MAN CITY 3 – 3 Sunderland – MY THOUGHTS
1 Apr
Second in the Premier League having led for most of the season, thirteen points ahead of third place, assured of Champions League football next year and yet the overwhelming feeling after yesterday’s game is deflation. Such is the necessity to win, even scoring two goals in the last five minutes to rescue a point is deemed a failure. And if we’re being honest, we barely deserved the draw.
Sunderland were every bit as terrific as we were lacklustre. There was no desire, an absence of intent and a total lack of guile from the Blues, but credit must be given to the visitors who will justifiably feel cheated out of the three points. As opposed to most teams who travel to the Etihad Stadium, the Black Cats actually stamped their authority on the game, passing the ball well in midfield and finishing clinically. Nicklas Bendtner and Stephane Sessegnon in particular stood out, but it was a hugely impressive team showing, full of commitment and fighting spirit.
As for the Blues, apart from the final ten minutes, it was a thoroughly frustrating and insipid display, lacking in belief and impetus. The comeback to rescue a point was certainly one full of character but that only serves to exasperate further. We’ve come from behind in recent times against the likes of Sporting Lisbon, Chelsea and Stoke, but why do we not show any urgency before conceding? The Premier League title is up for grabs, yet we seem to lack the passion until we’re forced into chasing the game.
The only player to impress was David Pizarro, whose late introduction provided some creativity. His long-range passing was spot on and he was able to retain possession whilst adding quality on the ball, something we had hitherto failed to do. He’s clearly not going to start many games, but if the Chilean is given the opportunity from the bench, his guile from deep means he can be a potential matchwinner.
Otherwise, it was a terrible team performance. The defence, usual so reliable, was uncertain and hesitant despite the return of Vincent Kompany. In midfield, Yaya Touré had a total off-day, even being physically shrugged off the ball by Lee Cattermole and Seb Larsson, whilst Nigel De Jong failed to provide the back four with any sort of cover. David Silva’s recent woes continued and the partnership between Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli failed to click. Again.
But despite all the disappointment, realism should remain. We are still in with a shout of winning the title, albeit our form would need to drastically improve and Manchester United would have to drop points, but it’s been a superb season so far. At the worst, we are virtually assured of second place which signifies an improvement on last season and we will continue to build in the summer. Some of the football we have witnessed this campaign has been breathtaking, but the nerves have set in recently and the tension is almost tangible.
There are seven fixtures left to play and 21 points up for grabs, so we shouldn’t give up hope just yet. The players need our support more than ever and if we can just string together a couple of wins, then a sense of optimism and belief will return. In the meantime, let’s get behind Yakubu, N’Zonzi et al and hope that Blackburn can do us a favour!
I agree completely, we’ve had a bloody good season whatever happens.
Winning the title was not an objective from the beginning and unequivocal second place is a definite improvement. With all said, once the season is over, City has to bring our Youth players like Guidetti and Boyata into the fold instead of buying more players [maybe just a decent winger]. As much as I like Dezko and Savic. I have no qualms of doubt that Guidetti and Boyata would do as bad as them in the worst case scenario and they come a lot lot more cheaper!
Please Siamack spare us Boyata who is simply not good enough. Maybe Guidetti but i suspect he will be at least 1 more season away and perhaps a loan at someone like Swansea will be perfect to see if he has Premiership quality.
As to the team performance i think Kolo was very indecisive yet again for the 3rd goal. I thought Milner Silva, Richards and Dzecko had decent 1st halves and linked up well as usual on right. Why does Mancini not pick Milner more? he brings the best out of Silva. After Mica injury that little triangle broken up and we stuttered badly. As for Balo well words fail me!
Young talents have to be nurtured, they do not get good overnight.Take a look at Sturridge and Wellbeck. Before his loan spell, except the Arsenal game, Boyata was outstanding in any EPL game for city. And he is just 18.
A good honest assessment from an opposition perspective. Above all, what fans of clubs like ours wish for (and what I think you lot would have wished for too before the huge influx of Abu Dhabi spondulax)is for a return to a competitive league, where any of ten teams are in with a shout. For this reason, if no other, it would be great to see the Manure, Arse and Chelski consigned to the also rans.
If you lot can get your act together and Spurs get into the mix the League will be more interesting for all.
And believe us when we say that it’ll be no walkover for the Salford lot at the SSOL come May 13th.
We may be disappointed that we didn’t get the three points that would have seen us in 7th place but if you manage to finish top by 1 point, then I for one won’t begrudge it.
Ha’way the Lads
What kills me about our performance on Sat was the lack of energy in the first half and the terrible defending. It was as if Sunderland could attack at will.
We lack pace going forward. In my honest opinion the lack of pace down the wings and the narrowness of our midfield has pretty much lost us 1st place in the table. It is easy for the opposition to defend against a side that do not get the ball out wide early and do not have the pace to get in behind on the flanks.
I hate to use them but United are case in point and so are Barcelona. They both move the ball quickly and have flair players who provide enough pace and trickery to get in behind. The result is that they are dangerous at any point going forward in a game and leave defenses scrambling.
Silva and Nasri are very good at picking a pass but they both slow the play down, cutting inside rather than attacking the flanks. Teams have time to get back and organised before City even begin to probe around the box. We need better defensive cover on the bench and we need some pace out wide in the midfield. I think this unfortunately for Mancini is where he went wrong with the Nasri purchase. We needed a pacey attacking winger or forward not a very similar player to Silva.
Pizzaro should have played the whole game we needed someone like him to drive us forward.
As for the free kick incident – I believ Kolarov was in the wrong – the free kick was on the left perfectly suited to Balotelli which I believe he knew – Kolarove wasted two free kicks and actually wasted the one he refused to let Balotelli take. According to Mancini who takes the free kick was between the two of them so why was Kolarov so determined that he should take them all – was he trying and failing to make up for his wastage.
Despite all the obvious ‘issues’ Balotelli is potentially one of our greatest players. It’s no surprise he is struggling given all the negative press he has received from the start – hence WHY ALWAYS HIM! it saddens me that our fans are now going along with it all. Speaking of fans WHY SO QUIET. iT’S EMBARRASSING.
They should take a leaf out of other team support and sing…..not only when we’re winning. It can make such a huge difference to a teams game and I’m afraid to say city fans are failing badly in trying to spur their team on. The title could still be ours – utd have been lucky to get the results they have – poor refereeing decisions aside they are certainly not playing good football but they don’t have that city mentality and BELIEVE they can win
For sure City do a fantastic job this season, but still Roberto Mancini must disciplined Balotelli before he ruined the unity of the player. He is undisputed good and talented player but he need some more discipline to make him a great player. Come on MCFC the dream to be champion is not end yet!!!
240 millions spend only this year ,more than 1 billion in the previous years to built this team ,only 1 fa cup won,and people around here saying they are satisfied lol.
There are also two types of people: short-sighted people , much like you, who can look for passing immediate results and far-sighted people who take a look at the bigger picture. I am not saying next year but the in the next few years, City will pull apart from the rest of the pack once the investment starts to have huge dividends. This has just started!
Mancini need to be sacked and get a better manager.. I believe he’s not good enough for the team.
Roberto Mancini is a likeably family guy with strong family values. i personally believe he has taken far too much distracted strain on the Tevez and Balotelli problems. I am not convinced the other players have respect for the failing to deal with these problems. The team has not played well since Christmas. Ferguson, Mourinho, are task masters who would not tolerate or be distracted by unruly player behaviour. If Mancini is to be given another term he must learn from his weakness.