MATCH WEEK 28 v Villa (Villa Park, KO 2000)

Closing gap is never easy. This season, in fact, it seems mission impossible for the Blues to overtake United, as they look to be enjoying their life with their talisman RVP.

But City have to march on. Even we do not retain the title this season, there is FA cup up for a grab and surely securing second place will consolidate our stature in EPL. Not as prestigious as last year but at least we have something to play for until the end of season.

Match against Villa at their home has been patchy for City. Apart from last year’s win, all thanks to Lescott, City were not able to get an easy win at Villa Park since City started financial maneouvering from 2007-08 season (Recording 1W 2L 2D). Especially, after the crashing defeat at St Mary, it seemed anything could happen.

Game started with surprisingly live Villa side trying to dominate the game with some fluidities in their play. But with young and inexperienced side like Villa, this was not a good sign as it empirically showed that this can not be sustained over whole 90 minutes. Especially, after Benteke’s towering header from corner blocked off from the line, Villa seemed to be on the slippery slope.

The match came alive ironically when Rodwell was substituted for Dzeko, for his left hamstring injury. Silva’s pass to Zabaleta found a space for the flying Argentine to take shot, which was brilliantly guided towards the post by Guzan. Minutes later, another fine effort was made by Tevez from outside of the box and once again it was Guzan who palmed away our Apache’s shot.

Eventually, the deadlock broke by persistence of Dzeko, as he hustled Clark to dispossess in their own half to regain possession for City. He then found Tevez in the space, who managed to wriggle through Villa’s defense to find back of the net, his ninth goal of the season. 

Courtesy of Guardian 

Second half was not much different from the first half. Villa tried to regain their early dominance but almost conceded another one when Dzeko dispossessed Villa defense in their own half once again and managed to find Tevez with a good angle to work on. Only this time, Tevez could not find back of the net to settle the nerve of away fan.

There was a startling moment for City when Lowton blasted a fierce shot from way out but it was no match to Yaya’s instinctive shooting around the box, which rattled the right hand post of Guzan.

Dull performance overall and it was expected, considering how both of the clubs has been playing throughout the season. Routine performance dully delivered from City and left Villa at the bottom three. Final Score: Aston Villa 0 Manchester City 1

Dzeko Denies Transfer & Balotelli Transfer Saga Continues and More

Dzeko Off to Inter?

Recent speculation of Dzeko joining the Nerazzuri seemed to be another baseless rumour out of no where, as his agent, Irfan Redzepagic, strongly denies the rumour of him moving to Inter. Although he had some thought on moving somewhere else, when Falcao was rumoured to be signed, . As one of most efficient striker in the EPL, City got to keep him for their competitiveness up front.

Never Ending Saga of Mario

Moving. Not moving. Moving. Not Moving.... Now he served notice on his rented four-bedroom house, with the property in Alderley Edge being available since January 11th for £13,495 (€16,000) a month. There is a rumour that Milan might sell French defender Philippe Mexès to fund Mario's transfer fee, while Mario's agent is claiming that he is not going to move in this transfer window. This saga is just never going to end...

Another Keeper? 

So Pontilimon is not good enough to challenge Hart and it is now reported that City are battling against United, who has a big problem in their goalkeeping position, to get Asmir Begovic for £13 million. Seems to be a waste of money for a keeper who is just a good enough to play in a regular club. I would've contemplated on buying same caliber of Thibaut Courtois, who is certainly going to replace Petr Cech at Stamford Bridge in near future but the City's top rank seem to have different idea.

Talent from Middle-East

ClubCall reported that City are monitoring UAE playmaker Omar Abdulrahman after his outstanding Gulf Cup performances. Hamburg and Sporting Lisbon also monitoring this youngster, who gave an impressive performance in London 2012. Dubbed as UAE's own Iniesta, he does look impressive and hopefully City will be able to sign him. 

20130121 Transfer News & More

21 days into the transfer window and nothing much happened. Not just for City but entire transfer market seems to be frozen out. Biggest transfer so far was Daniel Sturridge's move to Anfield with 12 million and Demba Ba's expected departure from St James Park as Chelsea triggers his 8 million pounds transfer clause to get him.

Prior to this transfer window, Mancini made clear that City cannot sell any players, due to injury problem and the African Cup of nations, as Toure brothers will be missing dearly. On the buying side, City's coaching staffs had separate views. After David Platt made comment on unlikeliness of signing player during this transfer window, 48 hours later, Mancini hinted that they might be a signing after all. De Rossi was linked to move to Eastland,as he was rumoured to be falling out with Zeman. There was also a rumour of Wilfried Zaha coming to City but nothing seemed to be capitalized in the end.



Today's paper is suggesting that Balotelli faith will be decided in this week as Guardian hinting on resuming of potential transfer talk to AC Milan, with possible loan move in consideration. If he moves, it will trigger a lot of rumours on signing replacement for Balotelli and it will make a lot of journalists busy guessing who Mancini going to sign next.



Michael Johnson's terrible status was revealed last week and his contract was terminated in immediate effect. Dubbed as City's next Colin Bell, his playing day looked promising from scoring the derby winner in august 2007 but his constant injury stopped him to become what he could have been. Hopefully he will regain his fitness and return to the football scene in near future.

2 Years... It has been a while...

Mission completed... 2 years of military service at Korea Air Force and I am done. It was good experience to work in there and I will never forget my time there.

 

Now football... Both of Ajax matches were shocking and so was West Ham match. Firstly the Ajax debacle. Simply woeful display at away and home. In both ties, City conceded poor goals and did not look comfortable without our primary playmaker Silva. Nasri is a good player but was never able to pull off what Silva used to do for us in daily basis. Disappointing performance all around.

Back in EPL, we faced Swansea and West Ham between the Ajax debacle. Played rather well in both matches. Considering the circumstances, I was glad to see City held up their head up high and managed to maintain unbeaten record for the season. Draw against West Ham was a bit disappointing but it was away game against Sam Allardyce's side, which was a hard match to get the result from.

Then the Tottenham match. Always good match to watch and, as expected, it did not disappoint me. Silva's comeback and Mancini's tactical shift was the key element of victory. Tottenham never looked threatening and apart from their set-piece goal. Shots from Huddlestone and Bale were only real threat to City. 3 at the back worked well, as Spurs seemed unwilling to attack after their goal. Introduction of Maicon seemed Midas touch from Mancini and for the 3rd time of season, Super Dzeko completed City's comeback.

Well that was the catch-up for me. I know my English is shaky and there will be a lot of grammatical mistake as I have not used it for 2 years. Constructive arguments and criticisms are welcome but I do not want baseless denunciations. Thank you.

Dzeko Worries & De Rossi Rumour and More

Don't Worry. Be Happy!

ESPNFC reported that Edin Dzeko is willing to fight for his place even if Roberto Mancini decides to bring in a new attacking option, such as Radamel Falcao, in the next transfer window. Dzeko, often used as a sub, made 10 appearances this season and he scored some vital goals too, such as equalizer against Southampton and winning goal against Fulham. Personally, I think he is quite underrated and must-keep player, especially City have two erratic strikers, Tevez and Balotelli, Dzeko has been relatively consistent enough throughout his City career. Yes he had a bust-up against Mancini, but it seems all feeble against Tevez and Balotelli's affairs.

De Rossi Talk Back On?

Daniele De Rossi is unhappy under new management, according to the Mirror. It is reported that "the Italy grafter has fallen out of love with his home club Roma after new boss Zdenek Zeman's arrival" City tried to sign him in the summer but his announcement of staying at Rome cooled the speculation of him moving to the Eastland. Great player to sign and his addition will help in Yaya Toure's African Nations commitment in coming January. 

Price Hike

Ajax apparently charging €80 (around £64) per ticket for the Group D match on October 24, €15 more than for their meeting with Real Madrid last week. Although there were no complaint over the ticket price, I think Ajax is trying to take an advantage over City's large travelling support. 

Hopefully I did not make many mistakes as last time. Thank you for reading my article.

Apology on My English

I am so sorry about scrappy English. As you all know, English is my second language and since I joined the Korean Air Force 2 years ago, although I tried my best not to forget how to write, it got rusty. If you guys find my fractured English so disturbing, please come forward and correct me, as I need time and help to amend this problem. Thank you.

Balotelli Out Falcao In? And More

Mario Mario Mario.... when will you learn?

Recent burst out really sums up who Mario Balotelli is all about. He is difficult player to control and this blocks his blossom as a great player he can be. City legend Rodney Marsh commented after his another outburst that he is letting City down and want him to be sold and I completely agree with his view as City gave him too many chances to amend his poor mentality. Prodigy got to turn into genuine player. If not he is another player who was unable to handle his talent, just like Adriano.

You Again?

El Hombre from Colombia

Radamel Falcao was the centre of rumour mills during last summer transfer market and now Atletico Madrid's general manager Miguel Angel Gil Marin admits that they would benefit if Colombian striker Radamel Falcao were to be bought out of his contract in the summer. He expects to sell him for £48m which will solve their current financial problem. Too much? Maybe. But If Balotelli is sold and there is other striker to be bought, it's got to be him. With his glamorous record in Los Colchoneros jersey, especially his hat-trick effort against European Super Cup against Chelsea, he would be suitable candidate for City's attacking department. Below video shows the goals he scored last season for Atletico Madrid

You will be welcomed!

                                                  

Youngster signing for City?

Another transfer news is on Wilfried Zaha. He is 19 years old and currently playing in Crystal Palace and England U-21, who can also play for Ivory Coast, as it is his birth place. Playing as winger and for development sake, he would be a good signing for the future, especially he is only 19. Below video shows his performance in 2011-12 season for Crystal Palace