"Making that change with Nasri on the left, a more-free David on the right and having Raheem close to Kun was the way we must try to do it and I’m happy that it worked."
, Manuel Pellegrini 23 August 2015.
Ten games, ten wins, 28 goals, ten clean sheets, four conceded.
It is only four games into the 15/16 Season, but City's fourth win on the bounce broke the 103 year old club record as City won their tenth EPL game on the bounce including the last six games from last Season.
Watford dug in well in the first half, and despite being unable to get out of their own eighteen yard box their well executed defensive tactics looked to be working as they got to half time nil nil.
After half time, however, "The Engineer" came good, with Pellegrini opting to bring on Nasri to enable him to push Sterling up next to Aguero to go 4-4-2, and all out attack. The payback was almost instantaneous, as 88 seconds into the second half Sagna's cross found Sterling in the box to pass the ball into the net on the volley.
The goal forced Watford to somewhat relax their defensive shackles, and perhaps inevitably the second goal came 10 minutes later with SIlva playing in Fernandiho who buried the ball past Gomes to give the Blues the score-line their performance deserved.
Results elsewhere also went City's way with West Ham deservedly taking the points after a 0 vs. 3 rout of Brendan Roger's Liverpool, and Chelsea find themselves eight points off the pace having lost 1 vs. 2 to Alan Pardew's resurgent Palace side (the latter a result of the Chelsea board's inaction in the transfer market according to Moanrinho's latest spin).
Even some of the media are now starting to give recognition to what is a stunning start. Perhaps if the run extends even the toast dippers on Sky Sports "Sunday Supplement" may put their hackneyed agendas to one side and give credit where its due.
@l0ngwayfr0mh0me
Etihad Stadium Manchester
Sunday 30 August 2015
Monday 24 August 2015
Hunger, Everton 0 vs. 2 City
"We’ve come a little way and it’s good to equal a Club record, but six of those nine wins were last season and that’s gone and in the past now – we’ve made those mistake and we’re starting again, now. We want to be winning nine in a row this season,"
, Joe Hart 23 August 2015.
This was Joe Hart talking about his City side equalling a 103 year record. A record which to the majority of the City faithful, not so long ago, would have been a pipe dream to put beside meeting Elvis and retiring in the Bahamas. But it shows where the squad is currently being focused - on the here and now and on winning games. This has got to be good news for City fans.
The game itself was the most difficult of the three opening EPL matches for the Citizens. Everton had their own desire and energy; as well as a knowledge that City sides have faired badly at Goodison winning just three of 18 previous EPL games, losing three of the previous five, and not even picking up points in the title winning 11/12 Season. Barkley and McCarthy in particular showed Everton were a team themselves revitalised after their win on the road at Southampton the previous week. Barkley's pace proving a constant threat, and bringing bookings for both Mangala and Fernandhino in the first half.
In the end it was City's persistence which won the day, with another solid and consistent 90'. In the early stages City were dominant, with Silva pulling the strings, and Aguero constantly finding space to shoot. Both Navas and Sterling were a constant threat with Everton fullback Browning, in particular, being given a torrid time. As the first half wore on, however, Everton gained a toe hold, and Lukako even found the net on 23' after a being put through by Coleman before the effort was correctly ruled out for offside. The second half started much as the first with City pressing for the breakthrough goal; with Silva coming closest on 46' hitting the post. City's new found pace in attack finally paid off on the hour with a well worked move between Sterling and Kolorov which started on City's 18 yard line and finished with the revitalised Serbian cutting into the box and cracking the ball home at Howard's near post. The first goal was good but the second was sublime with Yaya Toure completing a "no-look" pass to substitute Samir Nasri between two Everton defenders, before the French man deftly chipped the Everton keeper.
So three games into the new Season, three wins, no goals conceded. A great start, but as Joe Hart said it is just a little way and the hunger needs to continue.
@l0ngwayfr0mh0me
Sunday 16 August 2015
Positive Signs, City 3 vs. 0 Chelsea
In recent successful seasons for MCFC there have been signature games where the fans have seen things not associated with “typical city”. Indeed many of these traits had been so isolated in their appearances at Maine Road since the early ‘70s that many of the faithful refused to be swayed by these false gods. Not really believing the flowing, cutting, powerful football which destroyed United 6-1 in 2011, or the bright footwork, mesmerising runs, and clinical finishing making a 6-3 mockery of Wenger’s Arsenal in 2013, to be anything other than a flash in the pan. Until the silverware was in the bag, something bad had to be around the corner.
City’s destruction of Mourinho’s indefatigable Chelsea side could be one of those signature games; something good could be about to happen. Mourinho’s ridiculous post match defence that 3-0 was not a fair reflection on the game was of course a nonsense. Chelsea could and perhaps should have been at least 3-0 down by half time. Silva was electrifying, Yaya and Fernandinho unflagging, and Aguero relentless in his pursuit of the goal which eventually came on 32 minutes; having exchanged passes with Yaya, swerving three markers, and placing a precise shot inside the far post. City were so dominant in fact as to force the substitution, at half time, of stalwart John Terry for a more agile replacement in Kurt Zouma; the only time Mourinho has substituted Terry in 177 games.
After the break Chelsea did look more solid, but this was more down to the number of bookings picked up by City’s central midfield pairing, and an insistence of Chelsea players to go to ground at any opportunity to gain a set piece advantage. Not exactly the tactics of Champions.
Even with this better Chelsea showing, it still looked to be City to be the side more likely to add to the goal tally. Indeed, such was City’s dominance, it wasn’t until the 70th minute that Chelsea managed to register a shot on target. City kept the momentum and again grabbed the initiative in the 79th minute, with Kompany proving his strength over Ivanovic to head in from a Silva corner; his second in 7 days. By the time Fernandinho slotted home his pile driver of a shot on 84 minutes to make it 3-0 (this time it being hard man Silva "out muscling" Ivanovic), no one but the spin doctors in Jose’s mind saw anything other than a deserved and convincing destruction of last year’s Champions.
Only time will tell if this is indeed one of those signature games which augers a much better season to come for the Citizen’s, but I for one am willing to #believe.
@l0ngwayfr0mh0me
City’s destruction of Mourinho’s indefatigable Chelsea side could be one of those signature games; something good could be about to happen. Mourinho’s ridiculous post match defence that 3-0 was not a fair reflection on the game was of course a nonsense. Chelsea could and perhaps should have been at least 3-0 down by half time. Silva was electrifying, Yaya and Fernandinho unflagging, and Aguero relentless in his pursuit of the goal which eventually came on 32 minutes; having exchanged passes with Yaya, swerving three markers, and placing a precise shot inside the far post. City were so dominant in fact as to force the substitution, at half time, of stalwart John Terry for a more agile replacement in Kurt Zouma; the only time Mourinho has substituted Terry in 177 games.
After the break Chelsea did look more solid, but this was more down to the number of bookings picked up by City’s central midfield pairing, and an insistence of Chelsea players to go to ground at any opportunity to gain a set piece advantage. Not exactly the tactics of Champions.
Even with this better Chelsea showing, it still looked to be City to be the side more likely to add to the goal tally. Indeed, such was City’s dominance, it wasn’t until the 70th minute that Chelsea managed to register a shot on target. City kept the momentum and again grabbed the initiative in the 79th minute, with Kompany proving his strength over Ivanovic to head in from a Silva corner; his second in 7 days. By the time Fernandinho slotted home his pile driver of a shot on 84 minutes to make it 3-0 (this time it being hard man Silva "out muscling" Ivanovic), no one but the spin doctors in Jose’s mind saw anything other than a deserved and convincing destruction of last year’s Champions.
Only time will tell if this is indeed one of those signature games which augers a much better season to come for the Citizen’s, but I for one am willing to #believe.
@l0ngwayfr0mh0me
Thursday 13 August 2015
Carry On Doctor, WBA 0 vs. City 3
Whatever your personal take on Mourinho's continued stance that Chelsea Team Doctor, Eva Carneiro, was in breach of team protocol by aiding a prostate Edin Hazard in the final minutes of Chelsea's opening draw with Swansea; one thing is clear, Mourinho is worried. By what no one really knows. The fact that his subsequent histrionics have served not only to take the heat off his underperforming players, but also other title contenders with their own slow starts, is quite astonishing. On any other weekend a home defeat for Arsenal to the Hammers, and unconvincing 1-0 wins for Liverpool and United, would tie up lots of column inches in the press, not this week. This week was all about a very public, and continued, dressing down of a female professional member of staff for not ignoring the referee's call to treat Hazard. Bizarre.
Also largely underplayed in the media has been the potent display from the Citizens in the 0-3 win over West Brom at the Hawthorns. In a far better exhibition of one touch football than even the most optimistic of blues would have dared predict before the game, City outplayed their hosts for 90 minutes with 69% of possession and 692 passes completed; 211 more than any other EPL team over the opening weekend. More than that, the team was both cohesive and decisive throughout. Although Spanish Dave and Yaya stood out (scoring the first and second goals respectively), all of the players had good solid games. Kolarov, was a particular highlight working well with new boy Sterling, as was Vincent who rounded off an accomplished display by scoring the third goal FROM A CORNER!?!?!?
All of the above leads nicely to City's first home game vs. Chelsea, on Sunday 16th August (KO 16:00). The newly extended south stand will mean a record attendance for the Etihad, and whilst not troubling the record English attendance set by City in 1934 at Maine Road (84,569), the place will still be buzzing with anticipation and optimism. Whether this will mean a win to lay down an early marker against Chelsea (who will be 5 points behind if it happens) and other title contenders, is of course anyone's guess - this is City after all - and perhaps Mourinho's mind games will actually work? But I for one feel much more confident than when I made my last post! ... Ooh Matron!
@l0ngwayfr0mh0me
Also largely underplayed in the media has been the potent display from the Citizens in the 0-3 win over West Brom at the Hawthorns. In a far better exhibition of one touch football than even the most optimistic of blues would have dared predict before the game, City outplayed their hosts for 90 minutes with 69% of possession and 692 passes completed; 211 more than any other EPL team over the opening weekend. More than that, the team was both cohesive and decisive throughout. Although Spanish Dave and Yaya stood out (scoring the first and second goals respectively), all of the players had good solid games. Kolarov, was a particular highlight working well with new boy Sterling, as was Vincent who rounded off an accomplished display by scoring the third goal FROM A CORNER!?!?!?
All of the above leads nicely to City's first home game vs. Chelsea, on Sunday 16th August (KO 16:00). The newly extended south stand will mean a record attendance for the Etihad, and whilst not troubling the record English attendance set by City in 1934 at Maine Road (84,569), the place will still be buzzing with anticipation and optimism. Whether this will mean a win to lay down an early marker against Chelsea (who will be 5 points behind if it happens) and other title contenders, is of course anyone's guess - this is City after all - and perhaps Mourinho's mind games will actually work? But I for one feel much more confident than when I made my last post! ... Ooh Matron!
@l0ngwayfr0mh0me
Monday 3 August 2015
Here We Go ... Stuttgart 4 vs. 2 Manchester City
Time flies when you're having fun! and having enjoyed 10 weeks free from the stress always involved in supporting my beloved MCFC, the new EPL season starts this weekend (or Monday 10 Aug vs. West Brom if you're a City fan).
Having long since given up caring for Hodgson's England's exploits on the international front, I do genuinely enjoy not having to fret on results for a time over summer. New York City FC and Melbourne City have provided a football fix without the post game crash when results don't go the right way. There has also been the media induced summer transfer frenzy to laugh at. This has literally been out-loud when it comes to the 15 ex-Liverpool "pundits" who's hubris and duplicity was placed on open show in the media - (see this excellent blog from @howiehok34 http://www.standingalone.co.uk/the-incessant-bullying-of-young-men-for-furthering-their-career/).
But now the real deal is on; can MCFC put the disappointment of last season behind them and win some silverware in 2016? The answer is of course anything but straightforward, this is City after all.
Firstly, as can be seen from the above score line from City's final pre-season friendly, the team is anything but fine tuned for the hardships ahead. However, the pre-season has not been a complete write off! The performances of the EDS players and youngsters returning from loan has been a huge positive; Iheanacho, Denayer, Lopes, and the U-18 midfielder Garcia in particular have shown ability, determination, and enthusiasm in abundance. Iheanacho, Denayer, and Lopes, would, for me, be welcome in the first team squad. Indeed given the lack of form of Vinny I would encourage Pellers to be as ruthless as he was with Joe Hart two seasons ago and pick Denayer ahead of our captain until his baby worries are behind him and his mojo returns.
Secondly, it will be interesting to see if the decision to enforce the absence from pre-season of the MCFC Argentinian and Brazilian contingent, following their Copa America exploits, pays off. Certainly last year there was a hangover from players involved in the World Cup. However, the complete absence from pre-season must leave questions of what is to be the preferred starting line up, especially with the arrival of Sterling and a possible re-work of tactics and formation to 4-3-3. Its something rivals Chelsea have clearly avoided, and given Chelsea's lack of rotation last year they should know the overall impact of game time vs. rest periods for players; so would seem a gamble for City.
So how about transfers? To be fair, given the level of players being pursued so far, I would state that transfer dealings have been solid. Media frenzy notwithstanding, Delph was a bargain, and Sterling although overpriced (thank you FA you are doing a great job for British youth players :/) was exactly the sort of player City lacked last season. He will be invaluable in the many matches where the opposition park the bus, or where possession alone is not the answer and genuine effective pace in attack is needed. Also Unal and Roberts are great prospects with huge potential, and we may even see the latter being given a run out in cup competitions given his talent.
So should City be content with what they have ? No certainly not, I believe the difficulties with the De Bruyne transfer were what prompted the eventual Sterling fee (bird in the hand and all that) and that Pogba was always aspirational given the ridiculous hype that surrounds him, so I expect neither to join. If Pogba does not arrive then another strong midfielder capable of defending as well as attacking is required. If a world class alternative to De Bruyne cannot be bought (Isco?), however, I'd rather play Barker than splash out on mediocrity. Also if Dzeko does join Jovetic on the plane to Italy then another attacking option is a must, even if placed 4th behind Iheanacho. A young left back would also make sense, Rodriguez (Wolfsburg) being the papers' usual choice when linking any club with a left back, but there are other options.
So with a below par pre-Season and transfer dealings still far from complete how will MCFC start vs. WBA and Chelsea? Well this is still a squad that contains the same players who finished last season with six wins. Its still a squad with experience, guile, and players capable, on their day, of comfortably beating the best the EPL has to offer. So despite the difficult fixture list early doors I would be disappointed to be outside the top four when the transfer window finally shuts on 31 Aug, and after that the next few games are arguably an easier prospect (with hopefully a couple of signings to push on in all competitions). So yes City can prosper next Season but it will be no walk in the park ... let the stress begin!
@l0ngwayfr0mh0me
Having long since given up caring for Hodgson's England's exploits on the international front, I do genuinely enjoy not having to fret on results for a time over summer. New York City FC and Melbourne City have provided a football fix without the post game crash when results don't go the right way. There has also been the media induced summer transfer frenzy to laugh at. This has literally been out-loud when it comes to the 15 ex-Liverpool "pundits" who's hubris and duplicity was placed on open show in the media - (see this excellent blog from @howiehok34 http://www.standingalone.co.uk/the-incessant-bullying-of-young-men-for-furthering-their-career/).
But now the real deal is on; can MCFC put the disappointment of last season behind them and win some silverware in 2016? The answer is of course anything but straightforward, this is City after all.
Firstly, as can be seen from the above score line from City's final pre-season friendly, the team is anything but fine tuned for the hardships ahead. However, the pre-season has not been a complete write off! The performances of the EDS players and youngsters returning from loan has been a huge positive; Iheanacho, Denayer, Lopes, and the U-18 midfielder Garcia in particular have shown ability, determination, and enthusiasm in abundance. Iheanacho, Denayer, and Lopes, would, for me, be welcome in the first team squad. Indeed given the lack of form of Vinny I would encourage Pellers to be as ruthless as he was with Joe Hart two seasons ago and pick Denayer ahead of our captain until his baby worries are behind him and his mojo returns.
Secondly, it will be interesting to see if the decision to enforce the absence from pre-season of the MCFC Argentinian and Brazilian contingent, following their Copa America exploits, pays off. Certainly last year there was a hangover from players involved in the World Cup. However, the complete absence from pre-season must leave questions of what is to be the preferred starting line up, especially with the arrival of Sterling and a possible re-work of tactics and formation to 4-3-3. Its something rivals Chelsea have clearly avoided, and given Chelsea's lack of rotation last year they should know the overall impact of game time vs. rest periods for players; so would seem a gamble for City.
So how about transfers? To be fair, given the level of players being pursued so far, I would state that transfer dealings have been solid. Media frenzy notwithstanding, Delph was a bargain, and Sterling although overpriced (thank you FA you are doing a great job for British youth players :/) was exactly the sort of player City lacked last season. He will be invaluable in the many matches where the opposition park the bus, or where possession alone is not the answer and genuine effective pace in attack is needed. Also Unal and Roberts are great prospects with huge potential, and we may even see the latter being given a run out in cup competitions given his talent.
So should City be content with what they have ? No certainly not, I believe the difficulties with the De Bruyne transfer were what prompted the eventual Sterling fee (bird in the hand and all that) and that Pogba was always aspirational given the ridiculous hype that surrounds him, so I expect neither to join. If Pogba does not arrive then another strong midfielder capable of defending as well as attacking is required. If a world class alternative to De Bruyne cannot be bought (Isco?), however, I'd rather play Barker than splash out on mediocrity. Also if Dzeko does join Jovetic on the plane to Italy then another attacking option is a must, even if placed 4th behind Iheanacho. A young left back would also make sense, Rodriguez (Wolfsburg) being the papers' usual choice when linking any club with a left back, but there are other options.
So with a below par pre-Season and transfer dealings still far from complete how will MCFC start vs. WBA and Chelsea? Well this is still a squad that contains the same players who finished last season with six wins. Its still a squad with experience, guile, and players capable, on their day, of comfortably beating the best the EPL has to offer. So despite the difficult fixture list early doors I would be disappointed to be outside the top four when the transfer window finally shuts on 31 Aug, and after that the next few games are arguably an easier prospect (with hopefully a couple of signings to push on in all competitions). So yes City can prosper next Season but it will be no walk in the park ... let the stress begin!
@l0ngwayfr0mh0me
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