Manchester City

[Bredbury Blue]

Saw the game last night (taped it) and can't agree with any reports that said we were fortunate - don't know where they got that from.

I thought we played reasonably well - all except for Corradi - looked good using the 3-5-2, Weaver was in unbeatable form, the back 3 of Micah-Dunney-Nedum (Dunney and Nedum were rock solid) worked well, Dabo had his best game to date and Ireland looked at times the best player on the pitch and Vass grafted like he always does. We were first to the ball for long spells of the game although we were on the back foot some of the 2nd half.

There were 3 handball shouts in the first half, 2 for us and i for them; only one was a penalty with the Utd punching the ball away but you couldn't blame the officials for not spotting that one.

Excellent move for the goal and well taken by Ireland.

Looked better last night but like Totlanh i also think were in the shit - we definatley can't afford to lose anybody right know regardless of the money ooffered, we need to add players.

Think the WHU game is on New Year's Day at 17.00 hrs - fingers crossed for a result.

[totlanh]

Think the WHU game is on New Year's Day at 17.00 hrs - fingers crossed for a result.

You use the same approach as SP Then?!

[mrbojangles]

Think the WHU game is on New Year's Day at 17.00 hrs - fingers crossed for a result.

Absolutely.

I also think we got a bad draw for the fixtures over xmas this year. How is it, we have 2 away games in succession and the scum have 2 home games in this crucial time of the season

[JacknDanny]

Just read a report that Joey Barton is likely on his way to Newcastle!!

Apparantly he has been offered around 3 million pounds per year!!!

If that figure is true, then I think for sure he will go as he is on a fraction of that at City

[soihok]

Mr Bo J.

You were saying that the Arse was going to wipe the Blades arse

Truth is that Utd are too good for that,,it should have been 2-0

And it was,nt a good arse

How do you like our mid fielder /goalie?

Thanks for beating WH by the way.......they were starting to get above their station

[mrbojangles]

How do you like our mid fielder /goalie?

He looks pretty good. Apparently he's been in goal about 5 times now because Warnock doesn't like to waste sub having a Goalie on the bench, as he prefers to have attacking options. A good attitude to the game, me thinks

Thanks for beating WH by the way.......they were starting to get above their station

The pleasure is all ours Looked a pretty <deleted> performance from both teams but i'll take the win anyway we can

[mrbojangles]

Another excellent result yesterday. I would not of thought we would have got 9 points out of 12 over the xmas period. A happy Jangles indeed

[mrbojangles]

Stuart Pearce paid tribute to his Manchester City side's character following the 2-1 win over Everton.

After a disappointing start to the game City improved dramatically after half-time and substitute Georgios Samaras secured victory with two goals.

"In the first half we didn't match them physically. They imposed their system on ours," he told Sky Sports.

"We had to do something about it. I feel we looked a totally different side in the second half and credit to the players for that.

"I think every time I've asked them to respond for me this season they've done that for me.

"There's a fantastic character at this club and that is one thing that pleases me."

On Samaras' introduction Pearce added: "That's the tactical genius that is Stuart Pearce. What we do is put all the names in a hat at half-time and draw one out with our eyes shut, and Georgios' name came out.

"Credit to Georgios, but I think the other ten players responded as well."

Micah Richards, Joey Barton and Sylvain Distin have all been linked with moves away from the club, but Pearce is confident of keeping all three.

"We would prefer all our better players to stay, and we have had no enquiries in regard to those players," he explained.

"I don't want to sell any of them. I think they are an absolute credit to this football club.

"Go and ask them if they enjoy playing for Man City and I think they would say 'yes'. I think they want to stay and want to be part of it."

[mrbojangles]

City have moved swiftly to dispell newspaper suggestions about Micah Richards' future at the football club.

One national newspaper today suggested Chelsea had tabled a £13m bid for the England international.

However, City's Head of Communications, Paul Tyrrell said: "There's absolutely no truth in today's story. If the newspaper concerned would have contacted the football club and put anything to us, we would have quickly and clearly said to them that there has been no contact from anybody regarding any of our players.

"Micah is committed to this football club and unwarranted and unwelcome stories, such as this, do the media no great service.

"I can confirm that we will be speaking to the newspaper concerned today to ask for an apology and a retraction. If the newspaper do not give us this, we will report them with an official complaint to the Press Complaints Commission about the story."

[JacknDanny]

City have moved swiftly to dispell newspaper suggestions about Micah Richards' future at the football club.

One national newspaper today suggested Chelsea had tabled a £13m bid for the England international.

However, City's Head of Communications, Paul Tyrrell said: "There's absolutely no truth in today's story. If the newspaper concerned would have contacted the football club and put anything to us, we would have quickly and clearly said to them that there has been no contact from anybody regarding any of our players.

"Micah is committed to this football club and unwarranted and unwelcome stories, such as this, do the media no great service.

"I can confirm that we will be speaking to the newspaper concerned today to ask for an apology and a retraction. If the newspaper do not give us this, we will report them with an official complaint to the Press Complaints Commission about the story."

Its the agents upto their tricks again!!

[totlanh]

Great wins for City and if you had told me prior to Christmas we would get 9 points i would have certified you!!!To play Devils advocate here, if Chelsea gace City SWP+6 million should City take it?

[mrbojangles]

Great wins for City and if you had told me prior to Christmas we would get 9 points i would have certified you!!!To play Devils advocate here, if Chelsea gace City SWP+6 million should City take it?

Yep, IMO

[totlanh]

Great wins for City and if you had told me prior to Christmas we would get 9 points i would have certified you!!!To play Devils advocate here, if Chelsea gace City SWP+6 million should City take it?

Yep, IMO

I agree,and with the 6m buy a decent striker.Ok Samaras played well against Everton-BIG DEAL!!I think for 6 million quid you can expect him to play like that EVERY game not once in 20!!

[JacknDanny]

Great wins for City and if you had told me prior to Christmas we would get 9 points i would have certified you!!!To play Devils advocate here, if Chelsea gace City SWP+6 million should City take it?

Yep, IMO

I agree,and with the 6m buy a decent striker.Ok Samaras played well against Everton-BIG DEAL!!I think for 6 million quid you can expect him to play like that EVERY game not once in 20!!

Well they were quoting 10 mill for SWP.

We have got the Onouha kid who has started playing well. I think SWP brings a lot defensively as well.SWP plus 6 mill I would say yes as long as the 6 mill is allowed to be used in the transfer market.

Next question who to buy? 1 for 6 mill, 2 for 3 mill???

[mrbojangles]

I agree about Samaras but i also think he will improve. He is still only a young un, unfortunately we don't have time to wait and we need and out and out goal scorer but doesn't every one

Talking of Samaras, here is the lad.

Georgios Samaras

Squad no: 20

Date of birth: 21/02/1985

Place of Birth: Heraklion, Greece

Position: Striker

Height (ft): 6.04

Weight (st): 13.08

International Caps: 4

International Goals: 2

'Sam' arrived at the end of January 2006, having been tracked by a host of European clubs during his time at Heerenveen in Holland.

The tall striker has some pedigree behind him - his father was a full international who played against Stuart Pearce, and Georgios has scored goals at UEFA Cup level for his former club.

Made an immediate impression by bagging his first goal, a superb header, in only his third match for the Blues against Charlton at the City of Manchester Stadium. City's fans responded by singing "feed the Greek and he will score"!

After a long week at the start of March, Sam's stats read played three, scored four. An international debut goal at the Cyprus Football Federation's tournament against Belarus followed by another the day after in the 2-0 win over Kazakhstan set Sam up for a fine double in the 2-1 Premiership win against Sunderland.

Georgios managed five goals by the end of the 2005/06 season since his January transfer to City and had become a regular in the Greek national side.

At the start of his first full campaign, Sam took just three starts to get his season's tally up and running, sadly it was the odd goal in the 2-1 Carling Cup defeat at Chesterfield. By the end of that week though the young striker had the last laugh scoring two stunning goals in City's 2-0 victory over West Ham United.

[totlanh]

Well they were quoting 10 mill for SWP.

We have got the Onouha kid who has started playing well. I think SWP brings a lot defensively as well.SWP plus 6 mill I would say yes as long as the 6 mill is allowed to be used in the transfer market.

Next question who to buy? 1 for 6 mill, 2 for 3 mill???

If we can get a quality striker for 6M go for it!!

Mr Bo,i think given time Samaras may become a useful plqayer whether he ever becomes the Diamond Sp os forever on about remains to be seen,but as you yourself state this all is academic as we cant afford to wait!!We need goals now!!!As happy as i am about the 3 wins,i still suspect we have big problems and perhaps were slightly fortunate.....

[mrbojangles]

City won't give up on Distin

By Tom Adams - Created on 4 Jan 2007 - SkySports

Stuart Pearce's gut feeling is that Sylvain Distin will sign a new deal at Manchester City despite reports linking him with an exit from Eastlands.

The French defender's current contract expires in the summer and City have so far failed to persuade him to commit his future to the North West club despite talks dragging on for 18 months.

A number of Premiership rivals are believed to be keen on taking advantage of the contract impasse and luring Distin away from Eastlands, but the former Paris Saint Germain stopper hinted earlier in the week that he could yet stay with City.

Distin turned down a move to Middlesbrough in August and Pearce says he still has faith that his star defender will shun any other suitors and sign a new deal before the season is out.

"From day one when we spoke to Sylvain about staying at the club, one thing I do know is that he is very happy at the club," said Pearce on Sky Sports News.

"We want him to stay, we have made him a fantastic offer.

"We are still talking with his agents and his agents are still staying 'My goodness what a great offer this football club have made'. So we are hopeful he will stay.

"I honestly feel as though he will, however long it takes for me to convince him to stay at this football club.

"I've got all the time in the world to be fair, well at least until the summer anyway."

[mrbojangles]

Mr Bo,i think given time Samaras may become a useful plqayer whether he ever becomes the Diamond Sp os forever on about remains to be seen,but as you yourself state this all is academic as we cant afford to wait!!We need goals now!!!As happy as i am about the 3 wins,i still suspect we have big problems and perhaps were slightly fortunate.....

Couldn't agree more Totlanh.

Although delighted with the 9 points, i think we where lucky in both the Sheffield and West Ham games, could have easily gone the other way. I thought we deserved the Everton win but that also could have gone horribly wrong in the final minutes.

[mrbojangles]

Pearce: No offers for star men

By Tom Adams - Sky Sports - Created on 4 Jan 2007

Stuart Pearce has again underlined that he has no intention of selling players in January, with Manchester City yet to receive any formal approaches for their star men.

The North West club have been forced to contend with mounting speculation regarding a number of players in recent weeks, with Joey Barton, Sylvain Distin and, most prominently, Micah Richards all reportedly transfer targets for Premiership rivals.

Now the January transfer window has opened the rumour mill has gathered momentum, and Chelsea are widely believed to be preparing a bid for teenage England international Richards as they search for defensive backup.

However, Pearce, who is growing increasingly frustrated with the incessant transfer talk, insists that City have received no offers for any players and that any departures will be purely from amongst the fringe elements of his squad.

"There are no outgoings," said a defiant Pearce on Sky Sports News.

"I've never actually sat down with the chairman and said anyone who is important to me at the football club [will be staying], and I think you have only got to pick a programme up and see the players who have maybe played than 10 or 15 matches plus this season, none of those I'll consider letting go.

"I have had no contact with any other clubs in respect to any players that have been touted around the media, so I'm sure I will answer the same question next week and the week after and whenever I'm in front of the press.

"I don't want to sell the players, I might sell one or two of the fringe players maybe."

Pearce also admitted that in terms of January imports, he is likely to be restricted to loan signings due to City's parlous financial resources.

"I've spoken with him [chairman John Wardle] on many an occasion so we know full well that there is not a great deal of finance around," Pearce added.

"So we will have to be clever and maybe bring a couple of loans in if we possibly can."

[totlanh]

Rumour(strong)has it that Steve Bruce is going to offer David Dunn for Paul Dickov,yes bloody please!!!!Infact id even pay him myself to take Dickov of our books!!But seriously this would be a good deal....

[JacknDanny]

Rumour(strong)has it that Steve Bruce is going to offer David Dunn for Paul Dickov,yes bloody please!!!!Infact id even pay him myself to take Dickov of our books!!But seriously this would be a good deal....

I like Dickov. I really do......however if what you say is true then that is a great deal for City.Fills the gap on the left hand side.

Having said that a 1 for 1 swap????? Dunn was valued around 5- 6 million last year, and we got Dickov on a free. Well we will see??

[mrbojangles]

Well it looks like we had a pretty poor performance yesterday. This is what SkySports have to say about the match.

Owls earn City replay

Sheffield Wednesday held Premiership side Manchester City to a 1-1 draw in their FA Cup third round tie at Hillsborough.

Following a goalless first half, Georgios Samaras gave City an undeserved lead from the penalty spot late on before Steven MacLean earned a replay with an equaliser seconds later.

The result was the least that the Championship side deserved, as Wednesday looked more threatening throughout the game, but their finishing lacked quality at critical stages.

City boss Stuart Pearce named a strong line-up for the trip to South Yorkshire, while Owls boss Brian Laws made two changes to the side that lost 2-1 to Hull City, as Graham Coughlan and MacLean replaced the suspended Madjid Bougherra and Yoann Folly.

In front of a large and passionate Hillsborough crowd, which included Republic of Ireland boss Steve Staunton and Derby County manager Billy Davies, it was the home side that started brightly.

Tommy Spurr had the first effort for Wednesday, but his shot flew high and wide of the target.

Chris Brunt then had an even better chance on the counter-attack, but he completely misconnected with his strike in the City box after initially being released by Glenn Whelan.

Kenny Lunt was then successful in testing City goalkeeper Nicky Weaver, but his long-range effort flew straight at the visiting shot-stopper.

Wednesday's will to battle was clear to see all over the pitch, with Deon Burton receiving a yellow card from referee Graham Poll for a foul on City right-back Hatem Trabelsi.

From the ensuing free-kick, Samaras knocked the loose ball into the Wednesday net, but Poll had already blown his whistle for a dubiously-looking foul on Owls goalkeeper Mark Crossley.

In fact, the on-loan Fulham custodian had very little to do in the opening 45 minutes, as City failed to muster up a single decent goalscoring opportunity.

City's Micah Richards, who has been the subject of January transfer speculation, was fortunate to stay on the pitch when he threw Whelan to the ground following a tussle for the ball, with Poll only giving him a yellow card.

The half ended with Wednesday creating chances, with both Lunt and Burton striking shots wide of Weaver's goal from the edge of the box.

The second half started in a lively fashion, with Sylvain Distin fortunate to see his mis-hit clearance to a Frankie Simek cross from the right fly away for a corner.

From the ensuing corner, Lee Bullen thought he had given The Owls the lead, but Samaras proved City's saviour after he cleared away the Wednesday captain's header on the goal line.

Moments later, City finally created their first real chance of the game, as Darius Vassell went in one-on-one on Crossley, but the veteran keeper was able to divert the City striker's close-range shot away to safety.

The home side kept pressing for the opening goal, but Brunt was only able to find the side-netting from close range before striking a rasping drive just over Weaver's crossbar later in the half.

Whelan also struggled to find the target with a similar, ambitious effort after playing a one-two with striker MacLean.

City started to create more chances in the second half, with Distin woefully volleying Richard Dunne's downward header from a corner over the Wednesday crossbar from close range, while Dunne himself failed to punish a poor Owls clearance when he struck his shot high and wide of the target.

Vassell then had another one-on-one chance with Crossley after being put through on goal by Richards, but Crossley was again equal to his strike before DaMarcus Beasley struck a shot well wide of the target.

Wednesday fans then had shouts for a penalty when MacLean looked to have been brought down by Dunne in the City box, but Poll waved away any appeals from the home side.

He then had no hesitation in giving a spot kick seconds later at the other end, as Lunt was adjudged to have brought down Richards in the Wednesday box.

Samaras stepped up to slot his penalty under the diving Crossley and give City a somewhat undeserved lead on 78 minutes.

The scoreline was harsh on The Owls, but MacLean soon restored parity when he curled a fine finish past a diving Weaver and off the far post to delight the Hillsborough crowd.

The Owls deserved to be level for their performance on Sunday, and MacLean should have given Wednesday the lead, but he mis-hit his shot from close range after having the goal at his mercy, while Owls substitute Wade Small struck a weak shot wide of Weaver's near post.

The last chance fell to City, but Crossley was on hand again to save Dunne's header and force the third round tie to a replay at The City of Manchester Stadium on Wednesday 17th January

[mrbojangles]

And this is what SP has to say

Boss reflects on draw at Hillsborough

Stuart Pearce thinks that Sunday’s draw with Sheffield Wednesday was a fair reflection of City’s performance.

The Blues took the lead through a Samaras penalty with 13 minutes left, but MacLean’s equaliser a minute later means that the two sides will replay on January 17th.

Pearce said: “The draw was a fair result, we didn’t do enough to win the game. But, we are in the hat, and I told the players that this tie is far from dead.

“When we turn up again next week, we will have our hands full. Wednesday played quite well, the game swung from end to end in the second half, and we have our work cut out to get past this round of the cup.

“We needed to be in the hat on Monday, and we are. It’ll be tough at our place, we know that, but the bottom line is that we are still in.”

City’s fans were still celebrating Samaras’ goal when MacLean struck, and of the Wednesday goal Pearce added:

“There was a lack of concentration, we should have got tighter on the ball, and it was a shame because we defended pretty well. Their biggest threat was probably from in swinging corners, but apart from that our keeper held everything and our defenders got blocks in.

“It was a proper cup tie, and what made it was both sets of supporters. We brought 6,000 fans and it was like a cup semi final attendance. Credit to them, and I thank them for that. We’ve got to make sure that we finish off the job at home.”

[ThaiPauly]

I would not be concerned about drawing away with SW.

Brian Laws is a manager with a lot of experience and has got SW fired up,just having taken over the reigns there. It could easily have been a banana skin for you.

You'll "DO'EM in the replay though,

Can't see a giant killing here

[helicoptor]

the Sheffield game was by all accounts a typical cup game, technically uninspiring just lots of blood and guts and glory, a share of the spoils was fair I think and a return leg at home will favour city, lets hope I dont eat my words! A cup run is obviously important to any club, and SP should use this as an opportunity to try out the fringe players as we all know we dont really have any money to spend in this window.

[mrbojangles]

I would not be concerned about drawing away with SW.

Brian Laws is a manager with a lot of experience and has got SW fired up,just having taken over the reigns there. It could easily have been a banana skin for you.

You'll "DO'EM in the replay though,

Can't see a giant killing here

Cheers TP I hope your'e right

[JacknDanny]

TRANSFER UPDATE..............

Kasper Schmeikell gone to Falkirk on loan for the rest of the season

Ben Thatcher SOLD to Charlton for around 500K

Djamel Abdoun IN on loan from Ajaccio (French League 2) for rest of the season

[mrbojangles]

Kasper Schmeikell gone to Falkirk on loan for the rest of the season

I think that'll do Kasper a lot of good. Heres more from Man City website. And i'm not at all bothered about Thatcher

Kasper Schmeichel has gone to Falkirk on loan until the end of the season, Stuart Pearce has confirmed this morning.

The 20-year-old goalkeeper has impressed in previous loan spells with Darlington and Bury, and he moves to the Scottish club, who currently lie in sixth in the SPL, with immediate effect.

City boss Pearce says: "We've agreed a deal for him to go from now until the end of the season. I used to play with Brian Rice, who is the coach at Falkirk, and he made an enquiry about Kasper earlier this week.

"He came down to the reserve match on Tuesday and was very impressed by Kasper, so they are taking him up there for the rest of this season with a view to playing him. If it wasn't with a view to play, we would not have let him go."

Pearce added: "To play in the SPL will be a fantastic experience for him, we could not have given him that experience if he had stayed here, unless he had broken through into the first team.

"They will be playing Hearts, Celtic and Rangers, and they are in the semi final of the league cup - those games are as big as you are going to get. It will be great experience for Kasper, and we will keep a close eye on him while he is up there. As far as we are concerned, it's another step up the ladder of achievement for him."

[mrbojangles]

A tough one today boys, against Bolton I can't believe how well Bolton are doing this season. Good luck to them.......................................apart from today

[JacknDanny]

Hey guys, we are on live now City V Bolton Channel 37