Manchester City never fail to surprise you one week losing to Stoke Rugby Football Club yet others frustratingly able to win against United, Arsenal and Chelsea at home.
So it should have come as no surprise that we pulled off one of the biggest shocks in Premier League history by defeating Chelsea four two at Stamford Bridge.
For no one before the game was thinking this is the time to play Chelsea, especially given the torrid start to 2010 that we've had.
Damage limitation was surely the best to hope for and then onto the business end of our season and the chase for that all important fourth place.
After all, Chelsea are quite simply unbeatable at the Bridge registering thirty seven from a possible thirty nine points before yesterdays game.
Yet it was our own 'Bridge' in Wayne that provided the catalyst we probably wouldn't have had to win this game.
If anyone ever tells you the media never do us a favour continually hounding our club at every turn then let this be a lesson to them. For on tis occasion, the media circus that surrounded the Bridge-Terry saga more than served to pump up the victim and his team mates.
Prior to the match the usual suspects were at it leaking supposed stories of name calling by certain Chelsea players accusing Bridge of being a "bottler" and "coward" for not answering his mobile to the Chelsea captain.
Before Christmas Gareth Barry went to pieces on his return to Villa Park wilting under thousands of boos and cries of "Judas".
Bridge on the other hand is obviously made of sterner mental toughness as he brushed off a potentially calamitous occasion with all of the world watching and put in a performance to make Fabio Capello weep at the prospect of losing two top class left backs in the same month.
John Terry on the other hand had a nightmare afternoon being shunned by Bridge during the handshakes, called a "wanker" by Bellamy and teased, battered and outwitted by Tevez all afternoon.
After the match Bellamy and Tevez, Bridge's staunchest of supporters, further teased the Ex-England captain live on Sky Sports by claiming that JT is a love rat and the whole of the Premier League know it.
The game showed doubters of manager Mancini that his tactics obviously work against the top sides, but probably nothing about his ability to motivate his players against lesser opposition.
A victory couldn't have been further from reality after the first half an hour of play with Chelsea completely dominating an ultra defensive City set up to counter attack and nick a one nil win.
As many a Blue has already stated though you can't sit back against a top quality side and not get punished. And punished City were after the superb Frank Lampard had put the hosts ahead linking up with the Chelsea forward line to shoot low past a helpless Given.
All suddenly looked bleak for Mancini's men as the game plan had gone right out of the window ....
or so it looked.
Not that the players were wanting for endeavour with each one giving a hundred percent, but you need more than that to even score at Chelsea and the heroes we needed stepped up to the plate.
Bellamy, Bridge, Given, Lescott and Barry had all been criticised by fans for their performances in recent weeks, yet it was these five along with the magnificent Carlito Tevez who took the game personally it seemed.
Only Spartan like determination repelled the Chelsea attacks and blew Chelsea out of the water with some top quality counter attacking play.
First of all, Bridge sent a long ball to Tevez, after Mikel had helped it along, who had Terry and Carvalho doing the foxtrot together as he weaved past them and slotted the ball past hilarious Hilario.
Next Bellemy received the ball from Barry on the left before leaving Mikel for dead and firing the ball past Hilario in the bottom right hand corner (are you spotting the weak Chelsea links yet!).
City fans couldn't believe what was happening and before you could feel any apprehension about an equaliser Chelsea were down to ten men.
Barry, City's new Hamman, cleverly tricked Chelsea sub Belletti and the ref into giving a penalty and Carlito Tevez smashed the ball into the net to make it three one.
To make matters even worse for Chelsea and better for City the defender was red carded and Daniel Sturridge was having no luck in finding a opening and getting clearly frustrated.
Then after the German cheat Ballack had escaped a yellow for an intentional handball in the City box he saw red for a cowardly tackle on Tevez two footed and from behind after the ball had left the Argentinian's feet.
If Ballack doesn't receive at least a four match ban for his actions then the powers that be at FA headquarters should be lined up and shot like the bent so an so's they are.
Of course Bellamy's second after an unselfish pass from Shun Wright Phillips was enough to send even the most negative of Blues into raptures before being reminded that this is Manchester City we are talking about .
For the nine men of Chelsea hit back with a Lampard penalty after Barry had caught the excellent Anelka in much the same fashion that he'd won his penalty for the Blues.
Chelsea put in a sterling effort but the nine men could n't find the miracle needed and a fantastic game ended with three gobsmacking points and fourth place in the Prem for God's own club.
Suddenly, the game against the tops sides don't look as daunting as they had done before and once again the Blues faithful have began to believe the bumbling words of Mancini when he says that City can only throw away fourth position.
One things for sure if Tevez and Bellamy can keep fit City will surely be favourites to take that final Champion's League place.
One thing that isn't however is how much yesterday's win was down to the burning passion to put one over the Chav King of Chelsea and how much was actually down to the manager's tactics.
Tevez's celebration and both Bellamy and De Jong's comments after the match suggest that the players rallied around the grief-stricken England International and refused to be beaten.
If that's the case, its a shame that Bridge's ex-missus isn't Jordan as we'd have more vendettas than Charles Bronson and Mel Gibson together could muster and more points than Chelsea!
I suppose we'll all know the answer to that come the end of the season, but I certainly hope that it is the latter of the two as we'll have that claimed that vital Champion's League spot .
Sunday 28 February 2010
Sunday 21 February 2010
City 0 Liverpool 0
A nil-nil scoreline was all these sides could muster in what was a controlled but professional performance by both teams if not the referee who let a series of challenges go unpunished setting the tone for the game.
With a place in the top four the ultimate prize for both sides this year it was understandable that the fourth and fifth sides would be playing it safe.
The pre-match talk was of a derby style battle, but it was clear from the first ten minutes that there would be no excitement just for entertainment value.
Both sides had a penalty shout that could have settled this bore-fest but luckily both were turned down by the referee.
The first half was a tight affair with very few chances created. Gerrard saw a shot saved by Given and the lively Zabaleta a deflected drive go wide of the Liverpool goal.
Of the two keepers you would have to say Pepe Reina was the busier of the two making the outstanding save of the match diving low to his right hand post to keep out a rasping Adebayor volley.
Given on the other hand was pressured at close quarters on corners more than anything else with the Liverpool defenders tasked with pressuring the only weak area of the big Irish man's game.
The second half didn't get any better with both sets of players guilty of giving the ball away so many times that one could be forgiven for thinking they'd had a wager to see who could do it the most.
Just when City were looking set to edge the wager Liverpool upped the ante by deciding to run into team mates in an attempt to claim some bonus points .
Captain Gerrard and Insua at one point bamboozled the crowd with a double dummy that ended in them doing the hokey-cokey before man of the match Zabaleta decided enough was enough in making off with the ball.
Although there were no controversial decisions, the main influence on the game was referee Peter Walton who had chosen to let the game flow from the offset.
The result was a goalless stalemate as both defences were given the benefit of the doubt time and time again much to the frustration of the watching fans.
It is strange that Liverpool picked up as many yellows as they did as the game was allowed to flow and both sides showed respect for one another.
Perhaps there we to many friends on the pitch as Argentinians, Dutch and English Internationals played with passion, but didn't exactly try to get one another sent off.
One player who could have been sent off though was Liverpool's Macherano who after series of challenges picked up a yellow and foolishly decided to slide in on Barry from behind.
The referee waved played on however and just when City fans were beginning to believe they deserved to win the game, Kompany's tired challenge on Benayoun in the penalty area was ignored as the Israeli foolishly decided to stay on his feet.
A draw doesn't do anything in the race for the final Champions' League spot, but neither side can truly say that they did enough to win this cagey encounter.
With a place in the top four the ultimate prize for both sides this year it was understandable that the fourth and fifth sides would be playing it safe.
The pre-match talk was of a derby style battle, but it was clear from the first ten minutes that there would be no excitement just for entertainment value.
Both sides had a penalty shout that could have settled this bore-fest but luckily both were turned down by the referee.
The first half was a tight affair with very few chances created. Gerrard saw a shot saved by Given and the lively Zabaleta a deflected drive go wide of the Liverpool goal.
Of the two keepers you would have to say Pepe Reina was the busier of the two making the outstanding save of the match diving low to his right hand post to keep out a rasping Adebayor volley.
Given on the other hand was pressured at close quarters on corners more than anything else with the Liverpool defenders tasked with pressuring the only weak area of the big Irish man's game.
The second half didn't get any better with both sets of players guilty of giving the ball away so many times that one could be forgiven for thinking they'd had a wager to see who could do it the most.
Just when City were looking set to edge the wager Liverpool upped the ante by deciding to run into team mates in an attempt to claim some bonus points .
Captain Gerrard and Insua at one point bamboozled the crowd with a double dummy that ended in them doing the hokey-cokey before man of the match Zabaleta decided enough was enough in making off with the ball.
Although there were no controversial decisions, the main influence on the game was referee Peter Walton who had chosen to let the game flow from the offset.
The result was a goalless stalemate as both defences were given the benefit of the doubt time and time again much to the frustration of the watching fans.
It is strange that Liverpool picked up as many yellows as they did as the game was allowed to flow and both sides showed respect for one another.
Perhaps there we to many friends on the pitch as Argentinians, Dutch and English Internationals played with passion, but didn't exactly try to get one another sent off.
One player who could have been sent off though was Liverpool's Macherano who after series of challenges picked up a yellow and foolishly decided to slide in on Barry from behind.
The referee waved played on however and just when City fans were beginning to believe they deserved to win the game, Kompany's tired challenge on Benayoun in the penalty area was ignored as the Israeli foolishly decided to stay on his feet.
A draw doesn't do anything in the race for the final Champions' League spot, but neither side can truly say that they did enough to win this cagey encounter.
Saturday 20 February 2010
Let The Games Begin
City versus Liverpool not long ago would have meant one thing and one thing only- damage limitation. How many goals would we be beaten by and 'we're not really here' come the inevitable last minute winner- for them.
Things change though thankfully and for the first time in along while now City fans are going to games full of belief and expectation. In fact it speaks volumes for how far we have come that the trip to Chelsea next week is the first league game I have feared all season.
That's not because City themselves are poor but due to the obvious supremacy of a Chelsea side that can only throw the title away in many peoples mind this year.
Things change though thankfully and for the first time in along while now City fans are going to games full of belief and expectation. In fact it speaks volumes for how far we have come that the trip to Chelsea next week is the first league game I have feared all season.
That's not because City themselves are poor but due to the obvious supremacy of a Chelsea side that can only throw the title away in many peoples mind this year.
Yet that same aura of invincibility that Liverpool used to have over most teams has vanished along with the scousers' title hopes this season and one can only wonder why it has come to this after so many years of success.
The answer of course lies in Jack Sparrow's famous question, "Where's all the rum gone?" The answer Jack of course being that the well has dried up and the replacement water stinks!
But there is more to the Liverpool mess than a few dollars as a certain Spaniard has been at the helm for more than a few years and has made some interesting buys to say the least.
Just ask any Liverpool fan how many of the current squad deserve to put on the famous red shirt on and they'll probably reach for the nearest can of Carlsberg hand a quivering.
For where quality Carling Premier once was, there is now Bud Light and well it just isn't what the passionate Liverpool wants to see.
Gone are the likes of Hypia, Alonso, Anelka (they could have kept him) and Arbeloa and in are the likes of Lucas, Insua, Babel and Riera who don't exactly make you quiver with fear at the prospect of facing them.
Its a great shame as I like Liverpool a club full of passion and a history of winning and not to mention the team that carried the fight to the rags whilst God's own club was having a kip for a few decades or so.
City now of course have well and truly awoken from their slumber and have the only unbeaten home record in the Premiership other than Chelsea.
We are fourth on merit and also have their game in hand still to play after tomorrow. So for us we still have that safety net and that should help us come the whistle tomorrow.
We are fourth on merit and also have their game in hand still to play after tomorrow. So for us we still have that safety net and that should help us come the whistle tomorrow.
It is Liverpool who should be quivering in their boots with the likes of the past it Carragher and not ready for it Insua perhaps losing a bit of sleep at the thought of facing Bellamy, Wright-Phillips, Johnson and Co.
Liverpool have everything to lose, none more so than their Champion's League status and although there are those in Merseyside playing down the importance of today's battle, come the end of May, everyone on the City side knows that this is a six-pointer for them.
For Liverpool a loss would be devastating to both morale and their top four aspirations. Of course there is also the ill-advised guarantee of a top four finish that Rafa Benitez has promised to live up to.
Most Liverpool fans must be wincing at the thought of going to City tomorrow and their players should be feeling the pressure too.
City must get at them from the start and hope for an atmosphere as hostile as a few we've been accustomed to recently.The crowd will be a huge factor as we noticed at Goodison Park and The Britannia Stadium.
It is our time now to step up to the plate and the only thing that is really missing is the self-belief. By beating Liverpool tomorrow we will have beaten all of the 'Big Four' at home and sent a message to the whole league that we are the real deal.
More importantly it will give the player the confidence they need going into games against Stoke and Chelsea away and Tottenham. For Liverpool it will mean looking over their shoulders at Spurs and Villa and playing catch up for the remainder of the season.
So let the games begin and may the best team win .. as long as they're playing in Sky Blue of course.
Tuesday 16 February 2010
Cometh The Hour Cometh The Men
Tonight is the night that City can prove to themselves, their rivals and their fans that they are the real deal and press home the first of their two game advantage over Spurs and Liverpool.
If we can win both game sit will put us closer to third place and Arsenal than the other three and perhaps change our whole psychology for the end of season battle.
To our owners it is another yardstick in 'the project', a target achieved and one that must then be maintained from that point until the end of the season.
Most importantly though, it will send out a message to the fans clear and loud that we are the new City and not that 'typical' everyday one that everyone loves to condescend.
Time and time again, the team has proved in recent seasons that it has none of the true qualities required of a team looking to cement itself in the upper echelons of European football.
Qualities such as a never-say-die attitude, a pathological desire to win and the ability to travel to deepest darkest Mordor on a cold February night to defeat the enemy in their own back yard.
Fans have been treated to a myriad of disappointment over the years, with early seasons full of promise only to see their beloved Blues fail at the business end of the season.
Under Sven-Goran Eriksson City bluffed their way through the first half of the season promising much and reaching the top of the Premier League at one point.
Post Christmas however saw business resumed as usual with an away record shouting relegation form and Sven's one-dimentional tactic found out. Fans needed a back up plan- alas there was none.
Enter Mark Hughes and another era of empty promises followed. The new and honour-bound owners were praised for their public backing of the manager and the time he would be given. City were showing signs of stability.
Early season was no walk in the park though as the new high profile City were scrutinised at every corner and results were not coming as quickly as first thought.
It was at this time Hughes' back up plan or 'blame culture' came into effect as the players brought in by former managers were blamed for the team's inadequacies and the famous 'my teams play after Christmas' line was played like a stuck record.
To be fair the team did improve, but a quarter final home win against Hamburg was the highlight when the team played magnificently in front of packed house.
Yet that magical night at Eastlands masked the true City as yet again we had lost a key game and everyone knew that the first leg capitulation was what really counted in our UEFA Cup exit.
This season another early season sprint saw City right up there and Adebayor banging the goals in for fun until his mindless actions against Arsenal saw him suspended and out of the team.
A series of draws saw the Blues lose ground on the top three and after a key loss against Spurs cracks were beginning to appear. Hughes needed a back up plan, but he had already played his card the season before and unfortunately for him Garry Cook and Brian Marwood had their own in Roberto Mancini.
After a brief honeymoon period Mancini has some serious obstacles to overcome and prove he is the man to take the Sky Blues to the promised land.
With every loss those charming stammering Italian attempts to articulate will become annoying pauses of eternity a la Scholari as patience wears thin. The inability to understand the question will not be seen as a minor hindrance but a major flaw in communication to the first team.
Some might say that a Semi-final appearance is a major step forward in our progression and another yardstick to measure our success, others will point out that we threw away a fist leg lead and capitulated in the last half hour of the most important game for thirty years.
Amidst his recent Mediterranean mumblings one thing stuck out amongst the usual incoherence and that is that Roberto actually thinks we are playing good football and very well for that matter.
Now I am a fan of Mancini and the resoluteness he has brought to our sacred club, but can he really believe that we played well against Pompey, Bolton and Stoke?
Liverpool's Rafa Benitez would have you believe City's clash against Stoke to be irrelevant in the chase for that all important fourth spot and he may be right.
For it is tonight at Stoke that the real test begins on a cold February night in the Potteries against Stoke's Rugby XI hard, physical and determined to get to their forty point target of safety.
One things for sure, if we can pull out a win against these lot, the games against Liverpool, Spurs and Co will look a thousand times less daunting to both the fans and the players.
Whichever team is chosen, it will need to be at one hundred percent and the defence focused from the offset right until the final whistle.
Viera, Toure and Adebayor will need to perform for us to have any chance of winning and I hope they are ready to sound battle cry and wear the shirt with pride tonight.
If they do Mancini can look forward to some key but winnable home games against the likes of Liverpool, Spurs and the Rags and a damage limitation plan for the campaign against Chelsea.
So boys cometh the hour, cometh the men please and a couple of goals wouldn't go a miss either.
Victory will mean several things, the most important being we will be in the top four of the Premier League for the first time in many months.
To our main rivals Liverpool, Spurs and Villa it will be a psychological victory as we stand above them with a clear advantage and home games against all of them.
If we can win both game sit will put us closer to third place and Arsenal than the other three and perhaps change our whole psychology for the end of season battle.
To our owners it is another yardstick in 'the project', a target achieved and one that must then be maintained from that point until the end of the season.
Most importantly though, it will send out a message to the fans clear and loud that we are the new City and not that 'typical' everyday one that everyone loves to condescend.
Time and time again, the team has proved in recent seasons that it has none of the true qualities required of a team looking to cement itself in the upper echelons of European football.
Qualities such as a never-say-die attitude, a pathological desire to win and the ability to travel to deepest darkest Mordor on a cold February night to defeat the enemy in their own back yard.
Fans have been treated to a myriad of disappointment over the years, with early seasons full of promise only to see their beloved Blues fail at the business end of the season.
Under Sven-Goran Eriksson City bluffed their way through the first half of the season promising much and reaching the top of the Premier League at one point.
Post Christmas however saw business resumed as usual with an away record shouting relegation form and Sven's one-dimentional tactic found out. Fans needed a back up plan- alas there was none.
Enter Mark Hughes and another era of empty promises followed. The new and honour-bound owners were praised for their public backing of the manager and the time he would be given. City were showing signs of stability.
Early season was no walk in the park though as the new high profile City were scrutinised at every corner and results were not coming as quickly as first thought.
It was at this time Hughes' back up plan or 'blame culture' came into effect as the players brought in by former managers were blamed for the team's inadequacies and the famous 'my teams play after Christmas' line was played like a stuck record.
To be fair the team did improve, but a quarter final home win against Hamburg was the highlight when the team played magnificently in front of packed house.
Yet that magical night at Eastlands masked the true City as yet again we had lost a key game and everyone knew that the first leg capitulation was what really counted in our UEFA Cup exit.
This season another early season sprint saw City right up there and Adebayor banging the goals in for fun until his mindless actions against Arsenal saw him suspended and out of the team.
A series of draws saw the Blues lose ground on the top three and after a key loss against Spurs cracks were beginning to appear. Hughes needed a back up plan, but he had already played his card the season before and unfortunately for him Garry Cook and Brian Marwood had their own in Roberto Mancini.
After a brief honeymoon period Mancini has some serious obstacles to overcome and prove he is the man to take the Sky Blues to the promised land.
With every loss those charming stammering Italian attempts to articulate will become annoying pauses of eternity a la Scholari as patience wears thin. The inability to understand the question will not be seen as a minor hindrance but a major flaw in communication to the first team.
Some might say that a Semi-final appearance is a major step forward in our progression and another yardstick to measure our success, others will point out that we threw away a fist leg lead and capitulated in the last half hour of the most important game for thirty years.
Amidst his recent Mediterranean mumblings one thing stuck out amongst the usual incoherence and that is that Roberto actually thinks we are playing good football and very well for that matter.
Now I am a fan of Mancini and the resoluteness he has brought to our sacred club, but can he really believe that we played well against Pompey, Bolton and Stoke?
Liverpool's Rafa Benitez would have you believe City's clash against Stoke to be irrelevant in the chase for that all important fourth spot and he may be right.
For it is tonight at Stoke that the real test begins on a cold February night in the Potteries against Stoke's Rugby XI hard, physical and determined to get to their forty point target of safety.
One things for sure, if we can pull out a win against these lot, the games against Liverpool, Spurs and Co will look a thousand times less daunting to both the fans and the players.
Whichever team is chosen, it will need to be at one hundred percent and the defence focused from the offset right until the final whistle.
Viera, Toure and Adebayor will need to perform for us to have any chance of winning and I hope they are ready to sound battle cry and wear the shirt with pride tonight.
If they do Mancini can look forward to some key but winnable home games against the likes of Liverpool, Spurs and the Rags and a damage limitation plan for the campaign against Chelsea.
So boys cometh the hour, cometh the men please and a couple of goals wouldn't go a miss either.
Monday 15 February 2010
Seventh Heaven
The FA are considering revolutionising the way the Premier League takes place with a new initiative proposed by Richard Schudamore.
In his proposal, Schudamore sets out a new play-off system that would enable teams finishing fourth to seventh a chance at playing in the Champion's league.
The Guardian reports that the play-off proposal was presented on 4th February, and that Richard Scudamore, chief executive of the Premier League, is to return with further details in April of this year.
Although the proposal is at an early stage there is believed to be some support from the likes of Tottenham, Aston Villa and surprisingly Manchester City.
City who look certain to crack the top four monopoly in the next year or so would find the task altogether more challenging if the changes were implemented.
There is no surprise that the traditional 'big four' clubs of Chelsea, United, Liverpool and Arsenal are against the idea and considering the amount of games the top clubs have to play in today's modern era, it would be an added strain on their playing squads.
A 14-6 majority is required for the changes to be implemented, with rumours surfacing that they could well be implemented. Although the intricacies such as the format and timing of the proposed play-off competition are yet to be agreed on.
If the new plan does go ahead, it is possible that a two-leg home and away structure might be favoured in what would undoubtedly create end of season nail-biters and yet more excitement to an already action-packed Premier League.
Obviously lucrative in practice, the revenue generated would swell the coffers of all concerned, but the overriding factor for most fans would be the obvious injustice to the team who finish in fourth place but then miss out to the team in seventh.
After all, the Champions League has already been watered down enough from each nation's Champions to its elite. Surely adding a Fulham or Everton to the mix would only serve to further weaken the mix and quality of football in what is football's best club competition.
In his proposal, Schudamore sets out a new play-off system that would enable teams finishing fourth to seventh a chance at playing in the Champion's league.
The Guardian reports that the play-off proposal was presented on 4th February, and that Richard Scudamore, chief executive of the Premier League, is to return with further details in April of this year.
Although the proposal is at an early stage there is believed to be some support from the likes of Tottenham, Aston Villa and surprisingly Manchester City.
City who look certain to crack the top four monopoly in the next year or so would find the task altogether more challenging if the changes were implemented.
There is no surprise that the traditional 'big four' clubs of Chelsea, United, Liverpool and Arsenal are against the idea and considering the amount of games the top clubs have to play in today's modern era, it would be an added strain on their playing squads.
A 14-6 majority is required for the changes to be implemented, with rumours surfacing that they could well be implemented. Although the intricacies such as the format and timing of the proposed play-off competition are yet to be agreed on.
If the new plan does go ahead, it is possible that a two-leg home and away structure might be favoured in what would undoubtedly create end of season nail-biters and yet more excitement to an already action-packed Premier League.
Obviously lucrative in practice, the revenue generated would swell the coffers of all concerned, but the overriding factor for most fans would be the obvious injustice to the team who finish in fourth place but then miss out to the team in seventh.
After all, the Champions League has already been watered down enough from each nation's Champions to its elite. Surely adding a Fulham or Everton to the mix would only serve to further weaken the mix and quality of football in what is football's best club competition.
Sunday 14 February 2010
Chelsea Headhunting
The draw for the last eight of the FA Cup has been made and City will face the most difficult of challenges if they are to pass through to the next round.
Chelsea away is the news and if we beat Stoke later this month we are certainly in for a treat at Stamford Bridge.
If Mancini's men can pull those two out of the bag there should be no one else to fear in the competition and the players can go forward in the knowledge that they will be the favourites to lift their first title for many years.
The full draw:
Ties will be played over the weekend of March 6 and 7.
City's replay at the Britannia Stadium takes place on February 24th.
The draw in full:
Chelsea v Stoke City or CITY
Fulham v Bolton or Spurs
Reading or WBA v Crystal Palace or Villa
Portsmouth v Birmingham City
Chelsea away is the news and if we beat Stoke later this month we are certainly in for a treat at Stamford Bridge.
If Mancini's men can pull those two out of the bag there should be no one else to fear in the competition and the players can go forward in the knowledge that they will be the favourites to lift their first title for many years.
The full draw:
Ties will be played over the weekend of March 6 and 7.
City's replay at the Britannia Stadium takes place on February 24th.
The draw in full:
Chelsea v Stoke City or CITY
Fulham v Bolton or Spurs
Reading or WBA v Crystal Palace or Villa
Portsmouth v Birmingham City
The Magic That Is The FA Cup
What should have been a welcome respite from the trials and tribulations of the Premier League campaign, turned out to be a lesson in heart and how not to play football.
As City have been trumpeting the importance of the magic that is the FA Cup, you could be forgiven for thinking that the City players would have been up for an encounter with home advantage and a prize of a place in the last eight.
One could also be forgiven for thinking that as we would be playing Stoke in midweek there would be certain individuals up for pressing their claims for an immediate start come Tuesday night.
In fact you wouldn't be wrong for expecting Mancini to have drilled his team in the defence of Wimbledon style attacks all week as Mancini's first game was against the long ball hustle and bustle that is Stoke City.
Finally it wouldn't be rude to have expected City to know about the only real weapon in their armoury that is Rory Delap's long throws.
So here is the odd thing, why when the whistle was blown did City disregard all of the aforementioned and consequently produce a fourth straight abject performance unworthy of a Tesco Supermarket kickaround never mind the most prestigious domestic cup competition in the world.
For once the whistle was blown, just like at Hull, there was only one City up for this fight and it certainly wasn't our lilly-livered lot.
After a fortuitous opening goal when the Stoke defence did there best impression of the keystone cops, you would have thought we'd have relaxed and gone on to win quite comfortably.
Instead however City decided to play Stoke at their own game launching high balls to the ineffective Adebayor who was bullied out of the game by Huth and Co.
With the exception of Shaun Wright Phillips, Wayne Bridge and steady, if unremarkable, Barry City weren't at the races and lost every other battle on the pitch.
Fuller made mincemeat out of Toure and Lescott didn't fair much better begging the question is the rumour about Vidic true? After all, if ever there is a team that needs a bully at the back then this is it.
When it came to a game plan, well it was either completely wrong from our Italian maestro, or the players completely ignored it. Neither scenario exactly covers City in glory in what should have been a very winnable match.
The Stoke eleven would not look out of place on a Rugby League field, yet City's answer to their 'up and at em' approach was to fight fire with ...well a small disposable bic lighter.
Out went total football and moving the ball quickly on the ground, a tactic that you'd think would be more suited when facing a back line that turns slower than the Titanic after sinking.
The result was the equivalent of taking a toothpick to a claymore fight as City were bludgeoned into a bloody mess that come Tuesday could see us shorn of yet more of our attacking options in the injuries to Ireland, Petrov and SWP.
So it was no surprise when Stoke fashioned an equaliser in fact it was more surprising that we didn't lose the game altogether.
The most surprising element of the game however was the manner in which Stoke scored. As no one in their right mind could have foreseen what was to come next, from the fans watching at the ground, to those hundreds of thousands watching around the globe.
So you can imagine the manager and the players' surprise when a veteran Irishman came of the bench and without warning threw a thunderbolt into our area out of the blue.
Captain Toure was the first to be dumbstruck standing deadly still as the ball flew uncontested into his area to be met by Ricardo Fuller's sizeable head.
Fans might be forgiven for thinking that Shay Given being an Irishman might have heard of this unknown threat forged from his motherland. Obviously not as the City keeper remained firmly rooted to his goal line as the ball sailed bast him.
So forgive me for seeming a little miffed but this Blue is wondering just what Mancini has brought to the table and what the players are doing going into the most crucial part of the season.
One things for sure and that's the next few games will provide the answers to all of these questions and tell us if another summer of wholesale changes is on the way or not.
Garry Cook's uneasy shifting in his seat on Saturday could be early evidence of just that and we are not just talking about the players Garry.
As City have been trumpeting the importance of the magic that is the FA Cup, you could be forgiven for thinking that the City players would have been up for an encounter with home advantage and a prize of a place in the last eight.
One could also be forgiven for thinking that as we would be playing Stoke in midweek there would be certain individuals up for pressing their claims for an immediate start come Tuesday night.
In fact you wouldn't be wrong for expecting Mancini to have drilled his team in the defence of Wimbledon style attacks all week as Mancini's first game was against the long ball hustle and bustle that is Stoke City.
Finally it wouldn't be rude to have expected City to know about the only real weapon in their armoury that is Rory Delap's long throws.
So here is the odd thing, why when the whistle was blown did City disregard all of the aforementioned and consequently produce a fourth straight abject performance unworthy of a Tesco Supermarket kickaround never mind the most prestigious domestic cup competition in the world.
For once the whistle was blown, just like at Hull, there was only one City up for this fight and it certainly wasn't our lilly-livered lot.
After a fortuitous opening goal when the Stoke defence did there best impression of the keystone cops, you would have thought we'd have relaxed and gone on to win quite comfortably.
Instead however City decided to play Stoke at their own game launching high balls to the ineffective Adebayor who was bullied out of the game by Huth and Co.
With the exception of Shaun Wright Phillips, Wayne Bridge and steady, if unremarkable, Barry City weren't at the races and lost every other battle on the pitch.
Fuller made mincemeat out of Toure and Lescott didn't fair much better begging the question is the rumour about Vidic true? After all, if ever there is a team that needs a bully at the back then this is it.
When it came to a game plan, well it was either completely wrong from our Italian maestro, or the players completely ignored it. Neither scenario exactly covers City in glory in what should have been a very winnable match.
The Stoke eleven would not look out of place on a Rugby League field, yet City's answer to their 'up and at em' approach was to fight fire with ...well a small disposable bic lighter.
Out went total football and moving the ball quickly on the ground, a tactic that you'd think would be more suited when facing a back line that turns slower than the Titanic after sinking.
The result was the equivalent of taking a toothpick to a claymore fight as City were bludgeoned into a bloody mess that come Tuesday could see us shorn of yet more of our attacking options in the injuries to Ireland, Petrov and SWP.
So it was no surprise when Stoke fashioned an equaliser in fact it was more surprising that we didn't lose the game altogether.
The most surprising element of the game however was the manner in which Stoke scored. As no one in their right mind could have foreseen what was to come next, from the fans watching at the ground, to those hundreds of thousands watching around the globe.
So you can imagine the manager and the players' surprise when a veteran Irishman came of the bench and without warning threw a thunderbolt into our area out of the blue.
Captain Toure was the first to be dumbstruck standing deadly still as the ball flew uncontested into his area to be met by Ricardo Fuller's sizeable head.
Fans might be forgiven for thinking that Shay Given being an Irishman might have heard of this unknown threat forged from his motherland. Obviously not as the City keeper remained firmly rooted to his goal line as the ball sailed bast him.
So forgive me for seeming a little miffed but this Blue is wondering just what Mancini has brought to the table and what the players are doing going into the most crucial part of the season.
One things for sure and that's the next few games will provide the answers to all of these questions and tell us if another summer of wholesale changes is on the way or not.
Garry Cook's uneasy shifting in his seat on Saturday could be early evidence of just that and we are not just talking about the players Garry.
Wednesday 10 February 2010
The Future Is Sky Blue
Yes its true City are in a great position going into the Stoke game. Two wins and just look where we could be.
Barclays Premiership Pld Pts
1 Chelsea 26 58
2 Manchester United 26 57
3 Arsenal 26 52
4 Liverpool 26 44
5 Manchester City 24 44
6 Tottenham Hotspur 26 43
7 Aston Villa 25 42
8 Birmingham City 25 37
9 Everton 25 35
And if you're asking then yes I am getting excited!
Barclays Premiership Pld Pts
1 Chelsea 26 58
2 Manchester United 26 57
3 Arsenal 26 52
4 Liverpool 26 44
5 Manchester City 24 44
6 Tottenham Hotspur 26 43
7 Aston Villa 25 42
8 Birmingham City 25 37
9 Everton 25 35
And if you're asking then yes I am getting excited!
Tuesday 9 February 2010
City 2 Bolton 0
Tuesday 09 February 2010, 7:45PM
City of Manchester Stadium Att: 42,016
Barclays Premier League
Referee:
Mike Jones (Chester)
Teams
Manchester City:
Given, Zabaleta, Toure (Lescott 54), Kompany, Bridge (Wright-Phillips 68), Vieira, De Jong, Barry, A. Johnson (Sylvinho 84), Adebayor, Tevez
Unused subs:
Taylor, Petrov, Onuoha, Ireland
Bookings:
None
Bolton Wanderers:
Jaaskelainen, Muamba, Knight, Steinsson, Ricketts, Cohen (M. Davies 74), Wilshere (M. Taylor 77, Robinson, Lee, K. Davies, Elmander
Unused subs:
Al Habsi, Samuel, Gardner, Basham, A. O’Brien
Bookings:
Muamba (62), Robinson (75)
A super display by six million pound signing Adam Johnson and a welcome ninety minutes for Patrick Viera were the stories of this encounter and both provided the assists that got City the three points.
Bolton simply had no answer to the pace, trickery and directness of the young England home debutante and City fans were treated to the uncovering of yet another wing wizard at the illustrious club.
A first half penalty from Carlos Tevez after Robinson had brought down Johnson and a sublime strike from Adebayor after a superb Viera pass ensured the Sky Blues could see out the final few minutes of the game.
Mancini started the game with a three man defensive midfield of De Jong, Barry and other home debutante in Patrick Viera much to the surprise of many watching the game.
City at home surely should be taking more of an attacking approach although Wright-Phillips' performance when he came on did little to suggest he is full of confidence at the moment.
Fair play to Bolton who kept knocking on the door but without Klasnic up front and Cahill at the back they are seriously lacking quality and goal scorers.
The win was enough to take City to fifth in the table on the same points with Liverpool but having played a game less.
A draw would be nice tomorrow although a Liverpool win wouldn't be the end of the world either.
Premier League
3 Arsenal 25 30 49
4 Liverpool 25 17 44
5 Man City 24 15 44
6 Tottenham 25 20 43
7 Aston Villa 24 13 41
City of Manchester Stadium Att: 42,016
Barclays Premier League
Referee:
Mike Jones (Chester)
Teams
Manchester City:
Given, Zabaleta, Toure (Lescott 54), Kompany, Bridge (Wright-Phillips 68), Vieira, De Jong, Barry, A. Johnson (Sylvinho 84), Adebayor, Tevez
Unused subs:
Taylor, Petrov, Onuoha, Ireland
Bookings:
None
Bolton Wanderers:
Jaaskelainen, Muamba, Knight, Steinsson, Ricketts, Cohen (M. Davies 74), Wilshere (M. Taylor 77, Robinson, Lee, K. Davies, Elmander
Unused subs:
Al Habsi, Samuel, Gardner, Basham, A. O’Brien
Bookings:
Muamba (62), Robinson (75)
A super display by six million pound signing Adam Johnson and a welcome ninety minutes for Patrick Viera were the stories of this encounter and both provided the assists that got City the three points.
Bolton simply had no answer to the pace, trickery and directness of the young England home debutante and City fans were treated to the uncovering of yet another wing wizard at the illustrious club.
A first half penalty from Carlos Tevez after Robinson had brought down Johnson and a sublime strike from Adebayor after a superb Viera pass ensured the Sky Blues could see out the final few minutes of the game.
Mancini started the game with a three man defensive midfield of De Jong, Barry and other home debutante in Patrick Viera much to the surprise of many watching the game.
City at home surely should be taking more of an attacking approach although Wright-Phillips' performance when he came on did little to suggest he is full of confidence at the moment.
Fair play to Bolton who kept knocking on the door but without Klasnic up front and Cahill at the back they are seriously lacking quality and goal scorers.
The win was enough to take City to fifth in the table on the same points with Liverpool but having played a game less.
A draw would be nice tomorrow although a Liverpool win wouldn't be the end of the world either.
Premier League
3 Arsenal 25 30 49
4 Liverpool 25 17 44
5 Man City 24 15 44
6 Tottenham 25 20 43
7 Aston Villa 24 13 41
Robinho Playful Artisan Or Carnie Conman
Lets go back to the good old days of the 2008/9 transfer window and City have just pulled off one of the transfer shocks of football history aligning them with such clubs as Real Betis.
Betis of course came to prominence over a decade ago when they signed arguably the last 'next Pele' from Brazil in Denilson.
The impish wing wizard had forged a glowing reputation with some dazzling displays for both club and country and 'that' Nike advert had made him into arguably the hottest property of any of the Brazilian Globetrotters.
Looking back now his time was a huge failure and some years later, after returning from a stint in Brazil, he returned to Europe to play in the Greek league for AO Kavala in Greece where he is plying his trade today.
In Greece at this very moment there are hundreds of mercenaries who after some success at larger clubs have come for the money, sun and sea.
AO Kavala, a team from one of the most obscure parts of Northern Greece, with their suitcases of money have managed to lure many of them this season with the likes of Denilson, Smolarek and Rincon eager to take the money and lap up the Mediterranean sun.
There are of course some genuine footballers. The first young loan stars like Joe Hart sent out on loan to improve themselves and come back stronger players.
The second are the unknown players from far away corners of the earth who have made it this far on hard work, luck and scouting networks like Yaya Toure from the Ivory Coast or McDonald Mariga of Kenya.
Then there are those masters of their trade who play for the love of the game and the pure adoration of the crowd al a Rivaldo who went to Greece and played his heart out for the final few years of his glittering career.
Youri Djorkaeff and Ali Bernabia were of the same mould and gave everything to the cause for as long as their legs would allow them.
Then there is Róbson de Souza or Robinho. Starting out at Santos like so many of his brethren, dancing and tantalising his way through the Brazilian Super League full of natural talent and enthusiasm.
Then the most glamorous club in the world came calling, and I'm not talking about City this time, turning him instantly into one of the most recognisable faces in world football.
Now, its at such times that people's character really come to the fore as they show their talents and intentions. After all, they have achieved a dream.
Its like a gambler winning the lottery or a chocoholic finding Willy Wonka's final ticket or maybe Steven Reid finding half a Mars bar under his couch, as these men are footballers.
Robinho has marketed himself as the golden boy of Brazilian soccer with his boyish good looks, charming smile and gentlemanly conduct on the pitch.
After a decent start, in which he scored some mesmerising goals attempting to become the world's best player, the smiling assassin saw his career stall after a series of lack lustre displays and off field antics.
Once untouchable cracks have begun to appear and even his most ardent of supporters like Pele thought it right to criticise him publicly about his lifestyle after disappointing the uber-expectant Brazilian public.
The real fun started whilst being benched at Real Madrid and the smiles and pro-Real statements of content were marred by independent and shameless self-publicizing in an attempt to find another suitor for his talents.
His 'piece de resistance' came in a press conference that he'd set up to tell his story and of course force Real's hand into selling him to the highest bidder- City.
Contrast his time at Real Madrid to his time at City so far and you can see similarities in how the little Brazilian has carried himself. At the clubs he goes to he seems to say what the players and fans want to hear.
Forget the rape accusations, late nights out and going AWOL form last year's winter break in Spain to go back to Brazil.
For there are worse examples from more contemptible footballers - Amir Zaki, Joey Barton and Marlon King come to mind.
What is much worse than is off field shenanigans are the double agent style turn of phrases the Brazilian has now become famous for.
The latest tour to Abu Dhabi being an excellent example, when he was pictured meeting the club's hierarchy all airs and graces. All seemed well and both the club and its supporters seemed to be getting what they'd hoped for.
"I am extremely happy to be at City and look forward to achieving both the club's and my potential to be the best in the world" Robinho said.
Once out of the camera's eye however his stance changed and the following week he was shamelessly promoting a move away in a foreign newspaper, Barcelona being the latest at that time.
Of course just like at Madrid a series of abject performances resulted in the Brazilian being dropped to the bench in what was to be the beginning of the end.
Sent out on loan to Santos for sixth months he has lost no time in repeating his former feats of fantasy. This time he chose a Hollywood entrance landing with Pele in a helicopter at the Santos ground his name resonating around every orifice of the stadium- sound familiar?
His latest comments come after a debut goal when the Brazilian cheekily finished off a Santos move with a back heel. He followed it with some badge kissing of the highest order before claiming he will be the best player at the World Cup come summer- shameless really.
Talking of his latest manager's tactics, Robinho told the Daily Mail:
'He has a different way of thinking. In Brazil, the coach respects the player's characteristics.
'In Europe, they are used to playing with two lines of four players and they don't want to know what you can do.
'There, if you are a forward, the coach sends you on to the pitch just to run. You have to run and that's it.'
Not the most courteous any more is he, of the man who only yesterday reached out another olive branch in a message of support for his troubled star.
Mark Bowen gave a more telling insight into his former charge's attitude at City
"He took a lot of stick, but he did massively underperform, especially away from home,"
"I just thought that, physically, he wasn't really up to the challenges of the Premier League."
"We always felt he could possibly blossom and get used to the Premier League but he wasn't really up to the week in week out challenges."
One things for sure the Robinho City Circus has yet to reach its final destination and who's to say how it will turn out for both the impish Samba star or Manchester City.
Once the jewel in the crown at City, albeit self-proclaimed, the real question is do any of us really care anymore? This Blue certainly doesn't.
See you in Greece in a couple of years!
Betis of course came to prominence over a decade ago when they signed arguably the last 'next Pele' from Brazil in Denilson.
The impish wing wizard had forged a glowing reputation with some dazzling displays for both club and country and 'that' Nike advert had made him into arguably the hottest property of any of the Brazilian Globetrotters.
Looking back now his time was a huge failure and some years later, after returning from a stint in Brazil, he returned to Europe to play in the Greek league for AO Kavala in Greece where he is plying his trade today.
In Greece at this very moment there are hundreds of mercenaries who after some success at larger clubs have come for the money, sun and sea.
AO Kavala, a team from one of the most obscure parts of Northern Greece, with their suitcases of money have managed to lure many of them this season with the likes of Denilson, Smolarek and Rincon eager to take the money and lap up the Mediterranean sun.
There are of course some genuine footballers. The first young loan stars like Joe Hart sent out on loan to improve themselves and come back stronger players.
The second are the unknown players from far away corners of the earth who have made it this far on hard work, luck and scouting networks like Yaya Toure from the Ivory Coast or McDonald Mariga of Kenya.
Then there are those masters of their trade who play for the love of the game and the pure adoration of the crowd al a Rivaldo who went to Greece and played his heart out for the final few years of his glittering career.
Youri Djorkaeff and Ali Bernabia were of the same mould and gave everything to the cause for as long as their legs would allow them.
Then there is Róbson de Souza or Robinho. Starting out at Santos like so many of his brethren, dancing and tantalising his way through the Brazilian Super League full of natural talent and enthusiasm.
Then the most glamorous club in the world came calling, and I'm not talking about City this time, turning him instantly into one of the most recognisable faces in world football.
Now, its at such times that people's character really come to the fore as they show their talents and intentions. After all, they have achieved a dream.
Its like a gambler winning the lottery or a chocoholic finding Willy Wonka's final ticket or maybe Steven Reid finding half a Mars bar under his couch, as these men are footballers.
Robinho has marketed himself as the golden boy of Brazilian soccer with his boyish good looks, charming smile and gentlemanly conduct on the pitch.
After a decent start, in which he scored some mesmerising goals attempting to become the world's best player, the smiling assassin saw his career stall after a series of lack lustre displays and off field antics.
Once untouchable cracks have begun to appear and even his most ardent of supporters like Pele thought it right to criticise him publicly about his lifestyle after disappointing the uber-expectant Brazilian public.
The real fun started whilst being benched at Real Madrid and the smiles and pro-Real statements of content were marred by independent and shameless self-publicizing in an attempt to find another suitor for his talents.
His 'piece de resistance' came in a press conference that he'd set up to tell his story and of course force Real's hand into selling him to the highest bidder- City.
Contrast his time at Real Madrid to his time at City so far and you can see similarities in how the little Brazilian has carried himself. At the clubs he goes to he seems to say what the players and fans want to hear.
Forget the rape accusations, late nights out and going AWOL form last year's winter break in Spain to go back to Brazil.
For there are worse examples from more contemptible footballers - Amir Zaki, Joey Barton and Marlon King come to mind.
What is much worse than is off field shenanigans are the double agent style turn of phrases the Brazilian has now become famous for.
The latest tour to Abu Dhabi being an excellent example, when he was pictured meeting the club's hierarchy all airs and graces. All seemed well and both the club and its supporters seemed to be getting what they'd hoped for.
"I am extremely happy to be at City and look forward to achieving both the club's and my potential to be the best in the world" Robinho said.
Once out of the camera's eye however his stance changed and the following week he was shamelessly promoting a move away in a foreign newspaper, Barcelona being the latest at that time.
Of course just like at Madrid a series of abject performances resulted in the Brazilian being dropped to the bench in what was to be the beginning of the end.
Sent out on loan to Santos for sixth months he has lost no time in repeating his former feats of fantasy. This time he chose a Hollywood entrance landing with Pele in a helicopter at the Santos ground his name resonating around every orifice of the stadium- sound familiar?
His latest comments come after a debut goal when the Brazilian cheekily finished off a Santos move with a back heel. He followed it with some badge kissing of the highest order before claiming he will be the best player at the World Cup come summer- shameless really.
Talking of his latest manager's tactics, Robinho told the Daily Mail:
'He has a different way of thinking. In Brazil, the coach respects the player's characteristics.
'In Europe, they are used to playing with two lines of four players and they don't want to know what you can do.
'There, if you are a forward, the coach sends you on to the pitch just to run. You have to run and that's it.'
Not the most courteous any more is he, of the man who only yesterday reached out another olive branch in a message of support for his troubled star.
Mark Bowen gave a more telling insight into his former charge's attitude at City
"He took a lot of stick, but he did massively underperform, especially away from home,"
"I just thought that, physically, he wasn't really up to the challenges of the Premier League."
"We always felt he could possibly blossom and get used to the Premier League but he wasn't really up to the week in week out challenges."
One things for sure the Robinho City Circus has yet to reach its final destination and who's to say how it will turn out for both the impish Samba star or Manchester City.
Once the jewel in the crown at City, albeit self-proclaimed, the real question is do any of us really care anymore? This Blue certainly doesn't.
See you in Greece in a couple of years!
Saturday 6 February 2010
Hull 2 - 1 City
Quick Report
City were given a lesson today by the tenacious tigers of Hull City as they dropped more points in their quest for the coveted fourth spot.
From start to finish Phil Brown's men worked their socks off and showed the desire that will probably keep them in the Premier League this year.
Hunt, Boetang, Fagan and Altidore shone but the rest of the team stuck to the game plan and saw the game out.
A super finish by young American striker Altidore and a wonder strike from the edge of the box from veteran Boetang were enough to see off Mancini's timid City who just didn't want it as much as Hull.
City did make a fist of it in the last twenty minutes through Adebayor from close range after a goal mouth scramble and some good work by Toure.
But it was a case of too little too late for the Sky Blues as they were guilty of some woeful finishing, misplaced passing and not keeping the ball on the deck.
The football we play when we keep it on the floor can be exquisite, but today we didn't do it enough and were guilty of lack of composure from the back right through to the front.
The were some positives to be emerge from this latest away debacle as Wayne Bridge made his long awaited comeback and received a warm welcome from both sets of supporters.
Debutantes Adam Johnson and Patrick Viera also came off the bench for the disappointing Bellamy and unimposing Ireland.
Johnson looked direct and whipped in some good crosses on occasions and looks like he could be starting a game sooner rather than later in an attempt to rest some of the more jaded players.
Viera played well enough with some assured passes and feisty challenges although he was booked for a challenge on young Carney.
He will take some time to get up to speed but gives us an aerial presence in the middle of the park that has been badly missed.
Hull deserved the win as they wanted it more, as did Everton and quite frankly Portsmouth last week. The question is what is Bobby Manc going to do about it and how can we turn our away form into something that at least resembles a top four challenge.
A very disgruntled Blue
City were given a lesson today by the tenacious tigers of Hull City as they dropped more points in their quest for the coveted fourth spot.
From start to finish Phil Brown's men worked their socks off and showed the desire that will probably keep them in the Premier League this year.
Hunt, Boetang, Fagan and Altidore shone but the rest of the team stuck to the game plan and saw the game out.
A super finish by young American striker Altidore and a wonder strike from the edge of the box from veteran Boetang were enough to see off Mancini's timid City who just didn't want it as much as Hull.
City did make a fist of it in the last twenty minutes through Adebayor from close range after a goal mouth scramble and some good work by Toure.
But it was a case of too little too late for the Sky Blues as they were guilty of some woeful finishing, misplaced passing and not keeping the ball on the deck.
The football we play when we keep it on the floor can be exquisite, but today we didn't do it enough and were guilty of lack of composure from the back right through to the front.
The were some positives to be emerge from this latest away debacle as Wayne Bridge made his long awaited comeback and received a warm welcome from both sets of supporters.
Debutantes Adam Johnson and Patrick Viera also came off the bench for the disappointing Bellamy and unimposing Ireland.
Johnson looked direct and whipped in some good crosses on occasions and looks like he could be starting a game sooner rather than later in an attempt to rest some of the more jaded players.
Viera played well enough with some assured passes and feisty challenges although he was booked for a challenge on young Carney.
He will take some time to get up to speed but gives us an aerial presence in the middle of the park that has been badly missed.
Hull deserved the win as they wanted it more, as did Everton and quite frankly Portsmouth last week. The question is what is Bobby Manc going to do about it and how can we turn our away form into something that at least resembles a top four challenge.
A very disgruntled Blue
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