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For the moment let's put aside that it was City. What a fabulous Cup tie. Over two legs that was ebb and flow, passion and guts, more than enough story lines, a goal at the death and not a Fergie Time minute in sight. It's a cliche to say a great game for the neutrals, but wow.
Now of course it was City and it's a frustrating end to a good run. I was a little disappointed in the line up that Roberto Mancini sent out. It was, for the first time, a fairly predictable line up and showed little of the tactical invention that Mancini had shown so far.
There's a stereotype about how Italian managers shut up shop when they have the lead and this played to that. Without Petrov or Ireland on the pitch City struggled to find that extra bit of quality that was needed. The players selected worked their socks off, this is not a criticism of the effort, just a lack of imagination.
If City had won, Mancini would have been lauded for an astute tactical choice I'm sure.
As much as I admire the Manager for starting with a clean sweep and giving everyone in the squad an opportunity to stake their place Left Back remains a problem. Javier Garrido is not the solution, at this stage in his career, in games of this magnitude. United apparently also believe this to be the case as their attacks were concentrated through Nani on the right wing.
City should have moved decisively at the start of the transfer window for a quality Left Back. It was a mistake that has cost the club an opportunity for a date at Wembley.
Ultimately City won. United played their best team available and took the overall tie with a goal deep into injury time. City got that close but as I indicated yesterday the result on the pitch was less important long term than the fact that United took City seriously for the first time in 30 years. Of course I wanted City to win and it is frustrating that they didn't. However I take the long view here as to the changes being made in the club.
United didn't cheat, they didn't dive, they didn't get ludicrous amounts of Fergie Time nor did they get dodgy referee decisions. Over the two legs they were, just, the better side. I don't have a problem with that. This was proper English football played in a cracking atmosphere. Some you win, like the first leg, some you lose.
Only the most myopic of opposing fans can fail to acknowledge what was the true take away from this semi final. City are back; finally after so many years in the wilderness, City are a legitimate part of the conversation whether it is Cup competitions or the race for the Champions League qualification. The Premier League title? Let's see the club in the top four at the end of a season first. It's a huge climb from fourth to first.
Comments
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Posted by Ben, Mancunian exile in Salford on 01/28/2010
"Only the most myopic...."
Funny you say that - only one United fan I know (season ticket holder to boot) has recognised the strides that my beloved City are already making.
In the office today, (about twenty minutes walk from the swamp), there has been much crowing by United fans about how brilliant they were. No real acceptance of the part that my beloved City had in last night's drama.
It's not an easy road for City to climb but let's make no mistake, we're getting stuck in.
We are in the ascendancy.
CTID!
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Posted by johnno in manc on 01/28/2010
I don't really like the idea of celebrating failure but you make some fair points. Now lets take it out on Pompey at the weekend and smash 6 past them.
Wallace Reply The club gets one moral victory, this was it, and after that yes failure is just that, failure.
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Posted by James on 01/28/2010
I was gutted last night -- absolutely gutted. Then, this morning I started thinking about how things have changed over the last couple of years. United rarely field their strongest side for the League Cup and to do so was sent a very interesting subliminal message -- they're worried. Yes, for the first time in, well, decades United are now taking City extremely seriously. With the addition of two or three world class players (and certainly one of those needs to be at left-back), City will be a real contender for the Premiership title. Compare that with being 2-1 down to Gillingham several years ago! The future is bright – very bright. We just have to be a little more patient.
Wallace Reply Yes exactly. The club is not there yet, but...
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Posted by Justin on 01/28/2010
It hurts here in the states still. Americans don't know or don't see the elevation of Manchester City, they only know about United and care about United (those that actually care). It bothers me here in the states to watch the uneducated masses route for United or the Yankees or anyone else, because that is who they know. Until City win...and win consistently they will not be respected to those around here. I even know Avi Glazer and he is shocked I'm a City fan, but he is worried.
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Posted by Total Man City on 01/28/2010
Was really annoyed this morning about what could have been however Reading this and remembering talking to a rags fan some time ago about how little the carling cup meant funny enough after they were knocked out how it was all about showing off the kids and what not and how the F.A. Cup was the Real cup makes me fell better that yes city are now a team to be taken seriously and yes we are still in the F.A. Cup
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Posted by mattythered on 01/28/2010
listen lets be honest united were the better side and your far from being as good as us but havin said that im a fan from northern ireland and the fact that the derby games are gona be a big thing now can only be a good thing..its only a matter of time before you win a trophy but gary cook needs to shut his ugly gub as hes gona put real pressure on your players that they dont need..no matter how much city will annoy me in the future il never stop hatin the scousers
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Posted by Will on 01/28/2010
I truly agree it was an admirable fight City put up. Too bad it was "typical city". And I guess what hurt the most was that we've seen this before. A loss that pierces through the heart, an injury time loss to United at Old Trafford. We witnessed it months before and we live through the pain once more.
I'm with you on the need for a defender while the transfer window is still open. I don't know when we'll see Toure or Lescott again but I feel Mancini should take a considerable amount of time looking for a replacement for Kompany. But I couldn't agree more than Garrido was without question the weakest link on the pitch.
But I do have a question for you....with Robinho on his way to Santos for six months, come August what will City do with the Brazilian star? Will he be shipped to another club or return to Eastlands where he's been more upset than content?
Personally I think he has one of the best touches in the game and it'd hurt even more to see quality like that leave the club.
Wallace Reply I think Robinho is done with the club. I didn't until this morning when I saw the length of the loan "until August 4th." That says no pre season with Mancini and 10 days or so until the start of the season.
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Posted by Shane--Toronto City Fan on 01/28/2010
Rooney was completely unmarked for the winning goal. I agree that City is a team to be reckoned with now. But our back four, no matter who is chosen, is too inexperienced, and it shows with our marking. Until our defence is led by an experienced leader with skill, in his prime, good teams will control possession and will be difficult to hold. Mancini should be focusing on experienced defence in this window, to help us solidify a top four spot. But all I see him looking at our young backs. Doesn't make sense. If we have the money, lets use it now to get in the top four.
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Posted by Waqas Azeem on 01/28/2010
The fact that City lost saddens me. But the thing that hurts the most is that it was lost at the start of the game, I mean tactically. Mancini played the same formation at COMS and United had 57% of the possession. Hence no use of Zabaleta in the middle. Taking one goal lead was always risky as you pointed out correctly that city will have to score. But having an out-of-form/fitness SWP on the pitch and three holding midfielders on the pitch meant no attack hence no goals. I have said it in one of my earlier comments that a right winger is needed as a cover for SWP. And playing with Garrido for the rest of the season will be suicide even Bridge is no world class. Petrov and Ireland should have started and Ade should have been brought in place of Zab with Barry moving to Left back. But Alas! We can only say so much. Micah Richards was terrific, and bringing in another right back as rumored is not understandable.
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Posted by Waqas Azeem on 01/28/2010
There was no one on the pitch to distribute the ball (though scholes did). Why haven't City been linked with any playmaker (I'm angry).
P.S. I missed Elano last night too(I assume that you must have).
Wallace Reply Indeed. The lack of a play maker is a glaring weakness but I've gone on about it so much there doesn't seem to be much point in pressing the issue.
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Posted by kev on 01/28/2010
apart from two blatant elbows and a genuine penaly denied the rags got away with it- ferdinand should have been off on the first half giggs in the second - the league game at eastlands will provide some satisfaction wath them fold
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Posted by Stan on 01/29/2010
Robinho's loan lasts 'til August 4, huh? Yeah, he's gone. They'll sell him to a club outside the Prem in a splashy deal and set their sights on another high-profile striker or two.
A shame we dumped Elano for a bag of beans....we could have used his imagination and passing against ManU.
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Posted by kartik on 01/29/2010
A team which splashes 200 million in 1 transfer window does so to become a force to win and not to be "taken seriously". It is exactly opposite, city have actually lost. Its like Real Madrid... spending so much and yet sitting at second place place 5 points behind.
United's "best team available" had Giggs and Scholes in their line up. 4 were youth academy, 4 less than 22 and 3 at more than 34 years of age.
No Vidic, no Hargreves, no Berbatov. The best player in the world is no more with Man U. The other ex mancunian of the last years three prong attack is the only one who is a ray of hope and who carried City to second leg. Based on the money outlay for the 22 players in the field, United actually were far behind.
Yes,City are back. They were back when this season started, but if they do not finish in top four this season, only a myopic City fan would still make this "We are back" outcry.
Wallace Reply lol I disagree but it's an interesting viewpoint
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Posted by robson de Josh on 01/29/2010
The only moral victory is for Tevez. If anyone thinks City is back, they are not there yet. Robson's departure is bigger than people think. I don't like Mancini's defensive lineups and barry and de jong are a little to hesitant on the ball. They are not creative enough to help with the attack. They do not fit well with petrov swp and bellamy on the wings. Every opponent knows their strength is on the wings and that city are weak in the middle. Either Ireland needs to be in the middle city need to get help there. I don't understand the dropping of a brazilian national first team player like robinho... He fits in well behind fabiano, ronaldinho, adriano... why wouldn't mancini look to create an opportunity for a player with a huge desire to impress b4 the world cup???? I don't understand why club teams play robson on the wing and not behind strikers where he is class, like at brazil
Wallace Reply It's a good point, Robinho has not been played in the position he plays for Brazil. Some players can move positions but others, Robbie Keane for example, can get ruined by the process.
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Posted by robson de Josh on 01/29/2010
oh and the elano dump was a bad move too. he would help behind the strikers so much now. ireland de jong and barry are not the best players for attack. I hope mancini gets a better left back than bridge and goes for de rossi or a better defensive mid than de jong to play with barry if he wants to run 4 D and 2 CDM
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Posted by talljonny on 01/29/2010
"4 were youth academy"? Your point? Look at City's team. Richards, Boyata, SWP, Irealand (as sub).
It wasn't £200 million in 1 transfer window, it's 200 in total, a lot yes, but you're wrong on that point. Real Madrid spent the money when they were already winning titles, we've spent it to get there from not winning so the comparison doesn't fit really.
As for us only being Tevez, I thought De Jong and Bellamy also did their bit.
On these teams on Wednesday, yes we spent more. Look at the teams in the 4-3 at Old Trafford and you actually come out having spent more. Only difference is we've spent it in a shorter timeframe.
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Posted by MikeG on 01/29/2010
As a City fan in the states I can tell you that the United obsession is going nowhere and there is no sense in even worrying about that. As much as the moral victory thing makes, you really do only get ONE of those, well at least in american sports. Continuing the comparison, the attack that J. Garrido was under is exactly like a great quarterback in the nfl going after a weak link in the defensive secondary. I like Garrido, but he cannot play leftback against any pace and\or trickery, he just doesn't have it. I am shocked that Mancini hasn't went out and got a quality leftback, although I have a probably misguided theory that if he can bring in a couple of the midfielders he wants he might make Barry or Zabaleta a permanent solution, or maybe he just like Javier and sweet left-footed set pieces. I know you are one the "Ireland is not a playmaker" people, but I can't see any other position for him. He has above average vision and creativity, he likes to hit the ball early and put the ball at the feet (or chest) of the attackers and then get his run on. He is a hard worker, which can help in protecting a CDM like De jong, but he doesn't quite have the pace to play out wide. I think given a season starting as a central attacking midfielder he slots home goals and assists regularly, even throwing in a tackle or two. Granted he stays healthy. Ok, one more gripe, SELL Benjani, shoulda went after V. Moses as a replacement. Sorry to see Robbie go, but not really, just hope we can recoup a couple dollars, it would have been nice to be fielding a Brazilian international in a world cup year. His quality is undeniable, just wish he came back with a different attitude with a new manager and 2 LW's playing well, he really needed to grit his teeth, work and show and prove. Maybe that's just not in him personally, we'll see.
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Posted by Jim Kanichirayil-Chicago on 01/29/2010
I am quite intrigued by the responses of my Man U friends on Facebook. They keep crowing and crowing about their glorious come from behind victory over City. It certainly is interesting that a world power like United is so enthralled by their victory over a "2nd rate team" (according to the opinions of their fans) in a fourth rate tournament. How ironic would it be that after all that crowing, they lose in the finals? City being the clear underdog has reason to be proud. Man U? Come on! Getting excited over this win just demonstrates a bit of desperation in trying to grasp onto anything that is within reach. It's not the Champions League so it's really shouldn't be that big a deal for United...
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Posted by LingBah MCFC on 01/29/2010
CTID... If any other team in the world lost to Man Utd over 2 legs 4-3 by an injury time winner at the swamp would they be moaning..?
KATRIC... City had no Bridge Lescott Toure Viera Ireland Johnson Petrov Robihno Adebayor Santa Cruz and still pushed you for 180 minutes + of truly entertaining Football... A Blue Moon is rising over Manchester!
P.S. Tevez will haunt you like a Dennis Law backheel! CTID.
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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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