City bid to halt the Juve revival. Juventus Preview

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

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

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

Possible eleven:

Hart

Richards,  Kolo Toure,  Kompany,  Boateng

Yaya Toure,  De Jong,  Barry

Milner, Silva

Tevez

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

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

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

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

City 1 - 0 Chelsea. Match report and player ratings

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

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

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

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

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

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

Player ratings:

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

Man of the match:  Nigel de Jong

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Beating weaker teams. Chelsea preview

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

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

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

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

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

Possible line-up:

Hart

Boyata, Kompany, Kolo Toure, Zabaleta

Yaya Toure, De Jong, Barry

Milner, Silva

Tevez

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

Wigan 0 - 2 City. Match report and player ratings

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

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

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

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

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

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

Player ratings:

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

Man of the match:  Carlos Tevez

Whelan and Martinez support City's rise: Wigan preview

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

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


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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hart

Richards,  Kolo Toure, Kompany, Zabaleta

De Jong, Yaya Toure, Barry

Milner,  Adam Johnson

Tevez

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Player ratings:

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

Man of the match: Kolo Toure

One month in, do we know our best eleven?

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

Hart

Richards, Kolo Toure, Kompany, Lescott

Barry, De Jong, Yaya Toure

Johnson, Milner

Tevez

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hart

Richards,  Kolo Toure,  Kompany,  Lescott

De Jong, Barry

A. Johnson, Milner,  Silva

Tevez

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Player ratings:

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

Man of the match: Adam Johnson

City vs Blackburn - match preview

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Possible line-up:

4-2-3-1

Hart

Richards, Kolo Toure, Kompany, Lescott

De Jong, Barry

Johnson, Yaya Toure, Milner

Tevez

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mixed messages from Lazio about Santa Cruz

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

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

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

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

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

Santa Cruz's agent was quoted as saying:

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

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

August Awards

PLAYER OF THE MONTH: JOE HART

I can't look much further than Joe Hart for the Player of the Month. He immediately vindicated Mancini's faith in him with that outstanding display against Tottenham and, just as it seemed he would have a quiet night against Liverpool, he pulled off a wonderful double save that had the crowd leaping up and down as if City had just scored a goal. Solid and imposing, Hart has given the defence more confidence and has been the key man in a month when we have only conceded one goal - and that from the penalty spot.

Other contenders for the award include the midfield duo of Gareth Barry and Nigel de Jong - who have dominated midfield battles - and Vincent Kompany, who's partnership with Kolo Toure seems to be blossoming again this campaign.


GOAL OF THE MONTH: GARETH BARRY (vs Liverpool)

A sweeping end to an eighteen-pass move from Barry as he collected Milner's low cut-back. Our new possession football at its incisive best.


PERFORMANCE OF THE MONTH: 3-0 vs Liverpool

In front of Sheikh Mansour, City dominated Roy Hodgson's team and the flowing football defied all the worries about 'team-ethic' and 'gelling' that the press were lapping up after the draw at White Hart Lane.


DISAPPOINTMENT OF THE MONTH: Sunderland

City fell apart in the second half and were the complete antithesis of the patient, flowing side that appeared twice at Eastlands that week.


TAKE A LOOK AT YOURSELF: STEPHEN IRELAND

I wish him well at Villa, and I am sure he is bitter about leaving City, but his confused rant did more to satisfy City fans that his departure was the right move than anything we've seen in recent months. All the complaints about the young players who were obsessed with money were blatantly hypocritical, as well as his swipes at Michael Johnson's and Micah Richards' pay, but it was his arrogance that summed up the Ireland-conundrum. The 'I'm better than the new signings' and the 'I was always one of the best in training' comments. Everytime Ireland appeared on the pitch (where it matters afterall!), he showed nothing at all to support his supposed training performances. I was worried after his Player of the Season year that it would all go to his already fragile head, and the tippy-tappy performances that followed showed a return to an Ireland that undoubtedly has the ability, but doesn't have the head to use it. With regards to the mentality, Milner is the perfect juxtaposition. To see Ireland have an uncomfortable 6-0 drubbing of a debut just a day or two after his comments was good enough comeuppance for me. Now he can get on with rebuilding his career.


POINTS TOTAL (Premier League): 4 from 9

0-0 Tottenham (A)
1-0 Timisoara (A)
3-0 Liverpool (H)
2-0 Timisoara (H)
0-1 Sunderland (A)

Late week round-up: Robinho and the 25

Robinho, the man whose arrival came to symbolise the moment City leaped into the realms of the footballing heavyweights, left the club this week. Whilst many will bemoan his lack of commitment to the club, I still think he brought more good than bad to the football club.

People will be scandalised by how much money went on him, but money is hardly City's problem at the moment, and the statement his arrival made to the footballing world accelerated our rising reputation throughout the game. When a player who has captured football purists' hearts across the world (if only through youtube compilations!) moves to a club who few considered a major player, it heightens the club's presence everywhere. Suddenly Pele wants to talk about City and, in no time at all, the world's best goalkeeper, Gianluigi Buffon feels it necessary to discuss the merits of City's back four. It wouldn't have happened as quickly without the arrival of the wee Brazilian.

He has been largely absent for the past twelve months of his City career - leading a confused Guardian reporter to say he went from Real Madrid to City to Milan within the space of twelve months - but that one season, for all his inconsistencies, contained moments of such brilliance that it is hard to say he was a complete failure for City. My three favourite goals of his being the volley against West Brom, the right-foot curler against FC Twente in the Uefa Cup, and, best of all, that scooped chip against Arsenal (which luckily I was right behind, before I was evicted from the North Stand to accomodate the Family Stand!). For these alone, his tempestuous stay at City was worth all the no-shows and pandering to other clubs. I wish him all the best at Milan, where he faces another battle (Ibrahimovic, Ronaldinho, Pato) to maintain regular first-team football!

The twenty-five was also announced in the wake of transfer deadline day, with Robinho's departure meaning Roque Santa Cruz had a berth to fill. There were further surprises in the inclusion of Michael Johnson, who aims to be fit for the final month before the squad can be reviewed again, and Shaleum Logan - who played no part in pre-season, was on loan at Tranmere all of last season, and has been taking trials at Championship clubs this summer. Only Kelvin Etuhu and David Gonzalez are unregistered for the Premier League campaign - and you'd imagine Etuhu is destined for another loan spell - although, there are no restrictions on Cup games, if Mancini is feeling charitable to them!

Although competition for places is still very high, City had a successful transfer deadline day in so far as avoiding any 'trapped' unregistered players (with respect to Etuhu and Gonzalez), and the speed of the coming games should mean they will all be called upon at some point this season. With any luck, what has been widely dubbed 'an accident waiting to happen', could now become simple 'healthy competition'. The need for squad rotation has been impressed upon everyone, so those in the twenty-five know what is coming, and know they will have to win their place when the chance arises - which can only be good for the club!