Remember these scenes? Maybe some of you were there. Maybe you had left before it happened. I and many other City fans in Dubai had to watch other teams play football in the premier leagues last fixture day of the season. The players lounge fortunately could not show the fixture as it was not scheduled on showtime TV.As the score lines continously scrolled across the bottom of the screen I was rather glad that i had not able to endure what was Manchesater Citys worse defeat in the premier league. A Pathetic lack lustre display by Svens charges in the 8-1 defeat to Borough really wound up the blues fans that day, so much that the cleveland police had their work cut out retaining them from storming the pitch and giving our boys a deservedly kick up the back side.
Never in all my time have I seen a side with no will and passion to compete and no respect to the fans who made the long journey to watch them. Those City players that day were truly a disgrace to the club. They all know who they are. A few of those players will play on Wednesday night knowing that under Mark Hughes no such display would ever be tolerated. Even in protest of a manager leaving the club no proffesional player should ever compete so unprofessionally.
I personally am very glad that the Sven regime is over. For me Sven was an absolute gentlemen and a good guy but he was well past his best in management and i felt that he had lost his ambition for the game. His tactical nous was always doubtful in my mind as his continuous persistence in playing one up front was our downfall in the second half of the season. Who remembers the money spent on absolute rubbish in January on Caciedo and Castillo when all we needed was a good striker and a right winger.
Mark Hughes has now brought balance to City and I am sure Middlesborough will not expect to see the same capitulating City side from six months ago but will more than likely feel some fear an respect in a team that have collectively bagged the second highest amount of premier league goals so far this season. This is another must win game that the Blues must win away from home. Middle table teams have to be beaten away if City wish to fight for top four. Coming up City have some easy games on paper before two real tests in Arsenal and Manchester United both at home. City have to become more consistent and need to be more positive whilst not getting complacent. Hopefully we can go on to destroy Borough this week and get back into the top eight before playing Bolton on Sunday.
Team news for manchester city is that Pablo zabaletta serves the last of his three match for a red card. Ridhard Dunne, Ched Evans and Jo are doubtfull through injuries. Jo had tonsilitis whilst Dunnie and Evans are suffering from knocks picked up against Stoke. This means that Onouha and Sturridge may well start at centre back and stiker respectively.
Middlesborough have no new injury worries ahead of Wednesdays game and should field an unchanged team.
With the clocks going back on Saturday Manchester Citys game is now at 11.45pm which is rather late. However MCFC UAE will be meeting in the players longe bar at 10pm for a few drinks and the match. So if your interested please confirm so that i can reserve tables.
Mark
marklynch1978@hotmail.com
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