Archive for September, 2009

« Older articles

September player of the month: Craig Bellamy

30th September 2009

Against Arsenal it was initially his work-rate that impressed as we sought to keep Arsnal’s passing moves at bay. There was a decent opportunity where he turned and hit the ball at Almunia. This proved to be a warm-up as he took a second chance with a better connection to score his first of the season.

Arguably his contribution to the fourth goal was even more impressive. Tracking back and dispossessing Clichy with an excellent challenge, he turned defence into attack, sprinted upfield before laying the ball off for Wright-Phillips to score.

Tags: ,
Posted in News | No Comments »

Player ratings: City v West Ham

29th September 2009

Given – Needed to be alert in the second half as West Ham pressed. His finest moment was turning over a stinging shot from Diamanti. 7

Zabaleta – Justified his selection ahead of Richards. The Argentine tackled well, and linked up with the forwards intelligently. 7

Tags:
Posted in Matches | 3 Comments »

Verdict: City 3 West Ham 1

29th September 2009

City saw off an initially limp West Ham side with a brace from Tevez and a free-kick from the recalled Martin Petrov. Arguably this was the most convincing performance of the season so far. West Ham kept plugging away in the second half, but there seemed less danger of dropping points than in any of the other fixtures this season. This alone is a sign of how the team is progressing.

Tags:
Posted in Matches | 1 Comment »

Preview: City v West Ham

28th September 2009

With Craig Bellamy and Carlos Tevez, City will be looking to a pair of Hammers old boys for the goals against Gianfranco Zola’s side tonight. Like Fulham last week, West Ham are a well organised side who like to play good football, and it will be an interesting test for City.

With all the likely challengers for the Champions League places (except Chelsea) winning over the weekend, the pressure is on for City to immediately get back to winning ways after …

Tags:
Posted in Matches | No Comments »

It’s ok to Google Craig Bellamy afterall

27th September 2009

Man of the moment, Craig Bellamy, is getting some positive press in The Observer and Daily Mail this weekend. With a fixture against one of his many previous clubs tomorrow night, he’s likely to be the centre of attention once again.

I felt like I was one of the minority City fans who was happy when he signed back in January. We needed players who gave their all in the less glamorous fixtures, and Bellers could always be relied on for …

Posted in Features | 1 Comment »

Carling Cup: Scunthorpe and the wider draw considered

26th September 2009

The Cup gods smiled on City this lunchtime, granting us a home tie against Championship side Scunthorpe in the fourth round of the Carling Cup. The game will take place on the week beginning 26th October.

City did well to avoid any of the 12 other Premier League sides left in the compeition, and Mark Hughes will doubtless be confident of progressing to the quarter finals.

The Iron are holding their own in the Championship after getting promoted via the play-offs last …

Tags: ,
Posted in News | 3 Comments »

Plans afoot for changes at Eastlands?

25th September 2009

According to the M.E.N. yesterday, the next step in the ADUG revolution could be to announce changes at Eastlands. Talks between City and the Council appear to have been ongoing for a while now, covering topics such as providing training facilities at Eastlands, expanding the ground capacity, and naming rights for the stadium.

The training facilities on the land around Eastlands are likely to be the first change, and it will fascinating to see what the plans are. There is talk of state-of-the-art facilities (aren’t they always?), but I don’t see that there is a sufficient amount of space even if we go right up to the gasometer by New Viaduct Street. Top level facilities take up a fair few acres, with Everton, for example, having 10 full size pitches at Finch Farm.

Tags: ,
Posted in News | 12 Comments »

Picture of the day: Craig Bellamy

24th September 2009

At Maine Road, they used to sing:

“I’ll walk a million miles for one of your smiles… Summerbee!”

Check out this picture from last night’s match, courtesy of The Sun, and try:

“I’ll walk a million miles for one of your smiles… Bellamy!”

Click here for the picture.

It ought to be a caption competition for our lovable hero, who was in fine berating form last night. Maybe he’d just seen the fourth official put up the Additional Time board.

(Warning: the page with the picture …

Tags: , ,
Posted in News | 3 Comments »

Player ratings: City v Fulham (Carling Cup)

24th September 2009

Given – Shay looked as stunned as the rest of us with the Fulham goal. Thereafter it was most about organising those in front of him at set pieces. 6

Zabaleta – His big chance and he looked… rusty. Never really appeared on the same wavelength as those around him, which was a pity as he was outstanding in his last game against Celtic. 6

Toure – The captain bagged his first goal, and kept the defence focussed in a determined effort …

Tags: ,
Posted in Matches | No Comments »

Carling Cup verdict: City 2 Fulham 1 (aet)

24th September 2009

Set piece City strike again! Despite a laboured performance, two headed goals from corners by Gareth Barry and Kolo Toure respectively, were enough to see off a well organised second-string Fulham side.

Following the high octane games against Arsenal and United, this was a gentler affair as was widely predicted. They’ll be no need for the FA to look again at any incidents in this match, although Zoltan Gera’s stunning strike to give Fulham the lead was perhaps worthy of a …

Tags: ,
Posted in Matches | No Comments »

« Older articles