I said before that this week will be a defining one for Manchester City. So it will prove to be both on and off the pitch. The first part of the week didn’t exactly get off to a good start with the blue side of Merseyside downing the blues of Manchester by two goals, which in all reality could, and probably should, have been much worse.
At the end of this week we entertain Wigan and if a defeat is handed out to us there, or even a draw now then we can really start to kiss goodbye to any hopes we had for Champions League football next season. Don’t get me wrong I still think that City are enjoying a superb season, with the scalp of local rivals United in the derby - twice and the fact that we haven’t been out of the top half all season is something every City fan would have taken with both hands and no questions just seven months ago.
However whether we win, draw or lose Saturday probably the most defining moment of Citys future will actually come on Thursday. City owner Thaksin Shinawatra has announced that he will return to his native Thailand where he expects to be arrested and bailed on corruption charges. Once bailed he will then begin the process of negotiating with the ruling PPP party in order to regain control of the $1400m (US) that was seized and frozen last year. With the PPP thought to be sympathetic of Shinawatra it is expected that the charges against him will eventually be dropped. As any City fan will know he was ousted in a bloodless coup while at a UN meeting in New York. During his entire takeover of City, human rights watch groups were stating that he was a human rights violator of the worst kind.
As an ex Thai cop, he made his fortune when he established the largest mobile phone operator in Thailand before entering politics and was elected Prime Minister in 2001, then won a second term in 2005.
Hopefully if all goes well he will redirect some of that money in Citys direction, in particular for Sven to invest in the squad during the close season.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Interesting 72 hours
Twelve games remain and as you can see from my few previous posts I believe that my beloved Manchester City have a really great chance of getting that fourth Champions League spot. They really would have to be really unlucky big time not to get into Europe at all! Make no mistake this is our best chance of getting into Europe, for many seasons we have relied on a push towards the end of our season to save us from relegation and only then possibly get into Europe (remember the season when we played Middlesboro on the last day only for Fowler to miss a penalty!) Over the course of the next 72 hours it will become a little more clearer how realistic legitimate European football really is for us.
Saturday sees Liverpool at home to Middlesboro and Portsmouth home to Sunderland. Granted neither away side are really lighting up the league but stranger things have happened. Liverpool were less than convincing against Barnsley and really only due to the fact the opposition were down to ten men for a long period did they manage to wear them down and score two goals late on. Middlesboro can certainly come away from Anfield with some points, if not all. Portsmouth against Sunderland is again one that may seem really predictable on paper, maybe it is but certainly am hoping for Roy Keane to be happy come the end of the game.
Sunday pits Blackburn against Bolton and Reading against Aston Villa. Again maybe not to much to hope for with these as Bolton may be exhausted from the European game midweek and Reading couldn’t beat a drum this season! That is why Monday is key for us.
Monday of course City at home to Everton. This has to give us hope for a number of reasons. 1) We are at home, which really has been a fortress for us, considering last years home form anything from the tenth home game has been an improvement! 2) Everton just played in Europe and we can hope are tired and 3) They have none of our ex strikers playing for them!
So in conclusion worst case scenario sees City lose and the others win and puts City a full 6 pts out of Champions League position and 3pts behind UEFA positions (with Liverpool still with a game in hand). That certainly would be way too much for City to claw back, not because I do not think we will win enough points but because I do not think that the two Merseyside teams (and Villa) will drop enough! However a win for us coupled with defeats or draws for the other games suddenly sees us tied on points with Everton and two or three above the chasing pack. Certainly a much healthier position.
Saturday sees Liverpool at home to Middlesboro and Portsmouth home to Sunderland. Granted neither away side are really lighting up the league but stranger things have happened. Liverpool were less than convincing against Barnsley and really only due to the fact the opposition were down to ten men for a long period did they manage to wear them down and score two goals late on. Middlesboro can certainly come away from Anfield with some points, if not all. Portsmouth against Sunderland is again one that may seem really predictable on paper, maybe it is but certainly am hoping for Roy Keane to be happy come the end of the game.
Sunday pits Blackburn against Bolton and Reading against Aston Villa. Again maybe not to much to hope for with these as Bolton may be exhausted from the European game midweek and Reading couldn’t beat a drum this season! That is why Monday is key for us.
Monday of course City at home to Everton. This has to give us hope for a number of reasons. 1) We are at home, which really has been a fortress for us, considering last years home form anything from the tenth home game has been an improvement! 2) Everton just played in Europe and we can hope are tired and 3) They have none of our ex strikers playing for them!
So in conclusion worst case scenario sees City lose and the others win and puts City a full 6 pts out of Champions League position and 3pts behind UEFA positions (with Liverpool still with a game in hand). That certainly would be way too much for City to claw back, not because I do not think we will win enough points but because I do not think that the two Merseyside teams (and Villa) will drop enough! However a win for us coupled with defeats or draws for the other games suddenly sees us tied on points with Everton and two or three above the chasing pack. Certainly a much healthier position.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Most Improved Teams In The Prem
So it is pretty clear that City are enjoying a better season this time around but just who are the most improved from last season and which teams are worse? West Ham have 17 pts more than they did at this point last season and maybe surprisingly Arsenal are also up there with 14 points more. City also have 14 points more than they had last season at this point (though they also are the only team to currently have more points than they got all of last season). The other improved teams are Villa (+12), Everton (+8) and Blackburn (+5). On the other side of the table there are a lot of teams with worse points totals than this point last season, the worse being Bolton (-22) and Reading (-21). Other negatives are Fulham (-13) with Newcastle and Man Utd both off by 8pts from last year.
European Places Run In
With Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea pretty much certain to finish in the top 3 I thought it would be interesting to look at the next five teams below that trio to see who will take the fourth Champions League places, who will take the UEFA places and who will end up with nothing.
EVERTON: Currently they are in 4th place with 47 points. Although they are currently in the Champions League driving seat they do have, at least on paper one of the toughest run ins. The UEFA competition they are currently in could be more of a burden the further they get as one eye becomes focused on a European trophy. Also they play Euro place rivals Manchester City at Eastlands, Liverpool at Anfield and Arsenal at the Emirates. Home games also see them play Portsmouth, Chelsea and Villa. I can see them getting 14 points from their remaining games leaving them on 61pts.
LIVERPOOL: Currently 5th, a game in hand on 44pts. Knocked out of the FA Cup and consistently not performing to ‘their’ level I see the game in hand not helping them much at all. Champions League is now their only chance of silverware this season and so I am sure Benitez will rotate his squad many times before the season ends. Their toughest games will come at Arsenal and Man Utd and I really do not see them taking points at either. Everton will certainly be up for the Merseyside derby as they try to end higher than their local rivals and City and Blackburn will both look to take points from them as they look to a strong finish. 16pts from their run in will see them end with 60pts and below Everton.
ASTON VILLA: 6th on 44 pts and below Liverpool on goal difference only. No outside distractions for Villa. Out of the FA Cup, no European games and not in the League cup final means they have clear focus on the run in. Having said that they have to play Arsenal and Utd away, as well as playing in a midlands derby. However Martin O’Neills side are in the best position to make a good run at the Champions League spot. 17 points from their final games sees them also on 61pts but just below Everton on goal difference.
MANCHESTER CITY: 7th on 44 pts with the worst goal difference of them all. Like Villa, City have no distractions during the run in and will be boosted by the derby double this season. Unlike Villa though four of their five key games are at Eastlands, which has been a fortress this season. 18 pts from the remaining games will see City end on 62pts, knocking Everton into UEFA place and Liverpool out of Europe places totally.
PORTSMOUTH: 41pts and a real chance of getting to the FA Cup final at Wembley will see Portsmouth really suffer in their run in. Though they do not have to play any of the ‘Big 4’ they do have to go away to Everton and City as well as host Villa and Blackburn. I only can see them getting 14 pts from the remaining games leaving them 55pts and out of Euro contention, though they could qualify still through the FA Cup.
EVERTON: Currently they are in 4th place with 47 points. Although they are currently in the Champions League driving seat they do have, at least on paper one of the toughest run ins. The UEFA competition they are currently in could be more of a burden the further they get as one eye becomes focused on a European trophy. Also they play Euro place rivals Manchester City at Eastlands, Liverpool at Anfield and Arsenal at the Emirates. Home games also see them play Portsmouth, Chelsea and Villa. I can see them getting 14 points from their remaining games leaving them on 61pts.
LIVERPOOL: Currently 5th, a game in hand on 44pts. Knocked out of the FA Cup and consistently not performing to ‘their’ level I see the game in hand not helping them much at all. Champions League is now their only chance of silverware this season and so I am sure Benitez will rotate his squad many times before the season ends. Their toughest games will come at Arsenal and Man Utd and I really do not see them taking points at either. Everton will certainly be up for the Merseyside derby as they try to end higher than their local rivals and City and Blackburn will both look to take points from them as they look to a strong finish. 16pts from their run in will see them end with 60pts and below Everton.
ASTON VILLA: 6th on 44 pts and below Liverpool on goal difference only. No outside distractions for Villa. Out of the FA Cup, no European games and not in the League cup final means they have clear focus on the run in. Having said that they have to play Arsenal and Utd away, as well as playing in a midlands derby. However Martin O’Neills side are in the best position to make a good run at the Champions League spot. 17 points from their final games sees them also on 61pts but just below Everton on goal difference.
MANCHESTER CITY: 7th on 44 pts with the worst goal difference of them all. Like Villa, City have no distractions during the run in and will be boosted by the derby double this season. Unlike Villa though four of their five key games are at Eastlands, which has been a fortress this season. 18 pts from the remaining games will see City end on 62pts, knocking Everton into UEFA place and Liverpool out of Europe places totally.
PORTSMOUTH: 41pts and a real chance of getting to the FA Cup final at Wembley will see Portsmouth really suffer in their run in. Though they do not have to play any of the ‘Big 4’ they do have to go away to Everton and City as well as host Villa and Blackburn. I only can see them getting 14 pts from the remaining games leaving them 55pts and out of Euro contention, though they could qualify still through the FA Cup.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
10th February 2008
February 10th 2008 will be a date that will be remembered in City history for a long time to come. After being outclassed by Arsenal the week before and the ‘Balloon-gate’ incident that saw City crash out of the FA Cup it was no surprise to hear a few City fans thinking that the fantastic start we had at the beginning of the season would now slide into another middle of the table finish.
The build up to the Manchester derby was greater than normal as it would also coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Munich air crash in which some of the famous ‘Busby Babes’ had their lives, and talent cut short. Mainstream media was awash with pre judging and finger pointing, claiming that ’City’ fans would ruin the tributes scheduled.
Fast forward to the day and City roll out in special one off sky blue shirts missing all sponsors names, likewise for Utd (though theirs were red). City were off to a great start when all the fans (including some 3000 City fans) kept quiet and respected the silence without fault. From there on I believe some anti City (or maybe more correct to call them Pro Utd!) knew it wouldn’t be their day. City started by absorbing all the pressure Utd put on them. This was something they failed t do against Arsenal and it cost us dear that day. Derby day though was different and it was to get better as Ireland was fed through onto goal. Van Der Sar saved and even got to Vassells shot as he latched onto the rebound, however he was helpless to do anything about Vassell getting onto the second rebound, with Utd defenders seemingly in slow motion City fans saw the net bulge and we were 1-0 up. Later that half it would get better as new signing Benjani scored with one of his dreadlocks. City were 2-0 up and deep in enemy territory! United pulled one back deep into stoppage time at the end of the game but in reality it didn’t sour the victory at all for the City faithful.
The defeat of Utd was their first on home soil this season, it was a defeat on ‘their’ day. It was the first time we had beaten them at Old Trafford since 1974 and with the victory at Eastlands it was also the first time City had done the double since 1970! Also as a bonus, us City fans could possibly look back on this day as the day United dropped out of the title race.
The build up to the Manchester derby was greater than normal as it would also coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Munich air crash in which some of the famous ‘Busby Babes’ had their lives, and talent cut short. Mainstream media was awash with pre judging and finger pointing, claiming that ’City’ fans would ruin the tributes scheduled.
Fast forward to the day and City roll out in special one off sky blue shirts missing all sponsors names, likewise for Utd (though theirs were red). City were off to a great start when all the fans (including some 3000 City fans) kept quiet and respected the silence without fault. From there on I believe some anti City (or maybe more correct to call them Pro Utd!) knew it wouldn’t be their day. City started by absorbing all the pressure Utd put on them. This was something they failed t do against Arsenal and it cost us dear that day. Derby day though was different and it was to get better as Ireland was fed through onto goal. Van Der Sar saved and even got to Vassells shot as he latched onto the rebound, however he was helpless to do anything about Vassell getting onto the second rebound, with Utd defenders seemingly in slow motion City fans saw the net bulge and we were 1-0 up. Later that half it would get better as new signing Benjani scored with one of his dreadlocks. City were 2-0 up and deep in enemy territory! United pulled one back deep into stoppage time at the end of the game but in reality it didn’t sour the victory at all for the City faithful.
The defeat of Utd was their first on home soil this season, it was a defeat on ‘their’ day. It was the first time we had beaten them at Old Trafford since 1974 and with the victory at Eastlands it was also the first time City had done the double since 1970! Also as a bonus, us City fans could possibly look back on this day as the day United dropped out of the title race.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Arsenal game.
Arsenal do play flowing football but to be to be fair their first goal was deflected away from Hart (though this time it was on target). The second goal had a hint of offside about it and for all their dominance they only went in at half-time up by one goal. Second half Vassell, who wasn't offside and then didn't chase the ball, was flagged offside as Petrov chased the ball and was in. Now had that been allowed to play out it could have been 2-2 and who knows where we would go from there. However it wasn't to be and we have to deal with the fact that again we were not good enough up front and struggled to compete in midfield. That put extra pressure on our defensive players and maybe made them look worse than they are. For me I would have liked the first substitution to have been Hamann off for Vassell. I think Sturridge holding up the ball and feeding Vass, or vice versa would have been interesting.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Benjani on then off now.........?
Last night at around 2am Manchester City announced that their deal to secure the services of Portsmouth striker, Benjani had fallen through due to the fact paperwork had not been submitted in time. This morning I wake up to find that Portsmouth have contacted the Premier League to see whether Benjani's move to Manchester City can still go ahead.
The south coast club claim they went ahead with the purchase of Jermain Defoe from Spurs after City told them their forms for Benjani had been faxed to the FA.
After the Defoe deal had been confirmed City spokesman said that their transfer of Benjani had collapsed due to the late arrival of the player in Manchester.
The Premier League is now examining the timeline of the paperwork
Harry Redknapp, the Portsmouth manager, revealed the club had received a call from City five minutes before the transfer window closed stating that they had completed the paperwork and so got the go ahead for the Defoe deal to go through.
But later, after completing the Defoe deal, Portsmouth were then informed by the Premier League and told that they had not received all the documents to complete the Benjani deal.
This potentially leaves Portsmouth in a financial bind as they were banking on the reported 7million City had agreed to pay for Benjani to balance the books.
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