Tuesday 30 December 2008

THE 12 DAYS OF CITY (INSTEAD OF CHRISTMAS, GET IT?)
I thought I would introduce a little bit of belated festive cheer as we head into a no doubt frantic transfer window by sharing the 12 days of Christmas, sorry City, with all you fellow Blues. Take a deep breath...
“On the first day of Christmas my City gave to me, Mark Hughes’ job at City.

On the second day of Christmas my City gave to me, Robinho dancing and Mark Hughes’ job at City.

On the third day of Christmas my City gave to me, three Brazilians, Robinho dancing and Mark Hughes’ job at City.

On the fourth day of Christmas my City gave to me, Uwe chipping Schmeichel, three Brazilians, Robinho dancing and Mark Hughes’ job at City.

On the fifth day of Christmas my City gave to me, five Shaun Goaters… Uwe chipping Schmeichel, three Brazilians, Robinho dancing and Mark Hughes’ job at City.

On the sixth day of Christmas my City gave to me, Kinkladze versus Southampton, five Shaun Goaters… Uwe chipping Schmeichel, three Brazilians, Robinho dancing and Mark Hughes’ job at City.

On the seventh day of Christmas my City gave to me, Weaver’s saves at Wembley, Kinkladze versus Southampton, five Shaun Goaters… Uwe chipping Schmeichel, three Brazilians, Robinho dancing and Mark Hughes’ job at City.

On the eighth day of Christmas my City gave to me, Bell, Lee and Summerbee, Weaver’s saves at Wembley, Kinkladze versus Southampton, five Shaun Goaters… Uwe chipping Schmeichel, three Brazilians, Robinho dancing and Mark Hughes’ job at City.

On the ninth day of Christmas my City gave to me, nine Sheikh’s shaking, Bell, Lee and Summerbee, Weaver’s saves at Wembley, Kinkladze versus Southampton, five Shaun Goaters… Uwe chipping Schmeichel, three Brazilians, Robinho dancing and Mark Hughes’ job at City.

On the 10th day of Christmas my City gave to me, 10 goals past Huddersfield, nine Sheikh’s shaking, Bell, Lee and Summerbee, Weaver’s saves at Wembley, Kinkladze versus Southampton, five Shaun Goaters… Uwe chipping Schmeichel, three Brazilians, Robinho dancing and Mark Hughes’ job at City.

On the 11th day of Christmas my City gave to me, 11 pies that Andy Morrison ate, 10 goals past Huddersfield, nine Sheikh’s shaking, Bell, Lee and Summerbee, Weaver’s saves at Wembley, Kinkladze versus Southampton, five Shaun Goaters… Uwe chipping Schmeichel, three Brazilians, Robinho dancing and Mark Hughes’ job at City.

On the 12th day of Christmas my City gave to me, 12 signings in January, 11 pies that Andy Morrison ate, 10 goals past Huddersfield, nine Sheikh’s shaking, Bell, Lee and Summerbee, Weaver’s saves at Wembley, Kinkladze versus Southampton, five Shaun Goaters… Uwe chipping Schmeichel, three Brazilians, Robinho dancing and Mark Hughes’ job at City.”
ROB-BED!
Brazilian ace snatches last-gasp equaliser for City
Manchester City striker Robinho scored a vital goal deep into injury time as Mark Hughes’ side grasped a 2-2 draw with Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.

It was Sam Allardyce’s team who took the initiative, and the lead on the stroke of half time through Benni McCarthy. Jason Roberts gave Rovers a two-goal advantage with a strong header on 84 minutes.

But City never gave up hope and the introduction of youngster Daniel Sturridge paid dividends when he scored and then set up Robinho for the equaliser with almost the last kick of the game.

The late clinical strike saved Hughes’ blushes after returning to his former club for the first time since he began his career at City in the summer. The Welsh manager had been faced with chants of ‘you’re getting sacked in the morning’ from his former fans but Robinho’s goal silenced the home contingency.

Coming back from two goals down, City demonstrated a passion, fight and desire that had been severely lacking of late. Apart from Nedum Onuoha replacing Micah Richards, Hughes had stuck with the same side that beat Hull City so majestically on Boxing Day and both teams started lively and vibrant.

It was the visitors that had the best of the early efforts, with in-form Felipe Caicedo and Robinho both guilty of missing superb chances to give City an early lead. Robinho could have had a penalty when Andrew Ouijer fouled him inside the box, but Howard Webb remained unconvinced and waved the sky blue protests away.

Rovers closed City down consistently and the visitors surrendered possession time and time again through sloppy and inaccurate passes and bad timing. Hughes’ flair players were being successfully marked out of the game and the home side looked dangerous on the break with Roberts and Brett Emerton looking hungry.

It was City’s inability to keep possession that led to Rovers taking the lead right on half-time. Emerton and Roberts linked up and it was McCarthy’s strike that gave Rovers the advantage and changed Hughes’ team-talk.

After the interval City created chances, with a Shaun Wright-Phillips’ header bouncing off the post from an Elano cross and chances from Stephen Ireland and Robinho proving to be opportunist. Hughes’ blues piled on the pressure and pushed forward. A double substitution from the under-pressure City manager saw the arrival of Darius Vassell and Sturridge to the game as City searched for an equaliser.

But with City pushing forward, Rovers struck again and increased their lead as striker Roberts headed a Christopher Samba cross over Joe Hart. It looked to be game over for City until Sturridge’s strike late on gave the blues hope. The Rovers defence looked shaky and it was Sturridge who set up Robinho, who calmly struck home to give City a much-needed point.

Rovers were well-organised and did a superb job of keeping City’s flair players at bay. But a player of Robinho’s calibre only needs one chance and the home side’s shaky defence late on made the mistake of gifting the Brazilian too much room on the left. With the Premier League being so close this season, the point for City was vital to avoid another embarrassing defeat.

Wednesday 17 December 2008

FootballFanCast.com- Robinho mentality article

WHY ROBINHO WAS RIGHT TO CRITICISE CITY'S 'SMALL CLUB' MENTALITY
Football FanCast columnist Emily Brobyn felt that Robinho was right to criticise Manchester City's ‘small club' mentality.
For years and years, Manchester City Football Club have been seemingly plagued. The football club that has an endless managerial merry-go-round with a lack of long-term stability, that spent years flitting between different leagues until finally returning to the Promised Land. Perhaps the only club that could be confirmed as ‘The Richest Club in the World', sign Brazilian Robinho and still be hovering dangerously close to the relegation zone just before Christmas arrives all in the space of a few months. Just what is going on at Eastlands?
It goes without saying that the ‘richest club' tag has brought with it not only a whole lot of money, but an exceeded amount of expectation and pressure. Glory fans have jumped on the Robinho bandwagon, not knowing really what they are getting themselves into. New chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak's first game was watching his new acquisition crush Portsmouth 6-0 in a match that can only be described as a ‘master-class' by City, sending out a distinct message to the Premier League while the January transfer window was still very much on the horizon.

Since then, it has all gone downhill faster than the takeover was sealed. Success in progressing in the UEFA Cup has proved to be a welcome tonic to inconsistency and floundering in the Premier League. City fans are yet to see any reflection of the £19 million pounds that was spent on Brazilian Jo, with the striker either keeping the substitute bench warm during games or leaving City playing with 10 men when he actually stands on the pitch.

Hughes' best signings have proved to be Pablo Zabaleta and Vincent Kompany, who have put in confident and assured performances consistently for the Blues. It has been argued how much input Hughes had in the Robinho transfer, but it is certain that without the Brazilian's goals and general creative presence in the team City would be in a catastrophic position, one far more traumatic than the current league placing suggests.

Much was made of Robinho's outburst to the media regarding City's ‘small club mentality'. "City have good players but the mentality of a small side," said the 24-year-old, winner of two La Liga titles with Madrid. "They are content with just finishing fifth or sixth. They are content with little, thinking just a draw might be good enough. What they lack is the mentality of champions. I have learnt that being second is worthless so I want to inspire a winning mentality. You can only be content with winning."

He is right, as regards City having a small club mentality. But City are not content with finishing fifth or sixth. City are not used to finishing that high up in the Premier League at all. How can a club have a winning mentality if they are not winning, if they have such a clouded and unreliable history? There is no mentality of champions because being successful isn't something associated with City. As soon as a goal has been conceded by Hughes' men this season, the players' heads have gone straight down. Confidence has been severely lacking for a club that has more money than sense.

City have been playing with a lack of courage, spirit, endeavour or passion considering players are supposed to be playing for their future. The club's much-discussed ‘soft centre' has been exploited time and again, with too much flair and a lack of grit meaning that once dispossessed in midfield, City struggle to impose their presence on games. If things are to change, signings must be made that will see money well spent on tackling problem areas on the pitch and encouraging City's mentality to adapt.

Something is missing and at the moment there is a way out. It's lucky that this season the Premier League is so close, where a draw and certainly three points can catapult a team up through several league positions. But a complete overhaul is needed, the club needs to get rid of the supposed dead wood and buy sensibly and appropriately in the transfer window. But will this be as easy as it sounds? The bottomless pit will tempt magpie-type players: who see the glitz and shine and are blinded by the zeros on the end of a cheque so much that it distracts from the club they are actually committing their future to. January will undoubtedly prove to be a month full of controversy and shock- but will City discover that money can't buy you exactly who or what you want (as already proven by Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Iker Casillas).

Is Mark Hughes the right man for the job? Has he got the guile and equipment that is needed to take City forward into a new era? Is he the kind of manager that is capable of attracting top-quality players to accompany Robinho? He lacks in charisma, he is short of endearing qualities and is always too quick to moan or shift the blame onto the referee, something that a certain Swedish manager tended to shy away from. He is also very short on people skills and seems to have got City in a rut of hoofing the ball up-field instead of playing it out from the back. Garry Cook, the executive chairman, has insisted that Hughes is the man to deal with the current situation and lead City forward, but some fans remain unconvinced.

In the current climate where chairmen demand instant success, a climate that has seen Paul Ince relieved of his duties at Blackburn Rovers after just six months in charge, Hughes is right to be feeling the pressure. He is still a relatively young manager learning his trade, but now the Middle Eastern millions have come to town, success is more or less expected at City. Considering Sven Goran Eriksson was remorselessly shown the door after a season where City finished 9th, just how long will Hughes have to turn it around and implement a winning mentality into a club that has been labelled ‘typical City' at any given opportunity. Perhaps the consistency should begin with giving Hughes a shot at being a consistent manager for City instead of making a rash decision too early and plunging the club into uncertainty and turmoil once more.

Tuesday 16 December 2008

TOFFEE NOSE-DIVE

Hughes’ Blues in freefall after last-gasp Everton winner
Mark Hughes’ Manchester City remain out of the relegation zone on goal difference after Tim Cahill’s 93rd minute winner for Everton sent all three points to Merseyside.

It looked like the unattractive game of football would end with honours even, until Cahill out-jumped Micah Richards from a Leon Osman corner to head home the winner in stoppage time.

City hover dangerously close to the bottom of the Premier League table after another unconvincing display at home, with the visitors being short on strikers themselves.

The first half was a very open affair, with Everton having the first chance after just nine minutes. Mikel Arteta’s fierce 25-yard free kick hit the bar and Marouane Fellaini’s follow-up flew over the woodwork.

But City looked lively and creative, with Elano and Benjani linking up well, feeding Stephen Ireland, whose effort flew over the bar. Brazilians Robinho and Elano also forced saves from Tim Howard. At the other end, Arteta’s powerful effort produced a superb save from England under-21 goalkeeper Joe Hart.

Shaun Wright-Phillips nearly gave the home side the lead on 41 minutes but his stinging shot clipped the top of the bar and Hart was called into action again, doing well against a Fellaini effort from 12 yards out.

At the break, Hughes was forced into making a change, introducing substitute Jo who replaced the injured Benjani. Jo has been a regular fixture on the City bench of late and for all the impact he made, could have still been occupying that spot.

David Moyes’ side went close again on 58 minutes but Phil Neville’s cross was thwarted by Pablo Zabeleta. Ireland’s side-footed effort 15 minutes later was saved well by Howard.

The game looked to be being played out to a draw by both teams, until Richard Dunne conceded a corner late on. Osman delivered into the box, and Cahill sprung above Richards to head the ball past Hart deep into the net.

Both teams had gone close to taking the lead, but it was Mark Hughes kicking out in frustration at full time that spoke volumes. His inconsistent side lacked courage, spirit, endeavour and passion. Robinho was played despite an ankle injury, and had to be replaced by Darius Vassell in the second half. City fans are still yet to see anything that warrants the £19 million pounds that was spent on Brazilian ‘star’ Jo and Benjani is now confirmed as being absent from the Christmas fixtures due to a hamstring injury.

Where will City’s goals now come from? Valeri Bojinov is targeting a January comeback from injury, but that doesn’t help Hughes’ side over the festive period. Even more worrying is the lack of form from defensive pair Dunne and Richards, who are leaking goals and are both lacking in confidence. If Hart wouldn’t have been on top of his game, the score-line could have been a lot more different. Hughes has got a job well and truly on his hands now, with City travelling to Racing Santander in the UEFA Cup on Thursday, then a trip to the Hawthorns to take on fellow relegation strugglers West Bromwich Albion on Sunday

Tuesday 2 December 2008

Can I have a word?
Wow. What a week it has been for Manchester City. It's strange, but I truly thought that Arsenal were there for the taking, what with their off-the-pitch distractions at the moment- and my philosophy turned out to be correct. Robinho ran their nervy defence riot and the 3-0 score line was incredible.

Then on to Schalke in the UEFA Cup. I didn't really believe we had a chance over there, I knew confidence would be boosted with the Arsenal result, but there's no way I expected what happened. In the first 10 minutes Schalke looked to be a well-organised, hungry side. But their creative attacking left them exposed at the break, and Shaun Wright-Phillips, Benjani and Stephen Ireland were more than happy to venture forward to look lively for City. Daniel Sturridge also had a superb game. The 2-0 score was more than justified for a City team who travelled to Germany and looked composed and confident in Gelsenkirchen.

As for the derby...I really did think leading up to it we could win convincingly. But on the morning of the game I woke up feeling sceptical. Perhaps the week had just been too good to be true. But City looked lethargic and lacked hunger and passion. Mark Hughes shuffled the pack and, unfortunately, got it wrong. I thought that Pablo Zabeleta should have played from the start and Dietmar Hamann just doesn't have the legs anymore.

Much has been spoken today about Robinho's latest interview to the press. A certain tabloid red-top newspaper has completely taken his comments out of context: it's ridiculous that this 'sensational' reporting actual sells newspapers and that fans buy into believing comments like 'Robinho has slammed his Manchester City team-mates as a bunch of losers'.

The thing to do when you read an article is to look directly for the quotes, as the quotes tell the true story. Robinho is quoted to have said that 'City have good players but the mentality of a small side'. In no part of the interview does he mention the saying 'bunch of losers'. It's this kind of reporting that causes havoc within teams and amongst fans. It can initiate unwanted unrest and disharmony. Robinho is basically trying to inspire his team-mates to become better players and think like Champions if they are to attempt to compete at the highest level in the Premier League.

Keep the blue faith,
Emily
xx
RONAL-GO!

Cristiano sent off as City slump to derby day defeat
Manchester United midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off as Wayne Rooney’s 100th Premier League goal condemned City to a 1-0 defeat at Eastlands.

City, fresh from beating Schalke 2-0 in the UEFA Cup midweek, looked lacklustre and unorganised. Right from the start, the visitors dominated possession and exposed City’s self-confessed ‘soft centre’. Dimitar Berbatov, who was linked with City on transfer deadline day, forced Joe Hart into making a superb save. Chances were also created by Rooney, Ronaldo and Evra.

But it was Mark Hughes’ side that had the best chance of the first half. In-form Stephen Ireland’s speculative effort looked to be headed towards the net, with defender Micah Richards thinking the ball wouldn’t need a touch, but the effort clipped the post.

United remained determined and resolute and the breakthrough was inevitable. On 42 minutes, poor defending from City resulted in Michael Carrick being allowed a shot on goal. His effort was only parried by Hart and the ball rolled to Rooney, who delighted in tapping the ball into the net in front of the horrified home crowd.

Hughes made two changes at the break, putting Vincent Kompany into midfield and introducing controversial Brazilian Elano and defender Pablo Zabeleta to the game. Immediately City looked more interested and positive moving forward. But serious chances and creativity was hard to come by, and the home side in their anxiety to equalise, left themselves exposed at the back with United’s counter attacking.

But Alex Ferguson’s side were reduced to ten men when Ronaldo’ peculiar hand-ball from a corner left referee Howard Webb with no choice. Webb had already booked the Portuguese winger after a vicious challenge on Shaun Wright-Phillips and his bizarre handball from a corner left him seeing red. Ronaldo was very reluctant to leave the Eastlands pitch and had to be escorted off the turf and consoled down the tunnel.

This incident incited City and spurred the home crowd on. But the equaliser was not to be. In fact, United nearly doubled their lead in the dying minutes after City goalkeeper Hart went up for a corner, leaving his goal exposed. Rooney seized the opportunity and his accurate lob was only blocked by the scampering efforts of the blushing Hart. United were deserved of their win. City looked tired after their mid-week display and Hughes looked to shuffle his pack by playing Kompany in defence in the first half.
Dietmar Hamann’s retirement should surely be around the corner and, although Vassell and Benjani are industrious, they both are lacking quality in their delivery. Elano, fresh from his outbursts to the media, came on looking like he had a point to prove, but created nothing. His free kick was ballooned far into the crowd. But United’s tackling was questionable to say the least, with Wright-Phillips bearing the onslaught of Carrick, Darren Fletcher and Ronaldo. United now move to third while City languish just two points off the relegation zone.