Wednesday, July 16, 2008

EB/Streymur preview

Well that didn't last long.

Some 67 days following the meltdown at The Riverside, we now commence the 2008/09 season with a UEFA Cup qualifying game in the Faroe Islands.

It has been the usual hectic summer in the life of Manchester City, with a(nother) new manager in place, our owner on trial in Thailand, boardroom changes, one expensive Brazillian arriving and another not.

With the Premier League campaign still a month away, I'll hold fire on a full season preview for now but looking at the UEFA Cup, the qualifying rounds should prove no obstacle whatsoever and in effect they will be not much more than pre-season friendlies.

Looking at recent seasons, the success that English and Scottish sides have had is proof that a good run in the competition is a distinct possibility with the group stages offeringa relatively comfortable passage to the knock-out stages. The difficulty we could have is in the 1st round if we are not seeded, as a difficult tie potentially awaits.

To more immediate matters for know though, and our first opponents are very much an unknown quantity, but if the tie is not sewn up by half-time it would be a huge surprise given the standard of the opposition - despite the fact that we will be shorn of some key members of the squad due to their international involvement over the summer.

A small merry band are making their way by plane, train and automobile upto the Faroes and no doubt there are some arduous journeys ahead, but although we may be slightly rusty and adjusting to a new manager and system we will have far too much for our opponents.

vote it up!

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

"a good run in the competition is a distinct possibility with the group stages offering a relatively comfortable passage to the knock-out stages" + "if the tie is not sewn up by half-time it would be a huge surprise given the standard of the opposition "

What are you trying to do! Haven't the last 30+ years taught you anything? This IS Man City we are talking about! 1-1 draw tomorrow before a fingernail biting second leg, where we just about scrape through. That's far more like City.

Anyway, come ON City.