The press made a lot of Dunne's comments that 'the pressure is on City' - largely to create the story they want: an anguished Dunne returning to wilfully dent City's hopes and, in the press's wildest dreams, scoring an injury time winner and celebrating madly in full view of Gary Cook. But to continue the tenuous link in my title, Dunne would've been welcomed back with open arms even if his words were a little stronger. And he had full reason to make them stronger.
It is pointless to regret these decisions now but City would've been better off with Dunne this season. Dunne suffered because of what he represented in the eyes of the new management. In a period of such vast transition and overhaul, much of the moves made were to forget the recent past - and Dunne was the last reminder of those times. I remember TLDORC, at the time, using a particularly insightful phrase: "Dunne was no longer the one man stopping City from going down, but was one man slowing down our going up." This was definitely how it was seen at the time, but he has gone on to the success he deserves - culminating in his inclusion in the PFA Premier League Team of the Season. Hughes was not exactly good for the careers of defenders at City - Dunne was one of many who struggled for form under him, but he remains one of the most highly respected players the club has had for years, and I'm sure he will get the welcome he deserves.
On Dunne's assertion that City are the team most under pressure, Norfstander has written a good article on the counter argument. He rightly says that with City only getting stronger, this season could represent the best chance Villa or Spurs have of getting Champions League - especially with not only a further reinforced City side but also a potentially less-dismal Liverpool next season. Despite appearances, City have the luxury of time, Villa and Spurs maybe don't.
The other main story this week regarding this game is the goalkeeping issue. Marton Fulop has come in from beyond Sunderland's bench to play an important part in the push for Champions League. In the mould of Daniel Van Buyten, he could claim an important place in the hearts of the City fans for only a short loan cameo. I imagine he has been brought in to play rather than to cover, and he should take Nielsen's fleeting place in the side.
The injury concerns for tomorrow are Gareth Barry and Emmanuel Adebayor - my Player of the Month for April and one of the strong contenders. These would be big losses and I think the latter would mean another go at the 4-5-1 we saw at Arsenal to so little attacking threat.
Both sides are renowned for their strength on the counter attack, so we could be looking at an unlikely end-to-end excitement feast or a gridlock of caution as two teams wait for the other to make the first move. I imagine it will be the latter and therefore patience and concentration will be the watch-words of the day.
In the event of Barry and Adebayor being ruled out, there could be the following team:
4-5-1:
Fulop; Zabaleta, Toure, Kompany, Bridge; Vieira, De Jong, Ireland; A. Johnson, Bellamy; Tevez.
Which could migrate into a 4-2-3-1 with Ireland playing in his favourite position. I have almost lost patience with Ireland this season, but this could be his sort of game - and besides the options would be limited without Ade and Barry, especially as Santa Cruz seems to have fallen onto the fringes of the bench.
City would qualify for the Champions League if they draw against Villa and win the remaining fixtures - the crunch game of all crunch games is Tottenham, of course - but a win would put City a little more at ease for that encounter, and we cannot really afford to lose.
*On a more personal note, if you are not bored of reading my views, I have had the honour of being asked to write an article for the official matchday programme tomorrow, under the regular feature "Blue Bloggers". So, if you want to know a bit more about the blog, my life as a City fan, see a few pictures, etc. then look out for me in the programme!
Friday 30 April 2010
Thursday 29 April 2010
Fifth is not a failure - Mancini. Why hasn't this been said earlier?
"No, I don't think I will have failed. We want to finish fourth and that is what we are working for. But we have improved a lot in the last five months and we must improve more if we want to be a good team. I think the owners can see that."
It is a bit late for it now but, when asked about not finishing fourth in today's press conference, this is what Mancini concluded. City could have taken some of the pressure off themselves by taking this media line earlier in the season. Yes, the goal is fourth, but a European place of any order would represent progress.
Of course, the main reason there is this fixation on fourth is because of the money City spent over the summer - money that the press decided represented the owner's ambition for Champions League football. But the pressure escalated upon the sacking of Mark Hughes. This was understandable: 'if Mark Hughes was not doing enough, what exactly were the owners after' was the general thinking. The sacking itself, which I think has benefited the team, set a precedent for impatient thinking - so that the initial displeasure at Hughes' sacking turned into an acceptance of it: 'Yes, Hughes wasn't doing enough, Mancini must do better.'
Fourth place started to be talked about at every press conference. It is fine to have this target and it has proved to be a realistic target, in so much that we are still fighting to achieve it, but the pressure to finish fourth has largely been self-created.
The benefits of finishing fourth are obviously huge enough for the club. Champions League football would be a great experience for a growing force in the Premier League and qualification would make City more attractive to the best players in the world. But, this is really only our first season with the full benefit of the money. Things are evidently looking up. If we don't get Champions League football this year, it is only a matter of time before we do. City are in a period of transition and, to use the old cliche, we cannot expect success over night - we can get it, but we shouldn't expect it. It takes time to build a team capable of challenging for top honours.
City are almost there this year - a fact which makes this a successful season regardless of how it ends - and obviously I hope, as much as any other City fan, that we can do it this season in the remaining three games, but it will be far from a failure if we don't. We are here faster than I would've expected and it is clear that we can look forward to further progress in years to come.
It is a bit late for it now but, when asked about not finishing fourth in today's press conference, this is what Mancini concluded. City could have taken some of the pressure off themselves by taking this media line earlier in the season. Yes, the goal is fourth, but a European place of any order would represent progress.
Of course, the main reason there is this fixation on fourth is because of the money City spent over the summer - money that the press decided represented the owner's ambition for Champions League football. But the pressure escalated upon the sacking of Mark Hughes. This was understandable: 'if Mark Hughes was not doing enough, what exactly were the owners after' was the general thinking. The sacking itself, which I think has benefited the team, set a precedent for impatient thinking - so that the initial displeasure at Hughes' sacking turned into an acceptance of it: 'Yes, Hughes wasn't doing enough, Mancini must do better.'
Fourth place started to be talked about at every press conference. It is fine to have this target and it has proved to be a realistic target, in so much that we are still fighting to achieve it, but the pressure to finish fourth has largely been self-created.
The benefits of finishing fourth are obviously huge enough for the club. Champions League football would be a great experience for a growing force in the Premier League and qualification would make City more attractive to the best players in the world. But, this is really only our first season with the full benefit of the money. Things are evidently looking up. If we don't get Champions League football this year, it is only a matter of time before we do. City are in a period of transition and, to use the old cliche, we cannot expect success over night - we can get it, but we shouldn't expect it. It takes time to build a team capable of challenging for top honours.
City are almost there this year - a fact which makes this a successful season regardless of how it ends - and obviously I hope, as much as any other City fan, that we can do it this season in the remaining three games, but it will be far from a failure if we don't. We are here faster than I would've expected and it is clear that we can look forward to further progress in years to come.
Base Comedy April Awards
PLAYER OF THE MONTH: GARETH BARRY
It has been a month of good team performances and possibly the first month in a while that we haven't been wondering how we would've done without Tevez. Gareth Barry is rejuvenated - producing the consistently high-level performances of his early season success at exactly the right time. He is not as spectacular as some of our players but he has been the heartbeat of the team this month - controlling all our central midfield battles and occasionally helping in the final third as well.
Another contender who is having something of a rejuvenation is Emmanuel Adebayor - excellent in the free-scoring games at the start of the month and our best attacking threat in both of our blanks. It has also been a good month for the defensive partnership of Kompany and Toure: Kompany continues to be one of our most consistent performers, whilst Toure has improved almost with every game this month - only three goals got past them this month.
GOAL OF THE MONTH: NEDUM ONUOHA (vs Birmingham)
Pure poetry. A one-two off an opposition player, a pass that was so bad it tricked everyone, and then an exquisite left-foot placement any striker would be happy with. Tevez couldn't take that one off him. There were eleven to choose from, but this was the most satisfying for me. Although Bellamy nicking the ball of Ade's toes against Burnley was nice too.
PERFORMANCE OF THE MONTH: BURNLEY BEFORE THE RAIN
People will talk about the weakness of the opposition but a City of another time would not have been so ruthless in their demolition of a team. I shudder to think what the score may have been if the rain hadn't slowed things!
DISAPPOINTMENT OF THE MONTH: SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED IN ADDED TIME
TAKE A LOOK AT YOURSELF: KIA JOORABCHIAN
It has been a good month for the team collectively and I think it would be unfair to rile at Ireland again for only a short cameo in the United game, so this month's award will go to my favourite conspiracy of the month. The conspiracy means that I can disconnect Tevez from his comments - it means that our star player is actually, probably, maybe rather happy at City. So the notion that it is Mr Joorabchian's fault - that he is using Tevez to gain employment for his other employer, Mark Hughes, and also gaining a bit of cash in the meantime, or from a possible transfer - is both appealing and terrifying. If Gary Cook can't stand the sight of him at Eastlands, he can't be very popular.
POINTS TOTAL: 7 from 12
FOURTHOMETER: The pressure is on.
It has been a month of good team performances and possibly the first month in a while that we haven't been wondering how we would've done without Tevez. Gareth Barry is rejuvenated - producing the consistently high-level performances of his early season success at exactly the right time. He is not as spectacular as some of our players but he has been the heartbeat of the team this month - controlling all our central midfield battles and occasionally helping in the final third as well.
Another contender who is having something of a rejuvenation is Emmanuel Adebayor - excellent in the free-scoring games at the start of the month and our best attacking threat in both of our blanks. It has also been a good month for the defensive partnership of Kompany and Toure: Kompany continues to be one of our most consistent performers, whilst Toure has improved almost with every game this month - only three goals got past them this month.
GOAL OF THE MONTH: NEDUM ONUOHA (vs Birmingham)
Pure poetry. A one-two off an opposition player, a pass that was so bad it tricked everyone, and then an exquisite left-foot placement any striker would be happy with. Tevez couldn't take that one off him. There were eleven to choose from, but this was the most satisfying for me. Although Bellamy nicking the ball of Ade's toes against Burnley was nice too.
PERFORMANCE OF THE MONTH: BURNLEY BEFORE THE RAIN
People will talk about the weakness of the opposition but a City of another time would not have been so ruthless in their demolition of a team. I shudder to think what the score may have been if the rain hadn't slowed things!
DISAPPOINTMENT OF THE MONTH: SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED IN ADDED TIME
TAKE A LOOK AT YOURSELF: KIA JOORABCHIAN
It has been a good month for the team collectively and I think it would be unfair to rile at Ireland again for only a short cameo in the United game, so this month's award will go to my favourite conspiracy of the month. The conspiracy means that I can disconnect Tevez from his comments - it means that our star player is actually, probably, maybe rather happy at City. So the notion that it is Mr Joorabchian's fault - that he is using Tevez to gain employment for his other employer, Mark Hughes, and also gaining a bit of cash in the meantime, or from a possible transfer - is both appealing and terrifying. If Gary Cook can't stand the sight of him at Eastlands, he can't be very popular.
POINTS TOTAL: 7 from 12
FOURTHOMETER: The pressure is on.
Monday 26 April 2010
Marton Fulop to be the first signing of the summer?
Reports coming from the BBC and the Guardian suggest that we actually have a chance of securing the all-clear for an emergency loan deal. In the face of the uproar ("surely they've paid their way in!"), Oliver Kay of The Times, on his twitter feed, has rightly suggested there wouldn't be anything like the indignation if a Wolves, Blackburn or Wigan were the culprits. All the same, I was surprised to find that we could use this emergency option.
With Given, Taylor and Gonzalez injured, we are left with only Nielsen and Karius at the club. I believe Karius is only sixteen though and on a youth contract - therefore the only player that would come under the consideration of the Premier League's conditions would be Nielsen. The Premier League guidelines must consider this too little protection and if City are not allowed to get anyone in, then we are only one accident away from being keeper-less! Daniel Taylor in the Guardian has written:
"It is understood that the Premier League is likely to be sympathetic as they fit the criteria for an emergency deal."
He also suggests City have already made contact with Sunderland regarding Marton Fulop. Fulop played an impressive role in Sunderland's season before Craig Gordon came back to form - so he has some recent experience and is probably one of the best options we could feasibly acquire with such short notice.
The sentimental in me was going to suggest Nicky Weaver but it seems TLDORC and others have beaten me to it!
The only concern is that if City are not allowed to go through with the emergency deal, because the request has reached the public domain, Nielsen could be left very short on confidence should he have to play. He looked assured enough against Arsenal but the cry for help could have affected him.
With Given, Taylor and Gonzalez injured, we are left with only Nielsen and Karius at the club. I believe Karius is only sixteen though and on a youth contract - therefore the only player that would come under the consideration of the Premier League's conditions would be Nielsen. The Premier League guidelines must consider this too little protection and if City are not allowed to get anyone in, then we are only one accident away from being keeper-less! Daniel Taylor in the Guardian has written:
"It is understood that the Premier League is likely to be sympathetic as they fit the criteria for an emergency deal."
He also suggests City have already made contact with Sunderland regarding Marton Fulop. Fulop played an impressive role in Sunderland's season before Craig Gordon came back to form - so he has some recent experience and is probably one of the best options we could feasibly acquire with such short notice.
The sentimental in me was going to suggest Nicky Weaver but it seems TLDORC and others have beaten me to it!
The only concern is that if City are not allowed to go through with the emergency deal, because the request has reached the public domain, Nielsen could be left very short on confidence should he have to play. He looked assured enough against Arsenal but the cry for help could have affected him.
Sunday 25 April 2010
Our record against the "top four" over the last 5 years
The key to success is to beat the teams below you, but as a marker of how strong your team is, it is interesting to see how it competes against the best teams in the league. Obviously the investment makes comparisons between previous seasons a little misleading, but it is reassuring to see how City have become a presence at the top of the league.
Below are our results against the established top four over the past five seasons:
05/06
Chelsea: 0-1, 0-2.
United: 1-1, 3-1.
Arsenal: 0-1, 1-3.
Liverpool: 0-1, 0-1.
Points total: 4
06/07
Chelsea: 0-3, 0-1.
United: 1-3, 0-1.
Arsenal: 1-0, 1-3.
Liverpool: 0-1, 0-0.
Points total: 4
07/08
Chelsea: 0-6, 0-2.
United: 1-0, 2-1.
Arsenal: 0-1, 1-3.
Liverpool: 0-0, 0-1.
Points total: 7
08/09
Chelsea: 1-3, 0-1.
United: 0-1, 0-2.
Arsenal: 3-0, 0-2.
Liverpool: 2-3, 1-1.
Points total: 4
09/10
Chelsea: 2-1, 4-2.
United: 3-4, 0-1.
Arsenal: 4-2, 0-0.
Liverpool: 2-2, 0-0.
Points total: 12
People will argue that the level of investment that went in last summer should yield these types of results, but as Real Madrid would testify this year, money isn't enough to do it on its own. Therefore, our increased competitiveness in these top fixtures is a clear sign of our development as a force in the Premier League - especially when you consider our only losses both came deep into injury time.
We didn't get so much as a point off Chelsea in the four seasons preceding this one, so to come away with maximum points is quite something. There are some excellent stand out results in the previous four seasons (the double over United under Sven, the 3-1 victory over United with Sinclair, Vassell and Fowler scoring, Robinho's lobbed goal in the 3-0 against Arsenal last season), but this season sees us competing consistently in every game and, as a measure of progress, I think this is pretty good.
Below are our results against the established top four over the past five seasons:
05/06
Chelsea: 0-1, 0-2.
United: 1-1, 3-1.
Arsenal: 0-1, 1-3.
Liverpool: 0-1, 0-1.
Points total: 4
06/07
Chelsea: 0-3, 0-1.
United: 1-3, 0-1.
Arsenal: 1-0, 1-3.
Liverpool: 0-1, 0-0.
Points total: 4
07/08
Chelsea: 0-6, 0-2.
United: 1-0, 2-1.
Arsenal: 0-1, 1-3.
Liverpool: 0-0, 0-1.
Points total: 7
08/09
Chelsea: 1-3, 0-1.
United: 0-1, 0-2.
Arsenal: 3-0, 0-2.
Liverpool: 2-3, 1-1.
Points total: 4
09/10
Chelsea: 2-1, 4-2.
United: 3-4, 0-1.
Arsenal: 4-2, 0-0.
Liverpool: 2-2, 0-0.
Points total: 12
People will argue that the level of investment that went in last summer should yield these types of results, but as Real Madrid would testify this year, money isn't enough to do it on its own. Therefore, our increased competitiveness in these top fixtures is a clear sign of our development as a force in the Premier League - especially when you consider our only losses both came deep into injury time.
We didn't get so much as a point off Chelsea in the four seasons preceding this one, so to come away with maximum points is quite something. There are some excellent stand out results in the previous four seasons (the double over United under Sven, the 3-1 victory over United with Sinclair, Vassell and Fowler scoring, Robinho's lobbed goal in the 3-0 against Arsenal last season), but this season sees us competing consistently in every game and, as a measure of progress, I think this is pretty good.
Arsenal player ratings
Given 7.
Relatively untested but made an important save from Diaby in dislocating his shoulder. A great shame for him and you could see how upset he was.
Zabaleta 7.
Prefered to Onuoha and was more measured in his display than usual. I was a little concerned when he was moved across to face Walcott, but he dealt with him excellently.
Toure 8.
Superb display from Toure. He is quick and intelligent when the ball is on the ground, so Arsenal's style of play suited him. He said in the week that we haven't seen the best of him yet, and his recent displays have shown a steady improvement. Looked comfortable with Van Persie.
Kompany 8.
Another impressive performance from Kompany. Is proving himself to be one of the squad's most important players at the moment. His reading of the game is excellent for such a young player and you would hope he is, and will be, the first choice central defender for years to come.
Bridge 6.
Disappointingly only lasted under half-an-hour. We cannot rely on his fitness and I would expect that left-back is an area we need strengthening for next season.
De Jong 7.
Typically hard tackling display. It is true that we need a creative option in midfield, but that is not what de Jong is there for.
Vieira 6.
Sadly behind the pace of the game, but played his part in breaking up play and is capable of picking a pass as well as "bursting" forward in support (if only his legs would support him more often!).
Barry 7.
Steady if unspectacular. People look to him as the creative option of the three, which is perhaps reflects badly on him as it isn't really his strength, but his defensive game was top class again.
Johnson 5.
Was as isolated as any of our attackers when going forward, but ran into a few dead ends. Has come up against two of the best left-backs in the league in the last two games and for the first time it has shown that he is still adapting from the Championship. By next season he will be ready for all of the top game I'm sure.
Bellamy 6.
Worked hard as you would expect but had little joy up against Sagna. His pace occasionally threatened to threaten but as with all of the strikers, he had little to work with.
Tevez 5.
Looked off the pace to me. Prefers the free-role but has shown earlier in 2010 that he can be effective in the lone striker role - just not yesterday. Never really got a grip on the game.
Substitutes:
Richards (on for Bridge, 27mins) 7.
Was very strong defensively but a bit blinkered going forward.
Adebayor (on for Vieira, 52mins) 8.
Played very well and the crowd's reaction seemed to spur him on. Exceptional skill and hold up play is what Mancini was looking for from Tevez. Probably the only forward who didn't have an off-day.
Nielsen (on for Given, 73mins) 7.
I'm sure Arsenal would've wanted to test him more, but he looked very assured for a young debutant.
My man of the match: Kolo Toure.
Relatively untested but made an important save from Diaby in dislocating his shoulder. A great shame for him and you could see how upset he was.
Zabaleta 7.
Prefered to Onuoha and was more measured in his display than usual. I was a little concerned when he was moved across to face Walcott, but he dealt with him excellently.
Toure 8.
Superb display from Toure. He is quick and intelligent when the ball is on the ground, so Arsenal's style of play suited him. He said in the week that we haven't seen the best of him yet, and his recent displays have shown a steady improvement. Looked comfortable with Van Persie.
Kompany 8.
Another impressive performance from Kompany. Is proving himself to be one of the squad's most important players at the moment. His reading of the game is excellent for such a young player and you would hope he is, and will be, the first choice central defender for years to come.
Bridge 6.
Disappointingly only lasted under half-an-hour. We cannot rely on his fitness and I would expect that left-back is an area we need strengthening for next season.
De Jong 7.
Typically hard tackling display. It is true that we need a creative option in midfield, but that is not what de Jong is there for.
Vieira 6.
Sadly behind the pace of the game, but played his part in breaking up play and is capable of picking a pass as well as "bursting" forward in support (if only his legs would support him more often!).
Barry 7.
Steady if unspectacular. People look to him as the creative option of the three, which is perhaps reflects badly on him as it isn't really his strength, but his defensive game was top class again.
Johnson 5.
Was as isolated as any of our attackers when going forward, but ran into a few dead ends. Has come up against two of the best left-backs in the league in the last two games and for the first time it has shown that he is still adapting from the Championship. By next season he will be ready for all of the top game I'm sure.
Bellamy 6.
Worked hard as you would expect but had little joy up against Sagna. His pace occasionally threatened to threaten but as with all of the strikers, he had little to work with.
Tevez 5.
Looked off the pace to me. Prefers the free-role but has shown earlier in 2010 that he can be effective in the lone striker role - just not yesterday. Never really got a grip on the game.
Substitutes:
Richards (on for Bridge, 27mins) 7.
Was very strong defensively but a bit blinkered going forward.
Adebayor (on for Vieira, 52mins) 8.
Played very well and the crowd's reaction seemed to spur him on. Exceptional skill and hold up play is what Mancini was looking for from Tevez. Probably the only forward who didn't have an off-day.
Nielsen (on for Given, 73mins) 7.
I'm sure Arsenal would've wanted to test him more, but he looked very assured for a young debutant.
My man of the match: Kolo Toure.
Arsenal 0 - 0 City
There has been a varied response to this game - some take issue with the less-than-adventurous tactics that Mancini kicked off with, whilst others are rightly happy with a point at 'Fortress Emirates.' These were the first league points Arsenal have dropped at home since United beat them in January and, whilst they are a greatly diminished team at the moment and on the back of a bad couple of results, a point keeps us in the running for fourth.
It was a game of little incident with both teams reluctant to concede ground in a tentative display. City set the stall out to defend with Mancini dropping the "injured" Adebayor to the bench in favour of the five-man midfield. This, combined with what Wenger admitted to be a reluctant Arsenal side, contributed to a game of very few chances.
I think the game-plan was always going to be to unleash Adebayor in the second half, but City may have had more success prior to that if Tevez had been on form. After apparently taking a few injections during the United game, he didn't look his normal self yesterday and looked a yard or two off the pace. Without his ordinary work-rate, his role as lone striker was completely ineffective and a rejuvenated Sol Campbell dealt with him without much trouble at all. It took the energy of Adebayor to set him free a little. I don't take the argument that Tevez cannot play in the lone striker role, because before Adebayor's return, people were suggesting he wouldn't be able to play with a partner, but he is certainly more effective in the free-role.
Despite Mancini's caution, City's midfield weren't having too much trouble nullifying Arsenal's patient probing in the first half and the extra man upfront helped to open the game up a bit. It is a shame we didn't test the potential weak-point of Fabianski, but to take a draw away from the Emirates still leaves us in pole position - despite being sixth at the time of writing.
The injury to Shay is a bit of a blow but, if our defence can defend like it did yesterday, Nielsen may have only a few tests to deal with - and yesterday he was strong when called upon.
It is one of the great paradoxes of football that you can be cursing a team one week, supporting them the next, and then returning to a slightly more sated hatred once more... But, for yesterday lunchtime only, I was glad United won.
It wouldn't be City if this didn't go right down to the wire, but West Ham's apparent safety yesterday will play into our hands.
It was a game of little incident with both teams reluctant to concede ground in a tentative display. City set the stall out to defend with Mancini dropping the "injured" Adebayor to the bench in favour of the five-man midfield. This, combined with what Wenger admitted to be a reluctant Arsenal side, contributed to a game of very few chances.
I think the game-plan was always going to be to unleash Adebayor in the second half, but City may have had more success prior to that if Tevez had been on form. After apparently taking a few injections during the United game, he didn't look his normal self yesterday and looked a yard or two off the pace. Without his ordinary work-rate, his role as lone striker was completely ineffective and a rejuvenated Sol Campbell dealt with him without much trouble at all. It took the energy of Adebayor to set him free a little. I don't take the argument that Tevez cannot play in the lone striker role, because before Adebayor's return, people were suggesting he wouldn't be able to play with a partner, but he is certainly more effective in the free-role.
Despite Mancini's caution, City's midfield weren't having too much trouble nullifying Arsenal's patient probing in the first half and the extra man upfront helped to open the game up a bit. It is a shame we didn't test the potential weak-point of Fabianski, but to take a draw away from the Emirates still leaves us in pole position - despite being sixth at the time of writing.
The injury to Shay is a bit of a blow but, if our defence can defend like it did yesterday, Nielsen may have only a few tests to deal with - and yesterday he was strong when called upon.
It is one of the great paradoxes of football that you can be cursing a team one week, supporting them the next, and then returning to a slightly more sated hatred once more... But, for yesterday lunchtime only, I was glad United won.
It wouldn't be City if this didn't go right down to the wire, but West Ham's apparent safety yesterday will play into our hands.
Friday 23 April 2010
Arsenal preview
Jon Champion, during last night's coverage of Hamburg vs Fulham, sensationalised this game as "Arsenal vs Adebayor - the Re-match." Whilst Adebayor can be accused of turning the Eastlands tie into a personal battle, there is more at stake for the teams here. Arsenal will be trying to stem a run of two straight defeats - thus avoiding their first three consecutive defeats for almost three years - whilst City have got to put the anguish of the derby behind them.
Arsene Wenger has asked the Arsenal fans not to bait Adebayor, but Ade made his proverbial bed through his actions in the first fixture and he will undoubtedly have to deal with the consequences. As both Mancini and Toure have publicly urged, Adebayor will have to keep calm and retain his focus if he is going to have another successful return against his old club. Robin Van Persie should be making his timely return but some strong refereeing will be all it takes to stop the battle from crossing the white line.
City struggled to compete against the extra number in midfield last week and Arsenal, as do all the top four more-or-less, play the same system. To return to the 4-3-2-1 formation that was successful in our last trip to a top-four London-based side, would be to try to win the battle in midfield - with Vieira, De Jong and Barry breaking it down and then releasing our pacy forwards on to the not-so-quick Sol Campbell. Mancini may feel that De Jong and Barry may be enough to win the pretty, but not too physical, midfield battle - and the goalscoring prowess of the front-four may help to persuade him to persevere with the more attack-minded system. With no new injury worries to speak of, Mancini should have the players available to field whichever gameplan he favours.
Possible team, 4-3-2-1:
Given; Onuoha, Toure, Kompany, Bridge; De Jong, Vieira, Barry; Bellamy, Adebayor; Tevez.
This selection would be unfair on Johnson, after his Etihad Player of the Month-winning performances, but the other three's experience could give them the nod. Shaun Wright-Phillips also has had a lot of success against Arsenal and he would be a good option to run at Clichy.
Arsenal have a lot of injury worries and if Song fails a fitness test, it will definitely leave them vulnerable - especially with Gallas and Vermaelen out. It will definitely still be a stern test, but it is perhaps a good time to be playing them - they probably only have pride to play for too. City will be looking to get something on the board, especially as we could be 6th by the end of the weekend, but when Mancini spoke of needing nine points from the last four games, this one is the only one we could afford to lose and still be fighting. Although I, for one, would like to avoid that extra pressure.
Arsene Wenger has asked the Arsenal fans not to bait Adebayor, but Ade made his proverbial bed through his actions in the first fixture and he will undoubtedly have to deal with the consequences. As both Mancini and Toure have publicly urged, Adebayor will have to keep calm and retain his focus if he is going to have another successful return against his old club. Robin Van Persie should be making his timely return but some strong refereeing will be all it takes to stop the battle from crossing the white line.
City struggled to compete against the extra number in midfield last week and Arsenal, as do all the top four more-or-less, play the same system. To return to the 4-3-2-1 formation that was successful in our last trip to a top-four London-based side, would be to try to win the battle in midfield - with Vieira, De Jong and Barry breaking it down and then releasing our pacy forwards on to the not-so-quick Sol Campbell. Mancini may feel that De Jong and Barry may be enough to win the pretty, but not too physical, midfield battle - and the goalscoring prowess of the front-four may help to persuade him to persevere with the more attack-minded system. With no new injury worries to speak of, Mancini should have the players available to field whichever gameplan he favours.
Possible team, 4-3-2-1:
Given; Onuoha, Toure, Kompany, Bridge; De Jong, Vieira, Barry; Bellamy, Adebayor; Tevez.
This selection would be unfair on Johnson, after his Etihad Player of the Month-winning performances, but the other three's experience could give them the nod. Shaun Wright-Phillips also has had a lot of success against Arsenal and he would be a good option to run at Clichy.
Arsenal have a lot of injury worries and if Song fails a fitness test, it will definitely leave them vulnerable - especially with Gallas and Vermaelen out. It will definitely still be a stern test, but it is perhaps a good time to be playing them - they probably only have pride to play for too. City will be looking to get something on the board, especially as we could be 6th by the end of the weekend, but when Mancini spoke of needing nine points from the last four games, this one is the only one we could afford to lose and still be fighting. Although I, for one, would like to avoid that extra pressure.
Tuesday 20 April 2010
Transfer rumours: Milner and an English future... Or £88m on South American talent
A number of today's papers are reporting that City have overtaken United as the most likely summer destination for James Milner - if he is to leave Villa at all. The Guardian's Stuart James says two factors hold the key to this move: one, the future of Martin O'Neill; and two, City's attempt to get into the Champions League. It is thought that both conditions would have to be right (i.e. O'Neill walks and City finish fourth) for City to land the £24m-rated midfielder.
If this deal were to come off, City would be continuing the policy, signalled by the arrival of Adam Johnson, of buying the best of young British talent. Milner has already established himself, of course, and Capello has suggested that he sees him as the future of English international football. To think that City could quite comfortably field an English eleven including the following players next season would put us in the surprising position of being one of the most-English clubs in the Premier League - not to mention meeting the on-off proposals of home-grown quotas that are often mooted by Uefa:
Hart; Richards, Onuoha, Lescott, Bridge; Milner, M. Johnson, Barry, A. Johnson; Nimely, Ball.
And as Michael Johnson will probably be on the treatment table for some of it, there is the option to bring Milner inside and put Wright-Phillips into the fray. It is an appealing idea (although perhaps the strikeforce aren't ready yet!).
Milner would help plug the creativity void in the middle of our midfield without drastically affecting the work-rate or defensive responsibilities. He is one of the rare box-to-box midfielders that can be very effective for a team. Villa obviously wouldn't want to let him go, but if funds are going to be tightened, as reported, then perhaps they may welcome the chance to reinvest £24m.
Mike Rigg's comments about Cardozo and Di Maria also resurfaced today, leading some sections of the media to quote that a whopping £88m deal was being lined up for the two of them - in accordance with their minimum fee release clauses. I know journalists feel under pressure to add a figure to their stories, but the suggestion that it will take the whole £88m is ridiculous.
Minimum fee release clauses are intended to be prohibitive, to protect the club's interest. It is logical - if the minimum fee release clauses represented anything near the player's actual value then the club would have no say at all, as rival clubs would only be too happy to pay it. So, as anyone familiar with Championship/Football Manager would attest, even though a Real Madrid squad player may have a minimum fee release clause of £130m, it doesn't mean that that is what you will have to pay to acquire the player. Therefore, I would be unhappy if we paid anything near a third of what the papers have been quoting for these two. As far as them both being "prospects", it is hard to think of Cardozo - at 26 - improving too much more as his career progresses.
If this deal were to come off, City would be continuing the policy, signalled by the arrival of Adam Johnson, of buying the best of young British talent. Milner has already established himself, of course, and Capello has suggested that he sees him as the future of English international football. To think that City could quite comfortably field an English eleven including the following players next season would put us in the surprising position of being one of the most-English clubs in the Premier League - not to mention meeting the on-off proposals of home-grown quotas that are often mooted by Uefa:
Hart; Richards, Onuoha, Lescott, Bridge; Milner, M. Johnson, Barry, A. Johnson; Nimely, Ball.
And as Michael Johnson will probably be on the treatment table for some of it, there is the option to bring Milner inside and put Wright-Phillips into the fray. It is an appealing idea (although perhaps the strikeforce aren't ready yet!).
Milner would help plug the creativity void in the middle of our midfield without drastically affecting the work-rate or defensive responsibilities. He is one of the rare box-to-box midfielders that can be very effective for a team. Villa obviously wouldn't want to let him go, but if funds are going to be tightened, as reported, then perhaps they may welcome the chance to reinvest £24m.
Mike Rigg's comments about Cardozo and Di Maria also resurfaced today, leading some sections of the media to quote that a whopping £88m deal was being lined up for the two of them - in accordance with their minimum fee release clauses. I know journalists feel under pressure to add a figure to their stories, but the suggestion that it will take the whole £88m is ridiculous.
Minimum fee release clauses are intended to be prohibitive, to protect the club's interest. It is logical - if the minimum fee release clauses represented anything near the player's actual value then the club would have no say at all, as rival clubs would only be too happy to pay it. So, as anyone familiar with Championship/Football Manager would attest, even though a Real Madrid squad player may have a minimum fee release clause of £130m, it doesn't mean that that is what you will have to pay to acquire the player. Therefore, I would be unhappy if we paid anything near a third of what the papers have been quoting for these two. As far as them both being "prospects", it is hard to think of Cardozo - at 26 - improving too much more as his career progresses.
Sunday 18 April 2010
United player ratings
Given 6.
No chance with the goal and otherwise wasn't tested really. Looked a bit uncomfortable on some crosses, but his distribution was a let down - likes to persevere with the measured kick (which is usually mismeasured) instead of a simple throw.
Onuoha 7.
Given the nod ahead of a returning Zabaleta and justified his place. Reluctant to get forward as much as he did last week, but defensively he was very solid - keeping Giggs fairly quiet.
Toure 8.
Very good from Kolo. His experience shone through as Kompany showed a few early jitters. Quick, alert and well positioned. Covered well early on.
Kompany 7.
Managed to look both nervous of and in control of Rooney. Shook the nerves as the game went on. Made sure Rooney knew he was there and got very close to him.
Bridge 6.
A good return from Bridge. Not everyone's favourite but he managed to keep Valencia quiet - sticking close to him on every opportunity.
de Jong 8.
"Unleashed", he fought for every tackle and even used the ball to good effect too. A typically battling display.
Barry 8.
Continued his quietly impressive form. Some intelligent passing to add to some top defensive work. Him and de Jong took on Scholes, Fletcher and Gibson and, despite the numerical deficit, competed admirably for an hour.
Johnson 5.
Didn't get much joy against Evra, had limited success and his final deliveries weren't up to his usual standard either.
Bellamy 6.
Was where the threat was going to come from with his pace advantage against Neville, but when he got into good positions he made the wrong decisions.
Tevez 6.
Apparently took some painkillers midmatch to get through the pain barrier and whilst not being as prominent as he would have liked, he was still the source of most of our attacks.
Adebayor 6.
Linked well without ever really threatening the United defence. Worked hard again and put in some important work defensively too.
Substitutes:
Vieira (on for Johnson, 65mins) 6.
Needed an extra body in midfield. Same problems: intelligent but slow. Helped restore a bit of control to the midfield though.
Wright-Phillips (on for Adebayor, 74mins) 7.
Had some joy against Evra and worked hard to take the game to the United defence.
Ireland (on for de Jong, 78mins) 4.
Frustrating. Replaced de Jong but showed the polar-opposite in terms of commitment and work-rate. More in my match report.
Man of the Match: Nigel de Jong.
No chance with the goal and otherwise wasn't tested really. Looked a bit uncomfortable on some crosses, but his distribution was a let down - likes to persevere with the measured kick (which is usually mismeasured) instead of a simple throw.
Onuoha 7.
Given the nod ahead of a returning Zabaleta and justified his place. Reluctant to get forward as much as he did last week, but defensively he was very solid - keeping Giggs fairly quiet.
Toure 8.
Very good from Kolo. His experience shone through as Kompany showed a few early jitters. Quick, alert and well positioned. Covered well early on.
Kompany 7.
Managed to look both nervous of and in control of Rooney. Shook the nerves as the game went on. Made sure Rooney knew he was there and got very close to him.
Bridge 6.
A good return from Bridge. Not everyone's favourite but he managed to keep Valencia quiet - sticking close to him on every opportunity.
de Jong 8.
"Unleashed", he fought for every tackle and even used the ball to good effect too. A typically battling display.
Barry 8.
Continued his quietly impressive form. Some intelligent passing to add to some top defensive work. Him and de Jong took on Scholes, Fletcher and Gibson and, despite the numerical deficit, competed admirably for an hour.
Johnson 5.
Didn't get much joy against Evra, had limited success and his final deliveries weren't up to his usual standard either.
Bellamy 6.
Was where the threat was going to come from with his pace advantage against Neville, but when he got into good positions he made the wrong decisions.
Tevez 6.
Apparently took some painkillers midmatch to get through the pain barrier and whilst not being as prominent as he would have liked, he was still the source of most of our attacks.
Adebayor 6.
Linked well without ever really threatening the United defence. Worked hard again and put in some important work defensively too.
Substitutes:
Vieira (on for Johnson, 65mins) 6.
Needed an extra body in midfield. Same problems: intelligent but slow. Helped restore a bit of control to the midfield though.
Wright-Phillips (on for Adebayor, 74mins) 7.
Had some joy against Evra and worked hard to take the game to the United defence.
Ireland (on for de Jong, 78mins) 4.
Frustrating. Replaced de Jong but showed the polar-opposite in terms of commitment and work-rate. More in my match report.
Man of the Match: Nigel de Jong.
Kryptonite for Superman; Mancini "too attacking!"; Nightmare results. City 0 - 1 United
The icing on the dismal cake was Frank Lampard. Through all the disbelief and dismay, he had to go and score a consolation goal. A consolation goal that the BBC live text cheekily suggested could see some more late drama - "there are still three minutes left" they quipped. Against all my reason, Frank made me hope. "Maybe this day isn't a write-off. Maybe football isn't so cruel afterall.." It would be karma if Lampard, who I actually quite like contrary to popular opinion, picked up an injury just before the World Cup. If only for making me believe again, before the inevitable stamped me back down.
Or maybe I'm re-directing my anger to an undeserving source.
The dreadful goal (let's be thankful for the small mercy it wasn't Neville?!) is just a blur to me now. I saw a ginger head pop up, all alone, I saw the flight of the ball, and the rest was lost as I buried my head in my hands. As I have no intention whatsoever of re-watching that goal, I have nothing to say on rumours of possible marking-failures or lapses of concentration, instead, like can happen in cases of extreme trauma, I intend to forget it almost altogether.
Which is, of course, the best advice for the City team. We still are in the "boxseat" for fourth, as we have Tottenham to play, so it is important we pick ourselves up from this. It is crushing to lose in that way, but one game should not deter what had looked like a team growing in confidence and fluidity.
I am going to try and strain out some positives now (if only to make me feel better). This is the third time we have fallen to an injury time knife from United this season, and all the record books will show we have come away with nothing from them this season. But, at least they have all been competitive fixtures. Gone are the days Ferguson would send out a slightly weakened side against us. Rooney was forced out despite being completely unfit - otherwise he is just completely rubbish but this season's evidence would suggest he is not. And although City did not play well yesterday, United were not much better. City are a team on the up and United are in a worse position than they were last season - so a little patience should still see City come to offer a stronger challenge to them in future seasons.
I think some players yesterday were guilty of letting the occasion overawe them - the game, as a whole, was a nervous, cagey affair and efforts on goal, or clear-cut chances were few. Both teams defended well and it seemed for all the world to be flickering out into a draw.
A lot has been made of 'defensive' tactics from Mancini, but I think the opposite is the case really. Setting out with the previously successful front-four had to be done on the back of the free-scoring recent games but, despite excellent performances by Barry and de Jong, United's extra-man in central midfield told. Barry and de Jong competed really well but there was always going to be room for a player like Scholes to take control of the ball. So bringing Vieira on for Johnson, for me, was the logical step and I feel it did return some control to City.
Then City had to go for it, so he brought on the more attacking midfield option of Ireland. It is not Mancini's fault that Ireland has forgotten how to run. Ever since his arrival, Mancini must've been wondering what the legend is about Ireland. If he doesn't pick him then the media ask him why. If he does pick him then he gets abject performances. Ireland has been dogged by injuries since Mancini stepped in, so there must be part of the manager that believes the hype. Ireland of last year would have been the right man to bring into the game at that situation - a man who would battle as well as being able to produce some magic. But this was not the Ireland who came on yesterday. He has had injury problems and he only had ten minutes to get involved, but the least I would expect was effort.
So, I don't think Mancini can take the blame for negative tactics, when it was his changes that got our foot back in the game when United were beginning to dictate possession.
Anyway, as I said, it is time for the squad to forget that game and make the most of what is remaining.
Or maybe I'm re-directing my anger to an undeserving source.
The dreadful goal (let's be thankful for the small mercy it wasn't Neville?!) is just a blur to me now. I saw a ginger head pop up, all alone, I saw the flight of the ball, and the rest was lost as I buried my head in my hands. As I have no intention whatsoever of re-watching that goal, I have nothing to say on rumours of possible marking-failures or lapses of concentration, instead, like can happen in cases of extreme trauma, I intend to forget it almost altogether.
Which is, of course, the best advice for the City team. We still are in the "boxseat" for fourth, as we have Tottenham to play, so it is important we pick ourselves up from this. It is crushing to lose in that way, but one game should not deter what had looked like a team growing in confidence and fluidity.
I am going to try and strain out some positives now (if only to make me feel better). This is the third time we have fallen to an injury time knife from United this season, and all the record books will show we have come away with nothing from them this season. But, at least they have all been competitive fixtures. Gone are the days Ferguson would send out a slightly weakened side against us. Rooney was forced out despite being completely unfit - otherwise he is just completely rubbish but this season's evidence would suggest he is not. And although City did not play well yesterday, United were not much better. City are a team on the up and United are in a worse position than they were last season - so a little patience should still see City come to offer a stronger challenge to them in future seasons.
I think some players yesterday were guilty of letting the occasion overawe them - the game, as a whole, was a nervous, cagey affair and efforts on goal, or clear-cut chances were few. Both teams defended well and it seemed for all the world to be flickering out into a draw.
A lot has been made of 'defensive' tactics from Mancini, but I think the opposite is the case really. Setting out with the previously successful front-four had to be done on the back of the free-scoring recent games but, despite excellent performances by Barry and de Jong, United's extra-man in central midfield told. Barry and de Jong competed really well but there was always going to be room for a player like Scholes to take control of the ball. So bringing Vieira on for Johnson, for me, was the logical step and I feel it did return some control to City.
Then City had to go for it, so he brought on the more attacking midfield option of Ireland. It is not Mancini's fault that Ireland has forgotten how to run. Ever since his arrival, Mancini must've been wondering what the legend is about Ireland. If he doesn't pick him then the media ask him why. If he does pick him then he gets abject performances. Ireland has been dogged by injuries since Mancini stepped in, so there must be part of the manager that believes the hype. Ireland of last year would have been the right man to bring into the game at that situation - a man who would battle as well as being able to produce some magic. But this was not the Ireland who came on yesterday. He has had injury problems and he only had ten minutes to get involved, but the least I would expect was effort.
So, I don't think Mancini can take the blame for negative tactics, when it was his changes that got our foot back in the game when United were beginning to dictate possession.
Anyway, as I said, it is time for the squad to forget that game and make the most of what is remaining.
Friday 16 April 2010
The "Different" Derby. United preview
To use Mr Ferguson's words: "It is the most significant derby for a long time. It is the first time since I have been manager that we are facing City when they have a genuine chance of achieving something." This game is huge. Whether we like it or not, Ferguson is probably right. Being young enough not to have ever seen City near the top of the table, I am used to the "as long as we beat United" mentality being used as the marker for a good season. But this derby, for the fans, symbolises a shift in the times.
In our most glorious fantasies, United are now in decline (I saw one comment yesterday comparing them to the Liverpool side who won their last title in 1989-90 - "you wouldn't have thought that side had won their last title for over twenty years"), and City can play a part tomorrow in making for a 3rd/4th finish for the Manchester teams - in what could kick-off the start of the great shift in power. But it is early days, and the fact that Ferguson does now admit City's threat (albeit with a little glance at a fruitless recent past), at least shows that City are now being taken seriously amongst the "established top four", and that they, not neccessarily just United, are really beginning to worry about their future stranglehold on the English Premier League.
But for all this, remarkably, it is still just a game of football. Mancini has been at pains to emphasise that football is the main thing here. A win would help City consolidate fourth spot. 'Whilst putting a dent in United's title hopes', he didn't add. With the slightly unexpected success of Tottenham on Wednesday night, the pressure is back on, and for all the fickle press jumping and swaying with their predictions every week - pre-Burnley: "Tottenham are nailed on favourites" / post-Burnley: "it has to be City now" - there is still work to do.
City welcome back the first choice full-backs of Zabaleta and Bridge, and despite Onuoha's successful last two games, you would expect them both to return to the side - especially as United's main, and possibly only, threat from midfield comes from outwide. Ireland and Vieira also pass fit, but unless Mancini opts for a more cautious approach,then I think the prolific midfield and attacking eight will retain their positions. de Jong has presumably been spending his yellow-cards away in order to play this game.
Possible team, 4-4-2:
Given; Zabaleta, Toure, Kompany, Bridge; de Jong, Barry, Bellamy, Johnson; Tevez, Adebayor.
Mancini has predicted a history-defining 'fantastic' final month to the season and City will be going into the derby in the rare position of slight favourites to some. So if City pull off a monstrous "going for goals" victory, the press won't have to fall back on the "anything can happen in a derby" tag and rather appreciate that this "different" derby is the start of something new. That's the dream.
In our most glorious fantasies, United are now in decline (I saw one comment yesterday comparing them to the Liverpool side who won their last title in 1989-90 - "you wouldn't have thought that side had won their last title for over twenty years"), and City can play a part tomorrow in making for a 3rd/4th finish for the Manchester teams - in what could kick-off the start of the great shift in power. But it is early days, and the fact that Ferguson does now admit City's threat (albeit with a little glance at a fruitless recent past), at least shows that City are now being taken seriously amongst the "established top four", and that they, not neccessarily just United, are really beginning to worry about their future stranglehold on the English Premier League.
But for all this, remarkably, it is still just a game of football. Mancini has been at pains to emphasise that football is the main thing here. A win would help City consolidate fourth spot. 'Whilst putting a dent in United's title hopes', he didn't add. With the slightly unexpected success of Tottenham on Wednesday night, the pressure is back on, and for all the fickle press jumping and swaying with their predictions every week - pre-Burnley: "Tottenham are nailed on favourites" / post-Burnley: "it has to be City now" - there is still work to do.
City welcome back the first choice full-backs of Zabaleta and Bridge, and despite Onuoha's successful last two games, you would expect them both to return to the side - especially as United's main, and possibly only, threat from midfield comes from outwide. Ireland and Vieira also pass fit, but unless Mancini opts for a more cautious approach,then I think the prolific midfield and attacking eight will retain their positions. de Jong has presumably been spending his yellow-cards away in order to play this game.
Possible team, 4-4-2:
Given; Zabaleta, Toure, Kompany, Bridge; de Jong, Barry, Bellamy, Johnson; Tevez, Adebayor.
Mancini has predicted a history-defining 'fantastic' final month to the season and City will be going into the derby in the rare position of slight favourites to some. So if City pull off a monstrous "going for goals" victory, the press won't have to fall back on the "anything can happen in a derby" tag and rather appreciate that this "different" derby is the start of something new. That's the dream.
Vote City as the Best Sports Site
The quite wonderful Official Manchester City Website is up for a Webby and could be awarded the best sports site on the internet - but it will require your vote. So, do it now! Just click on the link below.
From what I can see, ours is the only team-dedicated website up for the award - so let's win it for City!
Click HERE for the voting link.
Thursday 15 April 2010
Adam Johnson to the World Cup. Should Shaun be worried?
Three or four years ago my 76 year-old neighbour/left-wing enthusiast told me that an Adam Johnson was the best left winger in the country. Nevermind that he was behind another English winger, Stewart Downing, at club level, this lad was better than him and all the others in the country - including Joe Cole, who shouldn't be cutting in on the left anyway. Today's announcement by Fabio Capello means that I will only have to step outside the house today to be reminded of his premonitions/ultra-scouting abilities. Johnson has already done enough, by my neighbour's book, to join David Wagstaffe and Mark Kennedy in his City footballing textbook.
In a rare example of public praise, Capello said: "Johnson has caught my eye. Now it's important he gets some international experience." By this it seems Johnson will feature, and potentially win his first full-international cap, against Mexico on 24th May - and thus make the provisional World Cup squad of 30 men.
Capello goes on to say "He has come up from the Championship at Middlesbrough, where he played in a different position, and he has done well with Manchester City." Which from a man who tends to keep his cards close to his chest is praise indeed.
Just over a month ago I wrote an article outlining Johnson's outside chance of a World Cup spot. The only thing that has changed since then is Johnson's form and he is evidently a player who believes he is good enough - he has already seamlessly made the jump from Championship to "top four" football and he has every right to believe that he has put himself in the international frame.
I still believe that Capello has had a good idea of his final squad since before Johnson came onto the scene, but it is up to players to challenge this and Johnson has. With Lennon suffering another injury and Beckham out already, there may be opportunities for him.
Another worry, and it would be devastating for him after missing the last World Cup in similar circumstances, is Shaun Wright-Phillips' spot. Already a form-worry for Capello, Shaun has been replaced in the City side by Johnson, could it happen for the World Cup squad too? Walcott, Beckham, SWP and Downing were the chosen wingers for the Egypt game, but with Joe Cole, Johnson, and even Ashley Young making strong cases - Shauny would at least hope to be competing with his rivals at club level and the fact is - he is not.
In a rare example of public praise, Capello said: "Johnson has caught my eye. Now it's important he gets some international experience." By this it seems Johnson will feature, and potentially win his first full-international cap, against Mexico on 24th May - and thus make the provisional World Cup squad of 30 men.
Capello goes on to say "He has come up from the Championship at Middlesbrough, where he played in a different position, and he has done well with Manchester City." Which from a man who tends to keep his cards close to his chest is praise indeed.
Just over a month ago I wrote an article outlining Johnson's outside chance of a World Cup spot. The only thing that has changed since then is Johnson's form and he is evidently a player who believes he is good enough - he has already seamlessly made the jump from Championship to "top four" football and he has every right to believe that he has put himself in the international frame.
I still believe that Capello has had a good idea of his final squad since before Johnson came onto the scene, but it is up to players to challenge this and Johnson has. With Lennon suffering another injury and Beckham out already, there may be opportunities for him.
Another worry, and it would be devastating for him after missing the last World Cup in similar circumstances, is Shaun Wright-Phillips' spot. Already a form-worry for Capello, Shaun has been replaced in the City side by Johnson, could it happen for the World Cup squad too? Walcott, Beckham, SWP and Downing were the chosen wingers for the Egypt game, but with Joe Cole, Johnson, and even Ashley Young making strong cases - Shauny would at least hope to be competing with his rivals at club level and the fact is - he is not.
Tuesday 13 April 2010
Tevez out to please former clubs
There has been a lot of talk about Tevez's interview today but the bottom line is that most of what he had to say was unprofessional. Apparently on the back of City asking him not to launch any additional press interest in the build-up to the United game, Tevez has talked extensively on almost all subjects. His apparent displeasure at the 'Welcome to Manchester' sign (one he spent a lot of money in taking back to Argentina for his own house), his assertion that he would not score against West Ham on the closing day of the season if it threatened to relegate them, his feelings about training too hard, how he wanted Hughes to stay, and how he has no problems with Gary Neville, are just the more prominent ones. If this was his reaction to the "gagging-orders", then it was an odd one.
Tevez has been in superb form on the pitch this season, is fast becoming a City legend, and is perhaps a major reason for our current league success, but City officials have every right to be angry about his comments.
The main topic seemed to be to appease growing tensions between him and the United fans. It may have done something to ease the hatred that could come his way from the rags this Saturday, but it won't have helped the City camp - taking away some of the good feeling of recent results and re-focusing attention on supposed player-unrest at the training regime (something that it is very hard for fans to feel sympathetic about - they do, after all, get paid quite a bit to have only a few hours kickabout a day!).
It also signals the start of the match build-up five days before kick-off. It is a big game for everyone and City would have been hoping to keep the on-pitch advantage going as close to kick-off as possible, but I'm sure Tevez's wasn't the last voice we will hear on the subject. The sooner this is forgotten the better.
Tevez has been in superb form on the pitch this season, is fast becoming a City legend, and is perhaps a major reason for our current league success, but City officials have every right to be angry about his comments.
The main topic seemed to be to appease growing tensions between him and the United fans. It may have done something to ease the hatred that could come his way from the rags this Saturday, but it won't have helped the City camp - taking away some of the good feeling of recent results and re-focusing attention on supposed player-unrest at the training regime (something that it is very hard for fans to feel sympathetic about - they do, after all, get paid quite a bit to have only a few hours kickabout a day!).
It also signals the start of the match build-up five days before kick-off. It is a big game for everyone and City would have been hoping to keep the on-pitch advantage going as close to kick-off as possible, but I'm sure Tevez's wasn't the last voice we will hear on the subject. The sooner this is forgotten the better.
Jerome Boateng in, Micah Richards out?
Reports emanating from Germany today suggest that Jerome Boateng, the 21 year-old German international defender, will be leaving Hamburg this summer. Sky Sports had initially reported that City had concluded a deal before running a story quoting Hamburg officials saying that he was leaving but as yet no deal has been done.
Either way, taking both stories into account, this does sound like one of the more credible transfer rumours. Boateng is primarily a central defender, but can also ply his trade in the full-back positions, and this is probably where he will be competing for a place at City. If he signs, then City fans will be hoping he can continue our successful signings from Hamburg - Vincent Kompany and Nigel de Jong. As these two prove, there is far less a risk when signing a player from the Bundesliga, than from the other major European leagues, as it is probably the closest in style to the Premier League - and the players are definitely up to the physical demands presented by our game.
At 21, this would be a signing for the future too and would put him in direct competition with our own promising defenders - principally Micah Richards. The condition always applied to any doubts regarding Micah's development has always been that "he is still young" and, whilst I do think there is still time for him to become the player he has always threatened to be, signing a player of the same age and the same position will at least put his future in doubt.
Mancini will be looking to provide top quality competition for every position in the squad if we are to qualify for the Champions League. The question remains though whether he would see Micah as one of the options. Mancini already seems to favour Zabaleta to Micah - a player Mancini has also quoted as being naturally a midfielder. So, if Micah is second to a midfielder now, will he remain in second-place when more competition arrives.
Obviously competition and determination could be what Micah needs to spur himself on and it will be down to him to stay mentally strong in the face of what may seem to be arriving replacements. He has all the physical attributes to succeed as a defender, so the natural maturing process should see him improve his mental attributes and return him to the international fold. But as there are bound to be other offers on the table (he was linked with Tottenham earlier this week), it will be down to him whether he achieves this at City or elsewhere.
Either way, taking both stories into account, this does sound like one of the more credible transfer rumours. Boateng is primarily a central defender, but can also ply his trade in the full-back positions, and this is probably where he will be competing for a place at City. If he signs, then City fans will be hoping he can continue our successful signings from Hamburg - Vincent Kompany and Nigel de Jong. As these two prove, there is far less a risk when signing a player from the Bundesliga, than from the other major European leagues, as it is probably the closest in style to the Premier League - and the players are definitely up to the physical demands presented by our game.
At 21, this would be a signing for the future too and would put him in direct competition with our own promising defenders - principally Micah Richards. The condition always applied to any doubts regarding Micah's development has always been that "he is still young" and, whilst I do think there is still time for him to become the player he has always threatened to be, signing a player of the same age and the same position will at least put his future in doubt.
Mancini will be looking to provide top quality competition for every position in the squad if we are to qualify for the Champions League. The question remains though whether he would see Micah as one of the options. Mancini already seems to favour Zabaleta to Micah - a player Mancini has also quoted as being naturally a midfielder. So, if Micah is second to a midfielder now, will he remain in second-place when more competition arrives.
Obviously competition and determination could be what Micah needs to spur himself on and it will be down to him to stay mentally strong in the face of what may seem to be arriving replacements. He has all the physical attributes to succeed as a defender, so the natural maturing process should see him improve his mental attributes and return him to the international fold. But as there are bound to be other offers on the table (he was linked with Tottenham earlier this week), it will be down to him whether he achieves this at City or elsewhere.
Monday 12 April 2010
Birmingham player ratings
Given 7.
One large wobble on a cross, but otherwise a solid, if undemanding, display. Saved well with his legs in the second half.
Onuoha 9.
Besides his goal(s), he looked determined to stake his claim to regular football in his unfavoured right-back position. Some excellent robust challenges, intelligent runs (even if he didn't look entirely like wanting to receive the ball!), and may have had a hat-trick if it wasn't for Tevez and Bowyer!
Toure 7.
Solid performance from Kolo. Kept things simple and used his pace to act as a sweeper behind the dominant Kompany.
Kompany 8.
Led a healthy battle with the muscular Jerome and dominated it. Excellent in the air and his reading of the game is impressive. Made one mistake with a misjudged header, but reclaimed the ball straight away with a great tackle.
Garrido 6.
Great support play going forward, but completely unaware of Jerome for their goal (even if it was offside). Sometimes you can tell he is a converted left-winger.
de Jong 7.
Came in at the last minute for Vieira and despite the fear of a yellow card, he covered lots of ground and was never wasteful with the ball at his feet.
Barry 9.
An all action display from Barry today. Muted the Villa-inspired boos from the Birmingham fans and it looks like he has completely recovered his top form in time for the run-in and the World Cup.
Bellamy 8.
You could see how much he relished running at Carr and a typically high-energy performance earned him a standing ovation.
Johnson 8.
Has outstanding natural ability. Mesmerised the Birmingham full-backs with his quick feet and has an eye for a pass as well.
Tevez 8.
Stole a goal from Nedum like "a true centre-forward" and produced another fine display. Has so much confidence that you can tell he believes he can do it on his own.
Adebayor 9.
Worked very hard again and is a superb foil for Tevez's bustling energy. Scored twice, won the penalty, and his return to form has been key to completing the front four. Can dance too.
Substitutions:
Wright-Phillips (for Bellamy on 80mins) 6.
Difficult coming on for such a short amount of time and was unable to influence the game too much.
Santa Cruz (for Tevez on 87mins) N/A.
Ran around a bit, but not much chance to get involved.
Cunningham (for Johnson on 90mins) N/A.
Got a further taste, albeit a nibble, of first team football and his first in the Premier League. Six out of seven of our bench were academy graduates yesterday, a not inconsiderable sum and further evidence of Mancini's faith in the young boys.
Man of the match: Nedum Onuoha.
One large wobble on a cross, but otherwise a solid, if undemanding, display. Saved well with his legs in the second half.
Onuoha 9.
Besides his goal(s), he looked determined to stake his claim to regular football in his unfavoured right-back position. Some excellent robust challenges, intelligent runs (even if he didn't look entirely like wanting to receive the ball!), and may have had a hat-trick if it wasn't for Tevez and Bowyer!
Toure 7.
Solid performance from Kolo. Kept things simple and used his pace to act as a sweeper behind the dominant Kompany.
Kompany 8.
Led a healthy battle with the muscular Jerome and dominated it. Excellent in the air and his reading of the game is impressive. Made one mistake with a misjudged header, but reclaimed the ball straight away with a great tackle.
Garrido 6.
Great support play going forward, but completely unaware of Jerome for their goal (even if it was offside). Sometimes you can tell he is a converted left-winger.
de Jong 7.
Came in at the last minute for Vieira and despite the fear of a yellow card, he covered lots of ground and was never wasteful with the ball at his feet.
Barry 9.
An all action display from Barry today. Muted the Villa-inspired boos from the Birmingham fans and it looks like he has completely recovered his top form in time for the run-in and the World Cup.
Bellamy 8.
You could see how much he relished running at Carr and a typically high-energy performance earned him a standing ovation.
Johnson 8.
Has outstanding natural ability. Mesmerised the Birmingham full-backs with his quick feet and has an eye for a pass as well.
Tevez 8.
Stole a goal from Nedum like "a true centre-forward" and produced another fine display. Has so much confidence that you can tell he believes he can do it on his own.
Adebayor 9.
Worked very hard again and is a superb foil for Tevez's bustling energy. Scored twice, won the penalty, and his return to form has been key to completing the front four. Can dance too.
Substitutions:
Wright-Phillips (for Bellamy on 80mins) 6.
Difficult coming on for such a short amount of time and was unable to influence the game too much.
Santa Cruz (for Tevez on 87mins) N/A.
Ran around a bit, but not much chance to get involved.
Cunningham (for Johnson on 90mins) N/A.
Got a further taste, albeit a nibble, of first team football and his first in the Premier League. Six out of seven of our bench were academy graduates yesterday, a not inconsiderable sum and further evidence of Mancini's faith in the young boys.
Man of the match: Nedum Onuoha.
City 5 - 1 Birmingham
If there is a good time to hit form then it is now and City are doing it in style. It can be argued that Burnley made it easy for us, but Birmingham are a different proposition. Birmingham have made their place in the Premier League this season by virtue of a stout defence, so to score a comfortable five is quite a statement to make in the on-going battle for fourth place.
Before the penalty, Birmingham proved to be that team - very organised, a lot of men behind the ball - but with City probing, it would only take one goal to open things up. With Birmingham forced to come out of their shell a bit more, the speed with which City's attack flew at the Birmingham defence was quite devastating. The supposedly defensive Mancini's forward four rival any attack in the league for quality and it is perhaps the first time this season that they have all been firing at the same time. With so many attacking options, it is impossible for a defence to focus on stopping them all and Adebayor's return to form has been key to this potency.
However, the story of the game was Nedum Onuoha. Very unlucky not to have scored twice (or three times if Bowyer hadn't turned him upside down on the six yard box), Nedum is perhaps the man City fans most want to succeed. A lifelong City fan himself, he has always stayed loyal in the face of other clubs' interest, countless injuries, and managers who don't seem to regard him as part of their plans. So when he played a pass that was so miscued it tricked everyone and put him through on goal to finish with an improbably precise left-foot placement, the delight on everyone around me's faces was clear to see.
With fourteen goals in the past three games and eleven in the last two, City should now have the confidence to go into a potentially tricky final spell of five games. Equally important though will be our home advantage, and I got the feeling on Sunday that there is a lot more optimism amongst the fans and, dare I say it, that we have started to enjoy ourselves again. There no longer seems to be any justifiable argument against Mancini, the goals are going in, a great achievement is within sight - all of which undoubtedly helps - and the old "12th man" theory could well be the difference for us in the remaining games.
On the back of City's attacking display, returning to the car to hear Portsmouth beat Tottenham in the FA Cup really makes you appreciate what a beautiful game it is!
Before the penalty, Birmingham proved to be that team - very organised, a lot of men behind the ball - but with City probing, it would only take one goal to open things up. With Birmingham forced to come out of their shell a bit more, the speed with which City's attack flew at the Birmingham defence was quite devastating. The supposedly defensive Mancini's forward four rival any attack in the league for quality and it is perhaps the first time this season that they have all been firing at the same time. With so many attacking options, it is impossible for a defence to focus on stopping them all and Adebayor's return to form has been key to this potency.
However, the story of the game was Nedum Onuoha. Very unlucky not to have scored twice (or three times if Bowyer hadn't turned him upside down on the six yard box), Nedum is perhaps the man City fans most want to succeed. A lifelong City fan himself, he has always stayed loyal in the face of other clubs' interest, countless injuries, and managers who don't seem to regard him as part of their plans. So when he played a pass that was so miscued it tricked everyone and put him through on goal to finish with an improbably precise left-foot placement, the delight on everyone around me's faces was clear to see.
With fourteen goals in the past three games and eleven in the last two, City should now have the confidence to go into a potentially tricky final spell of five games. Equally important though will be our home advantage, and I got the feeling on Sunday that there is a lot more optimism amongst the fans and, dare I say it, that we have started to enjoy ourselves again. There no longer seems to be any justifiable argument against Mancini, the goals are going in, a great achievement is within sight - all of which undoubtedly helps - and the old "12th man" theory could well be the difference for us in the remaining games.
On the back of City's attacking display, returning to the car to hear Portsmouth beat Tottenham in the FA Cup really makes you appreciate what a beautiful game it is!
Friday 9 April 2010
Missing man takes centre stage: Birmingham preview
Joe Hart has dominated pre-match discussion this week, with McLeish using the meeting with City to enter negotiations. McLeish has suggested Joe would be 'devastated' to spend next season on the bench, whilst Mancini has said that the potential of Champions League football would require two top class goalkeepers and he wasn't talking about Stuart Taylor. However, the feeling seems to be that City value the potential of Hart and therefore, if a compromise needs to be reached to keep Joe happy, then a season's loan would be by far the least damaging solution. All of which is irrelevant to the game itself as he will not be playing.
Birmingham will instead call upon Maik Taylor, who will have to blow away the cobwebs and try to perform at the top-level after so long waiting on the sidelines behind Joe Hart (the fate Hart will undoubtedly be fearing next season). This obviously can only be good for City and Mancini has already hinted that he wants the side to carry on attacking in the style seen last weekend.
The only injury dilemmas for City regard fullbacks. With Micah struggling with injury and Zabaleta serving his final game of suspension, Nedum will probably be preferred at rightback. Whilst injuries to Sylvinho and Bridge should see Garrido return - unless something more drastic involving Gareth Barry is seen as a little more solid.
Nigel de Jong was rested for the Burnley game in order to protect his yellow card record and, with no disrespect for Birmingham, I presume he wasn't being protected for this game. So it could be another game for Barry and Vieira in the middle.
Probable team, 4-4-2:
Given; Onuoha, Toure, Kompany, Garrido; Johnson, Vieira, Barry, Bellamy; Tevez, Adebayor.
Birmingham's 2009 form has faltered since the turn of the year and whilst they probably should have won at St Andrews, it shouldn't be the same sort of test this time round.
With Tottenham and Villa involved in FA Cup ties this weekend, this is another opportunity to put some space between us and the chasers, and also to test City's collective mentality and if it is able to keep up with the levels (or something close to the levels) seen at Burnley last weekend.
Birmingham will instead call upon Maik Taylor, who will have to blow away the cobwebs and try to perform at the top-level after so long waiting on the sidelines behind Joe Hart (the fate Hart will undoubtedly be fearing next season). This obviously can only be good for City and Mancini has already hinted that he wants the side to carry on attacking in the style seen last weekend.
The only injury dilemmas for City regard fullbacks. With Micah struggling with injury and Zabaleta serving his final game of suspension, Nedum will probably be preferred at rightback. Whilst injuries to Sylvinho and Bridge should see Garrido return - unless something more drastic involving Gareth Barry is seen as a little more solid.
Nigel de Jong was rested for the Burnley game in order to protect his yellow card record and, with no disrespect for Birmingham, I presume he wasn't being protected for this game. So it could be another game for Barry and Vieira in the middle.
Probable team, 4-4-2:
Given; Onuoha, Toure, Kompany, Garrido; Johnson, Vieira, Barry, Bellamy; Tevez, Adebayor.
Birmingham's 2009 form has faltered since the turn of the year and whilst they probably should have won at St Andrews, it shouldn't be the same sort of test this time round.
With Tottenham and Villa involved in FA Cup ties this weekend, this is another opportunity to put some space between us and the chasers, and also to test City's collective mentality and if it is able to keep up with the levels (or something close to the levels) seen at Burnley last weekend.
Thursday 8 April 2010
"Typical Germans" raves hypocrite
Sir Alex Ferguson labelled the Bayern Munich players "typical Germans" for surrounding the referee in an attempt to get Rafael sent off, and I have to say I agree with hi... Oh no, hang on... Now I think about it, I seem to remember that a couple of non-German teams in our own Premier League are renowned for surrounding and influencing referees. Hmm.
Wednesday 7 April 2010
Youth development continued...
After my comparison at the weekend between Hughes and Mancini's willingness to introduce new youth talent, the Official City website seem to be running a youth themed week.
Following on from the article about Roberto Mancini and Jim Cassell's dedication to the Academy in which Mancini affirmed what the statistics tell us: "I am a manager who puts a lot of faith in bringing players through the Academy system and who has been pleased to give several City players their chance to play in the first team."
Jim Cassell went on to say, "I like to think that I have left a great legacy of youth development at Platt Lane that can hopefully be built on even further in the future." Whilst the Academy continues to bloom back home, Cassell is taking the City Academy model global with the plan to attract and recruit the best of the world's young talent, whilst also doing a bit of harmless PR to aid the owner's plans for world domination.
It is at this Academy in Abu Dhabi that, perhaps the most promising of our young graduates, Michael Johnson has set a target for a pre-season return. Without him, and a misfiring Ireland, City's central midfield has looked a little one-dimensional at times, and his return would add some of the class and vision needed to break through some teams. He is also a player unafraid to carry the ball from defence into attack - another factor the midfield lacks without him. He is "positive" that he can return strongly for pre-season and City fans will be hoping his torrid injury-ridden spell won't have hampered his progression and potential.
The third piece of academy news in the past two days has been Abdi Ibrahim signing a new four-year contract at City. Abdi is only eighteen and speaks of himself as "a fan as well as a player." This is further good news and more tangible proof of the owner's commitment to youth talent.
As a headline on the Official Website ran the other day - Barcelona are the benchmark - and if this is being taken into the academy too, then the future is bright. If City could be at a stage where they play a Champions League quarter final with seven academy graduates, like Barca did in the first leg against Arsenal, then the club would be in very good health indeed. Perhaps I'm getting a bit carried away, but all this focus on the academy can only be good for the club.
My previous article can be found here.
Following on from the article about Roberto Mancini and Jim Cassell's dedication to the Academy in which Mancini affirmed what the statistics tell us: "I am a manager who puts a lot of faith in bringing players through the Academy system and who has been pleased to give several City players their chance to play in the first team."
Jim Cassell went on to say, "I like to think that I have left a great legacy of youth development at Platt Lane that can hopefully be built on even further in the future." Whilst the Academy continues to bloom back home, Cassell is taking the City Academy model global with the plan to attract and recruit the best of the world's young talent, whilst also doing a bit of harmless PR to aid the owner's plans for world domination.
It is at this Academy in Abu Dhabi that, perhaps the most promising of our young graduates, Michael Johnson has set a target for a pre-season return. Without him, and a misfiring Ireland, City's central midfield has looked a little one-dimensional at times, and his return would add some of the class and vision needed to break through some teams. He is also a player unafraid to carry the ball from defence into attack - another factor the midfield lacks without him. He is "positive" that he can return strongly for pre-season and City fans will be hoping his torrid injury-ridden spell won't have hampered his progression and potential.
The third piece of academy news in the past two days has been Abdi Ibrahim signing a new four-year contract at City. Abdi is only eighteen and speaks of himself as "a fan as well as a player." This is further good news and more tangible proof of the owner's commitment to youth talent.
As a headline on the Official Website ran the other day - Barcelona are the benchmark - and if this is being taken into the academy too, then the future is bright. If City could be at a stage where they play a Champions League quarter final with seven academy graduates, like Barca did in the first leg against Arsenal, then the club would be in very good health indeed. Perhaps I'm getting a bit carried away, but all this focus on the academy can only be good for the club.
My previous article can be found here.
Transfer rumours: Super Mario, Vucinic et al
Predictably, since Mancini's appointment the rumour mongerers, probably aided by a team of agents, have seen City linked with a plethora of Italian-based footballers. It reminds me of the legion of Swedes City were "after" upon Sven's appointment - Ibrahimovic, Ljungberg, Kallstrom, etc. The only Swede in Sven's squad was one he inherited, Andreas Isaksson, who only made a handful of appearances that season.
Time will tell whether Mancini's Italian connections are similarly spurious, or whether the signing of Patrick Vieira points the way to the arrivals of: Chiellini, Motta, Bonucci, De Rossi, Poli, Cassano, Vucinic, Balotelli, Buffon, Martinez, Maicon, Cordoba, and more besides that I have probably forgotten.
Some though are more persistent than others and perhaps the most persistent of them all is surrounding Mario Balotelli. Whilst the comments from his agent are mixed, there is no doubt Super Mario feels under-appreciated under Mourinho - and their tempestuous relationship has flared on numerous occasions this season - resulting in a public apology from Balotelli in the past week. So this transfer, as with much else it seems, hangs on the future of Jose Mourinho.
It was Mancini who gave Balotelli his debut at seventeen, and it has been widely quoted that Mancini is like a mentor and father-figure for Balotelli. If he feels he should move from Inter, this reunion would undoubtedly appeal to him. Balotelli has been the subject of some very worrying racial abuse at the homes of some northern Italian clubs and, despite it being said that he is fiercely patriotic, he has very often cut a frustrated and angry figure when I have seen him this season in Serie A.
Balotelli can play anywhere along the frontline and although he doesn't always observe defensive responsibilities, he could vie with Bellamy for the left-wing role - especially as Bellamy has said that the increased amount of games brought about by European competition could severely test his knees.
My main concern with Balotelli is his temperament, but if there is anyone who can temper it, it should be his 'father-figure' in the game - Mancini. At only nineteen, he has the potential to be one of the world's best players, but he certainly needs to be reined in.
The other Italian rumours of the day are for Mirko Vucinic, for around £22-24m, to add another world-class striker into the mix, and Leonardo Bonucci. Bonucci has been part of Bari's successful return to Serie A (they currently sit 11th) and at the half-way point of the season they had the second best defensive record of the division. He is only 22 and has recently landed his first full international cap with Italy. However, as City have a number of strong young centre backs of a similar age (Kompany, Onuoha, Micah, Boyata), I don't think this area is our priority. The same goes for Jerome Boateng.
The important factor behind most of the players that City have been linked with is that they are all potentially suited to the Premier League, in that they all have the physical attributes to adapt - Balotelli, De Rossi, Cassano, etc. So, if they do all come to fruition, we shouldn't be adding too many of them onto the Corrado Grabbi, Massimo Maccarone list of Italians who are unsuited to our game.
Time will tell whether Mancini's Italian connections are similarly spurious, or whether the signing of Patrick Vieira points the way to the arrivals of: Chiellini, Motta, Bonucci, De Rossi, Poli, Cassano, Vucinic, Balotelli, Buffon, Martinez, Maicon, Cordoba, and more besides that I have probably forgotten.
Some though are more persistent than others and perhaps the most persistent of them all is surrounding Mario Balotelli. Whilst the comments from his agent are mixed, there is no doubt Super Mario feels under-appreciated under Mourinho - and their tempestuous relationship has flared on numerous occasions this season - resulting in a public apology from Balotelli in the past week. So this transfer, as with much else it seems, hangs on the future of Jose Mourinho.
It was Mancini who gave Balotelli his debut at seventeen, and it has been widely quoted that Mancini is like a mentor and father-figure for Balotelli. If he feels he should move from Inter, this reunion would undoubtedly appeal to him. Balotelli has been the subject of some very worrying racial abuse at the homes of some northern Italian clubs and, despite it being said that he is fiercely patriotic, he has very often cut a frustrated and angry figure when I have seen him this season in Serie A.
Balotelli can play anywhere along the frontline and although he doesn't always observe defensive responsibilities, he could vie with Bellamy for the left-wing role - especially as Bellamy has said that the increased amount of games brought about by European competition could severely test his knees.
My main concern with Balotelli is his temperament, but if there is anyone who can temper it, it should be his 'father-figure' in the game - Mancini. At only nineteen, he has the potential to be one of the world's best players, but he certainly needs to be reined in.
The other Italian rumours of the day are for Mirko Vucinic, for around £22-24m, to add another world-class striker into the mix, and Leonardo Bonucci. Bonucci has been part of Bari's successful return to Serie A (they currently sit 11th) and at the half-way point of the season they had the second best defensive record of the division. He is only 22 and has recently landed his first full international cap with Italy. However, as City have a number of strong young centre backs of a similar age (Kompany, Onuoha, Micah, Boyata), I don't think this area is our priority. The same goes for Jerome Boateng.
The important factor behind most of the players that City have been linked with is that they are all potentially suited to the Premier League, in that they all have the physical attributes to adapt - Balotelli, De Rossi, Cassano, etc. So, if they do all come to fruition, we shouldn't be adding too many of them onto the Corrado Grabbi, Massimo Maccarone list of Italians who are unsuited to our game.
Sunday 4 April 2010
Hughes 1 - 4 Mancini. Youth development
When Mark Hughes took over at City, a Blackburn supporting friend of mine warned me that his appointment was the end of our productive academy. Feeling a tad arrogant, I pointed to the wealth of talent City had produced in recent years and thought that maybe it was probably the fault of Blackburn's academy rather than that of Mark Hughes.
I have set out a comparison between the number of youth players that Hughes and Mancini have given first team debuts.
MARK HUGHES - in 18 months: one (Vladimir Weiss).
ROBERTO MANCINI - in 3.5 months: four (Dedyrck Boyata, Greg Cunningham, Abdisalam Ibrahim, Alex Nimely).
To use a bit of warped logic - Mancini is giving opportunities to youth players at a rate which would see him introduce nearly 24 in the time Hughes produced one.
It is also interesting to note that the players Mancini has given debuts to were not even featuring around the squad before his appointment.
I hope every fan is heartened by Mancini's willingness to put faith in the youth system. For me, it is far more satisfying to see a player succeed who City have nurtured and developed themselves, rather than one who we have bought fully established already. There is that feeling that the academy graduates (Sturridge as the exception) care more for the club that has produced them - and they are playing for their future, with the thirst and drive that is sometimes missing when you sign a player who has succeeded already (Mcmanaman for example).
Mancini was known for bringing in youth talent at Inter - including a debut for the precociously talented Mario Balotelli at 17 - and when the stakes are high, it takes bravery to select an untested youth player in the team. Not only does Mancini have the belief in the old adage that "if you're good enough, you're old enough", but he also has belief in himself too. With the weight of pressure coming from having owners who didn't appoint you, perhaps this is precisely what Hughes didn't have.
I have set out a comparison between the number of youth players that Hughes and Mancini have given first team debuts.
MARK HUGHES - in 18 months: one (Vladimir Weiss).
ROBERTO MANCINI - in 3.5 months: four (Dedyrck Boyata, Greg Cunningham, Abdisalam Ibrahim, Alex Nimely).
To use a bit of warped logic - Mancini is giving opportunities to youth players at a rate which would see him introduce nearly 24 in the time Hughes produced one.
It is also interesting to note that the players Mancini has given debuts to were not even featuring around the squad before his appointment.
I hope every fan is heartened by Mancini's willingness to put faith in the youth system. For me, it is far more satisfying to see a player succeed who City have nurtured and developed themselves, rather than one who we have bought fully established already. There is that feeling that the academy graduates (Sturridge as the exception) care more for the club that has produced them - and they are playing for their future, with the thirst and drive that is sometimes missing when you sign a player who has succeeded already (Mcmanaman for example).
Mancini was known for bringing in youth talent at Inter - including a debut for the precociously talented Mario Balotelli at 17 - and when the stakes are high, it takes bravery to select an untested youth player in the team. Not only does Mancini have the belief in the old adage that "if you're good enough, you're old enough", but he also has belief in himself too. With the weight of pressure coming from having owners who didn't appoint you, perhaps this is precisely what Hughes didn't have.
Burnley player ratings
Given 7.
Not overworked, but a good save from a Nugent header and had to stay alert to the slippery surface in the second half.
Onuoha 7.
Great to see him back in the starting line-up. Untested defensively, but looked surprisingly comfortable on the ball for someone who is short on match practice.
Toure 7.
Solid and only jitters came with the unpredictability of ball-movement in the second half.
Kompany 7.
Continues to shine. Whether he prefers midfield or not, he should be our number one choice centre back now.
Sylvinho 7.
Similarly untested defensively, but looked assured on the ball and his lack of pace was never called into question.
Barry 8.
Given so much time to enjoy himself in midfield, and this was his simple game near the heights of early season form.
Vieira 8.
Was called upon to improve and produced a good display. Perhaps needs the time afforded to him by the Burnley midfield, but his intelligence and experience shone through. Excellent header.
Johnson 8.
Improving with every game. Apart from one bumbled pass in the first half from a good position, his final ball was there as well today, and it devastated Burnley. Three assists to add to another fine display. Perhaps the England calls aren't too farfetched?
Bellamy 8.
Epitomised the pace with which City tore into Burnley in the first half. A superb run for his goal, and his coming inside to link midfield with attack provides a solution to our central midfield's creativity void.
Tevez 8.
Sharp and incisive, and the fulcrum of most of City's devastating first half. A goal, two assists, hit the inside of the post. Influential as ever.
Adebayor 8.
For a player much maligned for his supposed poor work effort, Adebayor has been putting a lot of effort into his previous games (pre and post ban) and, for a player with the ability he has, he can cause real problems. Two goals and an assist add to a top performance.
Substitutions:
De Jong (on for Sylvinho, 67mins) 6.
Tried hard not to get booked in trcky conditions and did all he could on a fairly unplayable pitch.
Santa Cruz (on for Adebayor, 79mins) N/A.
Not enough time to influence the game properly but got into some good positions that were hindered by a sticking ball.
Nimely (on for Tevez, 83mins) N/A.
Great to see another academy graduate. Looked lively.
My Man of the Match:
A great team display and it could go to any one of City's midfield or attack, but some eights are better than others, so... Carlos Tevez.
Not overworked, but a good save from a Nugent header and had to stay alert to the slippery surface in the second half.
Onuoha 7.
Great to see him back in the starting line-up. Untested defensively, but looked surprisingly comfortable on the ball for someone who is short on match practice.
Toure 7.
Solid and only jitters came with the unpredictability of ball-movement in the second half.
Kompany 7.
Continues to shine. Whether he prefers midfield or not, he should be our number one choice centre back now.
Sylvinho 7.
Similarly untested defensively, but looked assured on the ball and his lack of pace was never called into question.
Barry 8.
Given so much time to enjoy himself in midfield, and this was his simple game near the heights of early season form.
Vieira 8.
Was called upon to improve and produced a good display. Perhaps needs the time afforded to him by the Burnley midfield, but his intelligence and experience shone through. Excellent header.
Johnson 8.
Improving with every game. Apart from one bumbled pass in the first half from a good position, his final ball was there as well today, and it devastated Burnley. Three assists to add to another fine display. Perhaps the England calls aren't too farfetched?
Bellamy 8.
Epitomised the pace with which City tore into Burnley in the first half. A superb run for his goal, and his coming inside to link midfield with attack provides a solution to our central midfield's creativity void.
Tevez 8.
Sharp and incisive, and the fulcrum of most of City's devastating first half. A goal, two assists, hit the inside of the post. Influential as ever.
Adebayor 8.
For a player much maligned for his supposed poor work effort, Adebayor has been putting a lot of effort into his previous games (pre and post ban) and, for a player with the ability he has, he can cause real problems. Two goals and an assist add to a top performance.
Substitutions:
De Jong (on for Sylvinho, 67mins) 6.
Tried hard not to get booked in trcky conditions and did all he could on a fairly unplayable pitch.
Santa Cruz (on for Adebayor, 79mins) N/A.
Not enough time to influence the game properly but got into some good positions that were hindered by a sticking ball.
Nimely (on for Tevez, 83mins) N/A.
Great to see another academy graduate. Looked lively.
My Man of the Match:
A great team display and it could go to any one of City's midfield or attack, but some eights are better than others, so... Carlos Tevez.
Burnley 1 - 6 City
All the pre-match feelings that always niggle at me - that City were almost too much the favourites for this game - were blown away in an unbelievable start. A start that was like Barca vs Arsenal in the week, but more dominant and it was from the side I support. There wasn't even time to think 'perhaps we've scored too early'.
Burnley were poor but City were rampant and even impartial observers said that an 8-0 advantage at half-time would not have flattered us. It is one thing to come up against a poor side, but it is another to demolish them - and there was no wastefulness from City today.
Mancini set the side out to attack (he is beginning to look less like the Italian 'defensive' manager every week) and the front four overpowered a hapless Burnley in the opening exchanges. I feel he was vindicated in the selections of Vieira and, to no gamble at all, Bellamy - as both played a huge part in walking through them. After Bellamy's impact in the Wigan game, it was suggested he had been asked to come in-field and help link midfield and attack (something City have been crying out for), and he did this today again - giving an almost free-role which left the Burnley defence unsure of how to deal wit him - the darting run for the second goal typified his success.
The only tangible threat posed to City was the weather and that made for a slightly uncomfortable second half - Nugent threw his arms in the air at every stuttering pass, as if to say 'Ref, this isn't fair, the pitch has interrupted our fluent football, where's our comeback going to come from now?' But, as Adam Johnson said after the match, the pitch really did help Burnley and, with City then unable to play with precision, the match ended as a spectacle - leaving me to watch the sorry Burnley staff plead for a rain delivered mercy.
The day couldn't have gone much better for City - with Tottenham losing, United losing and City recouping a whopping seven goals on Tottenham, even a Luton-esque replay wasn't going to darken the day. City now occupy the fourth poisition and with four out of the remaining six games at Eastlands, City will, at the very least, be 'there or thereabouts'!
Burnley were poor but City were rampant and even impartial observers said that an 8-0 advantage at half-time would not have flattered us. It is one thing to come up against a poor side, but it is another to demolish them - and there was no wastefulness from City today.
Mancini set the side out to attack (he is beginning to look less like the Italian 'defensive' manager every week) and the front four overpowered a hapless Burnley in the opening exchanges. I feel he was vindicated in the selections of Vieira and, to no gamble at all, Bellamy - as both played a huge part in walking through them. After Bellamy's impact in the Wigan game, it was suggested he had been asked to come in-field and help link midfield and attack (something City have been crying out for), and he did this today again - giving an almost free-role which left the Burnley defence unsure of how to deal wit him - the darting run for the second goal typified his success.
The only tangible threat posed to City was the weather and that made for a slightly uncomfortable second half - Nugent threw his arms in the air at every stuttering pass, as if to say 'Ref, this isn't fair, the pitch has interrupted our fluent football, where's our comeback going to come from now?' But, as Adam Johnson said after the match, the pitch really did help Burnley and, with City then unable to play with precision, the match ended as a spectacle - leaving me to watch the sorry Burnley staff plead for a rain delivered mercy.
The day couldn't have gone much better for City - with Tottenham losing, United losing and City recouping a whopping seven goals on Tottenham, even a Luton-esque replay wasn't going to darken the day. City now occupy the fourth poisition and with four out of the remaining six games at Eastlands, City will, at the very least, be 'there or thereabouts'!
Friday 2 April 2010
The Turf at Turf Moor and a Richard Dunne backheel: Burnley preview
A lot has been made of the pitch conditions City are likely to face tomorrow. As I was sitting admiring the state of the pitch at Eastlands, as one does when excitement dips, against Wigan, part of me was thinking ahead to the potential contrast City may face against Burnley.
Suddenly the pitch has become a big problem - last weekend alone, the Blackburn camp scoffed at the playing conditions they found at Turf Moor (albeit a little more quietly than they would had they not taken the three points), and Arsene Wenger decided it was the pitch's fault that a dominant Birmingham team weren't comfortably beaten by his pass-masters. It reminds me of our Championship winning side's trip to Millmoor to play Rotherham - the side with Bernabia and Berkovic - where Rotherham openly neglected their groundkeeping duties in order to make for a more-even playing field, so to speak. A game that required an equaliser by Ali Bernabia to save our blushes. But when the gulf in resources between the two clubs is so high, then maybe other elements need to be taken into consideration to win football matches.
That same season saw our last trip to Turf Moor - a four-two win courtesy of a Shaun Goater hattrick - which, for me, will always be remembered (with the aid of that season's video) for the unlikely skill involved in the goal of the day: Richard Edghill picking up a deft backheel from Richard Dunne on the right before sweeping a cross into the path of Shaun Goater, who only needed to be fed to score. Sometimes the magic is all the better for coming from unlikely sources.
Of course, more recent form gives City the distinction of being the only team Burnley have managed to return from with a point on their travels this season, but the wider picture should give City confidence. Burnley only have one win in their last twenty-one matches and are looking like a beaten side. With their poor away form, this game will be vital to them if they are to stay in touch with Hull and West Ham in the battle for survival and City can expect, as Mancini says, a team fighting a battle at '200%'.
Selection issues for Mancini should sort out themselves. Zabaleta is suspended for the next two games and Micah Richards is on hand to fill in at right-back. You would imagine Barry will return for Vieira, but it depends on how Mancini will prioritise these games - with De Jong one yellow away from a similar two game ban, will he pull him out of this game to lessen the chance of missing Birmingham and United, or would it actually be better to get that out of the way before the end of season crunch games come along. Either way, Mancini seems to be settling with the attacking 4-4-2/4-2-4 formation and with a win and goals on his mind, I imagine he will be looking to attack from the off.
Probably team:
Given; Richards, Toure, Kompany, Garrido; Johnson, De Jong, Barry, Bellamy; Tevez, Adebayor.
In the build up to this game Mancini has said: "whether we play a team in the top four or the bottom four, the fact is that we still only get three points for the win." And this little truism is the key to success. If Mancini can get the players as motivated for the away trips to Burnley as for the derby games, for example, then that ruthlessness could be endlessly important in these last few games.
Suddenly the pitch has become a big problem - last weekend alone, the Blackburn camp scoffed at the playing conditions they found at Turf Moor (albeit a little more quietly than they would had they not taken the three points), and Arsene Wenger decided it was the pitch's fault that a dominant Birmingham team weren't comfortably beaten by his pass-masters. It reminds me of our Championship winning side's trip to Millmoor to play Rotherham - the side with Bernabia and Berkovic - where Rotherham openly neglected their groundkeeping duties in order to make for a more-even playing field, so to speak. A game that required an equaliser by Ali Bernabia to save our blushes. But when the gulf in resources between the two clubs is so high, then maybe other elements need to be taken into consideration to win football matches.
That same season saw our last trip to Turf Moor - a four-two win courtesy of a Shaun Goater hattrick - which, for me, will always be remembered (with the aid of that season's video) for the unlikely skill involved in the goal of the day: Richard Edghill picking up a deft backheel from Richard Dunne on the right before sweeping a cross into the path of Shaun Goater, who only needed to be fed to score. Sometimes the magic is all the better for coming from unlikely sources.
Of course, more recent form gives City the distinction of being the only team Burnley have managed to return from with a point on their travels this season, but the wider picture should give City confidence. Burnley only have one win in their last twenty-one matches and are looking like a beaten side. With their poor away form, this game will be vital to them if they are to stay in touch with Hull and West Ham in the battle for survival and City can expect, as Mancini says, a team fighting a battle at '200%'.
Selection issues for Mancini should sort out themselves. Zabaleta is suspended for the next two games and Micah Richards is on hand to fill in at right-back. You would imagine Barry will return for Vieira, but it depends on how Mancini will prioritise these games - with De Jong one yellow away from a similar two game ban, will he pull him out of this game to lessen the chance of missing Birmingham and United, or would it actually be better to get that out of the way before the end of season crunch games come along. Either way, Mancini seems to be settling with the attacking 4-4-2/4-2-4 formation and with a win and goals on his mind, I imagine he will be looking to attack from the off.
Probably team:
Given; Richards, Toure, Kompany, Garrido; Johnson, De Jong, Barry, Bellamy; Tevez, Adebayor.
In the build up to this game Mancini has said: "whether we play a team in the top four or the bottom four, the fact is that we still only get three points for the win." And this little truism is the key to success. If Mancini can get the players as motivated for the away trips to Burnley as for the derby games, for example, then that ruthlessness could be endlessly important in these last few games.
Thursday 1 April 2010
The Second Keeper dilemma: Joe Hart
Alex McLeish has gamely come out to offer his chances to the press about landing Joe Hart for another year. He said: "City are not going to make any decisions regarding Joe until the summer. They have confirmed that to us now. We would like to sign Joe for another season. The keeping role is massively important and that's why I'd like to get City's nod of approval."
He goes on to say that Joe has saved them "10 to 12 points this season" and that he should be a certain for the World Cup. If City were to insist Joe stays next season, would he want to spend a season as second fiddle to Shay Given.
The second goalkeeping position is a hard squad position to fill. As the second goalkeeper cannot be guaranteed games, and in actual fact the manager would prefer it if you weren't called upon, and as it is a specialised position, opportunities are very limited. Almost all the clubs in the Premier League suffer from this - Arsenal have notorious problems, but even Stojkovic for Wigan on Monday proved it - and when the second keeper is finally called upon, he will be so short on match practice that he only has instinct and inspiration to help him.
There can only be two types of players up for the role: one, that thinks he is strong enough to challenge and displace the current number one, and two, one who wouldn't get first team football elsewhere and is happy to be involved, but not playing, at the top level. For City, Hart would probably fall into the first category, whilst Stuart Taylor has spent most of his career in the second.
From his comments at the start of the season, Hart wants to return to City at some point, but he also wants to play first-team football. This could turn into a stand-off if City decide Hart would offer a lot stronger back-up than Taylor, which he undoubtedly would, given the increased amount of competition City could face next season.
Hart could definitely be a star of the future, but he will need the game time Birmingham can guarantee to continue to improve - thus keeping him happy and ensuring City get back a young goalkeeper with a wealth of Premiership experience.
Saying that, I am sure there are lots of City fans who would have him between the posts right now.
He goes on to say that Joe has saved them "10 to 12 points this season" and that he should be a certain for the World Cup. If City were to insist Joe stays next season, would he want to spend a season as second fiddle to Shay Given.
The second goalkeeping position is a hard squad position to fill. As the second goalkeeper cannot be guaranteed games, and in actual fact the manager would prefer it if you weren't called upon, and as it is a specialised position, opportunities are very limited. Almost all the clubs in the Premier League suffer from this - Arsenal have notorious problems, but even Stojkovic for Wigan on Monday proved it - and when the second keeper is finally called upon, he will be so short on match practice that he only has instinct and inspiration to help him.
There can only be two types of players up for the role: one, that thinks he is strong enough to challenge and displace the current number one, and two, one who wouldn't get first team football elsewhere and is happy to be involved, but not playing, at the top level. For City, Hart would probably fall into the first category, whilst Stuart Taylor has spent most of his career in the second.
From his comments at the start of the season, Hart wants to return to City at some point, but he also wants to play first-team football. This could turn into a stand-off if City decide Hart would offer a lot stronger back-up than Taylor, which he undoubtedly would, given the increased amount of competition City could face next season.
Hart could definitely be a star of the future, but he will need the game time Birmingham can guarantee to continue to improve - thus keeping him happy and ensuring City get back a young goalkeeper with a wealth of Premiership experience.
Saying that, I am sure there are lots of City fans who would have him between the posts right now.
Base Comedy March Awards
PLAYER OF THE MONTH: CARLOS TEVEZ.
I find it hard to give it to anyone else. The month started with a fairly abject performance against Sunderland, variously attributed to personal issues, but from then on in he has been fighting the cause almost on his own at times. My man of the match in each of the other remaining games. Has had his hand in everything City have had going forward - a top performance at Fulham was eclipsed by his match-winning display against Wigan, but even against Everton he was our only threat.
Joleon Lescott was my man of the match against Sunderland, but his march towards the March award was cut short by injury. Other contenders were some way off, but it hasn't been a bad month for Kompany or Adam Johnson. Bellamy would contend but two good performances were evened out by two bad.
GOAL OF THE MONTH: ADAM JOHNSON (vs Sunderland)
A close call between this one and Tevez's beautifully crafted goal against Fulham, but for all its importance and composure, Johnson's injury time curler wins it.
DISAPPOINTMENT OF THE MONTH: VS SUNDERLAND (first half)
Flat, lifeless and completely outplayed...
PERFORMANCE OF THE MONTH: VS SUNDERLAND (second half)
Attacking, dynamic and could have had five if it wasn't for Craig Gordon.
TAKE A LOOK AT YOURSELF: SHAUN WRIGHT-PHILLIPS
Don't want to harp on about it but, as I wrote yesterday, it has been a month to forget for Shaun.
MARCH POINT TOTAL: 7 from 12.
FOURTHOMETER: On track but have it all to do.
I find it hard to give it to anyone else. The month started with a fairly abject performance against Sunderland, variously attributed to personal issues, but from then on in he has been fighting the cause almost on his own at times. My man of the match in each of the other remaining games. Has had his hand in everything City have had going forward - a top performance at Fulham was eclipsed by his match-winning display against Wigan, but even against Everton he was our only threat.
Joleon Lescott was my man of the match against Sunderland, but his march towards the March award was cut short by injury. Other contenders were some way off, but it hasn't been a bad month for Kompany or Adam Johnson. Bellamy would contend but two good performances were evened out by two bad.
GOAL OF THE MONTH: ADAM JOHNSON (vs Sunderland)
A close call between this one and Tevez's beautifully crafted goal against Fulham, but for all its importance and composure, Johnson's injury time curler wins it.
DISAPPOINTMENT OF THE MONTH: VS SUNDERLAND (first half)
Flat, lifeless and completely outplayed...
PERFORMANCE OF THE MONTH: VS SUNDERLAND (second half)
Attacking, dynamic and could have had five if it wasn't for Craig Gordon.
TAKE A LOOK AT YOURSELF: SHAUN WRIGHT-PHILLIPS
Don't want to harp on about it but, as I wrote yesterday, it has been a month to forget for Shaun.
MARCH POINT TOTAL: 7 from 12.
FOURTHOMETER: On track but have it all to do.
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