I've received a couple of polite enquires from long time readers about recent results and my thoughts. My infrequent posting is not a lack of opinion, far from it, but just an overwhelming sense of frustration. I'd much rather post positive thoughts about the team winning and players playing well than harp on the negative issues which have seemed so obvious to me for so long.

I look at the table and I shouldn't complain. I look at the result against a team that beat Chelsea last time out and I shouldn't complain. I look at a gritty rear guard action by 10 men and I shouldn't complain and I look at Petrov getting a run in the side and I shouldn't complain.

And yet.

My frustration with Mark Hughes is fairly obvious. Playing Darius Vassell and not playing Elano are just a couple of reasons. Today however maybe the worm turned ever so slightly as I was treated to Hughes magnificently savaging Ferguson, Wenger, Benitez, Moyes and others in the Daily Express. Essentially Hughes said that it's in their nature to court publicity, complain and attempt to play mind games as managers because they didn't make the grade as players.

Classic.

I make a habit of blasting the print press, mainly because they're silly and their coverage would have old time journalists turning in their graves. Occasionally however you get a good little interview. Such is the case with Derick Allsop in the Independent this Sunday as he talks to Mark Hughes.

You have to feel for Mark Hughes. Here City are on a three game winning streak and everything should be focused on the last few games of the season.

Instead the issue of Elano is once more to the fore.

The Cup is half full: City beat one of the better sides in Europe and were dominant.
The Cup is half empty: City's best chance at silverware in years is gone.

The Cup is half full: Robinho and Elano both started and played well.
The Cup is half empty: Richard Dunne got sent off, again.

For today's game against Fulham

Man City: Given, Richards, Onuoha, Dunne, Garrido, Etuhu, Zabaleta, Ireland, De Jong, Petrov, Bojinov. Subs: Hart, Robinho, Elano, Fernandes, Evans, Sturridge, McGivern.

Pretty ballsy lineup from Hughes, Robinho and Elano who both start for Brazil let us not forget, are on the bench while Etuhu plays.

I had to smile this morning. No manager in the world wants his players playing international football with the chance of injury but there was Mark Hughes talking up Zabaleta for Argentina. Nice example of man management in supporting the player while knowing that he is not going to lose him for this round of international call ups.

I know, I know; most of you are scratching your head asking where this came from? I was certainly one of the first to call for the ouster of the City manager when he played Vassell as a starter. I have grumbled, loudly at times, about the tactics and base formations.

The Rambling view from the City Perspective

An unfortunate loss against Stoke after a positive result mid week against Newcastle. Same team each time, with a very interesting Zabaleta/De Jong midfield anchor partnership and the team playing a 4-2-3-1. Good. Yes I know we lost against ten man Stoke, however this was Hughes maximizing the resources he has available to him given injuries and suspensions.

The Rambling view from the City perspective.

In praise (gulp) of Mark Hughes. Ok, ok, I know get off the floor, break out the smelling salts. But a funny thing happened in the Blackburn game.

However first, let me take you back a few days to a fascinating interview with Jose Mourinho on Sky. Our favourite Portuguese was talking about tactics and how during an Italian game in Serie A he changed his tactical formation four times and the opposing coach not only matched him but was anticipating his tactical moves. This to me is the under appreciated part of Mourinho's genius.

He is a quite brilliant man manager but even more so is his tactical awareness. Many the time Mourinho would make a substitution or change a formation based on the in game situation and see it work very quickly. Once Shevchenko was forced on Mourinho his tactical options became more restricted as did his style of play but the first year with Robben and Duff etc was a joy to behold.

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.