"Everyone is excited about the FA Cup," he said. "We are Man City and have to focus on every competition, so we are going to Middlesbrough to win.It's good news for him. Our squad looked bloated over the summer but a recent spate of injuries have made us very grateful for the depth. A few weeks ago Garrido looked miles away from the squad but he is probably the best candidate at left back now. Wayne Bridge is injured, and neither Sylvinho nor Pablo Zabaleta have looked comfortable there in recent weeks. Zabaleta may also be required to play right-back on Saturday (presuming Richards rather than Boyata or Mee partners Vincent Kompany at centre-back), and after his successful cameo at Molineux I would not be surprised if Zabaleta is deployed on the right of midfield again in the future. Particularly with that game at Old Trafford coming up - we don't want Richards exposed to a Fábio da Silva/Gabriel Obertan double-team down the wing.
"We have big players and need to do our best to go as far as possible...
"There are many games in January, which is different to Spain. Everywhere else stops for winter, but not here!" he said with a grin.
"It's great for footballers because there are many games and it's important for everyone to be ready. Nobody wants people injured but at the moment there are many injured players and that has opened the door for other players who don't get so many chances to play."
The most important thing, though, is Garrido's chance to atone for the 8-1 defeat at the same venue twenty months ago.
5 comments:
Great blog, but you keep mentioning about the 8-1 defeat as though it was representative of the Sven era, but Sven told the players before the Boro game that he had been sacked. He'd also known that he was a dead man walking for a few weeks. Had his job been secure would have been interesting run-in to the season, might have finished 6th or 7th instead of 9th (NB Hughes, with a lot more stability and money, came 10th in following year!)
Whether or not it was a legitimate defeat (i.e. City actually tried to win the match) it's a result I want to see avenged. Fuck Boro.
@StanMCFC
I don't mean any disrespect but the fact that the players knew Sven was a dead man walking is no excuse whatsoever. They are professionals and have an obligation to the club, the fans, (and themselves) to go out and perform. If they were that upset they could have refused to play. But for professional players to walk out onto the pitch and literally "tank it" is a complete disgrace. And the buck stops with Sven
Again I've long heard the story that Sven knew he was a dead man walking by January of 2008. That said he still had an obligation to get results. Personally speaking I think Sven as a coach got found out. Teams knew how we were going to play and Sven like Hughes had no real plan B. Long before that there were signs that City under Sven were punching above their weight. The 6-0 loss at Chelsea and the pathetic 0-0 draw at home to Liverpool (we could barely get out of our own half) come to mind.
Even if Thaskin hadn't made a pigs breakfast of the situation I have a hard time believing Sven could have gotten City to 6th or 7th. Nice man, absolutely. Clever man, definitely, A great manager, well I'm not so sure. Overrated is a word that comes to mind.
@pjdemers
Wasn't excusing the defeat or the manner of it, just saying it wasn't representative of Sven's era and there was an extenuating circumstance. That performance was a massive low (along with Chelsea etc) but there were highlights too, esp the derby win at Old Trafford. And overall in that season was a massive step forward from the tedious rubbish served up under Pearce.
Agree with your reservations about Sven and Hughes, but if had to choose between the two would go for Sven for his superior man management skills.
Sven allegedly too lax, but don't think Hughes' discipline was that great either, eg letting Robinho get away with indiscipline and sub-100% displays.
Also Hughes allegedly very distant with players, I think Mancini will combine the best qualities of Sven and Hughes, ie he will win the affection of the players but also their respect - and they'll know they won't be able to take liberties. Hopefully, he's also got the tactical acumen that all top managers have (and Sven and Hughes appeared to lack).
Personally, very happy with the appointment. Not with the manner of the sacking, but relieved Hughes has gone. Was very refreshing to see Mancini on the touchline at Wolves, cajoling his players, giving them specific instructions as opposed to hughes sat on the bench, arms folded, looking miserable.
I was very pleased to find this web-site.I wanted to thanks for your time for this wonderful read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you blog post. installazione affari di Dubai
Post a Comment