Not sure what to make of last night's performance. Was a bit disappointed with the way we played especially during first and last 20 minutes where we just constantly gave the ball away and let United dominate us but hey we got the win and have given ourselves more than a fighting chance in the second half at OT. I'm inclined to think this was what Mancini was planning for but it may be giving more credit than it deserves.
Carlos for one enjoyed himself and there was no better sight on the night than him sticking to Fergie's car washer Neville. Beginning to see why Vierra was bought as DJ and Barry both looked a little jaded to me and certainly didn't get in their faces as much as I expected (may be saving it for next week). Good performance by Bellamy who was back to being the pain in the arse we know he can be.
Last 20 (plus the statutory 5 minutes extra time that comes with all utd games) was a nightmare but we held on thanks to Given and some last ditch defending. Well done lads now let's finish the job there.
Wednesday, 20 January 2010
Monday, 18 January 2010
Everton 2 City 0
It was only a matter of time before Mancini suffered his first defeat and the media could once again give it the doom and gloom for City spiel. Shame it happened to happen in a week that saw Villa and Spurs draw and worse still to Everton who I have a particular dislike of (for no other reason that I can't stand Moyes and I don't really know why). By all accounts the team as a whole didn't show up, DJ and Barry were outgunned by Felliani and to compound this we gifted a needless free kick and penalty. The big news surrounds Robinho and his 'sub subbed' appearance which filled the Sunday papers.
Although Mancini naturally supported the player in his post match interview I think he must no doubt see what the vast majority of Blues see with Robinho, a hugely talented footballer who at times can't be arsed and who has not and will never be able to live with the rough and tough of Premiership football.
With the ball at his feet Robinho can be a sensation but as soon as a half decent opposition player applies any sort of physical pressure he simply can't hack it. Couple this with an appalling work rate and at you have periods in games where you are effectively playing with 10 men. I don't think Robinho should be made a scapegoat for the Everton game but his performance in this game is symptomatic of what we've seen at plenty of other games since his arrival, mainly away but increasingly at home as well.
Robinho arrived saying he wanted to prove himself as the world's best player, something he will never achieve as he simply doesn't have the mentality or application. The likes of Messi, Ronaldo, Zidane etc not only possessed god given talent but also know that you have to 'put it in', you have to track back, tackle, occassionally do the dirty stuff and help out a team-mate. Robinho is the most luxury of luxury players, capable of winning you a game and helping you lose a game in equal measure. For my money (and thank god it's not!) I'd get rid as soon as possible.
Although Mancini naturally supported the player in his post match interview I think he must no doubt see what the vast majority of Blues see with Robinho, a hugely talented footballer who at times can't be arsed and who has not and will never be able to live with the rough and tough of Premiership football.
With the ball at his feet Robinho can be a sensation but as soon as a half decent opposition player applies any sort of physical pressure he simply can't hack it. Couple this with an appalling work rate and at you have periods in games where you are effectively playing with 10 men. I don't think Robinho should be made a scapegoat for the Everton game but his performance in this game is symptomatic of what we've seen at plenty of other games since his arrival, mainly away but increasingly at home as well.
Robinho arrived saying he wanted to prove himself as the world's best player, something he will never achieve as he simply doesn't have the mentality or application. The likes of Messi, Ronaldo, Zidane etc not only possessed god given talent but also know that you have to 'put it in', you have to track back, tackle, occassionally do the dirty stuff and help out a team-mate. Robinho is the most luxury of luxury players, capable of winning you a game and helping you lose a game in equal measure. For my money (and thank god it's not!) I'd get rid as soon as possible.
Monday, 11 January 2010
Vierra - Oh Oh or Oh No?
So Patrick has signed for an initial 6 months with 12 month extension option and is expected to go straight into the team for the visit of Blackburn (although I've heard this morning he's got a calf strain!!!!?). Based on a 6 month contract I think he's well worth a punt as long as his inclusion isn't at the cost of De Jong who's been exceptional this season and someone who has to be part of the backbone of the club in seasons to come.
With a wealth of experience (and of winning!) Mancini obviously thinks he can be an asset both on and off the pitch. If he could do six months of doing what Hamman did for us under Sven it could be a masterstroke. Okay there's some concerns about his fitness, compounded by half the old Arsenal side Dixon, Parlour, Adams et al having a dig ('cheers lads' says Patrick) but I can't see he's going to be the box to box player we knew at Arsenal but it could be he'll allow Barry to push forward more or supplement the likes of DJ/Barry so they can run themselves ragged for 70 minutes only for Viera to step in for the last 20 minutes. Only time will tell.
With a wealth of experience (and of winning!) Mancini obviously thinks he can be an asset both on and off the pitch. If he could do six months of doing what Hamman did for us under Sven it could be a masterstroke. Okay there's some concerns about his fitness, compounded by half the old Arsenal side Dixon, Parlour, Adams et al having a dig ('cheers lads' says Patrick) but I can't see he's going to be the box to box player we knew at Arsenal but it could be he'll allow Barry to push forward more or supplement the likes of DJ/Barry so they can run themselves ragged for 70 minutes only for Viera to step in for the last 20 minutes. Only time will tell.
Monday, 4 January 2010
Middlesborough 0 Manchester City 1
FA Cup Third Round game and a potential banana skin for the new Manager. After 2 wins and 2 clean sheets the 'typical' City way would be to lose this one against a boro side struggling under Strachan. Despite a few changes brought on through injuries and attendance at the African Nations, City bossed the game in fact I can't remember Given making a save.
Another graduate of the academy Dedryck Boyata made his debut and in very promising style while Petrov continues to prove why he can play a key part in Mancini's plans. Another win, a goal from Benjani and yet again another clean sheet.
A new year, a new City? Wednesday night against a seriously upset Rag team (well done Leeds!) awaits.
Another graduate of the academy Dedryck Boyata made his debut and in very promising style while Petrov continues to prove why he can play a key part in Mancini's plans. Another win, a goal from Benjani and yet again another clean sheet.
A new year, a new City? Wednesday night against a seriously upset Rag team (well done Leeds!) awaits.
Wolves 0 Manchester City 3
Despite all the talk being cooked up by the press of him being ready to walk out on the club etc, Bellamy starts and couldn't have made the difference between him and Robinho any more startling for the Manager. Full of running he and Petrov caused Wolves no end of problems and with 2 goals from Tevez alongside a beautifully curled free Kick from Garrido (remember him?) City ran out easy winners. Another 3 points, another clean sheet. We might well have won under Hughes but I suspect we would also have conceded in both this and the Stoke game and with the way the league is stacking up goal difference could well be a factor if we are in the mix.
Boxing Day Fixture - City 2 Stoke 0
The king is dead, long live the king!
Our first chance to see the new manager and see what he's made of. Certainly looked the part in about £2000 quid's worth of tailoring topped off with a £1.50 'derby' scarf which straight away endeared him to the crowd who gave him rapturous welcome. First 15 minutes it felt like a lot of the players didn't know what they where suppose to be playing but after that they seemed to settle and took control. Although at times there wasn't flowing football (against what was a pretty poor Stoke team) you could see the added importance Mancini has placed on retaining the ball and it was certainly interesting to see the tactical changes he made within the game especially bringing on Richards for Sylvinho in order to stop the aerial threat Pullis introduced with Beattie and Fuller. Good result, pretty good performance by all the team (Robinho excluded!...did he really think we were cheering him?) and a clean sheet! Roberto Mancini's Blue and White army!!
Our first chance to see the new manager and see what he's made of. Certainly looked the part in about £2000 quid's worth of tailoring topped off with a £1.50 'derby' scarf which straight away endeared him to the crowd who gave him rapturous welcome. First 15 minutes it felt like a lot of the players didn't know what they where suppose to be playing but after that they seemed to settle and took control. Although at times there wasn't flowing football (against what was a pretty poor Stoke team) you could see the added importance Mancini has placed on retaining the ball and it was certainly interesting to see the tactical changes he made within the game especially bringing on Richards for Sylvinho in order to stop the aerial threat Pullis introduced with Beattie and Fuller. Good result, pretty good performance by all the team (Robinho excluded!...did he really think we were cheering him?) and a clean sheet! Roberto Mancini's Blue and White army!!
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