Wednesday 30 September 2009

We all can't wait to meet our saviour!!! Do we have a song for him?











I know that all of us City fans can just not wait until Sheikh Mansour comes to Eastlands, we are all desperate to thank him in person for all he has done for us.

Everyday I am hearing the same thing ' When will we get the chance to let him know how we feel', I keep saying soon enough. Really though meeting him soon is not soon enough, us City fans are passionate and really really want to say thank you to him. Of course he is a busy man and we all understand why he has not been yet.

This man has totally transformed our club and not just by spending money, behind all the money that he has spent has been a lot of thought and desire to make us better as a whole, without that the money would be no use at all.

Every area of the club has been developed from the youth set up to the better facilities for the staff right up to the big money superstars. He was expected by most people, particularly other clubs fans and the media to just come in and throw cash about like there was no tomorrow and whilst he has spent big money he has not just threw it all at signing world class players. He realises that you must build from the ground up, I mean what would be the point in having a multi million pound player when they have to train at a run down complex.

I do not want to forget about Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak in all of this, he has been the man putting all the plans into action. He is a very intelligent man who will only accept the best for City, he is definitely a believer in building City for the right reasons, as walking away from certain deals for overly greedy players in the summer proved.

I would just like to say on behalf of all City fans in case Sheikh Mansour or Khalifa Mubarak are reading this which they probably are between business meetings, that we will never be able to thank you enough but we will do our damn best when you come to Manchester.

Now do we have any songs lined up for these two great people?

Tuesday 29 September 2009

Man City 3 - 1 West Ham ( Tevez 5', Cole 24', Petrov 32', Tevez 61') *Video*

City win again and with the teams around us winning at the weekend, it was an important one if we are to stay in the hunt for the top four and even the league title.

Our first goal was scored by Carlos Tevez, Petrov breaking down the left to leave the Argentine with an easy tap in. Our second goal was scored by Petrov himself, with the Bulgarian scoring directly from a free kick. The game was pretty much wrapped up when Tevez headed home from a City free kick. Goals below!

We played quite well for most of the game last night, there were brief periods where we let West Ham have a bit of control but nothing to worrying. We were just to good for the hammers, they had no where near as much quality as us and it was that simple. Not to say West Ham didn't play some good stuff because they did, it was just that there good stuff was no match for ours.

A lot of people are talking about Petrov's influence last night, he was great in the first half but was anonymous in the second, I do think he did enough for Hughes to keep him in the team though. Tevez and Bellamy were also brilliant last night and caused West Ham countless problems, they just could not handle them. Nigel de Jong also put in another sterling performance last night and won the midfield battle by himself, there is no way he is losing his place anytime soon.

Although we are winning game after game, It is obvious that City can still get a lot better. You can see that if they wanted to they could easily go up a couple gears and when that finally happens someone is going to get hammered big time.

Good times for us blues at the moment and I don't think that feeling is going to change anytime soon, the blue machine marches on!

Goals

Monday 28 September 2009

Man City vs West Ham - Mon 28Th Sep 20:00 pm








West Ham are our next opponents, we Will have to be careful because West Ham love to play attacking football, ultimately though I think we will breach gaps that they will leave after committing men forward.

West Ham have always been a team I like to watch because they never sacrifice the way they play, they love to go forward and put pressure on the oppositions defence. The bad thing for them in that respect is, I think any team who plays attacking football against City will be punished. I don't think there are many teams who can afford to attack us because they simply do not have the quality to deal with us when we break.

Again I just think we will have to much quality for West Ham tonight as long as we don't play like we did against Fulham. West Ham have some good players but for example when you look at the likes of Parker and Noble, the form De Jong is in he will take care of those two on his own. I think that is a small example of our quality.

There is a possibility that Santa Cruz will play tonight and the way we play at times we need a big man up top, I have been waiting for this man to make his debut because honestly I was not impressed when we signed him for £17 million. Of course I hope he proves my doubts wrong and bangs goals in for us, as well as setting them up.

Man City Team News:
Stephen Ireland could miss out, he went off feeling dizzy against Fulham but it is actually a bug that he has caught that may stop him from playing tonight. Gareth Barry is also thought to have caught the bug but has recovered in time to play. Micah Richards is trying to shrug off a shoulder injury in time to be fit but may miss out. Robinho (ankle), Nedum Onuoha (thigh), Vincent Kompany (ankle), Michael Johnson (abdominal) and Benjani Mwaruwari (thigh) are all still out with injury.Emmanuel Adebayor serves the last game of his three match ban.

West Ham Team News:
Matthew Upson should have shook off a calf injury in time to play, but Jack Collison may not have recovered in time from his calf injury to play. Valon Behrami is also struggling although
Luis Jimenez looks to have recovered from a groin injury. Luis Boa Morte and Dean Ashton are long term casualties for West Ham. Guillermo Franco is in line to make his debut for the Hammers.

Possible Man City Line Up:
Given, Zabaleta, Toure, Lescott, Bridge, Barry, De Jong, Wright-Phillips, Bellamy, Tevez, Santa Cruz.

Possible West Ham Line Up:
Green, Faubert, Upson, Tomkins, Ilunga, Parker, Noble, Hines, Diamanti, Franco, Cole.

My Prediction: Man City 3 - 0 West Ham.

Worth A Bet: Bellamy scores one and Carlos Tevez bags two in a 3 - 0 City win.

Thursday 24 September 2009

Man City 2 - 1 Fulham (Gera 34', Barry 52', Toure 110') *Video*

We are through to the last 16 but oh boy did we make it hard for ourselves. We had to play extra time before finally wrapping up the win.

Our goals were scored by Gareth Barry and Kolo Toure, both goals were headers from set pieces, Goals below!

I have to say last nights game was the most boring game of football I have seen in a long while, both teams were absolutely rubbish to watch.

I have no idea what was wrong with our lads last night but as a team they were shocking, their decision making and passing were particularly poor. It wasn't like we were playing a good side, Fulham were rubbish as well.

I think the main reason we were poor was because of two certain individuals not doing their jobs again! Ireland and SWP are both proving to be weak links in our side at the moment, granted SWP was involved a little more last night than he has been lately, but he still seems to think he run right through a defender and on top of that his final ball, passing and decision making were rubbish all night. As for Ireland I don't know if his poor performances have got something to do with over training himself or what, what I do know is we need the old Ireland back!

Out of all the negatives last night City had one huge positive, Nigel de Jong! He was absolutely fantastic last night, he was all over the place winning tackle after tackle. I love to see this from players, he is backing up what he said about not being happy on the bench, keep it up Nigel.

Most important thing, last 16 here we come!

Goals.

Wednesday 23 September 2009

Man City vs Fulham - Wed 23rd Sep 20:00 pm







Next up in the cup is Fulham, Fulham have improved a hell of a lot since Hodgson took over and it will be a tough game.

The Carling Cup is a trophy that we should be targeting this season, firstly because it means ending our wait for recognised success and secondly it is an early route into Europe. It makes me laugh when people slag this competition off, it would make my day to win it and that is hopefully something we can do with our new squad.

I think tonight will be a reasonably tough game for us, I do not think Fulham are as good as us but I do think they are a very strong team and will give us a test. Fulham have really transformed since Hodgson got there and play some good football. They also have danger men and I am particularly a fan of Clint Dempsey, he works hard, he is quick, he can score and he can take people on, he will definitely pose a threat to us tonight if he plays.

Honestly I think we can comfortably win this game, when I say that I do not want to disrespect Fulham because they are a good team. I just think that we will have to much for them going forward and apart from Dempsey I don't see anyone in their team that will cause our defence any problems.

Man City Team News:
City still have injury problems, Robinho (ankle),Vincent Kompany (toe), Benjani (thigh), Nedum Onuoha (thigh) and Michael Johnson (abdominal) are all out. Roque Santa Cruz may make the squad, but is unlikely to. Tevez is expected to be rested which could see Martin Petrov or hopefully Vladimir Weiss come in. Emmanuel Adebayor is serving the second game of his three match ban.

Fulham Team News:
Hodgson is set to put a second string squad out for the game with the likes of
Simon Davies, Jonathan Greening, Diomansy Kamara, Zoltan Gera and Bjorn Helge Riise all expected to get a chance to impress.

Possible Man City Line Up:
Given, Zabaleta, Bridge, Toure, Lescott, De Jong, Barry, Ireland, Wright-Phillips, Petrov, Bellamy.

Possible Fulham Line Up: Stockdale, Baird, Kelly, Smalling, Pantsil, Greening, Riise, Davies, Nevland, Gera, Kamara.

My Prediction: Man City 5 - 0 Fulham

Worth A Bet: Bellamy scores a hat trick in a 5 - 0 City win.

Sunday 20 September 2009

Man Utd 3 - 3 Man City, Martin Atkinson 1 - 0 Man City! *Video*

Man City scorers: Barry 16', Bellamy 62', 90'. Man Utd scorers: Rooney 2', Fletcher 49',80, Referee 90 + 45'. Goals and highlights below!

City drew after extra time at Old Trafford today, they did however lose it in extra extra extra time.

We were absolutely robbed of a point today, the referee allowed play to continue for over a minute and a half more than it should have. I am not saying we were robbed because we deserved anything from the game because we didn't although scoring 3 goals at Old Trafford is maybe worth a point, I am saying we were robbed because the referee was clearly playing on until United scored and that is the truth about what happened. He also gave a free kick that never was in my opinion for Utd to go on and score from the resulting set piece.

City were not all there again today, we were very sloppy and repeatedly lost possession, when will Hughes teach them to put their foot on the ball and slow things down? We can learn from this game today, Utd were way better than us in every single department and we should look at them and say that's what we need to be doing.

It is time that Hughes finally drops two of our big names, SWP and Ireland were being carried again today and contributed absolutely nothing. De Jong is playing well so I say keep him in midfield, wait for Robinho to get fit and bring in both him and Weiss. SWP is just not good enough at the moment, he seems to think he can run through players rather than have to take them on and as for Ireland there isn't a couple of faults with him, he looks like a man that has never played football before.

I think we can take lots from this game, I mean after all we did score 3 good goals goals at Old Trafford which is a hard task in it's self. We should keep our heads up and be ready for the next game, because we can finish high up this league if we want to!

Goals and highlights.

Saturday 19 September 2009

Man Utd vs Man City - Sun 20Th Sep 13:30 pm







The first derby of the season is here and you know what, I am not scared in the slightest.

I will admit that on derby days gone by I have been nervous, not nervous of being defeated but nervous because of the possible hammering you can get off a team like Man Utd. This is not the case this time round, I am convinced that we can beat Utd.

Utd fans will have you believe that they are not frightened of our talented squad, but they are. I am not saying that we will definitely win because when anyone comes up against Utd you just can't possibly say that, but what I will say is that we are not bothered about them anymore and can match them in quality.

Now to forget about the City vs United rivalry, this game is another good test for us. United are still a strong team, people try and convince themselves that they will not be as good without Ronaldo and it is just not the case. United are still a strong, slick, organised team and if you give them the chance they will punish you without question. We must work hard and match them in every area of the pitch, we have to hurry them and make them make mistakes, it is basic stuff but will be key to beating and organised side like Man Utd.

I think after tomorrows game win or lose, we will be able to evaluate our title potential. If we go to Old Trafford and get played off the park then I think we have no chance, if we can compete then I may start thinking that fiver I bet on a league win is looking good.

United's players are just men, our players just need to be better men on the day! City til I die!!!!

Man City Team News:
Roque Santa Cruz (knee), Vincent Kompany (ankle/foot), Michael Johnson (hip) and Benjani (thigh) are all still out. Robinho misses out with an ankle injury and Stephen Ireland is carrying a knock, but he is expected to play. Carlos Tevez is doing all in his power to be fit, City will decide right before the game if he can play or not. Adebayor is suspended for kicking Robin Van Persie in the face.

Man Utd Team News:
Ferdinand is expected to miss out after he aggravated his groin injury against Spurs and Edwin Van der Sar (hand), Rafael (shoulder), Owen Hargreaves (knees) and Gabriel Obertan (back) are all definitely out. Giggs may return to the team in place of the suspended Scholes and Berbatov may come back in to partner Rooney up front.

Possible Man City Line Up:
Given, Richards, Bridge, Toure, Lescott, De Jong, Barry, Ireland, Wright-Phillips, Zabaleta, Bellamy.

Possible Man Utd Line Up:
Foster, O'Shea, Evans, Vidic, Evra, Nani, Fletcher, Anderson, Valencia, Berbatov, Rooney.

My Prediction: Man Utd 0 - 2 Man City

Worth A Bet: Gareth Barry scores for City in a 2 - 0 win.

WE'RE NOT REALLY HERE!

Magical Derby day moments! *Videos*

With the derby closing in, I thought I would remind City fans of some of derby's when City have come out on top and I also wanted to make sure that everyone knows that it could very easily happen again!!! Come on you blues!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!






Sunday 13 September 2009

Man City 4 - 2 Arsenal *Video* ( Richards 19', Van Persie 62', Bellamy 73', Adebayor 79', Wright-Phillips 84', Rosicky 87')

Well unsurprisingly we won again, I mean jeez give these other teams a chance I feel bad for them, joke! Seriously another very pleasing win today against one of the leagues better sides.

Our first goal today was scored by Micah Richards, who had a good game all round. He headed home Gareth Barry's free kick, next to score for city was Craig Bellamy, Micah turning provider for Bellamy to hit home. Then came the sweetest goal, Adebayor heading home from an SWP cross before running the length of the pitch to celebrate in front of the Arsenal fans. It was SWP who wrapped up our scoring with a nice chip over Almunia from close range. *Goals Below*

All in all I think that both teams were actually quite evenly matched today, the main difference was that we put our chances away. We were a bit frustrating at times again today, we just seem to let teams put pressure on us and do not seem to worry when they are. I really wish we would settle on the ball a bit more, I think if we did we would win games more comfortably.

There was some good individual performances today and if it wasn't for Gareth Barry's performance an Nigel De Jong's, then we could have been beat. De Jong got tired in the second half but was superb in the first and as for Barry well he is just simply immense. Both players were carrying SWP and Ireland through the game today, they were both non existent, SWP might have masked his terrible display with his assist and goal but he was far from Premier League standard for most of the game.

Adebayor was also good today as was Bellamy who worked extremely hard down the left hand side. I would also like to mention Wayne Bridge who seems to be consistently getting better and better, his defending and his attacking are miles better than the Bridge we have seen since we brought him in to the club.

Another win and on we go, we should be full of confidence going to Old Trafford.

Goals.

Friday 11 September 2009

Awesome City Video!

I was just watching City videos as per usual on YouTube and found the following video, I liked it and thought it was worth sharing.

Man City vs Arsenal - Sat 12Th Sep 15:00 pm






The time has come for City to play one of the Premier Leagues big boys, Arsenal will be a good test and I am looking forward to properly seeing how far we have come.

I have to say for the first time in a long time I am actually confidently looking forward to playing one of the Leagues best teams. We are in good form and I don't see what we have to be scared about when we play Arsenal, obviously they are no Wolves or Portsmouth but I think that our squad is every bit as good as theirs.

Arsenal are still a flair team and love to play with the football on the floor, this is what we must stop, as well as hitting them with our own flair. It all comes back to my favourite approach to football and that is hard work, we have to work hard when Arsenal are in possession and when we are in possession. If we close down Arsenals key men quickly and efficiently then they will have no where to go, equally we must work hard when going forward. I think if we do break on them in full flow that they will not be able to keep us from scoring. I don't think Arsenals defence is top notch and I am sure that there will be chances where we can score.

Man City Team News:
Carlos Tevez is out after picking up an knee Injury against Brazil, Robinho is also a doubt after getting injured in the same game. Vincent Kompany and Roque Santa Cruz are thought to be close to full fitness but may not be rushed back into the fold just yet. Micheal Johnson is still struggling with an abdominal injury, Sylvinho may make the bench or even make his debut down the left if Robinho is indeed going to miss out.

Arsenal Team News:
Tomas Rosicky played for his country in midweek but may not ready to return to Arsene Wenger's team, Theo Walcott has returned to training but is also not likely to feature. Andrey Arshavin got injured playing for his country and joins Johan Djourou (knee), Samir Nasri (broken leg) and Lukasz Fabianski on the treatment table. Cesc Fabregas is likely to return from injury for Arsenal.

Possible Man City Line Up:
Given, Richards, Toure, Lescott, Bridge, Wright-Phillips, Ireland, Barry, Weiss, Adebayor, Robinho.

Possible Arsenal Line Up:
Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Clichy, Denilson, Song, Bendtner, Diaby, Eboue, Van Persie.

My Prediction: Man City 2 - 0 Arsenal.

Worth A Bet: Stephen Ireland scores first in a 2 - 0 City win.

Wednesday 9 September 2009

Weiss needs putting on a big contract now!!!! *Video*

Typical of the way I am, I was more interested in watching Vladimir Weiss tonight than I was in watching England. I was eager to see again how he would handle full International level and he did not disappoint me!

Weiss started for Slovakia against Northern Ireland tonight and was absolutely fantastic, he lit the game up with his skill and class. Weiss was by far the best player on the pitch and was the main reason Slovakia won the game.

He has progressed a lot since I first ever seen him as a skinny teenager, he has finally started to bulk up a little and can now compete physically with the seasoned pros.

Weiss has been showing his potential for years and I think that it is time he got his chance in our first team. SWP is not on top of his game and I think it is time for Hughes to show him he isn't irreplaceable, and with Weiss looking more and more ready for action I don't think that it will be a bad decision at all.

I think that City need to go a little bit Spanish with Weiss and give him a long contract at least a 6 year deal, with a huge buy out clause. I 100% genuinely believe that Weiss can be the best player in the world at some point in his career and how great would it be for that to happen to him well playing for the Club where he has come through the ranks.

As City fans I think we should make it known that Weiss needs a new contract sooner rather than later!

*No video of performance against Northern Ireland available at the moment will add if one does pop up.

Vladimir Weiss at International Level.

Tuesday 8 September 2009

All Platini's doing?

City have been reported to FIFA over the signing of promising youngster Jeremy Helan. Rennes have made the complaint, this recent complaint follows the ban on Chelsea and Man Utd being reported.

I find it strange that it has took Rennes so long to complain about the way we signed Helan, is it a coincidence that Platini hates English clubs and all of a sudden all these French clubs are complaining about the way their youngsters have left them?

I think that FIFA should be ignoring these claims months after the transfer has been completed, surely if you were that disgruntled you would inform FIFA immediately.

I think maybe FIFA should look into what Platini may have been up to, I would not be surprised if he was the driving force behind these clubs claims.

Wednesday 2 September 2009

Richard Dunne - Mr Manchester City! *Video*












Today has seen Richard Dunne leave City, Dunney has joined Aston Villa.

I think that Dunney leaving City should be viewed as a sad day for all concerned. I am only in my early twenties and have never seen our true greats of the past play live, but for the players I have seen play during my era, I think Dunney has been a hero and a legend in his own right.

I know a lot of people will totally disagree with me about Dunney being a legend, but to be honest that's how I view his time at City and I stick by it. Dunney never ever put a City shirt on without knowing he was going to give all he had when he stepped on the pitch, he made mistakes at times (mainly because he had to cover someone else) but you could not question his commitment to our Club.

I am really going to miss watching Dunney's full blooded tackles, his ball hoofing and watching him steam past people with his deceiving pace. It is going to be weird not seeing Dunney walk on to the pitch after all these years, I guess it is something we will have to get used to as our club moves forward.

Richard won many Player of the year awards at City, well I say Richard Dunne player of the last decade!

Goodbye Dunney, you will be greatly missed, but will always be more than welcome at Manchester City Football Club.

Dunney Monster!

Tuesday 1 September 2009

A summary of all our comings and goings!

This summer we have seen huge amount of change in playing staff, here is a summary of who has come and gone.

First Team In. Player Name/Team From
Flag of EnglandGareth Barry - Aston Villa
Flag of ParaguayRoque Santa Cruz - Blackburn Rovers
Flag of England Stuart Taylor - Aston Villa
Flag of Argentina Carlos Tevez - Unattached
Flag of Togo Emmanuel Adebayor - Arsenal
Flag of Côte d'IvoireKolo Toure - Arsenal
Flag of Brazil Sylvinho - Free Agent
Flag of England Joleon Lescott - Everton

Reserves And Academy In.
Flag of Germany Loris Karius - VfB Stuttgart
Flag of Germany Nils Zander - Schalke 04
Flag of Spain Joan Angel Roman Olle - Espanyol


First Team Out. Name/New Team
Flag of England Danny Mills - Retired
Flag of England Daniel Sturridge - Chelsea
Flag of England Darius Vassell - Ankaragucu
Flag of Germany Dietmar Hamann - Free Agent
Flag of England Micheal Ball - Free Agent
Flag of Brazil Glauber Berti - Free Agent
Flag of Switzerland Gelson Fernandes - Saint Etienne
Flag of Wales Ched Evans - Sheffield United
Flag of Brazil Elano - Galatasaray
Flag of Denmark Kasper Schmeichel - Notts County
Flag of Israel Tal Ben Haim - Portsmouth
Flag of Ireland Richard Dunne - Aston Villa/ Expected to go through soon.

Reserves and Academy Out.
Flag of England Matthew Brown - Free Agent
Flag of Ireland Ian Daly - Aris Thessaloniki
Flag of England Gregory Hartley - Free Agent
Flag of England Richard Martin - Yeovil Town
Flag of England Ben Morris - F.C. United
Flag of Northern Ireland Chris Ramsey - Free Agent
Flag of Cyprus Angelos Tsiaklis - Free Agent
Flag of Slovakia Filip Mentel - Free Agent
Flag of Hungary Berna Hovath - Free Agent
Flag of Hungary Peter Varga - Free Agent
Flag of Poland Adrian Cieslewicz - Wrexham
Flag of Slovakia Igor Paldan - Free Agent
Flag of England Gary Nolan - F.C. United
Flag of Norway Abdi Ibrahim - F.C. United
Flag of England Joe Clegg - Witton Albion
Flag of England Curtis Obeng - Wrexham


First Team Loan Out. Name/Team.
Flag of England Joe Hart - Birmingham City
Flag of Brazil Jo - Everton
Flag of Ecuador Felipe Caicedo - Sporting Lisbon
Flag of England Shaleum Logan - Tranmere Rovers
Flag of Bulgaria Valeri Bojinov - Parma
Flag of Nigeria Kelvin Etuhu - Cardiff City

Reserves and Academy Loan Out.
Flag of Ireland Donal McDermott - Chesterfield
Flag of Northern Ireland Ryan McGivern - Leicester City
Flag of England Clayton McDonald - Walsall

Is there any of these players that you would have preferred to stay, or any that you wanted out?