The Rambling view from the City perspective

December 10th 2008, the day Mark Hughes lost his job. Oh he'll stick around for a few more games, possibly even a few more months but the day you start attacking the fans it's over. Case in point the managers defence of Darius Vassell where "some people" - that would be those of us who pay your wages Mr. Hughes - don't appreciate what he is doing for the team.

Well yes I agree; we fail to appreciate a player who couldn't complete a pass if his life depended on it, fail to appreciate a player when one on one with a goalkeeper you would bet your mortgage on the keeper and fail to appreciate why a player with fine in the box instincts is played out of position.

So lets put this in simple numbers that Mr. Hughes can understand. Since the start of last season City have played 54 league games. In games that Darius Vassell has started, City have won just 6. No that's not a misprint, 6. Overall Vassell has started in 26 league games. City have won 6, drawn 10 and lost 10. Compare this with games where Vassell has not started where City have won 14, drawn 3 and lost 11. Quite simply put Vassell turns victories into draws.

Darius Vassell is a tireless worker and tracks back continually. These are excellent qualities in a player. However you also have to have an ability as a striker to score and as a winger to pass and Vassell no longer has those skills at a Premier League quality.

6 wins Mr. Hughes; 6 wins. That is why "some people" grumble.