Barca recap

There were a few doubters about whether we should be travelling over to Spain to participate in a friendly right at the start of the season when focus should solely be on the Premier League.

Last night's victory should dispel that notion though, as the victory aside, I'm sure that Hughes and the squad took a great deal from the game, and will be a good experience for the likes of Stephen Ireland, who has perhaps not had the opportunity on a big stage as yet.

I caught pretty much most of the game, and must admit to being surprised at the attendance for it - a definite sign of the esteem this particular pre-season game is held in for Barcelona. Whilst we are not ready to be annointed European Champions-elect following the win, despite putting the finishes touches to their pre-season it was a win against a side that had quality throughout it.

Whilst Barca dominated possession throughout the game, this was always to be expected against a side of their quality (despite not all of their strongest side featuring from the start) and we were under the cosh for large periods.

We weathered this well though, looking compact and composed at the back, keeping discipline and shape when mattered and Barca, for all their domination in possession hardly laid siege to our goal.

There were a couple of notable performances for me yesterday. Firstly, Martin Petrov. There have been reports that he could be keen to move given an apparant lack of opportunity (Everton and Tottenham the two sides mentioned). I do have a feeling that he is very much in Hughes's plans and he will see a fair chunk of action over the course of the season. He took his goal well yesterday - evidence that this part of his game should not be underestimated.

Most notable though was Valdimir Weiss. Not included to make up the numbers, this was a genuine test for him and he passed with flying colours. He certainly looks to have filled out a little over the summer and looked every bit a part of the side. Hughes appears to rate him highly and during the course of the season, I expect him to make an impact on the side.

Rangers 3 City 2

And so the scratchy pre-season results continue.

Whilst there were some positives - Martin Petrov looking lively and added another goal to back up his one against Barnsley. There was some nice movement throughout the side, and the sharpness and fitness is no doubt tuning up for the start of the league campaign.

It was interesting to see the starting line-up tonight. Etuhu and Dunne aside, it could have passed for our starting side in ten days time, and was the formation I'd expect Hughes to field.

Disappointingly though, some familiar woes were present. Defensively we conceded too many last season and clean sheets have been hard to come by so far in pre-season. Richard Dunne cannot have done himself many favours tonight as he looked to try and retain his place that looks so under threat.

I am intrigued to see how we are shaping up in the flesh though. So much so I'm betraying my pre-season lethargy and heading to the Celtic game this Saturday.

Barnsley 1 City 1

I didn't catch any of the action from yesterdays 1-1 draw at Barnsley but from the reports it suggests that whilst our patch pre-season results continue, we did look sharper than in the games during the Vodacom Challenge tournament. We also saw a far stronger line-up with more of the expected starting side featuring.

This fitness aspect was something Shay Given focused on:

“We had a number of chances on Saturday and it is just about sharpening ourselves up,” he argued. “We had a good few chances but their keeper made a couple of good saves and we missed a few but we are coming together nicely.

“The big thing at Barnsley was getting the fitness levels up and the sharpness in front of goal will come. We will be better for that game. There is some exciting quality on the pitch in front of me and I am sure it will be an exciting season. We have some fantastic players in City shirts.”

New signing Kolo Toure started alongside Nedum Onouha, before being forced off with a minor injury. Of more concern though was the absence of both Michael Johnson and Roque Santa Cruz - Johnson with a 'setback' from his recovery, whilst Santa Cruz has not yet recovered from a new injury and likely misses the start of the season.

We now have a couple of games to round off the pre-season - at Rangers on Wednesday before hosting Celtic next Saturday.

Kaizer Chiefs 1 City 0

A disappointing end to the tour of South Africa as we were defeated 1-0 in the Vodacom final by the very side we had defeated by the same scoreline earlier in the week.

Mark Hughes continued to ease players back into the fray with Adebayor, Dunne, Onuoha, Craig Bellamy and Shay Given given their first starts of the tour, whilst Robinho was introduced for the second half.

Whilst any victory is welcome, I'm sure Mark Hughes would have been more focused on answering certain questions as he formulates his plans heading into the new season.

Given the chopping and changing of the line-up over the three games it is difficult to draw too much from individual performances, but from what I did see it is clear that Gareth Barry is going to be an integral part of our midfield. He does look a real leader and someone who is able to control the game.

Whilst both Martin Petrov and Shaun Wright-Phillips started the final, both struggled to make a big impression and I don't see Hughes often favouring a 4-4-2 line-up as such, which could be bad news for the pair.

I'm certain that he will adopt the 4-5-1/4-3-3 line-up with Robinho and Tevez supplementing a main striker. This will also allow a centralmidfield trio of Barry, Ireland and de Jong (given Vincent Kompany's absence at the start of the season).

Of course Wright-Phillips and Petrov on the bench does provide plenty of options, but it could be a frustrating time for both.

In goal and defence, the positions appear to be more or less set should no further additions arrive, but the fact that Tal Ben-Haim featured twice in South Africa reinforces the need for defensive additions.

Vodacom final streamed live

The good people at mcfc have confirmed that tomorrow's final against Kaizer Chiefs will once again be streamed live on the official site.

Carlos Tevez has been ruled out, but Robinho and Emanuel Adebayor are expected to feature at some point.

Anybody know where Elano is?

Kaizer Chiefs 0 City 1

A useful run out earlier this evening from the parts I caught. With pre-season games, it is hard to judge precisely what you can take from the game but our opponents - although they must be the smallest side I have come across - looked to be a bright, lively side, so Mark Hughes will be pleased that there was some intensity to the game.

The 'big guns' were still by and large on the sidelines, although Gareth Barry started slotted in well with Stephen Ireland in midfield. He looks as though he has plenty of energy and will cover large areas of the midfield. Pablo Zabaleta also offered plenty throughout the game. It was a mixed side, but youngster Ben Mee played for the second game to suggest he has a positive future.

Also impressive was to see Martin Petrov back out on the pitch, looking intense and brooding out on the left. It would be a real shame should he be squeezed out over the course of 2009/10.

We have a final game in South Africa this coming weekend, but judging from some of Mark Hughes's comments earlier in the week, the game may come a little early for the likes of Tevez, Robinho and Adebayor.

Kaizer Chiefs live stream

Mcfc.co.uk will be streaming tonight's game live with a kick off of 7pm.

Feel free to post any comments about the game.

Pre-season friendlies

I really do find it hard to rouse myself for pre-season games.

Sure they sate an appetite for football after a couple of months off but the trouble with these games is that sides are really going through the motions. They lack the pace, structure, intensity or competitiveness that usually make the game so appealing.

And they feature Tal Ben-Haim.