Portsmouth 0:1 Manchester City: Good form continues...

Another Away wins equalling last season’s dismal record already! An obvious difficult tie today disregarding our previous Fratton park form, Pompey had strengthened their squad quickly before the game and was an unknown quantity.

City took the game in their stride and outcome somewhat mirrored the efforts Vs Wolves. Dominating the 1st half and scoring yet again from what i had come to regard as rare, set piece! Adebayor is looking the World class striker that we have desired, 3 goals in 3 has made him an instant hit!

Hughes made one change to the squad today, resting Robinho for a more workman like performance from Bellamy. Hughes was impressed with Bellamy i was less so, one decent cross in the game was about all he could muster, his final ball was generally poor and one dimensional in terms ability in taking on players (it’s simply pace), he also offered very little defensively. We didnt look more solid with him on, or a better attacking side. I was surprised (well maybe not!) either Petrov or Robinho didnt replace him to achieve that elusive 2nd goal!

Once again Steven Ireland failed to get to grips with his new role, started his passing game poorly but improved. Yet he is still not fulfilling the needs of the side in the middle, positional sense and effectiveness! We didnt even see him surge forward often today, something he is so good at, i find it really disappointing that we not getting the best out of him. If Elano had performed like that last season, he certainly would have been dropped and slated on fan sites and forums! It’s time to change things around and either use Steven to his best ability or swap with De Jong!

Portsmouth looked pretty toothless upfront today, arguably best attacking options were sat on the bench. In 90 mins they only really challenged Given once with a poor hit from ex-Preston striker David Nugent! Michael Brown claimed they deserved a draw, which i simply can’t agree with considering how limited they were in the final third. Brown was lucky to stay on the pitch, he must of committed of 7 fouls without getting booked, he perhaps should of been followed off the pitch by Richard Hughes who also seemed to deem this a chance to kick City stars off the park. The refereeing in general was very poor today, some really bizarre decision not least the Micah Richards goal which clearly wasn’t off side, with Barry in no way interfering with play. If only Fifa would allow the most effective form of refereeing with goal line technology. Goals are more valuable than ever in the modern game with the amount of cash available. Ignoring what essentially would make the game fairer simply doesn’t make sense to me!

But overall we looked pretty good, Lescott had an OK debut a couple or errors but looked decent along side the ever present Toure. Tevez worked extremely hard and will hopefully have more time to work with Robinho as they could prove very exciting. Barry was once again the midfield core and our season will revolve around him! The international break hopefully won’t upset our good start to the season as City now have Arsenal and then United, two really tough games that will give us a real good gage at the level of squad development into a top side! I thought both sides looked very beatable on Saturday and hopefully we will take full advantage!

Portsmouth Vs Manchester City:

Toady's game will be the unveiling of City's third kit from umbro! It should also be a day where City equal last season away win record! Hughes likely to field the same side that feature in the cup tie midweek, with pitch time being vital for the side to gel as quickly as possible!

Portsmouth have been poor this season and have seen a mass Exodus of quality players leave the club. But the arrival of new owner the Peter Kay Esq Dr sulaiman Al Fahim ( he isn't a Dr either.) Pompey have had an influx of 5 players including ex-blue Michael Brown! So they will be a rather unknown quantity today. City should not fear today game, in previous season we have struggled at fratton Park. This season has seen city already banish some daemons and hopefully we will have the strength and character to really put this game to bed.

Hughes has spoken about our striking ability, we are ready to really punish a side. With both Tevez and Adebayor already registering their scoring accounts, we need Robinho to find some confidence in front of goal. Robinho has been under some unfair criticism this season ( a very small minority), but last match vs Palace, he played with a great work rate and was unlucky not to score. He is a very unselfish player and is great holding on to the ball and bringing it forward, something some fans take for granted.

My biggest worry is the strength of the midfield. With Ireland playing a more refrained deeper role in the middle, his game is restricted to something he isn't suited too. In the Palace game we saw the best and worst from Ireland, most of the game he struggled to match Palace physically. But as soon as he breaks ranks and burst forward, he's completely different player, and that's the Ireland we want to see.

Fink Tank:




















So The odds suggest City are either set for a draw or a win, which is indeed pleasing. I am holding out for a few goals today. 3-0!

Dunne in Talks with Villa

'RICHARD Dunne is poised to complete his £6m move to Aston Villa.

The Blues' longest-serving player and captain was at Villa Park on Thursday night completing a deal which ends his nine-year stay at City.'

We have to wait and see what happens in the next 24h as i have read mix reports from City and Villa about how far this deal has developed! It was inevitable he was set to leave after the arrival of Lescott, but it Will certainly a sad day when he leaves as he is a genuine City hero!


Ex city star and defensive partner of Dunne, Sylvain Distin has moved clubs today from Pompey to Everton, which is obviously the dunnsters former club!

More to follow!

Crystal Palace 0:2 Manchester City: Cup result at last!

City have put last season poor cup run behind them with a good win at an impressive young Crystal Palace side. The game was hard thought and it was city's superior finishing quality that eventually won us the game!

Crystal Palace played the game from start to finish at a high tempo, and playing decent football too. The well known youngster Victor Moses gave a disappointing Micah Richards a very hard time! Clyne also looked impressive going forward but was stretched a few time by a hard working Robinho!

City worked hard but didn't go through all the gears. Hughes was right to pick a full side, it's a new side that needs to play together. It's not much more effort with City not being in European competition! Joleon Lescott look decent in his debut although looked like he had never played with team before (obviously), but his ability on the ball is impressive! I look forward to him developing a partnership with Toure who continues to impress.

It was great to see Tevez get on the score sheet, i just didn't expect it to be a head! SWP finished well to put us in rhe links well with Adebayor!

The biggest worry for the side is in the middle of park. The main culprit is Steven Ireland. When Ireland was able to press forward and attack he was impressive, but sat deep in the middle he is simply a passenger, physically not good enough to do the role. We simply are not solid enough in the middle. If we look at spurs the form side at the start of the season, Huddlestone partners Palacios allowing the flair players around them to do their business, but with both player being capable of going forward as well as defending. I would like to see De jong take the role for the time being.

Hopefully we have a good cup run this season, possibly win something! Portsmouth next, another TV game so hopefully we can impress with some good football again. Our breaking ability with Tevez, Robinho and Adebayor is very impressive!

Lescott Is a Blue ( city blue)!

I had given up for the night, but the Deal has been confirmed on the OS!


From Mark Hughes:

"I am absolutely delighted to welcome Joleon to Manchester City. He is an England international who has proved his Premier League ability during his time at Everton," said the Blues boss.

"In bringing Joleon to the Club I feel we have recruited a defender of the very highest quality. He can play in a number of defensive positions, and I’m positive he will make a significant impact for us."

I looks like the papers did get it right, some one obviously sneaked an early sms out to a Journo!

Joleon has also broken his silence and expressed his delight at signing for city

Lescott said:

"I'm over the moon to get the move completed, and I'm looking forward to training with the lads as I've not trained for a few days.

"I know some of the lads already - I'm close friends with Shaun, we've played against each other since we were 16 or 17. The way this club is moving on, I'm really looking forward to being a part of that."

He will be unveiled tomorrow at a scheduled press conference for 11. presumably with Sylvinho who trained with the squad today!

Lescott Deal Done?

We await the announcement from the OS tonight, but the Telegraph have shot head and have been 1st to claim that the deal is finally complete after 24 hour legal discussion over payments.

City had hoped to unveil Lescott officially at a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, but talks relating to fees owed as a result of negotiations resulted in the planned unveiling being shelved.

Manager Mark Hughes is now due to hold a press conference on Wednesday lunchtime, however, alongside Lescott and free transfer signing Sylvinho.

I will be keeping an eye out for the SSN yellow bulletin bar for confirmation!

Allot has been discussed and written about with the transfer deal, but the deal being finalised will come as relief for City, so we can get on with our business! I have been reading all day that City have over paid for Lescott, but i disagree. The fee is indeed large, but his value to the club is very high! Having a left sided centre back is of vast importance, we never replaced Distin! He is a top quality player, who can play numerous roles, grab a goal and hopefully form a great partnership with Kolo. City fans could become blasé over the fee's paid for players with our wealth, but we have needed to take these expensive strides to establish our selves as a threat in the league! The club have had to find a balance in terms of fee we are willing to pay, knowing that it is certainly going to be over the odds. Were paying these fee's now will basically be cost effective if we our to be successful. The lescott deal is steep, but certainly worth it!

We've Got Sylvinho!

Hughes has snatched up ex Arsenal and Barcelona left back Sylvinho! I am very pleased with this signing, he was extremely impressive in last season Champions League final and will provide a great back up for Wayne Bridge! A well seasoned left back who has experience at the top level and importantly in the premier league! With the Lescott deal set to be complete any time today, City should now have a complete back line. Next step will be the departures!

Garrido is obviously one player who looks to be on his way out! Hughes decided to use Zabaleta at left back than rather pick him vs Barcelona! He will probably head back to Spain. Tal Ben Haim is another who should be on his way out, spent half of last season on loan, i wouldn't be too surprised if Blackburn make a move for him! And of course Richard Dunne, the legendary city centre back will now be marginalised by the imminent arrival of lescott, he has already stated his desire for 1st football before the World cup. He is sure to have a few suitors in the league.


(image from mcfc.co.uk)