January Sales The Place For A Bargain?

“I think maybe a squad is not just money – as you say, most of you say, every time. This year we have restrictions on the amount we spend and the amount of players we have.“
“When you have restrictions you give a lot of advantage to other teams. I think if you want to be a competitive team you cannot give an advantage to other teams.”
Manuel Pellegrini 21-Dec-2014.

A "False 9" even in my most rose tinted of days I would never have put that as ever being a possibility for Man City. But given a series of unfortunate events and shorn of Alvaro Negrado because of the FFP restrictions called out by Manuel above, Man City completed a convincing 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday without the use of a striker.

Jose Pozo was ruled too ill to play at the last minute so James Milner took the role of "False 9" for the majority of the match; aided as ever by his third lung, allowing him to act as a front three for much of the game.

But despite the excellent position that the win against Palace  gives City in the Premier League, and the fact that Aguero, Dzeko, and Jovetic will be back fit in good time for the Champions League, the rumour mill is now rife with dead certs for City to sign to fill the "striker gap". Of course this is a media over simplification of the problem as nothing gains more clicks per page than a good transfer saga. For all the Negredo sale was forced by FFP in order to balance transfer and wage structures, having four top class strikers is not an easy balancing act to manage, and so not having Negrado did have advantages right up until the loss of Pozo.

The January window is historically very difficult to secure good signings which represent value. The number of players unrestricted by being cup tied or injury plagued is small and leads to a premium being placed on players who are free from complications. Clubs are invariably forced to shop for second or third choice targets or pay way over the odds to secure their man. City have the added "complication" of having (when fit) a gifted set of three strikers already, none of whom would wish to see their game time limited by further signings. Also the list of players who would happily come to a club, however successful, knowing they are third of fourth choice is not long.

In January then the scenario where City sign a better/equal striker to Aguero is a none starter. Leaving City perhaps three reasonable courses of action:

a) look for young potential equal to that of Jovetic with an eye on the future. Saido Berahino (West Brom) is the media choice, but City would be wary of anyone largely unproven, especially after the launch of the magnificent CFA. A better choice would be Alexandre Lacazette, the exciting 21 year old from Olympique Lyonnais who's speed and agility would offer something different and has racked up 20+ goals both this season and last in Lique 1.

b) Loan deals. Although this is as restricted a list candidate wise as trying to sign a star directly, at least the financial impact is restricted. A favourite amongst fans and media alike is the possibility of  David Villa switching his loan from New York City from Melbourne to Manchester, but this is complex and unlikely to garner support from New York alongside the already complicated Lampard situation. Players outside Europe are something of an unknown quantity, though maybe Pato (still in Brazil with Sao Paulo after leaving AC Milan) could be tempted? Beyond this there are surprisingly few options of the necessary quality who are not ECL "cup tied". The two names usually linked with a permanent move Wilfried Bony and Papiss Cisse are good 4th choice material, but are even less likely as loan prospects as they are considered starters for their respective clubs (so why would they let them go?) and are getting game time (so why would they want to come?).

c) Persevere with EDS players already on books, or recall loanees. By loanees here I mean the likes of Devante Cole not more senior loanees like Guidetti or Negrado, who would have been confirmed as recalled for January already if a realistic option. Cole has scored seven goals already in his time with Barnsley and represents a more traditional striking option than Pozo who plays best in a more withdrawn role, and has marginally more experience than Thierry Ambrose who is a year younger. Kelechi Iheanacho will also be able to register (work permits permitting) in January and is arguably the best option given his showing with the first team in pre-season. 

 Personally I believe choice c) remains the realistic option unless negotiations were started elsewhere last summer. The January sales are not a good place to buy if your a football club.

The Sum Not The Parts

"This team deserves a little bit more credit than the press gives us," Pellegrini told Sky Sports.

I opened this blog with the reasons why, as a long time follower of Man City, the Champions League left me cold. My thoughts have not changed, but that does not mean the last two performances; an unlikely win against Bayern and a two nil defeat of Roma in the Stadio Olympico, were not enjoyable. Far from it.

Each result, in different ways, showed the strengths of the team at the moment. The Bayern game showed why Sergio Aguero is truly a world class player, as he single-handedly brought City their first win in Europe this season. Of all the player investments over the last six years, no one player personifies the revolution in class since the takeover as much (well maybe David Silva, and Yaya on his day, and of course Vincent with the bit between his teeth). 

The Roma game demonstrated a different quality. Shawn of all of the above listed players (save a final 20 minute cameo for Silva), City put in a master class of how a solid team performance should look. All of the players were on top of their game. Milner and Fernandhino in particular bust several lungs to nullify i Giallorossi. Samir Nasri, with a magnificent opener from 20 yards, was also a revelation taking responsibility in all areas of midfield. But of all the magical moments it was left to fan favourite Zabaleta to seal the win with City's second, further cementing himself in City folk lore with an emotional celebration in front of the 1500 travelling support.

Manuel was of course correct, City are not given credit. Most hacks had pre written their stories on "yet another" disappointing European showing for MCFC. In fact one even published it in the Guardian (a publication which has long since forgotten its roots in Manchester). The Roma win was City's sixth on the bounce. Most have not been pretty, but none have been with a full squad, and  there have been some impressive showings either individually or as a team.

Of further interest was the media's collective belief that the approach, if not the personnel, in Rome might be the magic formula that City have lacked. A lot of people thought, myself included, that the Fernando purchase would lead to a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 in Europe; but that's only been the case in the last two games. It will be interesting to see if it continues. Though Yaya's is a three match ban so perhaps 4-2-2-2 is less likely in any case come February. Whatever the formation it will be interesting to see if progression can continue.

City Football Academy - 6 Years Is A Long Time In Football

Sheikh Mansour: "We are building a structure for the future, not just a team of all stars".

As a City fan of a certain age the opening today of the City Football Academy is truly a milestone to place alongside 14th May 2011 and 93'20" 13th May 2012. I am sure a certain section of the media will concentrate on the significant investment to make this happen, and indeed the numbers are impressive; from the 7000 seater stadium for the EDS and MCWFC teams, to the 8.1m litre water tanks to keep the 16 and a half (the keepers have their own half pitch!) pitches green.

For me though it is both the obvious longevity of such an investment and the way the community is being helped that stands out. One side of my family hails from near to what has become "Eastlands", and to see the transformation is something for which Sheikh Mansour can truly be proud. The use of "brown field", the employment of 10% of staff from local unemployed, and the investment of £3m in local amenities especially.

It is a world away from Platt Lane, but retains the community links first seen there (I used to play 5-a-side at Platt Lane hopeful the training pitch would be in use at the same time). If ever a football club initiative will bring the community closer, this is it, with a new college and park space, as well as local employment.

The CFA also marks the continuation of the "holistic" approach so openly mocked in the media. All the MCFC teams from under 8s to the senior team will use the complex; 75% of the youth academy is targeted to come from the Greater Manchester area. Its poignant that Jose Pozo (from the EDS squad) was trusted to replaced Kun Aguero on Saturday, and this is something likely to become more prevalent as the years progress. 

So I look forward to hunting down my City Circle in a week or so's time, within a footballing complex which can truly be heralded as one of the worlds best, to go with the worlds best fans ;).

What Exactly Does "Stone Wall" Mean?

“He’s a human, and everyone can make mistakes”.

Manuel Pellegrini was charmingly tactful about referee Mike Jones’ bizarre decision to book Sergio Aguero for diving when he was scythed two footed inside the penalty area with 10 minutes on the clock during the 3-0 win against Southampton."The worst refereeing decision this season”, it was called by Glen Hoddle at half time in the Sky Sports studio, describing this latest bizarre refereeing decision to impact Man City this season.

So as even “neutral” Sky pundits are sharpening the knives to dissect poor refereeing standards, I think its time to shout out the list to date, as it has affected my beloved club. Indeed, if these decisions truly do even themselves out over a season, Manuel Pellegrini may be able to send out the U16’s during March and April as City will be due a shed full of goals through refereeing fuckwittery.

So what evidence do I have to back up such a feeling of exasperation so early in the season? Well quite a lot actually, and while some decisions could be argued as immaterial to results (as hopefully was the Aguero yellow card verses Southampton), most are not.

It all started with Yaya Toure being felled in the box very late in the disappointing 0-1 reversal against Stoke. We then had a series of befuddling decisions by Mark Clattenburg in the 2-2 against Arsenal; climaxing with City being cheated out of a 77th minute penalty when Wilshire twice handled the ball (all the more galling as Wilshere shouldn’t even have been on the pitch, having commited at least two clear yellow card offences and one arguably straight red offence before scoring earlier in the game). We then had proof that the malaise is not just an EPL issue when David Silva was clearly fouled by Bayern Munich debutant centre back, Mehdi Benatia, in the Champions League opener. Back to the EPL and Mike Dean (to be fair one of the better referees on his day) next took up the Muppet challenge; deciding that it was perfectly acceptable for Diego Costa to throw Edin Dzeko to the ground and denying an early spot kick to City, and a yellow card to Costa, in the Chelsea game. City then even got erstwhile Uber-Ref turned pundit Graham Poll on their side in Moscow when a penalty was awarded against Alexander Kolorov (for literally nothing) in the 86th-minute in the ill feted CSKA game; this after Edin Dzeko was taken down by Sergei Ignashevitch and denied a clear scoring opportunity in the 40th minute, with no resultant penalty. Fast forward to the derby game and a truly awful performance from Michael Oliver who having correctly sent off United’s Chris Smalling for two bookable offences, bottled three blatant penalty shouts; Marcos Rojo on Yaya, Fellaini on Aguero, and then both Carrick and Fellaini fouled Aguero in full view. There was then the stonewall penalty in the 90th minute of the doomed CSKA home match when Sergio Aguero was clearly cropped in the box in the last few seconds.

So not exactly a short list, and as I say we are not yet half way through the Season!

Preview: Man City .vs. Bayern Munich (ECL Group Stage Match 5)

It’s with great trepidation that I write my first blog entry as a build up to City’s latest make or break escapade in the Champions League. To be quite honest, I am not sure what, if anything, the Champions League means to me anymore. There’s a bitter taste in the mouth when I say the words and the aroma of bull whenever the architects of this competition, UEFA, come forward to explain its idiosyncrasies to us the paying public.

And these idiosyncrasies are many (though most have a single underlying cause); be it the inclusion of none champions, the bizarre seeding system, the insistent “Say No” advertisements ironically interspersed with UEFA rulings explaining why racist chanting warrants ever diminishing punishments, dubious sponsorship, truly appalling refereeing, and last but not least the “Financial Fair Play” rules which now underpins its participants.

There’s also the haunting past histories of the Euro glories of the old enemy and the scousers which I am sure will be ever so subtly rammed down our throats over the coming hours by numerous ex-red pundits. Though for the love of the children please let the idiots at ITV realise that the pinnacle of truly awful punditry, Scholes, is best left for none City games!

Perhaps though my unease is simpler, as despite rising to the heights of the domestic game not once but twice in three years, the Champions League gives Man City the collywobbles. Everything which can go wrong does go wrong; from the draw to the tactics, from the refereeing decisions to the phantom Muscovites on the terraces of CSKA, it all goes TU, and as a Club we have found no cure.

If ever a fixture was more likely to increase this malaise it is Bayern Munich in their current form. Having all but destroyed opposition in the Bundesliga with a mix of fast paced football and aggressive transfer policies, they remain unbeaten this season and have conceded only three goals. You might look to the silver lining of Bayern being guaranteed ECL qualification already, so they may rest key players, but this is unlikely to cut any sway with Pep Guardiola. Indeed, if anything, Guardiola seems more intense, more focused this season, and resembles DeCaprio’s manic “Wolf of Wall Street” as he patrols his technical area in search of footballing perfection (though snorting cocaine off Ribery’s backside at half time is probably not within the Bundesliga code of conduct).

So the Citizens are underdogs, with basically nothing to lose. A position enjoyed for decades but one which, according to the media, should not be accepted. Personally, given all the above, I am more than happy to luxuriate in underdog status. Who knows it may actually have a beneficial effect … nothing else has … UEFA hates us and we don’t care J.