United open thread
An open thread for any news or comment about today's game against United.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Saturday, November 29, 2008
United preview
The win over Arsenal has injected a much needed confidence boost to us after a sticky spell of defeats. Thursday's impressive win against Schalke will have only served to increase this further and it really is a difficult fixture to predict.
After a slightly shaky start themselves, United have picked up and are on the edge of the title race at present, but will be kicking themselves they did not take advantage of Chelsea and Liverpool's draws last weekend.
After a slightly shaky start themselves, United have picked up and are on the edge of the title race at present, but will be kicking themselves they did not take advantage of Chelsea and Liverpool's draws last weekend.
Manchester City (from): Hart, Zabaleta, Richards, Dunne, Garrido, Ball, Wright-Phillips, Elano, Ireland, Kompany, Robinho, Vassell, Hamann, Benjani Mwaruwari, Sturridge, Fernandes, Ben Haim, Schmeichel, Onuoha, Evans.
Manchester United (from): Van der Sar, Foster, Kuszczak, Neville, Rafael, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evans, Evra, Ronaldo, Nani, Carrick, Fletcher, Anderson, Giggs, Park, Rooney, Tevez, Berbatov.
It does have the potential to be a feast of attacking play, with the talents on both sides evident to see. United's defence it has to be said appears stronger than ours, and it may well be that Mark Hughes (or indeed both managers) adopts a more cautious note to their tactical approach in view of the attacking threat from the opposition.
A little surprising also that the bookies make us such long odds, as I would say both sides go into it on a relatively level footing.
Goals may be likely, and you can make a case for any result occuring this weekend, but for me I'll go for honours even and predict a 1-1 draw.
A little surprising also that the bookies make us such long odds, as I would say both sides go into it on a relatively level footing.
Goals may be likely, and you can make a case for any result occuring this weekend, but for me I'll go for honours even and predict a 1-1 draw.
The days best City links 11/29/2008
Robinho looking to make it big at Manchester City | Manchester City - Times Online
Video Index | Virgin Media Sport | Football | Premier League - City v United preview
Joy of Six: great Manchester derbies | Sport | guardian.co.uk
Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Schalke 0 City 2
- I don't think this win should be underestimated - and not just for securing qualification. For a side not very experienced in European competition, it was a big statement win (with some key players) against a side who are expected to reach the latter stages and should bode well further down the line.
- Although the desire will be there to win the group, it will at least allow Mark Hughes the option or resting certain players or giving others some meaningful action as we head toward the congested Christmas and New Year period.
- A slightly interesting decision by Hughes to overlook both Ben Haim and Onouha (with stories of his impending departure maybe not far off the mark) and break up the Richards-Dunne partnership with Kompany featuring at centre-half and Richards on the right. Kompany certainly was impressive and it presents a potential dilemna for Hughes. With a potential signing of Lassana Diarra in January it would allow this, but I do worry that Hamman or Gelson would weaken this area if they featured on a permanent basis.
- Interestingly - as Jack points out, it is our first win scoring this season scoring less than three goals, and there are signs that we maybe mixing a degree of pragmatism along with the flair and attacking threat.
The fact that victory was earned without the talismanic presence of Robinho underlined City's achievement in becoming the first English team to defeat Schalke on their own turf. >>telegraph.co.uk
Manchester City’s new owners want their club to be playing in the Champions League as soon as possible and there were signs last night that they will get their wish ahead of schedule. >>times online.
ENGLAND’S recent superiority over Germany on the football field was emphatically reinforced by the buoyant Blues last night. >>MEN.
Manchester City, who already have a notable chunk of history in these parts, created a little more with an admirable — if at times fragile — win against the side Mark Hughes had rated the strongest in a group his team now controls with six invaluable points. >>guardian.co.uk
The days best City links 11/28/2008
vote it up!Thursday, November 27, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Schalke preview
Certainly our toughest fixture of the group stages, and coming at a time in the midst of a difficult patch of games in the league.
As seven points should secure our passage to the knock-out stage, Hughes can afford to not go all out on this one with potentially more winnable games still to come, but it is hoped we can come away with something so I do expect us to be at as near to full-strength as we can all but secure qualification with a win.
Schalke will not be easy opponents though, and had one foot in this seasons Champions League until getting demolished by Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their qualifier. They do possess a great deal of talent in their squad and when the draw was made were my tip to be group winners. With 4 points already in the bag they do look well placed for qualification:
UEFA Cup : Group A Table
| P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS | ||
| 1 | Schalke 04 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 2 | Man City | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 3 | Twente Enschede | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| 4 | Racing Santander | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 1 |
| 5 | PSG | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
There are plenty of Blues heading out for the trip, but it will be a tough night as we struggle to a 1-1 draw.
The days best City links 11/26/2008
Robinho looking for second win over Cristinao Ronaldo in Manchester derby: Football - Telegraph
Friends reunited for Schalke clash - Manchester City - Football - Sport - Manchester Evening News
Tuesday's football transfer rumours: Ashley Cole to Manchester City? | Football | guardian.co.uk
Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
The days best City links 11/25/2008
Video Index | Virgin Media Sport | Football | Premier League
City v Arsenal highlights from Virgin Media.
Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.
Monday, November 24, 2008
The days best City links 11/24/2008
Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
City 3 Arsenal 0
Despite much of the focus being on Arsenal's turmoil and defincies, I don't think the result and performance from our perspective should be ignored.
The injuries and suspensions Arsenal faced made it difficult enough even without the cloud of the Gallas factor, but our record of 1 win in 23 against the Gunners evokes some disconcerting memories in recent years against them.
A surprise was sprung with the selection of Hart in goal - perhaps a real indication that Hughes does not hold too much confidence in Kasper Schmeichel, and defensively we looked as good as we have done all season, with Arsenal restricted to only one or two real chances and Hughes cited the defence as the platform for the victory:
“I thought that was key to the performance today, Dunnie & Micah were really solid and both full backs were prepared to put their foot in, and attack at the right times. That gave us the defensive platform to enable the rest of the team to force the issue.
“I am really pleased because what we have lacked on occasions this year was there for all to see, so we are delighted. Irrespective of circumstances purporting to be around Arsenal, you know facing them will be difficult and you have to perform – which is just what we did.”
The first half was largely nondescript from both sides, but with the goal on the stroke of half time it allowed us to really kick on after the break, and some of our attacking forays were superb, carving Arsenal apart time and time again with Wright-Phillips, Ireland and Robinho again impressing - with Robinho's goal a joy to behold.
There were also solid performances from Vassell and Benjani - who linked well with the midfield but does he much different to Jo? Elano was once again on the bench, and yesterday's performance is unlikely to see him back in the side.
One negative aspect was Robinho's ankle injury, which Hughes confessed that whilst not serious. may be enough to keep him out of Thursday's UEFA tie at Schalke.
A big start then as we head into a crucial couple of weeks, but as good as yesterday was, there are likely to be stiffer tests that lie ahead on the horizon.
How pleasing to see us play football and graft in the same game. This, I imagine, is the sort of synthesis that Hughes has been aiming for. >>tldorc.
GOALS from Stephen Ireland, Robinho and Daniel Sturridge earned three much-needed points for City as the Blues piled on more misery for Arsenal. >>MEN.
Manchester City could, should, have had four or five and on the long drive back down the M6, Wenger will have been agonising over how to rescue a season that has descended into farce over the last week. >>telegraph.co.uk
WHEN Robinho killed off Arsenal with the impertinent lob that made it 2-0, he ran to the touchline to celebrate with Elano. It was a gesture of solidarity with the substitute and a rebuke towards Mark Hughes, with whom Elano enjoys cool relations, if only a mild and momentary one. >>timesonline.
Suddenly, that outburst doesn't sound so out of synch after all. "Not brave enough in battle," was one of several ways that William Gallas defined Arsenal in midweek and yes, that pretty much tells the story. >>independent.co.uk
No captain, no goals, no points, no chance of the title. Dispensing with their loudly critical leader on the field helped Arsenal's cause not one iota here. William Gallas remained in the home counties, but his words of criticism were physically embodied in his team-mates at the City of Manchester Stadium. >>observer.co.uk
Sometimes you can look at a game and think the scoreline is one that you didn't deserve but yesterday was not one of those days. >>arseblog.
Buffon story gathers pace
Manchester City's wealthy Arab owners have launched a world-record £50million bid to sign Gianluigi Buffon, widely regarded as the best goalkeeper on the planet. A delegation from the Barclays Premier League club travelled to Turin this month to discuss a possible transfer and, despite the protestations of Juventus, City firmly expect to secure a deal by making an offer that neither the goalkeeper nor his club can refuse.>>timesonline.
It seems that the Buffon story is certainly gathering some momentum at the moment, and it certainly is no secret Hughes is looking to bring in a goalkeeper (particularly given his reluctance to throw Kasper Schmeichel into the fray given Hart surely could not have been 100%).
In his post match interview yesterday, Hughes was not giving much away although it may be suggested he was hardly revealing all with this excerpt from The Independent:
Mark Hughes enjoyed only City's second win against Arsenal in the Premier League. His owners are apparently interested in the notion of paying £63m for Juventus' Gigi Buffon. "I don't know what you're talking about," Hughes grinned, when that notion was put to him.Juventus themselves have been more forcible on the issue, with both Claudio Ranieri and Jena-Claude Blanc insistent that Buffon will not be going anywhere, yet The Telegraph reports Buffon himself would be open to the possibility of joining the club:
“If a club is willing to pay that much for you, it would be fair to say I will tell my agents to make the deal happen,” said Buffon.“Juve can go and buy a team full of champions of their own."I don't think there is any question that the addition of Buffon would improve the side and give us a goalkeeper who is truly capable of winning games by himself. Given he was bought by Juventus for £32 million back in 2001, a fee of £50 million may not even be considered too high a price and he still has plenty of years ahead of him.
Quite what it would do for the confidence or future of Joe Hart though is a different matter, and having identified him as a definite talent this could be a huge setback in terms of his development.
From what we have seen so far though, Hughes has shown no signs of letting sentiment get in the way of any decisions he makes.
The days best City links 11/23/2008
Premier League: Hughes eyes out-of-favour Touré | Football | The Guardian
MCFC Reserves & Academy: Pride of Manchester snarred by Wolves
Sky Sports | Football News | Premier League | Arsenal | Gallas left out by Arsenal
Video Index | Virgin Media Sport | Football | Premier League
City v Arsenal preview.
Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
The days best City links 11/22/2008
-
MCFC Reserves & Academy: Pride of Manchester snarred by Wolves
-
Sky Sports | Football News | Premier League | Arsenal | Gallas left out by Arsenal
-
Video Index | Virgin Media Sport | Football | Premier League
City v Arsenal preview.
Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.
Hamman and Ball the latest to feel the wrath of Hughes?
According to the Daily Mail Dietmar Hamann and Michael Ball were ordered to play for City’s reserve team on Tuesday night after instructions to prepare to come on as substitutes in last Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Hull City were ignored.
Hughes is said be to furious with the pair and is considering taking further disciplinary action. Hughes must also decide whether to include the pair in his squad for City's Premier League clash with Arsenal at Eastlands.
Hamann and Ball were ordered to warm up after Geovanni equalised in the 60th minute for Phil Brown’s team, but the City pair appeared reluctant to leave the bench.
Staff are at the club are upset that two senior players, especially the veteran 35-year-old Hamann, would react in such a manner.
It's not been a good couple of weeks for Hughes in terms of squad discipline, with this coming on the heels of the issues with Brazilian pair Elano and Jo which resulted in fines being handed out.
This latest incident with Hamman and Ball though is far more worrying though. The fact that two players of such a senior standing would refuse to warm up is a poor reflection on them both - especially given Hamman's backing for Hughes recently, and perhaps equally worryingly does hint at a certain degree of unrest within the squad.
I accept that both players must be frustrated at their lack of playing time this season since Hughes's arrival but this is hardly the manner in which to show your displeasure, and it does seem that Hughes is putting a few noses out of joint in recent times - something that it is more likely than the current results to put his position under pressure.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Schmeichel set for stiff test
Mark Hughes' desire for an experienced goalkeeper to
challenge Joe Hart has been reinforced by the England international's two-week
enforced absence with an ankle injury, though Kasper Schmeichel has been told
that Hart's position will be his for the toughest 10 days in Manchester City's
season.
>>independent.co.uk
Schmeichel has often spoke of wanting another opportunity at the club, and admitted being frustrated at being sat on the sidelines, and the next couple of weeks will certainly put him in the spotlight given the games we are facing..
I don't think that Hart can have too much (if any) blame attached for the porous defence that we have seen this season, but given his record at the start of last season maybe Schmeichel can come in and spark some life into the defence.
If so, it will certainly give Hughes a selection dilemna upon Hart's return from fitness.
Arsenal preview
The start of a very big couple of weeks for us with two important games in the league, with the UEFA fixtures that will almost certainly decide if he we progress to the knock-out stages.
First up is Arsenal at home, which in previous years has often filled us with dread at the expectation of a heavy defeat. This season though, they come into the fixture on the back of another defeat (having lost as many Premier League games this season already as they did in the whole of 2007/08), Theo Walcott's injury and William Gallas's latest example of how not to inspire your colleagues as captain.
Arsenal have been sublime at times this season, but woefully inconsistent on other occasions, and I do think we can get at them this weekend. I don't think there midfield has recovere from the loss of Flamini or Hleb, and whilst Nasri has promise too much is on Fabregas's shoulders at the moment. They are always likely to score goals (which is not a welcome prospect for our leaky defensive crew at present), but defensively are allowing goals and have Toure missing.
Midfield wise we are in fine form at the moment, with Stephen Ireland displaying the form of his career this season and Robinho settling in perfectly. Out of favour Elano looked good for Brazil in the week but arrives back late before the game so Hughes may well continue his recent policy of Vassell and Benjani to supplement Robinho.
Richard Dunne will likely return to the centre of defence in place of Ben Haim amidst growing disquiet, whilst although Joe Hart's injury is not as bad as first feared he will not feature.
I do have a quiet air of confidence about this game and we really do need to start to produce in the Premier League given the talent we have, and I'll take us to come away with the points with a 2-1 victory.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Hedman rejects move
FORMER Sweden goalkeeper Magnus Hedman has turned down the chance to join Manchester City on loan as cover for the injured Joe Hart.>>MEN.
Hart will be out of action for around two weeks after injuring his ankle in a Barclays Premier League match at Hull last weekend.
With the club's third-choice custodian Richard Martin also injured, manager Mark Hughes has been granted permission by the Premier League to bring in a goalkeeper on loan.
Good news that Joe Hart's injury is not as serious as first feared, but with Richard Martin also injured it looks inevitable that Hughes will have brought someone in for this weekends game against Arsenal.
Ireland praises Hughes
"He's a proper manager, the kind which I have always wanted to play under and who covers every aspect of preparation and training."He sets targets for individuals and the work we do in small groups is intense and spot-on.
"I have got more confidence this season and that is because the manager has shown his confidence and trust in me."
Not words you'll hear from Elano anytime soon I wouldn't have thought.
Given his form this season, it is amazing to think how close he potentially was to leaving the club on the eve of the season given the stories floating around during the friendly against Milan.
He did look impressive at times last season when deputising for Elano in 'the hole' behind a striker, and so often played out on the right-hand side, he know appears to have found his ideal position and is certainly flourishing so far anyway under a manager who may have found a way to tap into what is believed to be a fragile ego.
Santa Cruz linked once again
Roque Santa Cruz is keen to leave Blackburn Rovers and accept Manchester City's offer to sign for them in the January transfer window. Santa Cruz has become restless at Blackburn during a slump that has seen them drop into the relegation places, and the Paraguay international striker has told people involved in the deal that he wants to link up again with Mark Hughes, the man who brought him into English football.>>guardian.co.uk
No direct quotes unlike the last time this story surfaced, but it does come from the usually reliable Daniel Taylor in The Guradian.
The report suggests that Santa Cruz, along with Wayne Bridge and Lassana Diara are top of Hughes' wanted list and all three would be good signings looking at the current make up of the squad.
Despite Blackburn's reluctance, I don't doubt that if Hughes does indeed want to sign him (and Santa Cruz is interested) then we will ultimately get him as Blackburn will receive an offer they will not be able to turn down.
Equally interesting in the article is the list of players believed to be heading out of the club:
Nery Castillo and Felipe Caicedo will quickly be ushered out of the door but the exodus could also involve Dietmar Hamann, Michael Ball, Javier Garrido, Darius Vassell, Nedem Onuoha and even the Brazil international Elano Blumer.With the transfer window in January signalling six months into Hughes's reign, is he now beginning to get to grips with the squad and identify those he wants, and those he doesn't?
Sturridge concern
"The problem is that his contract length isn't great and that is a situation that has been allowed to happen before I got here for whatever reason.>>MEN.
"We are trying to address that. We are being honest with the player and his agents and they understand the position we and they are in.
"We are obviously doing our best to keep Daniel.
"People have to understand we place a market value on players in terms of transfer fees and wages."
An interesting last sentence from the quotation from Mark Hughes, and given the takeover I'm not wholly convinced that is the case in general - but may exist to a degree for players who by and large have yet to prove themselves.
There have always been rumours linking Sturridge with a move away from the club since he first rose to prominence as the 'next big thing', but although I believe he should have featured more I don't see him angling for a move away to a club for more regular football at this stage.
Equally, I don't see the attraction of him joining a side such as Chelsea for example where he is even less likely to feature than he would do for ourselves.
We have done a good job in nailing down the Academy players to long deals with the exception of Sturridge, and for that it may well have to do more on his (and his representatives) part than the club.
I don't see him penning a new deal before the turn of the year, but would expect him to ultimately sign a long-term deal - but depending on events in the January transfer window could that be enough to maybe sway him towards a move away?
The days best City links 11/20/2008
Sky Sports | Football News | Premier League | Manchester City | Keeper training with City
Senior stars turn out for reserves - Manchester City - Football - Sport - Manchester Evening News
Jose Mourinho Favourite In Next Manchester City Manager Betting Odds
Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Blogroll update
With one or two new City additions to the blogosphere, I've updated the 'City Links' section on the right-hand side.
If there are any blogs or mainstream sites you think should be included, feel free to drop me a line.
The days best City links 11/19/2008
City can be as big as Real Madrid, says Robinho - Premier League, Football - The Independent
BBC - 606 - - A42751785 - Paul Lake-The greatest player you never saw
BBC NEWS | England | Manchester | 'Bang' row settled out of court
Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Fixture clash
A RARE night of football will take place in Manchester next month - with both City and United at home on the same night.>>MEN.
United’s Carling Cup quarter-final tie against Blackburn has been put back 24 hours to Wednesday, December 3 - with City taking on Paris St Germain in the UEFA Cup on the same night.
I certainly can't remember the last time this occurred, certainly not for some years at least?
Petrov likely done for the season
Manchester City winger Martin Petrov has undergone an operation on his left knee and will face between three and four months on the sidelines.>>sky sports.
Petrov had hoped that an initial period of working in the gym and strengthening the area around the knee would save him from going under the knife.
I know there was some hope that Petrov could have avoided surgery if the initial diagnoses wasn't as serious as first feared, but this news is more in line with the original news that was released.
All but rules Petrov out for the season I'd imagine.
Robinho a future captain?
"I thought the armband was something that he deserved and that he relished. Who knows if he is long-term captain material?; he has certainly done his claims no harm with what he did at the KC Stadium.">>MEN.
It was certainly a move that generated a fair amount of discussion on the forums and message boards, and was something that took me by surprise when catching up on the reports from the Hull game.
I assumed that Micah Richards would get the armband in Richard Dunne's absence but Hughes opted for Robinho - who has certainly been waxing lyrical about the club over the past week or so, and whilst initially surprised I can see the logic in the decision.
Whilst Richards may have been the obvious choice, perhaps Hughes was sufficiently concerned about his and the defences form of late that he decided against adding the extra burden. Elsewhere around the squad there are not many obvious choices, with only Vincent Kompany seeming to merit much consideration from fans anyway.
Much of the 'anti-Robinho' sentiment appears to be concerned with his lack of form away from home and that he should be left to concentrate on his own game, so vital an influence that he is, but I disagree.
Unlike say cricket, the weight of captaincy should not wear heavily on a football captain as their influence is less markedly so and I think the approach Hughes has taken was two fold.
Firstly that Robinho has clearly had a profound affect on the squad and appears to have garnered enormous respect for his approach and commitment, which has augmented his huge talent. Equally as important though for me is that being handed the armband often lifts an individual and focuses their minds even more so on the task at hand and is something that Scolari did with Cristiano Ronaldo - who hardly appears natural captaincy material, when he was in charge at Portugal).
From what we have seen of Robinho this season, he thrives on the expectation and demands of him as a top player and if the addition of the armband can elevate his level of performance even higher then it was a sound decision that Hughes made.
The days best City links 11/18/2008
London 2012 should embrace Manchester City stadium model with community work: Olympicsl - Telegraph
Mark Hughes looks to sign cover for injured Joe Hart | Manchester City - Times Online
BBC SPORT | Football | Premier League | Lee Dixon's tactical view
David Pleat: Left-wing view has Phil Brown the tactical victor | Sport | The Guardian
Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Back on board
I'm back on board after a couple of weeks away in the States without any exposure to football except for a quick catch up on our scores.
A definite mixed bag of results whilst I was away with an important UEFA win, but more problems in the league with the home defeat to Tottenham and yesterday's draw at Hull, which leaves us once again in the bottom half of the table.
Of most interest though with me catching up is (inevitably?) the off field news with plenty going on over the last fortnight, mainly with Mark Hughes having to deal with questions relating to his future and some dissent from both Elano and Jo.
Hughes has played down Elano's comments in the media in relation to his lack of playing time, but relieved him of a weeks wages whilst Jo is believed to have coughed up a similar figure for going out partying whilst supposedly being laid low with tonsilitis.
For his actions, Jo has been firmly ensconed on the bench with the return from injury of Vassell and Benjani, whilst Elano has joined his compatriot on the sidelines.
There have been stories suggesting that certain players are frustrated at Hughes's more combative and aggressive style - certainly so in comparison to Sven's laid back approach, and such reports resulted in the club being forced to issue a statement that whilst not a dreaded vote of confidence, was one that backed Hughes up and stated the board see him here for the long run.
I have heard myself of certain incidents this season which suggest Hughes 'laying the law down' on occasion, yet I don't see any sign of widepsread dissention or unrest in the camp, nor do I see the board's patience running out anytime soon but recent events will surely not have gone unnoticed.
If he didn't realise perhaps how big a step up he was taking when he joined the club from Blackburn - not to mention the challenge he faced, his first few months in charge will undoubtedly have opened his eyes to this fact - none more so than a pair of league fixtures at home to Arsenal and United with a big trip to Schalke in the UEFA Cup on the horizon.
A definite mixed bag of results whilst I was away with an important UEFA win, but more problems in the league with the home defeat to Tottenham and yesterday's draw at Hull, which leaves us once again in the bottom half of the table.
Of most interest though with me catching up is (inevitably?) the off field news with plenty going on over the last fortnight, mainly with Mark Hughes having to deal with questions relating to his future and some dissent from both Elano and Jo.
Hughes has played down Elano's comments in the media in relation to his lack of playing time, but relieved him of a weeks wages whilst Jo is believed to have coughed up a similar figure for going out partying whilst supposedly being laid low with tonsilitis.
For his actions, Jo has been firmly ensconed on the bench with the return from injury of Vassell and Benjani, whilst Elano has joined his compatriot on the sidelines.
There have been stories suggesting that certain players are frustrated at Hughes's more combative and aggressive style - certainly so in comparison to Sven's laid back approach, and such reports resulted in the club being forced to issue a statement that whilst not a dreaded vote of confidence, was one that backed Hughes up and stated the board see him here for the long run.
I have heard myself of certain incidents this season which suggest Hughes 'laying the law down' on occasion, yet I don't see any sign of widepsread dissention or unrest in the camp, nor do I see the board's patience running out anytime soon but recent events will surely not have gone unnoticed.
If he didn't realise perhaps how big a step up he was taking when he joined the club from Blackburn - not to mention the challenge he faced, his first few months in charge will undoubtedly have opened his eyes to this fact - none more so than a pair of league fixtures at home to Arsenal and United with a big trip to Schalke in the UEFA Cup on the horizon.
Monday, November 03, 2008
On hold
Just a quick post to advise that there will be a bit of downtime on the blog for the next couple of weeks.
The next post will be at the start of the week commencing November 17th.
The days best City links 11/03/2008
Soft-touch Manchester City’s slide continues | Premier League - Times Online
Hughes admits Blues weakness - Manchester City - Football - Sport - Manchester Evening News
Hard-working Bolton Wanderers reap the rewards against Manchester City: Football - Telegraph
Bolton 2 City 0: Player ratings - Manchester City - Football - Sport - Manchester Evening News
Bolton 2 Manchester City 0: On-song Gardner sends hapless City packing | Mail Online
Bolton's late show stuns Manchester City | Premier League - Times Online
Sky Sports | Sky Sports | Football News | Premier League | Manchester City | Hughes - No complaints
Football: Gardner strikes late to lift Bolton off the basement | Football | guardian.co.uk
Manchester City set to break Premier League transfer record for Sergio Aguero: Fooball - Telegraph
Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Elano's thoughts
A nice interview in The Observer today with Elano, in which he mainly talks of his fond relationship with Robinho - something which is integral in helping Robinho settle in.
I have posted previously about Elano being the odd man out this season, something which I expected more of - although he has had to accept a deeper role in order to be accomodated into the side of late.'There are times when I think I'm not useful any more,' Elano says. 'But behind all that there is a good feeling about the City supporters and I respect that a lot. I feel they love me and I enjoy being part of this club. I just feel sad sometimes because I know what I can do and I helped to build a lot of things last year. I was the main scorer and did good things, but today I can say I changed my way of playing to serve the team. I want to be useful, but sometimes I feel left on the side.
'I will never change my behaviour towards my friends and I'm not saying bad things about the manager. He has the right to do whatever he wants. Yet it leaves me sad because I have my own targets and I'd like the manager to force me to do things because I'm the type who has the capacity to do many things. Learning that Mourinho mentioned my name, that leaves me very happy. It gives me a lot of tranquillity knowing that top people think highly of me.'
There is nothing to suggest Elano is anything other than settled at the club, but with the arrival of Robinho and emergnce of Ireland this season, his frustration is evident and the chances of seeing him scale the heights of the first half of last season are not looking that likely at the moment.
Bolton 2 City 0
After another defeat our away form is fast becoming to be an area of concern, and something that needs to be rectified fast.
Perhaps worryingly though, watching the game today, there doesn't appear to be much alternatives being offered by Mark Hughers or the players themselves to get us out of this current funk.
With the return of Zabaleta for Onouha, it was our sixteenth different defensive line-up this season, and it worked to an extent with Richards faring better with the long ball threat posed by Bolton. However, it did detract from our attacking play down the left, which was virtually non-existent bar Robinho drifting out wide.
Bolton created more opportunities in the first half, with these half chances on the back of set pieces, where we created a couple of neat chances for Ireland and Evans, who had their efforts well saved by Jaskelinen.
Too often though, there was a lack of movement and purpose in attack, and we did struggle to really carve opportunities out. Robinho struggled to really get into the game and make an impact, which left Evans isolated too often.
We were a lot more incisive in the second half I thought and looked the more likely of the two sides to score, but Bolton had chances of their own with Hart making a good save from Nolan and Mike Riley waving a penalty appeal away.
Elano was once again sacrificed late in the game with Hamman being introduced, but far from shoring up the the side it coincided with Bolton getting in behind us at times and we were caught out twice down the flanks where we looked all at sea. This then of course resulted in us conceding both goals following the withdrawal of Elano.
Firstly, possession was lost by Robino in midfield and Bolton broke down the right and Ricardo Gardner hit home, although there was a suspicion of offside as the ball was played in and then for the second, where Richard Dunne added another own goal to his collection.
Disappointing today was the lack of impact that the Robinho/Ireland/Wright-Phillips had on the game with them being virtually non-existent and if reports of us bidding for Sergio Aguero are true then January cannot come soon enough.
Four defeats away from home (and six overall) does not bode well, and I do wonder if Hughes will go back to the drawing board in a sense, and sacrifice one or more of the more attacking players to give the line-up a more compact feel (more akin with this Blackburn side), for at the moment we appear rudderless away from home and don't look as though we can end this run anytime soon.
The days best City links 11/02/2008
Sky Sports | Football | Premier League | News | Hughes hopes to rein in City
Manchester City manager Mark Hughes supports concept of TV replays to aid refs: Football - Telegraph
Wright-Phillips V-sign sparks investigation - Premier League, Football - The Independent
Gulf states' spending spree goes on as investors buy stakes in Barclays | World news | The Guardian
Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.
Saturday, November 01, 2008
Bolton prediction
Mark Hughes spoke this week of 'reigning in' our approach away from home, and as we saw signs of that at Middlesbrough with his attempts to solidify the defence.
We have the bonus of Zabaleta's return from suspension, and I imagine this will see Richards return to the centre with either Ben Haim or Garrido at left back.
Midfield is likely to be the area that Hughes looks to change, and the fall guy (as I've stated before) would likely be Elano if he opts for two more defensive minded midfielders. If so, my preference would be for Gelson to come in rather than Hamman as he would offer more mobility and more energy, with the Hamman and Kompany partnership possibly too static.
In attack, Jo is expected to be fit and I would expect him to return to the line-up as his ability to hold the ball up is more vital away from home.
Bolton are capable of causing problems, but still do not appear to have been able to replace the quality and goals of Anelka and could see themselves stuck in a relegation battle if they continue with their current form.
A tight game for me, and although a win is there for us, I think we will come away with a 1-1 draw.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)