, upon the end of his weighty contract at City, all other clubs would recognise he has given up on football and he can start working for his living again. He has been dogged by persistent rumours about his party lifestyle whilst never living up to the potential and money that is funding it.
Arguably it is the modern football culture that is to blame. When young people suddenly find themselves with vast amounts of wealth, there is bound to be the odd casualty to the party lifestyle, but someone needs to sit Jo down and remind him that he is still meant to be earning the right to his lavish lifestyle.
It is disappointing and he will most likely spend the rest of his City contract out on loan, unless a buyer is willing to match his wages. But on a positive note, using his transfer fee as a benchmark, it makes all of City's other recruits look like well-haggled bargains.
Arguably it is the modern football culture that is to blame. When young people suddenly find themselves with vast amounts of wealth, there is bound to be the odd casualty to the party lifestyle, but someone needs to sit Jo down and remind him that he is still meant to be earning the right to his lavish lifestyle.
It is disappointing and he will most likely spend the rest of his City contract out on loan, unless a buyer is willing to match his wages. But on a positive note, using his transfer fee as a benchmark, it makes all of City's other recruits look like well-haggled bargains.
Thursday, 18 March 2010
Martinez u-turns and Real Madrid's Argentine wantaways
With the summer approaching, journalists and agents all over the place are starting to create a stir, and which club best to create a stir about? The one with the money to do something about it. It is impossible to take all the rumours seriously, but some are more persistent than others.
The most confused agent around at the moment is that of Catania's multi-positional Uruguayan Jorge Martinez. Whether by design or by mis-translation, this week Martinez's agent apparently suggested City were in advanced talks with Catania about a possible summer move, only to claim today that he has been wildly misquoted and had merely said that he had read about City's interest in the papers. Someone is guilty of fabrication here, and the journalists would have had to create quite a bit of detail from the original interview to come up with what they have.
Martinez is a tricky player and would play as a winger in the Premier League. He impressed in the win against Inter at the weekend, rounding Lucio and Julio Cesar to cap off an important 3-1 win. However, he is 26 and for a player coming to challenge for a position that is already strong at City he would need to show more potential than he perhaps does currently. After going to a Catania game in Sicily last year, I have kept an eye on Catania's performances and it remains debatable whether this exciting player would improve on the talent already at the club. Especially if a pay dispute means the return of one Robson de Souza. Mancini's close relationship with the Catania boss, Mihailovic - his right hand man at Inter and teammate of many years - would perhaps facilitate the deal, but it would probably represent a gamble.
The other persistent rumour that has returned today is that of a double-deal with Real Madrid. The Argentine pair Fernando Gago and Gonzalo Higuain are the players supposedly subject to a deal around the €40-50m mark. Mancini has openly stated he would consider another move for Gago in the summer and City came close to signing him on transfer deadline day. But Higuain is a presumably a new target. At only 22 and Real's top scorer this season, this is an exciting prospect. He has an exceptional scoring record this season but has come under criticism for his contract disputes, his performance in the Champions League exit to Lyon and for alleged differences with big-money superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. This could all pave the way for City doubling the Argentinian contingent at City, adding to Tevez and Zabaleta, and if the two new recruits have a similar work ethic to their countrymen then there is no doubt they'd settle to the pace of the Premier League with ease.
If these rumours are to be believed, it would probably signal too much competition for a number of strikers already at the club, and the positions of our returning loanees (Robinho, Jo, Bojinov, Caicedo) as well as RSC and Benjani (whose contract is up in the summer anyway) would probably be in question.
Wednesday, 17 March 2010
Ireland on the fringes
Today Stuart Brennan, over at the MEN, has written an article about the future of young Stephen Ireland:
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/manchester_city/s/1200585_ireland_at_crossroads
The piece, entitled 'Ireland at crossroads', picks out many reasons for why Ireland is struggling this season, but completely avoiding putting blame on the player himself.
Fairly typically, a good part of blame is apportioned to Mancini - "maybe Stevie Ireland and Mancini are not a good fit." Whilst crooning to the 'foamers' on that site's forums, it seems to completely forget that Ireland was just as out of sorts under Hughes this season. To suggest, as he does, that Ireland is too attacking a player for Mancini's vision of a midfielder is ludicrous. As I have said on many occasions, Mancini's Inter thrived on the deployment of flair players with creative leanings. For me, Mancini has inherited an Ireland who is out of form and is well within his rights not to select him - just as Hughes had begun to do towards the end of his time at City. For a player who looked completely out of sorts straight from the off against Blackburn this season (despite his well-taken goal), speculators must stop laying the blame on his managers and start looking at the player himself.
I am by no means an anti-Stephen Ireland, and in previous campaigns against him (previous to last season's exploits), I have always stood by him as one of the most talented players in the squad - capable of almost any pass, with sensational vision - and I still believe that capability is there now, and this makes it all the more frustrating.
I tend to think he has blown himself out over the past two years by not taking what is considered a necessary break over the summer. The tail end of years after World Cups are always rife with commentators blaming underperformance on the lack of a restful summer the year before - yet these players (especially the English internationals it is normally directed at) do have a substantial break after the premature closing of their tournament. The dizziness and heart scares of Ireland after the Fulham game do suggest he has overreached himself.
Then there is his own mindset. Ireland is young still and when one bursts onto the scene at an early age, like Micah Richards, it is sometimes hard to deal with it all. Ireland has had many documented problems with football in the past - the numerous grandmas, the "I hate football" Bebo account - and it is not unfeasible to think that those problems have not been left entirely behind. After a season of being lauded as one of the country's top performers - cruelly missing out on the Young Player of the Year award - he returned to club football this season with a lot of expectation on his head. Always trying the outlandish pass and neglecting the battling attitude of last year, his dips in performance must be put down to more than management and being played out of position.
Ireland needs to settle again before he is ready for regular selection and to have him as an option on the fringes is a luxury any team would like to have.
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/manchester_city/s/1200585_ireland_at_crossroads
The piece, entitled 'Ireland at crossroads', picks out many reasons for why Ireland is struggling this season, but completely avoiding putting blame on the player himself.
Fairly typically, a good part of blame is apportioned to Mancini - "maybe Stevie Ireland and Mancini are not a good fit." Whilst crooning to the 'foamers' on that site's forums, it seems to completely forget that Ireland was just as out of sorts under Hughes this season. To suggest, as he does, that Ireland is too attacking a player for Mancini's vision of a midfielder is ludicrous. As I have said on many occasions, Mancini's Inter thrived on the deployment of flair players with creative leanings. For me, Mancini has inherited an Ireland who is out of form and is well within his rights not to select him - just as Hughes had begun to do towards the end of his time at City. For a player who looked completely out of sorts straight from the off against Blackburn this season (despite his well-taken goal), speculators must stop laying the blame on his managers and start looking at the player himself.
I am by no means an anti-Stephen Ireland, and in previous campaigns against him (previous to last season's exploits), I have always stood by him as one of the most talented players in the squad - capable of almost any pass, with sensational vision - and I still believe that capability is there now, and this makes it all the more frustrating.
I tend to think he has blown himself out over the past two years by not taking what is considered a necessary break over the summer. The tail end of years after World Cups are always rife with commentators blaming underperformance on the lack of a restful summer the year before - yet these players (especially the English internationals it is normally directed at) do have a substantial break after the premature closing of their tournament. The dizziness and heart scares of Ireland after the Fulham game do suggest he has overreached himself.
Then there is his own mindset. Ireland is young still and when one bursts onto the scene at an early age, like Micah Richards, it is sometimes hard to deal with it all. Ireland has had many documented problems with football in the past - the numerous grandmas, the "I hate football" Bebo account - and it is not unfeasible to think that those problems have not been left entirely behind. After a season of being lauded as one of the country's top performers - cruelly missing out on the Young Player of the Year award - he returned to club football this season with a lot of expectation on his head. Always trying the outlandish pass and neglecting the battling attitude of last year, his dips in performance must be put down to more than management and being played out of position.
Ireland needs to settle again before he is ready for regular selection and to have him as an option on the fringes is a luxury any team would like to have.
Bridge out
In another twist to the uncomfortable life and times of Wayne Bridge, he now faces up to a month out after a hernia operation. This would put him out of contention for the games against Fulham, Everton, Wigan, Burnley and Birmingham, with the possibility of a return for the derby.
Bridge has performed quite well under the spotlight in the recent months and City will be hoping the "up to" a month is a little less, with some reports suggesting he will only be two weeks away from a return to the first team. Evidently this is all conjecture and City should be looking at the options for up to the next five games.
The worrying thing for Sylvinho and Garrido is that Bridge has been replaced a number of times in recent games and they have never been selected for their natural position. Admittedly, Bridge is often withdrawn for a change of emphasis - RSC came on for him on Saturday with Zabaleta covering him at left back - and Garrido hasn't made the bench in recent weeks, but this does seem to suggest a reluctance on Mancini's part to opt for either of them in that position - often prefering Barry there.
A couple of times on Bridge's initial absence (upon the arrival of Mancini), Zabaleta was prefered at left back anyway, despite being predominately right-footed, and I would suggest Mancini may favour this option again. He seems to regard Sylvinho as a versatile midfield option now, so I should think it will come down to Zabaleta or Garrido.
Lescott is another option, but I hope he is kept in the centre so that the blossoming partnership between him and Kompany is allowed to keep growing. Likewise Barry will be hoping to continue in central midfield, although a coming to form for Vieira may accomodate a brief move for him to leftback.
It depends on how Mancini wishes to use Zabaleta. He has become a bit of a utility player of late - taking up three positions in the last game alone. If this is how Mancini sees him - rather than as his first-choice rightback, for example - then I think Zabaleta may be plying his trade at leftback for the next five games or so.
Bridge has performed quite well under the spotlight in the recent months and City will be hoping the "up to" a month is a little less, with some reports suggesting he will only be two weeks away from a return to the first team. Evidently this is all conjecture and City should be looking at the options for up to the next five games.
The worrying thing for Sylvinho and Garrido is that Bridge has been replaced a number of times in recent games and they have never been selected for their natural position. Admittedly, Bridge is often withdrawn for a change of emphasis - RSC came on for him on Saturday with Zabaleta covering him at left back - and Garrido hasn't made the bench in recent weeks, but this does seem to suggest a reluctance on Mancini's part to opt for either of them in that position - often prefering Barry there.
A couple of times on Bridge's initial absence (upon the arrival of Mancini), Zabaleta was prefered at left back anyway, despite being predominately right-footed, and I would suggest Mancini may favour this option again. He seems to regard Sylvinho as a versatile midfield option now, so I should think it will come down to Zabaleta or Garrido.
Lescott is another option, but I hope he is kept in the centre so that the blossoming partnership between him and Kompany is allowed to keep growing. Likewise Barry will be hoping to continue in central midfield, although a coming to form for Vieira may accomodate a brief move for him to leftback.
It depends on how Mancini wishes to use Zabaleta. He has become a bit of a utility player of late - taking up three positions in the last game alone. If this is how Mancini sees him - rather than as his first-choice rightback, for example - then I think Zabaleta may be plying his trade at leftback for the next five games or so.
Sunday, 14 March 2010
Sunderland Player Ratings
Given 6.
Despite a lot of Sunderland pressure in the first half, didn't have much to test him. A little flat footed for goal if being very critical, but didn't have much chance.
Richards 5.
Offered something going forward but looked a little lost defensively with Malbranque (who is always a threat against City). Could have done more to stop his cross for the goal.
Kompany 7.
A bit mixed, but reads the game very well and made some strong challenges and interceptions.
Lescott 8.
Very strong at the back. Beginning to look worth the £24million!
Bridge 6.
Only lasted half and hour.
Zabaleta 6.
Played in three positions. Fought as you'd expect him too and strong at full-back.
De Jong 6.
Some crunching tackles but unable to influence the game as much as usual.
Barry 7.
The most attack minded of a defensive midfield and caused a bit of a nuisance going forward. Seems to be moving a little more freely again.
Wright-Phillips 4.
Hasn't helped himself in bid for contract and World Cup place. Offered little going forward and chose completely the wrong option with a good chance in the second half.
Bellamy 6.
Didn't always come off for him. Worked hard but was matched for pace by Hutton - limiting his output.
Tevez 6.
Looked off the pace. Some nice touches and through balls, but ultimately well dealt with by Mensah and Turner.
Subs:
Santa Cruz 6 (on 33mins for Bridge).
Gave the side the extra-dimension it needed, but looks like what he is: a talented player who hasn't played regular football for almost two years. Guilty of a wasteful finish.
Vieira 7 (on 64mins for Richards).
Improved after his long absence. Picked out some nice passes, made a couple of top-notch tackles, but sometimes caught on the ball. Still needs to reacclimatise, but a promising cameo.
Johnson 8 (on 73mins for Wright-Phillips).
Within minutes of coming on looked a threat. Beautiful strike for equaliser and perhaps the only player today who produced real quality in the final third.
My Man of the Match: Joleon Lescott.
Despite a lot of Sunderland pressure in the first half, didn't have much to test him. A little flat footed for goal if being very critical, but didn't have much chance.
Richards 5.
Offered something going forward but looked a little lost defensively with Malbranque (who is always a threat against City). Could have done more to stop his cross for the goal.
Kompany 7.
A bit mixed, but reads the game very well and made some strong challenges and interceptions.
Lescott 8.
Very strong at the back. Beginning to look worth the £24million!
Bridge 6.
Only lasted half and hour.
Zabaleta 6.
Played in three positions. Fought as you'd expect him too and strong at full-back.
De Jong 6.
Some crunching tackles but unable to influence the game as much as usual.
Barry 7.
The most attack minded of a defensive midfield and caused a bit of a nuisance going forward. Seems to be moving a little more freely again.
Wright-Phillips 4.
Hasn't helped himself in bid for contract and World Cup place. Offered little going forward and chose completely the wrong option with a good chance in the second half.
Bellamy 6.
Didn't always come off for him. Worked hard but was matched for pace by Hutton - limiting his output.
Tevez 6.
Looked off the pace. Some nice touches and through balls, but ultimately well dealt with by Mensah and Turner.
Subs:
Santa Cruz 6 (on 33mins for Bridge).
Gave the side the extra-dimension it needed, but looks like what he is: a talented player who hasn't played regular football for almost two years. Guilty of a wasteful finish.
Vieira 7 (on 64mins for Richards).
Improved after his long absence. Picked out some nice passes, made a couple of top-notch tackles, but sometimes caught on the ball. Still needs to reacclimatise, but a promising cameo.
Johnson 8 (on 73mins for Wright-Phillips).
Within minutes of coming on looked a threat. Beautiful strike for equaliser and perhaps the only player today who produced real quality in the final third.
My Man of the Match: Joleon Lescott.
Sunderland 1 - 1 City
To roll out a well-worn cliche, this really was a game of two halves. City were completely lifeless in the first but played some very good attacking football in the second, with Sunderland having Craig Gordon to thank for coming away with a point.
Whether City wanted it enough in the first half or not - Sunderland were first to every ball, Mancini must now be looking at the 4-3-2-1 system and wondering if he can play it again. He will be criticised for being too cautious and the fact is that playing Zabaleta, De Jong and Barry across the middle puts too much onus on the wide men to carry the ball forward, as none of those three have particularly attacking tendencies. This left too much space between the midfield and Tevez, and Sunderland had little trouble retaining the ball and coming right back at us. With Bridge's injury, Mancini moved to a more 4-2-3-1, or even 4-4-2, and Santa Cruz at least offered a target and some link-up play despite still looking quite off the pace.
The second half was a different affair altogether. City came to life and played some of the best attacking football we have played under Mancini and if it wasn't for some wasteful finishing and some excellent goalkeeping, we may have come away with the three points that the first half didn't deserve. Johnson did more in his twenty minutes than SWP had threatened to do all game and it was a fine strike to start his City goal tally by.
Despite the frustration of the first half, I am pleased by the way City reacted, and a point at the Stadium of Light, where Sunderland actually have a very good record this season, despite their recent poor form, probably isn't too damaging a result. Liverpool have a good chance of relegating us to sixth tomorrow night against Portsmouth, but with those games in hand and Villa and Tottenham to visit Eastlands this result isn't as bad as it could have been. Although it does mean we will have to put some points on the board in a tricky tie away to Fulham next week to keep the pressure on.
Managerial Stability
Paul Wilson, in the Observer this morning, has written about the managerial instability at Real Madrid and how it is hindering their chances of success:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2010/mar/14/real-madrid-champions-league
He uses the European success of United and Arsenal this week to contrast with Real. The answer, he says, comes down to managerial stability. After their exit to Lyon at the first-knockout phase of the Champions league - the sixth year running they have fallen out at this stage of the competition - the Spanish papers were screaming for Pellegrini's head. Real have had 24 managers in the last 24 seasons and as such resemble a group of the world's most gifted players but by no means a team. Never has one manager in their recent history been allowed to develop his vision for the team. Nor really have a set of players been able to develop partnerships and relationships with each other. And this shows. With the talent available at that team, you'd imagine a settled year would produce a more competitive team next season. But it is highly unlikely that will happen, even though they look on course to win La Liga.
The same goes for QPR, as mentioned in a previous post. Despite being the richest club in the Championship, they have been struggling for the past few seasons precisely because of this instability. Neil Warnock is their fifth manager of this season. Newcastle too have suffered through this type of mismanagement.
Even if City finish a very disappointing seventh this season, Mancini should be allowed to stay and develop what he started, just as Hughes argued he should have been allowed time to see through his plan for his burgeoning 'project'.
Just as Real Madrid have proved this week, money is incredibly important in football nowadays, but people (fans and media) should differentiate between money and what makes a winning team. Money is never enough on its own and a manager, with very few exceptions, can never be expected to produce the pinnacle of his work in his first view months in charge - in any profession. Although money breeds an impatience for success, that success won't be attained without a little patience.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2010/mar/14/real-madrid-champions-league
He uses the European success of United and Arsenal this week to contrast with Real. The answer, he says, comes down to managerial stability. After their exit to Lyon at the first-knockout phase of the Champions league - the sixth year running they have fallen out at this stage of the competition - the Spanish papers were screaming for Pellegrini's head. Real have had 24 managers in the last 24 seasons and as such resemble a group of the world's most gifted players but by no means a team. Never has one manager in their recent history been allowed to develop his vision for the team. Nor really have a set of players been able to develop partnerships and relationships with each other. And this shows. With the talent available at that team, you'd imagine a settled year would produce a more competitive team next season. But it is highly unlikely that will happen, even though they look on course to win La Liga.
The same goes for QPR, as mentioned in a previous post. Despite being the richest club in the Championship, they have been struggling for the past few seasons precisely because of this instability. Neil Warnock is their fifth manager of this season. Newcastle too have suffered through this type of mismanagement.
Even if City finish a very disappointing seventh this season, Mancini should be allowed to stay and develop what he started, just as Hughes argued he should have been allowed time to see through his plan for his burgeoning 'project'.
Just as Real Madrid have proved this week, money is incredibly important in football nowadays, but people (fans and media) should differentiate between money and what makes a winning team. Money is never enough on its own and a manager, with very few exceptions, can never be expected to produce the pinnacle of his work in his first view months in charge - in any profession. Although money breeds an impatience for success, that success won't be attained without a little patience.
Saturday, 13 March 2010
Sunderland Preview
The game against Sunderland has been a long time coming. After beating Chelsea away with all the attributes that have previously hindered City on their travels - spirit, endeavour, ruthlessness - City would have wanted another game straight away. Yet fifteen days later, here we are, looking to face a Sunderland side who will be looking to build on a midweek 4-0 victory against Bolton that put an end to a terrible run of form. It will be City's job to stop them from believing they have turned the corner.
Statistics are fairly useless, especially when City are involved - Altidore not scored a premier league goal all season? - but City have a remarkable recent run against Sunderland and a win would see the tenth in a row against them in all competitions, home and away. Sunderland will be without Cana - one of their top performers this season - and Cattermole is a doubt after limping off in their win against Bolton. If neither of these two are available, then City's task will be made much easier - and Ireland would perhaps relish a less competitive central midfield, if he gets the chance.
Mancini is in the rare position to pick from an almost complete squad - minus Adebayor (suspension) and Martin Petrov (knee). Vieira returns from suspension and it would not be too big a surprise for him to go straight into the team considering how highly Mancini regards him. If he does, I imagine Mancini will go with another three man hardy midfield, allowing the attacking players a freer reign to break forward. The other option is Ireland in a more advanced role ahead of a screen of two of Barry, Vieira and De Jong.
Despite Toure's return, the defence should pick itself with Zabaleta continuing ahead of Richards. The only other selection issue will be wingers. Bellamy should start and then it is down to either SWP or Johnson. After all the palaver over Shauny in recent weeks, and Mancini rather tamely "berating" him in the press conference, I would imagine Mancini will give him the nod and tell him to prove his worth on the pitch rather than in the papers. As I have written about before, SWP is not going to get the deal he desires on current form, so performances on the pitch are his best option.
Possible team:
Given
Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Bridge
De Jong, Vieira, Barry
SWP, Bellamy
Tevez
With Tottenham winning this lunch time, this is an imporant game for City (as they all are from now on in!), but I shouldn't think it will be as easy as Sunderland's recent form would suggest.
Statistics are fairly useless, especially when City are involved - Altidore not scored a premier league goal all season? - but City have a remarkable recent run against Sunderland and a win would see the tenth in a row against them in all competitions, home and away. Sunderland will be without Cana - one of their top performers this season - and Cattermole is a doubt after limping off in their win against Bolton. If neither of these two are available, then City's task will be made much easier - and Ireland would perhaps relish a less competitive central midfield, if he gets the chance.
Mancini is in the rare position to pick from an almost complete squad - minus Adebayor (suspension) and Martin Petrov (knee). Vieira returns from suspension and it would not be too big a surprise for him to go straight into the team considering how highly Mancini regards him. If he does, I imagine Mancini will go with another three man hardy midfield, allowing the attacking players a freer reign to break forward. The other option is Ireland in a more advanced role ahead of a screen of two of Barry, Vieira and De Jong.
Despite Toure's return, the defence should pick itself with Zabaleta continuing ahead of Richards. The only other selection issue will be wingers. Bellamy should start and then it is down to either SWP or Johnson. After all the palaver over Shauny in recent weeks, and Mancini rather tamely "berating" him in the press conference, I would imagine Mancini will give him the nod and tell him to prove his worth on the pitch rather than in the papers. As I have written about before, SWP is not going to get the deal he desires on current form, so performances on the pitch are his best option.
Possible team:
Given
Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Bridge
De Jong, Vieira, Barry
SWP, Bellamy
Tevez
With Tottenham winning this lunch time, this is an imporant game for City (as they all are from now on in!), but I shouldn't think it will be as easy as Sunderland's recent form would suggest.
Friday, 12 March 2010
A long term project
A lot of people from outside the football club would love the plug to be pulled from under City's feet and for all the oil to slip away, leaving the comedy club they had come to know. Indeed, it is fair to say City would be a bit lost if Sheikh Mansour suddenly lost interest. So, what better news than the confirmation of long term plans to improve the infrastructure around the club. The one billion pound deal will see a new training facility, a fanzone and a "world-class sports and leisure complex."
There have been murmurs of these plans for a while and the completion confirms the ADUG promises to improve every area of the club. The proposals, including a possible stadium expansion, should create one of the most impressive footballing complexes in Europe - thus improving the stature of the club off the field. One of the primary goals of Sheikh Mansour was to improve the club's status around the world and an enviable set-up would definitely go towards achieving this aim.
I visited a friend who lives in the UAE recently and it is clear that there is a huge push at the moment from Abu Dhabi to increase its reputation across the world, particularly as it feels it has been overshadowed by the flash overspending of its neighbour, Dubai. My friend said there is a real enthusiasm for sport growing in the emirate and this is reflected by recent investments from within Abu Dhabi - City, the Yas Marina F1 complex, Ferrari, and even the possibility of an IPL team, just to name a few. The rulers in Abu Dhabi want the emirate to be world-renowned for its achievements in sport and their ambition to make City a major power in the world's most popular sport would certainly achieve that.
It will take time, but it is reassuring to see another sign from the owners of this commitment. Long may it continue!
There have been murmurs of these plans for a while and the completion confirms the ADUG promises to improve every area of the club. The proposals, including a possible stadium expansion, should create one of the most impressive footballing complexes in Europe - thus improving the stature of the club off the field. One of the primary goals of Sheikh Mansour was to improve the club's status around the world and an enviable set-up would definitely go towards achieving this aim.
I visited a friend who lives in the UAE recently and it is clear that there is a huge push at the moment from Abu Dhabi to increase its reputation across the world, particularly as it feels it has been overshadowed by the flash overspending of its neighbour, Dubai. My friend said there is a real enthusiasm for sport growing in the emirate and this is reflected by recent investments from within Abu Dhabi - City, the Yas Marina F1 complex, Ferrari, and even the possibility of an IPL team, just to name a few. The rulers in Abu Dhabi want the emirate to be world-renowned for its achievements in sport and their ambition to make City a major power in the world's most popular sport would certainly achieve that.
It will take time, but it is reassuring to see another sign from the owners of this commitment. Long may it continue!
The New Robinho for the Old Robinho
Perhaps by coincidence, a couple of pieces of news have filtered our way from Santos today. Firstly, Robinho, who seems to speak to the press almost daily (with constantly conflicting views), is reported in the Guardian to have called for an end to his City career. The wee forward, who contributed in a 10-0 routing of a fairly shambolic provincial side this week, says you only have to look at his face to ascertain what wonders Brazil is doing for his happiness, and that he hopes "that the board is already addressing the issue." Bringing us tidily to the second news story.
The agent of "the new Robinho" - 18 year old Neymar - has been talking up the chances of his player making a switch to either City or Chelsea as early as this summer. The figure quoted, in accordance with Neymar's release fee, is £32million - a large sum that could be seen as the first stake in the bargaining for Robinho's switch the other way.
Robinho is a bit of a luxury player in the Premier League - a league to which he has struggled to settle - and I would suggest City are happy to let him find a new home in the summer. In the pre-Sunderland press conference, Mancini said that "it depends on how happy he is" when quizzed about the possibility of Robinho returning. This is the kind of diplomatic answer a manager may give when moves are being negogiated.
Neymar - not the player who said he wouldn't play for City - is young enough not to succumb to the fate of many Brazilians in England. If City could get him at 18 then there is some time for him to adapt to the English game. It also fits in with the official (but not entirely believable) line that big money transfer fees will now only be concentrated on securing the best of international youth talent.
I imagine a deal would be done a good way underneath the £32m quoted, but City, if anyone, are in the luxury position to gamble money on promising youth players. Also, if it could sooth the alledged woes of our own expensive Brazilian at the same time, then I imagine it could be a deal to satisfy all parties.
The agent of "the new Robinho" - 18 year old Neymar - has been talking up the chances of his player making a switch to either City or Chelsea as early as this summer. The figure quoted, in accordance with Neymar's release fee, is £32million - a large sum that could be seen as the first stake in the bargaining for Robinho's switch the other way.
Robinho is a bit of a luxury player in the Premier League - a league to which he has struggled to settle - and I would suggest City are happy to let him find a new home in the summer. In the pre-Sunderland press conference, Mancini said that "it depends on how happy he is" when quizzed about the possibility of Robinho returning. This is the kind of diplomatic answer a manager may give when moves are being negogiated.
Neymar - not the player who said he wouldn't play for City - is young enough not to succumb to the fate of many Brazilians in England. If City could get him at 18 then there is some time for him to adapt to the English game. It also fits in with the official (but not entirely believable) line that big money transfer fees will now only be concentrated on securing the best of international youth talent.
I imagine a deal would be done a good way underneath the £32m quoted, but City, if anyone, are in the luxury position to gamble money on promising youth players. Also, if it could sooth the alledged woes of our own expensive Brazilian at the same time, then I imagine it could be a deal to satisfy all parties.
Thursday, 11 March 2010
Mancini's Style: A Defence
I orginally tried to write this article as a response to a post on another bloggers website but "technical difficulties" prevented its publication! One of the favourite moans amongst the whingers this year has been that Mancini's footballing mentality is contrary to the principles of Manchester City - which are considered to be free-flowing loose football. In the particular blog I was reading, Mancini's tactics were described as being the catenaccio of 1960s Italian football. The catenaccio was a system based almost entirely on defence - usually four man-marking defenders covered by a sweeper, with two strictly sitting central midfielders and the remaining three players (two midfielders and one striker) charged with producing goals on the break.
Modern variations on the catenaccio do still exist today - usually employed by heavy underdogs, such as Greece at the Euro's in 2004, as a means of damage limitation with the scant chance of success. However people want to dress it up, Mancini's style is hardly the catenaccio. In Italy, which you could say doesn't mean too much, Mancini is considered an attacking and adventurous manager, known for employing flair players and going for goals. So, although we probably shouldn't expect a Barca-esque style transformation next season, it is still too early to judge Mancini until he can build a team based on his footballing philosophy (whatever that may be).
People were happy to excuse Hughes endlessly at the beginning of his reign at City with "well, it isn't his squad, it isn't how he would want to play", yet the same doesn't seem to be afforded to Mancini. Arguably, the premature sacking of Hughes has created a culture around the club that demands instant success, even if you have only had a couple of months in the job. You only have to look at our fellow rich club QPR to see how quickly this culture of instability can take hold - as Neil Warnock becomes their fifth manager of the season. People talk about a defensive style disrupting the principles of Manchester City Football Club, but it is this impatient, expectant City fan that I don't recognise. I think it would be an absolute disgrace if Mancini was forced out after six months in charge and it would leave the club in a far worse position than if he were to stay and be able to develop a team of his own.
Not to forget, since he came in he hasn't had the full attacking options at his disposal - there have been absences for Adebayor, Tevez, Bellamy, Petrov, Santa Cruz and SWP (who, according to Ian Wright, The Wise, has been injured since December). For a good part of his time here, Mancini has been working with what he has left rather than picking from the whole.
Another interesting point here is the concept of the 'Italian Manager'. It is an enduring stereotype that all Italian managers will take a clean-sheet before a goal, but just a swift look around the English leagues: we have Capello, Ancelotti, Zola, Di Matteo - all of whom play an attacking brand of football - and Mancini was considered an attacking manager amongst these in Italy. Whether this proves to be true or not, I think it is only fair that Mancini, at least, gets a chance to make a team of his own.
Upon Mancini's appointment most City fans would have agreed his main challenge was to shore up an erratic defence. Within days, with threadbare options available to him, Mancini achieved this - not conceding a goal in his first three games. This being the most important improvement in the push for a Champions League place is now also the main complaint - if Mancini hears or reads any of the grumbles against him, he must be wondering exactly how much is expected of him and a club, who finished tenth in the league last season, who are well on course for setting all their premiership records.
Modern variations on the catenaccio do still exist today - usually employed by heavy underdogs, such as Greece at the Euro's in 2004, as a means of damage limitation with the scant chance of success. However people want to dress it up, Mancini's style is hardly the catenaccio. In Italy, which you could say doesn't mean too much, Mancini is considered an attacking and adventurous manager, known for employing flair players and going for goals. So, although we probably shouldn't expect a Barca-esque style transformation next season, it is still too early to judge Mancini until he can build a team based on his footballing philosophy (whatever that may be).
People were happy to excuse Hughes endlessly at the beginning of his reign at City with "well, it isn't his squad, it isn't how he would want to play", yet the same doesn't seem to be afforded to Mancini. Arguably, the premature sacking of Hughes has created a culture around the club that demands instant success, even if you have only had a couple of months in the job. You only have to look at our fellow rich club QPR to see how quickly this culture of instability can take hold - as Neil Warnock becomes their fifth manager of the season. People talk about a defensive style disrupting the principles of Manchester City Football Club, but it is this impatient, expectant City fan that I don't recognise. I think it would be an absolute disgrace if Mancini was forced out after six months in charge and it would leave the club in a far worse position than if he were to stay and be able to develop a team of his own.
Not to forget, since he came in he hasn't had the full attacking options at his disposal - there have been absences for Adebayor, Tevez, Bellamy, Petrov, Santa Cruz and SWP (who, according to Ian Wright, The Wise, has been injured since December). For a good part of his time here, Mancini has been working with what he has left rather than picking from the whole.
Another interesting point here is the concept of the 'Italian Manager'. It is an enduring stereotype that all Italian managers will take a clean-sheet before a goal, but just a swift look around the English leagues: we have Capello, Ancelotti, Zola, Di Matteo - all of whom play an attacking brand of football - and Mancini was considered an attacking manager amongst these in Italy. Whether this proves to be true or not, I think it is only fair that Mancini, at least, gets a chance to make a team of his own.
Upon Mancini's appointment most City fans would have agreed his main challenge was to shore up an erratic defence. Within days, with threadbare options available to him, Mancini achieved this - not conceding a goal in his first three games. This being the most important improvement in the push for a Champions League place is now also the main complaint - if Mancini hears or reads any of the grumbles against him, he must be wondering exactly how much is expected of him and a club, who finished tenth in the league last season, who are well on course for setting all their premiership records.
Tuesday, 9 March 2010
AJ's South African prospects
After making the provisional 30-man squad for England's friendly against Egypt, Adam Johnson has set his sights more firmly on a trip to South Africa. Today the City website runs a feature on Johnson and he said this about his world cup hopes:
"I'm closer to that now I'm at City. The World Cup squad would be difficult, but there's a lot of football to be played and there could be injuries along the way. It was a bit disappointing not to be involved at Wembley but I've still come a long way in a short space of time. But this World Cup has probably come a bit too soon for me."
Johnson is clearly an ambitious player but he has to go a lot further in an even shorter amount of time to achieve a world cup slot this summer. There are a number of factors against him. Firstly, Capello is likely to have a fairly concrete idea of who he will be taking, even at this stage, and it will take something extraordinary for him to reconsider his set. Take Walcott, for example: a player who has played a small amount of games this season and has struggled to regain any kind of form (barring last weekend), yet still he finds himself ahead of regularly high-performing contenders.
Secondly, there are a lot of wide options for Capello to think about. What plays into Johnson's hands is that they are mostly right-footed options, although Capello, like Mancini, doesn't seem to have any problems with a right-footed left-winger. Walcott, Beckham, SWP and Downing were the chosen wingers for the Egypt squad, but add to that Joe Cole, Ashley Young and even David Bentley, and there is fierce competition for four places. Evidently Johnson is one of only two natuarlly left-footed players amongst them - pitting him against old team-mate Downing again, but with Joe Cole usually employed there, and even Steven Gerrard, it will probably need the injuries Johnson suggests for him to push for a place.
It bodes well for him that he was one of seven players on the fringes of the final selection, however - and with Beckham's place in doubt after some underwhelming appearances for Milan, Johnson is entitled to think that he can fight for a place. Which can only be good for City in the remaining games. A lot of players will be playing for how they will spend the summer and this could give even further edge to what already promises to be a dramatic close to the season. Johnson has an outside chance of making the squad, if Capello opts for balance, but it is a chance.
"I'm closer to that now I'm at City. The World Cup squad would be difficult, but there's a lot of football to be played and there could be injuries along the way. It was a bit disappointing not to be involved at Wembley but I've still come a long way in a short space of time. But this World Cup has probably come a bit too soon for me."
Johnson is clearly an ambitious player but he has to go a lot further in an even shorter amount of time to achieve a world cup slot this summer. There are a number of factors against him. Firstly, Capello is likely to have a fairly concrete idea of who he will be taking, even at this stage, and it will take something extraordinary for him to reconsider his set. Take Walcott, for example: a player who has played a small amount of games this season and has struggled to regain any kind of form (barring last weekend), yet still he finds himself ahead of regularly high-performing contenders.
Secondly, there are a lot of wide options for Capello to think about. What plays into Johnson's hands is that they are mostly right-footed options, although Capello, like Mancini, doesn't seem to have any problems with a right-footed left-winger. Walcott, Beckham, SWP and Downing were the chosen wingers for the Egypt squad, but add to that Joe Cole, Ashley Young and even David Bentley, and there is fierce competition for four places. Evidently Johnson is one of only two natuarlly left-footed players amongst them - pitting him against old team-mate Downing again, but with Joe Cole usually employed there, and even Steven Gerrard, it will probably need the injuries Johnson suggests for him to push for a place.
It bodes well for him that he was one of seven players on the fringes of the final selection, however - and with Beckham's place in doubt after some underwhelming appearances for Milan, Johnson is entitled to think that he can fight for a place. Which can only be good for City in the remaining games. A lot of players will be playing for how they will spend the summer and this could give even further edge to what already promises to be a dramatic close to the season. Johnson has an outside chance of making the squad, if Capello opts for balance, but it is a chance.
Sunday, 7 March 2010
Shauny's future
It has been an interesting week for Shaun. Firstly, there was his excellent substitute display for England against Egypt - which, in far out-shining Walcott, should have gone someway to putting him on the plane to South Africa. Then, probably against his will, Ian Wright decided it was time to take Shaun's contract negogiations public.
There has been a lot said about footballing greed in the light of these comments, but I am inclined to believe SWP when he says: "This is not about my bank account, it's about where I want to be and doing what I want to do."
The club's reluctance to give him pay parity with other players who have joined (Bridge, Lescott, Toure etc.) has made him consider his part in the future of City. I don't doubt his commitment to the club. He says: "It's all to do with staying at a club I love and where the fans love me. These City fans made me and I'll always be in their debt for that. I feel like I owe them the rest of my career. So I'll put pen to paper on a five-year deal right now, longer if they want. Quite simply, I want to play at City for the rest of my life." These emotional comments are probably true, but he will also want a contract that reflects how much the club value his worth to the team, and this is the problem.
Shaun has gone from being a certain-starter and integral part of Mark Hughes's team to a player fighting for a place with Adam Johnson, Bellamy and even Petrov when he is fit. I think this uncertainty is part of the reason he has been pushing for a contract when there is still two seasons to run on it. Any player who does not feel like he is an important part of the first team now must be dreading the reinforcements of the summer. The News of the World feels this is strong enough a factor for Adebayor to be looking for an exit, for fear of the arrival of Higuain. If even one or two of the more fanciful rumours come to pass this summer (Ribery, Di Maria, Balotelli, Krasic), then SWP must also be wondering about how highly he is held in the minds of those in charge at City.
A number of comments surrounding this subject have revealed Shaun's frustration since the arrival of Mancini - why, when the rumour mongerers started putting it about that Mancini would only last til Mourinho's arrival in the summer, announce to the press that Mourinho is the best manager you have ever worked with? And even with this story his comments seem to run against the popular belief that Cook and Marwood are solely in charge of these sort of matters: "At one stage I was very confident that would happen. It looked like everything would be sorted when Mark Hughes was in charge. He was keen to agree a new deal. But since he left, there has been nothing."
I think SWP would be better suited to dropping the contract talks until the summer and really working hard to prove his worth to Mancini. He is good enough for the first team as it is, so why not prove it on the pitch rather than forcing others to prove it with contract offers. And if he succeeds then the contract should follow. Let's just hope that Ian Wright's intervention doesn't cost his son another World Cup like last time around.
There has been a lot said about footballing greed in the light of these comments, but I am inclined to believe SWP when he says: "This is not about my bank account, it's about where I want to be and doing what I want to do."
The club's reluctance to give him pay parity with other players who have joined (Bridge, Lescott, Toure etc.) has made him consider his part in the future of City. I don't doubt his commitment to the club. He says: "It's all to do with staying at a club I love and where the fans love me. These City fans made me and I'll always be in their debt for that. I feel like I owe them the rest of my career. So I'll put pen to paper on a five-year deal right now, longer if they want. Quite simply, I want to play at City for the rest of my life." These emotional comments are probably true, but he will also want a contract that reflects how much the club value his worth to the team, and this is the problem.
Shaun has gone from being a certain-starter and integral part of Mark Hughes's team to a player fighting for a place with Adam Johnson, Bellamy and even Petrov when he is fit. I think this uncertainty is part of the reason he has been pushing for a contract when there is still two seasons to run on it. Any player who does not feel like he is an important part of the first team now must be dreading the reinforcements of the summer. The News of the World feels this is strong enough a factor for Adebayor to be looking for an exit, for fear of the arrival of Higuain. If even one or two of the more fanciful rumours come to pass this summer (Ribery, Di Maria, Balotelli, Krasic), then SWP must also be wondering about how highly he is held in the minds of those in charge at City.
A number of comments surrounding this subject have revealed Shaun's frustration since the arrival of Mancini - why, when the rumour mongerers started putting it about that Mancini would only last til Mourinho's arrival in the summer, announce to the press that Mourinho is the best manager you have ever worked with? And even with this story his comments seem to run against the popular belief that Cook and Marwood are solely in charge of these sort of matters: "At one stage I was very confident that would happen. It looked like everything would be sorted when Mark Hughes was in charge. He was keen to agree a new deal. But since he left, there has been nothing."
I think SWP would be better suited to dropping the contract talks until the summer and really working hard to prove his worth to Mancini. He is good enough for the first team as it is, so why not prove it on the pitch rather than forcing others to prove it with contract offers. And if he succeeds then the contract should follow. Let's just hope that Ian Wright's intervention doesn't cost his son another World Cup like last time around.
Thursday, 4 March 2010
No play-offs necessary
Today the Premier League rejected the proposals of the Champions League play-off system. The whole thing smacked of profiteering and hopefully the rejection of this and the general outrage at the 39th game proposal will see the end of people with commercial interests interfering with the natural footballing season. Every team playing each other twice, home and away, over the period of a year, is a pretty solid way of determining the best teams in a league. The idea of creating a money-spinning lottery for the champions league spot pretty much negates the point of league positions - should a team who finish seventh in a domestic league be competing in an international competition designed for champions?
Furthermore it seems wholly motivated by this season's exciting battle for fourth. Yes, this season you could throw a blanket over the teams positioned between fourth and seventh, but this isn't always so. So, it is a good decision by the Premier League and hopefully similar schemes will also be dropped.
City have played a huge part in instigating this increased competition in the upper levels of the Premier League and it is good that this has been recognised as enough excitement in its own right.
Furthermore it seems wholly motivated by this season's exciting battle for fourth. Yes, this season you could throw a blanket over the teams positioned between fourth and seventh, but this isn't always so. So, it is a good decision by the Premier League and hopefully similar schemes will also be dropped.
City have played a huge part in instigating this increased competition in the upper levels of the Premier League and it is good that this has been recognised as enough excitement in its own right.
Robinho and Adriano: The return journey
The first game of international week saw the return to England of our record signing, Robinho, which inevitably brought a reprisal of the questions over his future. In the game itself, Robinho was fairly influential for his national side, forcing one in off Keith Andrews and finishing an exquisite move for the second, in a showing that typifies his workrate for Brazil that was so often missing in a City shirt. Given, for one, was enthusing after the game that City would be benefiting from this new, stronger Robinho, but sadly this increased level of interest was always a feature of his international meets. The start of Robinho's slippery slope began when he put on such a lacklustre display last season away to Portsmouth fresh from a world-beating display against Italy in the week where he scored a sensational solo goal. After the game Dunga said it was a good thing Robinho had left City and that his move to Brazil had put the smile back onto his face. What are the chances then of City regaining a world-class striker at the end of his spell with Santos?
Obviously City are in a contractually strong position to ensure the return of Robinho if they want to. So the success of a possible return would depend on Robinho's attitude, which has been the big sticking point in the whole of this wonderful charade. Something that may facilitate his return would be Champions League football. Robinho believes himself to be one of the world's best footballers and the European styles he would come up against in the Champions League would undoubtedly suit his own flair. You would imagine he would be almost a certain starter for these games, thus softening the blow of not being a regular contender in the league fixtures.
At the time Robinho was loaned out, Mancini likened him to the troubled Brazilian he had at Inter - Adriano. Now, although people like to bemoan Robinho and his attitude, I think it is fair to say that Adriano's "troubled" tag was in an entirely different league. Indeed, Adriano did return from a loan spell with Sao Paulo to play for Inter. Although after a bright return, things quickly soured again, and after being given leave to return to Brazil, he never returned. One would worry that this is all City would get from Robinho's return - another short-lived revival before he finds the Premier League a little too boisterous for his liking. I am probably one of Robinho's biggest fans, but whether he can produce consistently high performances in the domestic competition is a big question.
That said, it is a bit of luxury to be holding a player like Robinho only for European competition. He is undoubtedly an exceptional talent in a league that doesn't suit him. Perhaps what City are hoping for is for him to have a successful World Cup and for several of the world's richest teams (step up Barcelona) to consider him again. Otherwise we may end up with our own AWOL, but much more likable, version of Adriano. I hope I'm wrong.
Tuesday, 2 March 2010
Transfer Rumours: The Arsenal clique and Hleb
Since the money came in, City have seen the development and destruction of a number of cliques. First there was the Brazilian clique: Robinho, Elano, Jo, Berti. Then the Tafia. And now we have the emergence of the gooners. Stuart Taylor, Sylvinho, Toure, Vieira, Adebayor, and now, if the fairly persisent rumours of today are to be believed, Aliaksandr Hleb. All of our current ex-Arsenal players have joined in the last seven months or so - a fast growing group. Maybe it is all just a ploy to sneak Fabregas up here without too much upheaval for the young man!
Of course, the Arsenal 'clique' is probably the least insular of all these three, so perhaps the right question to ask is if these players are the right ones to be taking City forward. Most, bar Adebayor, are either facing tough battles to get into the team or are merely there to offer experienced cover. Club captain Toure should now be behind Kompany and Lescott, and could even have to be restored to the right-back role where he ended his career at Arsenal, and Vieira will have to show more to take either Barry or De Jong's midfield spot on a regular basis.
So it remains to be asked, would Hleb be a similar type of acquisition? The answer all depends on Stephen Ireland. On current form, City are crying out for a creative central midfielder to unlock the teams who sit back against us, limiting our success on the counter attack. Ireland is meant to perform this role but it is not happening for him at the moment. The ideal player of course would be Elano and it would've been interesting to see how his City career would have progressed if he had lasted until Mancini's appointment. City perhaps rely a little on the counter attack at the moment and the acquisition of a traditional playmaker would definitely help unlock the more defensive teams City come up against.
I am not sure Hleb would be the best player City could get in, but he would certainly be in the right mould. All of City's competitors at the moment have a dynamic creative midfielder who can carry their team forward, whether it be Milner, Gerrard or Modric, and City will be looking for a revival from Ireland if we are going to be comfortable against the Stokes and the Hulls of this league.
Of course, the Arsenal 'clique' is probably the least insular of all these three, so perhaps the right question to ask is if these players are the right ones to be taking City forward. Most, bar Adebayor, are either facing tough battles to get into the team or are merely there to offer experienced cover. Club captain Toure should now be behind Kompany and Lescott, and could even have to be restored to the right-back role where he ended his career at Arsenal, and Vieira will have to show more to take either Barry or De Jong's midfield spot on a regular basis.
So it remains to be asked, would Hleb be a similar type of acquisition? The answer all depends on Stephen Ireland. On current form, City are crying out for a creative central midfielder to unlock the teams who sit back against us, limiting our success on the counter attack. Ireland is meant to perform this role but it is not happening for him at the moment. The ideal player of course would be Elano and it would've been interesting to see how his City career would have progressed if he had lasted until Mancini's appointment. City perhaps rely a little on the counter attack at the moment and the acquisition of a traditional playmaker would definitely help unlock the more defensive teams City come up against.
I am not sure Hleb would be the best player City could get in, but he would certainly be in the right mould. All of City's competitors at the moment have a dynamic creative midfielder who can carry their team forward, whether it be Milner, Gerrard or Modric, and City will be looking for a revival from Ireland if we are going to be comfortable against the Stokes and the Hulls of this league.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)