Manchester City v Liverpool

A very quick turnaround for City now as Liverpool visit the Etihad Stadium only 2 days after City's dramatic loss against Sunderland. When questioned about the fixture list, Mancini was clearly unhappy that Liverpool got an extra 48 hours rest before what is one of the big fixtures in City's Premier League calendar.

Kenny Daglish will be hoping to capitalise on Arsenal's loss to Fulham as a win would take them above the Gunners into 5th place, level on points with 4th place Chelsea.

Although it isn't title challenging form, Liverpool don't have a particularly bad away form (W5-D1-L3) and despite not scoring as many as at home, they have conceded fewer goals on their travels. They beat Chelsea and Aston Villa away, but also lost to Fulham and drew to Wigan in recent away fixtures. However City haven't lost at home in any competition since a rather frustrating 1-2 defeat to Everton on December 20th 2010

Suarez returns from a one match ban for his one finger salute to Fulham fans on December 5th, but also knowing he almost certainly faces a minimum 8 match suspension starting in the next couple of weeks for racially abusing Patrice Evra. Another charge of the same nature could see him banned from English association football indefinitely.

Despite what has gone on recently and even though he hasn't been in goal scoring form, he is one of the Liverpool players who can really cause problems for defenses up and down the league. Whether he causes problems through his ability to dribble or his ability to feign a foul or injury is another question.

Craig Bellamy is another player who could cause problems if he plays, and after scoring 2 goals against Newcastle the chances are he will feature. It's no secret that he didn't get on with Mancini and putting one over on him will bean appealing prospect for the combative Welshman.

David Silva, Mario Balotelli, James Milner, Micah Richards, and Gael Clichy are almost dead certs to return to the starting lineup. Kolo Toure is a possible other due to playing 2 games in such a short space of time. Mancini will be hoping these players will make the difference against Liverpool.

Vincent Kompany's return to form in recent weeks couldn't have come soon enough as this is the 1st of 3 times City play Liverpool in the next month as well as the 2nd Manchester derby of the season. Although his long passing was a little wayward against Sunderland he has shown he has a fantastic range in his arsenal which helps City attack from the back.

I really hope Gareth Barry plays, as he for me should be getting the player of the month award for December after a string of top draw performances. He is as important to the team as any other player in the squad and City really do notice the difference when he's not in it.

After a couple of disappointing results City will be looking to strike back and continue their great home form with a win against Liverpool, but this may prove to be the toughest game of the season so far.




Twitter: @MikeWalsh1880 or @mcfcDSLeftFoot
Facebook: David Silva's Left Foot

West Bromwich Albion v Manchester City: Post Match

0-0 was not the result anyone quite expected, but that's how it ended at the final whistle. After saying I hope West Brom have a go but suspected they wouldn't, I wasn't surprised when they didn't. But that result was certainly a positive one for West Brom and their main aim of not getting beat was achieved. 

City were left ruing a couple of fine chances that went begging which would have opened the game up and played into City's strengths. In the majority of previous games these chances haven't mattered as City have gone on to score several goals anyway, but not in this game. 

The first of these chances fell to David Silva on 24 minutes. Toure gave the ball away outside West Brom's 18 yard box, but as the Baggies played the ball forward Kompany intercepted the ball and hit a wonderfully weighted pass to Aguero who then put it on a plate for Silva in the middle of the box. Silva, with plenty of space, hoofed the ball over the bar. 

City had the ball in the net 10 minutes later but Balotelli's shot was flagged offside. The ball was initially played to Aguero who was marginally offside, however Aguero never touched the ball as a defender got to it first. The ball then looped to Balotelli who then volleyed it into the back of the net. As the ball was played initially, Balo was onside.

It's another instance of the offside rule either being misunderstood or mis-applied with all this first phase, second phase nonsense. It's high time it was simplified and cleared up once and for all. But anyway...

Balotelli came close to scoring in the 53rd minute. After receiving the ball from Clichy on the left wing, Mario struck a curling shot from 25 yards which beat the keeper but unfortunately for City, it didn't beat the cross bar. 

Perhaps City's best chance of the game came just after an hour as the ball was cleared from another City attack, Clichy lofted the ball to James Milner who headed it back into the box. The ball fell for Aguero who had the opportunity to toe poke it into the net but hit it wide from 7 yards out. Sergio actually thought he was offside as he hadn't seen the defender behind him playing him onside as the ball was played. Even so, as I was taught in school, always play to the whistle.

You have to give some credit to West Brom though, they're the first domestic team to stop City scoring so far this season. They created a few chances for themselves too, unlike the hapless Stoke in game prior to this.

The real reason as to why City didn't score (other than the goal that was given offside) is that City didn't have enough chances on target. Out of the 17 shots, only 4 were heading for the back of the net. Not a very good day for City on the attacking front and Mancini will have to watch for complacency setting in and weed it out should it appear. 

On the plus side though, it's the 3rd clean sheet in a row. Although I doubt anyone will be mentioning this despite creaming themselves over United's clean sheets on so long ago. 

Just short of the half way point of the season with 18 games played, City are still top of the table with a superior goal difference to Manchester United. City have also already played United, Liverpool, Spurs, and Chelsea away from home.The only team in the title and top 4 hunt that City have yet to play away is Arsenal. Everyone else has to come to the Etihad stadium where City haven't lost for over a year.

Strap yourselves in for one hell of a ride.






Twitter: @MikeWalsh1880
Facebook: David Silva's Left Foot

Manchester City v Arsenal

Another big game ahead as Arsenal travel up from London to the Etihad Stadium. The media have taken delight in declaring City's season is crumbling after falling out of the Champions League and suffering their first domestic defeat against Chelsea. All I will say to that is "pffft, get a grip and find something interesting to write about".

Arsene Wenger's side haven't exactly got off to a flying start to the season after selling 3 very important players over the summer. Their defensive record is quite shocking overall, conceding more goals than anyone in the top 7 teams.

This poor record is partly down to their complete and utter capitulation to Manchester United earlier on in the season, but they have only conceded 2 in their last 5 Premier League games. However, their numbers at the back have taken a serious hit and are without a recognised full-back on either side of the pitch.

Unsurprisingly I would say their main threat is Robin van Persie. RVP has almost single handedly kept the Gunners in the top half of the table, scoring 15 or the team's 31 league goals. And they said City relied too much on Tevez last season! I've not heard much (anything) about how van Persie has been carrying the squad from the media, and you wont do either.

Given RVP's goal scoring form, it is a little concerning that City haven't kept a clean sheet for 8 consecutive league games. The absence of Nigel De Jong has certainly showed this season as Mancini has opted for the combination of Barry and Toure in the middle rather than Barry and De Jong with Toure further up the pitch.

On the plus side of this though it has obviously enabled City to be more adventurous despite using the exact same formation as last season as we now have more quality attacking players to choose from. There can be no denying that City's ability going forward has more than made up for less cover at the back.

Talking of cover at the back, Micah Richards is set to return at right-back which is a big boost to the squad. Pablo Zabaleta is likely to move over to the left of defence as Kolarov is still recovering from injury and Clichy is suspended. Other than that, there are no injury concerns at this time.

City are once again favourites with the bookies to come out on top, and despite Arsenal slowly getting themselves back into top form and City's little blip in the league I'd have to agree with them. Arsenal will come and play football, there will be no buses parked in front of their goal. This, coupled with their makeshift defence, could play right into City's strength on the break.

And FIFA 12 predicts...

Twitter: @MikeWalsh1880
Facebook: David Silva's Left Foot

Chelsea v Manchester City: Post Match

I'm not sure I can remember the last time so many people rejoiced over a Manchester City loss. Times are changing for sure. It was certainly an exciting game to watch although the end result wasn't what any City fan wanted to see.  

It all started so well on a very wet and windy night at Stamford Bridge when Aguero received the ball just inside the Chelsea half, found his way out of a dead end and threaded a perfect ball to Balotelli who's perfectly timed run gave him the space to run at the goal with Ivanovic struggling to catch up. He still had a lot of work to do though as Cech came out to meet him and Ivanovic tried to put in a challenge from behind. Mario oozed pure class by effortlessly easing the ball around Cech and neatly slotted the ball into the back of the net. Less than 2 minutes on the clock and City were already 0-1 up at Stamford Bridge.

City totally dominated the next 30 minutes with some exquisite one-touch passing which left Chelsea chasing shadows for the most part. Even when they didn't have the ball they gave Chelsea little room to breathe, closing down players quickly and forcing errors. However, City failed to capitalise on some very good chances as well as having a very good penalty shout turned down by Clattenburg.

Silva jinked his way into the penalty area, ending up on the deck as he passed Bosingwa who stuck out a leg and made contact with Silva's knee. Clattenburg waved play on. How he could just wave play on is a mystery as the call had to be either a penalty to City or a yellow card to Silva for diving if Clattenburg felt it wasn't a penalty.

Chelsea managed to find their way back into the game against the run of play after 34 minutes when Daniel Sturridge managed to get around Gael Clichy and whip in a cross which was met by Raul Meireles. It was good movement by Meireles although the defending could, and should have been better. Zabaleta could have come closer to him (although he would have left the far post unguarded) and Yaya Toure stopped tracking him the closer he got to goal.

Meireles was lucky to still be on the pitch after that as he committed a studs high challenge either side of that goal. First he caught Silva and the calf after he was 2nd to the ball and then caught Zabaleta's knee in very similar circumstances. Only one of these was punished with a card, yet both were yellow card offences. Both sides returned to the dressing rooms with 11 men and all to play for at half time.

Things took a turn for the worse for City after the restart as Gael Clichy was booked for pulling back Sturridge just inside City's own half. A needless foul given Clichy's pace and the position of other players. He then received a second yellow 11 minutes later after a rash challenge on Ramires, leaving City with 10 men for the next half an hour.

To their credit, City defended well and limited Chelsea's chances despite the lion's share of possession they now had. It wasn't until the 81st minute that Chelsea managed to gain the lead through a Frank Lampard penalty. Daniel Sturridge's shot from just inside the 18 yard box hit Joleon Lescott's arm as he dived to block the ball. It wasn't intentional by any stretch of the imagination, but his arms were high and a penalty was given.

City put up a good fight and still managed to cause Chelsea some problems to the point that it looked as though Chelsea had the man sent off for a short spell, but it wasn't to be. Chelsea's players and staff rejoiced like they'd just secured the quadruple, as did several of SKY's commentary staff.

City have now played Spurs, United, Liverpool and Chelsea away from home, winning 2 drawing 1 and losing 1. 7 points away from home to 4 of the 5 closest title challengers is nothing to be sniffed at. Although there were a couple of disappointing performances from some players last night, the team as a whole can hold its head up high despite the defeat.

Cue the 'resurgent Chelsea' and 'the wheels falling off at City after crashing out of the Champions League' comments from people who either didn't watch the game or should really know better.

Arsenal visit the Etihad on Sunday. Although they're looking good in attack, their depleted defence may just take a beasting after the disappointment of the result last night.




Twitter: @MikeWalsh1880
Facebook: David Silva's Left Foot

You don't go to City to win trophies, apparently.

I've not really had a rant on here for a while, maybe it's because I've avoided reading everything concerning City in the morning after my 3 year old lad has unceremoniously kicked me out of bed, literally. The sound of "Dad, dad, can we go downstairs. Dad, come on dad." coupled with diggy little fingers and toes prodding you in the back at whatever ungodly hour it is, is enough to make anyone at least a little grumpy in the mornings.

Anyway... Arse 'n' Wanger just can't let it go can he? He's now well and truly joined the club of managers and fans that bang on about their illustrious histories as a put down for Manchester City.

Both Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy, who arrived from Arsenal this summer, both stated that a main reason they left Arsenal was to win trophies. Talking to a French radio station it's quite obvious that Arsene thinks otherwise;

"No it's not that... Frankly, if you compare what Manchester City has won in the past and what Arsenal have won, then you don't go to Manchester City to win titles. Players go to Manchester City because they pay much better than Arsenal."



Sacrebleu, really Arsene? The only reason they left Arsenal is for the money? I will not try and deny for one minute that money will have been a big factor, and it has been one of the main factors for a 'big' player to want to come to City until recently.

But let's face it, if someone was going to offer to increase your salary by 50%-100% for doing the exact same job, who in the right mind wouldn't take that and party (as someone once said)?

Arsenal have indeed won more trophies than City throughout their history, and certainly won more in my lifetime. But what is more appealing to a player right now?

Would you like to play for a team who can't hang on to its best players, one that refuses to bolster the side with real quality only to have yet another 'transitional' year as younger players are brought through, one that hasn't won anything for the last 6 years and doesn't look likely to do so any time soon, and lost to Birmingham the last time they even came close to silverware?

Or would you like to play for a team that not only offers you more money, but is quite clearly gaining momentum to becoming a real force in football, that not only has the ability but the willingness to bring in top quality players to help their cause as well as investing heavily in the Academy, one that has actually won a trophy recently (1 of many you would hope) and looks certain to win more in the coming years?

So once again Arsene, you wouldn't go to City to win trophies eh? Where are you currently sat in the Premier League? Now I'm not arrogant or stupid enough to say Arsenal will finish where they are now, or that City are going to win the league, but look at the facts at this moment in time Mr Wenger. City have made their best ever start to a season, sitting pretty at the top of the table having scored 27 goals conceding 6 after 8 games. Arsenal on the other hand have scored 9 goals conceding 17 and currently lie in 10th place.

Who, prey tell, looks the more likely to win titles? You can join the posse who bang on about past glories and complain all you want about your players wanting to play for a team with more ambition. Us over on the blue moon, whilst still proud of our history, will look forward to a bright future.



MikeWalsh1880

Gael Clichy: "I have made the right decision."

City new boy Gael Clichy has an interview in the MEN today that will be music to the ears of the fans who have put up with nothing but spiteful nonsense in the press so far this week (barring one other interview with Adam Johnson). 

Clichy alraady feeling at home with City

The French international defender was a bargain at £7m from Arsenal and may prove to be one of the signings of the season. He's certainly looked the part when he has featured this pre-season anyway.

It is clear that Gael has fond memories from his time at Arsenal, he was part of the famous Arsenal Invincibles and was the last of them to leave the club.

"I spent an amazing 8 years at Arsenal and I have some great memories... They have made me the player I am today - without them I wouldn't have reached this level."

"But in life you need to progress and I was ready for a new challenge. I need to push myself and that was the main reason for the move. I felt like I just needed something more and I really feel that City could be the Club to make me improve as an individual."

And as with the signing of Aguero, where fellow Argentinian Pablo Zabaleta gave him the lowdown on life at the Club, Patrick Vieira was also a big factor in Clichy's decision to move to East Manchester;

"I spoke with a few players and I spoke with Patrick as well. And talking with people at the club...you can feel that this club has the desire to win things."

After only being with City for a month, Gael says that "City can give me everything I'm looking for."

Gael also describes how he initially felt apprehensive after first signing and admits that for some players "it can even take years because you need time to adapt to your new life, new team-mates, new systems."

But despite those initial concerns he says "I already feel like I have been here for a long time.

"The lads have been brilliant to me, on and off the pitch.

"The fact that we are playing and getting to know each other every day will help our bond."

The left full back has impressed fans in his run-outs in pre-season and has linked up very well with a number of other players in the team. It isn't certain whether he will get the nod ahead of Aleks Kolarov for the Community Shield on Sunday but for now Gael is confident about his future at City.

"I am sure we will do great things and that's why I signed for City. I believe we will have a lot of success."

Lets hope so eh?

Click this link for the full interview: http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/football/manchester_city/s/1454858_gael-clichy-patrick-vieira-put-me-on-to-a-winner-with-manchester-city?rss=yes

Taking a look at the new boys.

Gael Clichy

Gael Clichy (25) completed his £7m move from Arsenal on Monday after undergoing a medical earlier the same day.

In an interview exclusive to mcfc.co.uk Clichy stated that he was looking forward to teaming up with ex-Arsenal players Kolo Toure and Patrick Vieira.

“Kolo and Patrick, I’m glad to see them bacause Kolo was the one who really took me with him, he was driving me home and his wife was cooking for me.”

Let’s hope missus KT doesn’t over feed him, we all know what can happen when missus KT overfeeds people.

“Patrick was someone great to me. He would invite me to his place. I was young at the time and I think you need people around you to help you as my family wasn’t here. Those were the two that really looked after me.”

The transfer didn’t come as a complete surprise to most as he was spotted in a Manchester restaurant on Sunday night after it was rumoured earlier on in the week that an unknown player was having a medical on Monday. Although not a surprise, it did draw a mixed response from City supporters, some of whom aren’t confident of his defensive abilities. But a quick look over the stats for last season should allay those fears.

Here’s how he fared in comparison to those who are generally considered the best left backs in the league, Patrice Evra and Ashley Cole. Clichy made 111 tackles last term (Evra 80, Cole 100) and chalked up 110 interceptions (Evra 85, Cole 51). He also only lost possession 28 times, and while that may seem a lot when you again compare that to Evra (58) and Cole (70) you realise that it isn’t.

Since being linked with City people have also pointed out perceived offensive deficiencies. Admittedly you shouldn’t expect many goals from him but last season he created 120 goal scoring opportunities and made 8 assists. Is it his fault his teammates failed to score the other 112? ;)

Anyhow, it’s clear that Mancini believes in him and if there is one thing he definitely has that Kolarov doesn’t, it’s pace, and lots of it. Hopefully they will push each other for the full back position on the left and get the best out of each other.

Stefan Savic

The 20 year old Montenegro and (now ex) FK Partizan  defender Stefan Savic singed a four year deal with City today after getting his work permit cleared by the home office. His natural position is as centre back but can also play on the right of defence.

City struck a deal with FK Partizan valued at around £6m to bring the young defender to the Premiership.  Liverpool were also interested in signing Savic. Admittedly not that much is known about the young player but here is what is available to hand:

He began his senior career with FK BSK Borca (2009-10) and had a trial at Arsenal but a permanent transfer never materialised and in August 2010 he joined FK Partizan on a four year deal.

Savic has made 53 domestic appearances, scoring 3 goals. He has also played 6 times for Montenegro, most notably in the Euro 2012 qualifier against England at Wembley where Montenegro managed a 0-0 draw.

Savic recalls the game well calling it a “historical result” for such a small country. There were 5 of his future teammates playing for England that day.

“I remember Shaun Wright-Phillips, he came on as a substitute and came on my side because I was playing right back. I had a duel with him and he is a really great player.”

It’s unclear at this moment in time how much Savic will be used this season as he will likely be behind Kompany, Lescott and K. Toure (when he returns from suspension). Add to the mix Boyata (who may eventually go out on loan) and you realise he has serious competition for his natural centre back role.

It looks likely that Boateng will leave the club as he is angling for a move to Bayern Munich who have yet to agree to City’s valuation of him. Savic looks like an obvious replacement for him and is clearly a prospect for the future.

Due to his age and the competition he faces for first team places we may see him turning out for the EDS in the NextGen Series or the Manchester Cup.

Of course let’s not forget if his football career hits the skids he could always work as a Richard Ashcroft double for opening music shops or something.