Bid for Moses next?

Hot on the heels of the Patrick Vieira signing, The Guardian reports that a bid for Crystal Palace forward Victor Moses is next:

City have identified Moses as a possible star of the future and hope to capitalise on Palace's financial problems by agreeing terms to make the 19-year-old the seventh striker on the club's books.

Brian Marwood, City's football administrator, has already spoken extensively to Palace but made it clear to the Championship club that his employers would not be persuaded to spend in excess of the player's true worth just because of the immense wealth afforded to them by their owner in Abu Dhabi.

As I posted previously when Moses name first surfaced, I don't see this as an obvious fit. As well as adding the likes of Vieira; the 'win now' type of players, the club has added youngsters from across Europe over the past eighteen months.

Yet these have often been genuine 'ones for the future', and although Moses is only 19 years old, he doesn't appear to be the type of player to bring through the ranks to be ready in 3-5 years time. In addition, there isn't a glaring need in attack for him, and he certainly isn't going to beat out any of the current incumbents for a starting role.

I may ultimately be proved wrong, but it does strike as a strange target for us to pursue.

Moses linked with move

The Mail reports a bid may be forthcoming:

Brian Marwood, the Eastlands football administrator, held initial talks over a potential move for Moses last week but was taken aback by the club's £5million valuation.

But Marwood wants to hold a second round of talks with Palace this week and will head down to Selhurst Park on Saturday to run the rule over Moses when Palace take on Bristol City in the Championship.

The south Londoners have only received a bid of £1.5m from West Bromwich and doubts remain whether prospective suitors including Everton, Liverpool and Birmingham, will match the cash-strapped Eagles' valuation.

I've not seen much of Moses aside from our victory earlier in the season in the Carling Cup, but he does come with a good reputation and is clearly on the radar of a number of sides.

It would be a perplexing signing for me though as Mancini will know nothing about him. Quite where he would fit into the squad though I don't know, and equally I'm not sure he is necessarily slated as 'one for the future' given his age and that he is very much a first team regular at Palace.

I'm sure there would be more likely (and more suitable) options out there.

Crystal Palace player ratings

Given - More smart saves and another assured performance. Has not put a foot wrong since he signed. 7.5

Richards - Struggled against the lively Moses after being booked early. 6

Toure - The new captain had a strong all-round performance both defending and coming forward. 7

Lescott - A solid debut. Some struggles but to be expected playing so soon after signing. A good partnership with Toure looks a matter of time. 6.5

Bridge - Impressed with how he joins in the attack. Sound defensively too. 7

Wright-Phillips - Saw plenty of the ball and looked lively and creative. Took his goal well. 7.5

Barry - Not flashy or a headline grabber but his role and work shouldn't be underestimated. Man of the match. 8

Ireland - Struggled to adjust to the new, deeper role. Some fleeting moments but few and far between. 6

Robinho - Work rate not in question, but we are not getting the best from him (like Ireland) in a less attacking role. 6

Adebayor - I do like the look of him and has some good touches and link up play. Quieter than his previous games though. 6.5

Tevez - A real spark in the attacking third. Creative, works tirelessly and got himself on the scoresheet. Looks to be getting fitter. 7.5

Subs:

Neither de Jong or Bellamy were on long enough to impact.

Crystal Palace review

A hard fought and hard earned victory, but impressive in the context of previous failures at this stage of the competition at lower league sides.

For the most part it was a struggle as we contended with a Palace side who impressed. There were pacy, lively and rarely afforded us any time and space on the ball. Particularly impressive was Victor Moses who gave both Richards and Bridge a tough time, but lacked for composure at the vital moment.

It was a surprise team that lined up, with Lescott the only change from the Wolves victory. No significant minutes therefore for the likes of Zabaleta, Onouha, Petrov and de Jong. A good move though in retrospect to get Lescott into the side and allow to integrate in the side ahead of sterner tests.

With Dunne halfway up the M6, the captains armband was handed to Kolo Toure, no stranger to the skippers role, but a surprise to some extent given the expectation that Gareth Barry may be handed the responsibility.

When we did create chances though we looked impressive. Quick and incisive on the break, you can see how the majority of our goals this season are likely to originate from. Still, we couldn't quite break through the Palace defence, with the linesmans flag also thwarting us on more than one occasion.

It was a well taken goal from Shaun Wright-Phillips that helped us on our way, and settled any nerves that may have taken hold the longer the game went on. A nice build-up once again saw Wright-Phillips - who looks to be in good form indeed so far this season - keep his cool to slot home.

Going behind didn't deflate Palace though, and they continued to attack purposefully, and on another day may have got themselves back into the game. Credit must go to the defence and Shay Given though as that is three clean sheets out of three now. The introduction of Lescott did give a better balance to the central area and it was a solid debut by him. You can easily see the attributes that he brings to the side, and why Hughes was so keen to add him.

It was Lescott who had an influence in the goal that sealed the victory. A corner swung in saw Lescott challenge at the near post. Although he didn't connect, Tevez followed behind him to head home for his first goal and seal the victory.

Crystal Palace matchday thread

Comment away...

Palace preview

You look at a lot of sides or managers who are aiming for grander things in the long run, and it is often the Carling Cup that has been the first stepping stone on that journey.

Whilst the nature of cup competition are a little difficult to predict, this competition is the one that looks most likely to yield a trophy during 2009/10.

2008/09 saw a pair of ignominous defeats in the domestic cups, both at Brighton and at home to Forest, and an early defeat tonight would be a huge blow.

You do sense a different mood in the club at present this season though (something Hughes was talking about yesterday) and despite a winnable game in the league at the weekend, Hughes will very much be focusing on this game.

Palace are in a bit of a mess this season, and have had a shaky start so far. Usually an outside bet for promotion, they do look to be a way off that from the evidence so far.

With the same side bar Tevez for Bellamy having played both games so far, Hughes may well be keen to bring in some of those players who have been left kicking thei heels on the bench.

That said, there won't be a full side being replaced, but you would expect Zabaleta, Onouha, de Jong, Petrov and Weiss to start tonight.

Still a strong line up of course, and given the side shouldn't lack for focus, a comfortable enough win should be on the cards.

2-0 looks good for me.

Carling Cup draw

City have been drawn to play away against Neil Warnock’s Crystal Palace in the Second Round of this season’s Carling Cup.

The tie will be played in the week beginning August 24 on a date yet to be decided.

Ticket and kick-off details will be announced first on mcfc.co.uk as soon as television requirements have been released.

>>mcfc.co.uk