Man City primed to battle it out with the Hammers - MCFC

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Back to Blog Written on 22-Aug-2008 by malcylon

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Lets open the league account at home

Manchester City go into Sunday’s opening home game of the season with the benefit of putting a tough away game behind them. There were enough signs of positive play against Villa to suggest that chances will be created at home. We’ve also got the media writing us off, which is always a boost.

The lack of attacking options up front certainly presents a challenge. Bojinov, Jo, Vassell and Benjani are all unavailable. But at home, with enough fire and determination elsewhere, this could motivate others to get on the score sheet.

A big bonjour and bienvenue to Vincent Kompany (see video on home page) from Uccle in Belgium. Thinking of Uccle brings back fond memories as my mother used to live there. Many a night was spent with mates in Uccle’s St-Job square getting sloshed in the 24 hour bar there. Kompany will likely get a start if he is cleared to play with Dunne out suspended.

Thierry Henry is the latest ‘superstar’ to be linked with City. Reports suggest that Mark Hughes and Garry Cook have come to some kind of arrangement on transfers (Guardian article). Reading between the lines, it may be that the ‘superstar’ signing is left to Cook whilst Hughes gets on with the players he feels we need. No point in discussing the financial side - more chance of Gordon Brown starting up front for City than there is trying to figure out City's current finances.

I had a bad feeling about the Uefa cup game against the Danes and I had a bad feeling about the Villa game. But the vibes are good for this game. Petrov and Johnson hold the key to opening things up. City to win 2-1 (Betfair 10.5 - 11) with a late winner that lifts the mood at the post-match curry.

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Match Betting

Betfair @ 21:53 Friday 22nd August : City 2.42 - 2.44 Draw 3.4 - 3.45 West Ham 3.3 - 3.35

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Tags: manchester city,mcfc,west ham,vincent kompany,thierry henry

Comments

written on 23-Aug-2008
Ghanaianblue says:
Glad to hear about Henry being linked to us.I hope and pray it should materialize by the way i know we are beating West Ham.Now that the Olympics soccer is now over we are now waiting for Jo to come and give us the goals.
written on 23-Aug-2008
malcylon says:
Hi Ghanainblue, yes I think we'll win tomorrow. I just picked up my car to drive to the game. Interesting news about Thaksin emerging from the Garry Cook interview. Media going mad again. Tomorrow should be interesting.
written on 24-Aug-2008
scribbs says:
Well woke up to watch the first tv game in NZ (3am kickoff - will have to have a granddad nap this afternoon!!). A few points: Kompany looks a bargin buy, very assured on and off the ball, Ireland does some lovely things, but must realise we play in light blue, Harmann should start, has the influence in midfield and nice to see Elano in good nic. Ball and Petrov had some nice touches.
Must admit I yelled at the tv, when Mark Hughes brought the two youngsters on, said we would be in trouble, as it proved. Well not in trouble, but I just had that feeling that we would end up with 10 players too.
But in sayingthat, it was a good performance without getting too carried away, West Ham were awful.
I see the smiling owner was in the crowd, with his little lap dog!!!!!
written on 27-Aug-2008
JimmyGrimbleallgrownup. says:
Wednesday morning and I see we're gonna sign Ronaldo if we are guaranteed we can get him through the double doors at the front of Eastlands.
SWP. as well?...For £9 million? Fantastic.
I agree about Kompany. Come the end of this season we could well be heralding him as player of the year. Looks to have great potential and a bit of bottle that so far we have been lacking in the middle of the park. Lets hope Hughes keeps him in the middle.
Regarding Ball? One swallow does not make a summer. He has been all but useless so far this season, passes to the opposition more times than enough, he was due a decent game at some point and as you already said West Ham were awful.
The three point rule makes a great difference doesn't it. Before the season started I would have taken two draws from those opening two fixtures. That would only have been two points though. Now with the defeat and the win we have three. I think its gonna be that kind of season.
written on 27-Aug-2008
malcylon says:
Started a new transfers thread on the members page. I agree that West Ham were fairly poor. And it will probably be a topsy-turvy season. But I would also promote the view that it was City that made West Ham look especially poor. We passed the ball to feet effortlessly for large parts of the game and when West Ham pressed and almost won the ball we just surrounded them and got it back again. They had no answer. The top 4 and teams like Boro who are looking organised will be a different opposition. But there are plenty sides in the league that we should beat that should offer hope of a finish better than 9th this season. Don't you love the optimism! Am still concerned about our ability to overturn the Danes on Thursday. We need an early goal in that game.
written on 27-Aug-2008
JimmyGrimbleallgrownup. says:
Of course you are right, malcylon, city did play fairly well for large parts of the game.
Still, in my view, we have players at the club who do not perform with the consistency that the premier league demands.
Until the problem of giving the ball away to the opposition is addressed, and I believe Hughsy will address it, we will still struggle to compete in the top 1/3 of the league.
We need more like Kompany.
In my view, Sunderland can come and get Ball anytime.
written on 27-Aug-2008
malcylon says:
Yes Ball's distribution is woeful. Always has been though really. If only we had a hybrid of Ball's defensive qualities and Garridos attacking.
written on 28-Aug-2008
JimmyGrimbleallgrownup. says:
Just heard about the prodicals return.
Things are moving in the right direction.
Great addition.

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