ESPN Soccernet - Correspondents - Manchester City- City Spirit

Posted by Wallace Poulter on 03/03/2009

I'm bored. Last three games; a rather credible draw against Liverpool, an efficient win against the Danes and a predictable loss against the Hammers. And I'm bored.

With any kind of decent away form the club could end the season with its best Premier League finish ever. But I don't see it. City could win the UEFA Cup, somewhat bizarrely we are both the only English club left in the competition and now considered the favourites.

Personally I happen to think Werder Bremen are the best team left in the competition but yes City on their day, and let me repeat that phrase, on their day are capable of winning the UEFA Cup. But do you have confidence that the best City team will show up for each game that is left in the competition? No, neither do I.

Here's a team with Robinho, Elano, SWP, Ireland, Kompany and Bellamy. And I'm bored. How is it that Elano is good enough to play for Brazil but not start for City? This is not about tactics and formations, although I've certainly had my share of thoughts on those. It's about spirit, City spirit. Can you imagine what Keegan could do with this lot? Not new players, just this group. We might lose every game 6-5 but imagine the football we'd see.

Maybe it's those hideous orange away kits. Where are the black and red shirts or even the old white with the black and red diagonal stripe?

Is it the loss of Michael Johnson who for a brief shining moment last season reminded us of Colin Bell? Do you build a team around Robinho? I don't think so. On his day he's true world class but he's a final piece not the foundation. Ironically Scolari was so right for wanting him at Chelsea where they would now be challenging United for the title. We need a Lampard or a Gerrard; a player who through shear will drives his team. You'll note Arsenal don't have that player while Villa with Barry and Everton with Cahill do. That was the promise, the tantalizing potential of Johnson.

As we enter the final third of the season I'm just not fussed. If I want to see a team with spirit I'll turn on the box and watch Villa or Everton. The phrase 'Typical City' was something we always said with a wry smile because it meant something extreme had happened. Now we are just boring and predicable City running out the string.

As always you can reach me at wallace.poulter@gmail.com or to leave a public comment fill in a comment below.

Comments

Posted by the tinker on 03/04/2009

when i see every game, it's look like this club don't have punch line for scoring. we have a lot of talent in some position but the we don't have the good tactical game.

if this club want's win any competition, the buying another star player is not the way but change the game play first or tactical and give the opertunity for younger player to play.

"one player not make a team, the harmony of team because of spirit of the team"

Posted by kufre assian on 03/04/2009

Man city need players like diego, gallas, wes brown, flimini; players who arent contain with the part they play at their club but have the right spirit.
anyway, i dont see Man city doing much with their present squad, even if robinho scores in every game.

Posted by Joseph Leo on 03/04/2009

I'm not a coach and never will be. However it seems to me when City attack from the wings, we usualy score and win, but when the attack comes from the centre, a heavily gaurded defence always pushes us back and we lose. Our premier aponents always play a defensive game against us, and the UEFA teams always attempt to play an attacking game, that is why we are successful over seas. We need Martin Petrov back fast.

Posted by Andrew on 03/04/2009

Stephen Ireland. After almost being sold to Sunderland and missing the first few games, he's been the best player on the pitch for us. Whether we're up 3 goals or down 2 goals, he's still giving 110%. You build around Ireland. Hopefully Johnson and Petrov can return with vigor and gusto to go with Bojinov, Bellamy, and Robinho. The squad looks like world beaters if we can stay healthy next season.

Posted by Topper Shull on 03/05/2009

I don't get to actually see too many City matches any more because I'm back in the states, but I've found a similar pattern to what you're saying. City doesn't get into good stretches, or bad stretches, but a win or two in a row, maybe against a good team (one with spirit) like Villa or Arsenal, then its back to not showing up against WBA or Stoke.

While I think Hughes has somewhere to take this side, i find the immense amount of talent and inconsistency an odd tandem. For now, I believe a few things can help, but who am I? I'll put them out there though.
1. I follow you in wondering why Elano doesn't start. The unfortunate answer is that Robinho is on our side and that Mark Hughes has an infatuation with Craig Bellamy (possibly rightly so) and City works bette with two strikers, not one which is a better fit to Elano's talents in the midfield. Elano needs to be utilized better for us to be more effective.
2. Benjani, and Bojinov need to be used for more then the last 10 minutes

Posted by Moon Thialand on 03/05/2009

I am Man City fan from Thailand. I watched every games that Man City play. Some games I did enjoy and some games I didn't. But I am really enjoy the game with Villa.

They don't need to buy a new player.
They already have young good players in the club. They should gave opportunity to the young players when they substitube the player. Not 2, 4, 8 minutes before finish the game. Should give more time. At least 20 ,30 minutes in the game. Otherwise they have no chance to create things.

I like every body in the Man City Team. Especaily
Robbie, Bellamy,SWP,Ireland,Elano. The only thing we need is (SPIRIT & CO-OPERATION).I hope definitely things will get better.

Posted by the tinker on 03/06/2009

hello,
first, i enjoy the game with villa. But i saw we have some weakest at the back. I think at the back line Man City must place the good defender with high concentration such as kompany(DC),Onuoha(DC), Richard (DR) and Bridge(DL) for help the goalkeeper.

Posted by Gavin on 03/07/2009

Watching the first half of the match against Aston Villa, I saw the team Man City could be - Bright, quick, ingenious. I agree there is a hole and it is possible Ireland could fill it, but if he hasn't yet... The inconsistancy is maddening and it doesn't feel like Hughes is the force to pull them together week in and week out.

Posted by awis bollhassan on 03/07/2009

i totally agreed with you wallace.. i love city.. yeah i can say they do have a good number of players.. but i sometimes dont understand what mark hughes trying to proove here.. he has been spending million of dollars while they do have good back ups.. it's not a waste but hey.. show us something.. we want city to qualify for champions league next season but sadly we all knew that there's no chance at all..

where are the spirit?? come on city.. we have robinho.. kompany.. zabaleta.. bellamy SWP.. elano and given?? i can say that these players are good as what united or chelsea and liverpool have..

they are not being consistent in every matches.. they even lose to the small clubs.. im very dissapointed.. very dissapointed with mark hughes and the players!! we pay for the tickets.. we travelled miles and miles just to give a support.. but what do we get here??

show us something.. give us some satisfaction!!

Posted by Abubakar Senior on 03/09/2009

am very happy to see city robbing shoulders with teams like Villa. But the main problem as i realised is man city is good at playing with big teams. while the tiny ones usually give them toughtimes. the answer is that when playing with big teams city plays deligently and with dedication. while if playing with small usually city underrates them. and plays as if has already won the game.
i watched the match with pompey, i was devastated cos before the game i saw no way for pompey side to win over city. which ultimately iwas proved wrong. the treasure of our players is ok. unless that the coach himself has his own tactical problems usually drive the team into calamity. i think what should be done is to give the coach a red alarm so that if he changes before the end of this season, fine. if not, a more talented manager must
to be employed

Posted by Dolly on 03/10/2009

What does Caicedo do that Sturridge don't? I'll be gutted if Daniel leaves.

Posted by Erik on 03/12/2009

A few thoughts.

We miss Petrov immensely. I know it's hard to keep Robbie out of a game, but starting Petrov away would give us more backbone.

Elano is a great talent but I see why it is sometimes hard to get him into the squad. Where do you put him? Sit Ireland? SWP? Robbie?

Posted by manny millien on 03/12/2009

Man City needs stronger defense and a strong center field play maker to support Robihno, play, Philips Right, ireland and Elano than we will win next year Barclay cup

Posted by julius on 03/14/2009

julius from uganda east africa

am a good fan of man city who only watches city play on TV and just love the way we attack at the front but we DO have aproblem at the back as our beloved captain is over worked and many errors caused leading to own goals. we do need petrov back to increase on the pace of attacking

Posted by julius on 03/15/2009

this is julius from uganda

i disagree with moon we really need some more players if you have really watched we play chelsea most of our players were really tired with the the middle week match UEFA and were the same players for the chelsea match.
Hope you have watched PHILIPS had no pace robbie had a bad day. We really need PETROV,

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