TLDORC September Awards

September 2008 will not be remembered in MCFC history for primarily on the pitch matters.

But here's a recap of what went on:

Chelsea (H) 1-3 (report and ratings)
AC Omonia (A) 2-1 (report)
Portsmouth (H) 6-0 (report, more, and ratings)
Brighton and Hove Albion (A) 2-2 (lost on pens) (report and ratings)
Wigan (A) 1-2 (report and ratings)

Player of the Month

Steven Ireland

It was very tight between August's TLDORC Player of the Month and the returning hero Shaun Wright-Phillisp. Both impressed with their creativity in Cyprus, both won 7/10s at Wigan and 9s against Portsmouth. Ireland got 7 against Chelsea to SWP's 6, but the marginal difference was made decisive by his tireless and goalscoring performance in the Carling Cup catastrophe. This was another month of improvement from Stevie - a further combination of effort and grit with trademark vision and skill. His performance against Portsmouth was his best ever in a City shirt. Still needs to work on his performance in front of goal, but with his second consecutive TLDROC Player of the Month trophy, he walks into October as the favourite for Player of 2008/09 so far.

Individual Performance of the Month

Steven Ireland vs Portsmouth

Career defining. Ireland bossed the game - showing more heart and muscle than Diarra and more skill and awareness than Elano. Two exquisite passes for Jô (who set up Robinho) and SWP, putting City 3-0 and then 4-0 up. Our 4-3-3 could just as easily be built for him to dominate from midfield as it is for Robinho to come in from the left. Won a much deserved standing ovation.

Goal of the Month

Shaun Wright-Phillips vs Portsmouth

Ireland takes the ball off Kompany in the centre circle, and plays an exquisite fifty yard through pass to Wright-Phillips, disecting the Portsmouth midfield and defence. SWP runs onto the ball, and slams it past David James at the near post for his first City goal at CoMS for years.

You could watch this video from 2.25, but why not watch the whole thing?



For August's awards, see here.