Dunney all out of luck recently....

Manchester City might be the richest club in the world, but the trials and tribulations of being a Citizen continue. Awash with talent and potential, but lacking in guile and sophistication. Naïve has been mentioned.

There was a ‘must win’ feeling wafting around City circles before Sunday’s game against Spurs. Two soft away defeats, a marginal victory against FC Twente, and the run-up to the January transfer window all playing their part.

Hughes will have been pleased that he met the board before the game. The silly season has now begun in earnest with the first tabloid murmours of managerial change. All I can say is don’t join in. The owners have backed up previous blogs I have posted forecasting a long-term approach (see "Man City's new owners: insight and perspectives," 3 Sep 2008). This is the Gulf business culture. It’s an additional bonus that they have come out and made some media-savvy comments backing Hughes (see Independent article today).

Harry’s luck should have run out on Sunday but overall City were weak, again. The referee was poor as well, but that was no excuse. City started the brighter team and were rewarded when Vassell’s parried shot fell into the path of Robinho for a fairly straight-forward side-footed goal. The early play was end-to-end and the game had all the makings of a City-Spurs high-scoring classic.

Enter Gelson Fernandes. I seem to remember him being signed by Sven as 'one for the future'. His recent performances in the first team, while Kompany is injured and suspended, have led most to question his future let alone his recent forced presence. A couple of folks near me in the ground mentioned that Hughes should replace him for Hamman. They sensed he would dive in again. Sure enough he did again on 26 minutes and it was the first of three red cards on the night.

But City’s defense looked fragile from the off. The debate about what is wrong has moved on from just needing a left-back. As an aside, I thought Garrido put in a hard-working effort. We still need a left-back but actually the entire back four were poor. Richard Dunne’s confidence seems to be low and it’s rubbing off on all of those around him. Two own goals in recent matches and mistakes in Sunday's game were then rounded off with a fairly harsh red card taking us to 9 men with, although it was the first sending off that did the most damage. It felt like an away game after that.

The formation isn’t working but then a new formation probably wouldn't work either with a lack of players in certain positions. With the back four losing the plot it felt a bit like relegation form, although I don't think we’re anywhere near relegation candidates. I don’t so much buy the lazy foreign players argument. It's more about Premiership experience and needing players who can make an immediate impact.

Hughes needs to bolster the team to support 4-2-3-1 and give him the option of 4-4-2. We need more flexbility than we have now. Whether he favours a move to his preferred 4-4-2 in the long run probably remains to be seen. A left-back, defensive midfielders, a goalkeeper, and add to that a central defender. Gaps need to be filled and Dunne, Richards, and Hart all need competition. All candidates should be top quality and preferably have Premiership experience to minimise settling in periods.

Having not been to a home game for a wee while it was disappointing to lose the game. But I still find that feeling of taking your seat and saying hello to mates and fellow season ticket holders all around a great feeling. I wouldn’t be surprised if we lose to Hull away from home. But at least we can hit the reset button for the Arsenal and United games. Everyone loves a big game.

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