http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/ en Copyright 2009 Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:51:01 +0000 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Once more the issue of the Old Firm, Celtic and Rangers for the uninitiated, joining the Premier League has been raised and subsequently shot down. Not surprising really as it is not exactly in the self interest of the majority of the Premier League clubs to add two more clubs into the mix that could divert revenue even if this time the idea was broached in the context of adding a Premier League 2. http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2009/11/the_old_firm_and_the_premier_l.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2009/11/the_old_firm_and_the_premier_l.php Premier League Thoughts Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:51:01 +0000 Today I'm going to step away from the subject of City and talk about the death of German national keeper Robert Enke. As is now well known the Hannover 96 net minder was killed by a train near his home on Tuesday evening. All indications are that the 32 year old committed suicide having left a note to that effect. http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2009/11/robert_enke.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2009/11/robert_enke.php European Football Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:42:09 +0000 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. http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2009/11/a_lack_of_positive_thoughts.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2009/11/a_lack_of_positive_thoughts.php Premier League Thoughts Tactics Board The Gaffer Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:19:56 +0000 "It's well documented in official records that the City's original name was 'Snottingham', or 'Home of the Snots', but when the Normans came, they couldn't pronounce the letter 'S', so decreed the town be called 'Nottingham' or the 'Home of the Notts'. It is therefore easy to understand why this change was resisted so fiercely by the people of Scunthorpe." The late, great, Humphrey Lyttelton in one of his opening monologues for BBC Radio's I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue, 1999.]]> http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2009/10/scunthorpe.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2009/10/scunthorpe.php Match Reaction Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:48:51 +0000 The focus will be on City losing a two goal lead and a couple of points at home, however I was more interested in the first half tactical decision that had Martin Petrov start on the right wing. Given that Petrov is quite possibly the most one footed person on the planet and it is his left foot I just don't understand this. City had a selection dilemma with the return of Bellamy but in this case I would have preferred Petrov to stay on his natural left side - which is what happened at the start of the second half. http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2009/10/premier_league_weekend_thought.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2009/10/premier_league_weekend_thought.php Premier League Thoughts Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:24:56 +0000 Sad to see what Liverpool have become under Rafa Benitez. Always been my brother's team and during the 70's were a sight to behold as I was forced to watch every time they were on! Liverpool played the game right, in many ways the Arsenal of their day with the exception that they won a lot more often than Wenger's boys. http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2009/10/what_price_gerrard_and_torres.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2009/10/what_price_gerrard_and_torres.php Premier League Thoughts Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:30:27 +0000 Nine games into a season, eight for City, but nine for most is a good point to take stock and see what trends are possible to detect. As such I was taking a look at the league table. There are a couple of truisms that I've found to be useful especially relatively early in the season. http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2009/10/playing_with_numbers.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2009/10/playing_with_numbers.php Premier League Thoughts Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:37:59 +0000 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. http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2009/10/reflections_on_wigan.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2009/10/reflections_on_wigan.php Match Reaction Tactics Board The Gaffer Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:45:03 +0000 City win 3-1 and maintain their excellent start to the season with a game in hand over their rivals. http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2009/09/the_fast_five.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2009/09/the_fast_five.php Match Reaction Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:28:55 +0000 In the first of an occasional series we talk to a fan of an upcoming City opponent. Kicking us off is Dr. Greg Zeschuk mild mannered co founder of the Edmonton Canada video game company Bioware by day, but rabid Arsenal fanatic by night. Greg put aside playing the upcoming Dragon Age: Origins just long enough to answer our questions http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2009/09/the_away_terraces.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2009/09/the_away_terraces.php Premier League Thoughts Sat, 12 Sep 2009 06:55:45 +0000 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. http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2009/09/snap_thoughts_as_the_transfer.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2009/09/snap_thoughts_as_the_transfer.php Transfer Talk Tue, 01 Sep 2009 18:21:29 +0000 I'll leave it to others to analyze and talk about the Joleon Lescott signing. Instead I've had this crazy thought running through my head for a week now. Really crazy. I've written it down, kicked the tires as it were and gone back and forth and here it is. With the signing of Lescott, do City now have the best squad in the Premier League? http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2009/08/a_crazy_thought.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2009/08/a_crazy_thought.php Premier League Thoughts Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:53:08 +0000 One game does not a season make and I'm certainly not going to get carried away with my Arsenal predication. I know one very prominent Arsenal supporter who thinks United will win the league so you never know. I was curious however to see the reaction of the Everton fans. Dear me. Everton manager David Moyes is considered by many observers including yours truly to be one of the better managers in the Premier League, but you wouldn't know it reading the Everton boards. http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2009/08/some_thoughts_on_everton.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2009/08/some_thoughts_on_everton.php Premier League Thoughts Transfer Talk Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:01:48 +0000 The Big Four - Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool Arsenal It will be held against me if it doesn't come to pass, but my surprise pick for the title is Arsenal. Arsene Wenger has spent the past couple of years blooding the most impressive bunch of youngsters in recent memory. However the crucial addition didn't happen this transfer window, but instead was the capture of Zenit St. Petersburg's Andrei Arshavin this past January. Kolo Toure was quoted earlier in the month that Arsenal lack leaders and he was right these past few seasons. But not any more. The Russian forward is going to lead by example and become a true icon of the Gunners. Notwithstanding Fabio Capello's fairly idiotic statement that Jack Wilshere could go to the World Cup, England have more than enough midfielders it is the striking options that should be of concern, the Arsenal youngster should have a breakout season. Experience plus addition by subtraction and the loses of their challengers equals an opportunity.]]> http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2009/08/premier_league_season_preview.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2009/08/premier_league_season_preview.php Premier League Thoughts Sat, 15 Aug 2009 08:25:15 +0000 If Joleon Lescott gets his wish and joins City then his written transfer request makes sense, but otherwise I do fear that the Everton defender has rather misread the tea leaves. The Toffees manager, David Moyes, has been adamant that the England centre half wasn't leaving and as previously noted the Everton fans were magnificent in their support of the player in the last pre season friendly. Lescott should have taken the hint. http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2009/08/lescott_tactical_error.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchestercity/archives/2009/08/lescott_tactical_error.php Tue, 11 Aug 2009 17:25:32 +0000