Saturday, May 24, 2008
Friday, May 23, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
The days best City links 05/22/2008
Eriksson can succeed at Eastlands, says Ranieri - Premier League, Football - The Independent
Scolari's demand for £3.9m a year cools City interest - Premier League, Football - The Independent
City's Uefa Cup plans rocked by Bon Jovi concert | Football | The Guardian
My relationship with Thaksin is good - Eriksson | Football | The Guardian
Man City hope Scolari can exploit Barca exodus - Football News - Telegraph
How Thaksin turned from saviour to sinner in a single season | Football | The Guardian
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
The days best City links 05/14/2008
The MEN suddenly changing tact from their 'Save Sven' campaign?
Man City and Fulham to wait for Uefa decision - Football News - Telegraph
Sven-Goran Eriksson demands answers from owner Thaksin Shinawatra | Manchester City - Times Online
How was the season for you?: Manchester City - Premier League, Football - The Independent
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Bitter and Blue end of season awards
Well, thankfully in some respects the season has now drawn to a close, but far from being a quiet off season, expect plenty of rumours, speculation and outright lies regarding our managerial position and player departures and arrivals.
I've posted up the end of season review I did for The Observer, in addition to the preview and also the preview I did here on Bitter and Blue.
As in the previous two seasons I've been doing this blog the end of season brings with it the Bitter and Blue end of season awards so without further ado here were go, with the 2005/06 and 2006/07 seasons linked up also.
Bitter and Blue player of the season
Plenty of players have had excellent spells throughout the season without managing to maintain a high level of consistency throughout the season - namely Elano, Martin Petrov, Micah Richards and Richard Dunne.
None though have managed to put in the performances week in week out that have seen beat out both Andreas Isaksson and Kasper Schmeichel, and force his way into the England squad, so the winner is Joe Hart.
2006/07 - Richard Dunne
2005/06 - David James
Bitter and Blue readers player of the season
I expected this to be a tight contest, with several players grouped together quite closely at the top, but in reality only two players ultimately contested this and whilst he led for most of the vote, Joe Hart was beaten to the trophy by Darius Vassell.
2006/07 - Richard Dunne
2005/06 - Richard Dunne/David James (tie)
Breakthrough player of the season
Once again, the Academy continued to develop players to, and on the fringe of the first team, and had the success of the FA Youth Cup to boot. The likes of Kasper Schmeichel, Sam Williamson, Shaleum Logan and Kelvin Etuhu have all crashed into the first team this season, but with a second victory Joe Hart also takes this award.
2006/07 - Michael Johnson
2005/06 - Micah Richards
Overachiever of the season
His career looked washed up at one point following a terrible debut season punctuated by injury and poor form. He has resurrected his career however to have been one of the key components of Sven's midfield this season, providing a vital link between defence and attack.
This year's winner therefore is Didi Hamman.
2006/07 - Nicky Weaver
2005/06 - Andrew Cole
Underachiever of the season
Unlike previous seasons, there hasn't been a raft of under achievers throughout the squad as most have turned in by and large good performances at some point or other.
One player though, although only playing little over a dozen games has been poor and has failed to justify and reason to suggest any future at the club - a surprise given he is in the last year of his current contract, and his return to the line-up has coincided with the poorest form of the season for the club.
Winner - Sun Jihai.
2006/07 - Bernardo Corradi
2005/06 - Danny Mills
Performance of the season
There have been some good wins, especially early on in the season when we put together a fantastic run of results, but for a day when the tactics were spot on, well executed on the pitch with a performance that wasn't expected to provide a result that no-one expected.
Winner - United 2-1 (a)
2006/07 - Middlesbrough (a)
2005/06 - United (h)
Goal of the season
We have scored a few decent goals this season, both individual efforts and some good all round team moves, but give a Brazilian a free-kick 25 yards from goal and good things happen - so Elano's free-kick at home to Newcastle would take some beating.
2006/07 - Giorgios Samaras v West Ham (h)
2005/06 - Danny Mills v Everton (h)
Incident of the season
A relatively incident free season in the life of Manchester City, charging out of the gate at a furious rate to reside in the Champions League positions. A team being built steadily under the tutelage of an experienced manager with access to the millions of a new owner.
All appeared well, until.....Sven-gate, which turned a season that was stuttering into one that imploded spectacularly to set up a summer of turmoil which could well set the club well back considering the progress made over the past year.
Winner - The Sven 'sacking'.
2006/07 - Stuart Pearce's sacking
2005/06 - Joey Barton's transfer request
So there you have it. Another season draws to a close and unfortunately it appears that this summer is as likely to be as incident and rumour packed as any we have experienced.
Interestingly, the ratings for this blog have tended to be at their highest during June and July, when people tend to be scrambling around for whatever news they can find before the media really kicks back into gear.
Given how the month of May has shaped up so far, I'm not expecting this summer to be any different.
The days best City links 05/13/2008
Manchester City - City Fans At Boro May Cost Club UEFA Place (Video)
Sacking Sven-Göran Eriksson irritates symptoms of fans' Cityitis | Manchester City - Times Online
Police attacked during Man City thrashing - Football News - Telegraph
Sven-Goran Eriksson set to go on Far East tour | Manchester City - Times Online
Policeman injured in Riverside brawl | Football | guardian.co.uk
Bitter and Blue fantasy league final standings
After leading for virtually the whole season, Joseph Millar sees his lead whittled away in the final couple of weeks of the season as AusCam comes up on the outside to take the title at the very last.
Well done Cameron, and sorry there's no prize but hope you're doing well down there.
The full table is linked here, but the top 3 finish is as follows:
Big Tackle (AusCam) 4953
Hose's Blumers (Joseph Millar) 4871
I've had my fill; my share of losing.... (clarky_warky) 4752
Monday, May 12, 2008
Trouble at The Riverside
>>sky sportsCleveland Police have confirmed one of their officers needed hospital treatment after violent scenes towards the end of Middlesbrough's 8-1 victory over Manchester City at the weekend.
A section of City fans clashed with police and stewards during the final minutes of the match.
Ugly scenes saw seats ripped out and thrown at officers before dog handlers helped get the situation under control, an incident which delayed the end of season parade by Boro's players.
Match commander Martin Campbell has revealed that one of his officers was taken to hospital.
I didn't catch much of this story until today when the news reports started filtering through, but it seems that the police are firmly pointing the finger at City fans for the incident:
"After a full debrief and having spoken to a club steward, it appears that towards the end of the game a visiting fan removed a 4ft long metal safety barrier which was in place to prevent access to the pitch," he said.I've not dug up any photos on flickr, but YouTube has bits of 'citizen journalism' posted up, mainly from City fans who are far more accusatory towards the police.
"Fearing that it could be used as a weapon or to gain access on to the playing area, an officer removed this barrier and a skirmish then took place, spreading into other areas of the crowd.
"At this point officers began to come under attack as seats were pulled off and a number of police officers were struck by seats, one fully in the face.
"Police reinforcements were immediately called into the ground. Other officers suffered minor injuries, with only one requiring hospital treatment for an injury to his hand.
"I would like to praise the match referee who did an excellent job; it seems he was fully aware of the unfolding events and he ensured that players were swiftly removed from the pitch at the end of the game.
"Middlesbrough supporters too were extremely well natured and I'd like to praise them too. It is a shame that such a fantastic end to the season and what was always intended to be a great family occasion was marred by the behaviour of a small minority."
Middlesbrough 8 City 1
Wow.
Sometimes when I make predictions ahead of games, they do have a habit of bearing out. Or at least partially. I wrote yesterday that with the pressure off we may see something of an open and flowing game. More's the pity that only one side followed that direction.
There isn't anyone involved yesterday that can come out of the farcical defeat with any credit whatsoever. This wasn't just a heavy defeat like those we have suffered in the past - Derby, Liverpool and Chelsea immediately spring to mind, but the manner of the performance was woeful and has left City fans across the blogs and forums pointing the finger at all and sundry.
Of the eight goals conceded yesterday, only Rochemback's free-kick was without a generous helping hand from ourselves, with the eighth and final goal symptomatic of the error strewn and insipid display. Time and again, we were carved open and destroyed by a Middlesbrough side who are far from an attacking force.
I've never been one to place too high a premium on heart and fight in a performance, and I believe this to be something City fans in general are too concerned with but yesterday's struck as one where the players had simply given up - no matter what the situation on or off the pitch is, there should be a pride and professionalism in your performance that was sorely lacking.
I have backed Sven all the way since his appointment, and during the stretch where fans were beginning to question him and his tactics. However, yesterday he was as guilty as the players were. The situation must clearly be unsettling and he has held himself with dignity and decorum throughout the past couple of week but he simply appeared to have thrown in the towel and resigned himself to his fate.
At the saga over at Liverpool, we have heard the manager and players bleating about how it doesn't affect the on field performances. Despite the failings of the players and management yesterday, Thaksin must also bear the brunt of criticism as you cannot preside over what has occured the past two weeks without their being consequences.
With a set of players who are reportedly so close and loyal to Sven to not be affected by the speculation and stories is inconceivable and it is of concern that players Sven has both brought in and developed this season may well seek to move onto pastures new when he departs the club.
What is disappointing in this of course is that with a win yesterday (or even a draw), we would have had a reasonable and respectable finish with a squad that contains talent, plenty of upside youth wise and even if Sven departs, the new manager would have a positive situation to build upon with (almost certain) European qualification.
Oh how it was different last summer when the club rode the wave of optimism of the Thaksin and Sven arrivals and the heady autumn days of the ill-fated Champions League challenge.
Now though, finishing the season on the back of an 8-1 shellacking we are stumbling into the off-season with the club (and its reputation) in tatters on and off the pitch.
An owner who at best insensitive and trigger-happy, a lame duck manager (who surely will not survive now) still in charge but appearing to be courting offers from elsewhere for when the axe falls and a squad of players who seemingly lack heart when it matters - and according to the more mischeavous of the press, containing players who are targets for clubs around the Premier League.
Same as it ever was, same as it ever was.
Reports
Sven-Goran Eriksson wore the haunted look of a man who knew his time was up after watching Manchester City suffer a humiliating defeat at Middlesbrough, a result which is almost certain to hasten his departure from Eastlands. >>telegraph.co.uk
If this proves to be Sven-Göran Eriksson’s swansong as Manchester City manager, then what a shame. >>times online
In the bizarre mind-set of Thaksin Shinawatra, this demolition of Manchester City will have been vindication of his plans to dismiss Sven Goran Eriksson and the Swede was last night seeking immediate talks with the former Thai prime-minister. >>independent.co.uk
The off-the-field farce that has been Manchester City for the past few weeks found its way on to the pitch as their season ended in disarray with the side humiliated and Sven-Goran Eriksson heading for the exit. >>guardian.co.uk
Manchester City supporters around the world are searching for explanations after a thoroughly disastrous, preposterous defeat to a mediocre Middlsebrough 8-1 in the season closer Sunday. >>thaksinsceptic
Opinion: Being born in Newton Heath, the birthplace of MUFC, why did my Dad make me support Man City? That is probably a question on many lips. >>mcfcstats.co.uk
Hart named in England squad
Joe Hart faces a busy month after being called up to the full England squad for the first team.>>mcfc.co.ukHart is one of three keepers in Fabio Capello’s squad for the games against the USA on May 28th and Trinidad & Tobago on June 1st, with David James and Chris Kirkland also named.
He is also in Stuart Pearce’s England Under 21 squad for a friendly against Wales on May 15th, as is midfielder Michael Johnson.
The news of the senior call-up caps a great season for Joe, who established himself as City’s number one stopper and won the Official Supporters Club’s Young Player of the Year.
The way Hart has performed this season, the decision to call him into the squad is not a surprise in the slightest.
Whilst David James has proved himself the most consistent keeper in the country despite his advancing years, the list of other challengers who have featured - namely Robinson, Carson and Foster, have failed to grab their opportunity and both Hart and Chris Kirkland are most definitely the likely candidates to push James as England head towards the World Cup qualifiers.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Middlesbrough prediction
So, the final day of another season is upon us and we go into the game at The Riverside with the added bonus of being certainties for entry into The UEFA Cup by virtue of being the Fair Play nominee.
Ironic of course, that given Sven is hovering over the precipice of the sack, he now will seemingly (although slightly foruitiously) of not only delivering year 1 of his pledge, but also year 2 by achieving UEFA qualification.
The situation with Sven is still very much up in the air, with Scolari still stalling, and links now to both Mourinho and Rijkaard. Sven himself expects the sack, but has pushed for a quick decision to it all.
Lest we forget there is actually a game today, amidst all of the likely protests and support for Sven, and whilst the pressure is off for both sides there is the hope that the game may well turn into a fairly good spectacle.
I shouldn't expect too many changes for ourselves, although Eriksson has confirmed that Andreas Isaksson will get the start in goal today, but Onouha, Richards and Bojinov are still sidelined.
Looking at the table, there is the opportunity for us to finish eighth with a win and defeat for Portsmouth but when all is said and today I expect a 1-1 draw from today which will see us finish in ninth position, exactly as predicted back in August.
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