Player ratings and Player of the year

Joe Hart 7
If ever a players season summed up the clubs Joe's does.  Golden Glove again for 18 clean sheets in the league but some uncharacteristic mistakes have marred this season.  That said anyone who saw his display against Dortmund in the champions league will have been amazed at the brilliance Hart showed that night he earned City the draw as much as Mario Balotelli's late penalty.

Costel Pantilimon 7
Did very well in the few games he played certainly harshly dropped for the FA Cup Final.

Pablo Zabaleta 9
Has been a revelation this season lion hearted brave never say die attitude means Pablo will always be a fans favourite.

Micah Richards 6
Hard to judge Micah injuries have really restricted him so never really been match fit.

Vincent Kompany 7
A few early season wobbles but slowly but surely the confidence came back.  Always respectful in the media he is the ideal character for his role as club captain.

Matija Nastasic 8
Simply the buy of the season been a key part in helping Kompany find his confidence maturity and calmness beyond his young years.

Kolo Toure 5
Always seemed to take two or 3 games to find his feet before showing his form.

Joleon Lescott 5.5
Exactly the same as Kolo struggled for first few games before showing his best.

Gael Clichy 6
Solid left back who does seem to have a phobia of crossing the ball when further up Field.

Aleksander Kolarov 5
Not a natural left back and does struggle with defending but always a goal threat from free kicks.

Gareth Barry 6
Consistent and always noticeably missed when not in action.

James Milner 6.5
Always gives it his all but probably not had enough of a run to really show his best.

Javi Garcia 3
Started well then went backwards seemed to struggle with the pace of the league and not helped by being in and out of the team.

David Silva 5.5
By his own high standards not the best season.  There were definite glimpses of his best but not enough.

Scott Sinclair unable to score
Almost zero point in his signing I do feel sorry for the man too few starts to be fair to him.

Jack Rodwell 6
Again hard to judge due to injuries but as he gained match fitness there were good signs Jack will prove to be a great signing.

Samir Nasri 4
Slowed play down way to often and at times just didn't seem bothered.

Yaya Toure 5.5
At times brilliant at times lazy much like Silva not his best season.

Edin Dzeko 5
Always seems to score important goals but so frustrating to watch in and out of the team didn't help but even with a run of games he looked yards off the pace sometimes.

Carlos Tevez 7.5
Started off the season all guns blazing perhaps didn't hit the heights of his previous two full seasons but always put a shift in for the team.

Sergio Aguero 6.5
Injury hit season still capable of match winning performances and scoring spectacular goals.

Mario Balotelli 5
Never really got a long enough run to find his form before his transfer to AC Milan.

M11 3FF PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Has to be Pablo Zabaleta genuinely outstanding for most of the season never say die attitude fully committed to the cause.

Ciao Mario (Mad, marvellous or both? Part 2)

The news that Mario Balotelli is signing for Ac Milan brings to an end an eventful 2 1/2 years at City for the Italian.  And because of Martin Tylers brilliant commentary there will always be"Manchester City are still alive here Balotelli...AgueroOOOOO!"

There have been many highs from his brilliant performance in the Fa Cup Final which rightly lead to him being Man of the match.  He was excellent as United were beaten 1-6 at Old Trafford.  His nerve to slot home a last minute penalty against Tottenham a feat he repeated against Dortmund in this seasons Champions League. As well as that pass on when falling to the ground helping clinch the title. Some comedy as well from his infamous hat through to his Bentley having a Camoflague paint job and of course that fireworks incident.

There have been the lows as well from getting stupidly sent off a few times too his off the field antics which the press simply lapped up.  As I said in the first Mad, marvellous or both? It did seem a lot of pressure on young shoulders as story after story was printed about him.  It didn't affect him during the European Championships as he was instrumental in Italy's performance almost on his own putting Germany to the sword.

At club level things weren't going so well as a virus put him out for a while not long after scoring his first league goal of the season he had been in and out of the side. He'd not long returned when the news of the Milan deal broke.  He certainly split opinions with pundits and more and more it appeared with the City faithful.  Personally I wanted to see the best of him but had grown tired of the media circus whilst good it got the name of the club out there it was always twisted slightly.

Perhaps the best example was the training ground bust up with Roberto Mancini.  Mancini admitted HE over reacted and went for Mario after a poor tackle yet the media used it as yet another example of "Mad Mario" Perhaps also he was a distraction to the other players as well as stats show City's win percentage to be higher when Balotelli was missing, few though could doubt his quality and playing for the team he grew up supporting hopefully he will have more Germany type performances showing Roberto Mancini was right to stick by him.  The english media will certainly be at a loss without him Sky even sent a reporter to Milan to report on his arrival.  But one thing they cannot argue with is many players will go their entire careers and not have the success Mario has had at 22.

Despite growing tired of the circus I have to say he is one of the best players i've seen when he's in the mood.  He is definitely mad and yes can be marvellous good luck in Milan Mario!

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.

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.

"Mad Mario" Derby Day star

Unless you've been living under a rock for the last 24 hours it's obvious you will be aware of City thrashing United 6-1 at Old Trafford yesterday.  A results which Sir Alex described as his worst defeat ever as a Manager or a player.

In the build up to the game City fans had to endure most of the pundits and ex pro's predicting a close game but United's "big game experience" seeing them to a victory.  Now to be brutally honest as the game kicked off had you offered me a draw I would have took it.  Much like the FA Cup Semi Final United did start the brighter City soaked up the pressure though Joe Hart was rarely troubled.  And you just knew after all the silly press his firework display from his bathroom generated Mario Balotelli would be involved his delicious pass into the net for the first goal was then followed by him revealing a T-Shirt with the words "WHY ALWAYS ME?"...Pass Mario but you weren't finished there.

 2 minutes into the second half he burst through and was pulled back by Jonny Evans who was rightly sent off by Referee Mark Clattenburg.  15 Minutes later City fans were in dream land when Balotelli tapped in at the far post after brilliant work by Silva and Milner laid it on a plate.  When it was 3-0 Roberto Mancini decided to give Balotelli well earned rest subbing him for Edin Dzeko who would go on to get a brace of goals as well.

Many people were upset by Balotelli's stupid red card against Kiev which killed any hope of City progressing in last seasons Europa League.  That appears to have been a watershed moment as since then Balotelli has turned in stunning performances in a lot of key games including being man of the match in the FA Cup final having already played a key role in the Semi Final against United.  Yes there has been the odd "Mad Mario" moment including the back flick against La Galaxy which caused a lot of grief (honestly I believe he thought he was offside he stopped then span round)

 BUT when it's mattered he has been a key player scoring goals and even celebrating some which I think surprised many of us who saw his run to hug Mancini.  There can be little doubt the man has talent it appears bar some moments of pure madness (like the fireworks or the darts incident)  City do have a player capable of doing anything he cares to try.  City fans have come up with a comical song for their flawed genius which was heard loudly being sang by 3,000 blues at Old Trafford  and has been aired a fair few times at The Etihad Stadium as well as on route to games.  Long may he be a striker and I hope Roberto Mancini continues to get the very best out of Mario.

Blackburn Rovers 0 Manchester City 4

After making headlines for all the wrong reasons midweek Manchester City needed a good performance to get rid of the storm clouds the media had hanging over the Etihad Stadium.  Roberto Mancini certainly picked an attacking side with Mario Balotelli up front with Kun Aguero.

After a quiet start things appeared to be going wrong in the 25th minute when Aguero sat down on the pitch having pulled up with what looked like a groin injury.  He was replaced by Samir Nasri and the first half petered out a few alarms but no major scares in either box.

The second half started and it was obvious City has upped the tempo Balotelli was unlucky with a delicious shot that clipped the post and even tried an overhead kick that was just wide.  Then in the 56th minute as a corner came out of the box Adam Johnson controlled the ball before bending a shot into the top corner of Paul Robinson's net.  Just two minutes later great work from Samir Nasri on the left and a good cross was met by Mario Balotelli who did well to beat Robinson with a great flick making it 3 goals in 10 days for the Italian.

Mancini had previously called for City to be more like local rivals United and keep scoring and that's exactly what City did when after setting up so many goals previously Samir Nasri swapped passes with David Silva before hitting a goal bound shot that deflected passed a helpless Robinson.  Stiill that wasn't enough for goal hungry City as near the end from a corner Stefan Savic rose well to bury a header in the net meaning a 4-0 scoreline that in truth after 19 attempts on goal to Rovers 7 did not flatter the men in Red and Black and sent 7,000 fans home very happy.

Rovers owners Venky will have been aware of the protests against Steve Kean with 3 wins in 21 games it does seem a case of him being on borrowed time.  But that should take nothing away from a very good performance from Manchester City whom sit a proud second in the League only on goal difference.