That Goal - On the up with Manchester City

B*!L@cks! Not again! City V Rags

2010-04-19T08:34:00.000-07:00

Seconds to go and for the third time this season Utd pop one in. Cue the slamming of seats, my kids crying their eyes out again cos the rags have won again and another weekend ruined.

A pretty poor game all round and one that in the end we should in the end just looked to take a point from. Unfortunately Tevez, Adebayor and Bellamy didn't cause too many problems to United's well organised back four. Johnson struggled against a full back who was only too aware he was playing on the wrong wing and despite DJ and Barry's best efforts Scholes ran the game for yet another derby.

Absolutely gutted leaving the game but at least Chelsea should be able to keep up the pressure on the Reds and help us out with that 4th spot.

Fast Foward.....Saturday Evening.......B*!L@cks!

...and we're back

2010-04-13T09:01:00.000-07:00

Not blogged for quite a while and no it wasn't because United beat us in the semis although ironically next game up is the Rags.

Sunday's game against Birmingham was undoubtedly one of the better performances we've had at Eastlands in the intervening months and once again it seems like Tevez is the catalyst for everything good we do. Although ably assisted by Bellamy, Adebayor and Johno there can be little doubt that when Carlos gets involved we move forward with far more purpose. 2-0 up and it looked like plain sailing though I did worry about how easily the defence fell asleep for their goal. Barry was impressive throughout and hopefully he'll take that form into the derby. In the end it was a comfortable victory that edged us further towards securing 4th place.

City 2 Utd 1

2010-01-20T07:44:00.000-08:00

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.

Everton 2 City 0

2010-01-18T05:35:00.000-08:00

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.

Is it April 1st?

2010-01-11T06:00:00.000-08:00

Reports today suggest Portsmouth want £14m for Kaboul.

Vierra - Oh Oh or Oh No?

2010-01-11T05:58:00.000-08:00

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.

Middlesborough 0 Manchester City 1

2010-01-04T05:44:00.000-08:00

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.

Wolves 0 Manchester City 3

2010-01-04T05:29:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-04T05:18:00.000-08:00

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!!

The Fallout

2009-12-21T09:07:00.000-08:00

Alarming rumours that Bellamy has put in a transfer request in disgust at how Hughes has been treated. This follows reports that Bellamy, Given, Barry and Tevez are also not happy about the decision to remove Hughes and the manner in which it was done. Looks like Mr Mancini will have some fun and games in the next week or so and that's before we've even come up against the set piece specialists of Stoke.

Shot in the arm or a shot in the foot?

2009-12-21T05:43:00.000-08:00

Walking back to the car after the game on Saturday and there's rumours already flying that Hughes has gone and Mancini is in. Okay The Sun had reported that day that he was for the bullet but I honestly didn't think it would happen, especially after all the words from the Chairman about loyalty, wanting to build a club with a solid base, a team that would win things and then continue to win things - you know the sort of things we as City fans would be quite happy with but things that inevitably take time.

In the end it looks like the owners decided to move the goalposts and decided that they may as well move the manager on as well. Blimey at City we're used to getting rid of managers but the majority have gone in the past because results have been shocking, the team is playing terrible football and the majority of the crowd have let it be known they're not happy. Our last 2 managers have now gone without I would suggest the approval of the majority of City Fans.

Hughes claims he knew nothing about his sacking until the end of the game but looking back I think he must have been tipped the wink from someone (not difficult when the walking liability Garry Cook is in charge!). Going off the pre-match video from now laughably 'The Boss' that was shown on the big screen, Hughes knew. Gone was the relaxed look, replaced with a scowl and a rush to get off camera as quick as possible. When asked about the team he said Robinho and Adebayor were on the bench (none of the usual 'Robbie' and 'Ade' sucking up that has littered other press conferences?), begs the question that was his tema selection based on the fact he knew and that he would no longer have to worry about the smacked arse attitude you suspect come with Robinho and Adebayor?

So with only two matches lost and our first semi final for ages looming with the Reds we get rid of our manager and replace him with Roberto Mancini, a manager with a proven pedigree in Italy who has been out of the game for the past year or so (strange for such a successful manager? Perhaps he was waiting for a job to come up?). Apparently he has been learning English for a while, although I suspect he still won't be able to understand the particular brand spoken by his number 2 Brian Kidd unless his English teacher is from Collyhurst.

Personally I think Hughes would have made City into a major force given time. As I've heard a few City fans say, we've waited 30 odd years for success so what's another few years? I was quite happy seeing a gradual improvement in the team and wasn't really expecting much more than a top six finish this year at best. Okay the defence has been bloody awful this season but I think that could be rectified with the purchase of a full back and a dirty big stopper (believe there's a lad at Villa worth looking at) and going forward I've seen us play some of the best football for years. I for one am unhappy that Hughes wasn't given time and hope this decision doesn't come back to haunt us.

News Conference this afternoon at 4.30. Should be v interesting. Believe Cook has been asked to stay away...can't think why

Manchester City 4 Sunderland 3

2009-12-21T04:48:00.000-08:00

Seems of very little consequence after the events post match but nevertheless it was same old city on Saturday. At times we were stunning going forward with Bellamy a constant thorn in Sunderland (in particularly Nosworthy's) side, Tevez busy as ever and Santa Cruz finally showing more than a glimpse of what he can bring to the party (Adebayor take note). Shaun was back on the right and all though not one of his best games (and cut short through injury) he and Bellamy helped provide the pace and balance that we sorely missed against Spurs.

2-0 up after 20 minutes and I'm predicting Sunderland are the team that are going to get the spanking we've been due to give someone at home since the season started.

It's not long before the same old defensive deficiencies return and we contrive to turn a 2-0 lead into 2-2, a 3-2 lead into a 3 all before finally sealing the game by taking the lead and (god forbid!) hold on to it.

Overall a great game to watch although you can feel the anxiety in the crowd as soon as anything goes into our box. Wonder what Hughesy will have to say in the post match?

Weiss One!

2009-12-18T06:25:00.000-08:00

In a decidedly downbeat week for City great news. Weiss has signed a new contract until 2012. From what I've seen the lad is a star in the making and I'm chuffed we've secured him. Just need to give him a few gamse now, maybe a start against Sunderland?

All Wrong! Spurs 3-0 City

2009-12-18T06:21:00.000-08:00

Finally brought myself to writing something about Wednesday night.

Can't remember ever having a great record against Spurs but thought we'd at least give them a game on Wednesday. How wrong can you be.

Going in to the game I really didn't expect Robinho to get a start. We all know that Lennon can be a terror on the wing and it doesn't take a tactical genius to know that Sylvinho is going to need a little help, but alas Robinho get's the start and along with the equally disinterested Adebayor is neither use nor ornament. Even when the ineffective Robinho is taken off (and shuffles straight off down the tunnel?) we puff and pant to get back in the game while Spurs just banged it to Crouch (who won everything in the air...something Dunnie usually stopped by hook or by crook or sneaky nudge) or give it to Lennon and see goal opportunities created at an alarming rate.

The loss of Wright Phillips and Bellamy and the devastating effect it has on the team is there for all to see. Weiss never got a look in and we're easy pickings for a 'no great shakes' Spurs team.

Wrong...all wrong!

'Typical' City

2009-12-14T03:17:00.000-08:00

Gary Cook doesn't want us to use the word and we've spent a fortune in an attempt to get rid of it but still it remains. After back to back wins against Arsenal and Chelsea we'd 'turned a corner', we'd found a consistency to our game it was onwards and upwards. 'Fraid Not. 3-3 against one of the poorest teams in the division who aren't exactly blessed with one of the best attacking lines around and who are struggling...Typical City.

Okay the performance had its positives (what are they feeding Carlos?), didn't lack effort from the team and wasn't helped by Mr Clattenburg (How can this guy still be refereeing at the highest level? One or two mistakes - it happens, but this guy rattles them up every year) but if City want to lose the 'Typical' tag these are the games you've got to win...along with Burnley, Fulham etc.

Fortunately for us the majority of results went in our favour and we're still there or there abouts with Spurs and a worryingly out of form Sunderland to come this week.

Johnson Blow

2009-12-11T05:57:00.000-08:00

Gutted to hear about Michael Johnson's injury in training. Looks like he could be out for the rest of the season and that follows on from missing last season with abdominal injury. Must be devastating for the lad just as he's started to put himself in the frame for the first team. When he broke on the scene he certainly looked as though he had huge potential and I just hope he gets to fulfil it and doesn't suffer the same fate as the likes of Dyer and worse still Ashton whose careers have been blighted by injury.

A Missed Opportunity

2009-12-08T08:32:00.000-08:00

Popped into the City Store on Sunday to pick up a few bits for my lads for Christmas and have to say I was pretty disappointed. While the store has improved a hell of a lot over the past year with more tills and the 2 floors (shirt printing upstairs etc) and we've got three of the most stylish kits we've ever I thought the other stuff in there was pretty lame and 3 weeks to go to Christmas they were out of stock (certainly in kids sizes) for most of the better designed stuff. My kids love anything with a City badge on it and naturally I'm more than happy to put my hand in my pocket and buy it (well someone's got to pay for Benjani's wages) so why can't they get some decent designers in, extend the range and make sure they have stock especially at Christmas.

Grumbling about not spending money...should perhaps be doing a Rag Blog!

City V Chelsea

2009-12-07T08:54:00.000-08:00

Started off a bit dodgy and there was certainly a bit of a worry when they scored but a superb performance by all the boys following on from the Arsenal win. Shaun gave Cole plenty to think about, Tevez was a bull and capped it off with a great goal (although Cech helped) and De Jong gave one of the best midfield performances I've seen in quite a while. Another high spot for me was the continued improvement in the form of Lescott who actually looks like he's remembered that he's a centre half and that means you're going to take a knock now and again. Last few games he seems to be a lot more physical and aggressive and it seems to be paying dividends. Great all round performance from the whole team really although I'm getting increasingly frustrated with Adebayor.

City V Arsenal

2009-12-03T07:40:00.000-08:00

A great result and we even managed to get up Wenger's nose as well. Thought the team looked up for it last night (all except Adebayor that is who just hasn't been at the races since his ban). SWP looks like he's just hitting a streak of form similar to the one he had before he left for Chelsea, Tevez was unstoppable and Bellamy was at his annoying best, never giving anyone a minutes peace be it on the Arsenal team or his own. 3 cracking goals, 1 great result and a draw against the dark side in the semi-finals. Can't wait!

The story continues...

2009-12-02T09:00:00.000-08:00

So we got the Dickov Goal done, got some limited edition prints sorted and we're currently selling them on a website we had a guy at work build www.thatgoal.co.uk.

The response we've had has been great and it wasn't long before we thought about what other famous City goals we should try.

Thought about Kinky's goal against Southampton (one of the few times I've seen a stadium empty at half time as everyone went to see the goal again on TV), but in the end we plumped for Hinchcliffe's goal against the rags back in 1989 (also fell in nicely that we're twenty years on!!).. Ron (the artist) has been very busy in the past few weeks and finally it's here.

And then it was Five......

Larger view of it here if you want one - www.thatgoal.co.uk/and_then_it_was_5_image.aspx

We had an idea

2009-12-02T06:35:00.000-08:00

About 6 months ago I was sat in the pub with my mate and he came up with the idea of producing something to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the Play Off Finals in 1999.

We were both there together on the day and let's face it for the vast majority of us it's pretty much the high point of some pretty barren times over the past 40 years or so. Having been to art college and done a fair bit of illustration and painting over the subsequent years, he decided he'd try and create a watercolour painting capturing Paul Dickov's Goal. We scouted far and wide to find reference shots, grabbing screen shots off the dvd of the game and mixing them with other bits we found to create a unique view of the goal that we've never found anywhere else. Once we had the reference the painstaking work began to paint the scene complete with Wembley Crowd and scoreboard.

The result? Well here it is. If you want to see it larger try www.thatgoal.co.uk/thatgoal_image.aspx

Welcome to That Goal

2009-11-18T09:14:00.000-08:00

If you've been there through the thick, the thin and the even thinner at Manchester City, welcome brother (or sister) to my blog.