Confident win from the blues: City 3:1 West ham.

An enjoyable game overall last night, with strong performances through out the squad.

The defence looked allot more solid. Pablo Zabaleta really delivered in the right back role and will make it hard for Richards to get his place back. He won ball, passed well and was disciplined! Bridge was in good form last night also. He looked like the Bridge of old, at Southampton, skipping past players and having a pop at goal himself. Toure and Lescott looked more comfortable together, although again we conceded from a set piece. Carlton Cole was free from the start and was able to move where he pleased. We actually miss Adebayor at set pieces, he has been impressive on the post reaching headers and clearing the ball!

The midfield looked more functional with just Barry and De Jong. NDJ had another stormer, he was pretty much everywhere and was my Motm! Petrov looked like his old self, never one to get stuck in, but lighting quick and has a deadly left boot. He should really have scored a couple, but he should be pleased with his performance, he just creates another headache for Hughes! SWP didn't have the best of nights, not through lack of effort, but it was just one of those games where he failed to finish of a move or take on the last defender. I would like to see Hughes make more use of his subs, especially when we have a 2 goal buffer, we have a big squad and we should use it. Players like SWP, Tevez and Bellamy work very hard and sometimes a rest does them good!

Tevez was in top form against one of his former clubs! It was nice too see the warm welcome he received from their support! He could of really scored 6 goals , but did net 2 for his efforts. His work in providing the link between the middle and upfront will be vital this season, he's a very clever player!
Bellamy once again caused havoc for a poor West Ham defence and was unlucky not to get on the score sheet with a couple of extravagant efforts!

The most pleasing moment from the night is seeing the return of Michael Johnson and a debut for Roque Santa Cruz, who could of. perhaps should of had a debut goal! It will be a while for both to get full fitness, especially Jonno, but it adds more quality in depth to the squad!

West Ham, for me were really disappointing. Some brief moments in the second half, they mustered some decent attacking verve, but defensively they really are weak. It's something you wouldn't expect from a Italian manager. It's early days and they have had a tough start to the season, they are sure to improve. But it was obvious, the difference in ability and confidence on the pitch!

Another solid win at home. The next test is Villa away. I think that could be a tough game that we could really get something out of. Adebayor tribunal is on Thursday and hopefully he will escape with a ban. If not, I'm sure the club will launch some sort of legal battle for victimisation and he will be cleared to play against Villa!

Monday Madness. City take on the Hammers!

Sorry, not been around for a bit, since the derby really. i was going to write after the cup tie, but it was too dull!

With a decent display in the derby despite missing key attacking players, City can count on a makeshift front force still producing the goods. Pretty impressive!

Well the news from the training ground is Johnson, RSC and Kompany are ready to take jump into the season. RSC looks the most likely to feature at some point tomorrow with City really lacking some height upfront! Johnson apparently needs a few games to get sharp and looked really rusty, which is understandable! But the odd cameo appearance on the bench will ease him back into the game!

The only worry is Stevie Ireland who took a worrying trip to hospital, he was cleared fit, but it's not a nice thing to read. He hasn't been great this season, and i thought it in the second half at Fulham we saw glimpses of the old Ireland!

The biggest project for Hughes at the moment is getting the defence to function better than it has been doing. Despite Givens best efforts, we shipped easy goals at United and at home to Arsenal! Toure and Lescott have to develop an understanding pretty quickly! Zabaleta should get the go ahead in front of Richards, hopefully he can cement his spot in the side!

West Ham are a good side, Zola has them well organised and skillful side. City tend to play better against these sides, being allowed more space and allowed to press forward and do what we do best! It should be a good game and i am confident of a win. 3-1

It Begins: United Vs City, Manchester/Salford Derby!

Derby day is amongst us once again, Mark Hughes men have their toughest opponents this season, Arsenal obviously an easy win at 4-2! As usual the war of words has started between players, managers and between fans, I’ve already received a few ‘rag texts’ this week! I obviously really hope we win, so I don’t have to keep quiet for a few days after the game, I want to gloat!

It’s a tough task! United have a strong side, albeit without Ronaldo who they will certainly miss. Expect to see Granddad Giggs and Scholes feature at some pint, the ageing twosome are still performing relatively well this season! Hopefully Cletus the slack jawed defender will miss out through injury as they are certainly better team with him in it! Rooney (proven in the Nike advert to be half chimp!) is no doubt the man to watch out for, on form this season, he is sure to be the real threat already netting 5 goals this season!

I am expecting a scrappy game! Hughes knows how to play united, proving an all too difficult opponent at his times at Blackburn. Without star man Adebayor who is actually suspended believe it or not. We need to take a solid approach towards the game to suit the squad available. Taggart slated Hughes for Blackburns methods at the Swamp, but i expect some of that grit tomorrow. With De jong, Bellamy, Tevez, we have the right work ethic to compete and cause problems. De jong and Barry will be key in controlling the middle! As United will certainly be physical!
Taggart and Hughes don’t particularly get on anyway, the press battle between the two has been some what entertaining! The ‘Tevez’ poster is still grinding the gears of Taggart with him outrageously slating City as ‘Cocky’! Oh well!

At the moment City have more injury problems than Michael Owen. But according to the helpful daily training reports on Bluemoon, Tevez HAS trained three days in a row, and I have sneaking suspicion he will play! RSCrock has also started full training, although lacking in fitness, may have a surprise spot on the bench! The defence as norm, the midfield will likely feature Ireland, Barry and De Jong. Ireland really must improve on his season form, providing the link between striker and midfield and show his ability! Without Adebayor we lack that edge up front, but Bellamy did have a fine game Vs Arsenal and should prove a nuisance for the United Defence. A fit Tevez would be a Brucy bonus! I hope Hughes will give Petrov the go ahead, he looked good the other week and has real class, he too has pace which always give defenders a headache! We still have a pretty decent side, we could have the beating of United. Mind you, we won with Vassell and Benjani so anything is possible! Bad knees Benjy could be another one in line for a spot in the squad, although I’m not sure if he is fully fit!

Expect a scrappy game, probably not a great one either. Few goals, if at all! Is a draw on the cards? It wouldn’t be a shocker if it were too happen, but fingers crossed City will come out on top tomorrow 1-0 with a goal from Lescott!

Also, may i say happy Eid, Eid Mubarak: to our Owners for tomorrow!


+ check out TLDORC recent interview on a rag site, yes he's been fraternising with the enemy, but it's a good read!

Life Sentence for Adebayor!

Patrick Barclay from the times has finally come up with a fair opinion on the matter, not the vast over reaction in the public hanging of Adebayor! We know the Fa will buckle under any media pressure ban him more than needed!

At the end of a beautiful yet bestial weekend that epitomised what is right and wrong with elite English football, we could not celebrate the glorious exuberance of matches such as those won by the Manchester clubs without acrimoniously debating side issues featured on television, notably the dismissal at White Hart Lane of Paul Scholes, which Sir Alex Ferguson and others deemed harsh, and the continued presence of Emmanuel Adebayor on the City of Manchester Stadium pitch after his boot drew blood from the face of an outraged Robin van Persie.

In some quarters of the moral maze, this was not the worst of Adebayor’s afternoon and the apology he made in front of the cameras concerned his expression of joy and relief after scoring a crucial goal for City against Arsenal. That he ran, ignoring missiles, to face the visiting fans who had spent most of the previous season at the Emirates Stadium abusing him was stupid and undignified, no doubt, but I thought this a relatively trivial matter.

Fans lose their right to be offended when they go on the offensive. If they cannot take it — these miserable products of a sick society who consider a player’s family fair game for the vilest insults and yet, because of their numbers, are allowed to continue to serve as football’s audience — they should not give it. Adebayor did say sorry and the implication that he will take care not to repeat an offence for which he was rightly shown a yellow card by Mark Clattenburg should be the end of the matter.

The Van Persie incident was different. The Dutchman accused his erstwhile colleague of a “mindless and malicious stamp” that might have endangered an eye and Clattenburg, when he is shown the video, is expected to confirm that he would have shown Adebayor a red card had he discerned it. This, under the FA’s simplistic disciplinary rules, renders Adebayor liable to a three-match suspension. Thus the same punishment would be applied as if Van Persie had merely had his shirt tugged while running through on goal.

But the rights and wrongs are a lot more complicated than that. Check the video again and you will see that the challenge by Van Persie that preceded Adebayor’s dig was itself a red-card candidate. As was the potentially leg-breaking assault, masquerading as a tackle, for which Scholes was shown his first yellow card against Tottenham Hotspur.

Van Persie is also culpable for shouting profenities at the city fans after he scored, but that hasnt been deemed worthwhile to print in the media! Lets not forget this is the same RVP who kicked FC Thun player in the face, or elbowed Keiran Richardson without punishment or vilification in the press!

Hughes has come out also in defence of Adebayor.

“Emmanuel Adebayor sustained a tremendous amount of personal abuse from the kick-off but strongly maintains that there was no malice intended in the challenge on Robin Van Persie and apologised to him when he hugged him on leaving the field of play at the end of the game.

“The referee had a great view of the challenge from Ade and the one that preceeded it by Van Persie and deemed at the time that neither were worthy of either a yellow or red card.

RVP press statement was a pre meditated move to put Adebayor in the dock, it was in far too much detail for a man who was facing the ground when the incident took place! Adebayor will get a deserved ban, but i hope Arsenal will be punished and RVP for their part in spoiling what was a great victory for a weakened city side!

City crush Arsene's whingers!

Great result, odd game, full of goals, controversy and hypocrisy!

City started poorly in both Half's but generally defended well until we went 4 up! Richards and Bridge looked very impressive! Lescott despite having a Dunne moment played pretty well making some top well timed tackles. Kolo once again the best at the back!

Nigel De Jong at last got a chance to shine this season. He is a top class player and provides the necessary grit that we haven't yet had this season. The ball winning skills of him and Barry should be treasured by Hughes! Steven Ireland was again anonymous, coasting through the game leaving us 1 short in the middle! When he was finally removed, City finally found it's best shape!

Bellamy had a stunner and should of been MOTM! He lacks the final ball to be really effective on the left as a winger, but his work rate and effort made him undroppable! As soon as he shifted through the centre, we looked better organised and balanced! Everyone has mentioned Robinho struggling to get in the team, well i think Ireland will struggle, he has yet to perform this season.




Arsene Whinger once again relies on stats to finish another game in a ungracious manner, despite Arsenal not troubling Given at all in the 1st half! Perhaps he should of set his team to go out and win instead of getting one over Adebayor. Ade was marked with about 4 players on average and victim to the continued barrage of low grade fouls that Whinger claimed United are guilty for, but never Arsenal. I thought their fans were also disgraceful, their conduct towards their own players has always been poor. Deeply unpleasant taunts on Adeabyor all game, it was quite amusing at the time to see him sprint the pitch. The reaction from the away fans was simply out of order. When Robin Van Persie scored and ran to city fans screaming 'F*ck Off' i didn't notice anything been thrown at it him, will he get punished for that?

He probably did stamp on Van persie who took him out with a reckless and malicious tackle. I thought it odd that he saw so much of the incident with his head pointed towards the ground! I expect the witch hunt to go on for sometime, and perhaps Ade won't get away with it like Rooney or Ronaldo! Clattenburg was stood in front of the challenge, so expect the Fa to ignore it's own laws and have another trial by TV. Van persie has shown himself to be classes hypocrite, with a provocative press release and his conduct on the pitch with the fans and Adebayor! Not a great way to end a great victory, we don't really want to lose Ade for a few games either. hopefully RSC and tevez will be back soon! City gave a strong performance and took our chances well! Great confidence boost for the united game!

Manchester City Vs Arsenal: Preview

Quick preview of today's game:

Today's game will be the hardest test to date this season, with city recording all their wins with the lower achieving sides of the league! Disappointing news coming from the international break, Tevez and robinho both unavailable through injury although robbie might make the bench! Having read reports from training this week, it appears Hughes will pick a midfield trio of De Jong, Ireland and Barry supporting the wings with Bellamy and SWP and of course fronted by ex Arsenal Adebayor! Not ideal, being without our strongest line up for the biggest task of the season so far, but we should still present a quality side!

The defence with be under most scrutiny today being the weakest link in the side so far this season, despite not conceding! Given has been impressive this season and will hope to have a little more support from a more settled and skilled back line! We have to expect big performance from Lescott today along side Toure as we cant afford to have any defensive slip up against quality team like Arsenal!

Two ex gooners will have something to prove today after being sold by Wenger! The much maligned Adebayor left Arsenal( despite a fantastic scoring record) the fans got on his back and he felt it time to leave! He's scored a goal a game so far this season and will hopefully continue today. Toure spent around 7 years at Arsenal and moved to City for a fresh start. He has been most impressive this season and we need him to establish a strong partnership with lescott very quickly! With both players having something to prove, it goes for arsenal as well. Wenger will want to justify his decision to sell two top class players and not replace them.

The game should be entertaining at least! City like to press forward and attack at home, I am happier with De Jong and Barry sitting back as it allows Ireland to play his best game! Ireland will gave to be on top form today to combat Fabregas who unfortunately returns to the Arsenal side! I can't really judge today's game, but it certainly will be difficult for us. A draw would represent a decent result at this stage of the season! But we could quite easily lose this if we are not sharp!

Fink Tank Predictor:

Renne jump on the Fifa Bandwagon!

It's been all go this week on English football, Platini will be rubbing his hands together. It's coincidental it's three French clubs that have caused trouble for the premier league! City have apparantly been reported by Renne over the deal to sign defender Jérémy Hélan ( who looks a very good player!)

Manchester City were drawn into the threat of a transfer window ban last night, as the French club Rennes declared that their signing of the prodigious young defender Jérémy Hélan had been unlawful and presented a more clear-cut case for reprisals from Fifa than Chelsea's move for Gaël Kakuta.

Hélan, now 17, who captained the French Under-16 side a year before Kakuta and is another product of the nation's famed INF Clairefontaine academy, was a player Manchester United wanted to buy in 2008 before the French club dug in their heels over his departure. City then moved in, to the indignation of the Ligue 1 side, who insist that Hélan's pre-contract agreement, which he signed as a 13-year-old, tied both the player and the club to a contract if he represented France at youth level.

Chelsea have been severely punished for their deal with Gaël Kakuta, Lens had made a complaint at the time of the deal, which has only come to fruition now. But why has it then, taken Renne 6/7 months to complain or indeed Le harve with United, it suggests to me at least that these teams are jumping on the recent media to gain more income! Or perhaps we truely are at fault!

It was then that City moved in – without any contact according to Dreossi, who insisted yesterday that the ITC provided by the French football federation for the player was delivered in error. The player arrived at City in February.

This in particular bothers me and may be a potential flaw in the Lens complaint with Chelsea as well. City, it states received the international trade certificate (ITC) which suggest the deal was cleared correctly! If it was in fact delivered in error, can the blame be put on city, but instead surely on the French football federation and Renne!

I don't know enough to comment sufficiently, i can only speculate. But i think allot more will come of this int he coming weeks, more complaints from French clubs and legal challenges. I think the chelsea deal will also be reopened if they present a legal case, which they should do! It all looks a bit of a mess! I'd prefer it if we didn't have a transfer ban!

City have denied offering inducements to player this morning on BBC radio Manchester!

City told BBC Radio Manchester that no inducements were offered to Helan to break a contract with Rennes and that the transfer was totally legal.

What is the value of Garry Cook to city?

Cook has become some what an enigma at city, often vocal in his opinions on club matters (good and bad). He has become the main man in terms of City’s development on the ground! He has a fondness for marketing jargon ….buzz words. But with his recent bad press, what value does he actually have to the club?

Cook spent 12 years working for Nike in mostly the USA before taking his role as chief exec under Thaksin replacing the bean counter Alastair Macintosh! In January 08 he was made ‘President’ of the Nike Jordan brand, one of Nike biggest brands, it’s an extremely impressive role! Cooks ability is in Marketing, spreading Brands in the global market! This is what he brings to the club. He has great pedigree in the business and that should stand the club in good stead. Cook already attracted another marketing manager from Nike, ex Arsenal winger Brian Marwood along with David Pullen the marking manager who has a glittering CV in TV, Magazine brand growth and Chris Kay from Fallon (one of the top ad agencies around). So the majority of the City exec team are from marketing/ad background that has to reflect in the policies of the club!

Much or Cook’s rhetoric reflect his background (obviously), But does this translate well into football. Recent comments from Richard Dunne have exposed the lack of leadership at the top and perhaps reflects the evolution of the club if it is to become a Global brand!

"All he wants is big-money players,

He doesn't understand the core loyalty of the club and where it begins.

For him, I was probably a bit of a nuisance. I found out things that were going on behind my back and I wouldn't speak to him. Every time I came around he probably felt a bit uncomfortable.

It just needed people to be honest with me. I was getting phone calls from people saying Garry Cook was trying to sell me behind my back, two months after me going to him and saying if he has any problems to come and deal with me.

I'm disappointed with people who say one thing and then do the other. I'm not a baby, I'm not going to cry if the club want to sell me, but just don't do it behind my back."

These are worrying remarks from Dunne as it doesn’t reflect well on the club or Cook who in the words of Michael Jordan

“demonstrates tremendous leadership in the global marketplace”

Those comments don’t reflect what has transpired at the club. Cook has long seen Dunne a part of the old city. He has discussed in length ending the ‘typical city’ mindset from players and fans and saw Dunne as a part of that! In China he gave some indication of desire for change,

“No disrespect, Richard Dunne doesn’t roll off the tongue in Beijing.”

Dunne isn’t marketable player, he doesn’t have a global image that the club can use to sell itself. The club pursuit of household names or ‘marquee signings’ is the key to the clubs image progress. Cook would argue there is no room for sentimentality and he acted on behalf of the club to help it grow. City is a brand that he is in charge of spreading globally to boost our income and success, the players are simply a commodity in Cooks game plan! The treatment of Dunne shows Cook is taking an aggressive policy in managing the club, ruthless but he would argue necessary approach if we are reach our aims quickly as possible! However it should have been dealt with in a more respectful manner, Cook and the club have come under some degree of scrutiny over transfer policy and actions like this represent a lack cohesion and respect from executive! Cook insistence on retaining the traditions of the club have been neglected in this instance! The club cannot not afford to be too ruthless, there has to be some balance, this deal could have been dealt with far more diplomatically, which is a weakness for Cook. Last season Kaka deal ended in Cook blaming the Milan elite of wasting City’s time. I thought this to be an ill advised move especially for a marketing man! Diplomacy and respect are needed in a business where people are the commodity, it reflects well on the club and it’s dealings!

Cook talks a good talk and has the right acumen and skill to drive to club to a position where the owner want us to be in! He will feel he has take whatever steps that are necessary to achieve this, if that means stepping on a few toes on the way to the top, then so be it! It’s not the most pleasing of policy’s and something we don’t want to hear about in the press. Hopefully this is an aberration and the club gets it act together and makes sure it doesn’t happen again. Cook is the man to lead us forward, as he is running the club on a day to day basis. What he has brought to the club already looks impressive! The development of the ground, club website and shop, Umbro deal and the aggressive marketing campaign ie the infamous 'WELCOME TO MANCHESTER' poster with Carlos Tevez! It's all very impressive and hopefully more is to come, with the academy's abroad, more lucrative pre season tours, and more developments of club facilities.

City should be in good hands and if Cook is good at his job, Dunne type incidents won’t happen again!

England Duty

This season City are well represented in the England side. Lescott, Barry, SWP and of course Bridge(almost forgot) are in the squad to face Slovenia today! This a very good showing from City and we should be looking to add more. I would hope Micah Richards has a significantly better season and recaptures the form than initially got him into the England squad. Also Nedum Onouha, arguably the better defender of the two is also eligible for England. It's unclear yet if he will bide his time or join his country of birth Nigeria. But as U21 captain he impressed highly at international level, i hope he chooses England because he is still young and can take advantage of an ageing senior squad back line!

As for today's game, Bridge is almost certain to be on the Bench as a replacement for Cashley! But there is a good chance that Lescott could be in line to start with Terry as Cletus Ferdinand is still injured, although he does have competition from Upson!

Barry has become a regular in the England side providing the right compliment to either Lampard or Gerrard who have, so far failed to be a productive force together! Swp could also be in line for a start, with his only competition coming from Aaron Lennon. So City could well be well represented in the starting line up tonight!

City this season have a real strong English core, which i think will be vital in providing the right atmosphere and mindset in a international squad. It's good to see city players holding prominent roles in the England side!

The likes of Tevez and Robinho will be battling it out (vs each other) during the international break. Bellamy has been recalled as captain to Wales. Martin Petrov and Shay Given are all involved in International fixtures!

Cheers Dunney!

Richard Dunne has finally had his deal to join Aston villa confirmed!
TLDORC gives a pretty good summation of Dunnes city career and how the club has developed, perhaps beyond Dunne, it was a good time for him to move on! I won't repeat what has been written, but I'm sure there will be plenty of Dunne article on forums and blogs alike!

He has been a loyal servant to the club and has been a rock during some difficult periods in the clubs history. We have seen a decline in Dunne's form and reliability in the past two seasons. Clearly Hughes noticed and reinforced with two premier league heavyweights. There was little chance of him competing with Toure and lescott of even Onouha who excelled last season while those around him failed to impress. City are challenging at a different level this season and simply didn't fit the new model!

We will next see Dunne in a Villa shirt which will be an odd site, i hope he gets the reception he deserves as a genuine City legend. A new start for him may refresh his career, but hopefully not enough to stop City putting a few past him.

Cheers Dunney!

Has the deal been Dunne?

As the transfer window finally shuts. Richard Dunne's future still remains in the balance! It still appears to be a disagreement over a loyalty payment to Dunne on leaving the club. He has agreed personal terms and passed a medical at villa, but there has yet to be any confirmation! Sky can not confirm anything as of yet!

City again are involved in another after the window deal, hopefully it wont last as long as the Benjani saga!

Petrov has remained at the club, which is very pleasing, Hughes made the right choice keeping him. It keeps quality in depth that city will need this season!

EDIT:

Andy Burton the transfer man on Sky sports news believes the Dunne deal has been completed in time, but it yet to be confirmed!

No Bentley Deal

Brian Swanson from Sky Sports News has reported the Club have officially stated Bentley will not be joining the club in this window on either a loan or permanent deal. We have finished our transfer deals for the window!

With little news on Petrov as well, i would hope Hughes would hang on to him at least until January. Although there are some reports he is already in London!

Benjani has been linked with Sven's Notts county on a loan, which would be a great move for them, he should score for fun at that level!

Tal Ben Haim Leaves the Club!

So Ben Haim, one of Hughes 1st signings at the club has departed ways after what can only be described as one disappointing season. He spent half of the last term away on loan at Sunderland but did little to impress. Having said that, it doesn't make him a bad player, his form at Bolton brought him to chelsea on a Bosman under Mourinho! With the likely hood of 1st team football at Pompey and their physical nature as witnessed on Sunday should suit his style of play! Hughes has used him a fair bit during the pre season, perhaps to put him in the shop window, as city fans have been expecting him to leave for some time.

Who's next?
Benjani's proposed move to Hull seems to have collapsed, Sky suggest personal terms, but perhaps Hull despite their lack of luck in the transfer market, are not willing to gamble on a player who's knee's are at crumbling point! I would expect one or two premier league sides (pompey) to be in for the experienced striker before tomorrows deadline!

Petrov is still very much linked with move to join 'arry' at Spurs! He hasn't featured once this season after an outburst during international duty. Hughes has preferred the skill lacking bellamy rather than petrov as a robinho replacement! I wouldn't sell to rival like spurs this season, why reinforce their squad and leaving us without a team member who can cross!(although it appears just one decent cross in 90 mins seems to be enough to earn the managers praise.)

So would Bentley be involved in the deal? Bentley the spurs flop, who promises allot but often delivers very little. They call him 'Becks' at spurs. I presume it's down to his inability to take any on, rather than his passing, which isn't near good enough to be compared with Beckham's! Bentley obviously peaked under Hughes while at Blackburn, so Hughes might be tempted to reunite with another of his former players! He can at least take a decent corner! He 'apparently' ( so my lawyers told me to say) enjoys the 'big time' fancies himself as the next best thing, Hughes can obviously control him and take him down a peg or two! He has decent passing ability and adds an all be it over rated set piece specialist!

Dunne's deal still remains in the balance! It's not clear what the hold up is, although some press report his asking for a bonus to compensate missing his ten year testimonial. Hopefully this untrue, the modern premier league player doesn't need a testimonial therefore doesn't need a bonus for service despite how long they have been at the club. It would be a major move for Dunne, relocating his family, there is a lot to take into account. There is still a strong chance he will remain at least until the January window!

So departures are certainly going to be more likely than arrivals. There are no solid rumours flying around about big last min deals, so all we can do it wait it out!