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No blockbusters this year and I think we can thank, or blame depending on your perspective, City for this. The Big Four all made their transfer moves well in advance of the transfer deadline and in retrospect it is easy to see why. Last year Chelsea had Robinho lined up before the last minute move by City and the club also forced United to match the evaluation of Spurs for Berbatov. Given the ability of the club to hijack literally any significant move by their rivals all four of the Big Four closed up shop well in advance of the deadline.
I'm a delighted that Martin Petrov is still with the club. City are a far better team when their play goes through the Bulgarian winger and 'm hopeful that his playing time increases over the coming weeks.
If Richard Dunne has left the club it is the end of an era. That the big Irishman was terrible last year really isn't up for debate but for a number of years, four to be exact, he was one of the top five central defenders in the country and his service to the club has been magnificent. To my mind it also leaves City light one CB and I expect a move in the January transfer window to address that.
I could never see David Bentley coming to the club. He's a good player and Hughes got the most out of him at Blackburn. However having publicly stated that the reason you sold Elano was because SWP and Ireland play the position and there is young Weiss coming through it would have been fairly untenable to then sign Bentley who plays the same position.
I continue to love what Steve Bruce is doing up at the Stadium of Light. If the Sunderland manager had actually pulled off the Alan Hutton for Anton Ferdinand swop that was muted between the Black Cats and Spurs they would have been pushing in the North East for his canonization. That being said adding Matthew Turner and the loan of Lyon's John Mensah completes a quality overhaul.
Other than that not overly impressed with what Aston Villa did. Everton needed a right midfielder unless the decision is for Jack Rodwell to continue to play there which isn't a bad idea, the kid has some serious skills. Adding John Heitinga was an excellent move by Davd Moyes. It is the right flank of Everton, rather than the hole left by the departing Lescott, which is the problem for the Toffees.
And lastly... Portsmouth appear to have thrown in the towel. Sure Niko Kranjcar's contract comes to an end at the conclusion of the season but what price survival in the Premier League? Surely more than 2.5 million
Comments
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Posted by SR, Manchester on 09/01/2009
So glad Petrov move was called off, would have given Spurs width and 6-7 goals per season. Out of contract next summer though........
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Posted by davpsurs on 09/01/2009
I noticed you prase sunderland because you dont think they are a threat no mension of spurs well that suits us fine because when you play the better teams you will be exposed has a mishmash of talent with a manager with the carisma of hanabell lecter pompy should have made a draw belamy will soon upset some one with a seven iron and irland will be found rolling down a mountain sceaming at midnight i have to keep up with bellamy and shaun .B entley will be a hit at spurs trust me on this and petrov will be pissed of looking at spurs for the double hahahhahah
Wallace Reply Given that I predicted Spurs will end up 5th, ahead of City I'm not sure the reasoning behind this. Suffice to say I've commented in the past that when I lived in London I would go to White Hart Lane just to see Hoddle, and SPurs, play the right way.
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Posted by JustASpur on 09/01/2009
But is Sparky ever going to play Petrov?
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Posted by James McPherson on 09/02/2009
I, too, am glad to see Sparky decided not to part with Petrov; I think that Petrov (when on his game) adds quite a bit of confidence, sparkle, speed, and skill on the counter. Such a talent fits well with Hughes' modus operandi so far to defend from the front and punish mistakes. I don't believe that Petrov will see more than 25 games (at most) this year, but his ability to change a game from the bench AND perform on the road (Robinho anyone?) makes him a valuable commodity, and far preferable to Bentley.
Almost as smile-inducing is Taggart's inability/unwillingness/stubborn pride in not getting a bit more "instant" help to his bench.
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Posted by Stan on 09/02/2009
Wallace, i do not why you bothered replying to the fan. When the second-hand car dealers' mishmash of over-rated players run out of steam, Spurs will be pleased with an end of season battle with Fulham for the last Europa league spot. They will fail.
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Posted by Jason on 09/02/2009
Why has Robinho been benched?
He is clearly far superior to Bellamy and having him on the bench is holding the club back.
If it is for any other reason than rest then Hughes needs the sack.
I also read that Barcelona were interested in the Brazilian the only way we should get rid of Robinho is for a trade for some one of equal quality, I cannot believe the thought of selling Robinho before he has had a decent enough shot at proving his worth.
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Posted by AlexC83 on 09/02/2009
Wow Jason, why don't you just take it as a compliment that the best team of last year want to take one of our players?! Hughes/City rejected the approach for him so if we can turn down Barca and Robinho doesn't kick off as a result then we/Hughes can't be doing too much wrong can he?
I'm a massive Robinho fan and just feel his current relatively poor spell for him is just down to confidence - even top class players have dips every now and again. And wasn't the official line that he had a slight injury at the weekend anyway?!
Robinho's key contribution will be at home against the smaller teams - he can do for us what Ronaldo did for them lot last season. He's not a fighter like cahill (who wallace rates)who'll fight for an equaliser but he'll kill an awful lot of teams off with his quality.
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Posted by Martin Nazimek on 09/02/2009
Wallace,
I agree with Petrov staying. I love to watch him fly down the flank, but he is getting old and the rumors of him being unhappy at staying in city is not good. With that being said, maybe january is the time when we can pick up a quality backup to fill that role and send him on his way since i dont see him resigning. Really sad to see Dunne go. His last season wasnt the best, but this year, with the signing of Barry, the back 4 has been great. That was missing last season, a quality def mid as barry to cover the back 4. Even though lescott is quality, i was hoping dunne would stay. he is the type of player city are all about. As for the league, spurs are playing very well, can they keep it up for the entire season? I dont think they can, but a 5th place is good. Though I think city will be better. CTID
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Posted by steve on 09/02/2009
I would like to know why Robinho was benched as well. Don’t get me wrong Bellamy is a high energy player that will defended, but he does not have the creativity like Robinho. Robinho creates more chances for players and himself then Bellamy.
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Posted by chris on 09/02/2009
"Even though lescott is quality, i was hoping dunne would stay. he is the type of player city are all about." - interesting quote, but exactly why he has been pushed out of the side... Dunne, while full of heart, fight, and on his day a very good Center back, is not a player by any stretch who would be starting for a top four calibre team. If we were shooting for mid-table or survival, he is excellent, but the new owners are aiming for the top, so sad as it is, he is out. It remains to be seen whether the defenders we now have (Toure, Lescott, Onuoha, Kompany) are going to take us there, but we will see... good post on this by Jack at the Lonesome Death of Roy Carroll...
Also glad to see Petrov stay - he is a brilliant option in an attacking 4-4-2 - good possibly in away games for Robinho once Bellamy gets injured (inevitable, really).
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Posted by Brandon on 09/02/2009
I'm glad Petrov stayed but players of his caliber can't ride the bench! He has too much hustle and talent to stay still! I would also like to see Benjani leave and help out another club, also a very talented player! Its a shame that he'll be riding that much pine too! As for Dunne, he hasn't been at his best lately but he's a stay at home defender which all clubs need (ex. John Terry) I hope city hasn't gone too offense crazy and leave themself open in the back but we'll only see if thats true when they play the better clubs!
With Modric going down I figured the Spurs got a nail in one of they're tires but I think the Kranjcar pick up will prove to be a good spare! That was a great move! Your thoughts Wallace.
Wallace Reply Kranjcar was quality pick certainly but as has been noted I think Modric is a special talent. You don't replace a player like that and the timing is terrible with United, Chelsea and Arsenal in the next 7 league games. If Spurs win the other 4, a distinct possibility, then things will keep on track.
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Posted by Rob on 09/03/2009
I am with Jason and Steve. While Bellamy can give a change of pace at times, Robinho is far superior. He is world class. He could not have scored as many goals as he did last year and not be that good. I am worried that Robinho is not fitting in because Mark Hughes does not know how to use him correctly in this new allstar lineup. A prime example was the match against Wolves (sadly the only game I have been able to watch since I will not pay for Setanta). He definitely was creating in that game but was not able to link up with Adebayor and Tevez. I do not think that it was his fault. On the surface, it will be perceived that Robinho is not playing well but that is not true. He will then become unhappy on the bench and leave during the January transfer window. He will go to a different team that will know how to use him and we will unfortunately have to learn a harsh lesson but it will be too late. Ultimately, I think Mark Hughes favors Bellamy.
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Posted by lex on 09/03/2009
Regarding Robinho, I think it comes down to this:
He has tremendous potential. Last season he showed flashes of true class, and could single-handedly turn City into a flair side when he wanted to. There's also the small matter of his 14 EPL goals.
Maybe it's Second Season Syndrome, but he's not lighting up the Premier League at the moment. Personally, I think that will change.
However, if he doesn't fit into the team, then he should go. I find this unlikely, but it's a possibility. If City can challenge the Big Four without him, then so be it. Sometimes talented players just don't work in certain squads (Berbatov could be one).
It's WAY too early to consider dropping him, but people should not become too enamored with him. It's early days, but I get the feeling Hughes knows what he's doing. City's three wins weren't quite vintage, but they got them. And they are going to get better.
Can't wait to see them take on the Big Four.
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Posted by Greg on 09/03/2009
I think it is obvious that Hughes prefers hard workers in his teams. As much as I did not want Vassell in the team, it was hard to critize the effort he gave. From what I have read Elano left because he did not want to change his work habits. Right now Robinho is a great player "on any given day". I think that if Robinho listens to Hughes he could become a great player "every day". I know it is rare these days for the coach to be bigger than the star player, but I old enough to respect a coach that tries to make everyone work their hardest. Several things I do not like about Hughes but this is not one of them.
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Posted by locco on 09/05/2009
hye wallace, well actually i would like to appologise to u coz i used to be harsh in giving comment bout richard dunne. but now i must agree with u that for the last 5 years (except last year) he's a model proffesional...he deserve a testimonial match..by the way about petrov i think MH want to sell him because he's not into tracking back or help his left defender. He is superb when attacking but not really good in defending. n please dont deal with harry. I hate his style of dealing. look at what happen to Darren Bent, Roman P n others..Nico Krjcr for 2.5 million? Harry R is lucky until now...One question is Robinho having a problem fighting for first eleven? may be he need to change a bit his playing style..After all CITY is galaticos not galatico.ciao...
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Posted by andrew aka "skybluedockerboy" on 09/08/2009
agree with wallace's comments. i can understand petrov being quite dismayed at not getting a move. from his perspective...he wants to be playing football all the time. what he needs to realise is that he will get his time to shine (not unlike what he did at camp nou)
it seems that hughes is adopting a horses for courses approach to his games this year. i like this..but it will be interesting to see how the city crew go about it in the next month or so.
i'm eagerly anticipating the game against arsenal this weekend. i'm most looking forward to seeing hughes' formation. my gut feeling is this will be the first litnus test for our sky blues primarily because of the injuries to tevez and robinho.
the upcoming manchester derby will be a match that most of the football world has been eargerly anticipating for the last 3-4 months..and for that reason alone...(and phht, also because i'm die hard sky-blue ^;-) i hope robby and carlitos are right for the manchester derby.
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Posted by anwari ikhlas on 09/09/2009
go man city!!!
go santa cruz!!!
Posted by Danial on 09/11/2009
One possible formation for Saturday's match vs Arsenal would be for Hughes to revert to a 4-2-3-1 due to Tevez's & Robinho's injury.
Barry would partner de Jong in the central midfield role whereby the latter would be the holding midfielder & the former free to roam during attack or help shield his partner during defense.
The attacking trio of Petrov, Ireland & Wright-Phillips would be great to see especially the wingers who would use their pace with Ireland supporting the lone striker Adebayor.
Any predictions?
Wallace Reply I leaning towards a draw.
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About
Wallace Poulter is an award winning video game producer, designer, industry consultant and writer. He has been a football fanatic since the day he moved in next door to Brian Clough. "Cloughie" being the acknowledged genius that he was promptly moved out and went to manage Derby. A serviceable senior school left-back in his youth, Poulter played one season of Sunday league football as a striker proving conclusively that he was a serviceable senior school left-back! Today Poulter remains involved with football as a licensed referee and most recently as a consultant on a Football MMO.
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