Yet more noise from the Noisy Neighbours

Yes they are at it again the last few days have seen a glut of articles in the press from players from Old Trafford. Wait with the headline you were expecting me to say the Etihad Stadium weren't you??  Well that's the thing despite "Noisy Neighbours" being a United put down and something Fergie invented it is actually them making all the noise as the title race enters the home straight.

In the last few weeks there have been articles from Danny Wellbeck and Jonny Evans basically saying United's experience will see them through to their 20th title and they will win at the Etihad Stadium to all but clinch the title in late April.  Jonny Evans must be trying to cheer himself up still after his red card played a small part in City's 1-6 win in the Derby earlier in the season.  As for Wellbeck he's young and has been bred into United arrogance.  They are brought up believing they are the best they deserve all the success they have had.  Whilst true they have been the best many times the fact the challenge has come from City really does appear to be getting to the players as the weekly articles are beginning to show more and more.

Put simply they expected City to have choked by now and it's scaring them that despite a few wobbles City are still top because United also wobbled at the same time.  It's really eaten at them that despite their comeback win in the Community Shield (a footballing lesson according to Wayne Rooney) they haven't been able to shake off City as the massacre at Old Trafford proved City are for real.

But here is the thing the league table shows City and United pulling away from 3rd spot which quite probably means worst case scenario City would finish 2nd.  And that would be a best ever season since the Premier League started in 1992-93.  That would be progress for City it's a win win situation either way we've nothing to lose yet everything to gain it would be disappointing having come so far not to win the title but it isn't the end of the world.  Where as for United the reverse is true they have everything to lose if their local rivals pip them to the top spot.

The press make a big deal about the youngsters in United's side whilst completely ignoring the age of City's squad so lets look at that.  In goal Joe Hart is 24 in defence Micah Richards is 23 Vincent Kompany is 25 Pablo Zabaleta is 27, in midfield David Silva is 26 James Milner is 26 Nigel De Jong is 27 Adam Johnson is 24 and up front Sergio Aguero is 23 Mario Balotelli is 21 Edin Dzeko is 25.  In other words most of the first team aren't at their peak yet City have many years challenging at the top left in them.

So winning the title isn't an urgent must do 2nd place would still be a sign of progress.  The "Noisy Neighbours" will come good it might be this season it might be next the point is time is on City's side.

Match day experience at Manchester City

City fans have become very accustomed to the words "match day experience" Indeed the club on a regular basis get fans to do online questionnaires about their experiences whilst visiting the Etihad Stadium.  These have been used to introduce various facilities and features.  Since Shiekh Mansour bought the club the changes have been swift making the Stadium a much better place to go and have a day out, instead of just turning up seeing the game and leaving.

It first started with the changes to the North Stand which became the Family Stand. It's the end where my seasoncard is along with my two sons.  I got my first taste of it when City played Valencia in a pre season friendly and was impressed the whilst well lit plain lobby area had been transformed.  There were player height charts so the kids could see how big they were along side their heroes, as well as a kids food bar and sweet shop.

There was also face painters and during the season various forms of entertainment ranging from a robot chasing the kids around to pantomime dames.  Balloon animals were also popular seeing the speed those guys could make them really is a sight to behold and of course it gets your child's attention as they watch every twist and knot.  For me the best entertainment was a magician that came up to us and started performing he was brilliant and given chance I'm sure Connor would have stayed there all evening but there was a game to watch.

Then along came CitySquare now from what I know this is a fairly unique part of the Stadium Complex comprising of 3 large screens a stage a bar and cafe area.  Summerbee and Star Bar are the main meeting points for a lot of blues alongside Bluemoon Cafe on the other side of the CityStore.  Pre kick off there is usually things for kids to do be it being a keeper in the huge blow up goals as demonstrated by Lucas! or shooting through a giant picture of Joe Hart, to having your shot speed measured. On stage "Fanzone" Danny, Natalie Pike and Hugh Ferris interview various former players and celeb blues fans and stage competitions for upgraded tickets.  As well as this there have been "battle of the bands" etc...  It's all designed to make fans get there early have a beer or food and then not have to worry about rushing to get to the stadium and it's working normally CitySquare is packed an hour before kick off.  The bars are also open after the match so you can have a drink and a bite to eat whilst letting the traffic go and listen to a review of the 90 minutes.

This is where I do have a slight moan.  Things have ground to a halt in the family stand there is now no longer any entertainment there is rarely any face painters it seems the emphasis is purely on CitySquare.  If you go into the Stadium early you end up seeing whats going on on CitySquare on the big screens though the audio can be bad depending on the elements outside and in my opinion perhaps should be left for the people who are out there on the Square.  CitySquare is great but for me if you have younger children having things to do inside should still happen.  I have mentioned this in the last fan questionnaire I received so yes I am not just blogging without attempting to make my views clear to the club.

Things have changed The Etihad is a place to head to long before kick off and mix with fellow fans well before the game, things have been a bit trial and error as the club do strive to create a great "match day experience"  They are getting there and it made me change my habits that's for sure and I know other blues have said similar.

Who are the noisy neighbours

Back in September ’09 when United beat City 4-3 Sir Alex Ferguson  first uttered the phrase “noisy neighbours” gloating about the victory they had snatched late in injury time,  it has becoming something of a buzz word that United  and the press have used to beat City down with.  Indeed every time either City beat United or vice versa the “noisy neighbours” have either been silenced or made a statement.  It has become that much of a buzz word that City winning the FA Cup was greeted by the line of “the noisy neighbours have just got louder”

The Community Shield was a “footballing lesson” according to Wayne Rooney on twitter as United came from 2-0 down to win 3-2.  Then of course came the derby at Old Trafford as City thrashed United 1-6 and yet again the buzz word popped up in most match reports as the noisy neighbours made a huge statement.  There have been comments from David De Gea apparently saying that United in the long term will pip City in the race for Premier League glory.

Paul Scholes has also said similar and yet again that buzz word crept in again as Ferguson even repeated it pre the aforementioned Community Shield.  Perhaps you can see the patten emerging here?  Yes that’s right all the noise appears to be coming not from the Etihad Stadium but from Old Trafford.  This could actually be a key in the title race United do appear that wrapped up in what City are doing instead of what they are.  That said it is unusual to go in to February with the top 2 so close.  Normally one side does have a healthy lead, indeed looking at the table United are ahead points wise as at the same point why is this?  Simply it’s keeping on City’s tail that has got them to that level.  The “Noisy Neighbours” are bringing a level of consistency and performance that means this title race could well go down to the game at the Etihad Stadium in late April or even into the last couple of games.

United do have the experience edge they have been there and won titles so many times in recent years but you actually do get then impression much as they won’t admit it their focus is on what is happening at the Etihad instead of their own performances.  When interviewed you tend to see Roberto Mancini and his players asked directly about the title race and United yet they usually reply with comments about it simply being about Manchester City winning and not looking at other results.  This is the key all Manchester City can do is focus on their own results and not worry about what is happening at Old Trafford or any other stadium.  In my opinion that is what cost Newcastle the title in the mid 90′s as Kevin Keegan got sucked into mind games and the Toon Army threw away a title which was theirs for the taking.

There is however a difference Roberto Mancini despite still being young in managerial terms he knows what it takes to be champions as he proved in  Serie A.  The first title was handed to him and Inter Milan as Juventus were stripped of their win during the match fixing enquiry in ’05-’06, but he followed that that up by retaining the title twice.  The term Noisy Neighbours is a United invention and actually sums them up it is them making all the noise mainly about the fact they will catch City and in the end win the title.    Time will tell I don’t have a crystal ball but honestly without us would United be in their current position points wise? Will they win the title? Will City win?  Who knows but it’s going to have many ups and downs as the race for the Premier League title enters it’s last games.

You what??

Getting home from a great 4-0 win V Porto to make it 6-1 overall I was gob smacked to hear rumours spreading that Porto were looking at reporting City fans for unsporting behaviour in their chants and actions directed towards Porto striker Hulk.  Then came the news no it wasn't a wind up Porto are deadly serious they want UEFA to look into the matter.

So just what was the chant that had Porto so upset??  City fans as a spin on his name being like the movie and tv character were singing "you're not incredible"  Yes that's right it's that simple and is mentioned in reports of Porto preparing the complaint.  He was also booed a bit as it didn't take much to send him over as he blatantly went looking for free kicks, but credit to referee Wolfgang Stark he rarely fell for the antics and Hulk as the chant suggests had a poor game.

So what has caused the complaint from Porto?  I maybe a tad biased being a City fan but to me it stinks of Porto trying to get even for City making a complaint about "alleged" monkey chants being made in the first leg at Estádio do Dragão aimed at Mario Balotelli and Yaya Toure.  Porto officials even tried to claim it was fans chanting "Hulk Hulk Hulk" or City fans chanting "Kun Kun Kun"

Modern technology would suggest Porto officials are burying their heads in the sand as a quick search on youtube uncovers footage of the game recorded by a Porto fan on a mobile phone camera.

     ***WARNING IF EASILY OFFENDED PLEASE DO NOT WATCH THE VIDEO***

Now I don't speak Portuguese but that to me does indeed sound like monkey chants and makes Porto's defence of their fans and this subsequent counter claim of unsporting behaviour against City fans seem truly ridiculous.  Do we live in a world were some good natured put downs aren't allowed? no and that's the point what City fans did on Wednesday to Hulk was purely good natured fun.  What happened to City players is a flashback to the dark days in football.  The game has moved on a heck of a lot it just appears small pockets believe they are above the law.

Mancini "blame me"

Losing a game and facing the tv cameras is grim reality for a football manager.  Indeed usually what follows is a list of excuses ranging from a poor display from the referee through to injuries robbing the side of a key player.

On Tuesday night Manchester City lost in a very flat performance to Everton. Roberto Mancini did indeed step in front of the cameras and to the amazement of the sky reporter interviewing him blamed himself for not preparing the team correctly.  He even hinted he might have took the game to lightly.  That is strong stuff and as and old saying goes "fail to prepare...prepare to fail" So what was behind Mancini saying it?

It's been obvious Yaya Toure being away with the Ivory Coast has meant City have had to change the system slightly added to that Mario Balotelli's injury followed by his ban has meant the same front pair of Dzeko and Aguero have started most games since Yaya's departure.  Modern players are used to different set ups for different games but with what has happened within the squad it could simply be the players had become comfortable and relaxed playing the same system week in week out, and this is what Mancini meant by he hadn't prepared the team properly.  Indeed with 6ft 4 Edin Dzeko leading the line there seemed to be a stubborn refusal to get any first time crosses in to him even with the blues 1-0 down.

Another reason could simply be it was an attempt to take the pressure off the players as the race for the title enters a key stage.  This again could indeed be another likely reason for the comments as Mancini is said to be a perfectionist no perfectionist would allow a team to go into a game without preparing them properly.  Whatever the reasons City still lie top of the table on goal difference recent form hasn't been the best away from the Etihad Stadium and if City are to win their first top flight title since the late 60's there simply cannot be many more slip ups.

Mancini has always struck me as a student of the game he watches and learns and evolves.  He learnt in his first half a season that to do well in domestic cups you have to battle after Stoke dumped City out of the FA Cup by ironically beating Stoke in the final the very next season.  He learnt from narrowly missing out on qualifying for the Champions League by guiding City there the very next season.  I believe he will continue to learn and if City do miss out on Premier League glory this season he will succeed in capturing the title next season.

Deadline day tomorrow...and shock news

Sky Sports News leading on a team not planning any major transfers does seem a none story.  Thing is that team is Manchester City.  Roberto Mancini when interviewed today has confirmed he doesn't expect any incoming players to the squad at the Etihad Stadium.

The last few January windows have usually marked some big money signings like Edin Dzeko or Nigel De Jong.  In fact since Shiekh Mansour arrived, usually it tended to mean at least 3 signings as City strengthened the squad as they pushed for European qualification. It's widely accepted City do have a very strong if not the strongest squad in the league so why is it such a shock to Sky?

It could well be simply because City do have the money they are expected to buy for the sake of buying and whilst freshening up a squad it sometimes can take away some momentum as the new players bed into the team and for that reason with City proudly top of the Premier League Roberto Mancini has decided to leave any deals till the summer when that bedding in can be done over the pre season, as buying for buying sake can be dangerous as a look at City's past will tell you.  Rodney Marsh is rumoured to blame his own arrival for costing City  the title when he arrived in the March the club were 4 points clear at the top of the old Division One, his different style of play he felt made a difference  as City were pipped to the title by Derby.

One thing it does do is give the vote of confidence that Mancini believes his current squad is good enough in the final push towards Premier League glory. 

Certainly once the African Cup Of Nations finishes City will get back Ivorians Yaya and Kolo Toure to give options in midfield and defence and that could also be part of the reasons behind Mancini's thinking. Certainly Yaya had been in great form and Kolo was showing his class with every passing game it will be like getting two new signings. The whole thing is a none story really but because it involves Manchester City it becomes something bigger.

Mario..Mad, marvellous or both?

Another week another headline involving City's gifted Italian striker Mario Balotelli.  This time he managed to make the news twice in one game firstly with ice cool nerve as he slotted home a penalty to win the game for Manchester City V Tottenham.  Then as I made my way to Piccadilly there was news on twitter of an incident which from where I was sat looked innocent enough involving Scott Parker.

Indeed it wasn't till I got home and saw the highlights that it appeared Mario swung his boot back and kicks a prone Parker in the head.  I've swung from "what an idiot" to "Surely he was off balance"  but I have to admit the more I watch it the more I'm convinced Luca Modric played a part by pushing Mario.  This is something the press simply haven't picked up on and a fact I will return to later.

Balotelli certainly does attract headlines be it "a brother's friend" setting off fireworks from a bathroom window on the eve of the Derby at Old Trafford.  Through to giving a tramp a substantial amount of money.  On the pitch we've seen the brilliant from his hat trick V Villa last season to the stupid kick out which got him rightly sent off against Dynamo Kiev.  We've even seen him celebrating goals more especially his goal V Everton.   

Problem is there have been issue early on in his City career he scored two delightful goals to win the game at West Brom only to then get himself sent off.  Then of course there is the famous grass allergy which flared up whilst playing away in Europe.  Yet when the club really needed him he has been a star turn in both the FA Cup Semi and Final he was at his best to help City win their first major honour in 35 years.

It's become a bit of a media circus with Gary Linekar on Match Of The Day admitting he loves watching him.  Added to this the numerous rumours of going round Manchester hi fiving City fans, to putting up a group of homeless people in a luxury hotel. I've seen players sent off for various reasons but feel Mario got sent off against Liverpool at Anfield purely on the basis of his reputation rather than anything he'd actually done on the pitch.

That's where I return to the Modric push now bear in mind Modric saw the kick at Parker he walks away and doesn't make a big deal when Howard Webb stops play to allow Parker to get attention.  This could mean he knew he had caused it.  Some might argue the kick was aimed at Modric, that thought has crossed my mind.  I honestly don't think there was any intention to hurt Parker I'm fairly certain Mario didn't even know where Parker had landed.  Problem is whatever the reason the kick was done by Mario Balotelli and for that reason alone he must have meant it and Sky held what I can only describe as a witch hunt mentioning it on every opening segment for hours.  It was confirmed the FA are charging Balotelli for violent conduct and because this would be his second ban after the Anfield red card he faces a four game ban

And that's despite former referee Dermott Gallagher earlier looking at the incident and saying he didn't think there was a case to answer.  Interestingly he did say he felt Joleon Lescott did have a case to answer, yet like so many other incidents involving England squad regulars the FA haven't charged him.  Personally I think Lescott is very lucky in fighting terms it was a clear forearm smash to Kaboul.  But there again he isn't "Mad Mario"

And therein lies the problem as long as Balotelli plays in England the press are going to show interest, be it him winning games or doing something silly either on the pitch or in his spare time.  Every detail is dragged up and examined in a way no 21 year old should have to put up with.  It carrying on could cause Balotelli to decide to call time on his career in this Country and for the entertainment Linekar mentioned that would be a crying shame.

I must admit I fully cannot decide if he meant it or not but do feel Modric played a huge part.  That said we are guessing if he meant it or not and that is what makes me flip flop between he meant it to he didn't.  One thing that is obvious Mario is slightly mad but can be marvellous.  But given the press it might be he has to go for the sake of his promising career.