tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12154887.post3187762383571486517..comments2024-01-02T23:42:42.632+00:00Comments on Bitter and Blue: Marwood appointment set to strengthen Hughes's positionDanny Pugsleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14426646073355525430noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12154887.post-7497271262989602052009-02-27T17:19:00.000+00:002009-02-27T17:19:00.000+00:00This looks a shrewd and considered appointment.The...This looks a shrewd and considered appointment.<BR/>The major weakness with Cook was a complete lack of experience and contacts within UK and European football. The floundering efforts to sign Ka Ka reflected badly on the Football Club and highlighted he was mishandling the situation and way out of depth.Unable to manage the negogiation we were ridiculed.<BR/>Marwood has a first class football pedigree with contacts- experience and has worked with Cook at Nike.<BR/>So I'm delighted with this appontment, nothing to do with day to day football and all to do reinforcing the management team with badly needed expertise.<BR/>All done without fuss or fanfare apart from mis representation and spin by the trash press.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12154887.post-33097515267308345082009-02-27T15:34:00.000+00:002009-02-27T15:34:00.000+00:00I read in the paper (I forget which) that City was...I read in the paper (I forget which) that City was going to have a strong UEFA Cup run BECAUSE they are one of the few teams that have nothing to play for in the league. The implication was that we are safe from relegation but simply a mid-table side.<BR/><BR/>Wow... does this speak to the prevalent anti-City bias or what!? It doesn't take a wizard to see that this weekend could see us in a European League position. <BR/><BR/>As I’ve stated before, I think capturing a European place is ESSENTIAL for our summer transfer market. In terms of the “building a club” plan, we need to offer not only money but a stage to the next batch of players that may want to join us. Mid-table (last year) to Europe (next year) to top 4 run (year two) to top four (year 3) seems to be the type of steady improvement the club is after, continually improving the quality of player that makes the base of our squad as we become more and more viable as a contender.<BR/><BR/>We currently sit 10th... with Wigan 7th (and three points ahead), Fulham 8th, and West Ham 9th. We play the Hammers; Wigan is away to Chelsea; Fulham is away to Arsenal. We are ahead on goal differential versus all of them. <BR/><BR/>If we put in a good performance and grab a win... it is likely we'll sit even on points with Wigan and with everyone else putting one in the loss column. We'd sit 7th, on goal difference.<BR/><BR/>Here's the uncomfortable catch... 7th position will be qualify for Europe only if both the FA Cup and Carling Cup goes to a top 7 side... this weekend we also need *gulp* the rags to dispatch Spurs in the Carling Cup final.<BR/><BR/>I actually fancy our chances against the Hammers. Yes, our away form is still bad (on balance); yes, our form after midweek games has been poor. But, 1) we certainly are on a confidence high given the last two results; 2) Robinho has put in two very good shifts and is catching his early season form; 3) West Ham has been light at right back all year; 4) West Ham had a midweek game (FA Cup on Wednesday), as well; 5) Across the park I like our individual matchups (except Cole vs. Dunn).<BR/><BR/>So, here's to the weekend, and the promise it brings! CITD<BR/><BR/><BR/>So, here's to this weekend, and the hope that it brings.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com