Tomorrow night City travel to Poland to face Lech Poznan, the team we beat 3-1 a fortnight ago.
City know that a win will see them qualify from the group stage with two games to spare. Lech Poznan are looking to cause something of an upset and finish in second position in the group. This would be enough to see them through a group that City and Juventus were widely expected to dominate.
Poznan, though, have produced some good results to put themselves in contention.
I've done my Q & A this week with two Poznan fans who were only too happy to share some thoughts on the game ahead. Their names are Bartek and Sebastian. Many thanks to them for doing this.
Ciao,
Richard
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W.A.D: The Lech Poznan fans were probably the best away supporters we've had at City. The atmosphere they created was fantastic - what kind of atmosphere can the City fans expect in Poland?
Bartek: "Wiara Lecha" is well known in Poland as the best and most organised football fans in the country. If you're any good in maths, multiply our 3,000 away fans by 14 (42,000 stadium capacity) and it will equal a very hostile atmosphere.
Sebastian: The atmosphere will be incredible for the entire game, regardless of thescore, they have actually sold all tickets for home fans already and that proves what kind of amazing support this club has.Man City fans going to Poznan will witness some of the best support from football fans in the whole of Europe.
W.A.D: When the group was drawn, most people would have had Juventus andCity as favourites to qualify, but Poznan are looking good to cause a surprise. Realistically, how far do you think Poznan can go in the Europa League?
Bartek: It'll be a great success if we qualify to knock out stages. Then, whoknows what's going to happen because Poznan is not a very pleasant place to come for a football club.
Sebastian: Qualifying out of the group stages will be an incredible achievement. After the group was drawn we could only hope not get too embarrassed and try to get at least some points in matches against Salzburg. Now, as a lot people would admit Lech has a massive chance to be a first Polish team to qualify to the next round in this formula of Europa League. Win against Juventus in Poznan should be sufficient.
W.A.D: Who is Poznan's danger man? Anybody in particular City should be worried about?
Bartek: Our summer signing - Artjoms Rudnev. He scored a hat trick in the away leg against Juventus.
Sebastian: There are a few creative, talented and strong players in Lech, the most dangerous I would say is Slawek Peszko, he has pace, technique and a good finish. Semir Stilic on the other hand is a player that can change thegame with just one pass.
W.A.D: Is there any City player that you are worried about?
Bartek: It's a difficult question. It would probably be easier to answer which City player we shouldn't be worried about considering the amount of funds you've got available.
Sebastian: Adam Johnson is a man that our players should be marking extremely close, Carlos Tevez is always a threat but he's not playing in this match (pheew!!).
W.A.D: What is your score prediction for the game?
Bartek: I'm afraid we might just pull this one off. 1 - 0 to Lech Poznan
Sebastian: Lech Poznan 2-1 City, with a goal from Peszko in an additional time.
Wednesday, 3 November 2010
A View From The Other Side - Lech Poznan
Sunday, 24 October 2010
A View From The Other Side - Arsenal
On Sunday, City play host to Arsene Wengers Arsenal. They don't need much of an introduction. Widely accepted as one of the finest teams to watch, games against The Gunners are always ones to look forward to.
For all Arsenal's beautiful football though, they're without a trophy for five seasons. Ok, it doesn't come close to our own barren spell without silverware. But cast your mind back to when Arsenal were winning three FA Cups in succession, or when they went a whole league season unbeaten and it would have been near impossible to imagine a lean period like this.
It does seem that the same criticisms have been levelled at the men from North London for several seasons now though. All style, no substance is one. Wenger is also regularly criticised for his apparent unwillingness to sign a better goalkeeper then they have at present.
And of course, there is the suggestion that they throw away silly points. A home defeat against a West Brom side they might have expected to brush aside does nothing to contradict that statement.
So, what are Arsenal fans thinking? Is Wenger still the right man for the job? Can they push for the title this year? And as ever, we get a view of what the opposition fans think about City.
This interview is with my Gooner friend Sammi Abdoh. Big thanks to him for taking the time to do this, as ever it is much appreciated.
Ciao,
Richard
www.twitter.com/RichardTheBurns
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W.A.D: Before the season started, what were your expectations for Arsenal?
Sammi: I was fairly optimistic before the season started. Wenger virtually said in press conferences that he was in the market for a ‘keeper and two more defenders, so I, like many other Arsenal fans, thought he was finally resolving the issues in our team that had cost us in previous seasons. But alas, for whatever reason we only signed Squillaci, and Almunia remained our first choice keeper. Despite that I was quite hopeful. Man United and Chelsea, in particular, had really bad pre-seasons, and keeping Fabregas was absolutely massive for us, so before the season I was expecting at least a second place finish.
W.A.D: And eight games into the season, sitting in third, have your expectations changed at all?
Sammi: To be honest, no. The only game I've been disappointed with so far this season is the 3-2 defeat to West Brom. The loss to Chelsea was a bit unfortunate, I don’t think we were outplayed like we were last season, and we actually had control of a lot of the game. The problem, as ever with Arsenal these days, was injuries. With Almunia, Vermaelen, Fabregas, and Van Persie injured it was always going to be an impossible task. If those players dont suffer any long-term injuries then I think we can still finish in second.
W.A.D: Though you’re still a good thirty years off City, it’s been a while since Arsenal picked up a trophy. Is Wenger still the man?
Sammi: Wenger is still very much the man, although he's not untouchable like he once was. There are more and more fans questioning him, especially when he failed to sign a keeper, and I think it could only take one more goalkeeping blunder against a team like Tottenham or Man United for the fans to finally lose their patience with him. Having said that, he's kept us competitive on a nothing budget, it really is phenomenal. I don't know what the figures are exactly, but I honestly don't think anyone could've done a better job. Personally, I'm just so frustrated, because he does an incredible job of spotting talent and building this team from nothing, but then he won't address the goalkeeping issue, despite every fan and pundit knowing it will cost us again this season.
W.A.D: Who is your all time favourite Arsenal player?
Sammi: This is a difficult question. We've had so many great players since I've supported Arsenal... Adams, Wright, Bergkamp, Vieira, Pires, and of course, Henry. My favourite would have to be Ljungberg, and he wouldn't be a lot of people's first choice, but I just love him. He scored against United on his debut, and made a habit of it for a few years, had an incredibly cool hairstyle, and he was such a fan favourite during the 2001-2002 season. We had a run of about 7 or 8 games that we won 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1, and he basically scored in all of those games. He popped up with such important goals during that run, and I remember my brother saying that had he scored at Old Trafford (if we won that game, we'd win the title) he would've dyed his hair red. As it was he didn't score, but he played a huge part in the goal, and for that he'll always be a hero.
W.A.D: Who is your favourite in the current squad?
Sammi: For me, it still is Fabregas, despite the fact that he'll be leaving. I think he's the first player that I've sort of grown up with, when I was 15 I remember the first game I saw him play against Man United in the Charity Shield. He was just so composed, and really ran the game, and everybody was so excited about him (similar situation with Wilshere now). I think in fairness to him, he genuinely does love Arsenal, but it's inevitable he'll leave.
W.A.D: And if you had to sell one, who would it be?
Sammi: Clichy. I think if he went to a club like Real Madrid we could get about 10-12 million for him. He's just become too much of a liability and with Gibbs waiting in the wings I really don't think he'll be missed at all. I also think that if Van Persie doesn't have a great season then we should part ways, just because we'll never win anything when our first choice striker is on the sidelines. Having said all of that, the next player we sell will definitely be Fabregas, unfortunately.
W.A.D: Having seen another summer of heavy expenditure, what are your expectations for City this season?
Sammi: Even though they've started the season really well, I think they'll finish third. Just because, and I know it's a cliche, but you need time for all those players to settle, and I'm not entirely convinced you've got a good enough defence to win the league, although that can easily be remedied in Jan or the summer. As soon as you get Champions League football you'll be able to attract literally any player in the world, and then I think you'll be unstoppable.
W.A.D: Who in particular will cause City problems on Sunday?
Sammi: Ha, I don't really know. I've been hugely impressed with Chamakh this season, but he went missing a bit against Chelsea, and he's just not as clinical as I'd like him to be. This could be a bit of a bad call (because he might not even start), but I'm going to go for Nasri. He's got a goal in him, and teams often focus on stopping Fabregas and Arshavin so much that he can slip under the radar. He's had a good start to the season, and I think he enjoys the big games, so I'm going to put my neck on the line and say Nasri.
W.A.D: Which of City’s players are you most worried about?
Sammi: It has to be Adebayor, not because he's your best player, just because I completely loathe him and if he scores it will frustrate the hell out of me. He might not even start, but after his hat-trick he'll probably feel he warrants a starting place. Whoever's up against Clichy will have a field day as well, so Adam Johnson will cause up lots of problems too if he gets the nod.
W.A.D: And finally, score prediction for Sunday?
Sammi: I'm going to go for 1-1.
Saturday, 16 October 2010
A View From The Other Side - Blackpool
Last season they were favourites to be relgated from The Championship, but ended up in the play-offs, sealing promotion after a thrilling Wembley win against Cardiff City.
Sitting in ninth place after seven games, it's fair to say Blackpool have surprised many already this season. The opening day win at Wigan was impressive, and left the seasiders on cloud nine. The 6-0 defeat at Arsenal a week later may have brought them back down to Earth with a bump.
Manager Ian Holloway has vowed to continue playing the attractive football that saw them promoted. Some critics have suggested that this is a naive way of approaching the Premier League. To see when sticking to your principles can get you relegated, see West Brom and Burnley. But Holloway is determined to play his way and as long as heavy defeats at the likes of Chelsea can be countered by victories against the Newcastles of the league then Blackpool should be fine. The trick, as Hull City fans may tell you, is keeping that form throughout the season.
Fresh from a win at Liverpool, Blackpool will surely be confident on Sunday. City should definitely not expect an easy ride.
To get a view on how Blackpool fans are seeing the season so far, and thoughts for the game on Sunday, I asked Tangerine supporter Adam Ogden a few questions. Many thanks to Adam for this. You can see his answers below.
Ciao,
Richard
http://twitter.com/RichardTheBurns
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W.A.D: Most pundits/fans had Blackpool as relegation favourites this season (I’ll admit I was one of them). Realistically, what were your expectations for Blackpool this season?
Adam: Realistically we shouldn’t even be in this division. We still very much have the players, finances and attitude of the League One club we used to be. But as has been said before, when it comes to playing matches, none of that matters. I always thought we had a chance (albeit slim) of staying up – but we’d have to play out of our skins to do it.
W.A.D: Are you happy with your start to the season?
Adam: In the words of Ian Holloway I’m chuffed as a badger with how we’ve started. The best away record in the league, three big wins under our belt and a victory at Anfield – what’s more we’re still playing really well and proving we deserve to be in the Premier League.
W.A.D: Plenty of teams come up to the Premier League promising to “play football”. Burnley and Mowbray’s West Brom team are notable examples, and they both went straight down. Holloway has promised to continue with the attacking football that got your promoted. Is he naïve thinking this can keep you in the top flight, or is to be commended for sticking to his principles?
Adam: Not at all, we got into the Premiership through scoring more goals than the opposition, so it’s only right that we should stay in it this way. I’d much rather see us lose 6-0 to Arsenal playing good football than grind out dull nil nil draws like Blackburn and Stoke. If that sees us go down, then at least we’ll have left a good impression on the league.
W.A.D: Who is your all time favourite Blackpool player?
Adam: It’s tough to name an all time favourite. The regular contenders, Matthews, Mortensen and Armfield were all before my time and until recent years the calibre hasn’t been that great. For that reason I can only give it to one of the current crop of players, and after being with us from the bottom of League One up to our brief two hours on top of the Premier League, Keith Southern takes it for me, with Super Brett Ormerod in a close second.
W.A.D: Who is your favourite in the current team?
Adam: It’s hard to have a single favourite player at the moment – for it’s our team effort which is doing so well. Gilks and Taylor-Fletcher have dumbfounded everyone with the extra quality they’ve found this year, David Vaughan and Alex Baptiste are pure quality players and DJ and Charlie are our ultimate talisman. And all the others make an equally large contribution.
W.A.D: And if you could get rid of one player, who would it be?
Adam: What a cruel question! I genuinely couldn’t name anyone. One of the downsides of having such a brilliant team spirit is that you don’t want to get rid of anyone. Seven games into the season and nobody has let us down at all yet.
W.A.D: Who is Blackpool’s dangerman on Sunday? Anybody City should be particularly fearful of?
Adam: As I said before, it’s the team as a whole that City should be worried about. However, after the Liverpool game and his brilliant second half for Scotland against Spain, Charlie Adam is in lethal form at the bottom. City is the type of big game that he’ll want to turn up for, and when he turns up he is unstoppable.
W.A.D: And is there any one player in the City team you fear?
Adam: One? There are about 26 that I’m worried about! But I’m keeping myself sane in the knowledge that they’re all still human beings and off days do happen. I am however really excited to see Joe Hart back home at Bloomers. He was magnificent with us back in League One and I’m convinced that without him, we may never have got where we are now. He’ll get a massive welcome from every seasider.
W.A.D: Looking at City for a moment then, the rest of the country has had to sit back and watch City splash the cash over the last couple of years. First of all, what are your feelings on the impact this has on the game? And secondly, what are your expectations for City this season?
Adam: Without getting on my high horse too much, I think it’s absolutely disgraceful that people can get paid £100k a week just for playing football, let alone £200k. Nobody at Blackpool gets paid over £10k a week, and that’s how it should be. They are still only people in the same way as cleaners and teachers. I don’t think it’s entirely City’s fault however, the huge amounts of money across the whole game has meant that if you don’t invest heavily then you’ll get left behind. This season may be too early for City though. Despite the result earlier in the year, Chelsea look much too strong for me – although I think City will come in a close second.
W.A.D: Finally, score prediction for Sunday?
Adam: I don’t even dare to predict a result against us anymore. As a team Pool are capable of anything these days and blow me over I think we’re going to at least get a point, maybe even three. However, so as to not to be completely embarrassed should it go wrong I’ll go for a conservative 2-2.
Tuesday, 5 October 2010
City v Newcastle - Player Ratings
They are the same ratings I gave in Imagine FM's Bluemoon Show on Sunday. The show goes out every Sunday at 9pm on 104.9 Imagine FM, and Chris Prince will see over the return of David Mooney and the ever-present Dan Burns. You can also listen here - Listen Live. And if you really want, you can see more about the show, enter the competition, and listen to Sunday's show here - Imagine FM's Bluemoon.
Anyway, here we are with my thoughts - agree or disagree? Feel free to comment.
http://twitter.com/RichardTheBurns
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Hart - 7 - So little to do it's quite hard to rate him, but the world class save from Coloccini in the first half tips him onto a 7.
Boateng - 6 - Not a bad first league start, but he wasn't brilliant. He was adequate though and I really do expect big things from him.
Lescott - 6 - Possibly a generous six too. Average probably covers it. He so nearly cost us the points as well with a ridiculous foul on Ameobi, that should've been a penalty. Fortunately it wasn't given but any other day it would've been. He does not look comfortable at left-back, but with Kolo and Kompany looking so good in the centre, it's hard to see where Lescott might fit in this year.
Kompany - 8.5 - I couldn't choose between an eight or a nine so I've sat on the fence. When there is a ball into the box, I always expect Vinnie to be there. I never fear an opposition attack with Kompany and Toure in the form they are. Kompany was my Man Of The Match.
K. Toure - 7 - A fairly solid performance, very few mistakes as ever. He loses a point though for picking up a ridiculous booking in the first half. I'm not sure why he tripped his opponent but it was ridiculous and meant he had to really had to watch his step for the rest of the game. Still, he did nothing else to worry us and as above, I feel confident with Toure at the back. Having said that, he was at fault for the Newcastle goal as he failed to follow Gutierrez into the box after his initial cross.
Y. Toure - 6 - Not his best game. He looked tired to me, that's perhaps forgivable given that he has barely been rotated so far. I like the guy and I think he's been excellent so far this season, but the introduction of Adebayor in Yaya's place gave us an optiont that we didn't have in the first half. Anybody can have an off day, but better required next time out please.
De Jong - 8 - Didn't let the tackle phase him too much. It was the usual De Jong performance, he won't give up a tackle (as Hatem Ben Arfa now knows) and he's the perfect foil between defence and midfield.
Barry - 6 - Average. For the most part the game passed him by. Missed a glorious chance in the first half when indecision seemed to get the better of him. Very little to say for him on this one.
Milner - 7 - From reading messageboards and the like, I think people will disagree here, and maybe I've called it wrong. I thought he had a woeful first ten minutes and since his debut against Liverpool we've definitely not seen the best of him. However, he didn't let his head drop and worked his backside off for the team. Not his best day but I always appreciate a tryer, and there is no doubt he is just that.
Silva - 7 - Not as influential as he was against Chelsea last week but I was still impressed. There were several glimpses of his wonderful passing ability and vision. He's going to be very important I think.
Tevez - 8 - Did not look happy all game to me, but continued to work his socks off. He battles and grafts to the point of excess. As long as we fail to support him up front (and that is a big concern to me) his work rate is going to be crucial.
Monday, 4 October 2010
City 2 - 1 Newcastle United - Post Match
Well well well. For a game that was so dull it certainly it's share of "incidents didn't it?
I'll start with Nigel de Jong. I'm sure you don't need to be told what happened but just in case - very early on the game Nige made a challenge that he had every right to make. It was most unfortunate then that Hatem Ben Arfa would come out of the tackle with a broken leg that may yet see him out for the season. It's awful from a personal point of view and it's a shame for the Premier League. He has looked like a good player so far.
The thing to note from the incident though is that there were no appeals from the Newcastle players at the time for a free-kick. The referee didn’t see a foul. Having since it watched it back on ESPN, neither did Kevin Keegan or Nicky Butt. De Jong went in for a ball he had every right to challenge for. Was there any malice? No. Was it clumsy? Perhaps a little, his right leg certainly follows through but it was not two footed and he did not set out to hurt his opponent.
So to hear Stan Collymore talking of “anti-football” and the likes of Nige “stealing a living” on Talksport afterwards was a little hard to take. I’m sure Nige is horrified that he’s put a fellow pro out for around six months, so for Collymore (whose record is far from unblemished) to play judge, juror and executioner for the whole nation to hear is, in my opinion, bang out of order. I’m sure we’ll hear more of this as the season goes on.
Of the game itself, well - it wasn't great. But there would be another "controversial" incident that would see City take the lead. Boateng clipped a lovely ball over the top of the Newcastle defence that Tevez controlled beautifully. He made a dart for the box but was brought down by Newcastle defender Mike Williamson. The pundits all seem unanimous on this one – it’s not a foul. Well, I beg to differ. Williamson does get a touch on the ball, no question. For some reason though, everybody seems to have ignored the fact that he went through the back of Tevez to get there. You’re not allowed to do that. Honest. Check the rules. As he was the last man, and Tevez most certainly had a “clear goal scoring opportunity”, Williamson should not feel aggrieved by the decision. Rather, he should feel fortunate that he was allowed to finish the game.
After the Geordies had finished arguing with the ref, Tevez stepped up and hammered the ball into the net. 1-0 to City.
It wasn’t to be pretty from that point on. Newcastle had come to play and we were negative again, and possibly suffering a European hangover. The warning signs were there in the 22nd minute when Coloccini volleyed from distance. This time, Hart was his equal, pulling off a world class save to tip the ball wide. That wasn’t to be the case three minutes later.
Gutierrez got the ball outside the box and clipped it in around the six yard box. Kompany got something on it but couldn’t clear, and Gutierrez ran in to rifle a shot into the roof of Hart’s goal. There was no way he was ever going to stop it. 1-1. If we’re to place blame, and I think we should, Kolo fell asleep and failed to follow Gutierrez into the box, giving him a free shot.
There was little to talk about after that until Adam Johnson replaced Gareth Barry. It was clear to everybody in the ground that the game was made for AJ, so it was a relief when he came on. And it was a decision that would be immediately vindicated. In the 74th minute Johnson got the ball on the right. A jinking run into the box made a mockery of the Newcastle defence before firing a shot into the corner of the Newcastle goal. It would be the goal that would seal a 2-1 win. And it would be a goal fit to win any game of football.
Shortly after, Lescott blatantly tripped Ameobi in the City penalty area. Penalty to Newcastle. Or at least it should've been. Somehow, the referee and his assisstant failed to see the foul and no penalty was awarded. City win 2-1.
Are we finally getting “big club” decisions? Well we’ve been on the wrong end of them plenty of times so I for one am not going to complain if we’re benefiting from the odd lapse in decision making from the officials.
Overall then, not a classic, but it is three points. This time last season we could have (and probably would have) dropped points here. That we won today is a sure sign of progression. Still, we need to improve, but a win going into the international break is always welcome. And don’t they always say that winning games when not at your best is the sign of a top team?
The icing on the cake? We’ll spend a full two weeks (at least) sat in second place, above the rags. Superb. I'll be giving my player ratings in another blog shortly.
Ciao,
Richard
Saturday, 2 October 2010
The View From The Other Side - Newcastle United (Part 2)
The second Newcastle preview again comes from http://www.nufc-forum.com/nufcforum/index.php.
I'm afraid it's exactly the same questions as before. They were going to be edited so that you'd see different questions for both Q & A's but both gave such insightful answers I didn't want to leave any out. So sorry for the repetition but I hope you enjoy some more insight from tomorrow's opponents.
The poster for this one is Bill Arfa. Big thanks to him for taking part.
http://twitter.com/RichardTheBurns
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W.A.D: Thinking back to pre-season, what were your hopes for the 2010/2011 season. Where did you realistically see Newcastle finishing?
Bill Arfa: My real hope was that we'd win of course but my more realistic hope was staying up and finishing mid table. My realistic prediction was low table just above the drop.
W.A.D: Six games into the season and Newcastle are tenth. You've taken Villa apart, winning 6-0. But you've also lost at home to Blackpool. Overall then, happy with your start?
Bill Arfa: Overall yes. Some very positive performances where we have run the game, but also disappointed that there is a lack of consistency. We seem unable to string together more than one win on the run which could prove costly. I'm very pleased with the new signings bar (James) Perch (who has been hopeless in every game), (Hatem) Ben Arfa and (Chieck) Tiote seem to have fitted in very nicely and add a lot to the team.
W.A.D: To the rest of the football world, the Mike Ashley situation appears to have calmed down a bit. What are your thoughts, and the general thoughts of the Newcastle fans, about Ashley now?
Bill Arfa: The general thoughts of Ashley seem to vary from fan to fan, obviously none of us exactly know how much money has been invested personally or what he has done/not done for the club. Personally, I am happy with the fact some money was made available for strengthening in the summer, most of the signings seem to be clever ones and promising for the future. I'm reserving judgement until January (will he make more money available), and the end of the season (will he jump ship or stick by us).
W.A.D: Who is your favourite Newcastle player?
Bill Arfa: I had to think about this one, but I went for Jose Enrique. He's been a complete star for us, never looks uncomfortable and I've never seem him dominated by a right winger in his whole Newcastle career. I was chuffed to bits with how happy he was when he celebrated his first goal for us last year, it had me beaming for hours. Favourites for the future are Carroll, Ben Arfa and Tiote. I've also been very impressed with Barton this season, seems to enjoy playing nowadays.
W.A.D: Which player would you most like to sell?
Bill Arfa: Perch - he has had an awful season so far, although I would prefer a loan move just so he could find his feet again, and he is still fairly young so I won't write him off completely just yet. This would also give Ryan Taylor a crack at the whip, I feel properly sorry for the guy at the moment.
W.A.D: Is Hughton the right manager for Newcastle in the long-term?
Bill Arfa: Still too soon to say in my opinion, he had a very good season last year and is new at Premier League level, so its hard to judge him. The way he has brought the whole squad, including reserves, together has really impressed me, there seems a genuine comradeship between the lads now that I haven't felt for a long time. However, some of his substitutions baffle me, and as I said before, I'm not sure why he is refusing to drop Perch for Taylor, who has so many more plus points to his game.
W.A.D: Having seen City spend crazy money on player recruitment over the last two years, what do you expect from The Blues this season?
Bill Arfa: I expect a top four finish. With Liverpool already out of the race, your other realistic rival for fourth is Spurs, who you have far more talent than and have looked shaky at times. If only you could find this pesky 'team spirit'. With a good set of results I can even see you finishing ahead of Arsenal for third spot. But, like everyone says, your team needs time to gel before glory is to be 'expected'.
W.A.D: Thinking specifically now about the game on Sunday, who is Newcastle's dangerman? Anybody who should be particularly fearful of?
Bill Arfa: After the first game of the season I would have said (Andy) Carroll, but he has been less of a threat in the last few games, in my opinion down to poor deliveries into the box, and no runners gambling on his headers on from goal kicks. Now I have to say Ben Arfa, he looks so comfortable on the ball, greedy at times, but he has that ability to change a game all by himself. He just seems to glide past players with ease.
W.A.D: And looking at City's team, do you think there is anybody you think you need to pay special attention to?
Bill Arfa: Tevez is just pure class, Milner will no doubt have a good game against us. Its hard to just pick one to be honest, I just hope we pay special attention to everyone.
W.A.D: Finally, score prediction for Sunday?
Bill Arfa: If I'm being optimistic - 2-1 to Man City, Tevez with 2 and Carroll with 1. Realistically, I'm predicting 3-0. Tevez with 2 and Milner with 1.
Howay The Lads
The View From The Other Side - Newcastle United (Part 1)
After relegation in 2008/2009, The Magpies only spent one season in the Championship, making an impressive immediate return to the Premier League.
We're six games into the season and Newcastle have made a decent start, albeit with some mixed results. A 6-0 win at home to Aston Villa and a 1-0 win at Everton look impressive; Defeats at home to Blackpool and away to Stoke less so. However, in football the results don't always tell the full story.
To get a view of how The Magpies fans are finding life back in the top flight, Without A Dream took a trip over to http://www.nufc-forum.com. Over there we found two supporters who couldn't wait to share their thoughts with us on NUFC.
On a personal note, I must add that I am very much looking forward to having the Toon Army back in Manchester. Regularly the loudest travelling support in the league, I am sure they'll contirbute to a great atmosphere on Sunday.
Cracking on then; First in the two-parter is a poster from the NUFC Forum known as NCBAY. Many thanks to him for sharing his views with Without A Dream - it is very much appreciated.
http://twitter.com/RichardTheBurns
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W.A.D: Thinking back to pre-season, what were your hopes for the 2010/2011 season. Where did you realistically see Newcastle finishing?
NCBAY: Only one hope for the season - safety, I'd have happily taken 17th if offered at the time.
W.A.D: Six games into the season and Newcastle are tenth. You've taken Villa apart, winning 6-0. But you've also lost at home to Blackpool. Overall then, happy with your start?
NCBAY: Yes and no. On the whole the performances have been very encouraging, even against Blackpool we should have had the three points as we were the better team - 13 shots on target, but it just felt like one of those days. The Stoke game has been the only game where I havent been happy with the performance, we struggled to deal with a very tall, physical side who came for a point and left with three. But this is NUFC so you expect these kind of results. The Villa game was fantastic and with the arrival of (Hatem) Ben Arfa and in particular (Cheick) Tiote I'm relatively positive.
W.A.D: To the rest of the football world, the Mike Ashley situation appears to have calmed down a bit. What are your thoughts, and the general thoughts of the Newcastle fans, about Ashley now?
NCBAY: - There are two camps with Ashley - those who will never forget and those willing to give him a chance. I'm in the second camp. He's made some unbelievable errors of judgement but he has backed Hughton when needed and we aren't a push over in the transfer market any more (Ben Arfa in particular looks like an excellant deal) and aren't going to buy past it 'stars' on ridiculous wages any more. When you look at other teams (Cardiff, Pompey, Manure, Liverpool etc etc) and past owners / chairmen we have had then I know it could be a lot worse.There's a long way to go but he still comes to the ground to support the team and unlike some people I think he wants to still be here. He has spent the best end of £220m (£100m of debt he wasnt expecting) and I think we are moving in the right direction. If he hadn't come in when he did our situation would have been a lot worse (Leeds, Pompey style).
W.A.D: Who is your favourite Newcastle player?
NCBAY: Of all time it would be "Pedro" - peter beardsley. Of today's team I'm not sure I have an out and out favourite, (Andy) Carroll obviously, Barton looks like he is finally coming good, Enrique is usually excellent and Iv'e got a soft spot for (Peter) Lovenkrands after he played and scored against West Brom a couple of days after his dad died - true commitment. (Steve) Harper also falls into that as well with his commitment to the club but Krul and Forster (currently on loan at celtic) may mean he doesn't get much game time after this year. As long as they try I'm happy with any one who pulls on the colours in all honesty.
W.A.D: Which player would you most like to sell?
NCBAY: I don't think we have that luxury as the squad isn't huge so rather than getting rid of a particular player, I'd say we could really do with a first class right back.
W.A.D: Is Hughton the right manager for Newcastle in the long-term?
NCBAY: Yes, I think and hope he will be. He is calm, quiet and looks to be a thoroughly decent bloke - something we've missed since Bobby Robson. As a manager, I have been more than impressed with him since he took over last year. He recognised the positions we needed strengthening and did it with little outlay, he has us playing with a belief and purpose that hasn't been seen for many a year and I don't think many people could have done that from the position we found ourselves in after relegation. I hope the owner and fans stay behind him as he could turn out to be an absolute gem.
W.A.D: Having seen City spend crazy money on player recruitment over the last two years, what do you expect from The Blues this season?
NCBAY: Not sure, it's always hard spending so much and getting a team to perform. Based solely on the cash spent they need to be top four at least and this year maybe even top two - Arsenal will struggle defensively and Manure look like they won't have the best of seasons. Mancini could also do with a trophy or he may find himself out of a job.
W.A.D: Thinking specifically now about the game on Sunday, who is Newcastle's dangerman? Anybody who should be particularly fearful of?
NCBAY: Depends which Newcastle turn up. Carroll will be a danger if your centre backs aren't on form, Ben Arfa can turn a game with a moment of magic and Barton will hopefully benefit from playing against his old team.
W.A.D: And looking at City's team, do you think there is anybody you think you need to pay special attention to?
NCBAY: Tevez and Johnson as we struggle against pace and any decent left winger.
W.A.D: Finally, score prediction for Sunday?
NCBAY: I'm always optimistic so I've plumped for a 1-0 win for us, with Barton getting the goal - here's hoping!
Thursday, 30 September 2010
City v Juventus - Post Match
Look at that. Read it again. Manchester City. Juventus. I don't know about you, but up until very recently, I had never thought Manchester City would be playing Juventus in competitive football. Yet here we are, on the 30th September 2010, hosting them in UEFA's Europa Cup.
Ok, so it's not the UEFA Champions League. And sure, Juve aren't what they once were. But if the Europa League group stages can possibly throw up a glamour tie, this is as close as it's going to get.
So it was with some excitement that I set off for the City of Manchester Stadium this evening. Unfortunately, I left feeling a little underwhelmed.
If I'm completely honest, I fell into the trap of thinking if Fulham beat Juve 4-1 last season, tonight would not pose too much of a problem for City. A silly way of thinking, but that's what happened.
When Iaquinta hit a long rage shot past Joe Hart in the tenth minute it came as a shock to the system. The game hadn't exactly sparked into life but from nowhere Juve were ahead. Disappointing.
Even more disappointing though was City's response. Did they up the tempo, looking to get back on level terms? Well, there was plenty of effort but little end product. City barely created a chance until Tevez cut into the box on 19 minutes and hit the ball wide. It wasn't gilt edged, but it was a chance. Meanwhile, at the back City had a mad ten minutes or so. When Juventus attacked City lost shape and balls from deep defence were being left by everybody and ending up with the Juventus strikers. If we're to achieve anything this season we need to be switched on for 90 minutes and at least make things difficult for our opponents. At times tonight, we did not make it difficult for Juventus at all.
The next chance came on 33 minutes. A ball into the box was nodded onto the post by Gareth Barry. Sadly, Adebayor could not react fast enough to get the rebound in.
Not to worry, there were now positive signs. We upped our game and on 37 minutes Yaya Toure slipped an exquisite ball through the Juve defence for Adam Johnson. Alex Manninger in the Juve goal came for it, but Johnson's first touch made him look foolish. His second found the net. 1-1. Time to push on and threaten the Italians.
And what of the second half? There is little to say. There was a heart-in-mouth moment when Del Piero's free-kick came down off the bar and bounced onto the line in the closing stages. Dedryck Boyata made a second half appearance and looked just as assured at right-back as he did against Chelsea. Vincent Kompany continued to look excellent at centre-back and fully deserved his man of the match award.
Slightly more disappointing was the performance of Manu Adebayor. Handed a start and the chance to impress, he failed to take it. The less said the better to be honest, but I can't imagine he's done his chances of starting a premier league game soon any good.
All in all, an unsatisfactory point to be honest. It's not a bad point, it just doesn't feel like much right now. Winning your home games is important if you want to progress in this tournament. The October tie against Lech Poznan, who won tonight, is now a very big game.
Ciao,
Richard
http://twitter.com/#!/RichardTheBurns
Monday, 27 September 2010
Very Superstitious
Kolo Toure jogs to his position at centre-back...then jogs a little bit further. He runs to the edge of the 18 yard box, and then begins to jog across the "D". Once he gets to the corner of the D, he makes a diagonal run to the touchline and corner of the box and plants his feet firmly into the ground. He looks up to his left and applauds the City fans in front of him. Then he turns to his right and offers a slightly less enthusiastic clap to the away fans.
That is exactly what has happened at every game Kolo Toure has played at the City of Manchester Stadium in the last year. It seems he is the superstitious type.
It's not just Kolo - football is littered with superstitous players and managers. Paul Ince famously used to leave his shirt off until he was out of the players tunnel; Fabien Barthez required a kiss on the head from Laurent Blanc before he was ready to play for France at World Cup '98; David James goes to a urinal, waits until it's empty and spits at the wall for good luck before a match (yes, really).
So...why? What makes a professional athlete, who has spent the whole week preparing physically and tactically for a game, spit at a wall for good luck? Anything to give them that extra edge I suppose, even if to the rational thinker their rituals are meaningless and bizarre.
Wonderfully, though, the football fan is rarely a rational thinker. And so we have it that football supporters the world over have dreamt up their own quirky superstitions. This seems even more hopeless because we have no influence on what happens on the pitch. But that's hard to accept, I suppose, so we do what we can.
If you're interested (and even if you're not), here are some of those that have afflicted me over the years:
* For the 2007-2008 season, I would have the same order from the chippy prior to every single game. A simple one, this. On the walk up to the first home game (v Derby County) I ordered a chip muffin. We won. So for the next home game (v United) I ordered a chip muffin. We won. Clearly this was working so I stuck with the chip muffin all season, even after we finally lost at home, deep into December that year.
I got pretty bored of that though - I don't think I've had a chip muffin since May 2008!
* Slightly more simple is taking the same route to every home game. That may seem logical, but the route taken is not necessarily the quickest one. If, for any reason, circumstance ever forces us in a different direction then I can't shake the feeling that we will lose. Strange? Yes. Rational? Certainly not.
* My entrance for every home game is entrance J. Those of you who have been to the City of Manchester Stadium will know that at each entrance, there are several turnstiles. Not for me. All but one of those turnstiles is effectively obsolete. I will always take the turnstile to the far left. There may be a queue there, whilst all the others are empty, but it makes no difference. No matter how hard the stewards try to make me use a different one, it won't happen. For if I do, City will lose, and I am not prepared to bear that responsibility.
The beauty of it is that almost everybody has their matchday routine, their special matchday underpants or a special pre-game drink.
Does it make a difference? Of course not. But are we supposed to turn up and think we can't help? It's nice to feel you're contributing in some way, right?
So, The Sheikh can spend what he wants and Mancini can do as he pleases in training, but if I don't use my lucky turnstile, my Auntie stops drinking out of her lucky City cup on matchdays and Kolo Toure stops doing his lucky ritual then we've no chance of breaking the top four.
Right?
Ciao,
Richard
http://twitter.com/#!/RichardTheBurns
Sunday, 26 September 2010
City v Chelsea - Post Match
You'd be forgiven for thinking that yesterday, City would be facing an impossible task. Merely turning up to make up the numbers. Of course, most journo's and pundits acknowledged that City would be Chelsea's "first real test", but most seemed to be using the line just to have something to say. Most didn't really expect Chelsea to slip up. And who could really blame them? They have been in fine form. Though I might add that anybody who thinks Chelsea have yet to face a "test" does not really understand the Premier League. The same West Brom team that were swept aside by Chelsea on the opening day yesterday won at Arsenal. To steal a cliche then, there are no easy games in the Premier League, no matter how much Chelsea do to try and contradict that saying.
But if Chelsea were the unstoppable force, yesterday City were the immovable object. For all Chelsea's huff and puff, City's door was never going to be blown down. I'll admit to having my concerns prior to the game. I needn't have worried. The same City team that played the perfect Jeckyll and Hyde game against Sunderland (great in the first half; poor in the second) and failed to convince despite picking up three points at Wigan, stepped up their game yesterday.
I should've known. We always do it. I shouldn't have been surprised when Carlos Tevez broke from the half way line and placed a perfect shot through Ashley Cole's legs, past Petr Cech, clipping the inside of the post before hitting the net.
I shouldn't have been surprised when perfect tackle after perfect tackle thwarted every Chelsea attack, eventually forcing Essien into weak long range efforts.
That one goal sealed a thoroughly deserved win then, our third successive victory against The Best Team in the Country.
So, here's my player ratings for yesterday. I've gone with the starting eleven only as none of the substitutes really had enough time to make an impact. Being the traidtionalist that I am, all ratings are out of 10.
Hart - 6 - Not much to say for him really. Thanks to a good defensive performance, he had little to do. He saved well from Ivanovic's rebound in the first half after the ball hit the bar, and he tipped a long range Anelka shot wide (though it was probably heading that way anyway). So, barely tested, but comfortable when called upon.
Zabaleta - 7 - Poor Zabs seems to have become something of a scapegoat recently when things don't go well. I was concerned about his lack of pace before the game but again, I needn't have worried. He was reliable throughout. After picking up a yellow card in the first half I was concerned. I thought he'd become a liability. He does like a rash challenge but he handled himself well and didn't do anything stupid. A solid performance.
Kompany - 9 - He has fully cemented his role as City's "Mr Dependable" now. He always looks calm and yesterday was no exception. This must inspire confidence in him from his team-mates. A very impressive performance and after a couple of seasons of consistent performances there are people beginning to desribe Vinnie as "world class". He's certainly getting there - he could be a rock in our defence for years to come.
K Toure - 8 - Next to Kompany, he is looking a lot better than he did last season. I've lost count of how many perfect tackles he has made so far this season. His timing has become immaculate, time-after-time he gets his foot in just as the opponent is about to pull the trigger. We look to have found our defensive partnership for the season.
Boyata - 8 - I've been impressed by him every time I've seen him (well, with the exception of the Hull away game last season, but we'll forgive that). Yesterday was, as far I remember, his first game at right back in the first team. He handled it well. I've thought for a while now he's going to be a star, and after being in his pocket all game, I reckon Didier Drogba would agree with me. The only thing that costs him an extra mark is the odd moment of inexperience - the tackle that earned him a yellow card in the second half being an example. But we won't dwell on that, he was excellent.
Milner - 7 - Earns his mark for work rate more than end product yesterday. He worked tirelessly for 90 minutes and was up and down the left touchline all game. Few crosses found their target and a few attempted tricks and flicks failed but I'm liking what I see so far.
Barry - 8 - So far this season I have found myself having to eat my words after nearly every game. Last season I was not impressed by Gareth Barry (I made this clear on the Imagine FM Bluemoon Show earlier in the season). I am pleased to say though that he looks a different player this season. Yesterday he showed just how good his vision was, picking out inch perfect passes time and time again and doing a good job of breaking up play.
De Jong - 8 - Imperious. As ever. There's not too much to say here. He goes on the pitch and does his job. Does anybody in world football execute a slide tackle as well as Nigel? He is looking increasingly composed on the ball as well, he is perhaps more skillful than we've previously been allowed to see.
Silva - 8 - His best performance yet. Any concerns about how he'd handle the physicality of the Premier League have surely been banished. He may be slight but he showed just how well he can handle himself. His creative play was excellent and offered a great link between defence and attack. I look forward to seeing him grow into the role in the next few games.
Y Toure - 7 - Not an eye-catching performance in my opinion, but he was solid. Little more to say than that to be honest.
Tevez - 8 - As you would expect, he battled well against physical defenders and as ever, combined it with more than a little skillful play. His goal was excellent. Continues to be worth his weight in gold.
Well, there we have it. That's my little match review.
To steal another cliche, beating Chelsea is excellent. It's how we back it up against Newcastle and Blackpool that will really tell us where we are as a team though. Here's hoping for positive results against Juventus and Newcastle then.
Ciao,
Richard
http://twitter.com/RichardTheBurns
An introduction
Allow me to introduce myself a little bit. As you've probably worked out, I'm a Manchester City fan, I'm 22 and I'm in my thirteenth year as a season ticket holder and I've decided I'd like to try and write a blog. Will it be any good? Well, I hope so.
I'm about to start fairly simply with a bit about yesterday's game against Chelsea, some player ratings and that kind of thing.
So, I'll try and make it interesting and i'll appreciate any feedback anybody can offer - it's my first proper attempt at this so no doubt there'll be some room for improvement.
So...come on in and put your feet up. Please just remember to take your shoes off at the door.
