Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Reader question

Having witnessed that gutless, spineless, passionless excuse for a team rolled over by a Rags side that rarely needed to get out of second gear I wonder with MH in charge whether we have effectively seen the end of 'derbies' as we knew them.

I don't ask that just because I rate Hughes as too negative, no not at all, I can sit and watch Kompany and De Jong pass the ball backwards and sideways all day with the best of them before its (eventually) hoofed up to the lone striker. No I ask it for this reason. Have any ex Man U. players EVER beaten a Fergie side? I don't have the stats. and to be honest can't afford the time to check them, but I have a very very strong suspicion that MH hasn't ever beaten him, nor Bruce, nor Robson, nor Coppell etc etc.

Now I'm not one for conspiracy theories usually, but I have often wondered this year whether MH gets a bigger pay check from OT than Eastlands.

It would be good though if bitter and blue could do the research and tell me whether I'm right or wrong.

Alan Meadows.
An interesting one, and from this link, it suggests that Ferguson's record against former players is a good one:
Sir Alex Ferguson has only been beaten five times in 55 Premier League matches against clubs managed by one of his former players. Mark Hughes has won two, drawn two and lost five of his nine league matches in charge of either Blackburn or Manchester City against his mentor.
I do actually agree with the email that both derbies this season have really lacked any sort of edge (from both sides) even when compared to some of the more one-sided ones in recent years. It is surprising though, given that results between ourselves and United have by and large been equal over recent seasons since we returned to the Premier League.

Thoughts?

vote it up!

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Stupid question. No secret that MH hates Ferguson, as does Schmeichel. Hughes' Blackburn always gave the scum a good kicking - problem is we dont have enough players who can get out of their comfort zone and rise to the challenge.

Gary said...

'Now I'm not one for conspiracy theories usually, but I have often wondered this year whether MH gets a bigger pay check from OT than Eastlands.'

I have to say that the above comment is absolutely ridiculous. Do you think Hughes tells the players in the dressing room that they must lose? What a stupid thing to say.

Anonymous said...

er, MH beat taggart home and away with blackburn a couple of seasons ago.

Bill said...

Articles like this do nothing for the credibility of this site. I tire of people who are so blatantly anti Hughes. The man has been manager for less than 12 months and yet you all seem to think he can change things overnight. A lot of work has gone on this season which so many choose to ugnore. He inherited a squad of players and so his first task had to be to evaluate their worth (think Jo). Then, in the only transfer window he has had so far, brought in essential experience to a very young squad. In the summer he will, hopefully, jettison the dead wood and bring in further quality. We all know that we need a quality centre forward (maybe two) but what did you want him to do in January? Just sign any of the hundreds of names bandied about in the press for exhorbitant amounts of cash? Get real. Get behind him or go and support some other non-entities.

newsoftheblues said...

The same Jo that has out scored bellamy?^


anyway... Hughes and taggart have exchaged words om few occasions, they doent get on. Fergie even questioned hughes personality on whether he was too introverted to be a good manager. He criticsed blakcburn style of play (rightly so)...
i dount, no matter how entertaining it might be for the sun, that there is a conspiracy!

I'm not sure why we were so lacking in spirit in the derby games, stark contrast to waht we did against hamburg.

Bill said...

Bellamy 7 league goals, Jo 6 league goals. Amazing what you can achieve with a maths degree

Daniel Pugsley said...

What I was trying to raise through posting the email was the question of why both derbies this season have lacked the edge or passion (from both sides) that a derby would produce.

I don't for one minute agree that it is down to having Mark Hughes as manager, but there is no denying that both games this season have lacked any sort of urgency whatsoever.

Gary said...

Perhaps with both clubs having something to play for, for the first time in years when playing a derby, they both decided to be more professional and less erratic. Just a thought.

GAGA said...

Bill Jo has 1 league goal I think and Bellamy 3. Amazing what misreading wikipedia can do for you unlucky pal lol.

Bill said...

Gaga, I have not used Wikipedia. I compile my own records so no need for the 'unlucky pal' comment. Check up and I will accept your apology with good grace.

Gary said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Gary said...

Oops sorry about the deletion.

Anyway Bill I think your wrong.

GAGA said...

So Bill just so we know where to avoid where did you get that maths degree?

Everyone can see that Bill went to wikipedia and read the wrong information, have a look for yourselfs here..... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester_City_F.C._season_2008-09#Squad_statistics

Bill I don't want an aopology I am not that petty, unlucky pal.

craig said...

HAHAHA nice GAGA Bill you should consider changing ur name to Billdo

newsoftheblues said...

lets set this straight...

bellamy has only scored 2 league goals for city, and 2 cup goals while at the club.

Jo while at everton has scored 6.
we got rid of the scoring striker and kept the injury prone one!

bellamy indeed scored 5 for west ham, but that is of little relevance to us.

Anonymous said...

Actually Bellamy has scored 3 league goals for us. Was Bill trying to include goals they have scored for other clubs, this is a City blog the relevance is to City only.

Anonymous said...

As for the "flat" derby game, isn't that just a product of the non-contact sport football has become?

MH is in an unenviable position, money to burn but no european football to offer potential transfer targets and, a name that doesn't register on radar amongst top managers who could attract top players. I agree he's not had much time to change things around but, because he isn't a top name in management, I think he'll go come the end of the season, to be replaced by a big name who will attarct top players.

newsoftheblues said...

Well where is this mystery third goal! Bellamy scored against newcastle and boro, his goal at liverpool wasnt his goal and is down as Arbeloa Own goal... He was injured there in after!
#

It's not that important anyway... i'm far away from my initial point.


oh and hughes isnt getting sacked

Wigan Blue said...

"As for the "flat" derby game, isn't that just a product of the non-contact sport football has become?"

No, it's a reflection of the rubbish tactics on the day. We were up for it. The players should have been told to mix it up. Either they weren't, or they've stopped listening to him. Wouldn't blame them if that's the case....

Anonymous said...

It wasn't down as an own goal it is down as Bellamy's

newsoftheblues said...

Incorrect!

go check the city site! check sky, check anything...its an own goal

http://www.skysports.com/football/match_facts/0,19762,11065_3096926,00.html