Bert Trautmann's Neck

Out played, out fought, out sung

2012-01-12T05:11:00.001Z

Well in the first half of the Carling Cup Semi Final anyway.

Not at all a good evening, the game against Liverpool. In fact it was embarrassing.

Embarrassing that our fan base wasn't up for it! That showed with the empty seats in the stadium and muted atmosphere. It's a cup semi for crying out loud. Where was everyone? Why so quiet?

Embarrassing that the team didn't seem up for it after the United defeat. Liverpool fought harder than us, we're quicker to the ball, sharper with their passing and even though it was a penalty we good value for their 1-0 half time lead.

The 2nd half was much better and we dominated Liverpool and the ball and were unlucky not to get an equaliser which would have been a fair result.

It shows how much Kompany, Silva and Yaya Tour make our team tick. We can handle the loss of one, but three is too much. This is the time Milner, Johnson and others really have two step up.

One final thing Glen Johnson's two footed tackle was way worse than Kompany's, no reaction from City, not even a yellow.

Still, it's only half time.

F%#ing A#%holes

2012-01-10T18:00:00.000Z

Isn't that what the FA stands for? Utterly ridiculous decision. Every neutral fan I've spoken to says Vincent Kompany's tackle during our FA Cup 3rd round game against United was even in the worst case a yellow and most just a fair challenge.

I was at the game of course but have watched the replay about 30 times from a variety of angles. You can see very clearly that:

- Vincent Kompany's body was in contact with the ground - at no stage did he leave the ground
- the tackle got all the ball
- the tackle got none of Evra - he didn't even notice, he didn't jump out of the way, he simply carried on playing
- the tackle was at low speed and he sort of scooped the ball. Vincent didn't run 50 yards across the pitch to lunge in. He went for and got the ball.
- the tackle was very close to the ground, studs down with his feet only rising slightly after the ball has been won

We all know a dangerous tackle when we see one - studs up over the top of the ball - that wasn't one.

The FA only seem to see common sense when it suits them or uphold appeals if referees admit to errors or it suits the national team. Rooney knowing and deliberately kicks out in an international, setting the kids of this nation an appalling example, is red carded, yet the FA back an appeal and he gets a 2 game ban! Hypocrisy!

With this latest farcical sending off and ban Roy Keane, Robbie Savage, Paul Scholes, Billy Bremner, Tommy Smith, Joe Jordan would have never got a game they have dozens of reds a season.

I think Vincent Kompany may be right when he say red cards will increase.

Chris Foy has too many cock ups and likes the limelight far too much himself. Respect has to be earned, not enforced!

Cruising to the Top

2011-10-16T15:43:00.000Z

City cruised passed Aston Villa with one of the most comfortable victories I've seen so far this season, to sit on top of the Premier League after the rags drew at Anfield.

I thought the unbeaten Villa would provide a tough opponent, but no - they were pretty poor.

City started without the services of injured Aguero, or benched and rested Dzeko, Nasri, Silva and were still embarrassingly too strong for old boys Given, Ireland, Dunne and co.

The ex-City players were warmly welcomed back by the home fans, but the gulf in talent between City now and in their era shows how far the team have progressed.

Two hot babes at the game with me

I was at the game with a load of friends from "The Sarf", one of whom has seen City a few times never expect anything less than 4 goals.

Fortunately a beautiful overhead kick from Mario Balotelli, a peach of a shot from Milner and goals from Johnson and Kompany meant that City well and truly delivered for him again.

The villa old boys, Milner and Barry had good games, although there were not so warmly greeted by the travelling Villa contingent.

Kompany's post match interview

Steve even got a personal wave from Vincent Kompany as we left the empty stadium.

Later that evening we hit the beer festival and WAG hotspots Living Room, San Carlos and Panacea where we bumped into football players and celebrities a plenty including Mario Balotelli in the white jacket and earrings.

I have to admit to being a bit star struck like a teenage girl meeting a pop idol.

Kempy and Balo in San Carlos

A great weekend and a great win, tees us up nicely for the Champions League and the derby at the swamp.

Leaders in Football

2011-10-07T16:00:00.000Z

David Bernstein (City fan and Chairman of the FA)

I've been attending the Leaders in Football conference at Stamford Bridge the last two days. Fascinating stuff from owners, governing bodies, referees, players and anybody involved in the game and it's promotion professionally.

I met David Bernstein, Vicky Kloss, Fabio Cannavaro, Gianni Infantino, Mark Hughes, Ray Wilkins, Damon Hill, Sammy Lee, The Qatar World Cup Bid team, Jamie Carragher, Niall Quinn (ex Chairman of Sunderland), Peter Coates (Owner Stoke City FC), Bruce Buck (Chairman Chelsea FC) and a whole lot more.

Thought you might be interested in these video snippets (Ray Wilkins and Jamie Carragher's views of the"Tevez incident") and part of an interview with Tevez' representative Kia Joorabchian (in my opinion he really should sell snake oil).

Enjoy, I think, and apologies for the average quality and loud laughing at Ray Wilkins comments.

Ray Wilkins, Jamie Carragher and Fabio Cannavaro talk about Tevez and England.

Next poor quality video is 10 minutes of an interview with Kia Joorabchian talking utter rubbish, claiming there's a huge row between Mancini and Dzeko in Munich that confused poor little Carlos and MCFC trainers.

Snakeoil Salesman Kia Joorabchian

Just total nonsense, but watch the answering without answering political spin from this unregistered representative who owns 3rd party rights to over 50 footballers - now there's a motive for moving people on every two years.

Kia trys and fails to act as an apologist, saying Carlos has played in pain for City, has a special affinity for the club, has played with swollen feet and he always gives a 100% on the pitch and the usual he misses his family etc.

Ray Wilkins called it right - "there was no misunderstanding - he didn't want to play!"

A tale of two Managers...

2011-10-01T20:00:00.000Z

A lovely day in Blackburn

After my pre-match interview I won't be giving up the day job - I was expecting a Champions League hangover and a very tough game after the events in Munich.

Instead I'm leaving Ewood Park, with the deafening support ringing around the stadium for Roberto Mancini and a mini protest to get rid of under pressure Rovers manager, Steve Kean.

A day of protests at Ewood

I didn't really expect:

a 4-0 win
bullet headers from Savic
Nasri and Silva pinging the ball around the Blackburn box for fun
Mario Balotelli putting in a superb performance and scoring a classic
a peach of a goal from Adam Johnson.

I got all the above and more in an incredible second half, after an understably sluggish first half in which Rovers defended deeply and in numbers - did they have a shot on goal?

Dzeko was rested (or perhaps punished for his toys out of the pram behaviour), Tevez was rightly nowhere, but boy oh boy the team delivered.

Fun in the sun

A great day out in the sun with 7000 City fans - well done all. Roberto we love you!

Blackburn Rovers Preview

2011-10-01T13:30:00.000Z

I was in a pub car park in Blackburn drinking cider. No I've not hit skid row, it was just he pub overflow for 1000s of City fans.

I was interviewed by the guys from Winkball.com. Here's my thoughts on the game and Tevez...

Tevez is a tramp! (Similar anyway)

2011-09-27T23:27:00.000Z

What's the difference between a tramp in your local park and Carlos Tevez? £200,000 a week!

What's the similarity - neither of them will get of the bench!

Carlos, what were you doing? Did Kia advise you to behave like that?

All I can do is thank you for deflecting attention from the very poor display from City. A performance that appeared tactically naive. Although, perhaps if the stone wall penalties were given it may have been a very different result.

The poor performance though, was totally overshadowed by Tevez' behaviour. If it is found to be true that Tevez refused to play then I for one want to see the back of him.

Thanks for a great season last year, thanks for all the goals, thanks for helping get to another level, thanks for helping win the FA Cup, but for tonight - thanks for nothing. My patience is out.

It doesn't always rain in Manchester!
Manchester has more than 2 restaurants!
Family reasons!
Manager fall outs!
Captaincy!
Record salary!
Transfer requests!
Slimy representatives!
Cookgate!

You've pissed the fans off Carlos, I don't see how you can play for us again with apologising to everyone and publicly committing to honour all 5 years of your contract.

Your refusal to do your job when you are in such a privileged position is selfishness in the extreme. You have let yourself down, you have let City fans down, you have let your team-mates down, you have let the manager down, you have let the club down, you have let Sheik Mansour down.

Souness was right for once - you epitomise everything the man in the street detests about the modern day footballer.

In the words of Alexander Kolarov and Spanish translators - "you're an idiot" and a greedy, badly advised one at that.

By the way I withdraw the offer of a night with my good lady should we win the Premier League.

Tricky Toffee Puddings

2011-09-24T15:23:00.001Z

The blue part of Liverpool proved a little tricky to over power at first, but were eventually shown to be puddings.

Today's game started with the Goodyear Inflatable hovering overhead, but there were no inflated egos on display from City today in a workman like display.

Everton were always going to be difficult to break down and their well organised back four, man to man marking of David Silva and robust approach certainly frustrated City.

Moyes, the master tactician, obviously thought that if he was able to stifle Silva then City's midfield would stutter. The strategy worked to some degree.

City dominated possession, "reducing" tackles went in on Silva and Tim Howard kept our attack at bay.

It was a frustrating encounter at times, but Nasri stepped up and Silva was eventually too much to handle.

It took the introduction of Balotelli to break the deadlock. He scored just as Cahill who had injured himself in a bad challenge for which he got booked was making his way past us. Boom, lovely.

Then we stroked the ball nicely, Silva coming close and hitting the post within seconds of Mario giving us the lead.

As Mancini locked thing down by introducing Milner, it proved another excellent substitution as Milner tucked away our second to make 2-0 and a miserable visit to the Etihad stadium for the toffees.

Champions League next...

Beware of the Bogeyman

2011-09-24T09:11:00.001Z

I hope City don't come unstuck at home in our match with the Toffees today.

Everton have won their last four visits to Eastlands, and did the double over us last season - they certainly have been a bogey team for us in recent times, surely not this time!?

That said, both games last season were highly one sided in our favour, we dominated possession, shot counts and even comfortably lead at Goodison. We lost concentration and let Everton snatched it on both occasions.

Hopefully the slip at Fulham will be a timely reminder that the game lasts for 90 minutes and we need to be ruthless.

Also, Everton have lost key players and unfortunately their lack of funds for new is a matter of public record.

That said no City fan will be complacent about this one, the history is there to show that Everton regularly humble City, Chelsea, United and more.

David Moyes is a brilliant manager and gets huge team performances from often a meagre squad.

I'm just thankful Nedum Onuoha didn't go on loan - he would have come back and haunted us that's for sure.

So today City are stronger and unbeaten.

Lawro predicts a win, every bookie is given City odds on to win. My prediction, 2-1, gulp, I'm not convinced.

2011-09-19T10:21:00.001Z

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.

The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.

Still that was a terrible miss from Torres and City shouldn't blow 2-0 leads to draw 2-2 with Fulham.

Not the end of the world, a long season ahead.

Not sure what players Mancini is still short of, apart from a fit Nigel De Jong.

No excuses - Fulham played in Europe on Thursday too! let's learn and move on.

Location:Slipped on the Cottage Floor

Guardian doesn't support Tory Party shocker!

2011-09-14T10:47:00.002Z

I missed this drivel from The Guardian around the Nasri signing, but I'm not going to let it lie.

Whilst I expected jealousy after our owner invested his money and we signed some great players - I'm getting to a point that I'm finding the City bashing very boring and extremely lazy and shoddy journalism.

Perhaps the club should follow Alex Fergusons lead and ban certain papers from the press conferences.

Anyway, does anybody feel like dashing off a letter to The Guardian for it's partisan left wing editorial and the lack of content supporting the Tory government?

How about writing a tongue in cheek article criticising their content then - accusing the Guardian in a marginally humorous fashion of being clandestine, driven by Soviet Masters and a global communist agenda.

What? Still not interested - you think it perfectly reasonable that The Guardian serve the needs of a left of centre readership, of which I am one.

Hmmm, bizarre, so do I.

Thus when City creat behind the scenes videos, for the signing of Samir Nasri or Kolo's return, etc.

Why does Scott Murray think it amusing or appropriate to attribute motives which aren't there, contrive a story that doesn't exist, refer to high quality videos (given away free to fans) who watch it on the MCFC site in their 100s of thousands as well as YouTube as a shoddy, mafia style attempt to act big.

Here's just a taste of the axe grinding:

"An epic sequence was soon in the can, then up on YouTube, where it became an internet sensation viewed by tens of people. In one lengthy, tightly choreographed take, Nasri enters the building for the first time, climbs a flight of stairs..."

The video has had over 542,000 views hmm - yep that's 10s of people in Scott's dire tribe - mathematician he ain't.Or put another way, viewed by 542,000 people more than double the Guardian's 260,000 entire readership.

The videos are great, loved by City fans, watched in numbers that The Guardian can only dream about

Most clubs charge for their video - City give it away,
most club's video is cheesy - City's is insightful (a real fly on the wall),
most clubs production is average - City's are produced to a high standard by Endemol,
most clubs don't ask what their fans want to see - City do through Social Media and more.

A truly pathetic, inaccurate and unfunny piece, but at least topical in so far as it is "don't let even a whiff of facts stop you having a pop a City". I'm just waiting for yet another "red tinted glasses" piece about Liverpool - the personal bias is transparent Scott.

Post Cook Reaction

2011-09-13T23:38:00.001Z

So the search for a new Chief Executive has started and I thought I'd grab a few reactions for your perusal stating with this piece on the approach and likely contenders....

New emphasis for Manchester City CEO

This piece is also interesting over at FootballFanCast:

throughout all the claims of the club’s brashness, a lack of class and new levels of arrogance, the fans have never been looked after better. With a world-class team, world-class media production, fan interaction and low ticket prices (and even the best football kits ever) City fans have been spoilt, and Cook helped make it all happen.

I also like this assessment of conspiracy, the gutter behavior of the sun and why Ian Wright was so vicious with Cook at Sabotage Times.

Super Sergio went ballistic Tevez' Pens atrocious

2011-09-11T13:07:00.004Z

I love this guy

The football being served in East Manchester these days is like an old Ferrero Rocher advert - I feel like saying you're spoiling us Ambassador Mancini.

The all out attack, the wonderful passing, the movement, the vision...

It is simply breath taking.

With consummate ease City demolished Wigan 3-0 who have the bar, the post, a shocking penalty miss to thank for the scoreline being a mere 3-0.

I know at some point this season we will lose. I also know there will be a game or two when we grind out a 1-0 win, but not just yet, please, not just yet.

Another great day at the Etihad stadium started with some time in City Square listening to the Coldside Generals.

They were pretty good and I enjoyed the pre match buzz before a sell out game.

City rested Dzeko, Nasri, Barry ahead of the Champions League, but of course started with the midfield maestro Silva and Tevez and Aguero.

It was a wonderful game, well worth checking out the extended highlights and tunnel cam. Clichy and Richards magnificent (Micah so unlucky not to score), Silva sublime, Aguero imperious and clinical, Lescott superb.

Only criticism - shockingly bad pen Carlos.

Sergio bagged a magnificent hattrick and as the MotD pundits said. The sign of a great team - one that can leave out a striker who scored 4, so he can be rested for a Champions League encounter.

Roll on Wednesday.

Welcome Pie-eaters

2011-09-10T10:50:00.001Z

Well the Premier League is back and today we welcome the pie-eaters - Wigan Athletic who I'm sure will provide a tougher test than many in the forums think.

Wiganers aren't called pie-eaters, because they consume more pies than anyone else, although it is the home of the world pie eating championship, latest winner, Neil Collier (23 seconds to consume the pie fully).

No, it's really about the General Strike, Wigan miners being starved back to work and having to eat humble pie.

So, to this afternoons game. Wigan are 7 games unbeaten, Roberto Martinez is a good manager and whenever I've seen them play, they pass the ball well, also Di Santo is a player who impresses me.

Not getting a win would be a surprise, but we should avoid complacency against the confident, unbeaten Wigan.

Let's hope we can overwhelm them by half time and rest a few players late on. My prediction 2-0 for City.

Cook Resigns

2011-09-09T20:34:00.001Z

Oh dear Garry! Why didn't you just admit things and say sorry.

As my previous post said, it really wasn't that big a deal, but to deny you sent it and lie about it, well there you go - literally.

Thanks for all the good things you have brought to City, not least the world class academy plans.

We are a totally different club from the shambles we were before your tenure.

I for for one am not going to let this blunder, the points trajectory, the Mad Hatter gaffes stop me from expressing my gratitude for the great things you have done for us.

I kinda thought you'd be stepping down at the end of this season anyway what with you Mrs moved back to the US.

All the best, so long and thanks for what undoubtedly will be great times ahead and delivering our first major trophy in decades.

Mailgate - don't really see the problem

2011-09-08T06:00:00.000Z

I once took a friend of my wife, a rather prominent city lawyer, to his first football game. In the car on the way to the game, he rather surprised me by nodding towards an attractive woman and uttering "phwarr, wouldn't mind rattling her bones".

Perhaps he thought that was the way blokes going to footy should behave.

The thing is, it was in private - I awkwardly laughed. Would he expect a headline in the Sun saying "Legal Eagle's pervy outburst"?

Think of all the things we say in private, those emails sending round rude jokes, slagging off a work mate, offensive remarks amongst a group of drunken blokes, those private moments with friends and family.

Go on admit it - if you had to stop and think how will this play out in The Mail on Sunday, you wouldn't say a darn thing. I think Matthew Syed is bang on with his email gate piece.

So what really is the big deal with Gary Cook?

Even if he did send the email by accident to Nedhum's mum it doesn't seem to make sense. You could interpret it many ways:|

perhaps a criticism of Marwood for negotiating with a person with cancer,
perhaps "privately" criticising Neddy's mum for introducing her illness into negotiations,
perhaps a poor taste joke
perhaps more.

My mate Brian, who has had cancer and doesn't see it as that offensive, especially if it was in a private context and frankly - it doesn't quite make sense, like many things about this.

For example, why does Neddy's mum contain her outrage for nearly a year and then report matters to the FA, why doesn't the email see the light of day for nearly a year?

It all seems too close for coincidence to Onuoha's possible loan move to Everton failing and the man most City fans (in fact most football fans) loathe - Kia Joorabchian - loosing out.

We know Joorabchian and Cook don't get on and frankly I don't understand why an unregistered agent is acting for some of our players.

Perhaps this all could be some shadowy revenge on Cook - the timing smells distinctly of fish.

Barry shines for lack lustre England

2011-09-07T09:20:00.000Z

Not a great England performance against the boys from the valleys. We were lucky to hold on. A highlight on a fairly barren night for me - was Barry carried on his club form, internationally.

A diamond on a lack lustre night.

Are T-Mobile Football Agents?

2011-08-31T10:00:00.000Z

Free handset and pay as you go...

Free Hargreaves and pay as you play...

Looks similar to me. This just might be an excellent signing and we have nothing to lose.

Check out Hargreaves training.

What a difference a year makes!

2011-08-29T08:50:00.002Z

City fans enjoying a lovely day in North London

It was 365 days ago that a string of heroic saves from Joe Hart kept the clash between Spurs and Man City at a ludicrously flattering 0-0.

What a difference 365 days makes.

The time allows a team to gel.
The time allows Dzeko to get fit and used to the Premier League.
The addition of Nasri and Aguero also has plenty of impact.

Three hundred and sixty five days later and the scoreline Tottenham Hotspurs 1 - 5 Manchester City severely flattered the north London boys.

Make no mistake, Spurs are not mugs, a top team, with a top manager Harry Redknapp who always gets the best from players. They play free flowing football and attack teams of any quality - no respect from them - rightly so.

For 20 minutes yesterday it was end to end, exciting stuff and could have easily been 2 a piece.

The thing is Spurs couldn't sustain that pace and attack and exciting though it was, City still had another two gears to change into and a turbo button. They changed up and floored Spurs.

It was simply to most exciting, beautiful football I have seen.

We out fought, out played and out classed a good Spurs team, who despite their current league form will be top six.

Nasri looked liked he'd always worn a City shirt, Dzeko was epic in holding and owning the line with clinical finishing. The midfield knocked the ball about with nonchalant ease, Silva was mercurial... I could go on.

The funny thing was a City mate couldn't make it at the last moment, so I took a Spurs friend with me - Stevo - to North London or Tripoli as it is now referred to - he really, really enjoyed being in the City end and doing the Poznan 5 times.

Happy, happy days!

A Killer The Kun

2011-08-16T07:01:00.008Z

...and Manchester alread loves you!

Couldn't resist the cheesy play on words, because Sergio Kun Aguero's debut for us last night was epic and I've seen a few in my time.

Like Peter Thornton's comment on the MEN site, I too remember Rodney Marsh's debut and patting his shoulder outside Maine Road as he arrived, I remeber Paul Lake's first appearance for us, Ali Bernarbia and more recently Robinho's first game.

For Kun Aguero to make a short second half debut, alegedly "unfit" for 30 minutes, score two, make a third for Silva, show some great vision and sublime touches, defend and stand up to Swansea was the most amazing debut I have ever seen!

However, after the first 25 minutes of the first half I was thinking wow, this Swansea side are like Blackpool and I mean that as a great compliment. They passed the ball really well, they were full of running, they didn't park 10 men behind the ball - they went forward with pace. There will be many oponents who'll get hurt by them, especially if that final ball is improved.

Incidentally, the Swansea performance wasn't the first suprise of the evening a 40% increase in the car parking charges and price of pies - it's the owners who have all the money City, not the fans!

Fortunately the pies are better, bigger and you can see Brian extracting every last morcel of crust, potato and meat from them.

Brian the Piemaster General

I was seriously concerned it was going to be a tough night, but midway through that first half City changed up a gear, Silva, Toure an De Jong started running the show and we had shot after shot, hit the woodwork twice and over ran Swansea. We seriously should have been 3-0 at half time.

Jonno takes a corner leading adding to the 21 1st half shots we had!

It was amazing it took so long for Silva to show some real magic, dip his shoulder and burst forward for Dzecko to eventually receive the ball and make it 1-0.

After that the stadium was alight, the 47,000 crowd humming and enter into the fray the diminutive Aguero to roars. Within 30 seconds he had received the ball on the edg of the box, spun and instantly hit a shot that was almost 2-0, but minutes later after a lovely Silva, Toure, Richards (superb cross) combination, he'd burst through and slotted home for 2-0.

The team were unstoppable now, but fair play to Swansea, they never gave up and Hart had to remain alert and make a coupe of important blocks.

Silva made it 3-0 from an Aguer athletic pull back and close to 90 minutes gone Aguero hits the best of the night with a 30 yarder - absolutely sublime - Carlos who?

There will of course be tough tests ahead, but that was one of the most exciting openers I've witnessed.

Top of the table clash with Bolton next week then. Woo hoo!

Swansea Songs for tonight's game

2011-08-15T12:54:00.010Z

I'm pretty excited about the Premier League being back. This season is going to be a very big one for us.

I've been hanging around Swansea forums and Blue Moon to check out what wit we can expect from the Swansea terraces on tour.

Gems like "We only cost one pound" shows they have a sense of humour, "United, united" and "You're not the champions" have been suggested shows they don't.

"He wants to go home, he wants to go home, Carlos Tevez...".

There were some choice words about the Manchester riots too. So in addition to some deafening choruses of Blue Moon I'd suggest:

"Welsh in the morning, you'll still be Welsh in the morning"
"You made Doctor Who, I said, you made Doctor who. Gay!"

All in the best possible taste. Can't see us doing anything but win tonight. Hopefully Aguero will get a run out.

By the way, what do you call a Welshman with 40 wives? A shepherd.

Game on.

Vierra: Playmaker to power broker

2011-08-15T07:52:00.000Z

Excited about tonight's game? Read this facinating interview with Patrick Vieira and get excited about the future.

Could Vieira be our next manager after a decade of success under Mancinni?

A Perfect Mistake

2011-06-30T07:24:00.002Z

My least favourite player of any team of any time is Gary Neville. Ask my mate Brian, I sporadically rant about him.

I was in the Hard Rock Cafe in Manchester on one occasion, ranting about him and Brian was quietly nodding and sort of gesturing. I turned around and he was standing there scowling.

It was great with much amusement I read about this gaff at a Manchester United event in Malta.

What a finale! Manchester City 3 - 0 Stoke City

2011-05-18T09:47:00.001Z

On the way game last night, walking down the canal with my mate Brian, I let slip I had a right itchy arse. Brian said it could be irritable bowel syndrome (always one to look for the cloud not the silver lining is big Brian) - I preferred to consider it some kind of sign Arsenal were in trouble.

Well the predictive prowess of my sphincter has a better record than Lawro so far. City did indeed rise above Arsenal into 3rd place, where if we stay, will drop us straight into the group stage of the Champions League.

Manchester City comfortably cruised past Stoke 3 - 0, dominated possession and showcased two pieces of pure class from Tevez, a great header from Lescott and plenty of near misses too.

The Stoke fans deserve praise for the superb support of their team both at Wembley and the die hards at Eastlands last night. Proper supporters and I wish them all the best for next season and their adventures in Europe.

In fact it was really nice to see, even after the banter during the game, both sets of fans applauding each other as they left last night.

Most City fans stayed behind to see our heroes do a lap of honour. Let's take the same spirit into the game at Bolton and clinch 3rd.

One final footnote was the breaking news on Sky Sports that Capt. Carlos is looking like staying and sounding quite positive.

Roberto Monkini and memories of a brilliant day!

2011-05-17T16:36:00.001Z

Met the legend that is Shaun Goater as he arrived. Yes we were there several hours before and after kick off.

Saw Liam Gallagher bowl up.

Ate the most expensive pie in history!

Quaffed a pint or two.

Met the legend that in Roberto Monkini - see picture below.

And thanks to Joe, Nigel, Vincent, Micah, Pablo, Gareth, Alexander, Joleon, Adam, Mario, Carlos, David, Roberto, Patrick, Edin, James, Shay and of course YaYa had the most magnificent time!

Not a bad view from out seats!

£9 for a pie and a pint - that there London prices take the piss!

Scoreboard reads TOKE CITY - a sign the wheels are about to fall off?

Moonchester roving about.

Her indoors is outdoors.

A bit of tradition - can't beat it.

The blue flags are filling up the stadium.

The world famous Roberto Monkini!

35 years we've been waiting! I went a bit giddy afterwards.

Dzeko ends the drought

2011-04-26T12:14:00.001Z

Last night at Ewood Park, Edin Dzeko scored to end a dry spell.

No, not in a Torres like way, he has already scored 5 goals for us, although this was his first Premier League goal.

The drought was away wins of course. We haven't won away from Eastlands since Boxing Day and a very welcome win it was, that opens up a 4 point gap and goes some distance to assuring Champions League football for us.

There was a little dispute over the goal, yes Balotelli was in an offside position, but the replays clearly show
Robinson could see the ball, Dzeko and dived strongly to try and save it, but the strike was powerful and precise.

After the first 30 minutes where we dominated, David Silva ran the show and came close to scoring. I was surprised that Rovers came into the game late in the first half and carried that momentum into the second where they set the tempo and were fast and aggressive. They perhaps deserved something but couldn't get through a solid defence and midfield.

De Jong rightly man of the match. Let's keep it up at home and we could find ourselves 7 points clear of Spuds and breathing down Arsenal's neck.

Semi-final build up

2011-04-13T13:45:00.000Z

Check out the Doleman Family semi-final preparation on MCFC Facebook official page.

Very excited.

Bert Trautmann Story on TV Tonight

2011-03-24T09:32:00.001Z

Goes without saying that I'll be watching the Bert Trautmann story on telly tonight.

It's on the Yesterday channel at 9:00pm. you can get that on Freeview. a fascinating life and story worth watching no matter who you support.

11 men went to mow

2011-03-21T09:24:00.000Z

Went to mow at Chelsea and were mowed down by a very together looking Chelsea side.

I was the guest of Chelsea Digital Media MD on Sunday, had a nice view of the action as you can see.

Probably like most City fans was nervous, expected Chelsea out for revenge , but was surprised a little.

First of all that we seemed to have such a small away support, perhaps that was the tiny allocation of tickets, but that more surprised that we started brightly.

We obviously are a much improved team, that Chelsea showed us a lot of respect and we had space and a couple of early chances. After about 15-20 minutes though, a tight looking Chelsea team (lots of hugging and high fives before the game and very vocal support for JT as England captain) were well and truly going at us.

Mancini had left only Edin up front holding the line, Tevez had failed a fitness test, the rest were behind the ball, so we were very difficult to break down. Hart looked on form and Kompany and Lescott solid.

Tour and Silva had good games and it took 78 minutes to break the deadlock and that thanks to a totally unnecessary foul by Richards on the touchline and an unchallenged header in the box.

No complaints over the second, pure class from Ramires.

Fair result, still plenty to play for. I for one hope the Black Cats don't have 9 lives.

Landsdowne Road, Landsdowne Road we are coming...

2011-03-18T08:02:00.001Z

...but only on holiday.

A little spot the difference contest for you.

I couldn't tell either. Both are complete idiots.

He missed a 3 yard open goal, he deflected a rocket shot wide and got himself sent off for a nasty tackle with 60 minutes of the game left.

Inspite of Balotelli idiocy, ludicrous refereeing, Tevez looking off his game, the worst time wasting I've ever seen, City with 10 men battled valiantly, won the match 1-0 and numerous other near misses, but failed to make it into the Europa League 1/4 finals.

15 starts, 2 red cards, 8 yellows is an appalling record and I think he has one more strike before he's out.

Personally I don't like his demeanour, don't like his work rate, don't like his attitude. Obviously Bobby Manc thought he could tame him as he had worked with him at Inter. Perhaps a little like Fergie and Cantona.

I'm not sure. It really is his attitude. Could you imagine any City player going out in public wearing a United shirt? He did the equivalent in Milan and I think that says all you need to know about his head.

Anyway, I applaud the teams efforts with only 10 men, with 11 we surely would have gone through. It was brilliant to see both Milner and Johnson back.

Here's hoping for a big one at The Bridge.

Behind the Scenes at Carrington

2011-01-19T14:55:00.003Z

Really facinating peek behind the scenes at Manchester City's Carrington training ground, especially Pablo Zabaletta studying what he did right and wrong last night.

Not much actually Pablo, in fact thought you had a very good game.

Bobby Manc 4 - 2 Svengalli

2011-01-19T08:29:00.000Z

Conceded 5 in two games. Sounds bad doesn't it? Not if you score 8 it isn't! Another great game for the neutral, but heart stopping for me.

I was at another thriller last night to watch City bang in 4 against Sven's Leicester. By the way, where were you? Make sure when you next turn up you bring a note from your Mum.

A pathetic home crowd considering the talent on show, our position and a max ticket price of £15.

Where could you buy entertainment that:

a moving tribute / salute to Neil Young

a lively atmosphere thanks mainly to 5000 plus Leicester fans,

a penalty saved

a dubious one conceded - did Vierra really make any contact? I've watched TV replays several times and they don't look conclusive to me - the fact that no other Leicester player nearby appealed odd too

a stunning Tevez goal

a brilliant pass from Silva to send Johnson through to score

the referee getting in the way of a pass and deflecting into the run of a Leicester forward who broke and scored

a drunken idiot on the pitch, too drunk to even make the coppers chasing him entertaining

Drama by the bucket - I'm glad I made the effort.

Mancini and Sven looked happy afterwards, although Mancini wants us to tighten up defensively - I agree, but let's keep the attack too.

Stop The Blackout in City Square

2011-01-15T14:13:00.000Z

Sixty minutes before Manchester City take on Wolves and I'm listening to what my mate Brian called a Dove-like tribute to The Doves and a generic Manc band - he was only luke warm in his reaction. They are playing in the City Square - outside the stadium with just 60 minutes to go before we thrash Wolves, er 4-1 is my prediction.

I thought the band were good - you can check them out yourself - they are called Stop The Blackout.

Title Talk and Grandmas

2011-01-15T12:26:00.003Z

I'm doing my usual 500 mile round trip to Manchester for today's drubbing of Wolves (think like winners). I'm looking forward to seeing Dzeko and whilst on the train I enjoyed reading Patrick Vieira's views in The Sun.

Patrick thinks our title chances are strong, as our rivals are messing up their seasons and I think he has a point.

When we win today, we will go top. Vieira thinks we can stay there. I'm glad his and our player's confidence is high - even if I don't think I'd be so bold.

I do however think our chances are higher than the views of this terrace wag in the comments section

"City have as much chance of winning the title as my gran has of rising from the grave and dating Brad Pitt".

Far as I'm aware there are only a couple of well known folk who are alleged to have risen from the grave - one being Jesus - and Im afraid I can't confirm this, as it was somewhat before my time.

Brad Pitt however does like older women, so maybe Champions League and a cup it is.

Happy New Year

2011-01-01T10:00:00.001Z

Happy New Year all. What a great time it has been to be a City fan, I would have taken our current table position any day before the season start.

I'm sure we'll make moves in the January window.

I made my own move over Christmas and got married to a very tolerant lass. Our first dance was to Blue Moon and I even slipped this on the back of our wedding cake.

Looking to us to rock Blackpool.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

City 11 Everton 0 (corners)

2010-12-23T11:07:00.003Z

Driving to the game on Monday night, there wasn’t much evidence of grit on the roads, and much less evidence of it on the pitch during at least the first 20 minutes of a frosty encounter with our arch nemesis Everton FC.

Earlier in the day it had been announced that Tevez was coming back in from the cold after withdrawing his transfer request and he duly received a warm reception from the fans before kickoff. Not warm enough however to thaw the team from their cryogenic stasis, and soon we had presented Everton with an early Christmas present in the form of two soft goals (admittedly the second was slotted away well by Baines), leaving us with an iceberg to climb.

At that point I realised how much we missed De Jong and feared an avalanche, but slowly the players, no doubt warmed by an impressive array of snoods, gloves, scarves and thermal leggings got back into the game, at one point continually bombarding the Everton goal only to be denied by a variety of defender’s limbs, heads, ears, eyelashes (but no hands of course!) etc getting in the way.

Second half we were unlucky apart from the deflected goal by Toure (Balotelli hitting the post, the unseen handball in the area etc), and the stats speak for thems elves (60% possession, 15 attempts on target to their 3).

Not particularly picking on one player for special mention, but throughout the game Balotelli resembled a child who had expected an Xbox for Christmas but instead had received a mouldy satsuma and a handful of nuts. I subsequently read that he was upset as his mother had been unable to fly to Manchester due to the weather (or maybe too embarrassed to be seen with him wearing a giant glove on his head).

So, overall a disappointment considering the opportunity to be on top of the tree at Christmas, but far from a winter of discontent.

Bank Busting 100m for Iniesta

2010-12-16T11:37:00.003Z

Football scouting site IMScouting is reporting Manchester City are preparing a massive 100m Euro bid for Andres Iniesta, FIFA 2010 Shortlisted Player of the Year. Not only that, but Barcelona would listen.

With the Tevez situation, Dzeko expressing interest, rumours around Torres looks like the chequebook is getting ready for January.

Tevez: Toying with our affections

2010-12-13T06:51:00.000Z

It's hard to understand what's going through Tevez's mind right now.

One day he's happy, settled, loving football, but missing his family. The very next day he's definitely leaving. Is he just having a hard time enjoying himself? His actions are those of an insecure man with little idea of what he really wants out of life.

If family reasons are the catalyst, then as a Dad I totally relate to this, fans whilst disappointed would understand.

If it is about family, then why not quietly sort this out, decide to return to Argentina and play for Boca and I'm sure Manchester City would be very supportive, probably throwing in a "compassionate family break" in March.

Also, leave at the end of the season in May wuth satisfaction you steered us into the Champions League and maybe a title or a cup. Do that and the fans respect you, the club sorts out an appropriate transfer arrangement with an Argentine club and line up a replacement striker.

Now that wasn't done because there is much more at play here and it is making many fans angry.

Many say Tevez and Joorabchian are all about money and always have been, they'll manufacture a reason to leave City, just as they manufactured a reason to leave United. There is clearly something going on with Tevez (and Mascherano for that matter) that means that they need to sign a big contract every couple of years or so.

I have to say the "falling out with executives" - Cook and Marwood by implication who he has little or no contact with apart from "money negotiations" is paper thin as excuses go and if true then what else could they fall out about other than a huge pay increase.

Now footballers aren't renowned for being the sharpest tools, many are divas, badly advised by scheming agents etc and I think advisers, greed and other clubs are at work in this one.

To me only three options exist:

A Rooneyesque kiss and make up, an apology to the fans, a huge pay increase, a goal against Everton and business as usual (whatever that is for City).
A return to Argentina to be with his family which fans would understand
A very acrimonious switch to Real Madrid because they have offered more money, a sunnier climate, speak Spanish so his family can come over.

If he leaves the next question is who will replace him and will this whole saga destabilize our season?

This is a real test of our metal, our support as fans (get behind the team like never before), a test of Mancini's management and the executive business thinking.

NO PLAYER IS BIGGER THAN ANY CLUB!

Perhaps I'll end by pointing you at the graphic which is built from fan forms - strong views!

Tevez Update - Club Confirm Transfer Request

2010-12-12T08:58:00.004Z

Manchester City have confirmed " with disappointment" receipt of a transfer request.

Read the official club statement on Tevez transfer request - which has been rejected.

Why do this now Carlos? Why not privately talk with Mancini and Cook? Are you trying to do a Rooney? Is it Mancini? Your kids?

Most importantly Why did you do that video interview and set fans expectations only 4 days ago?

Lot's of questions to be answered and no doubt an interesting January!

Tevez transfer request?!

2010-12-12T07:59:00.003Z

Not the Christmas present I was hoping for! I'm also going to have to change the name of my cat if true - any suggestions?

The papers are blaming Mancinni and homesickness.

The timing seems utterly bizarre after he made very public commitments to the club and fans and totally down played the spat with Mancinni. Only 4 days ago, Carlos Tevez gave a very lengthy video interview and seemed completely happy although missing his daughters.

Let's hope it is...

News of The World rubbish, or
gets sorted out Rooney style with a u-turn or
we get 40 million for him and a top class replacement striker without a remote family

Never dull at City! You know you want to support us.

West Ham United 1 - 3 Manchester City

2010-12-11T22:49:00.000Z

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way, oh what fun it is to see Man City's fifth win away!

Or should that be "Oh what fun it is to see Mr Yaya Toure". He was magnificent yesterday and instrumental in City's 3-1 win over West Ham.

Great through balls, powerful runs, rasping shots all on display from Yaya as part of a very solid team performance and a thoroughly deserved win which lifts City to joint top and firmly cements West Ham at the bottom.

It was irritating to see BRATotelli still behaving like a spoiled kid - I trust Mancini does know how to get the best from him.

It was good to see Adam Johnson appear again for him and pop in another goal.
Bring on Christmas.

Blattery gets you nowhere

2010-12-03T11:42:00.005Z

Something stinks and it isn't sour grapes. There is a definite scent of rat in the air.

Seriously how can the two countries with the best technical reports / bids, the widely recognized best commercial bids generating the most money for grass roots football and genuine development, with quite simply immense popular support not just lose but only get a single vote.

A close contest and a loss, fair enough, you want to develop the game in Eastern Europe - England only attracting one vote and Qatar getting the 2022 bid is frankly ludicrous and corrupt!

Can't figure out for the life of me why oil rich, oligarch dominated, incentive offering countries got the vote - hold on I just answered my own question.

The only response has to be English Premier League clubs dominating the Champions League and Europa League, winning them both every year for the next decade, England winning the next two world cups and withdrawal from the Eurovision Song Contest.

Great bid proposal and presentation - especially from City's "City in the Community" guys. It fell on closed minds and ears.

We are top of the league...

2010-12-02T09:10:00.001Z

Nice solid and comfortable performance, SWP sounding positive after the game, Balotelli netting two, wonder goal from Johnson - a great snowy night out.

Manchester City 3 - 0 Salzburg sees us top of the Europa League, qualified and ready to face Bolton - check out the Europa League Highlights.

38,000 for a cold night out in Manchester ain't bad too. Let's get behind the team against Bolton and make sure we keep up with the running.

Boring, boring City

2010-11-22T07:27:00.000Z

I love our fans sense of humour. Chanting boring City after we scored our 2nd and 3rd goals at Craven Cottage.

What a performance! It just clicked yesterday - sublime one-touch passing, pace, power, commitment, that crushed Fulham 4-1.

It was billed as payback time for Hughes. The pundits were saying Mancini is under pressure and the fans discontent.

The display yesterday was a great answer to the critics.

Roberto Mancini's side were on top form from the fifth minute when Captain Carlos neatly turned Salcido and fired past Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer. The next 40 minutes were a master-class that Fulham had no answer to.

I do think it is getting carried away to remind you that only one side has won at Fulham this season and that in very controversial circumstances.

So why do we do it away and not at home. I think it is pretty simple. When we are away, the home team feels it should attack us and therefore leaves gaps and does not put 10 men behind the ball (like Birmingham and United).

Our quality can really exploit this.

All in all a great day, Maradona in the stands to see fellow countrymen Zabaleta and Tevez on song, Arsenal and Chelsea lose, the title opens up.

By the way - why after 2 draws the media go into a feeding frenzy, circling like vultures around Mancini and attack us for spending and NOT attack Chelsea for 3 back to back losses, sacking Ray Wilkins and spending?

BIAS!

Let's not add to the pressure by booing our team when they slip.

Bring on Stoke.

Paper Talk - is it worth the paper it's written on?

2010-11-16T11:23:00.004Z

Chelsea get smacked 3-0 at home, their fans boo and Ray Wilkins is fired.

Does the media go into a frenzy, claim the club is melting down and talk about Roman ruins? Nope, a back page when Wilkins was fired, but a day later nobody is talking about it or mentions the 3-0 drubbing at the hands of the Black Cats.

Rooney's in exile, United have two back to back draws, barely threatening City and almost losing to troubled Villa. Not a story in sight a day later.

City draw and days later I see Balotelli wants away , Adam Johnson is fed up with the subs bench, calls for Mancini's head.

Even Jamie Redknapp writes a huge article on "Mancini" must rid City of the "Serrie A" mentality.

To me it is just plain crazy. Why the ferocity and criticism? The press in a way is understandable, lazy journalism with little or no truth and a thin veil barely covering their bias and clear favouritism.

What I don't understand is the impatience, vitriol and criticism from our own fans. You've paid your money so I accept your right to voice an opinion - I just don't agree with the shouts for Mancini's head.

I have neither strong feelings for or against the man, but I can see that when Balotelli and Adebayor are back from suspension and injury it will give the guy more options. Also when we find ourselves still in the top 4 when the January transfer window opens, the owners will buy again to ensure we stay there.

I'll take where we are now compared to where we were 10 years ago.

Have any of you seen the fierce debate and abuse in the forums? Including thread on what "real" or "true" City fans are.

Show some patience folks. I don't know what a real or true fan is, but I can say that I have been a Season Ticket holder for over 40 years and I never have and never will boo the team!

They should play better!

2010-11-13T19:00:00.001Z

That's how my daughter Hannah, seen here shaking hands with Moonbeam before the game, summed everything up.

She also said that Joe Hart played the best, we should have tackled more, and should have worked very, very, very hard to get a goal.

Fair summary I think.

Certainly we weren't as defensive as the game against United, but there was little creativity. I'm at a loss to explain why Sheik Mansour's millions have turned us into the dullest team in the league!

Sure, Carlos worked his socks off, but we all made our feelings clear at half time - with even calls for Bellamy and again when Tevez was substituted.

According to the BBC we had 21 shots in that game - it felt painful and far fewer to me. Possession but no flair, and no finish.

There seemed some odd decisions from the ref - was it handball when Tevez scored?

Maybe Balotelli would have livened things up?

Kolarov taking the corner above looked useful, but we don't like this style of play at Eastlands and 5 points from 15 wins no friends either.

It has to change soon or Cook might be talking about a points trajectory.

Finally Hannah was cheered up by the fact that her friend Josh and Daddy's blog were in the programme - I hope I get cheered up by the missus and a win at Fulham next weekend.

Derby? Dire, Dull, Defensive and Dour

2010-11-11T07:01:00.003Z

Pride in Battle - I didn't see much last night.

I've seen lots of Manchester derby's in my time - at Maine Road, Eastlands and The Swamp.

Fierce tackles, tense affairs, 3-3 thrillers, 5-1 wins, injury time winners, routs and stalemates.

Pretty much all of them filled with passion - even the low scoring ones, but last night was shocking.

The atmosphere was great,
the fans up for a great battle,
the lights dimmed,
the blue moon rose,
the red flare burned,
the crowd went wild and then the game started...

I have never seen two Manchester teams so scared of losing. Both teams hardly carved out a chance, both teams put 8-9 behind the ball when not in possession making it almost impossible for anyone to score.

Now the onus is upon City at Eastlands to go for it and we didn't, We defended deeply and in numbers, but so did United.

We should have gone for it, had Johnson on from the start and set up a more attacking midfield.

Is this the Italian style? No - Ancelotti doesn't play like this.

Is this the way we'll play the stronger teams and away from home?

I really hope not and I hope that Mancinni gets some Italian passion and Premier League pace in the team against Birmingham.

The Fayre that was served up last night made my throat hurt shouting so much to push forward. If the defense push up, the midfield push up, if the midfield push up, the Tevez has support, Milner and Silva have somebody on the end of their crosses and there are more bodies to quickly shut down the oposition when we lose the ball.

City need to be bolder and take a little risk - not huge risks against teams like United, just enough to edge them out.

Am I naive or isn't football this simple sometimes?

Hey Mr Tangerine Man...

2010-10-18T16:06:00.001Z

All I can say is thank God I only had to wear this for a few hours on my Stag do and not whilst watching Manchester City beat Blackpool.

I may have got a kicking, even from the mentalist home fans that do their club so proud.

After a good win at Anfield it was always going to be a hiding to nothing and we owed a lot to Tevez, Silva, the ref and a slice of luck.

We had our own misfortune too with Milner hitting the bar and the post.

Lots of controversy regarding off sides, but we had our fair share of that against Sunderland earlier in the season - ridiculous that the Blackpool manager calls it a conspiracy.

Frankly, watch Tevez' first goal again, watch it take the slightest of deflections from the Blackpool defender as Silva crosses it.

OK, you seen that? Now argue with me when Tevez is active? It isn't worth it.

Silva's goal was class, 3 points is 3 points, Blackpool play good football and deserve to stay up and so on to 2nd spot and the Eurpoa league on Thursday.

Oh Ali-Ali, Ali-Ali-Ali-Ali-Allison

2010-10-16T15:51:00.000Z

"John Bond has blackened my name with his insinuations about the private lives of football managers. Both my wives are upset."

"You're not a real football manager until you've been sacked"

Two of my favourite quotes from Malcolm Allison who died yesterday. City fans loved him.

An unbeatable pairing with Joe Mercer, a great coach and one of the games truly great characters.

In my view the original "Special One".

He's probably watching from some heavenly dugout, smoking a huge cigar - thoughts are with his family.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Oh when De Jong, goes sliding in.

2010-10-05T12:56:00.001Z

Apologies, I thought I was Stuart Hall for a while…..

I haven’t been late for the kickoff of a home game for a long, long time. This time caused by a couple of road accidents in the vicinity of Eastlands.

Rumours that they were caused by one of our players late for the game, shouting “f**k off out of my way”, in a dutch accent, out of the window of his 4x4 as he skidded the length of the Mancunian way, have yet to be confirmed, but, on the subject of De Jong, I arrived just after the tackle / leg break incident.

First of all I would like to wish Ben Arfur a very speedy recovery, as I no right minded person likes to see a player suffer a potential career threatening injury, but having later seen the tackle on MOTD, it looked well timed and the player was just very unlucky to be caught by a trailing leg.

Subsequently I read that De Jong has been dropped, because of the tackle, from the Dutch squad for their upcoming friendlies. I sincerely hope that all the negative reaction doesn’t affect De Jong’s game at all, as it was very entertaining to see various Newcastle players looking like they were trying not to sh*t themselves everytime they were about to get tackled by him.

It’s good to have a hard-man midfielder that the opposition are a little afraid of I think.

City’s performance itself, especially in the first half was a bit slow and ponderous against a Newcastle side full of bustling energy and clearly up for it, but with bursts of brilliance e.g Boateng’s ball in to Tevez which led to the penalty.

I have watched the replay of the foul many times in slo mo, and, accuse me of wearing sky blue tinted spectacles if you must, but to me it appears that the defender caught Tevez’s leg first which then moved the ball. The barcodes disagreed but anyway, as Winston Churchill once said “who gives a flying f**k” (first draft of “Never in the field of human conflict……” speech), the Argentinian maestro blasted it home and we were off and running.

Other performances I noted. Silva is quickly becoming accustomed to the pace and physicality of the Premiership and showed much of the skill and guile that his price tag and reputation demands, very very promising.

Adebayor was much improved exhibiting much energy and pace. I heard someone on the radio after the game say that “Kompany was on fire”, very true, and fortunately, nothing literally to do with a disagreement with De Jong.

My seat being where it is, I got a very good view of Joleon Lescott plying his trade, in the second half. The most generous thing I can think to say about his performance is that he was neither use nor ornament, ducking out of tackles whenever a Newcastle player so much as waved a wet hankie at him, getting rid of the ball (usually backwards or to nobody) as quickly as he could, like someone had substituted a live hand grenade into a game of pass the parcel, and generally nearly giving away stupid penalties. Maybe he needs more time - but honestly I’ve seen continental plates move quicker!

Adam Johnson warming up on the touchline in front of us, distracted by the lady sat next to me shouting over to him to pose for a photo, doesn’t see Mancini beckoning him over.

The whole of the section I’m sitting at him have seen Mancini’s gesture and shout over to Johnson that his time has come. He nonchalantly jogs over to the manager, to be brought into the game, and, in what seems to be seconds later, the ball is nestling in the bottom of Newcastle’s net after a sublime piece of individual brilliance.

No wonder there are reported worries about him becoming a bit big headed, I’m surprised he didn’t scrape his ears on the tunnel walls on the way back to the dressing room.

A win, as they say, is a win.

You see, the City of old might indeed have beaten Chelsea at home, though not as convincingly as they did just over a week ago. They might have gone on to get a solid result against Juventus, several days later. But I know deep down inside that then, having the opportunity to go second in the Premiership, they (probably) would have blown it.

And that’s the difference, a bit slow and ponderous they may have been, but they now have what it takes to still take all the points from games like that.
Them’s the breaks as they say in Holland.

City Battle an Old Lady

2010-10-01T09:27:00.001Z

It was Europa League night at Eastlands yesterday and City took on the Turin giants Juventus. 40,000 turned up to watch, despite it being live on TV and the early stages of the competition - a testament to the pulling power of Del Pierro and crew.

Juventus started brightly and looked like the Premier League side with darting runs, closing down quickly and a fast tempo. Who said Italians are defensive?

Juve took the early lead, with a long range free kick that took a slight deflection off Kolo Toure's head.

That was the cue for City to up their tempo and they seemed to respond well. Tevez came close, Barry hit the post, before Yaya Toure slotted a beautiful ball for Adam Johnson to dart inside, collect and bury.

City carried the momentum into the second half and had another half dozen chances whilst containing the Italians, who came close again late on when Del Pierro hit a stunning free kick that hit the underside of the bar and bounced on the line. With 6 officials there was no danger of missing a ball crossing the line either.

Honours even, a reasonable game - but what if we'd played a stronger side E.g. The one that beat Chelsea with Milner and De Jong from the start?

Chelsea's first real test - they failed

2010-09-28T09:27:00.006Z

My mum fell over and fractured a bone in her back on Friday, so I was on hospital duty and so couldn't make the big clash.

Fortunately I found two mad footy fans Steve and Josh Kemp to attend on my behalf and make good use of my season tickets.

I have also turned over my blog to young Josh, so here's Josh's Match Report...

My friend Hannah's Dad gave me and my Dad some tickets to see the match on Saturday. I got up very early in the morning, got on a train to London and then Manchester. It was a very long journey and I was very excited!

I had on a Man City short and scarf. When I arrived I had a huge hot dog and inside the stadium is was big and very noisy.

We were sat 4 rows from the pitch in really great seats and we could see the players really closely. The match was exciting and Tevez scored a fantastic goal that started from a Chelsea corner. Joe Hart did some good saves and didn't let in any Chelsea goals.

I thought the best player was Milner because he took some good corners. David Silva did some good runs down the pitch. Drogba was quite good for Chelsea and was a threat to City.

It was an awesome day.

Josh Kemp, Aged 7.

Great report Josh, you can do this anytime.

Next stop Hollywood

2010-09-09T10:14:00.001Z

Pop, pop, flash, bang, click....Mr Doleman, over hear Mr Doleman.

Yep, Trautmann's neck arrives on the Blue Carpet (it seriously couldn't be red) this evening for the Worldwide Premier of Blue Moon Rising.

Rubbing shoulders with the great and good of Manchester, soap stars, Footballers and Wags a plenty - but not ladies of the evening as far as I'm aware.

Rumour has it that the full Manchester City 1st team will be there or England as some folk call them.

Should be a good night as the film stars some down to earth City boys.

The Blue Moon will continue to rise again on Saturday. Good times!

Location:Northampton Rd,,United Kingdom

Sheikh, Liverpool rattled, City rolled

2010-08-24T06:25:00.001Z

Our wonderful owner, Sheikh Mansour, made his first appearance at Eastlands last night and received a very warm welcome. The crowd expressed their thanks (we still cant believe what's happened) and the team stepped up and put on a great show for him by deservedly and convincingly smashing a lack lustre Liverpool 3-0.

New boy James Milner put in a great day at the office with an impressive debut, including linking up with his former Villa team mate to provide the killer cut back for Gareth Barry to slot home for City to take the lead.

It was a lovely move down the right with Milner, Yaya Toure, Johnson and Micah Richards combining well.

Before events on the pitch started, City opened a new facility outside the stadium called City Square - new bars, cafes with Marco Pierre white design menus (hot pot on a stick was seriously a choice), giant screens and entertainment. Further demonstration of the Sheikh's investment for the fans.

In days when foreign owners are receiving criticism, creating debt ridden clubs and raising ticket prices - I think our owner is simply amazing and the investment off the pitch as well as on is pretty damn impressive. I for one was celebrating the victory in City Square last night.

City's performance was excellent with first class displays from Barry, Milner, Yaya Toure and De Jong in mid-field. What looked like a defensive set-up quickly demonstrated it wasn't with Milner and Johnson streaming down the flanks to support team captain Tevez up front.

The captain put in his usual 110% effort and got his campaign off to a fine star by scoring City's second and clinically finishing a penalty after Johnson was pulled down by Skrtel (to call Skrtel's game physical doesn't do the dirty bar steward justice).

The back four, which included Lescott playing left back, looked solid and dealt well with what little Liverpool could muster up front.

What about England's number 1 Joe Hart. Hart was excellent, in particular making two fine point blank saves shortly after Carlos Tevez had tapped in for City's second, in the period where Liverpool were pushing most.

The team's attitude was first class and we chased down Hodgson's boys and they thoroughly deserve the plaudits, the Sheikh deserved his very warm welcome and despite a rainy night in Manchester, Im still feeling a warm glow.

Keep it up boys - this City is ours and so will be the Premier League one day.

Gai Assulin Rumour

2010-08-04T17:15:00.001Z

Endless transfer speculation is the norm for City these days. We're paying how much for a reserve team player from Scunthorpe!

This report in the Guardian really made me laugh because of the sarcasm and style.

"Manchester City are hot on the trail of a £34m-rated youngster. So that means they're preparing a £95m bid, right? Wrong! They're actually going to pick up Gai Assulin for free, because he's fallen out with Pep Guardiola at Barcelona and cancelled his contract.

But don't worry, we can probably still rely on City to throw some needless extravagance into the deal, such as flying him to Manchester via Saturn in a custom-built space shuttle."

Best World Cup Song Ever

2010-06-11T10:00:00.001Z

Benitez is off to Inter and still made a 100k donation to the Hilsborough family support fund - how many would get fired and do that. First class!

City are pushing to sign David Silva and Chelsea are going for Ireland.

Oh and that little tournament in South Africa starts today.

Vaguely on a world cup theme I had a cracking night at The Stag Theatre Sevenoaks last night.

A top quality comedy night for only £12. Lee Nelson kicked things off, check out his new show, very funny.

Mitch Benn was there and sang the best World Cup song ever, download it for free on his web site and tell a few folk - it deserves to be number 1.

Birthdays, Business and Holidays

2010-06-09T14:37:00.004Z

Well in the time it has taken both reputable and irreputable media to link Manchester City with:

Yaya Toure
Moussa Sissoko
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
James Milner
Fernando Torres
Steven Gerrard
Joe Cole
Mauro Zarate
Aleksander Kolarov
David Silva
Maicon
Jerome Boateng
Edin Dzeko
Javi Martinez Rafael van der Vaart
Gonzales Higuain
Gago

to name just a few.

I have had time to go on holiday with no internet access, sell my business and celebrate my 50th birthday - but not a lot of time to blog.

Well life is both calmer and I'm getting back into all things football, especially as the World Cup is upon us - what you hadn't noticed?

Surely the mandatory inclusion of a tenuious link to England in almost every bloody advert on Telly has alerted you. Or the fact that I can even by a cup cake in Brighton with a picture of Gareth Barry on it, is a clue to the fever that is about to be unleashed.

We we get the predictable under performance, probably but ever hopefull - "England are City in disguise".

On the domestic front I'd be happy to see our players do well, especially Robinho, so we can get some cash for him. I'd like us to calmly follow a transfer strategy that sees another good defensive signing (Boateng is a start), something creative in midfield and give Ireland a proper chance again and more quality around Tevez up front.

With the world cup and undoubted ins and outs at Eastlands - it is going to be fun - enjoy!

Barry versus Jacko

2010-05-14T10:25:00.000Z

What's the similarity between Gareth Barry and the late Michael Jackson?

Well Jacko used to and Barry currently is sleeping in an Oxygen tent.

Don't worry Barry not gone off to cloud cuckoo land or should that be Neverland, he's simply trying to speed up the recovery process for the injury he picked up against Spurs to try and figure in Capello's South African Safari.

Good luck to him.

Without a dream in my heart! Manchester City 0 - 1 Tottenham Hotspurs

2010-05-06T05:52:00.006Z

Fans walking to the Champions League? Fraid not!

Why did it have to be a City fan - Peter Crouch - who ended our Champions League dreams? Well this is City, so it was written somewhere I guess.

Macclesfield lad Crouch popped with only 6 minutes to go to nick the winner and send the North London boys into the big league.

Well done Spurs!

I for one didn't think you'd beat both Chelsea and Arsenal. I didn't think we would lose to Untied in the 4th minute of extra time. I didn't think you'd beat us - so good luck to you, but do you know what?

I also didn't think we'd end up 5th and reach a cup semi final. We have had a great season and I'm happy to see the improvement.

Next season will be even better. Let's keep Bobby Manc and go from strength to stength. Top 4 next and the title the year after. Our train is unstoppable, let's be patient and remember how far we have come.

Undoubtedly the speculation on Mancini, Mourinho, Hiddink and others will follow.

Undoubtedly the spending will happen over the summer and the squad will change and improve.

Perhaps no massive signings, no bad thing and then again with these owners - who knows?

So, about last night...

Really the game had a life of its own, play swinging from end to end, one team dominating and then the other. Tevez, Adebayor, Johnson, Bale, King and Defoe all came close. Posts were hit at both ends. Sves were made by Fullop and Gomes.

Check out the stats, they show two teams rightfully battling for 4th, with a postage stamp between them. Either could have one and perhaps 3-3 would have been a better reflection of the play.
.

I find it hard to take and I'm emotional writing this, but it won't last. The "Red Gloaters", that's why we really hate United, will die down and the summer will start. Rumours, transfers and another roller coaster.

I know the moon is still rising and can't wait for next season.

Relocation, relocation, relocation

2010-05-03T12:00:00.000Z

Just a nice start to a rainy bank holiday. Spent 90 minutes on hold on the phone listening to the Doves loop, waiting to relocate my Seasoncards from the North Stand.

By the time I got through, the South Stand had sold out, but I managed to get into Block 122, Level 1 in The Colin Bell Stand - not too bad!

Could have been in the queue at Eastlands I guess, which might have been more boring.

Manchester City 3 - 1 Aston Villa

2010-05-01T10:54:00.004Z

Well what can I say. Roll on Wednesday, it's going to the wire!

My guests at the game with Villa (Brian, Jason, Kashmira) all enjoyed City's 3 - 1 win over the Villans and so did I.

The crowd was in good voice and we dominated possesion until, against the run of the play, took the lead. Toure didn't do enough to block the threat and Fullop, looking nervous seemed at fault for the ball gentlky rolling beneath him and into the net.

It was all getting a bit too tense for Brian and that coupled with the pre-match beers was too much for his princessed sized bladder and off he went for a Jimmy at 3:41pm (impecable timing).

He succesfully managed to miss:

Johnson borugh down for a penalty (not the 1st we should have been awarded)
Tevez converting it with sheer power
Villa hitting the bar immediately from kick-off
Johnson breaking down the right into the box, passing neatly to Adebayor
Adebayor slotting home for 2-1.

If we go a goal down against Spurs, he's promised to head for the Gents.

Vieira and De Jong we superb in midfield and contained Villa, before on the 89th minute, subsitute Shaun Wright-Phillips, span out wide, ran 40 yards, beat two players, looked up, passed to Bellamy who hit the top right corner.

3-1. Ecstasy. Well done boys, let's step it up another gear on and off the field on Wednesday.

Beleive!

Heart to Hart

2010-04-26T07:30:00.000Z

I wonder if Birmingham will be given any incentives to let us recall Joe Hart for the last few games.

The rumours I'm hearing are that we are offering to match any Premier League bonus payments should Brum slip down the table a couple of places.

That seems fair, provided both Joe wants to come back and Birmingham are happy to release him.

What a pity Shay Given is out for these 3 crucial games.

Arsenal 0 - 0 Manchester City

2010-04-24T23:55:00.003Z

ZZZZZZZZZZ!

We move a point nearer Spurs and it is all getting tight at the top.

The game at the Emirates was a wade through mud - a real turgid affair. How come we swing from free flowing, confident thrashings to dire, but solid defending so quickly.

I don't feel like writing anything about this game.

Arsenal had few chances.
We had no chances
Poor 1st half
Adebayor brightened things up

Two wins at home and we are there.

City 0 - 1 United

2010-04-18T15:04:00.001Z

14:45pm
City 0 - 0 Utd (90 + 2m 43s)
City 0 - 1 Utd (90 + 3m)

19:30pm
Spurs 2 - 1 Chelsea

TYPICAL CITY!!

City v United t'Journey North

2010-04-16T18:39:00.010Z

A mere 16 hours to go and myself, Stuart, Malcolm, Graham and Neill are heading up t'North on t'train. Were in 1st class not through choice, but thanks to the 'kin Vikings and their Vulcan inflicted travel chaos.

It's alread hysterical with a "drunken, red headed lesbian bitch" - her words not mine- wanting to speak her mind - it was a short conversation.

She asked are we captains of industry and what differentiated us - I liked Neill's comment of fingerprints and the shape of our ears.

Due to the packed train apparently first class services is only available north of Milton Keyenes - personally I only think first class travel and first class life itself starts north of South Manchester.

Anyway, on to thoughts about the game. I thought I'd ask my compadres for their opinions on tomorrows clash.

Graham. He's a bit too much into rugby to care, but thinks that all the money that goes into football should be ploughed into Westcombe Park Rugby Club and is currently gorging on chocolate cake for fear of fading away. He's supporting City of course and predicts 3-1 City.

Malcolm. He now knows the team he should cheer wear blue and confidently predicts a win for Manchester!

Neill. A Spuds fan, dare I ask him for an opinion. Well the tea leaves floating in his beer (excellent this first class) tell him that a tall dark stranger will score - so Tevez is wearing stilts tomorrow. Prediction 2-1 City.

Stuart a footballl virgin has concluded that we'll all have a nicer weekend if City win so believes we will. Although with a soft, home counties accent he's scared people will think he's a Rag. Prediction 143-3.

More tomorrow.

Advice for the Derby Game

2010-04-16T11:36:00.002Z

Twenty-four hours to go boys and here's some helpful tips for tomorrow's clash:

Don't throw coins at the away fans. These coins will only aid their quest in funding a takeover from the Glaziers.
Remember following United is like smoking a filthy habit.
Watch the news carefully as the game might be postponed as the majority of rags can't get flights from London, Ireland and Scandinavia due to Volcanic Ash.
Be warned the you won't be able to get a half time hot drink on Saturday as all the mugs are on the pitch wearing red.
North West Water and The Met Office have issued severe flood warnings for tomorrow afternoon. There's a real danger that 1 million Mancunians will piss themselves laughing if City win.
If Tevez and Berbatov swap shirts after the game, Tevez won't need to wash Berba's as he'll only had a 90 minute gentle walk.

City Deserve a Webby

2010-04-16T09:25:00.006Z

I think it is simply brilliant what the club is doing for us fans these days.

The chances to get involved in the real world events like fans forums and in the digital world through Facebook, Flickr, Twitter and more.

Weve never had so many high quality photos, interviews, behind the scenes stuff like Chappers the kit man, the match day centre, video match highlights and more.

I think City deserve an Oscar let alone a webby to recognise what they are doing on the internet and if you agree with me you can cast a vote for Manchester City here and help them win a "Webby".

Tevez talks on and off the pitch

2010-04-13T11:24:00.003Z

Got my Tesco's delivery this morning and the complimentary copy of the Daily Mail (I'd never buy it in case it gave me cancer along with Facebook and Asylum Seekers).

There was the Tevez interview. I'm gine with the fact that we have players who speak as they feel - players like Bellamy and Tevez.

Sometimes they're profound, sometimes direct and sometimes foot in cake hole.

Does anyone really expect they sre savvy enought to get how their teammates, club, fans and the press will react?

Carlos' timing was off with several critical games coming, but he's a top bloke, down to earth (if you met him like many of us did at the fans forum) and totally committed. As for his advisers, there's something about them I don't trust. Currently they represent Hughes and probably had more than a passing influence on this interview.

I agree with Carlos' comment about Hughes, but neither he or I are party to all the back room dealings and as he also pointed out - the owners have invested very heavily in the club and can appoint whoever they wish.

His poster comment is a little contradictory as at one point he "loved the Welcome poster and have a copy in my home".

It worked fantastically, got huge PR, drove millions of visitors to City's web site, sold t-shirts and more. The money helps develop the club and importantly reflects what the majority of fans on the terraces chant and think.

Every game I hear thousands sing "Fergie sign him up", "This is our City", etc.

We love the tongue in cheek pop at United that says "Carlos you've been playing in Salford for plastics, now you're very "Welcome to Manchester".

I think Carlos and a few others are not quite empathising with hard core fans in Eastlands - who love it.

We have put up with the rags and their humourless 29, 30,31,32, 33, 34 years poster for a very long time - they love reminding us of their glories and our "little city" status.

If you dish it out like that - you really expect and take it back, rather than moaning if get the mickey taken - churlish in the extreme.

Anyway, Carlos will give it everything against the rags and I'll be screaming "Sign him up" if he scores - all in the best possible taste of course.

Hi Five Daddy and Ade: Manchester City 5 - 1 Birmingham City

2010-04-12T09:32:00.007Z

Lucky talismans - Hannah & Jessica

I love taking my girls to Eastlands - it's a big trek for us, but every time I do City go goal crazy and yesterday's game against Birmingham was no exception.

Legend Bert Trautmann was introduced to the fans before the game and presented with a plaque before the game by Shay Given - remember he broke his neck against Birmingham in a Cup Final, fortunately Shay avoided that particular injury.

Here's another picture of Bert receiving a presentation at the lunch I attended on Friday.

Well what about the game.

I was there with the family and Dean (Birmingham City fan) who had a great time in Shambles Square with all the Manchester City fans - he says thanks for the songs and the taxi ride guys.

The game itself was great, some super football at times.

Birmingham were nervous at first and defended deeply and whilst we had plenty of possession, a few shots namely Tevez and Ade it took 30 minutes to break the deadlock with a penalty for a foul on Adebayor - he was pushed in the back and although he went down easily it was a penalty.

That blew the pressure valve and the goals started flowing.

Next from Tevez with the slightest deflection from Onuoha's shot - personally I would have given it to Neddy, but the lad in an interview said it was cool for Tevez to count it as Carlos is going for top scorer.

Birmingham pulled one back, which replays showed was offside when the ball was played, but City soon answered back with a lovely move down the left, a great cross in from Bellamy and Adebayor tapped in to make it 3-1 at the half way mark.

The second half kicked off and Birmingham came out sprightly and had a little more possession, but all in all City were to strong. Tevez had a powerful free kick turned around the post and Onuoha missed hit a pass, but ran on to it through the Birmingham defence to make it 4-1.

City were cruising now and a long ball found Adebayor free who ran to goal, opened his body and slotted home to make it five and celebrate in front of us.

A nice family day out and real pressure on the Spuds.

Joys, Sorrows and Blues

2010-04-10T21:17:00.005Z

Well it's match time again, so I'm delighted to continue the series of interviews with supporters of teams City are about to play.

Today I'm very pleased to introduce Mike, Kev and the gang from Birmingham City blog Joys and Sorrows (love the title).

We play an ever improving Birmingham tomorrow and it should be an intriguing game. Perhaps Bert Trautmann will be introduced to the crowd as he's in Manchester and broke his neck in a Cup Final against Birmingham.

Anyway here's a few thoughts from the good folk from Joys and Sorrows.

Trautmann's Neck: How did you come to follow Birmingham?
Joys & Sorrows: I used to listen to the game on local radio while doing coursework. In those days Blues were not doing well. They had dropped into the 3rd tier and were struggling financially although we did have a day out at Wembley for the Auto-Windscreens Trophy. They had a lot of characters both on and off the pitch in those days. They were rubbish, but fun.

Trautmann's Neck: What's been your favourite game / best memory in supporting the club?
Joys & Sorrows: The play-off final in Cardiff, 2002. This game saw us promoted to the Premiership for the first time after four years of failing at the semi-final stage usually on penalties. It was a great day, made sweeter by the fact that this time we won on penalties. We've been promoted twice since, but you can't beat your first time ;-)

Trautmann's Neck: How do you feel about Birmingham's current squad / management / owner?
Joys & Sorrows: The current squad is the best we've had for a long time and has been assembled relatively cheaply. Alex McLeish has a knack of picking people who nobody else wants, but turn out to be stars. The most obvious examples are Stephen Carr and Lee Boyer who have been great this year, but cost nothing. McLeish has done an amazing job this season surprising many fans who were calling for his head last year. The new owners are a breath of fresh air after 16 years of the old board, but I'm still to be convinced that a lot of their talk is more than just talk.

Trautmann's Neck: How do you like Joe Hart?
Joys & Sorrows: He's rubbish. I wouldn't bother taking him back - you may as well let us have him for a few quid.

Seriously he's been great now he's getting regular football. At first I thought he was suspect at crosses, but he has improved that aspect of his game over the last few months and made some great saves.

I would start him for England in South Africa and I'm trying very hard no to get too attached to him.

Trautmann's Neck: What are your hopes for the rest of the season and the next?
Joys & Sorrows: The target is to remain in the top 10 and beat our best points total of 50 points we got in 2004. For next year a similar finish would be fine, although a lot will depend on how much money we can spend in the summer and who we can buy with it.

Trautmann's Neck: How did you get into blogging about Birmingham?
Joys & Sorrows: I was an ordinary member on the Joys and Sorrows forum for a while, but was asked to join the admin team when someone left. Kev and I took over the whole site and re-launched it early last year when the previous owner emigrated to Australia.

Trautmann's Neck: What are your thoughts about the imminent game with City?
Joys & Sorrows: I would expect a home victory, but it won't be as easy for you as against Burnley or Wigan. Our away form has deserted us of late and we have been conceding early goals, which put us on the back foot. It'll probably end up 3-1 to your lot with Tevez scoring a couple. I hope it's a good game and if we do get chances then we take them, unlike the game at St Andrews where we let you escape with a point.

Trautmann's Neck: Any views on England at the World Cup / Money in the Game?
Joys & Sorrows: I think England can do well in the World Cup as long as our key players (especially Rooney) stay fit. The only two teams that worry me are Brazil and Spain, but they are in the other half of the draw so we can't meet them until the final. I'd be disappointed if we didn't make the semis, but disappointment is what being an England fan is all about.

You can read my views on Joys and Sorrows here.

Thanks Mike and all the best for the rest of the season.

Typical Germans

2010-04-09T21:55:00.003Z

Typical Germans moaned Baconhead after losing to Bayern Munich this week.

Today I had the pleasure, along with about 90 other souls, of lunching with an atypical German.
One of the world's greatest goal keepers, a Manchester City legend, a personal hero and an amazing human being - none other than Bert Trautmann.

I had a great time and was delighted to see Bert, now 86 in fine form, taking the mickey out of Fred Eyre and giving some additional insights into his life.

There were past players like Joe Corrigan, Alex Williams, Tony Book, Mike Summerbee, Fred Eyre, and Jack Crompton in attendance. His wife Marlis was present, as was Chief Executive Gary Cook and President Bernard Halford to name just a few, but the main attraction was Bert.

I was there with my mate Brian and on our table was Bill Cronshaw author of a play based on Bert's life called I'll be Bert - I'll be looking out for that when it tours later this year. Other guests had travelled from the Isle of Man such is Bert's status.

Fred Eyre kicked off proceedings and introduced some of the guests and of course the great man himself, who shared some insights into his life.

Bert opened by sharing that the first English he learned was "keep a clean sheet" which he pronounced perfectly and way better than Blakely lad Fred Eyre's attempt to say Fallschirmjager (paratrooper) which Bert explained he was because he wasn't clever enough to be a pilot or wireless operator.

Bert was extremely frank about his war experience, explaining that he was 15-16, growing up in a country with 7 million unemployed, poverty, fascists, communists and volunteered to defend his country saying nobody joins the armed forces to kill others.

He explained that when he was captured he didn't think about the English or being shipped off to the land of his "enemy", he just felt loads falling off - extreme relief that he didn't have to fight anymore and that he was finally safe.

Fred asked him why he stayed in England after his release from POW camp in 1948. Bert replied he'd outgrown his clothes. A very practical answer - Germany was war torn, the prospects for work slim and the UK government offered POWs clothes and rations if they stayed to help rebuild parts of Britain.

Bert did just that to get some clothes, but "started his education" as he called it. He learnt tolerance, helping others and when the people of St Helens gave him a trunk filled with clothes, food and £150 in cash to help his family when he went back to Germany on leave for 3 weeks - it touched him deeply and warmed his heart.

He started playing football for St Helens Town and Fred asked him when the crowds started to grow and the buzz started building around him did he ever think of turning pro. Bert said he loved football and it had never crossed his mind to make a living from it until pretty much a year after starting to play.

City, Burnley, Liverpool and others were all sniffing around and Fred asked Bert why sign for City?

The truth was he was bursting for a pee! His father-in-law had gone to Manchester to meet City officials and told him not to sign anything without him, but City had also sent people to see him in St Helens.

During the conversation Bert found himself needing desperately to pay a visit to the smallest room. Ever the gentlemen he didn't want to be rude to his guests, but didn't possess the English to excuse himself, so he signed the contract simply to get rid of the City officials and relieve himself.

He didn't regret it and really appreciates the warmth of Lancastrians and Mancunians, even though he had a difficult time at first - with the obvious post war abuse from opposing fans.

He went on to talk a little about the infamous incident in the FA cup final against Birmingham, but so much has been written about that I couldn't add much more. I suggest you check out and buy his excellent biography Trautmann's Journey should you want to know more.

All in all a great lunch and I sure he'll be introduced to the crowd at one of the coming games.

Even Burnley Players Left Early

2010-04-07T12:06:00.002Z

So we all saw the Burnley fans leaving after City smashed 3 past them in 6 minutes - who can blame them, but apparently Kevin McDonald left early too.

He was substituted at half time, left the stadium and went down the pub with his family!

Burnley 1 - 6 Manchester City: Singing in the rain

2010-04-06T22:15:00.001Z

I'm singing in the rain, just singing in the rain, what a glorious feeling were in 4th spot again!

After 3 goals in 6 1/2 minutes, a 6-1 away win, hitting the post twice - it is so tempting to write a match report that includes references to "a goal torrent" or "floodgates opening", but there's already thousands of posts and comments written and I only have just calmed down.

What a win! Records came tubling down, fastest this, fastest the other, highest score at half time in the Premier League history.

For those lucky enough to be there it must have been great - I couldn't travel up for this one, but watched it avidly on TV, Twitter, MOTD, MOTD2, MCFC.CO.UK and more.

I still couldn't believe I was so nervous in the 2nd half, not becuase there was the slightest chance of Burnley getting into the game, but because everybody was talking about it being abandoned.

It wasn't and it was is a joy to watch Bellamy, Carlos and Ade tear Burnley apart.

It was so very good to see Vieira get on the scorecard and the team play some wonderful attacking football - who said Mancini was negative?

Now a win over Brum at Eastlands and we have a gap and real pressure on Spuds to beat Arsenal who surely will want to avenge their defeat tonight by the Mercurial Messi and Barca.

I agree with my own poll majority - we will end up 4th.

Necks, Legs and Ankles

2010-04-01T10:57:00.002Z

What a week for football!

Rooney injures his ankle - purely selfishly I hope it's nothing too serious, but just long enough to keep in out of the derby at Eastlands and get a nice good rest ahead of the world cup.

Cesc Fabregas plays an important part in an amazing Arsenal comeback, but picks up a serious injury as does Gallas against an awesome Barcelona - that's the free flowing football that I want to see from City. Amazing to see Fabregas continue to play after the injury, which might be a fracture.

So with Rooney's ankle, Fabregas' leg - what about Trautmann's neck?

Well I'm really excited about going to the Bert Trautmann 60th anniversary lunch and hope to grab a photo and ask a question or two of the guest of honour.

Vote for Carlos Tevez

2010-03-31T10:13:00.002Z

Crowd goes crazy as Tevez jumps into North Stand in front of me

Nobody surely can now doubt with another 3 goals to add to an already impressive tally, that Carlos Tevez is a superb player.

One who in my view deserves a vote of recognition. Vote for Carlos in the fans award on PFA site.

Straight red helps City get out of bed: Manchester City 3 - 0 Wigan Athletic

2010-03-30T07:14:00.006Z

Seven rows back from the front of the North Stand, I had an excellent view through the fine rain of just how poor City were last night, until Referee Atwell intervened with a straight red card for Wigan Athletics Caldwell.

Five yards from where I was sitting it looked bad, booking yes, but straight red seemed harsh. Perhaps the ref was compensating for the same player clipping Tevez as he ran into the box earlier in the game for what looked like a penalty.

That intervention by the ref, the introduction of Bellamy for a poor Shaun Wright-Phillips and Carlos Tevez, who for 12 scintilating minutes was in a totally different class was enough to roll Wigan over and see us run out 3-0 winners. A fair result yes, but it didn't reflect that Wigan had started brighter, competeed more effectively in the middle of the park and could have easily taken the lead.

The first half was a catalogue of unforced errors and sloppy passes. Our midfield was so too far away from Tevez, Adebayor and Johnson. That meant we weren't pressing Wigan and if our first attack broke down they could clear their lines far too easily.

City are so unconvincing these days - lots of possession, but seem bereft of creative ideas when we have the ball. Where's all the flowing football gone?

After a poor first half, Vieira got on the tempo and did make some calm and sensible passes. In fact the whole team were brighter and after the sending off swamped Wigan with waves of attacks, so it was only a matter of time before the deadlock was broken.

A goalkeeping error when challenged by Adebayor and Tevez picked up the loose ball to tap home. The relief was tangible and it is bizarre that a team that looked nervous and lacking confidence are transformed - the apssing improves, the swagger's back and Wigan haven't a hope.

Tevez dedicated his goals to his daughter and after a superb third celebrated in the crowd 5 rows in front of us.

Mancini insists we have to get better to get 4th - he's right and it must start against Burnley.

Interview with a Latic

2010-03-27T08:59:00.012Z

Today, I'm delighted to continue the series of interviews with supporters of teams City are about to play.

Sorry there was nothing from Evertonians, they were all too busy or rude (the fans I contacted seemed very bitter over Lescott and abusive), I thought scouses were meant to have a good sense of humour.

By contrast, I'm very pleased to introduce Dan Farrimond, passionate Latic author of blog Jesus Was a Wiganer who is sharing some views ahead on Monday night's game.

Trautman's Neck: How did you come to follow Wigan?

Dan (JWAW): My Dad was always a dyed-in-the-wool Wigan Rugby supporter, so until the age of 10, I suppose I was a "forced" rugby fan. When I started getting interested in football, I had no idea Wigan even had a team - after all, I'd never seen them on telly, and you'd be lucky to find a single Latics fan where I lived.

So as soon as I found out about Wigan Athletic that was it. I had all the posters ripped from the local paper, and would buy Shoot and Match magazines just to get stats from the latest Latics games.

When I was old enough to afford tickets - which coincided with our move to the JJB - I started going to the odd game, but only got my first season ticket in 2004.

Why Wigan, well it was pure and simply where I lived. Years of hanging around proud Wigan rugby men rubbed off and I suppose there wasn't really any competition.

Except, the only other football support in my family was my grandfather. He was, and still is, a mad keen City supporter. He went to his first City game 70 years ago and still regales me with stories of Dennis Law and Stanley Matthews, but especially how Bert Trautmann would put most Premiership players to shame. (BTN: Wonder if he's going to Bert's 60th anniversary lunch on 9th April).

Trautmann's Neck: Do you have a favourite game / memory?

Dan (JWAW): There have been many; beating Preston 5-0 in 2004, the whole of the 2002-2003 season when we racked up 100 points on our way to the title; our last game at Springfield Park (against Man City). But I'm going to be boring and cite the day we were promoted to the Premier League as my favourite memory - specifically when the second goal went in on our way to that 3-1 win over Reading. That's the first time I really though in my heart of hearts Wigan could be a premiership team.

Also, our win over Chelsea earlier this season ranks close as does our first game in the Prem when we narrowly lost to Chelsea. The atmosphere that day was pretty special.

I'd also throw in a relatively insignificant midweek game against Rotherham where everyone retreated to the backs of the stands to shelter from a torrential downpour.

Trautmann's Neck: How do you feel about Wigan's current squad / Management?

Dan (JWAW): When Roberto Martinez took over, I felt it was a couple of years too early as he's still a bit raw and yet to fully develop as a manager. I'd seen a few of his games at Swansea last year on TV and was impressed with what he'd achieved, so was certainly happy to give him a chance.

Losing Steve Bruce at the end of 2009 season was a blow, especially looking back. The squad Martinez inherited doesn't really suit the kind of football he likes, so it was a case of making do. I admire the man for sticking to his task this season, and I think on a couple of occasions we deserved better results.

All in all, I back Martinez even if many impatient souls don't. He knows the club and has his eyes on the long term prize rather than going out and blowing millions on stop gap solutions just to keep us in the league.

Trautmann's Neck: What are you hopes for the rest of the season?

Dan (JWAW): In an ideal world to get somewhere near out points total from last season. I know that's unlikely and so will readily settle for safety, preferably before we travel to Stamford Bridge.

If you'd offered me safety with wins over Liverpool and Chelsea this campaign, I'd have bitten off you leg and nose as well as hand. With an inexperienced manager, we've done alright whilst paying off some debts in the meanwhile. Sure we don't have big names, but when we break even again, things hopefully will be different.

Provided we stay up, I'd settle for another quiet season in mid-table. If we show some progress than you can always hope to push for Europe, no matter how unlikely.

Trautmann's Neck: How did you get into blogging about Wigan?

Dan (JWAW): Not sure really. I never actually felt compelled to force my opinions on anyone until last year when I thought 'sod it, I don't care how many people I offend anymore' - which is a bit optimistic as nobody really reads my blog (BTN - I do) - beyond that I just like writing and messing around with all this Internet stuff.

Trautmann's Neck: What are your thoughts on the coming game with City?

Dan (JWAW): My expectation is that Wigan will get beaten, but my hopes are for a boring draw. Hull and Burnley may look terrible right now, but you never know what can happen and we need points.

Yes I think a draw is an optimistic prediction, I'd be happy losing by one or two to keep our goal difference just ahead of our rivals.

Trautmann's Neck: Any views on the World Cup / Money in the game / favourite pie?

Dan (JWAW): If you'd asked me about England's chances 6 months ago I'd be a lot more positive, but with recent, entirely avoidable scandals popping up to puncture morale. We've got some decent players - certainly good enough to win the World Cup, but everything has to fall into place for once.

The one man who can do it for us, who can turn us into winners, is Wayne Rooney. Providing Ferguson doesn't play him into the ground he could lift us to the final, but we'll probably go out on penalties somewhere. Hopefully not though.

As a Wigan fan I can't complain about the game being money orientated, as to a large extent it's got us to where we are today. If it hadn't been for Dave Whelan, we might not even exist. Sometimes we have to pinch ourselves to remind us that we're a small town club with a relatively small fan base kept alive by the financial input of Father Jack. It is a privileged position.

I'm also a firm believer in the wider football family. Football seems too much of a business these days for clubs to care about each other. If you look at Manchester City's relationship with Wigan, you could say that City had a hand in helping Latics become a football league club with a series of high profile friendlies in the seventies. As a result, many Wigan fans hold a special place in their heart for City. This doesn't happen that often these days, everyone looking after number one, it makes you die a little inside.

As for pies, I don't really like them - strange that coming from a Wiganer, but I'm more a fish and chip man.

Anyway good luck for Monday but not too much.

Trautmann's Neck: You too Dan, thanks again for taking time out of your day and all the best for the rest of the season. Do check out Dan's Blog (Jesus Was a Wiganer).

Manchester City 0 -2 Everton

2010-03-25T10:06:00.010Z

Well I think my prediction of a 4-1 win is evidence as to why I've not made millions on the pools - I let heart guide head.

If you were at the game last night though then you know there's no way we deserved to lose 2-0, but Everton had us well sorted and Moyes clearly had done his homework.

It was a niggly affair, one of the hated Neville's of course aggitates the crowd and then there's the scouses. No interview with a Toffee I'm afraid, they we either too busy or just simply abusive - for goodness sake get over Lescott!

Anyway to the game, the stats say we had more shots and 20% more possession and for long periods we did, but the spark, the killer ball just wasn't there and Everton we superb defensively.

We desperately need a creative midfielder as Barry and De Jong are to defensively minded, pretty solid usually, but definitely not creative.

Where are the Bernarbias, Kinkys or Johnsons of old?

The referee didn't help matters and whilst not to blame for our defeat I do think he made some very bad decissions like:

not booking or sending off Arteta for hacking down Tevez
not awarding clear corners to City
not awarding a penalty when Tevez was clearly fouled in the box
not awarding a freekick when Adam Johnson is shoulder barged off the pitch
giving Everton a free kick which led to a goal for a similar challenge by Barry seconds later
booking Tevez for a diving header and then letting the next 8 dubious challenges by Everton go unpunished

Throw in an injury to Steven Ireland early on, robust defending and great team endeavor by Everton and a dodgy ref and Everton did deserve a point or perhaps 1-0 win just.

There was plenty of action where City played well, but we just couldn't find away through and the frustration of the fans with the referee was loud and clear. Even Bobby Manc got annoyed with Moyes who held onto the ball late on - both managers were sent off - entertaining handbags!

BTW - nice to see TLDORC feature in the programme last night.

Ces't La Vie - let's move on, beat Wigan, it's all to play for still and very much in our hands.

City v Everton Preview

2010-03-24T13:08:00.003Z

Classless and without feeling. That's how David Moyes describes Manchester City's current squad.

In a short interview in the Daily Star he says a key difference between the Everton squad and City is that his Everton players have respect and loyalt y for the club.

I'd love him to stand in front of Craig Bellamy or Carlos Tevez or Gareth Barry or Shay Given and tell them they are uncommited, classless, dispassionate money grabbers.

I think he'd get a breakneck introduction to the ancient art of Pugilism if he did.

I have long been an admirer of Moyes, but his naivity is amusing in this case. The money in the Premier League has long bannished player loyalty and the Ryan Giggs of the world are the exception rather than the rule.

The only true loyalty in footballs remains with the fans - Moyes surely gets this and perhaps is trying a few crude mind games.

If I were Mancini I'd blow up this Daily Star comment and plaster it around the dressing room to fire the team up, but they'll already be fired up for that 4th spot drive anyway.

A drive that will be without Lescott tonight who is unlikely to be back in action this season, but very much with on form Tevez and Johnson.

Tonight's game will be tough as Everton are no mugs and have been on a long unbeaten streak, but at Eastlands, with fans fired up to and looking to see Moyes end up with a face covered in Ova - well we shall see.

I'm really sticking my neck out here, but I'm going for a suprising 4-1 to City.

Fulham 1 - 2 Manchester City

2010-03-21T19:37:00.003Z

We caught Fulham doing their rejected lover impression today.

Well at least they were certainly on the rebound from an emotional and draining win over Juventus and I think our game being sandwiched between two immense cup ties was a definite advantage.

Our wide players, stopped their fullbacks, Kompany, Barry solidly shut down Zamora and Fulham in midfield and for 75 minutes we seemed comforatably in control.

Roque Santa Cruz opened the scoring for City with a dash of good fortune in the area after only 7 minutes and we breezed into the break 2-0 up after Tevez screamed for the ball from Bellamy, every in the ground heard it and Bellamy duly obliged for Tevez to jink around several Fulham players before slotting home.

Fulham seemed tired and half a yard short and this was easier than I expected. Before the game a friendly Fulham fan at Craven Cottage Newsround had sent me this comparison between Hodgson and Mancini, really on the mark, and I did expect us to be very defensive given Fulham's home form.

Instead we certainly were worth the lead and remained in control even in the second half and should have killed the game by taking one of three good chances.

However on the 75th minute fate intervened and the referee, Lee Probert, adjudged Barry to have deliberately handled in the box and awarded Fulham (harshly in my opinion) a penalty.

Murphy stepped up and calmly brought Fulham back in the game. It made for an interesting and nervous last 15 minutes, but we got the win in the end.

I'm sure Fulham won't mind too much and are already thinking about the tie with Spurs on Wednesday - I for one and right behind them. At least my trip home from this one will be short.

Interview with a Cottager Part II

2010-03-20T14:06:00.000Z

I'm getting more nervous ahead of tomorrow's game with Fulham now. Tickets have just arrived and I've been consoling myself by repeating that Juventus only had 10 men.

It doesn't sound convincing to me - Fulham were simply magnificent and far from being tired, I think they'll enter Sunday's game with us on a high and filled with belief.

Anyway, here's part two of my chat with Stuart Mackie, Fulham fan, White Lines blogger and jolly good bloke.

Trautmann's Neck: What are your thoughts / expectations of the game against Man City?

Stuart: I think a comparison between Man City and Fulham at the moment is fascinating: in some ways, they are almost the antithesis of each other. An expensively-assembled team with high quality throughout, they are nevertheless finding consistency elusive are hence are underachieving. City are clearly a team (and a club) in transition and, in contrast with Fulham, are at present probably less than the sum of their parts.

We are a pretty robust match for anyone at home, and our defensive strength is now sufficient for me to expect to not lose most games there. However, our squad is gradually unravelling through fatigue and injury (remember Villa’s finale last season?), and Man City, despite that inconsistency, do possess game-changers (Tevez, Ireland etc.).

With that in mind, I could see a draw or perhaps a 1-0 City win, but after Thursday night's intensity and emotion , I would be amazed if the players actually managed to turn up to the ground on Sunday. And I won’t really care if they don’t. So, City, the game is there for the taking! I’d take a laboured 0-0 right now.

Trautmann's Neck: Hopes for the rest of the season, Europa League and for next?

Stuart: Finishing 7th last season was heady, but a few teams have since improved: Spurs, Man City - we won’t/can’t catch them. Also, continuing Europa League and FA cup involvement, and a significant injury burden, are attenuating the team’s league performance. With that in mind, I would be chuffed with 10th, and wouldn’t complain about top 12.

An FA cup semi-final would be glorious, but after what Hodgson has achieved here, it feels slightly ungracious to be raising the bar with such haste.

Next season almost certainly won’t have European participation, so it will be fascinating to see to what degree Roy can consolidate the work he’s done so far with just the league to concentrate on.

Top 8 would be significant and a sign of an encouraging consistency.

Trautmann's Neck: How did you get into blogging about Fulham?

Stuart: Well, we’ve all got an opinion when it comes to football, and all feel we have a monopoly on common sense, but I just decided that instead of frittering away my thoughts via message board rants I could, with a touch of discipline, create something a bit more cogent.

There are only a few Fulham blogs and, although the quality is high, I felt that with the others mainly providing match reports, tactical analysis, and news round-ups, there was probably room for another perspective somewhere.

Trautmann's Neck: Any views on England at the World Cup / Money in the Game / Beckham’s injury / etc

Stuart: Sacrilegious, perhaps treasonous, but I really struggle to get excited about the England team. It’s always been club before country for me. I’ll watch them, no doubt, and probably get caught up in it all, but the empathy that I feel for my club just isn’t there with the national side. It lacks the enduring struggle, and it lacks the soul.

The ballyhoo about Beckham’s injury is more symbolic of his celebrity, and an unimaginative media’s reliance on him for ‘news’, than his inherent value to the team. For what it’s worth, I’d have taken him as an ‘impact sub’, but if we can’t compensate for his loss, it’s a pretty poor show.

I think that “money in the game” is too weighty a topic to address here, and I’ve waffled enough already. Suffice to say that the current financial problems, across all divisions, speak for themselves. Hubris, corruption, blinkered ambition, shoddy governance (at club and governing body level): well, pick any combination you like. I’m sure that these are thrilling times at Eastlands, and I don’t begrudge the opportunities that are opening up to you, but I do hope that you are investing in the top accountants as well as the top players.

I also hope that if City do win the league in the next few seasons, that they don’t mutate into an uptight, joyless affair, like the classless bunch down the road from us, where success is suddenly seen as a divine right, and all the other pleasures that sustain us through the decades discarded as superfluous.

I’d like to think that City fans have endured enough outrageous fortune, and enough broken promises, to keep their (pretty inevitable) future success in context, to understand that as these things come, so they will go, and not lose sight of their character and humour (BTN: I'd like to think that too Stuart). Best of luck with the blog and, after Sunday, for the rest of the season.

BTN: My sincere thanks to Stuart from White Lines for sharing his thoughts and I hope that tommorow's game doesn't disappoint. All the best to Fulham in their European exploits and the rest of the season.

Interview with a Cottager Part I

2010-03-19T13:00:00.002Z

Whoaa there! Don't get carried away, I haven't got an exclusive interview with George Michael.

Far more interesting than that - passionate Fulham fan, currently on cloud 9 after thumping Juventus, Cottager, blogger over at White Lines, Stuart Mackie has kindly agreed to chat ahead of Fulham's home game with City on Sunday, for the series of posts I'm doing with bloggers of clubs City are playing in the season run in.

He has some facinating views and opinions and White Lines is definitely worth a look.

Trautmann's Neck: How did you come to follow Fulham?

Stuart: Geographical determinism. I know that as football becomes increasingly globalised, and increasingly glamourised, choice of team now appears to be predicated on celebrity and success, but I still believe that a football club should be some kind of community organism, and as such should be championed by everyone from that community - the days of fielding locally-born players have gone, but at least clubs can rely on local support.

Trautmann's Neck: What’s been your most significant memory in supporting the club?

Stuart: Well, eliminating holders Shakhtar Donetsk from the Europa League had most of us shaking our heads in disbelief, but even when the euphoria recedes and the experience crystallises into a cold, hard memory, a 4-1 victory over Juventus to beat them 5-4 is unlikely to ever be surpassed.

Recent European triumphs aside, and I promise this is not designed to antagonise, I’m nominating the 3-2 victory over Man City at Eastlands on 26 April, 2008. Two weeks earlier, we had won our first away game for 18 months, at Reading. We had been in the bottom three since Christmas. We were 2-0 down at half-time and, technically, relegated.

For a team so demoralised, in such a desperate position, and with such a risible away record, that recovery was stupefying.

So, what do you think Hodgson did at half-time, with his team staring down the barrel of relegation: did he ask the players “how much do you want it, lads”, or implore them to “play for the shirt”, whilst splintering crockery about their heads? No, he said “just keep doing what we’ve practiced”. He was calm, and maintained faith in the team’s training and chosen approach. Incredible.

I feel that it was prevailing against City that caused the players to actually dare to believe that they could survive.

Trautmann's Neck: How do you feel about Fulham’s current squad / management?

Stuart: These are golden days at Fulham, and no mistake. Many of us realise that it is unlikely to get better than this, and that it could quite easily get worse, and so are cherishing every moment.

A second season free of relegation fears, a continuing European adventure, and a tenuous residency in the FA cup. Yes, we’d like to think we could stay in this league long-term, and perhaps win a cup now and again but, without considerable investment, we’re probably topping out now. And realistically, that investment is unlikely to come: limitations in fan-base and potential for ground development restricts potential revenue too much to make such a financial commitment viable.

The squad itself can only be judged in the context of the management. We have no stars, and only negligible egos. Hodgson puts his system and philosophy first, and then buys players who can flourish within it. A cynic might mock some of the team as ‘journeymen’, but through practice, organisation and astute training Hodgson makes the team greater than the sum of its parts. For the first time in years, we are actually seeing players improve before our very eyes.

Aaron Hughes, 30 years old, admitted, and he’s right, that he has improved more in the last 18 months, under Hodgson, than at any time in his career. It’s a transformation recurring throughout the squad.

Hodgson is adored here, and not just for what he has achieved with the team. He possesses an increasing affinity for the club itself (he ‘gets’ Fulham), and is committed to responsible governance - he refuses to squander his transfer budget, or take on high-wage earners that might de-stabilise the club. He takes a measured, long-term view, is wary of trying to advance too quickly, and probably recognises that clubs often have an inbuilt limit.

He’s also admired for the articulate and dignified way in which he conducts himself when representing Fulham. He’s a perfect fit.

Trautmann's Neck: Thanks for this contribution - more from Stuart and his thoughts on the game with City tomorrow.

Transfer Talk starts early with Jorge Martinez

2010-03-18T14:04:00.003Z

This sounds like more than the usual rumours with iMScouting, his agent and Spanish press confirming Manchester City's interest in Catania's Uraguayan striker Jorge Martinez.

I guess there really will be a big push this summer if we hit 4th spot.

Lucky Number 11

2010-03-16T15:43:00.002Z

Lucky heather, charms or perhaps our very own Black Cat. Well luck was with us as North Eastern lad, Adam Johnson fired in a phenomenal equaliser to keep City on track for a top four finish.

City had been coy, defensive and anonymous in the first half, starting slowly and not getting any faster by the time the ref blew for half time. Bellamy and Wright-Phillips barely figured and even Carlos Tevez was subdued.

In fact it was Sunderland who got space on the flanks.

Tactically we looked all wrong and I really don't get why don't we attack teams like Sunderland from the off - is this Serie A style?

It had to change and it did, just like the second half at Stamford Bridge, a different team emerged and it took an inspired Craig Gordon to keep us from running our 4-1 or 5-1 winners.

More urgency, more determination, more pace and more space. We stopped hoofing long balls to Tevez and bombarded the Sunderland stopper.

Even Gordon's heroics couldn't stop Johnson's sweetly curled ball reaching the top corner of the net, but he well and truly deserved his man of the match award.

We're still in the fight.

Interview with a Black Cat

2010-03-11T09:15:00.008Z

Well, the long wait for City's next premier league game is almost over - and what an interesting break. A good England win with City player's featuring well, Liverpool severly denting their hopes of the Champions League by losing at Wigan, Portsmouth going bust saga continues, but they march into the FA Cup Semis and also Sunderland thumping Bolton just ahead of our game with them.

So, with the Sunderland v Manchester City fixture in mind I've been chatting with mad Sunderland fan and blogger Dean Cruddace of Sunderland AFC blog.

Here's some of his thoughts on Sunderland, City and football in General:

Trautmann's Neck: How did you come to follow Sunderland?

Dean: Being a Sunderland lad born and bred supporting Sunderland sort of comes with the territory, there is a natural rivalry that has developed over the history of the 3 main clubs in the North East, but if you were born there you tend to support the local club (along with the occasional misguided sprinkling of Chelski and Man Utd fans) - so I'm Sunderland until I die.

Trautmann's Neck: What’s been your favourite game in supporting the club?

Dean: Great question. My favourite game, probably like a lot of Sunderland fans of my generation was probably the play-off final against Charlton at the old Wembley in 1998, 4-4 AET and then a bucket load of penalties into sudden death then in front of 77,000 the local lad (Mickey Gray now at Sheff Wed) steps up to take what will now go down in SAFC history as the promotion that got away, someone had to miss unfortunately that time around we were on the wrong end.

Trautmann's Neck: How do you feel about Sunderland’s current squad / management?

Dean: Without turning this into a rant Sunderland does have the makings for a good squad but like all other clubs we have had our spells of suspension and injury and not much cover which has resulted in shuffling players around and playing them completely out of position.

I feel there are probably only 5 or 6 players that really do have what it takes to play at Premiership level and of those with the exception of Bent and Jones most are being played out of position in vital games. I am sure Steve Bruce has a good understanding of what he wants his teams to do and in the first part of the season it worked. My view on Bruce is still one of a dedicated fan that will get behind him and support him in his decisions.

This is the first time Bruce has had any real money to build a squad with in comparison to Wigan, Brum and Sheffield Utd so it is a test of sorts, to see how he builds for the future.

Trautmann's Neck: Hopes for the rest of the season and for next?

Dean: Pretty simple really, get a long awaited win under our belts (BT Neck: Well Bolton achieved that) and ultimately to stay up. The beginning of the season was one of simple consolidation in my opinion and a mid-table finish would have been more than satisfactory, this is still achievable.

Trautmann's Neck: How did you get into blogging about Sunderland?

Dean: I first got into blogging in 2005. It started out with a brief overview of the history of football which led naturally into the history of Sunderland AFC, there was no site online that offered this detail (even safc.com did not have that content back then) so with the help of another long suffering fan we set about putting together material for the site from that perspective. To be fair there were other fan sites online notably A Love Supreme and Ready to Go but we approached it from a different angle. Thanfully now there are is a myriad of safc sites out there the SMB (fans forum) within Ready to Go has been going strong now and still growing since 2002 and we can grab player and manager stats from thestatcat.co.uk, although that one is no longer updated we can peak into the past.

Trautmann's Neck: What are your expectations of the game against Man City?

Dean: My expectations the game against City are for us to give an account of ourselves in front of our home fans. If we take anything from that game I will be a happy man but with City's determined march towards that 4^th place finish I am not expecting us to have an easy time of it and I know we are going to have our hands full with Tevez, Bellamy et al. Above those though is Stephen Ireland, that bloke just loves playing against us, if we keep him quiet then we only have to concentrate on 9 other world class outfield players lol.

Trautmann's Neck: Any views on England at the World Cup / John Terry / Money in the Game

Dean: England in the World Cup has mixed emotions for me, of course I would love to see another Sunderland player pull on the England jersey and not since Kevin Phillips under Kevin Keegan have we had a better chance than with Darren Bent, you give that lad service and he will bang the goals in, at any level. At any club. I expect that Capello will take along experience over form and finding a partner for Rooney and or Crouch if that is not his natural front two will fall to Defoe or the more experienced Heskey. As far as John Terry is concerned I have no opinion on his personal life and the media frenzy and weird yet funny chants that have come out of it or a side product it all. He should be judged on the pitch.

The money in football, yes there is quite a bit of it. Gone are the days when retired footballers would take on a new career to make ends meet, if you make it in football now you are set for life and probably another 3 generations of your family after that. I contribute my hard earned cash to the game, but from my point of view if you are sweating blood and busting your lungs week in week out for that money I have no problem with what players earn. If you are a lazy arse who puts the effort in just to get on the team sheet and subsequent matchday pitch just to prune your feathers and strut about for the benefit of your ego then I have no time for that kind of player, even if you did score a wonder goal from 40 yards 4 months ago.

Trautmann's Neck: Facinating stuff Dean, thanks for contributing and I wonder if another 4-3 is on the cards - I hope you enjoy the game (but not too much) - can't wait to hear what Bruce says afterwards - he always is entertaining in his post match comments.

I'm sure you'll be more than safe from relegation this season - all the best.

Higuain and other Sunday Gossip

2010-03-07T09:18:00.002Z

Once again Manchester City are linked to Argentina and Real Madrid super striker Gonzalo Higuain. A highly unlikely move in my opinion.

Why would Real Madrid let him go?
Why would he not want to play with Kaka, Ronaldo and crew?

I suppose there's two small things in our favour - MONEY and CARLOS TEVEZ, but it would also take a world transfer record to persuade Real to release him, we would have to be in the Champions League and we would have to offer the player a huge pay packet - sorry SWP.

I'm not convinced we need to do this - anyway if you want to read more about City tempting Higuain there's plenty.

Other gossip about today includes Manchester City's plans for a new £50 million training facility and on loan Robinho has a little dig at Mancini for substituting him - he should check out the video of how badly he played again before he says much more - he was shite! Probably why more than I expected people are voting not to get him back.

However the last two stories were in the ManU Mirror so nuff said.

Shaun Wright-Phillips is still upset about contract talks breaking down - just a negotiating tactic me thinks, but Des Kelly's article is really funny - Ian Wright, Father for Justice. If you think he's worth it why not vote in the Who ate all the Pies poll.

De Jong is sorry for his tackle and vows to take more care.

Shaun - let your football do the talking

2010-03-05T10:21:00.002Z

You have to laugh. Ian Wright, never a shy, retiring type has been attacking Manchester City.

Well to be precise Wright attacked Gary Cook and Brian Marwood in the ManU Mirror.

Wright regularly launched verbal broadsides at Chelsea when Shaun was there so this shouldn't come as a suprise.

Shaun, don't let Dad turn a simple contract negotiation into a sideshow. You are a great player and I believe mist City fans think you deserve a 6 year contract and a good pay hike - certainly parrity with Lescott / Toure.

Mr Cook and Mr Marwood - don't mess about with our icon, our talisman, our favourite - get it sorted and perhaps reflect on the comments alongside the Mirror article.

Your actions and language can alienate fans "core customers" as you'd probably call them.

Seriously guys we appreciate the great job you are doing and we know success is coming.

In the meantime just watch the points trajectorys, brand leverage, the fine line between confidence and arrogance and look after Mr Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Brum Boss wants Hart to stay

2010-03-04T17:33:00.003Z

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish wants Joe Hart to stay and has spoken out at a press conference of his desire to see it happen.

Personally, provided he doesn't get too attached to the Midlands outfit - I think it is doing Joe a world of good, improving his game, getting him in contention for the England shirt and ready to drop into our Champion's League winning team of 2012 - hey he's helping Birmingham fly high too!

He's still young, plenty to learn and will be a great player for City as the team goes onto great things.

It is down to Joe though, if City qualify for the Champion's League and start fighting multiple competitions, perhaps he'd like to be part of a buzzing squad and rotate into the City team for Carling Cup, FA Cup and to learn from Shay.

City Players at the World Cup

2010-03-04T13:29:00.005Z

With a mere 100 days and counting to the start of the world cup and our City boys contributing significantly to England's win at Wembley last night.

I thought it would be interesting to have a look at the members of the current Manchester City squad who may be representing their country in South Africa this June.

As squads are announced I'll share some player data and other trivia with you, but for now these guys might get the call :

Player Position Country(caps)

Joe Hart Goal Keeper England(1)

Joleon Lescott Defender England(7)

Sylvinho Defender Brazil(6)

Wayne Bridge Defender England(35)

Micah Richards Defender England(12)

Kolo Toure Defender Ivory Coast(70)

Pablo Zabaletta Defender Argentina(6)

Gareth Barry Midfield England(34)

Patrick Vieira Midfield France(107)

Nigel De Jong Midfield Holland(28)

Vladimir Weiss Midfield Slovakia(4)

Shaun Wright-Phillips Midfield England(28)

Jo Striker Brazil(3)

Robinho Striker Brasil(56)

Roque Santa Cruz Striker Paraguay(61)

Carlos Tevez Striker Argentina(51)

Care to throw in any more wild cards or speculate with these fans on the England Squad?

England's Blue Boys...

2010-03-04T11:33:00.002Z

or should that be boo boys?

Good to see England come back from trailing 1-0, to a very lively Egyptian team filled with confidence after lifting the African Nations Cup.

England didn't start too well and the wembley crowd before the game and during the first 20 minutes let John Terry know how they felt about his soap opera life.

In fact Tevez in today's Guardian thinks John Terry would be dead if he lived in Argentina - bit harsh that - I thought we'd moved on from stoning Adultery.

Anyway the Blue stars on show Barry and Shaun Wright-Phillips had good games with two assists and a goal - also Barry was captain of England for all of 7 minutes (glad to see he kept it in his trousers during that time).

Hopefully England fans have got booing JT out of their system now and can get on with cheering the team to the world cup.

Johnson Arrested

2010-03-03T08:13:00.000Z

Michael Johnson has alledgedly headbutted a United fan in the 42nd Street Club in Manchester.

I can imagine that the red fan was politely asking Johno how his injury problems were progressing and was he going to be involved in the Derby on the 17th - yeah right!

Hope this is nothing, but we are talking Footballers here - thank God it wasn't Bellamy.

A Tale of Two Citys

2010-03-01T10:26:00.011Z

Les Angles, France

Swish, swish, beep. Swish, swish, beep, beep!

My phone was making angry noises on Saturday afternoon, but I wasn't able to check why as I was 2000 metres up a mountain in the ski resort of Les Angles, in the heart of the French Pyrénées. I was also in a blizzard - trying desperately to get somewhere warm.

The wind was strong and the snow horizontal and uncomfortable, but surely not as uncomfortable as Hilario (should that be Hilarious) as he got hopelessly out of position and woefully scrambled at Carlos Tevez' scuffed shot.

The swishes were my skis, the beeps texts from my mate Brian who was going mental watching Tevez hold off Terry and Carvalho to equalize for City in the first half stoppage time - the turning point of the game and the inspiration for a 2nd half destruction of the league leaders.

The most anticipated game in recent weeks, the soap opera of Bridge and Terry's will they, won't they handshake (they didn't) had the media in a frenzy and off course almost predictably the game initially failed to deliver the anticipated excitement.

The first of our two City's were the defensive, nervous sort. City were defending deeply, conceding territory and inviting Chelsea to attack, despite setting out an attacking forward line of three and of course the return of our Argentinian superstar Carlos Tevez.

Chances were few, but Malouda, Drogba, and Anelka for Chelsea and Lescott, Tevez and Johnson for City were getting closer.

Lampard was first on the score sheet after 42 minutes latching onto a lovely pass from Cole and he made no mistake slotting home.

A poor back pass and strong resistance from Tevez saw City quickly level 4 minutes later to go into the half time break with optimism.

Sure enough, the second half City were entirely different - they pushed forward, closed down more rapidly and Bellamy burst past Mikel to drill in powerfully from a very acute angle. City were leading 2-1 and the home crowd were stunned.

Chelsea were rocking and Ancelotti showed his desperation by throwing on 4 attackers (Anelka, Sturridge, Drogba and Kalou) all to equalise.

Next, Barry got goal side of Beletti and the newly introduced player tripped him from behind:

Penalty
Red card
Tevez
Goal
3-1
10 man Chelsea

My phone was having an fit, Brian a prolapse, but the drama still wasn't over. Now down to 10 men Chelsea through caution to the wind and on a counter attack Shaun Wright-Phillips broke through passed to Bellamy who tapped in for his 2nd and City's 4th.

Chelsea got a late consolation penalty after Anelka was brought down by Barry, but by then it was too late - I'd reached the warmth of Le Famille Kemp's French residence, shared the news with Chelsea fan and fellow skier "Hutch" and the title and Champion's League places were wide open.

Carlos, thanks and welcome back, great to hear Mum and baby girl are fine. Wayne, you might not of been looking forward to that return, but I bet you left smiling - Terry didn't!

Onwards and upwards, let's push in every game!

Stoke City 3 - 1 Manchester City

2010-02-25T08:42:00.004Z

We lost this game 11 days ago with a lack lustre, timid performance at Eastlands.

Last night we dominated possession, we had plenty of 1st half chances and failed to make them count.

Sometimes when you're down to 10 men teams can rise and get a result, but to ask 10 men to play 120 minutes is tough, especially against the battling Stoke. I have never called for a managers head on my blog and never will, but last night left me with a lot of questions:

Why when we had our best defensive partnership of the season di Mancini move Kompany into midfield?
Why do we still see players playing in positions they don't feel comfortable with and in places where they can't express themselves?
Mancini clearly is a tactician, but are there not parallels with Claudio Ranieri i.e. a little bit too much tinkering that never really let the team achieve their full potential?
Shaun Wright-Phillips and Stephen Ireland in particular seem to be going backwards?
What actual progress, apart from a couple of clean sheets, have we actually made under Mancini since Hughes?
Is anyone feeling that Mancini is a holding figure, a bit like Avram Grant, until the real big name, first choice manager comes in summer with another big budget available for him?
Is pressure building on Mancini

I honestly don't know how I'd be feeling as owners with the initial view on the change of manager, but as a fan I'm behind the team and the manager all the way and we have improved since last season.

A cup semi and 5th round and 5th in the Premier League is a big step forwards. Let's not forget what we were like just a few short years ago with Stuart Pearce.

A result, even a draw at Chelsea and we could pick up some momentum and continue to push hard for 4th spot.

Here we go again

2010-02-24T09:31:00.003Z

I'm not the only one who is sick of the sight of Stoke City. Gareth Barry feels the same and describes "The Potters are driving him potty".

So will this be a third helping of difficult set piece defence, long balls and a fiercly competitive game.

Probably, but I've just got a feeling that we'll do it tonight. Although most thought the game against Liverpool was a bore draw, I was really impressed with our defence - the strongest looking partnership this season and I was also impressed with Adebayor's workrate.

If we can just get someone quickly up alongside him.

I'm going for Stoke City 0 - 2 Manchester City tonight - ever the optimist.

Manchester City 0 - 0 Liverpool

2010-02-22T08:37:00.005Z

"Respect" flashed the pitch side electronic hoardings. "Get on with the referee" came the next message.

Seriously, how are we expected to do that when Mr Walton has such a poor game:

Corners given that were obvious goal kicks to everyone except Walton
Throw ins given the wrong way
Clear penaltys missed
He even missed Gareth Barry studded 2 yards in front of him which should have seen Mascherano receive a red card. Barry goes downand he doesn't even bother to see if he is OK - disgraceful.

Let's try and give Walton some benefit of the doubt and say he was trying to let a game flow. But honestly, in such an important encounter the play was never going to flow. Both defences were on top form and snubbed out most threats.

The game was too important to lose and that showed in a cautious approach from both teams - none the less it was an interesting tactical battle that I believe City had the best of.

We made a few more chances than the scouses and Adebayor came closest in the 2nd half with a well hit shot low and left that needed a terrific save.

I disagree with the commentators who think it was a boring game, dull in parts yes, but there were some exciting moments and all the controversy with the referee added to the edge.

What idiots some of the press are thinking we were booing the team at the end of the game - it was the referee stupid!

The positives from yesterday:

A clean sheet
Johnson looked great again
all our defense were superb
Ade was lively and winning a lot of balls

The missing piece was someone picking up and assisting Adebayor - he was all too often issolated. It's pretty clear the missing jigsaw piece yesterday was Carlos Tevez. I hope his Missus and baby are fine and that he's back soon.

Still all to play for.

Stoke City v Manchester City

2010-02-16T14:57:00.004Z

Tonight's the start of a series of games that will define our season as Norfstander's brilliant post on "senior players stepping up" says.

We so need a result at Stoke, a win would lift us into the top 4, set the pace and dent Stoke's confidence for our cup replay - it's too far off to think about Chelsea at the bridge just yet.

We must show more passion and run at them - when SWP came on last Saturday, Stoke struggled with the attacks down the left and right.

With teams like Stoke, no offence, we should dictate the tempo and impose our game upon them - we only did this for about 20 minutes on Saturday - tonight must be different.

Hopefully by now Mancini has worked out how to defend Delap's long throws too.

Bellamy continues to rest before the Liverpool game and you can expect City to be chosen from:

Given, Taylor, Richards, Zabaleta, Onuoha, Toure, Lescott, Boyata, Garrido, Sylvinho, Bridge, Wright-Phillips, Ireland, Adam Johnson, Vieira, Barry, De Jong, Petrov, Ibrahim, Adebayor, Santa Cruz

Stoke go into this game 8 games unbeaten and it will be tough at the Britannia Stadium, but if we are serious Champions League contenders then we must get a point and really 3.

My prediction Stoke City 1 - 2 Manchester City with a very nervous last 5 minutes.

Manchester City 1 - 1 Stoke City

2010-02-14T14:05:00.000Z

Hannah sleeping on the train up from "The Sarf"

Dragged my eldest up for the FA Cup tie against Stoke, last cup game she saw it was a 5-1 win against Scunthorpe. She was a bit disappointed, but enjoyed shouting Shaunee Wright-wright-wright over and over and over.

Despite being only 6, Hannah asked why there was a big man heading the ball all on his own and why didn't anybody help him out?

That left me gobsmacked! Six years old and she could see we were playing with only Adebayor up front and he had little support.

"The man with the wiggly bottom isn't playing" - her words for describing that we sorely missed Tevez buzzing around Adebayor.

I have to agree with her. Apart from the first 10 minutes and the last 20 minutes, we didn't seem to have much creativity and the tempo dropped to often. The attacking flair is well below par and hopefully it is something that the presence of Bellamy and Tevez gives us.

Positives - Bridge was superb and the England Manager was in the crowd and Stoke rarely threatened. We're still in the hat and Tuesday we can do some real damage to Stoke's confidence by beating them in the Premier League.

Superman Returns

2010-02-12T13:52:00.002Z

Looks like Stephen Ireland will be starting in our FA Cup game with Stoke City tomorrow.

I'd be very pleased to have Ireland in the starting line-up and hopefully in the position that saw him run out our Player of the Year 2009. Ireland blamed Mark Hughes tactical positioning for his form and hopes things will change.

At Stoke City, old Pullis does a great job squeezing every ounce of effort from him team and they are no mugs, but if we stop the long balls into the box we should be OK.

Just hope Stoke don't bring any Kryptonite.

What does Manu think?

2010-02-12T13:46:00.002Z

This report disgusts and annoys me.

Terrorists attack, people are killed and injured.

Togo and Emanuel Adebayor are banned from the Africa Cup of Nations for the next two tournaments!

Manchester City 2 - 0 Bolton Wanderers

2010-02-10T10:21:00.008Z

The screens crackled, the blue moon rose, the crowd sang and the action started - well for 10 minutes!

Despite really only playing well for the first 10 and the last 20 minutes City ran out 2-0 winners over the scrappers and cloggers from Bolton last night thanks to a fierce penalty from Carlos Tevez (yep I did buy a "sign him up t-shirt for a £10 last night) and a wonder goal from Emanuel Adebayor.

It was a pretty uninspiring win, but a vital one that moves us up to 5th and with the right results tonight possibly 4th.

We startyed off brightly enough with Bridge enjoying space down the left and
Vieira on his home debut almost got in on a long ball.

On the subject of Vieira he clearly needs games to sharpen up. He looked slow, lumbering and his touch was off.

In fact after the first half my mate Brian turns to me and says he'd heard that
City were replacing all the plasma screens in the stadium and that Mancini had asked for Pansonic Viera's, but Brian Marwood mis-heard him and signed Patrick Vieira.

One recent signing who looked great was Adam Johnson - great pace, great touch and rightly got man of the match.

When we through Shaun Wright-Phillips in the mix and really started running at them Bolton didn't have a hope. A lovely ball from the sluggish Vieira found Adebayor who chested it and volleyed sweetly into the back of the net.

Stunning!

Mancini says he feels good after winning, but says we must play better.

Too right Maestro.

For more Bolton reaction check out:

ESPN

TLDORC

Bitter and Blue

Man City Issues