City versus Everton

City Versus Everton

A notoriously difficult tie of late, and some would describe Everton as City’s bogey team! I’m not a subscriber to that view Everton, under Gollum, have always been hard to beat and always a tad boring in my view.

With Gollum moving his obvious genius to our neighbours from Trafford, the expectations of Everton blossoming into a footballing team are rising under Martinez. They do have a decent striker in Lukaku, who knows where the goal is at this moment. I’m quite ken on the looks of the young lad Berkley, who seem to have a telnet of running at defences with the ball and I’m sure at some point he will do that on Saturday. Which may mean that Baines will get chance to pepper the City goal with those free kicks of his (stand in the middle of the goal I hear you cry).

It’s been a funny old week for City this week, with a very good away display at Villa ruined by defensive lapses and lack of “clinicalness” (if that’s a word) allowed Villa to nick the three points. I walked away from Villa Park mystified as to how that one got away.

I think it’s pretty obvious what happened on Wednesday, a combination of great play, tactical and formational naivety as well as some ordinary displays from various players meant that Munich had a bit of a stroll to 3 points. I’m not going to slag off Joe Hart, he’s in a bit of a form rut at the minute, but I’m not a believer in hurling abuse at him either from behind my (safe Keyboard) or from my seat in the stand. Whilst he has the City shirt on he will get my support. I do think though he maybe could benefit from a seat on the bench for a game or two.

I do feel that the team preparation for the last two games has been right, in terms of the attitude the players went out with, particularly at Villa, the game before and after each CL game is always hard for teams (if you look over the years). This isn’t to say I think the team formation was right, as I don’t, but it took too long to change approach, which did pay off late in the game. Let’s hope this isn’t repeated in the games to come. My view has always been that the two games against CSKA Moscow are the really important ones, as two wins, would more or less guarantee us second place.

The premier league has started in a really interesting way with none of the pre season favourites being in the top 3 spots. This is good in that it will make for a more open and exciting season but I can’t help feeling that old frailties will emerge in all 3 of the top sides. Arsenal are weak defensively, Liverpool to inconsistent at home and Tottenham will do their usual fade away at some point soon.

City desperately need 3 points on Saturday to end of a poor week, but to ensure we stay on the coat tails of the teams at the top and not allow too big of a gap to emerge, having said that we still have to play all the top teams twice and I do believe on our day (both home and away) we can beat anyone in the PL.

Looking to the team that will play on Saturday, I would make some changes to the team, I’ll come back to the goalkeeping position later but I’d bring back both Zabaleta and Lescott for Nastasic and Micah, both who need a rest, but for different reasons. Lescott can stand up to the physical challenge of Lukaku and for that reason alone he should play alongside Kompany.

I’d also make 2 changes in midfield with David Silva coming in for Nasri and James Milner in place of Jesus Navas. This gives us more legs and protection, but also that spark of genius that Silva has in them their boots. It’s an interesting conundrum for Pellegrini about how to get creativity (in addition to Yaya) in the midfield without weakening the defensive side of the team, if we are going to play with two wide men. There is an argument that we should revert to the 4-2-3-1 formation, and maybe this could be deployed in the CL games, whilst staying with the more traditional 4-4-2 (or variants of) in the PL.

Upfront should be Negredo and Aguero. I’ve really thought that Negredo tries his heart out every time he comes on the pitch and he has a physical presence, and defo knows where the goal is, and against Everton I do think we need a bit more of a presence down the middle.

So not quite a must win game for City (I always feel every game we should win) but after the week we’ve had and the state of play in the PL it is important that we keep in touch at the top and maintain our terrific home PL record of recent years.

The last word must be about Joe Hart, the lad has real talent and he’s proved it over the time he’s been in goal for City. He’s hit a slump in form and when goalkeepers hit a slump usually a goal is conceded. At least in other positions team mates can help out if bollocks are dropped. I think this is a good test of man management for Pellegrini, as to what he will do, drop him or support him, that’s the choice. Maybe a bit of compotition for his place isn’t a bad thing but if he is picked tomorrow he will get my support, players don’t play better when slagged off from the stands, end of.

City versus Bayern Munich CL

City versus Bayern

I have to say I’m so looking forward to tonight’s game, little old City playing the Champions of Europe, and you can bet it will be the first eleven this time, not the reserves.

There seems to be a lot of debate going on at the minute by the City faithful about the City approach, particularly to the away games. I for one think we were unlucky at Villa and totally dominated a game that we should have won. You can see the way Pellegrini is trying to get City to play, but it will take time.

There is no doubt that the CL is a big thing for City this year, and you will see a much more “up and at em” City tonight than we saw at weekend. This is purely and simply because the team cannot play “balls out” every game throughout the whole season. The successful European clubs will tell you that the games leading up to and directly after the CL games are tough due to tiredness and the mental strain playing at the top level has on players. So my message is cut the lads some slack, we will see a performance like the Derby in the European games.

It’s my contention that the real crucial matches in our group this year are against Moscow, and home and way wins, would more or less guarantee qualification, never mind what we do against Munich home or away. Having said that, it would make a great statement, and take pressure off the Moscow games if we could nick a win tonight against Bayern Munich tonight.

Much that fans of other teams look at City and say they would rather have what they have than be City with all the cash, I think this is purely and simply jealousy. Not one fan would turn down our owners or symbolically hand back their season ticket, if they were taken over by big money backers, you are dreaming lads and lasses so get a grip.

The nights like tonight don’t come around too often, and whilst we should look forward to more games like this in the future, we should enjoy tonight, we are after all playing the best team in Europe.

The team selection tonight, for me is straight forward, injuries allowing of course.

Much that Joe Hart has taken stick over the last few months, he’s still the best keeper in the league in my view, and is definitely worth his weight in saves in tonight’s game.

The back four should be as started on Saturday with the exception of Gael Clichy at Left Back, who is a better defender than Kolorov but can still get up and down. The CB pairing of Kompany and Nastisic are a good pairing and probably wont have to face a great deal of straight long balls tonight, though they should have learned that lesson after Saturday. Great though it is to see Micah back fit and well, it should be Zaba at right back tonight.

Central Midfield is Yaya Toure and Fenandinho for me, with bags of European experience and quality to burn. The tricky selections come in the other midfield roles, but I have a feeling that Pellegrini will opt for Navas on the right and then a straight choice between Nasri and Silva for the last midfield slot. I’d start with Nasri if there is any doubt about David Silva’s fitness, he can come on and weave his magic if required, but Nasri for me deserves his start tonight after some good recent performances. James Milner will play wide right in the away games to add some security and work rate, tonight we need some flair from Navas.

The strikers are shaping up now, with Jovetic getting back to fitness but Aguero would be a definite starter if he’s fit. He was unplayable in the Derby match and I should imagine he won’t take much motivating to play the same in tonight’s match.

I suspect it’s too soon for Jovetic to get a start so the final striking role should go to either Negredo or Džeko. I have a feeling that Džeko will get the nod but it’s nip and tuck for either of them.

I have a really positive feeling about tonight’s game and I’m hoping for a great game of football between two quality footballing sides, recognising that Munich as a team have all the CL experience required and we are the young pretenders.

I can’t help the feeling that Bayern Munich are the rags of the German League and therefore we should treat them accordingly. We all know what our record is like against the rags.

Roll on kick off time.

City At Cardiff

I’m eagerly awaiting the game today as this is the next indication of how the new regime will approach this type of game. We all know that last season we would have been very defensive and cautious in this sort of game, sometimes it worked other times it didn’t.

I expect a much more positive approach this time around and with the attacking players we have it should be the way the team play.

I expect that Cardiff will be fired up as this is the first home game in the premier league and they will want it to be a good showing, as it’s on the TV as well.

The talk of the blues I spoke with last night was all about attacking as the best form of defence and with our defensive injuries I think there is some merit in that approach but it should be controlled pressure not all guns blazing leaving ourselves open at the back.

I am expecting that the same team will be selected for this game with the obvious exception of VK being injured. The obvious choice is Javi Garcia into the back four and I think that is a decent shout but one blue last night was strongly advocating Boyatta but I think it’s a gamble to far in this game. A good start to the season is vital and I think that Javi Garcia is an experienced player who will be fine against this type of opposition.

The big player for City today will be Jesus Navas as he has the ability to cause havoc as long as he gets protection from the referees as he will inevitably come in for some rough treatment. He will score and create today!

It would be easy for Pellegrini to opt for Milner in midfield today and I’m sure he thought that one through, and Milner would offer some added security and legs but we should start as we mean to go on.

The strikers will be a rotation at some point but the goal threat and fabulous finish from Aguero will mean he will start and it’s a straight choice between Negredo and Džeko as the striking partner.

Yaya and Fernandinho will anchor midfield again for me and David Silva will play his slightly wider left sided central midfield role.

So for me it’s steady as we go today. It’s important that we put a marker down away from home and show how we mean to play being mindful of the opposition.

I expect three points today and another good display.

Come on City.

City Versus The Land of The Giants

Well Monday night had a mixture of anticipation, excitement and nerves all rolled into one. Would we start off impressively, would the team gel, would we look like a team that means business and would we win the game. These are the thoughts that kept popping into my brain throughout the day, along with lots of other random thoughts.

Lots of pre match things where slightly different, City Square and the pre match warm up felt different but the singer who destroyed “blue moon” before kick off should be banned and never let back into the ground, it was truly awful. We don’t need pre match cheese. The atmosphere was a bit muted just before kick off as I think alot of fans weren’t sure what would happen and of course the new manager and players haven’t got songs drilled into the fans yet. The Bert Trautmann tribute was excellent and I true City legend was honoured in the right way with generous applause from both sets of fans.

The team selection was no great surprise with only one difference from that which I predicted pre match, with Aguero starting and Negredo on the bench. I needn’t have worried.

City came out and immediately set out their stall, within the first few minutes we had two attacks and the goalie made a save, and within 5 minutes we where one up. The passing was swift and incisive, the team looked organised and well drilled, and they looked very fit.

The new players all made an impact on the game and it was like watching a new team from last season. The play was mixed up, a variety of long and short passes, but the focal points of the attacks came from a variety of sources not just one, al la last season.

The strikers looked hungry for the ball and both Aguero and Džeko played well throughout the game, and Džeko in particular looked a revelation compared to last season. Aguero just looked like Aguero has always done, but with his game head most definitely on right from the start. It was a shame for Džeko as he tried and tried to get his name on the score sheet but he was victim of a goalie who played really well despite leaking four goals.

City are blessed with some wonderful midfield players and the four who where selected on Monday night all played really well, against a very physical Newcastle team. Yaya Toure looked back towards his best form (no barnstorming runs but great passing and general bossing). David Silva was wonderful with his jinking runs and clever passing, but what also impressed me was his work rate in his defensive duties and his willingness to put his foot into the tackle. His was the goal, with his head, that got us underway so early in the match, which do helped to set the tone.

Fernandinho looked all ways up the quality, mobile, midfielder that we needed. He complements Yaya Toure well but can tackle, pass and run with the ball when required. He also stood up to the physical challenges in the first half and got in his fair share of tackles, excellent debut on my book.

Jesus Navas, yes Jesus plays for City. Well in my book he did everything but walk on water and he was certainly a crowd pleaser right from the start. His lightening pace allied with a quality use of the ball will make him a potent threat to any team we play this season. Fabulous debut.

Defensively we looked assured with both fullbacks having the licence to go forward but not both at the same time, with, generally, Clichy staying back as Zaba raided down the right with Navas.

This to me was a deliberate tactic to make us defensively secure and it was clear the whole team got back into defensive shape very quickly when ever out attacks broke down and this was good to see.

Jolson Lescott had a steady game and made some good tackles and interceptions, with both foot and head and his general distribution of the ball is improving and I’m sure this will continue as the team gels.

Vincent Kompany looked a man bacalmed to me, not the anxious figure he cut last season, he was calm and assured, physical when needing to be and able to play football when called upon, it’s a shame he hobbled off towards the end as it looks like he’s out for a few weeks, which shows the need for a new CB as injuries bite into Cities rear guard.

Joe Hart has had a bit of stick recently, both for his error for England and also for his perceived drop in form last season. What he had to do on Monday he did efficiently and looked like Joe Hart of old. He’s the best goal keeper in the premier league and that’s the end of that debate in my mind.

So a great start to the season for City, but it’s only game 1, we need a similar performance at Cardiff on Sunday and for that type of performance to be the norm, not the exception.

I think in our new manager we have an astute manager, tactically aware but with the man management skills to go with it. Yes it’s early days but his easy way seems to have won favour with the players and fans alike.

Onwards and upwards.

Today is the Day – City versus Newcastle

Well I bloody hate Monday night games especially with it being the first weekend of the league season. Everyone else has had a go and now it’s our turn, I have to admit to being slightly excited, I’m a grown man a know!!

I’ve blogged previously about the good way that City have gone about their business in the close season and now it’s time to turn that into a cracking start. We don’t want to be playing catch up so early in the campaign and on paper we do have a relatively easy start to this campaign.

We do have a cracking recent track record against Newcastle and I would expect that this is maintained tonight, but we should take nothing for granted.

I suspect that the team that will start will be an indication of how we expect to play at home on this sort of fixture. We have been promised exciting football but that shouldn’t mean everybody attacks and nobody defends. This is overly simplistic I know but all out attack can be a curse as well as a spectacular success. Pellegrini is not stupid and he will know that.

I think the pre season games where all about fitness and we have seen evidence over this first weekend of the league season that pre season wins doesn’t guarantee you first weekend wins – does it Arse!

For me the most interesting part of the game tonight is who starts and what formation will City play. There are some obvious choices, some not so.

The goalkeeper is one of the obvious choices, some people are questioning Joe Hart, but there’s no doubt he is still our best keeper and England’s number 1, so no more debate please.

The back four again I think is a standard pick although the right back spot could get interesting now Micah Richards is back fit and raring to go but then starting right back for me has to be Pablo Zabaletta.

The choices at CB are more limited and whilst Javi Garcia could slot into that spot I suspect that will be reserved for the dearly rounds of the Cup or in circumstances where we have no other choice. For tonight the CB pairing should be Kompany and Lescott.

The left back for the premier league games I think will be Gael Cliche and he’s proven that he is our best left back, but I have to say I expected re-inforcements over the summer but nothing as yet.

I have a feeling that the starting Centre Midfielders will be Yaya and Fernandinho, but this will change with games and competition I’m sure. The midfield and forward line are the tricky selection spots as we have such an array of talent in these positions it’s hard to second guess how we will play or who will be partnered with who.

Given that he has been our most creative player for a while now I think David Silva should get a start, playing predominantly left side allowing Jesus Navas to occupy the right winger type role.

Width and pace was what we cried out for last season and that has been rectified massively with the signing of Navas. I’m not sure who the Newcastle left back is going to be but if Navas does play on the City right wing he’s in for a torrid time and I’m sure he will be knackered at the end of the game.

Upfront is not easy to pick as again which have lots of attacking options and the four strikers all need games. I suspect Sergio Aguero will be on the bench tonight, given his lack of matches pre season and we don’t want a repeat of last seasons opener where he got injured very very early and was out for ages.

Based upon pre season I think Edin Džeko will start upfront as he’s been banging in the goals both for City and on international duty, so he’s the man really in form and should start for me. With Navas playing wider than we’ve had before and his crossing ability I expect this to play more into Džeko’s strengths and we all know he can score goals when in the mood to do so.

The final striking spot I would give to Negredo, he’s big and strong and with bags to talent and I’m sure he’s going to be a hit with the fans has he bags lots of goals but plays in a more British traditional Centre Forward type role. Jovetic will be on the bench but will come on in the second half maybe In a slightly withdrawn role or maybe just behind one of the main strikers depending upon if the barcodes park the bus or not.

So I’m eagerly awaiting the start of the season, I’m anticipating good things, but we need to be patient as change does take time.

The New Season Is Upon Us

It does seem like ages since the end of last season, but in fact it’s not actually that long really. Lots has changed at City but I hope not everything has.

New management and playing staff have arrived but we all hope that the City challenge for honours continues again this season. I’d like to think that we are better this season but who knows until we actually see the cream play.

The new manager is saying and doing all the right things but the proof of the pudding, as they say, is always in the eating. It would appear that discord was rife in the City team and hierarchy and I hope that is a thing of the past. Mancini always will be a City legend, but onwards and upwards as they say.

The new signings have added strength to the team in just the right areas, mobility, pace, guile and goals. I still believe we need another CB but I wouldn’t want just anyone, we need experience and that should be CL experience to, not sure we will get that though this transfer window.

I’m really excited about how Navas will play in the premier league as he has what my father used to say “that lad can catch pigeons” I’m sure he will terrorise a few full backs over the course of this coming season.

We’ve added mobility in midfield through Fernadinho and it will e interesting to see how the midfield lines up defensively with such an array of attacking talent in the squad.

Jovetic is a quality addition and he brings that little bit of guile and craft that is a welcome sharing of the creative burden carried by Silva last season. There is also a few goals in his locker and this will be a surprise to some defences who see him more a creator rather than a scorer of goals.

Negredo looks the part already for me and he’s bagged a few goals pre season which can only help build his confidence and the more game time he gets the better he will get in the PL. He already has the CL experience so another wise buy by City.

I am interested in how the team will play, and we have had a promise of attacking football from Pelligrini and I for one am really looking forward to this season. I’d like to think we are stronger, squad wise than our rivals but we need to see this translated into results, and a good start to the season is a must.

I don’t buy into the notion that Pelligrini doesn’t have experience of winning things, he has a quality track record of getting the best from what is in his squad, wherever he’s been and if he can achieve this with this City squad we are in for a real treat of a season.

Bring it on.

Bloody Hurry Up

Bloody Hurry Up

We’ve had such a wonderful summer of sports, from a English / British perspective, but I can’t help thinking that the new season should BLOODY HURRY UP. There is one saving grace about this summer compared to the last one and that’s the early conclusion of the signings and what signings they are, more later.

The new season has always brought lots of optimism from me but I honestly think that this coming season will be a bloody good one for City, and I’m expecting some more silverware, but more importantly a more attractive brand of football, if we believe the hype, which I for one do.

Before we get to deep into the new season preview and thoughts I’d like to place on record my sincere thanks to Roberto Mancini for the work he did at City and the steps forward we took under his leadership. The guy delivered an FA Cup and a League Title, and a charity shield, the guy and always will be a legend in my mind. I’m not embarrassed to say that I was part of the advert in the Italian press as I wanted to do something, however small, to say thanks and ciao.

The early signs are that we have a new manager of some substance and class and he knows how to handle himself and the journalists, but the proof of the pudding will come when we start to play competitive games. His performance in the press conferences have been very assured, accepting that nothing difficult has happened yet, but his English is good and he looks like he can handle the journalists, even with their anti City agenda.

I think we are seeing what we could have predicted when we heard that Gollum was to take over at the Theatre of Shite and Mourinho was coming back to Chelski. Mourinho is a master of the mind game and his Rooney pronouncements are proof of that, but whether he gets his man only time will tell, but as always its all about Mourinho and not about the club, be warned Chelski.

The Gollum installation at the Theatre of Shite was a surprise as I really thought they would want a higher profile manager than Gollum, they are who they are after all. I will reserve judgement until later in the season but it looks, so far that the pull of this particular manager may not quite be as good as the previous, but they are who they are!!!

All this media hype around our rivals is great from a City perspective as we have gone about our business in a measured and determined way. I feel that City have landed the targets they set out to land and that this is despite the speculation linking us to every player in the western world and some beyond!!! My twitter timeline as been full of FIFA and Football Manager ITOs who know fuck all but like the sound of their own voice, wind your neck in lads, wait till the lad holds the shirt up before we get all excited. Maybe I’m too old for all that shite.

I have to say that I’m impressed with the way the club have handled the changes to the playing squad over the summer, we offloaded some really high earners bought by regimes gone by, as well as saying good bye to players I though where worthy of keeping but maybe outstayed their welcome, ill leave you to put names to faces etc. Lets just say that we have shrewed men men running our club both from the team management, the club management and also the owners, all top blokes.

We have strengthened the team in the areas I thought required attention, with the possible exception of Centre Half, but this gives a glimmer to Lescott, who I’m pleased is still at the club and also is looking to fight for a place in the starting line up. A box to box midfielder has been bought to add mobility and CL experience and add competition for places that allows the manager to mix it up in midfield. Width and pace have been sadly lacking recently and the signing of Navas is a great acquisition, and as my father would say “that lad can catch pigeons”. His performances in the Conferderations Cup where an exciting taster for the season to come. We have cried out for width against the “bus parking” teams and I really like the look of this lad, and he’s called Jesus!!!

I have to say that I’m surprised that Dżeko is still at City but there is no doubt the lad has talent, and I’m hopeful that Pellegrini can get the best out of him, as he clearly has some form of confidence thing that needs nurturing. Theres no doubt that he can score goalsa and his record speaks for it’s self, if you’d care to look. We all know Aguero is the business and I’m so chuffed that he is still a City player and I’m looking forward to him banging in the goals come the new season.

I have to say that I know very little about Negredo and Jovetic, beyond the YouTube clips and the odd game on tv in the CL. They have good records and I trust the managers judgement and am looking forward to seeing them play. It will be very interesting to see what combinations of players are tried first and in what games the combinations are given a run out. One things for sure, we have enough firepower for the new season, and I’m expecting goals, goals and more goals.

I was also expecting that Pantillimon would go as well but it looks very much like he will stay and fight for his place. I do believe he was very hard done by for not being started in the Cup Final, but he’s been able to get over that and stay at City, I think he’s a worthy understudy to Joe Hart. I think Joe Hart needs to think about his own performances last season, and I’m sure he has whilst on his holidays, but he is the best when he plays as we know he can.

One thing I know for sure and that’s the season will be upon us soon, but it just feels such a long time away, bloody hurry up!!!

Wemberlee, Wemberlee………..

Bring on Wigan

Well as sometimes happens in football City will play Wigan in the next game after setting up the FA Cup final game against Wigan, with a thrilling win over Chelsea at Wembley yesterday. It was one of those games that’s so hard to give an objective view when you’re caught up in the maelstrom of the atmosphere inside the stadium and we where all desperate to see City get through to the final, in my view, to shut up the critical yet again.

I think over the whole game City where the better side and deserved the win, even though Chelsea pushed hard in the last 15 minutes and we where hanging on a bit when they scored their goal. We showed again why we have one of the best defences in the league with some stout defending, just the right side of the rules. I did feel that we got the raw end of some Chelsea tackling through the game so it was good to see us “putting it about” in the latter stages and showing we are not a team that can be intimidated.

The first half belonged solely to City and Chelsea’s only real attacking threat came from some hopeful balls upfront at Ba, not the flowing football you’re expect from a team with players like Mata and Hazzard in the starting line up, but they only showed bits and bobs of that football in the first half. Even though City where deservedly in front at half time, I really felt that we should have had at least one more goal from all the denomination and chances we had. There was lots of flowing moves and good passing interchanges in the first half from City, with Tevez, seemingly, all over the bloody place, trying to pull the strings in Silva’s absence.

The player who took over the mantle left by Silva was Nasri and in my book he had a good game, without his goal, but that was the added extra that he needs to add more regularly to his game. There was a bloke sat (or should I say stood) behind me who constantly slagged off Nasri, but I have to tell you pal he played well, maybe you should have gone t specs avers lol.

Mancini made the bold decision to play Pantilimon in goal, as he hadn’t conceded a goal so far in ten FA Cup, and to be fair he repayed the faith shown by Mancini with a couple of good saves and showing an assured ness in the second half that shows he is a decent keep in his own right. There was mistake in the match but Kompany was on hand to head the weak attempt at goal with “Pants” stranded someway from goal but all players make the odd mistake and he didnt allow it to knock him off his game, well done lad, the final now beckons!!!

I haven’t really got any complaints about the individual players performances with all doing their job, but we must give a mention to Barry and Milner in midfield who toiled away against 3 Chelsea players in the last stages, which was bolstered by Garcia with Yaya moving forward in the last 15 minutes. I think overall Toure deserved the man of match has he put in a few of those barn storming runs that we all know he can make during she game, but his all around calmness and footballing brain really showed through in the heat of the midfield battle.

We where solid as a rock for the majority of the game at the back, with only the flash of brilliance from Ba, resulting in the Chelsea goal, but even though they pressed I didn’t feel that City would concede even under the tremendous Chelsea pressure. Maybe it was me, maybe he ran himself stupid in the first half, maybe he was unwell, but Clichy looked absolutely bolloxed as the second half wore on and Hazzard ran away from him once, which is very very unusual.
What else can we say about Sergio Aguero, he ended a splendid week in which he scored a scorcher at the theatre of shite, and capped off a good day with a header that seem to take an age to drop in off the far post, and where was a pregnant pause, until the City faithful erupted into voice as we realised the ball was actually in the bloody net. He took some real punishment from the Chelsea tackling and whilst I’m not condoning his two footed lung at Luiz, he didnt get much protection from the ref and went looking to get his own form of revenge, calm down Sergio we need you on the pitch lad!!!

So we now have the prospect of playing Wigan at Wembley and the chance to win our third major trophy in two season, four if you include the charity shield. Whilst we will start as favourites we cannot underestimate the challenge of Wigan and the players must guard against the “just turning up” felling as that’s a sue fire way to lose a big game such as this. Well Wembley really is becoming a second home for these players and long may that continue and long may we win the big games at Wembley.

This win and the appearance in the final buys Mancini sometime in the eyes of the critics, even if he doesn’t need that in either the yes of the owners or the majority of the City faithful. I think that the team have the bit between their teeth now in the FA Cup and are going to be very difficult to be beaten in the final in May. Couple this with a run of wins to reduce the points gap to the rags at the top of the league and this will mean a decent end to the season, and I feel that will be good enough for this season.

Lots more debate before we get to the end of the season but I’m chuffed to bits that we are back at Wembley in the cup final which is the prestige game in ten English game, and us blues showing what fantastic support we give the team home or way, good bad or indifferent.

Forza Mancini

FA Cup Semi Final City versus Chelsea

FA Cup Semi Final City versus Chelsea

Well this game for me is probably the biggest game of the season so far, yes the derby meant a lot and was a fabulous display, but the semi final is the biggest for me so far this season. This is our best chance of silverware and we all know that, hence my view!

Having said that I do believe that we have had the better of t eh games against Chelsea in recent seasons and I feel confident that we have some momentum after Monday night and we did finish last season very strongly so why should this one be any different. For me the players know this is massive. The management team know it’s massive and so do we ten fans. Notwithstanding the great event that the final will be, it means so much in the context of the development of City under the owners and keeps us on our winning mentality.

Clearly Chelsea had a tough game on Thursday night and had a long travel all the way out to Russia so that should be in our favour and the fact that they are in the semi final of the Europa league means they have other things to play for as well as the FA Cup. They will say they want both but my guess is that they want the Europa League, as this has European prestige that their owner craves.

It’s looking likely that City will finish second in the league this season and whilst I agree we want to win it, coming second is ok, I wish it wasnt to those bastards though!!! As much as it pains me I firmly believe the best team wins the league each year after a long season, and I’m not changing my view, which is such a shame that we haven’t been able to capitalise on what I think is the worse united team for years.

Anyway enough about the rags, for me the only two things that need debating about the team selection tommorrow is the goalkeeper and who will play if Silva isn’t fit. I’m not gonna sit on ten fence and I’m going plump for a selection for Costel Pantilimon, he’s played in all the games in the cup so far this season and not conceded a goal and for me should get his chance. He is an international goalkeeper in his own right and hasn’t looked out of place in the city goal when he’s played in the cup this season. For me Joe Hart hasn’t reached the heights of the form he showed last season and it will do him no harm to sit in the bench for the semi final.

The selection in midfield for me is relatively straightforward as well, in that I’d play a different formation and bring in Aguero upfront to partner Tevez, with Barry, Yaya, Nasri and Milner being the four in midfield. This, of course, depends on how fit Aguero is and whether he can play for the full 90 minutes or whether he will be the impact substitute as he was on Monday. If Aguero isn’t fit we could just bring Dżeko in to partner Tevez, and that’s probably a decent shout as well as I think we should play with two strikers, after all we do want to win this game and win it in a positive manner.

The rest of the team should be as per Monday night, with Zaba, Kompany, Nastasic, Clichy making up the back four. I know this is harsh on Lescott and maybe Mancini will give him a run as he played in the last FA Cup game but it’s clear to us all that Nastsic is much more composed on the ball and plays the ball out in the way that Mancini would want it to be played, into midfield and to the City players.

I can’t help feeling that we should be heading to Villa Park for the game tommorrow as I’m a firm believer in the only FA Cup game that should be at Wembley is the final, but the money men at the FA have sold their souls to build that stadium so it will be used despite the opposition. So much of fans having a voice in English football, rant over!!!!
So what do I think will happen tommorrow, I think that City will win, I think that the big players that we have will be to good for Chelsea, and that we will over power them in what will be an entertaining game of football, yes they have lots of skilful players Chelsea but I do believe that we have the better team, and we have the upper hand in recent contests and that plays on players minds at this level and at this time of the season.

Whatever happens though tommorrow we will sing out hearts out and do the lads on the pitch proud, but win or lose we are all City Till We Die.

Oh and Mancini should be the manager next season either way, win or lose……

Forza Mancini.

City at The Swamp – I Knew We’d Win

City at The Swamp – I Bloody Knew We’d Win

I can honestly say that the team display last night showed for me a side of the City team that most people feel is missing and that is a team. A team who are desperate to win a game, a team who will fight for each other, and a team who can produce on the biggest stage against top opposition. Now some might say City had more to gain than the rags in this game and to an extent that’s true but that only holds good for a small amount of scrutiny.

City needed to prove, and did in great style, that the noisy neighbours are not going away and are a force to be reckoned with both now and in the future. The team has not pformed at the levels of last season and there are numerous reasons why that is the case, but at the theatre of shite last night they proved beyond all doubt that City are a match for the rags and cannot be taken lightly,

I think most blues want the gap between us and the rags at the end of the season to be as little as possible and last night they’d eat about our side of the bargain which means winning the rest of the games to the end of the season. Looking at the fixtures we have between now and the end of the season, the is only really Spuds that is a game that City would, in theory, have a real threat, Bale being fit of course. This isn’t to say that I’m taking the other games lightly, I just feel that a motivated and revved up City should win the remaining games.

It’s interesting to note that the rags set up with there usual wide men but also with Codger Giggs in the centre of midfield and much that he’s been a good player over ten years his legs cannot dominate a midfield that has an extra man no matter how good he once may have been. City set up with the one striker (Tevez) and that did cause a few eye brows to be raised but it was a totally justified decision as City got a grip of the game and Tevez played his part really well in holding the ball up but also linking together City attacks.

Defensively I thought we where rock solid (goal accepted) and I never really felt that the rags where doing to score very many goals if any at all. VK and MN are starting to form a quality partnership, but MN is so much more assured on the ball than JL, but the is room for both of a long season in my view. For one so young, he is a real prospect MN and is definately the buy of the close season for me. His marshalling of Robin Van Rapist was a joy to watch and he never gave him a moments peace.

Surely we have the best full backs in the league at the moment, we all know that Zaba is a warrior and it’s gonna be a hell of a stack for MR to get back into the team at full back, such as been Zabas form at right back. GC is just getting better and better and I for one want a pint of what he’s on as he’s perpetual motion, and looks as fresh at 90 minutes as he did at 1. Great defensive display, and even the skipper showed class in his handling of the knobhead shouts at him after the match in the tunnel, the guy oozes class and he’s a great City captain in my book.

Gareth Barry was immense and he seems to step up his game at the swamp as he has had some really good games for City there over the years, and last night was no different. He was everywhere covering every blade of grass, in both attack and defence and his calmness in possession really helps in the hurly burly of this type of game. He stood up to all the tackle and barracking that came from the rags midfield and was tenacious in the tackle and even managed to outpace Giggs to a number of balls, including the tackle that led to the first goal.
Equal praise needs to be given to James Milner, who was also no stop in his work rate and showed no little skill and determination to get the win for City. We all know he has a hell of a strike on him, in his right foot, but he slotted the first goal nicely (albeit after a deflection) and with great power. He was everywhere in support of the attacks as well as breaking up the threats from the rags as and when the came forward, mostly on ten break. Great man of the match display by James Milner and it was well deserved that he was voted the MOM on the tv.

I expected a bigger game from Yaya Toure, given that he had just signed his new contract but it’s hard to criticise the man who made more successful passes than any other play on the field. You could say he should have stayed on his feet for the foul that led to the rags goal but he didn’t go to ground and conceded what I thought was a soft free kick.

David Siva had a good game in my eyes and he linked play up well and did lots of his good work in the last third of the field and he looked a threat for most of the game until,he hobbled off with a hamstring, which looks like it’s going t rule him out of the FA Cup on Sunday, but I live in hope.

The last midfielder was Samir Nasri who I thought deserved his place on the strength of his good performance against the Barcodes last week. He played well in my book, but needs to learn how to put his foot in and when he’s not going to at least make it look like he’s trying. If Silva doesn’t play on Sunday, Nasri will have to take no of the creative duties onto his shoulders and this sort of game should be the perfect stage for him to shine. Lets hope he does.

What can you say about Sergio Aguero, the guys continues to score big goals for City in the biggest games, and if he wasnt before (he is of course) a legend in the City pantheon, then last night his absolutely sumptuous goal proved what a great goal score he is and we have missed his goals this season. He hasn’t scored enough goals this season and has had injuries, lets hope his goals fire us on to greater things this season and on into the future.

The only player left to comment on is Joe Hart, who overall played well in the game, but during the game I was disappointed in his keeping for the rags goal. I felt he should have down better with the cross and he does sometimes flap at the high ball as it swings across. However, having watched the post match analysis I feel maybe I was a little harsh in my analysis of his performance as he was worried about the threat RVP posed by covering his near post a bit too much in case of a shot. This then led to him being unable to get across quick enough to cut out the cross, but lets be fair Jones did his best to miss but the unfortunate VK got in the way. It will be interesting to see who RM picks in ten goals on Sunday.

So it’s pleasing that City have made the headlines in the papers for the right reason, and there ability on the field rather than us all defending them to all comers as a result of some shite article in some gut rag.

The manager got the tactics and team selection spot on, and should be given credit for that but I’m not going to defend him as I don’t feel the need to, he is the manager for me now and in the future.

Forza Mancini…………….

Ps. For those who like a good theory take a look at the article on the end of this link, just think how we will feel if this does actually happen!

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/deja-blue-run-in-would-see-2574184