MAN CITY 2 – 0 Watford – MY THOUGHTS
30 Aug
City’s perfect start to the season continues and what a positive, uplifting feeling surrounds the club at the moment. Four games, four wins, plenty of goals scored, none conceded, new signings settling well, more new signings on the way … everything is going superbly to plan at the moment and the fun factor is incontestably back. What a difference a few months make.
Last season wasn’t bad. Finishing in second place in the Premier League and competing in the Champions League can never be termed bad, but it was nonetheless hugely disappointing in terms of where we are now placed as a leading club. There was barely a title defence, the campaign dragged on without joy and there was speculation every day about the futures of players and manager.
Now, it feels as if all that negativity has long since disappeared.
Forget for a moment the results so far this time around – for it has been the performances, full of freedom and of expression and of happiness, that have contributed to this air of refreshment. Once more, we are being treated to spectacles, to displays of footballing quality and immense skill.
True, yesterday’s output in the first half bore a fair few similarities to last season with its slow tempo, lack of chances created and an almost predictable nature to our attacks, but it never felt like we would struggle to break through. Raheem Sterling’s goal so early after the break was the killer and while the expected deluge did not follow, there was no chance of not attaining all three points.
David Silva was again sublime as our magisterial centrepiece and Fernandinho was his all-action, essential self in the middle, but a personal selection for star player yesterday was Bacary Sagna. Afforded a consistent run of games owing to Pablo Zabaleta’s injury, he has purposefully strode out of the shadows and into the limelight, and has been near-perfect in every match so far. The same could be said for many of the team. It has been just that, a real team effort.
More difficult challenges than cracking Watford’s resistance awaits, not least our trip to Selhurst Park following the international break, but with this renewed sense of optimism you would be hard pressed to bet against City. After a season of frustration, it is now a thrill once again to see us perform. Welcome back, City.
Much like you, I picked Sagna as my star and unsung hero and you are absolutely spot on in your statement “it never felt like we would struggle to break through” like last season. Let’s hope we can carry the momentum after the international break.
Both full backs were excellent – what a difference a summer off makes!
This is following the International break.
It appears that Sagna is unfit for Selhurst Park.If this is so,it seems that we made a mistake in letting Denayer go out on loan.I know that he is not a natural right back,but what are the alternatives for what could be a really difficult game.
Congratulations on the continuing insightful and thoughtful View from a Blue.
Mike Robinson