Manchester City Thread [07/08]

[rony31]

Ball's starting to show why Sven bought Garrido in the first place... offensive liability and can be shaky at the back as well Dunne and Richards have looked off lately, especially in their marking against Arse, but we've got decent cover if one were to get injured (Onouha, and I'm sure Corluka can play the role with his size).

once again though, limp attack. Elano looked better than he has recently, Gelson was solid in the middle as was Hamann. Petrov was more average than anything, Ireland useless as usual, Sturridge looked out of sorts against big opposition, and Vassell.. well Vass was Vass, the headless chicken that he is.

oh, and not saying Arsenal didn't deserve it, but Eduardo's (winning) goal was offside, and that offside call on Vass (when he was onside anyways) where he didn't interfere with the play and Petrov broke in on what seemed like a 1-on-1 with Lehmann was bogus. you saw on the ******* fat **** linesman's face that he knew he was wrong... fat ****er ****ed us over once in each half.

 

[rony31]

we've got Benjani, and he's supposedly playing this Sunday... not sure if he's gonna be much help to be honest

 

[rhizome17]

A couple of months ago I would have budgeted for a draw with Arse, but after the last month and how we have tired out I just knew it was going to be a loss. I hope Benjani and Sturridge can breathe some new life, but it is going to take more than that. Elano needs more freedom, but Johnson is who we need back. Hopefully Boijinov can also come back and give us something new and something the other teams can't prepare for, now they have worked out our attacks are either through Elano or down the left...

Still, UEFA spot will suit me fine.

 

[rony31]

UEFA spot would be beautiful, but it's much closer than it was before the New Year SGE says if Caicedo's fit, he might make an appearance against Manure as well... wanna see what this kid's got

 

[rhizome17]

UEFA spot would be beautiful, but it's much closer than it was before the New Year SGE says if Caicedo's fit, he might make an appearance against Manure as well... wanna see what this kid's got

lets throw everything at them. what have we got to lose? its not a game we will have budgeted for points on, so lets go down fighting and get respect for how we play. i want to see a fighting performance, something that has been lacking lately. who knows, lets pull of the upset on their big day...

 

[Help?]

What can i say? Congrats, at least one team showed up.

 

[rony31]

what a ******* display... played as well as we have all season away, thought for sure we'd be on the backfoot for the entire 2nd half but we held possession well and held our own. Benjani looks the goods up there by himself, very strong and holds the ball up well, gonna be even better when Elano gets back. what a win, do the double for the first time since 1970 I believe.. BLUE MOON!!!

 

[MikeyM]

I am a Man Utd fan, I am heartbroken over the half assed display United showed - but I just had to say to you guys that the away section at Old Trafford were a credit to your club and football. The minutes silence was impeccably observed and showed real class from the City support.

For that, this United fan salutes you, thank you.

 

[rhizome17]

what a ******* display... played as well as we have all season away, thought for sure we'd be on the backfoot for the entire 2nd half but we held possession well and held our own. Benjani looks the goods up there by himself, very strong and holds the ball up well, gonna be even better when Elano gets back. what a win, do the double for the first time since 1970 I believe.. BLUE MOON!!!

He certainly does - I am astonished and was expecting a loss given the occasion, but maybe it was this derby game that we needed to get back into winning ways...

How about a minutes silence before every game?

GLad to see the fans respected it today, keeps the focus on footballing matters and not unwanted and unneeded attention.

 

[rony31]

apparently there were a few City support groups outside the stadium and loud bangs were heard during the minute of silence... but inside the stadium was perfect

 

[Schweinsteiger]

I was wondering what that banging sound was during the minute silence! The game was played in the right spirit - BUT what a WIN!!

Pity we let in that late goal - as 3-0 in two clashes would have looked better. But now I'm just being picky.

Dunne was amazing at the back. In fact, all the defenders played their part.

 

[rony31]

Ronaldo got absolutely manhandled today.. Micah, Dunne, Ball, Onouha, Gelson and Didi just drowned out Manure's attacks and limited their chances, it was amazing to watch

 

[rony31]

more good news today... Bojinov came on as a sub for the reserves and scored the equalizer, first action since his injury. also, Johnson started and played half the game before being subbed off and looked in no obvious discomfort. 2 weeks until we get Everton at home, a match with European implications, so getting those 2 some match practice with this time will be huge.

 

[Deisler]

Didi Haman

 

[Zakov]

been watching city a lot this season, i have to say Fernandes has impressed me most recently with his performances, what do u guys reckon the team would be like once you have Elano and Johnson back?
just curious, and thanks for beating Utd, too bad we couldn't capitalise XD

 

[rhizome17]

Having Johnson back will be great, he was one of the star performers early in the season. With Elano, things became a bit difficult when he was being played out of his normal position due to injuries to other payers so we need him in the playmaker role where he is most effective. If we are going to play 451 with him in the hole then that is fine, but I am not entirely convinced he is at his best in a 442.

I think that the second most important return to action is Boijinov, because we will be able to see what we have missed since he was injured. But it is definitely a timely occurrence that Boijinov, Elano, Johnson and Castillo are all returning to action. Gives us a good chance to mix things up in the last few months of action and buffers us against other injuries. I think the likes of Vassel and Mpenza will slowly fade out of action again, although at least Vassell is putting a few goals away.

 

[rony31]

if we do play 451, who's gonna play where when Elano returns? will Elano play the right wing or that 2nd striker position he played at the start of the season? if so who starts on the right? Vass? can Bojinov play the role? not entirely sure how it's gonna work out, but having everyone back is a huge boost, our bench gets a lot more depth

 

[rhizome17]

Earlier in the season I think it was Ireland who started on the right with Elano in the withdrawn striker role... it is still a problem position for us so it is likely Ireland or Vassell will start there depending on form. But given the number of strikers available I can also envisage a more 433 formation, something like this, with Garrido, Onouha and Ireland getting chances dependning on when others get a rest.:

Hart

Corluka/ Dunne/ Richards/ Ball

Hamaan
Elano Johnson


Boijinov Benjani Petrov


SUBS Schmeichel/ Onouha/ Garrido/ Gelson/ Castillo

 

[rhizome17]

Whilst the pundits would have people believe that Scum vs. Noocastle is the game of the weekend, from the point of view of the table it is actually our game that will have more consequence. Everton will come out fighting to keep their possie but hopefully they will be a bit tired from the game in the UEFA cup and we can breathe some fresh life into our campaign after the United victory and the return of injured absentees to the squad. Pool should beat Middlesborough, so I am hoping Reading can at least hold Villa to a draw at the Madjeski and we can put Everton away. THat will leave Pool, Everton and ourselves tied on 47, although we really need to work on our goal difference to press on from there or hope someone near us starts to slip up in the final run of the season. At least we don't have cup games to worry us like Pool or Everton, and Villa are more prone to surprise losses than we are so fingers crossed...

 

[rony31]

ugh, 3pm Monday game... should I skip my 2-4pm lab and head home early to catch the game?