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You can't keep a good cliche down it seems. The latest chestnut to be rolled out is "at this time of year it is the result that matters rather than the performance." Er... no. Still the same number of points awarded in March for a win as in August. Ultimately it's the result that matters any time of the year.
If you didn't watch the game a 3-0 victory over Wigan, and a Carlos Tevez hat trick to boot, would imply a comfortable victory for City. The reality was that City struggled mightily to break down Roberto Martinez's side and it took a red card on Gary Caldwell to turn the tide.
There are two opinions on the sending off and it was interesting that Arsenal fans thought it was an immediate red card and the type of tackle that has caused such serious injury to their players. Caldwell's challenge was clumsy and ill advised, but from my perspective it seemed a little harsh to warrant a straight red.
The expectation was that Wigan would close up shop and be even harder to break down however City found a way through and once Tevez had scored his first the floodgates opened.
City were very poor and rightly booed off the pitch at half time. Patrick Vieira in particular looked about six yards off the pace and the Frenchman's signing seems more and more suspect. The former Arsenal man in a three defensive midfield diamond at least makes some sense but not as a partner to Nigel de Jong in the middle of the park in a standard 4-4-2 which is what City played against the Latics.
Tevez never stopped running and it was good to see Adebayor in his return from suspension also put in a good shift of work.
Bottom line, job done, three points in the bag and back up to fifth place. 'cos as you know at this time of year it's the result that matters.
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Posted by Stan on 03/30/2010
The ESPN commentators were openly stating that Viera looked like a man whose best years were well behind him and he no longer had what it took to compete in the Premier League.
On current form I don't see City snagging a Champions League spot. Villa appears to be slipping into another late-season swoon, and Liverpool -- well, they've been at least as erratic as City. Tottenham appears to be the most solid, however.
I have this nagging sense that this is pretty much where City would be even if Hughes were still at the helm. You may have different thoughts on that, however.
By the way --- welcome back!
Wallace Reply I agree that City's final position this year is unlikely to have been different if Hughes had stayed in charge. I'm curious as to what players might have come in during the January transfer window if that had been the case, but we'll probably never know - although would love to see an interview of Hughes that asked that question.
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Posted by Joel on 03/30/2010
Another thing I found refreshing was seeing Zabeleta *in the back 4*!!! I never did grasp Mancini's insistence on putting him in the midfield, but he definitely became more useful running down the side than plugging up the middle - and to be frank, it also reduced the chances for him to dribble away the ball.
Interesting to see the changes for next week. I'd think Richards on for Zabaleta, and I'd be shocked if Barry didn't replace Viera (who looked like he was 70). The more I see him play (and I'd be interested in your take on this) I think more and more that Barry could provide that midfield passer role that you've been hankering for since Elano left. Earlier in the year I spent tons of time yelling at my TV re: his errant passes, but with playing time he's passing smartly.
Also promising to see the many near misses in passes between Tevez and Adebayor - hopefully their chemistry peaks in time for the somewhat more challenging matches towards the end of the fixture list.
Wallace Reply Barry was excellent in distributing the ball while at Villa yet hasn't really embraced such a role at City. It's certainly possible that he could help. That being said Mancini likes the diamond where the creative force is at the top of the diamond and that isn't Barry's strength.
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Posted by Matthew on 03/30/2010
did anybody else notice the immediate effect of a running and challenging bellamy? my goodness it was refreshing to see someone actually engage into the game. Also good to see the wallace is back at it...
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Posted by Stan on 03/30/2010
I'm curious for your thoughts as to what City needs to do in the summer to break into the Top 4. Perhaps that's fodder for a May column.
Wallace Reply Indeed! If Mancini remains the manager of hand I think the club needs a stud central defender, a good young defensive midfielder and attacking midfield play maker and one more forward. If Mourinho becomes the manager that will change things considerably.
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Posted by samik on 03/30/2010
How about a midfield 3 with Barry and Ireland providing some creativity, and De Jong sweeping behind. The only problem is where the Ireland of last year would have been immense in that role, he seems to be half the player this year, though his passing still seems sweet despite whatever people say.
Another reason for a midfield 3 is that Tevez and Adebayor just doesnt seem to work - and again, contrary to belief Ade does work hard, its just the chemistry is missing. Of course, if they manage to hit form together, they would be devastating.
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Posted by chris on 03/30/2010
Wallace-
you are most likely correct, however, city's fate still rests in its own hands (maybe that is the most worrying thing...). I am pretty confident we will finish above Spurs, but fear that Liverpool will nearly win out the rest of their fixtures, which would leave them above us... I still project for City to finish with between 69 and 71 points, which may not be enough for fourth...
our only shot seems to be if Tevez continues to score in every match.
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Posted by Evan Georgiou on 03/31/2010
In the future,City merely need to let these players gel with one another....Toure/Kompany and Lescott have not been available at the same time all season....Adebayor,Tevez,Bellamy and RSC
have not been available at the same time all season....the real problem is not in defence or down the wings or in attack it is in midfield where Barry/De Jong need help from a fit again Johnson and an in form Ireland and until then we need two more midfielders...Viera is improving but can only help us against the lower teams,or for the last 15 minutes to lock out a game...we
will not need him to start against United/Spurs/Villa/Arsenal but against Burnley/Birmingham/West Ham he can help....
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Posted by Alex on 03/31/2010
One of the problems for Barry is that he's been deployed as a holding midfielder. At Villa he was pushed further up the park and could control the play like Fabregas does for Arsenal.
Barry has some good traits that I like in this regard: he holds the ball quite well, which is one of City's main problems when we spread it around. Tevez is the other man who holds the ball superbly, bouncing off challenges with his low centre of gravity and fantastic touch.
If City can control the ball better in the final third then we'll make more chances, and be able to bring Adebayor/Santa Cruz into the game more and provide options that aren't made by Tevez running from one side of the park to the other. To do that we need players that can hold up the ball well, and currently the only method to make that happen is to put on two big men or push Barry further up the field.
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Posted by Chacko on 03/31/2010
Personally I think Adam Johnson has been a great pick up in the way he can run at defenders and his silky little moves of trickery. I also think if Adebayor hadn't been suspended half of the season offensively City would be dominant right now. The dream of Toure and Lescott making a great partnership hasn't worked out so far, but we'll see in the future. Kompany and Toure has been pretty good though..
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Posted by Sam on 04/01/2010
It is most important that whoever is manager next year stays for at least 2 full seasons. City will never get up b changing managers every six months, the players will not be able to settle. Tottenham are still far from guaranteed 4th, they have an incrediably tough run in. Citys is easier and to me it will go right down to the wire.
If Adebeyor starts scoring and the team settles a bit they have a great chance.
Citys problem is that they seem to just buy players they dont need. Last summer they bought way too many strikers and created an imbalance where the coach felt he had to try and fit them in the squad. If Mancini can identify players to fit in his system then City could realistically be challenging for the title as early as next year, they just have to avoid 'big name fever' just llok at Johnson!
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Posted by Tripp Maxwell on 04/02/2010
It's an interesting run in for 4th place, obviously. To me, it's to be decided in a 5 game stretch. City play: Birmingham, United, @Arsenal, Villa, Spurs. Spurs: play Arsenal, Chelsea, @United, Bolton, Chelsea. Villa: Everton, @Portsmouth, @Hull, Birmingham, @City. Liverpool: Fulham, West Ham, @Burnley, Chelsea. Villa and Liverpool play the weaker teams, but City have 4 of 5 at home. Tottenham still to play the top 3. Fascinating.
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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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