FRANKLY UNIMPRESSED
The headline MCFC news this week has to be our Chairman Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra’s announcement from Thailand that he will be on his way back to Sportcity later this week to shake things up at the club as part of a four week leave of absence granted by Thailand’s Supreme Court. Ominously for Svennis, Hans Backe and our misfiring team, Thaksin said ‘I feel like they are losing too many games in the last three to four months while I am still busy. So I have to go back and tighten the bolt.’
There’s no way that Frank became so successful in business and politics so rapidly in his life without having a ruthless edge. He has already gone on record as stating that he expects businesses and companies he owns to be run efficiently and to get results, so City’s currently half hearted, bobbins players had better shape themselves sharpish!
CITY YOUTH LIFT THE GLOOM – JUST!
In a tough Eastlands second leg semi final encounter, City’s Youth team were beaten by Sunderland but progressed 2-1 on aggregate to meet Aston Villa or Chelsea in the FA Youth Cup Final. What a glowing credit yet again to Jim Cassell and the MCFC Academy. This is the second occasion in three seasons that City have reached the final. Take a bow Hartley, Trippier, McGivern, Boyata, Mee, Kay, Weiss, Tutte, Ball, Sturridge, McDermott, Nimely-Tchuimeni, Johansen, Ramsey, Tsiaklis and Mak. Here’s to the lads bringing home that trophy and becoming Blue household names in the years to come!
CITY TO OFFLOAD ‘BASKETBALL STAR?’
Next up, our very own Georgios ‘Sam Harris’ Samaras, ‘Uncut Diamond TM’ and ‘Greek Tragedy TM’ has become a star in Scotland. So much so, that Celtic skipper Stephen McManus wants the £6 million striker to join The Bhoys permanently. There’s an argument that the Scottish Premier League, like the Dutch League Samaras shone in, does not have the same intensity as the rigours of The English Premier League, but I am of the view that the lad’s confidence was shattered at City as he and his team mates every touch were screamed at by Stuart Pearce. I think this effectively saw Samaras off as a Blue and his brutal performances left him with a psychological mountain to climb at Eastlands. I think Sven will sell and it will be interesting to see at what price.
THIS WEEKS MCFC VITAL POLL:
We asked ‘If we ever play with two strikers again, who’s your preferred injury free partnership?’ Well, 50% of our visitors would like to see Danny Sturridge and Valeri Bojinov storm Premier League defences together. Their full fitness cannot come quick enough when you weigh up Benjani’s recent efforts. In fact, the pair of them on crutches would probably be more effective…Second choices in the absence of The Boj were Benjani and Sturridge with 18% of the vote.!
READING: IT DIDN’T LOOK GOOD
It wasn’t just the football that looked poor last weekend. City’s kit combination was a sight for sore eyes. We all remember “Losers Yellow” which finally got ditched this season. The return of the maroon second strip has been pretty well received as has the third strip which debuted at West Ham that magical summer afternoon but the maroon shirts with white shorts and white socks looked cheap and nasty at Reading and looked as if Les Chapman our kit man had forgotten the maroon shorts and socks. These kit clashes and bemusing mix and matches that are just not Manchester City won’t be resolved until the red and black stripes return. Le Coq Sportif, are you listening?
ON THE TREATMENT TABLE
Richard Dunne: Surely it will be a bridge too far for the Future Ireland Captain to meet Spurs so soon after the nasty ankle cut sustained in that full blooded tackle with Reading assassin Stephen Hunt? Options at the back are something we don’t have right now.
Micah Richards: Freshly interviewed two weeks after his knee knack surgery, the City and England star declared he will be ‘giving it 100 per cent to be fit as soon as I possibly can. I will be back and I will be back with a bang.” Again, that can’t be quick enough as we prepare to face Spurs with a back four of full backs…
Valeri Bojinov: The Boj is still working on building up the muscle in his leg after that serious injury and remains out of competitive action. I’m for holding the dynamic hitman back as long as possible to get him right for next season.
NEXT ON THE AGENDA: SPURS AT EASTLANDS Sunday 16th March, 16:00 GMT
Any lingering hopes Svennis has of European qualification will be finally extinguished should City fail to beat the busy in all directions Spurs on sunday. Under Juande Ramos, Spurs’ resurgence needs no introduction and they have the players to kill off any underperforming side with relative ease. Their defence, though improving, remains suspect and the likes of Elano need to be on top form to unlock it. Anybody seen Geovanni around, by the way?
Spurs Form Last 6 PL matches: W,D,D,W,L,W
City Form Last 6 PL matches : D,L,W,L,D,L
In the City sin bin: Petrov, Hamman
Johnny on the spot?: City 4 Spurs 3
– We’re well overdue a thriller.
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