http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/ en Copyright 2012 Tue, 14 Aug 2012 01:52:53 +0000 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss I've never understood why City picked up Samir Nasri. City already had David Silva and needed a good backup rather than another starter. Occasionally Nasri shined last season, but invariably at the expense of James Milner, which seems a complete waste. And then I watched the Community Shield and simply put, Roberto Mancini is a very smart manager. http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2012/08/mancini_gets_creative_1.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2012/08/mancini_gets_creative_1.php Match Reaction Tue, 14 Aug 2012 01:52:53 +0000 Some 18 months ago I did a podcast, here at Soccernet, where I was asked about the players I would be interested in should I be given the keys to the vault. One player I identified as a major target was Everton's Jack Rodwell who I believe is one of the great upcoming talents in the English game. http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2012/08/city_get_rodwell.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2012/08/city_get_rodwell.php Transfer Talk Sun, 12 Aug 2012 15:55:09 +0000 Some 24 hours later and I'm still numb. This is the one that matters. I couldn't give the proverbial rodent's rump about the Champions League. Never have. But the league; this is something a little special. http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2012/05/champions.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2012/05/champions.php Match Reaction Mon, 14 May 2012 17:31:44 +0000 The news that West Brom manager Roy Hodgson has been appointed England manager has been met by luke warm praise at best and out right derision at worst. http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2012/05/hodgson_appointment_good_for_t_1.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2012/05/hodgson_appointment_good_for_t_1.php National Team Wed, 02 May 2012 04:35:18 +0000 And frankly got exactly what he deserved, a City win and a wide open title race with two games to go. Win both and City are champions, simple as that, although with City nothing is ever as simple as it could be. http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2012/05/ferguson_parks_the_bus_1.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2012/05/ferguson_parks_the_bus_1.php Match Reaction Tue, 01 May 2012 02:16:37 +0000 and of Lenny Henry becoming funny again than City repeating the 6-1 victory over United.]]> http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2012/04/my_heart_says_yes_but_my_brain.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2012/04/my_heart_says_yes_but_my_brain.php Premier League Thoughts Mon, 30 Apr 2012 18:07:53 +0000 The starting 11 for tonight's game with Sporting has been released and once again James Milner is not in the staring lineup. http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2012/03/milner_not_in_starting_lineup.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2012/03/milner_not_in_starting_lineup.php Thu, 15 Mar 2012 19:06:06 +0000 If the Spurs win at home back on January 22nd was the most important one of the season, the victory over Bolton on Saturday might be the second. http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2012/03/thoughts_on_bolton.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2012/03/thoughts_on_bolton.php Match Reaction Sun, 04 Mar 2012 18:32:02 +0000 Mario Balotelli will get all the headlines, but James Milner played one of his best games for Manchester City to help the club to beat Spurs 3-2. http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2012/01/milner_excels_in_city_win_2.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2012/01/milner_excels_in_city_win_2.php Match Reaction Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:36:22 +0000 I made the point before City played United that regardless of the outcome it was only three points. That was true whether City lost or in that case won 6-1. It's still true and yet today's game against Spurs feels like more. http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2012/01/does_title_revolve_around_spur_1.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2012/01/does_title_revolve_around_spur_1.php Premier League Thoughts Sun, 22 Jan 2012 11:39:05 +0000 It's that time of year again, the silly season when the January transfer window opens and clubs wait until the last five minutes of the final hour before deciding that they need to sign a crucial player who is either stuck somewhere on the M1 or reportedly just landed at a regional airport. http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2012/01/its_that_time_of_year.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2012/01/its_that_time_of_year.php Transfer Talk Sun, 01 Jan 2012 20:12:20 +0000 I know, on the surface it seems an odd question. Richards isn't City's best player, that would be David Silva, or the most influential, no guesses for Nigel de Jong, but a recent reader question got me thinking about City's tactics in breaking down defenses.]]> http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2011/12/is_micah_richards_citys_most_i_1.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2011/12/is_micah_richards_citys_most_i_1.php Tactics Board Sat, 17 Dec 2011 00:40:36 +0000 You have to laugh at the gutter press. Defeat to Chelsea and City have failed their big test and will now struggle to win the Premier League. http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2011/12/post_1.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2011/12/post_1.php Match Reaction Wed, 14 Dec 2011 13:12:09 +0000 Here's the thing... If at the start of the season you'd said to the average City fan that the club would take four points combined from their trips to United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal I suspect most would have taken it quite happily. http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2011/11/four_points.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2011/11/four_points.php Match Reaction Sun, 27 Nov 2011 19:38:25 +0000 I get asked quite often why I haven't commented about the Carlos Tevez situation. Really it boils down to my one word reaction to the whole debacle... "And?" However, with the recent comments of former City manager Mark Hughes and the revelation that Tevez may sue Roberto Mancini over the whole incident it is unfortunately obvious that this story will have legs. http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2011/10/tevez_2.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2011/10/tevez_2.php Premier League Thoughts Thu, 27 Oct 2011 08:17:50 +0000