An unconvincing performance tonight. City flattered at times, but failed to show any real quality in the final third. Another poor showing at the back meant we failed to capitalise on some poor defending.
Our first goal was extremely fortunate. The goalkeeper made a serious error to which gave Nedum his second goal for city. Amusing at the time, but considering it was one of our best chances on goal, highlights our lack of quality in the final third. The Second goal, taken competently by Steven Ireland, but was again made easier by poor defending and a rare good ball from SWP.
We created a few other chances, but poor finishing let us down and we eventually paid the cost through typical city defending. The return of Dunne clearly didn't do us any favours, there seemed to be a competition at the back of who could make the most errors in 90 mins. Both goals coming from set pieces raises the question about what we are actually doing in training. Two free headers is very poor.
Bellamy spent most of the game off side whilst Robinho dipped in and out of the game. I am worried about our home form if he continues to fail to find the net. He has been vital to our home form this season, we can't afford that to end. The lack of substitutions worried me. We have a big game on Sunday and we were not playing particular well. Gronkjaer came on and caused us problems at the back, we didn't adjust to this new threat.
Overall i am generally happy because we have the away goal and a draw was pretty much as i expected. An improvement on the Portsmouth performance isn't surprising as it couldn't get much worse. We are in a good position to beat them at home and have an advantage.
Not sure where this leaves us for Sunday.
Thursday, 19 February 2009
FC Copenhagen Vs Manchester City: Uefa Preview.
A nice break away from the disappointment that is our premier league season. There is aspiration from city fans, that we can actually can get to the final in this tournament despite our poor domestic form. We have been quite fortunate in the teams we have been drawn against. Copenhagen are not a bad side but it could of been worse. We certainly have the quality to beat them. Ignoring the nonsense their coach Solbakken has come up with this week, the game should be competitive, and hopefully the team will play with some pride and spirit.
Robinho, the most recent scapegoat is likely to be fit as will Richards. SWP and Dunne will also be available for the fixture. So a pretty decent squad available. Gelson has remained home due to injury, which may lead to Kompany returning to the midfield with the absence of De Jong from the Uefa squad.
Hughes has been calling for the same spirit that enabled us to beat a struggling Schalke side. This game was some time ago, in November. Our most recent European form has been less convincing. A poor display at home to Paris St-Germain and then a woeful loss to Santander leave me with some worry with today's fixture.
i am hoping for a draw at least so we can put a few past them at home. Fingers crossed!
Robinho, the most recent scapegoat is likely to be fit as will Richards. SWP and Dunne will also be available for the fixture. So a pretty decent squad available. Gelson has remained home due to injury, which may lead to Kompany returning to the midfield with the absence of De Jong from the Uefa squad.
Hughes has been calling for the same spirit that enabled us to beat a struggling Schalke side. This game was some time ago, in November. Our most recent European form has been less convincing. A poor display at home to Paris St-Germain and then a woeful loss to Santander leave me with some worry with today's fixture.
i am hoping for a draw at least so we can put a few past them at home. Fingers crossed!
Saturday, 14 February 2009
Portsmouth 2:0 Manchester City: Poor showing!
Keep it short today as I'm still too angry!
Know one played well today, we were flat had no tempo and struggled to create anything of value in 90 mins. Robinho was awful today, he didn't look interested and that worries me and I'm sure it will worry the owners. The midfield didn't function today, Elano started out left and then moved right, Ireland started out right then moved into the middle. It looked confused and led to some poor performances from out attacking players. Bellamy looked pretty redundant on his own, his final ball was often poor today. The quality of passing today was very poor, lost count the amount of times Elano lobbed the ball up to the only man up the field, funny enough they rarely worked.
Clumsy defending again let us down. Logan looked inexperienced and struggled generally with Nugent, who doesn't look any better than Jon Macken. We treated Crouch like berbatov today, standing off him and letting him dribble. Very poor showing generally. The second goal came far too easily, no marking at set pieces again. Bridge looks poor in defence and his mistake cost us another goal, Johnson was able to get two shots on goal.
Very poor result, continuing our woeful away record. It created intense pressure on Hughes, there is certainly a prevailing air of discontent surrounding the club at the moment with fans and players. This is not an acceptable result!
Know one played well today, we were flat had no tempo and struggled to create anything of value in 90 mins. Robinho was awful today, he didn't look interested and that worries me and I'm sure it will worry the owners. The midfield didn't function today, Elano started out left and then moved right, Ireland started out right then moved into the middle. It looked confused and led to some poor performances from out attacking players. Bellamy looked pretty redundant on his own, his final ball was often poor today. The quality of passing today was very poor, lost count the amount of times Elano lobbed the ball up to the only man up the field, funny enough they rarely worked.
Clumsy defending again let us down. Logan looked inexperienced and struggled generally with Nugent, who doesn't look any better than Jon Macken. We treated Crouch like berbatov today, standing off him and letting him dribble. Very poor showing generally. The second goal came far too easily, no marking at set pieces again. Bridge looks poor in defence and his mistake cost us another goal, Johnson was able to get two shots on goal.
Very poor result, continuing our woeful away record. It created intense pressure on Hughes, there is certainly a prevailing air of discontent surrounding the club at the moment with fans and players. This is not an acceptable result!
Friday, 13 February 2009
Portsmouth Vs Man City: Preview
A replay of the called of fixture in January. Our last game in hand. This is our chance to improve the terrible away record of 1 win all season. We beat pompey 6-0 early on this season with great ability and flair, but this was Pompey under Harry Rednapp. The recent sacking of Tony Adams means Portsmouth will be headed by Paul Hart the father of ex-city player Johnny Hart in the 50's and 60's. Brian Kidd the ex united assistant has also joined Harts team. They will be hoping for some of that new manager luck, which statistically would of come to Adams anyway.
This is the most important time of Hughes City career, the closing end of the season is as the cliche ridden Andy Gray would say 'the business end'! He has to get them team finishing strongly and improve on 1 away win all season.
With the recent exposure of Elano class Vs the world champion the other night, confirming it to be pretty difficult to leave him on the bench as Hughes has been doing. Despite him being involved with most of our league wins this season. With SWP suspended unfairly for three games, it will give Hughes a chance to either utilise Elano or Bellamy on the right. Possibly use Caicedo upfront.
The Fink Tank Predictor suggest on the form alone we only have a 30.8% of winning which is understandable. Portsmouth statistically being favourites at home, despite their own poor form, City's woeful away record obviously reduces our chances. I am sticking to my guns and will continue to believe we will go on to win as it has to come eventually.
This is the most important time of Hughes City career, the closing end of the season is as the cliche ridden Andy Gray would say 'the business end'! He has to get them team finishing strongly and improve on 1 away win all season.
With the recent exposure of Elano class Vs the world champion the other night, confirming it to be pretty difficult to leave him on the bench as Hughes has been doing. Despite him being involved with most of our league wins this season. With SWP suspended unfairly for three games, it will give Hughes a chance to either utilise Elano or Bellamy on the right. Possibly use Caicedo upfront.
The Fink Tank Predictor suggest on the form alone we only have a 30.8% of winning which is understandable. Portsmouth statistically being favourites at home, despite their own poor form, City's woeful away record obviously reduces our chances. I am sticking to my guns and will continue to believe we will go on to win as it has to come eventually.
Sunday, 8 February 2009
Manchester City 1:0 Middlesbrough: Poor game, Good result.
Yesterday for me was a flat, negative and generally disappointing performance. We managed to carve out a few opportunities, but it took Bellamy to finally take some responsibility and actually take a shot for us to get in front.
I thought yesterday we saw the best and the worst of Steven Ireland, he was lauded by some as a genius yesterday. His diving head move and the ball across of the box are examples of Ireland energy attacking drive. But yesterday his game was littered with mistakes. His passing quality is very poor at least 1/3rd of his balls went adrift. When he gets forward, he doesn't see the options around him. He benefited from Bellamy being very quick to cover his poor final ball. Robinho too was very poor, he was generally taking shots that were not on, but he does have great vision and was still able to release ireland into the box. SWP is another, his work rate was fine, tracking back was great, but going forward he simply ran into trouble every time. He is no doubt going to be suspended now, so a break might do him good.
The team was flat, the tempo was slow and we really were not that good. Two defensive midfielders at home, is that really necessary, especially against a team struggling to get any results at all. Elano is one of the best passers in the league, if Hughes is to persist with Bellamy on his own, we need elano's ability to cut defences in two with a simply pass. Let's not forget how often he was able to release Petrov. Caicedo came on and added bulk, he is skillful and strong, Bellamy would be a lot more effective playing with him, rather than on his own.
The defending again was shaky at times. Both Richards and Bridge caught out on numerous occasions. Richards is simply lazy, walking back whilst Boro are on a break is unacceptable. It was only Given that kept us in the game. A great goalkeeper can win you games, nothing against Hart but it don't think we would of had a clean sheet yesterday if he was in the nets. Given made several top class saves and it was his saves that got the crowd going, and that alone should signal the lack of quality in the final third, we simply didn't do the business.
I would of liked another attacking player on much earlier yesterday, i don't know why we were so risk averse. I would of removed Richards and put Zabaleta at right back.
We have a better side than Boro, we have great creative players, we simply didn't perform. A very laboured performance, we could of had three, but so could of Boro, that doesn't give a fair example of the game. Not a great performance, but three points that puts good amount of difference between us and the bottom group. City are beginning to look functional, but lack all the creative spark and flair that we had at the start of the season. It's not entertaining and difficult to watch.
A quick point on Jo. He has been labeled a misfit, bad influence all sorts of insults and attacks. He has been given 6 starts and Hughes hasn't let him finish one of them. He's a 21 year old, clearly talented striker. He was never given a fair chance Hughes wouldn't use him even when it was obvious we needed height and target in the box. Moyes takes him, a bit of confidence, he came out as a tall Target man, who take on players, use both feet and scored two goals. I find it difficult to see how Hughes failed to get anything out of him. Everton play 5 in the midfield and 1 up top, which isn't very different to what we do. I'm sure our owners will be looking on and questioned why a 19 million investment is playing well away from the club.
I thought yesterday we saw the best and the worst of Steven Ireland, he was lauded by some as a genius yesterday. His diving head move and the ball across of the box are examples of Ireland energy attacking drive. But yesterday his game was littered with mistakes. His passing quality is very poor at least 1/3rd of his balls went adrift. When he gets forward, he doesn't see the options around him. He benefited from Bellamy being very quick to cover his poor final ball. Robinho too was very poor, he was generally taking shots that were not on, but he does have great vision and was still able to release ireland into the box. SWP is another, his work rate was fine, tracking back was great, but going forward he simply ran into trouble every time. He is no doubt going to be suspended now, so a break might do him good.
The team was flat, the tempo was slow and we really were not that good. Two defensive midfielders at home, is that really necessary, especially against a team struggling to get any results at all. Elano is one of the best passers in the league, if Hughes is to persist with Bellamy on his own, we need elano's ability to cut defences in two with a simply pass. Let's not forget how often he was able to release Petrov. Caicedo came on and added bulk, he is skillful and strong, Bellamy would be a lot more effective playing with him, rather than on his own.
The defending again was shaky at times. Both Richards and Bridge caught out on numerous occasions. Richards is simply lazy, walking back whilst Boro are on a break is unacceptable. It was only Given that kept us in the game. A great goalkeeper can win you games, nothing against Hart but it don't think we would of had a clean sheet yesterday if he was in the nets. Given made several top class saves and it was his saves that got the crowd going, and that alone should signal the lack of quality in the final third, we simply didn't do the business.
I would of liked another attacking player on much earlier yesterday, i don't know why we were so risk averse. I would of removed Richards and put Zabaleta at right back.
We have a better side than Boro, we have great creative players, we simply didn't perform. A very laboured performance, we could of had three, but so could of Boro, that doesn't give a fair example of the game. Not a great performance, but three points that puts good amount of difference between us and the bottom group. City are beginning to look functional, but lack all the creative spark and flair that we had at the start of the season. It's not entertaining and difficult to watch.
A quick point on Jo. He has been labeled a misfit, bad influence all sorts of insults and attacks. He has been given 6 starts and Hughes hasn't let him finish one of them. He's a 21 year old, clearly talented striker. He was never given a fair chance Hughes wouldn't use him even when it was obvious we needed height and target in the box. Moyes takes him, a bit of confidence, he came out as a tall Target man, who take on players, use both feet and scored two goals. I find it difficult to see how Hughes failed to get anything out of him. Everton play 5 in the midfield and 1 up top, which isn't very different to what we do. I'm sure our owners will be looking on and questioned why a 19 million investment is playing well away from the club.
Friday, 6 February 2009
Manchester City Vs Middlesbrough: Preview.
Another TV game! I don't like it when city are on TV, we tend not to perform to our ability and always disappoint the neutral fan. Not a fan of the 12:45 kick off either, but on with the game.
Our Home form has obviously been our saviour this season with 7 of our 8 wins coming at home, i am expecting city to take three points again tomorrow. Mark Hughes has called for patience in our games. We know teams will come and form a solid midfield and try and stop our attacking players from linking up. Boro will have the likes of Digard and O'neil back in the side to compact their midfield. We have great ability going forward and tend to play with more comfort and freedom at home. So hopefully we can overcome a well organised but ordinary Boro side.
Tomorrow will see a home debut for Shay Given which i am quite happy about. I think he will instill much needed confidence in our back four and hopefully start to eradicate our calamitous edge which has cost us so many games this season. Wright-Phillips is also allowed to play tomorrow after the FA extension on his appeal. This too is great news, as he is an obvious quality member of the squad. Otherwise i expect a pretty similar side to what we have been seeing. I hope Hughes will be more inclined to use caicedo, as his physical presence alone adds a new dimension to our attack. Elano has been in good form, he probably deserves a start, but i think Ireland will still be favoured by Hughes.
I am genuinely confident as i believe we have made progress already this January with a reinforced midfield and defence, we look more comfortable against physical sides. Our difficulty to break down Stoke is a worry, but our away form is clearly influenced by other factors. I hope this improvement continues as we need a strong finish to the season for Hughes sake alone. Time is only given to those who deserve it, results are now the necessary!
Tomorrows Ref is........ Steve Bennett!
I predict a Home win. The Fink Tank predicts that City are 54.5% likely to win. There is only a 22.1% chance of an away win. So hopefully facts and complex calculations will play true and city will finish the victors.
Our Home form has obviously been our saviour this season with 7 of our 8 wins coming at home, i am expecting city to take three points again tomorrow. Mark Hughes has called for patience in our games. We know teams will come and form a solid midfield and try and stop our attacking players from linking up. Boro will have the likes of Digard and O'neil back in the side to compact their midfield. We have great ability going forward and tend to play with more comfort and freedom at home. So hopefully we can overcome a well organised but ordinary Boro side.
Tomorrow will see a home debut for Shay Given which i am quite happy about. I think he will instill much needed confidence in our back four and hopefully start to eradicate our calamitous edge which has cost us so many games this season. Wright-Phillips is also allowed to play tomorrow after the FA extension on his appeal. This too is great news, as he is an obvious quality member of the squad. Otherwise i expect a pretty similar side to what we have been seeing. I hope Hughes will be more inclined to use caicedo, as his physical presence alone adds a new dimension to our attack. Elano has been in good form, he probably deserves a start, but i think Ireland will still be favoured by Hughes.
I am genuinely confident as i believe we have made progress already this January with a reinforced midfield and defence, we look more comfortable against physical sides. Our difficulty to break down Stoke is a worry, but our away form is clearly influenced by other factors. I hope this improvement continues as we need a strong finish to the season for Hughes sake alone. Time is only given to those who deserve it, results are now the necessary!
Tomorrows Ref is........ Steve Bennett!
I predict a Home win. The Fink Tank predicts that City are 54.5% likely to win. There is only a 22.1% chance of an away win. So hopefully facts and complex calculations will play true and city will finish the victors.
Thursday, 5 February 2009
De Jong Not in UEFA squad!
From the Official site
One issue! I was led to believe that if the player you signed in the January window was already registered in Europe, which i presume De jong was with Hamburg SV, then he couldn't be re -registered with another club. I can't see how he could be involved at all. Wayne Bridge can be included, because he has been registered in Champions league so is allowed to be registered for Uefa. I presumed this wouldn't come as a shock and more as the presumed.
City can confirm that Nigel de Jong will not be available for selection for the UEFA Cup this season.
UEFA rules stipulate that a club can register a maximum of three new players in the January transfer window, and so it was decided that Craig Bellamy, Shay Given and Wayne Bridge would be the new signings included in the squad list submitted at the end of Sunday, February 1st.
One player who has already played in the Champions League for another club this season is also allowed to play in the UEFA Cup, which meant that Bridge got the nod over the former Hamburg SV midfielder.
Confirming the decision, Mark Hughes says: "There are only so many you are allowed to bring in, so we have had a look at it and Nigel won’t be involved. It will be Craig, Wayne and Shay that we were allowed to add.
"We looked at Nigel, but with the cover we have in his area with Vincent and also Pablo that’s what we have gone with.
"We’re hopeful of carrying on in the UEFA Cup, and it would be great to progress further into the latter stages."
One issue! I was led to believe that if the player you signed in the January window was already registered in Europe, which i presume De jong was with Hamburg SV, then he couldn't be re -registered with another club. I can't see how he could be involved at all. Wayne Bridge can be included, because he has been registered in Champions league so is allowed to be registered for Uefa. I presumed this wouldn't come as a shock and more as the presumed.
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