Adebayor is coming back and so should Toure!!!

Emmanuel Adebayor is returning home from the African Cup of Nations after a terrorist attack on the Togo team bus resulted in people being killed and injured.

This is totally the right decision and I am glad he is coming back, although he is coming back he might not play for a while as there is a fear he may be traumatised.

Although Adebayor will be returning home safe there is still a worry about the other footballers who are still in Angola and in particularly for us Kolo Toure. I think that City should demand that he returns, number one priority of course is his safety but it is also the perfect excuse to get him back so that he can play for us.

I would just like to say on behalf of myself and all my readers that our thoughts are with the families of the people who were killed and injured in the terrorist attack.

Is Vieira a good signing?

Roberto Mancini's first signing has been made, Patrick Vieira was the chosen man but has he still got what it takes?

Mancini has described Vieira as a World class midfielder, there is no doubt that Vieira was once a World class player but if he still has what it takes to compete in the Premier League remains unknown.

Since leaving Arsenal he has had a lot of injury problems that have disrupted his time in Italy badly at times, saying that when he has played I personally have not seen him play a bad game.

I am pleased with the signing of Vieira, he will bring lots of experience and class to the squad and those two things will help all of our squad improve especially the younger lads. The other reason that I am happy we have signed him is just because of who he is, it's great having top class players like Tevez and Robinho at the club but when a Premier League legend like Vieira signs that you have grew up watching it feels very special.

I genuinely believe that we have made a good signing, if it doesn't work out then we haven't committed to him by giving him a huge contract and if it does work out as I think it will, then that will benefit us no end.

What are your feelings on the signing of Vieira?

Cristian Ansaldi deal could be close

A deal for Argentina International left back Cristian Ansaldi looks to be likely at the moment.

The Rubin Kazan left back has been heavily linked with a move to us for the last few weeks but with no heavy evidence to back it up.

The rumours seem to have turned into truth in the last couple of days, reports in Russia say that a fee has now been agreed and all that has to happen now is for the player to agree personal terms. I have done my own digging on how true this is but unfortunately I can't get anything more out of anyone than 'there has been contact'.

Ansaldi is highly rated and has been watched by some big clubs around Europe, hopefully if we do sign him we will see why so many clubs have had an eye on him.

Because a lot of you probably haven't seen a lot of Ansaldi I was going to put his stats up for you but Lloyd at Man City issues already has that covered, so because it is one of my favourite blogs I am going to refer you there. Just click this link www.man-city-issues.blogspot.com.

Semi Final postponed!!!

Due to concerns over the safety of the fans, tomorrows Carling Cup tie has been postponed.

This is a real let down, I am sure like me many of you had started to hype yourself up so that you were ready for the game.

The home leg of the fixture has been rearranged for the 19Th of January with the away leg being played on the 27Th of January.

Next up Scunthorpe!

City have been drawn away from home to Scunthorpe in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

The tie is due to take place on the weekend of the 23rd and 24Th of January.

A nice easy draw for us should see us progress into the fifth round.

Middlesbrough 0 - 1 Man City (Benjani 45') *Video*

Another win and clean sheet for City and Mancini sees us head into the next round of the FA Cup.

Benjani's strike just before half time was enough to see us through to the next round, Benjani's movement was good which helped Petrov to pick him out, Benjani then took one touch and slotted home. Goal below!

I have to say I was surprised with the starting eleven for us today, it was weaker than I was expecting. We went with Given, Zabaleta, Richards, Boyata, Kompany, Sylvinho, Weiss , Garrido, De Jong, Petrov, Benjani. Tevez, Bellamy and Barry all found their way onto the field which I was also surprised about considering we play United in midweek, I think that Mancini was just trying to make sure that even one nil was going to be enough to see us win.

The first half was a little poor from both teams, a lot of our players didn't really seem to know what position they were playing in and in turn that meant we were all over the place. In the second half we were a lot more comfortable and took total control of the game, Boro huffed and puffed but ultimately never made Given make a save.

The main thing that I took from today's game was how stupid Vladimir Weiss made us all look, he was awful. We have all been shouting from the roof tops for him to get a chance and he let us down, he didn't get at people and take them on as we all have wanted. I am really disappointed with him as he did not take his chance at all.

All in all another win, another clean sheet and the next round of the FA Cup beckons.

Now bring on United!!!!!

Goal.

Middlesbrough vs Man City - Sat 2nd Jan 15:00 pm

Our first game of the new year sees us travel to play Boro at the Riverside in the FA Cup, winning the FA Cup would be amazing so lets hope we get a good start on the way to achieving that.

Boro have won two games on the bounce lately as they hit a bit of form, but they should not pose a threat to us. We are also in good form and are a much superior team to Boro, I would hope that the result of this game will turn out to be a comfortable City win.

I can't really see any problems for us from Boro tomorrow especially considering their injury problems, I expect us to put in a good professional performance and get the job done nice and easy. If our good form of late continues then I expect us to hammer Boro if I am honest and lets face it, it is about time we give Boro a good going over especially after that terrible defeat at the end of Sven's reign.

This competition is another good chance for us to reach Wembley together with the Carling Cup, I hope that the players and Mancini apply themselves properly and understand how important this competition is to us!

Man City Team News:
SWP is a major doubt with an ankle injury, Ireland is going to be missing with a hamstring injury. Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor are both at the African Cup of Nations and Roque Santa Cruz is doubtful due to a calf injury. Joleon Lescott, Wayne Bridge and Nedum Onuoha are all still injured, Javier Garrido is expected to make his first start for some time.

Middlesbrough Team News:
Dave Kitson has returned to Stoke after his loan and Leroy Lita is suspended, Jeremie Aliadiere is struggling with an ankle problem. Isaiah Osbourne is ineligible and injured, David Wheater is struggling with his ankle and knee whilst Emanuel Pogatetz is also a doubt due to a hamstring injury. Seb Hines (ankle and knee), Didier Digard (back) and Matthew Bates (cruciate ligament) are all out.

Possible Man City Line Up: Given, Zabaleta, Richards, Kompany, Garrido, De Jong, Barry, Petrov, Tevez, Robinho, Bellamy.

Possible Middlesbrough Line Up: Coyne, Riggot, McMahon, Williams, Taylor, Hoyte, O'Neil, Johnson, Arca, Bent, Franks.

My Prediction: Middlesbrough 0 - 4 Man City.

Worth A Bet: Nigel de Jong scores in a 4 - 0 City win.