I know that it is far too early to be comparing the new three of David Silva, Sergio Aguero and Samir Nasri to the legendary trio that were Bell, Lee and Summerbee, but it is quite fun to look at the similarities between the two trios. Also, as a side note, I understand that Mancini is no Mercer, and that the game of football has changed since those glory days, but I am writing this so just go along with me.
Then: Mike Summerbee: Born 15th December, 1942. Mike played on the right wing but also could play as a forward. He was known as a player with a fiery temper and somewhat of a practical joker. He joined City in 1965.
Now: David Silva: Born 8th Jan, 1986. Ok, so he is the oldest of the trio, and Summerbee is the youngest of his trio, but they were both the first of the three signed to City. Within three years of Summerbee signing, City had won the League. So either this year or next at the latest, I reckon! There are three inches difference in the height with Silva being the shorter, but they both could play on the wing or as supporting striker. Also, we know the Spanish play passionately, which is European talk for "fiery temper."
Then: Colin Bell: Born 26th February, 1946. Colin was nicknamed Nijinsky for his stamina on the field. No nonsense, get your head down and play kind of guy who dominated the midfield. He was 5-foot-11 and probably most City fans' favorite player. He was signed by City in 1966, a year after "Buzzer."
Now: Samir Nasri: Born 26th June, 1987. At 5-foot-10, only giving up the single inch on Bell in the height department, Nasri can play as an attacking midfielder, winger or even further back if the game dictates. Just like Mr Bell, he will keep running all day if needed. If you need proof, just look at his last game for Arsenal against Liverpool. He ran his socks off, even though he didn’t want to be there. That is the commitment Bell had to his team, and the commitment to City we will see from Nasri will be similar, I am sure. Just like Mercer with Lee, Mancini is looking at Nasri as being the last piece of the puzzle.
Then: Francis Lee: Born 15th December, 1942. Touted by Mercer as the "Final Piece of the Jigsaw," Lee signed for City in October 1967. A stocky forward who, although did not score on his debut, would go onto score 148 goals in his City career.
Now: Sergio Aguero: Born 2nd June, 1988. Gives up half an inch to Lee in the height department. Although he did score twice in his first game, he, like Lee, went goalless in their first starts for City. Just like Lee, I think, Aguero has the ability to score many goals for City.
Now, obviously, the comparisons are not entirely matches due to the change in football since the times of Bell, Lee and Summerbee. Transfer fees that City paid are a glaring difference, but I think roughly they are the closest we have had for a while. Even the ages are close! For example, 38 months separate the oldest to youngest from the trio in the 60’s and 70’s. With this three, 29 months separate them. Then there is the times that they were signed, all within close proximity of each other, 3 years for the older trio and 2 years for the newest batch.
What do you think?
I know my father enjoyed the trophies and success brought to City back then and fondly talks about "Bell, Lee and Summerbee." Hopefully we can now do the same with "Silva, Kun and Nasri."
Friday, August 26, 2011
Tottenham V City (Preview)
So with Samir Nasri on the City books it is now onto the job of winning Premier League games. Next up for City is another away trip, this time to Tottenham. It has been hard to determine exactly how Spurs are going to be this season. So far they have only played two competitive games. The first was away to Hearts in the Europa competition in which a very poor Hearts side made them look better than they actually are, running out 5-0 winners. Then it was off to Old Trafford and a defeat against a less than convincing United side against a poorer Spurs side.
So to the stats. We have met Tottenham a total of 124 times in the league and the points have been evenly spread with us winning 46 and them with a slight advantage on 47 wins. However, with the exception of last season, City haven’t had good times against Spurs. In the last ten encounters Spurs have won 70 percent of the time, with us doubling our victories last season through a Crouch O.G!
When you ask about interesting games between the two teams, some younger supporters may pick out the FA Cup game of 2004. The one where Spurs were up 3-0 at half time and we had just had Joey Barton sent off (shocker I know!) The second half we came out blazing and turned the game around for a 4-3 victory. Some of the slightly older supporters will instantly go back to the FA Cup Final of 1981 and Ricky Villa. The less said about that one, the better.
Without a doubt though our weirdest set of results came in the 1957/58 season when on September 28 we beat Spurs 5-1 at Maine Road only to have exactly the same result, in reverse, in the return fixture on February 8th.
Our best set of results against Spurs in the league came in the 1967/68 season. That campaign we beat them 4-1 on our ground and then 3-1 on theirs. Oh yeah and that was the year we won the league. In the first game, played on December 9th, four different scorers had their names on the sheet for City. Bell, Young, Summerbee and Coleman. The return fixture saw just two names, with Bell getting a brace and Summerbee with the third.
We haven’t had it all our own way though. We have been thoroughly hammered by Tottenham on more than one occasion. In 1958 and 1934 we lost 5-1 and in 1924 we lost 4-1! On the plus side we have also had our fair share of handing of asses on platter moments too! 6-2 win in, guess, 62! 5-1 in 1958 and more recently a 5-2 drubbing in 1994. That was just after the USA had hosted the World Cup! However the most significant result came toward the end of the 1972 season. Tottenham faced relegation from the top flight going into the last three games. First up, City. The final score in that game, 5-0 City and bye bye Spuds!
So to the stats. We have met Tottenham a total of 124 times in the league and the points have been evenly spread with us winning 46 and them with a slight advantage on 47 wins. However, with the exception of last season, City haven’t had good times against Spurs. In the last ten encounters Spurs have won 70 percent of the time, with us doubling our victories last season through a Crouch O.G!
When you ask about interesting games between the two teams, some younger supporters may pick out the FA Cup game of 2004. The one where Spurs were up 3-0 at half time and we had just had Joey Barton sent off (shocker I know!) The second half we came out blazing and turned the game around for a 4-3 victory. Some of the slightly older supporters will instantly go back to the FA Cup Final of 1981 and Ricky Villa. The less said about that one, the better.
Without a doubt though our weirdest set of results came in the 1957/58 season when on September 28 we beat Spurs 5-1 at Maine Road only to have exactly the same result, in reverse, in the return fixture on February 8th.
Our best set of results against Spurs in the league came in the 1967/68 season. That campaign we beat them 4-1 on our ground and then 3-1 on theirs. Oh yeah and that was the year we won the league. In the first game, played on December 9th, four different scorers had their names on the sheet for City. Bell, Young, Summerbee and Coleman. The return fixture saw just two names, with Bell getting a brace and Summerbee with the third.
We haven’t had it all our own way though. We have been thoroughly hammered by Tottenham on more than one occasion. In 1958 and 1934 we lost 5-1 and in 1924 we lost 4-1! On the plus side we have also had our fair share of handing of asses on platter moments too! 6-2 win in, guess, 62! 5-1 in 1958 and more recently a 5-2 drubbing in 1994. That was just after the USA had hosted the World Cup! However the most significant result came toward the end of the 1972 season. Tottenham faced relegation from the top flight going into the last three games. First up, City. The final score in that game, 5-0 City and bye bye Spuds!
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
English Riots
As news of the past few days riots in London and other parts of the UK spread across the Social Networking sites I knew that this was going to be another dark chapter in British history. As I live overseas, friends here asked me how family and friends back in England were coping. It was with those questions that I was reminded of the War poster, a variant of which is hanging on the wall above my computer. It simply says ’Keep Calm and Carry On’. It seems so apt for the chaos that rains down on England right now.
London went through the blitz when German warplanes relentlessly, night after night, dropped bombs on the civilians for 76 consecutive nights. In that sustained attack over a million houses were destroyed or damaged and more than 20,000 Londoners killed. The Germans would target other Cities up and down the British Isles, claiming another 20,000 lives. However the bombing did not bring Britain to it’s knees. In fact the constant barrage never really seriously hampered production and the war industries continued to operate and expand.
Then London was targeted by the IRA. Nail bombs being a particular favorite of the Irish Republican Army and civilians made for the easiest and most unsuspecting victims. Again the Londoners just got themselves back up, dusted themselves off and started all over again. 'London has always been reinventing itself, it is a City built on the wreckage of itself' a quote from Michelle Williams' character in the movie ‘Incendiary’. It’s been flattened by storms, flooded and rotten with plague. Even Hitler couldn’t finish it off‘.
The terrorists attacks of July 7th on the mass transit of London was yet another chapter in the book. The Underground system was targeted as well as a iconic London bus and despite the loss of life, most people went on about their lives the very next day. People got back on buses and rode the ‘Tube’.
This happened in London but the rest of the British people have the same resolve. Heartbreaking stories of people getting attacked, robbed and stores and buildings destroyed are terrible but then you have the spirit of the people shining through. The couple who kept the police on their particular street in ample supply of tea and biscuits. Or the cleaning crews, unpaid members of the public, taking to the streets to aid the cleanup may be small gestures but trust me they show the true spirit of the Englishman. Make no mistake, these rioters will face justice and England will continue as normal. They will get back up, dust themselves off and start the rebuild again. Land of Hope and Glory.
London went through the blitz when German warplanes relentlessly, night after night, dropped bombs on the civilians for 76 consecutive nights. In that sustained attack over a million houses were destroyed or damaged and more than 20,000 Londoners killed. The Germans would target other Cities up and down the British Isles, claiming another 20,000 lives. However the bombing did not bring Britain to it’s knees. In fact the constant barrage never really seriously hampered production and the war industries continued to operate and expand.
Then London was targeted by the IRA. Nail bombs being a particular favorite of the Irish Republican Army and civilians made for the easiest and most unsuspecting victims. Again the Londoners just got themselves back up, dusted themselves off and started all over again. 'London has always been reinventing itself, it is a City built on the wreckage of itself' a quote from Michelle Williams' character in the movie ‘Incendiary’. It’s been flattened by storms, flooded and rotten with plague. Even Hitler couldn’t finish it off‘.
The terrorists attacks of July 7th on the mass transit of London was yet another chapter in the book. The Underground system was targeted as well as a iconic London bus and despite the loss of life, most people went on about their lives the very next day. People got back on buses and rode the ‘Tube’.
This happened in London but the rest of the British people have the same resolve. Heartbreaking stories of people getting attacked, robbed and stores and buildings destroyed are terrible but then you have the spirit of the people shining through. The couple who kept the police on their particular street in ample supply of tea and biscuits. Or the cleaning crews, unpaid members of the public, taking to the streets to aid the cleanup may be small gestures but trust me they show the true spirit of the Englishman. Make no mistake, these rioters will face justice and England will continue as normal. They will get back up, dust themselves off and start the rebuild again. Land of Hope and Glory.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Community Shield. Who Cares!? I did!
So yet again, for the third time in the space of only a few months City traveled down to London in search of silverware. City would face the Salford Reds in the Community Shield, a traditional pre season curtain raiser that promised to be anything but traditional.
The last time these two teams met City were the victors with the single goal from Yaya Toure, and in much the same way as that game it was United who would dominate the opening exchanges and, if truth were told, were much the better side, fitter and quicker to the ball. City meanwhile seemed sluggish and disjointed and were lucky not to be goals down when Lescott moved between Ferdinand and De Gea to slot home the opener. At that point City came alive and at the death Dzeko doubled the lead. Halftime would be just what United needed though as a knockout punch that no doubt would have been landed was interrupted by the bell, or in this case the whistle.
As all City fans know from experience though a United team on the ropes is possibly the most dangerous United team you can face and that proved to be just the case. City started the second half stuck in first gear as clearances hoofed out of Harts penalty box were quickly returned with speed and determination by a rampant red surge. I am now going to type four words that I never imagined I would ever type, ‘Ferguson, to his credit’ (Oh that stings!) made wholesale changes at the half and they repaid him almost immediately. Smalling reduced the deficit getting on to a Young freekick before Nani scored a cute equalizing goal. From that point on there was only going to be one team to score and ironically it came from a rare City forward adventure in the United half. Dzekos weak header was wellied clear by Rooney and while the usually reliable Kompany discussed with Clichy who would get the ball Nani had latched on and was through one on one with Hart. As the net bustled the United fans rejoiced and, once more, City hearts sunk.
The last time these two teams met City were the victors with the single goal from Yaya Toure, and in much the same way as that game it was United who would dominate the opening exchanges and, if truth were told, were much the better side, fitter and quicker to the ball. City meanwhile seemed sluggish and disjointed and were lucky not to be goals down when Lescott moved between Ferdinand and De Gea to slot home the opener. At that point City came alive and at the death Dzeko doubled the lead. Halftime would be just what United needed though as a knockout punch that no doubt would have been landed was interrupted by the bell, or in this case the whistle.
As all City fans know from experience though a United team on the ropes is possibly the most dangerous United team you can face and that proved to be just the case. City started the second half stuck in first gear as clearances hoofed out of Harts penalty box were quickly returned with speed and determination by a rampant red surge. I am now going to type four words that I never imagined I would ever type, ‘Ferguson, to his credit’ (Oh that stings!) made wholesale changes at the half and they repaid him almost immediately. Smalling reduced the deficit getting on to a Young freekick before Nani scored a cute equalizing goal. From that point on there was only going to be one team to score and ironically it came from a rare City forward adventure in the United half. Dzekos weak header was wellied clear by Rooney and while the usually reliable Kompany discussed with Clichy who would get the ball Nani had latched on and was through one on one with Hart. As the net bustled the United fans rejoiced and, once more, City hearts sunk.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Manchester United. History Pishtory!
I am sick and tired of United fans talking it up about our latest acquisition. 'He only came to City for the money'. If it wasn't about money he would have gone to United where they have the history, right?
Well let us analyse their history and where it came from. Where did the mighty Manchester United’s first ’glory’ come from?
Answer City.
That is correct. Back in the 1904-05 season City had already enjoyed an FA Cup win and a second place league finish when in the last game of the season City played Villa. We lost 3-2 but that was minor compared with what happened next. The Villa game was full of incident and gave the FA enough reason to investigate City.
They had already expressed concern as to how City managed to win an FA cup so soon after promotion from the second tier. To City's bemusement the FA chose to ignore other aspects of the game, Turnbull of City was allegedly dragged into the Villa dressing room after the game and reappeared later with cuts and bruises (this was verified later by neutral journalists). City, and other clubs, felt that the investigations were biased went in favour of a group of players considered part of footballs more aristocratic sides.
The Football League (who actually ran the league as the FA's role at that time was to merely select the England side) supported City’s attempts for fairness and keeping in mind that this all happened in a league game and not an FA one it seemed strange the League was not in charge of the investigation.
Unfortunately for City the accounts were gone over with a fine tooth comb and once they were done the Manchester City Football Club was barely alive. Their manager was banned for life and fined, as was the chairman. Meanwhile two other directors were banned for seven months and the FA Cup winning squad decimated. Billy Meredith, Turnbull and all the other City stars were encouraged to leave and with the players having roots where they lived would join struggling neighbours Manchester United.
It was those players, forced to leave City, which lifted United’s first FA Cup in 1909 and won the league the season before and after that triumph. It is true that Manchester Citys books were irregular but the consensus of opinion is that any club would have fallen foul had they been investigated.
It is fair to say that had the FA not forced the players to leave City then United, financially struggling at the time, would probably have fallen into oblivion. Meanwhile City’s rebuilding was interrupted twice by the Germans in a little thing called WW1 and WW2. It was during the first war that the lives of City players Jimmy Conlin and Sandy Turnbull were both taken in 1917, a month apart, at Flanders and Arras respectively.
The 1946-47 season saw City regain their rightful position in the top flight.
City spent only three seasons out of the top flight before Joe Mercer came in 1966. In that time they won the FA Cup twice, which was the same amount as cross town rivals United.
In 1957 United became the first English team to compete in the European Cup. Chelsea would have held that honor but were persuaded to withdraw from the competition by the Football League and the FA before it started.
It is only within the last 20 years or so that United have actually pulled away from City on the trophy count, winning 12 of their League titles, all of their league cups and four of their FA Cups since 1991! Up until 1991 they had just the lone European trophy also, winning the European Cup in 1968.
Before that run, back in the 1989/90 and 1990/91 seasons United finished next to City and who can forget the 5-1 hammering handed out to you boys in 1989, in the Maine Road massacre.
My point is simple, Ferguson was on the brink of the sack before going on the silverware rampage of the past twenty years. City have always been better, City have always been there.
City have overcome more adversity than United will ever know.
We are still here, we are still proud, we were sleeping giants. It’s time for us to be loud.
Talk about history Mr Beckham and Co in another twenty years. Maybe then we will be talking about United getting promotion from the third tier of English football. Maybe we will be amazed and in awe of United supporters filling away day trips to lowly clubs.
Maybe, but I doubt the followers will follow. City have been there. City have that loyalty. It has been tested over and over again and Blue Moon still rang out across the terraces. However prawn sandwiches do not taste as good on a rainy evening away at Colchester. Food for thought.
Written By:PA Cityboy(www.facebook.com/pacityboy)
Welcome To Manchester, Sergio Aguero!
Born June 2nd 1988 Argentine super striker Sergio Aguero today signed for Manchester City for a reported 38 million dollar deal. This concludes a long draw out deal that seems to have been going on for a very long time.
Sergio started his career in the Argentine first division with Club Atletico Independiente and became the youngest player to debut in the division at only 15 years and 35 days old. Ironically he broke the record held by Diego Maradona which had stood since 1976. Later after taking Maradonas record he would take his daughter too. To be fair though he did give him a grandson.
In 2006 Aguero moved to Atletico Madrid for an undisclosed fee, thought to be around 23 million Euros. he stayed in Spain until recently notching up 74 goals in 175 appearances for the Madrid side.
Now he is at City it is thought that International team mate, Carlos Tevez will be on his way out having already initiated a move away.
Internationally he has represented Argentina in the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup, scoring six goals in seven games and picking up the golden boot. Argentina won the competition after coming from behind against the Czech Rep, with Aguero captaining and scoring the equalizing goal.
In the 2008 summer Olympics he scored twice in five minutes against Brazil and then led his team on to win the gold.
He made his senior World Cup debut last year against the Korea Republic, replacing (as with City) Carlos Tevez in the 75th minute. Sixty seconds later he was on the score sheet.
Lets hope he gets off to a flyer with his club team who play in Blue and White!
Sergio started his career in the Argentine first division with Club Atletico Independiente and became the youngest player to debut in the division at only 15 years and 35 days old. Ironically he broke the record held by Diego Maradona which had stood since 1976. Later after taking Maradonas record he would take his daughter too. To be fair though he did give him a grandson.
In 2006 Aguero moved to Atletico Madrid for an undisclosed fee, thought to be around 23 million Euros. he stayed in Spain until recently notching up 74 goals in 175 appearances for the Madrid side.
Now he is at City it is thought that International team mate, Carlos Tevez will be on his way out having already initiated a move away.
Internationally he has represented Argentina in the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup, scoring six goals in seven games and picking up the golden boot. Argentina won the competition after coming from behind against the Czech Rep, with Aguero captaining and scoring the equalizing goal.
In the 2008 summer Olympics he scored twice in five minutes against Brazil and then led his team on to win the gold.
He made his senior World Cup debut last year against the Korea Republic, replacing (as with City) Carlos Tevez in the 75th minute. Sixty seconds later he was on the score sheet.
Lets hope he gets off to a flyer with his club team who play in Blue and White!
Dublin Super Cup
Roberto Mancini has today announced his squad of 28 players to travel to Ireland ahead of the Dublin Super Cup Competition in four days time. The squad is a mixture of senior players and Next Generation players as Mancinis men aim to continue their pre season.
All three visiting clubs will be brining along their trophies for their fans to droll over. Celtic will bring the Scottish Cup, Inter will bring the World Club Cup and the Italian Cup and City will bring their FA Cup (and if only the competition was later could also bring the Community Shield, oh well).
Citys’ squad, subject to transfers is as followed:
Goalkeepers: Hart, Taylor Johansen
Defenders: Richards, Kompany, Lescott, KO Clichy, Boyata, Kolarov, Savic, Veseli and McGivern
Midfielders: Johnson(A), DeJong, Toure(Y), Silva, Milner, Barry, SWP, Weiss, Suarez, Roman and Razak.
Strikers: Balotelli, Dzeko, Guidetti, Mancini.
Yes that is only 27.….anyone think Aguero will be making his debut in Ireland? Hopefully so.
It is good to see that Yaya Toure makes the squad after his injury Stateside. Also good to see is that Balotelli is not excluded because of his reaction in the last game. I think this shows that Mancini deals with Balotelli and then moves on. Hopefully he can reward Mancini with a solid performance in the compeition especially as his and Mancinis old club will be there.
All three visiting clubs will be brining along their trophies for their fans to droll over. Celtic will bring the Scottish Cup, Inter will bring the World Club Cup and the Italian Cup and City will bring their FA Cup (and if only the competition was later could also bring the Community Shield, oh well).
Citys’ squad, subject to transfers is as followed:
Goalkeepers: Hart, Taylor Johansen
Defenders: Richards, Kompany, Lescott, KO Clichy, Boyata, Kolarov, Savic, Veseli and McGivern
Midfielders: Johnson(A), DeJong, Toure(Y), Silva, Milner, Barry, SWP, Weiss, Suarez, Roman and Razak.
Strikers: Balotelli, Dzeko, Guidetti, Mancini.
Yes that is only 27.….anyone think Aguero will be making his debut in Ireland? Hopefully so.
It is good to see that Yaya Toure makes the squad after his injury Stateside. Also good to see is that Balotelli is not excluded because of his reaction in the last game. I think this shows that Mancini deals with Balotelli and then moves on. Hopefully he can reward Mancini with a solid performance in the compeition especially as his and Mancinis old club will be there.
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