D-Day for City as United prepare for the onslaught

Well it's finally here, the moment that all City fans have been looking forward to since the Carling Cup semi-final defeat at the start of the year.

Only a few season's ago every City fan would have been looking forward to this game as the highlight of the season and a resounding victory against the munchers of Prawnville would have been treated as if winning a cup.

But that was then. This City is  a different animal. No longer a selling club or whipping boy for the top tier sides, but an equal in every sense of the word.

 This Blues side is a City full of belief , ability and with a defence that has got its act together and a manager who can formulate a game plan and actually see it through to the end.

And United fans, players and a certain red-nosed Scot can sense what may be coming. For whether its today, tomorrow or next season, every United fan and player knows that City are on the United trail like a pack of wolves on the scent of a wounded animal and sooner or later the game will be up.

The fear is now firmly with United whether they'll admit it or not and they are now the ones sweating in a pool of their own -well excrement for want of a better word.

The first league derby away from home was a barn stormer with both teams looking to send out a signal of intent to the rest of the league and more importantly one another.

Trafford may have won the game 4-3 but it was City who came away with the plaudits as they played some scintillating counter-attacking football with Craig Bellamy ripping the Reds' defence ragged.


The manner in which the rags scored their winner didn't help as an injury time goal by Michael Owen gave United the points after Craig Bellamy had equalised on 90 minutes.

The goal was scored in the 110 minute of stoppage time and although the victory was theirs the damage had already been done. Psychologically the Blue half of Manchester had proved to themselves that they could compete on level pegging with one of the best teams in Europe in their own back yard and they had nothing to fear.

City proved this in the second and third derbies of the season when the two rivals faced faced off in the two-legged League Cup semi-final.

City comfortably won the first leg at Eastlands 2-1 but United's experience in huge European ties and talisman Wayne Rooney dug them out of a huge whole with a 3-1 victory at Old Trafford to take them to Wembley.

Yet City will have again taken the positives from those games and the prospect of ruining United's record breaking title run coupled with a Champions League place will fire them up making them too hot for Fergie's fledglings.

Without a referee and command of the Old Trafford stop watch Ferguson will have to rely on the league's best defence to stay focused and Rooney to be fit.

One things for sure, Mancini will be telling his team to go for the jugular and in Tevez, Bellemy and Adebayor City have the teeth to really maul United.

Brum's The Word Joe!

Come this time tomorrow every Manchester Blue around the world will be thinking of one word Brum and Victory so thats two actually but anyway there's a point to be made here.

For Birmingham City arrive at Eastlands tomorrow with but one target in mind to throw a spanner in the City juggernaut works and spoil suave controller Mancini's party.

A win would go a long way to cementing Birmingham in the top ten and cap off a fantastic season for a team that has spent only a fraction of what their rivals have.

Yet listening to noises being made from both clubs this year their may be a more sinister agenda behind Birmingham's motivation for three points tomorrow.

For winning is one thing for the team that is already assured of Premiership football for another season, yet securing the services of arguably your best player in the process is quite another.

Joe Hart may not be playing for Birmingham tomorrow, but he could be the prize for the winner come the end of the afternoon.

Brum manager Alex McLeish has made no secret of the fact that he would move heaven and earth to be able to sign the best young goalkeeper in the Premier League on a permanent basis or even extend his loan period for another season.

Unfortunately, for them,  the noises out of both clubs seem to suggest that City are not prepared to let go of one of the best young talents in England and future England number one.

The deciding factor seems to hinge on the Blues qualifying for the Champions League and of course subsequent need for more quality in the squad to cope with the demands of three cup competitions and a league title challenge next year (I jest you not).

Tomorrows match is a must win in light of the Blues' run-in which includes United, Arsenal, Spurs and Villa. Both City and Brum know the importance of tomorrow's game for that reason and I would hazard a guess that the name Hart is the focal point of McLeish's team talk before tomorrow's crucial encounter.

So beware of the Brum tomorrow I say and only one hundred percent commitment from the lads will see us through to what is expected to be a relatively easy three points.

Take them lightly and it could mean more than missing out on Champions League football next season but also seeing the next England number one in Sky Blue too.

Wives Of All Premier League Fans

Today almost every Premiership football fan's wife could be forgiven for believing that this is the day that they have been dreaming of for an eternity.

A day without any meaningful Premiership football, for the top end anyway, and one of those rare occasions in the hectic Premier League calender when you can actually enjoy a Saturday for what it is meant for like a relaxing picnic with the family or a walk by the lake. Sounds lovely doesn't it?

Well think again ladies, as I'm afraid although hostilities between the top seven teams have ceased for a day, the burning passion and desire that embodies every Premier League fan will be burning as strong as ever.

Chelsea, Arsenal and Man United may not gaining any advantage in the table or on the pitch but both Arsenal and Man United will be hoping that Chelsea are ran ragged by Aston Villa and believe it or not receive a few minor or major injuries along the way.

For a pulled hamstring to Didier Drogba or a sprained ankle to Frank Lampard could be all it takes to give the advantage back to United or Arsenal and hand them the title that they both desire so much.

City, Spurs, Liverpool and Villa may not be gaining or losing any places in the race for that club changing fourth Champions League place, but they will all be thinking about each other intimately as Spurs and Villa play their respective semi-finals in the cup.

Both City and Liverpool managers, players and fans alike will be silently hoping that both their rivals come through their matches, scathed of course, to set up a final  between the two.

A final would mean one more match to think about in the run in and the pressures that go with it such as not wanting to pick up an injury and miss playing in the most famous domestic cup final in the world.

It would also stretch both squads even more than they already are especially Spurs who are spitting feathers as it is with their injuries to key players.

So whilst you are getting the picnic basket ready and looking forward to your leisurely walk by the lake whispering sweet nothings into your smiling love's ear,don't be surprised to find your words blocked by a pair of Sony headphones.

For that smile and glint in his eye that you naively thought was in reaction to the suggestion of a holiday in the Seychelles and the starting of a family was actually the snapping of John Terry tendon in his right knee as your fella listens to the football on Talk Sport.

So before you get upset at this inevitable happening or one like it, just be thankful that you got out of the house on a Saturday together in the first place and take comfort in the knowledge that he loves you more than anything else in the world ... well almost. 

Blue Murder As City Spill The Claret

Burnley 1 City 6

City went into this game under pressure to deliver against a side facing relegation and fighting for their lives.

Of course the endeavour of the home team would cause Mancini's men some problems initially behind a partisan crowd and Toure and the boys would need to stand firm in the face of an early tempest.

Every Blue was hoping that their side's class would then shine through taking them to another away win and into  fourth place in the Premiership after Spur's slip up at Sunderland.

That was the plan anyway but nothing ever goes to plan in football does it? Well no as this time City registered an away win record of the season by murdering the Clarets six one in, five in a first half blitz never seen before in Premier League history.

After three minutes Adebayor teed up a Johnson cross for himself to lash a volley past the helpless Jensen in the Burnley goal.

Things got better as Bellemy waltzed unchallenged into the area to pass the ball into the bottom right hand corner and then Carlos Tevez finished off another quick City counter attack.

Patrick Viera then scored a bullet header before Adebayor finished superbly after a great through ball sliced open the Burnley defence.

The score line unbelievably flattered the Lancashire side as City could have been seven or eight goals ahead come the break.

The second half was marred by atrocious rain and a waterlogged  pitch hampering City's passing game and encouraging Burnley to pressure for an abandonment to the game.

Vincent Kompany scored his second league goal in a carbon copy of Patrick Viera's in the first half before Burnley scored a nice consolation through Fletcher who finished with aplomb.

City overtake Spurs and take fourth position back and of course cut the deficit back by seven goals today.
We also received no suspensions going into the last five game of the season and can look forward to home games against inferior opposition before our trip to the Emirates.

Is an Italian Job being done right here?

                                           Who'd of thought Carlo would have come to England?


The latest reports about Roberto Mancini insinuating that a return to Italy is definitely on the cards makes you think about a previously harmless pattern of events that perhaps look slightly more pre-meditated to the cynics among us.

In an interview with Italian paper 'La Nazione' the City manager said,

"I'm ready to go back, if and when there will be a possibility," 

"How near I am to a return to Italy I don't know. Football is strange. It was probably right for me to broaden my horizons, but I will return sooner or later.

"As for Juventus, Juve is always Juve. They are going through a difficult period right now, but we are talking about a club with history and prestige."



No more than a few years back there were no Italian coaches in the Premier League with the best of them plying their trade in a thriving Italian League and enjoying considerable success in the European Cups to boot.

If you'd have asked Caesar Maldini as a manager or son Paulo Maldini as a player to move to even the most successful of English clubs they would have probably laughed to themselves before politely declining the offer.

Suddenly there has been an influx of Italian imports into Europes most competitive league and not the regular run of the mill either. In Capello,as England coach, Ancelotti, Trappetoni and Mancini we have undoubtedly their best talent and in Zola one of their best young talents too.

So can it be more than a coincidence that all of these Italian maestros have found their way on these fine shores.After all, managers and players alike have been using these Isle and the Premier league for years and not just for its financial gain.

The Ronaldos, Anelkas and Robbens of this world came here to make a name for themselves with Man Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea alike before furthering their careers with the more fashionable Madrids and Barcelonas of this world.

Hundreds of players have chosen to sharpen their teeth and improve their physical fitness in what is in any peoples eyes footballs gladiatorial arena where only the strongest survive.  Players like Patrick Viera now at Man City is trying his hardest to regain his match fitness for the world cup whereas Pique Barcelona's classy centre-back toughened himself up at United.

Then there are of course there are those who come just before a world cup to perhaps look at the opposition and get the low down on all their key players from up close and personal.

There is also the small matter of a rapidly waning Italian league in its worst state for many years and in the worst world recession for decades. With the economic crisis showing no signs of getting better any time soon , the already cash strapped Seria A look more likely to be going the way of Argentina's top league than their Northern European cousins.

The quality of the Italian elite must be in its worst state for some considerable time. With the exception of Inter Milan and their mercurial Special One, no Italian club would finish in the top four of the Premier League and there are some that would suggest the likes of AC Milan, Juventus and Roma would struggle to compete with the likes of Fulham and Everton these days(Just ask Bobby Zamora!).

So a plan to drag the sleeping giant into the twenty first century is obviously whats needed although the cynics among us might be thinking it has already been hatched.

The Italian wouldn't have sent Capello, Trapettoni, Ancelotti, Mancini and Zola over on a fact finding mission surely-would they? Could their love for one of the traditional epicentres of football be that strong?

I'm sure the Italian's wouldn't stoop to such dirty tricks in an attempt to be one step ahead at the World Cup this summer and in the long term more importantly one leg back on the wagon in an attempt to put Seria A back on the map.

Of course, it was Zinedine Zidane who resorted to school ground name calling to win the 2006 World Cup against an imperious Italian side who were dominating them until that moment- wasn't it?

After all,  its not the winning that counts most of all. Its the respectful way in which it is done that matters isn't it lads?

'Beware of Greeks bearing gifts' goes the saying in reference to the Trojan horse and its murderous band inside. Anyone who has been abroad to Italy might be aware of the phrase 'Beware Italians eyeing up your missus!'.

Perhaps we could change the two to 'Beware of Italians eyeing up your players and football league' as it would certainly seem far more fitting in today's environment.

More Questions Than Answers City

The biggest question on every Blue's lips up until tonight's game was if City were capable of making that 4th spot their own? Could they then hold onto it and ultimately take that all important final Champions League spot.

The question on everyone's lips now is do we have the bottle for it and will we even finish in the top six after that spineless defensive second half performance?

The talk amongst the support will be of refereeing decisions that went against City and of dirty play and the stalling tactics from the Blue side of Liverpool.

Yet the true culprits lie on our side of the Blue line and their errors in judgement could ultimately cost us a European place.

The manager himself chose tonight's game to play his most attacking front five Tevez, Bellamy, Johnson, backed up by Ireland and Barry and for a while the selection looked certain to reap its rewards as for much of the first half like at Craven Cottage City bossed the game.

The difference this time was that we didn't convert any of our chances and were undone after a dodgy decision by a referee whose name I will never ever speak again in my mother tongue as it would do it a gross injustice.

Of course the players should have had the quality to come back and score at a ground they have failed to score only once all season.

Tevez a one man army grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and tried to drag City kicking and screaming back into it with moments of brilliance that kept everyone on the edge of their seats.

Yet when it came down to it, just as at Tottenham the Sky Blues just weren't up to the task and in the end bottled it completely.

Toure and Kompany for all their attacking and ball-playing strengths just don't have the concentration needed to be world class centreback partnership as both switch off at key times and are susceptible to high balls.

Thats not to say that they were to blame for this defeat as Everton did their best impression of Stoke City and pressured, fouled and bludgeoned their way to this victory with their ten men behind the ball approach so credit where its due.

Moyes has obviously done his homework and knows that City cannot breakdown teams that adopt this old school style as they are missing a playmaker to unlock those tight banks of fours.

Any hope of City doing so had been fouled out of the game and after Stevie Ireland's exit there was more bad news to come. A woefully short of confidence Shaun Wright Phillips entered the fray and the quick incisive passing and triangles went in the opposite direction along with  City's hopes of equalizing.

Wright Phillips just doesn't have the passing ability to play in this front line and the fact he has now lost the confidence to run past a man has rendered him pretty useless as an attacking option.

Gareth Barry is another who is being found out to be one-dimensional, barging around giving or winning free kicks with his one paced, one-footed game designed to make up for his obvious lack of pace.

In fact any quicker, more physical opponent he comes up against manages to dominate him and draws more fouls than Jordan changes fellas.

The Manager of course has to take a large share of the blame for his changes and defensive tactics of playing with four defensive midfielders at one point when looking to get back into the game.

The fact that he went all out to sign Italian playmaker Cassano in January just illustrates what he thinks of his current options in that position.

So we began asking whether City could break into the top four and then hold onto their place. We end just asking if we really have improved since the demoralising loss to Spurs that signalled the end of Mark Hughes' tenure.

Have we progressed since then? Are we going to get that fourth spot? Is Mancini the man for the job? Are Barry, Wright-Phillips and a few others really upto the job?

One things for sure and thats the fact that every City fan will be feeling nauseous after tonight's performance. Some of you might even have to throw out a few broken things this time tomorrow- I know I will.

Robinho Beats Berbatov In Battle Of The Flops

According to a reporter in the Daily Star, Robinho may not be burning all of his bridges after all.

After weeks of interviews and speculation that he is unhappy at City and is looking for a way out The Star reports that he will rent Robbie Savage's Bling pad.

The £32.5million British record signing has beaten United flop Berbatov after he was blown away by the gadgets, boys toys and all-round bling factor of the annoying Welsh midfielder’s £2.35million home in Prestbury, Cheshire.

The paper quotes that Robbie will rent the pad for £10,000 a month until he decides on a permanent move.

A nothing story apart from the fact that most Blues and the footballing world are under the impression that they have seen him for the last time in a sky blue shirt of City.

Is this a sign of things to come or just more pap from the pappiest of newspapers? Would you like to see the mercurial yet self-centred Samba star return?