MAN CITY’S Start to the Season: YOUR VIEWS
64 days, 19 hours, 32 minutes and 27 seconds since Manchester City kicked off the 2009/10 Premier League campaign away at Blackburn Rovers, I sit here, reflecting on what has been an eventful, controversial, challenging and certainly enjoyable start to the season. The Blues, after seven matches in the league, and another couple on top of that in the Carling Cup, have a more-than-pleasing record overall, having recorded seven wins, one draw and just a solitary defeat, albeit in the heart-breaking final moments of the Manchester derby.
As I have mentioned previously, time constraints have limited me to just a couple of blogging updates so far this season, but with some much-needed time on my hands now, I plan to write a detailed account of how the season has panned out up unto this point, as the Blues return to Premier League action this Sunday with a challenging visit to the newly named DW Stadium, home of Wigan Athletic.
From Given to Adebayor, via Touré, Barry, Bellamy and Tévez, this has been a superb start to the season by City. Under the guidance of former Welsh international Mark Hughes, who seems to have won over many of his critics from last term, the expensively assembled squad have gelled almost instantly, combining moments of free-flowing, exquisite football with battling qualities rarely associated with City in the past few years.
Adebayor and Touré have proved to be shrewd acquisitions by Hughes, adding a winning mentality to the dressing room
The campaign commenced, as earlier mentioned, with a visit to Mark Hughes’s former haunt, Ewood Park. Accompanied by a raucous following of over 7,000 expectant supporters, the Blues produced a response that silenced many critics, scoring early through summer signing Adebayor, before last season’s player of the year, Stephen Ireland, rounded off the match with another goal in the final minute. It was the perfect riposte to those who had doubted as to whether Hughes could manage to get our undoubtedly talented individuals playing as a team.
After a midweek trip to face, and promptly defeat, Barcelona in a friendly courtesy of a Martin Petrov goal, next up was a home fixture against promoted Wolves, managed by former City player Mick McCarthy. Despite never truly reaching anywhere near top form, City comfortably strolled past the Wanderers, with a second goal in as many games from AdegoodstarttohisCitycareer sealing the victory.
Ireland sealed City’s victory over Blackburn with a late goal
A break from Premier League competition saw City travel to Selhurst Park to face Neil Warnock’s Crystal Palace side. An entertaining affair with plenty of chances for both sides saw Shaun Wright Phillips and glamour boy Carlos Tévez net for the Blues, the latter scoring his first goal for the club. Another away trip, this time to Portsmouth, saw Adebayor net yet again, and a 1-0 victory saw City’s clean sheet record stretch to five matches.
The next encounter for the Blues was against Arsenal, and provided enough controversy to last for a whole season. This game was deemed by many as the first real test of City’s credentials, and it was a test they passed with flying colours. Micah Richards put the Blues ahead inside the first half, before Robin Van Persie deservedly equalised for the visitors. The game then sprung into life when Richards, following a surging run forward, squared for Craig Bellamy to sweep the ball past the helpless Manuel Almunia. Enter Sheyi Emmanuel Adebayor.
After riding a Gaël Clichy challenge, SWP delivered an inch perfect cross, straight on the head of Manu. Rising powerfully to direct the ball beyond Almunia, Adebayor, clearly succumbing to his emotions, sprinted, Usain Bolt-esque, the length of the pitch and slid on his kness, right in front of the visiting Arsenal supporters. Many things have been said about this action, with so-called experts taking great pleasure in criticising this celebration, but although the matter is over and has been dealt with, I just want to add a couple of thoughts.
Although in no way am I going to even attempt to condone to actions of the Togo international, it needs to be realised that there were mitigating circumstances. If I were to taunt you for periods of time by telling you, falsely, that your dad was a manual labourer who washed elephants to make a living and that your mum was a full-time prostitute, I don’t think that you would take too kindly to that. Having left Arsenal in the summer in an acrimonious departure, Adebayor clearly felt that he had something to prove against his former club and what better way to prove something that to score against them. Incontestably, it was wrong of him to sprint the length of the pitch to celebrate in front of his former fans, but it was undoubtedly wrong of them to provoke him in the manner they did. Out of all of those shouting vitriol at him in their thousands, how many would have been prepared to say these insults, face to face with the 6′4″ beast, with the knowledge that he could have done some serious damage? Finally, there needs to be an explanation of why bananas were thrown at him. Did all these Arsenal supporters coincidentally feel hungry at the same time and all simultaneously decide to eat a banana, or is there something more sinister that needs to be looked at? I will leave you to ponder that.
Adebayor blamed his emotion and frustration for this reaction to his goal
There wasn’t too much time to ponder though, as City’s next fixture was the 141st competitive Manchester derby. It was the most eagerly awaited derby in recent memory, and it was another opportunity for City to show that they deserved to be challenging in the upper echelons in the Premier League. A large amount of the anticipation beforehand was built upon the return to Old Trafford of Carlos Tévez, whose arrival at City for a fee believed to be around the £25 million mark signalled the end of the most protracted transfers of the summer. And boy did this derby live upto expectations!
After Wayne Rooney had given the hosts the lead early on following some quick thinking by Patric Evra, many expected City to crumble. But they were all blissfully unaware of our new-found resilience and strong mentality, boosted without a shadow of a doubt by many of our summer signings. Tévez, booed every time he touched the ball, harried and hustled error-prone goalkeeper Ben Foster. The Argentinean won the ball, laid it off into the path of the oncoming Gareth Barry, and the former Aston Villa skipper swept the ball home to draw the visitors level.
Half-time came and went with City the happier side, but Darren Fletcher rose ahead of the afore-mentioned Barry to hand United the lead again. Enter Craig Douglas Bellamy. Receiving the ball from Tévez on the left wing, Bellamy, in the midst of a rich vein of form and playing instead of the injured Robinho, took the ball between Park Ji Sung and John O’ Shea before rfiling an unstoppable right-footed screamer past Foster into the top corner of the net to send the travelling Blues faithful ecstatic. Just as the Blues were gaining a foothold in the game, catastrophe struck. Following another routine cross into the box, the Scottish international Fletcher again rose highest and, aided by a slight deflection off Barry’s shoulder, the ball found its way into the net to give United the lead for the third time.
Craig Bellamy celebrates after equalising for the Blues
With minutes ticking away, the Blues knew that they would have to take any chance that came their way, but it looked as if they would depart Old Trafford without a share of spoils when Micah Richards somehow contrived to hit the ball over from about two yards. As the 90 minute mark came hurtling into view, a lacklustre Rio Ferdinand pass found Martin Petrov, whose perfectly weighted through ball found Bellamy, free from United’s defence. The fiery Welshman showed a clean pair of heels to Ferdinand, and showed an immense calmness under pressure to guide the ball past Foster to make the score 3-3, as the fourth official, Alan Wiley, displayed an additional four minutes on the board.
Of course, we all know what happened from here. Michael Owen (yes, him, the one who got rejected by Newcastle) popped up in the SEVENTH minute of four to guide the ball past Shay Given and record a 4-3 victory for the hosts. But above all, despite this defeat, City showed the qualities that will be required if we are to maintain our push for the Champions League places. That resilience and winning mentality, combined with undoubted ability and talent, is just what we need and all of the qualities were displayed in abundance at Old Trafford.
City fans showed their humour by unveiling this poster, but it was Owen who had the last laugh
After the excitement of the previous two matches, the Carling Cup tie at home to Fulham turned out to be one of the least entertaining fixtures this season. The Londoners set the stall out to defend and it was only through City’s lack of cutting edge that the game meandered along. Zoltan Gera struck a wonderful 25 yard half-volley that whizzed past the helpless Shay Given, but Gareth Barry, and then in extra time, Kolo Touré, headed the Blues to victory.
The Blues hosted West Ham United in their next Premier League match, running out deserved victors, 3-1. Bulgarian winger Martin Petrov was handed his first start of the campaign and was a livewire throughout. His pace helped to set up the first goal, with former Hammer Carlos Tévez the beneficiary, although the Argentine refused to celebrate. Carlton Cole then replied with a cheeky back-heel before Petrov himself scored the Blues’ second from a free-kick. Tévez scored again to wrap up proceedings and then, for a second time, decided against celebrating, citing that he owed a lot to West Ham, having been the side who brought him to English football.
Tévez apologises to the West Ham fans after his goal against them
Emmanuel Adebayor returned following his three match suspension for the difficult away trip to Villa Park, which saw the return to the Midlands for Gareth Barry, and also saw Richard Dunne play against the side for whom he represented 296 times with distinction. In was written in the script that Dunne would be a key figure in this match, with many Blues fans predicting that he would score an own goal or maybe get sent off. Instead, Dunney popped up at the end of the pitch, rising above Barry, to nod Villa into the lead. In scenes reminiscent of Tévez the previous week, the former City captain refused to celebrate, a gesture which earned the applause of the travelling City contingent.
But yet again, it was Craig Bellamy who came to our rescue, firing home in the second half after good work from Stephen Ireland and Adebayor. the match ended one apiece, with the Blues again displaying the kind of resilience and fortitude needed. And that is that, as we head into the Wigan game on Sunday. In my opinion, it has been a superb start to the season, and as we lie in fourth place, thoughts are surely turning towards whether we can maintain this form and reach the Champions League.
The January transfer window offers another opportunity for Hughes to flex his financial muscle if needed, but pleasingly, it seems as if the spending spree is over the moment as Sparky has declared that he is happy with both the quality and quantity of our squad. Obviously, if a world class player became available, we would be interested, but it looks as if only minimal changes are going to occur. Personally, I think that another right-back would be a boost, as Micah Richards’s attitude is disgraceful and his performances so far this season have been nothing more than poor.
PLEASE LET ME KNOW BELOW WHAT YOU THINK OF OUR SEASON. WHERE DO YOU EXPECT US TO FINISH? WOULD YOU SIGN ANYONE IN JANUARY, AND IF YES, THEN WHO? THANKS FOR READING.
An excellent return Steven, you’ve summarised your start effectively and entertainingly.
I particularly enjoyed your detached logic regarding the Adebayor incident and how Adebayor himself was never referred to by the same name twice.
The odd typo you may want to fix:
* You call Adebayor and Toure shrew signings. I don’t believe they are small vole-like rodents.
* You refer to critics taking please rather than pleasure out of deriding Adebayor.
* You said hoe instead of he when describing Dunne.
In answer to your questions:
I now think you will finish fourth ahead of Liverpool.
In January I think you could do with two or three more strikers as you hardly have any.
Thanks for the feedback VJ. All the errors which you pointed out have now been corrected.
Just the one more typo I can see, ‘upto’ in the paragraph on the derby.
Also, calling it the most eagerly awaited derby in recent times is controversial in my opinion – the lead up to the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster last year was pretty hyped, if not for completely football related issues.
Nit-picking aside, a very thorough article – interesting without being too long. I approve.
We wont get a champions league place this year in my humble opinion, we’ll end up 5th or even 6th. I know this is fairly pessimistic but city have developed a nasty habit of falling away in the second half of seasons in recent times.
Would I sign anyone in January? No – and yet… there are still definite weaknesses in our team…
Enjoy Spain!
Random I know, but I found a site where you decide who the best City player + XI ever to have played in the Prem. Got me thinking would any of the current players make it in to the all time XI. Early days yet but maybe Barry might make it in the future. Its stupidly addictive, its http://www.greatestmancityplayer.com.
Cheers Plattsy, thanks for the praise. Will change the typo at some point. Am back from Spain now, enjoy Paris, when are you going?
Great article steven.
Is it good or bad that we seem to be relying on Bellamy to dig us out of trouble a fair few times. Of the many players that have played well so far this season, he is by far the best. I think that others need to step up that little bit – this will ultimately mean nothing but further success for the blues.
Thanks Ricky, I suppose it doesn’t matter too much who we rely on at the moment. As long as someone is stepping up to the plate, then all is good. Hopefully in the future, they will all contribute, but remember that we are still gelling as a team.
Hi Steven,
Good return to the blog, informative and commendable…usually blogs of this size drag on, but this one is well worth a read.
Oh and another thing, but you wont believe me! I was on holiday and was going to text you to change my score v Fulham but didnt have my phone! I was askign Dad and he was going to say 3-1 with Lescott, Petrov, Tevez and Dempsey! Had I managed to send that text I would have got 6 points ‘en vez de’ 0 points! Nevermind! But anyway I would like to change my score for tonight please >>>
MCFC 4 – 0 Scunthorpe
Ireland, Tevez, Ade and SWP
Thanks
Think you needed those points as well! Poor week for all of us … the total number of points gained was 0!!
So I got 6 points last night right? How did eveyone else do?
Ricky, Me, You: 6 points
Dan: 4 points
Plattsy: 2 points
Total Scores:
Steven – 39
Dan – 38
Ricky – 30
Plattsy – 28
Matt – 24
What do you think of Sir Daren of Powell signing for Lancs?
Im doing awful! That 6 points from the Fulham game would have been a welcome!
I think Powell will add a bit of much needed firepower especially as Chappy is on his last legs and will no doubt get injured at some stage?!
Can you do me a big favour and ask Dan on facebook what homework we had to do for the spanish assistant, i’ve completely forgotten!
Thanks!
No worries, think he comes back from France tomorrow, but will leave him a message now so he gets it whenever.
For this coming season, I’d like to see:
4 DAY
Moore
Smith
Horton
PRINCE / JAYAWARDENA / LAXMAN
Chilton
Du Plessis (or Croft if Faf can’t return) (or Freddie whevener he can play)
Sutton / Cross
Chapple
Mahmood
Keedy
Powell
12th Man: Hogg
Matt: to quote Dan,
“has matt never heard of a phone or texting??
Seen as you are the messenger i will tell you what he has to do.
He has to make up any question on the topics we have covered so far: energy.
Then, answer it using a subjunctive – only about 2 lines. ”
I will try and explain your phone troubles to him
Hi Steven.
Your Lancs team is crazzzyyyyyyy. Hogg was outstanding last season, much better than Mahmood and he warrants a place in the side, as does FAF who is the star man and has to play every game no matter what his batting average is. His energy in the field really gets the boys up for it and is always sorely missed when he is not in the team. They are look glum when he’s not there? Jayawardena?! Yeah right! Would love to see Prince back though, he was a great find.
As for the Spanish, many thanks, I knew he was on holiday so didn’t want to text him as it would charge him to recieve it, so I thought he may have internet access and may check his facebook?! Quite clever really, good thinking on my behalf!
Not got a clue about the homework, i’m having troubles at home at the moment and this is the last thing I need to be worrying about?
Thanks, see you Monday P3
Is this right for the subjunctive?
“Cuando mi familia estamos en la casa, quedaremos en casa a no ser que haga sol para ahorrar energía – por ejemplo cuando usamos el coche”
anddd
“Mucha gente les gusta usar el agua en los hoteles como si no hubiera otro día mañana.”
I know I can use ‘quizas sea porque’ but don’t know how I would make a sentence from it related to renewable energy!?
Am not sure if that’s all correct, but only because I’m not exactly sure what it means! First one looks correct, but can you translate the second one for me? Sorry
It’s supposed to mean, ” Many people like to use water in hotels abroad as if there were no tomorrow’
I was trying to be fancy…but failed!
Not a bad cup draw, pompey or blackburn would have been better, but im pretty had with Arsenal at home?
Don’t think your Spanish is correct then, really sorry
Why not: ‘es posible que mucha gente usen demasiado agua en los hoteles porque no pagan las cuentas’
Yep, decent draw. Though Arsenal’s kids aren’t exactly bad!
Thanks!
(De) nada
Have you read that book we were supposed to read?
I’m so confused by it? What are we supposed to know, all the little things that happen or just an overview? I’ve only got the spanish one and its taken me ages…
I read it over the summer as my book by Márquez. Not sure what we’re meant to know, guessing only the overview which is what I know. Surely it’s her job to discuss the finer details in class with us?!?
It’s hardddddddd
I know!!
P.S. Are you sticking with your score for Birmingham?
What is itt?!
Check this out…hilarious….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkYuOzyikik
p.s its my sort of comedy!
It says there is an error. I watched about the first 3 minutes of it yesterday and saw nothing hat particularly tickled my humour taste buds, sorry!
At the moment, you’re on CITY 2 – 1 Birmingham (Ireland, Manuuuuuuuuuuuuu, O’Connor)
Yeah, stick with that please.
Whats everyone else gone for?
Everyone 2-1, except Dan, who has gone for 2-0!!!!!!
Change Ireland to Bellamy please, I think Superman may be on the bench?
Ohhh, p.s can you send me the notes you did on No-one writes to the Colonel por favor? Say no if you don’t want to, it’s fine!
OK, I’ve not made any notes this holiday, but I will send you my essay that I did over the summer. heck your school email.
No-one got any points I take it?!
Thanks for the lil Marquez summary, that’s all I picked up on, plus the general story line so I hope we dont have to know much more? I’m just glad you didnt go into loads of the nitty gritty, though its evident you know more than me! I couldnt understand half the spanish, took me 30 minutes to get through like 3 pages of Spanish!?
That’s why you should get the English!
Manchester City 4 – 0 Burnley
- Adebayor
- Tevez
- Bellamy
- Ireland
That’s exactly the same as I’ve gone for!
We got 2 points then? No doubt Plattsy got correct score with all 6 correct scorers?!
p.s that was the best penalty I have ever seen.
All got 2 points, except Dan who got 0. You’re bottom by 4 points
Penalty was hit with pace, but I knew where it was going. How bad were Barry and Manu?!?!?!?!?
It was without a shadow of a doubt the greatest penalty…unstoppable…we knew where is was going but it was still an incredible strike?
My ratings;
Shay – 7 (one superb save late on in the second half)
Toure – 6
Lescott – 4
Bridge – 5
Zabaleta – 6
SWP – 8
Barry – 5 (but picked up in the second half)
Ireland – 7 (much better second half)
Bellamy – 7 (always is a threat)
Manu – 5 (didn’t do anything!)
Tevez – 6 (he tried bless him)
So, in spanish, did you do the end of the ‘bola’ credits? What else did I miss that is related to ‘me’ (although it would be nice to see that oxbridge poem! You got any offers yet?
For me:
Given – 7
Zabaleta – 7
Touré – 5.5
Lescott (Am I the only person who thought he was good? Second half especially, I thought he was immense!?!!?) – 7
Bridge – 5.5
SWP – 8
Barry – 3 (really poor) should have brought on NDJ
Ireland – 6.5 grew more into it
Manu – 3 very poor, didnt look interested
Tévez – 5
Not put application in yet – hope to do it by Tuesday at the latset. Et toi?
No, we just did the poem in class.
Mine went off a week ago…no offers yet, though for economics, offers are usually handed out in january so i’m not worrying!
p.s do you like that powerpoint i sent you?
I have seen it before but it is remarkable nonetheless.
Steven, I got 3 points…what abotu everyone else?
You got 4. Will post the scores en los dorros tomorrow.
Points:
Steven – 9 (Adebayor, Correct Score)
Dan – 2 (Ireland)
Plattsy – 2 (Benayoun)
Matt – 4 (Adebayor, Draw)
Ricky – 2 (Draw)
Total Scores:
Steven – 50
Dan – 40
Ricky – 34
Plattsy – 32
Matt – 30
THIS IS TOO EASY.