RVP = RSC Revisited??

The news Robin Van Persie has refused a new contract at Arsenal sent the media into a frenzy.  He had already been linked heavily with either a move to Manchester City or perhaps a move to Juventus.  At 28 this is his last real chance of a big money move and contract and given Arsenals recent trophy drought it would appear he would also like to win top honours like former Gunners Cesc Fabregas Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy did in the first year of leaving Arsenal.  He certainly was good at clocking up personal honours winning the golden boot and Player of the year awards. 

Having familiar faces in the dressing room could mean a bid from City holds sway with Van Persie that said City have recent history of signing a player for their last big money move.  Step forward Roque Santa Cruz.  Signed at 28 there were doubts about his fitness when he signed and indeed in two seasons Roque only appeared in 20 games for City having took over a month to be fit enough to make his debut.  A lot of fans felt medical concerns were ignored as then Manager Mark Hughes rightly rated the Paraguay international who had a habit of finding the net when he played.  However appearing 57 times in two seasons for Blackburn did indicate there might be issues.

And that is a similar story with Van Persie indeed last season is the first time he has managed a full season in the Premier League.  There is little doubt he is a proven scorer as over all he is near enough a 1 goal every two appearance striker for Arsenal, though that was aided by 30 in 38 last season.  It could be he has fully shaken off his injury woes but given his age it does beg the question is he worth the risk?  Given the options City currently have up front added to by the returning John Guidetti from his loan at Feyenoord is he actually needed as goals haven't been an issue for City.

I'm not totally against the idea but can think of more reasons to steer clear the money it would take could be better spent in my opinion.

One Month on

One month and one day on from that dramatic finish to the Premier League we are less than a week off finding out whom City will face in the first game of next season in August.  There is a noticeable sense of excitement amongst any blues I've had the pleasure of talking to since.

One thing I have noticed is a changed in United fan friends attitudes.  Originally full of well dones it's slowly got more bitter with digs about buying the league.  Well of course we did unlike their squad of free transfers......Ignoring the fact squad for squad there isn't really all that huge difference in fees paid.

Whilst awaiting those fixtures the transfer rumour mill is in over drive and this is an area the club does well not to get involved.  Some managers seem to thrive on linking themselves with all the rumours where as Roberto Mancini and the club will usually keep quiet.  The flip side is this means the press do seem to go OTT linking many big names with the Etihad whilst also linking players at the club with moves out.

One rumour was Sergio Aguero was apparently off to Real Madrid.  Now this rumour did tickle me the player himself seems happy and settled in Manchester indeed no vibes either from him or his agent that he might well be off.  Added to the fact in Spain he is a legend at Athletico Madrid wearing the white of Real would be taking a huge risk to his reputation.

The likes of Emmanuel Adebayor Wayne Bridge etc.. will also return from their loan spells.  In Adebayor's case there were strong links that Spurs wanted him on a permanent deal however with Harry Redknapp's departure it does look like only a matter of time before Adebayor announces he wants to try and win his place back In City's Starting 11. 

The key area that does need strengthening is the back up Centre Halves when ever Kompany or Lescott were out City didn't look the same side.  Perhaps the answer maybe already at the club with Dedryk Boyata but I'd be tempted to loan him out again to get more experience he does show signs of promise and could indeed become a regular along side Kompany for both club and Country. 

Edin Dzeko is strongly linked with a return to Germany and Bayern Munich I wouldn't have an issue with this if Mario Gomez was part of the deal as he has what Edin lacks good close control.  Don't get me wrong I like Dzeko but he blows way to hot and cold for me to be a regular in the team though his vital goal with us 2-1 down to QPR to make it 2-2 will ensure him a fond place in the hearts of City fans.

What has been refreshing is hearing players happy to announce they want to stay at the club indeed the likes of David Silva and Sergio Aguero have already let that be known.  Most of the squad is tied to long term deals and something City don't really get much credit for is the age of the squad there aren't that many over 28 years old which is bad news for the rest of the league a young squad has won the league and they will be hungry for more.

And there does appear to be proof that City are "ruining football" as the tv rights for 2013 onwards were auctioned off for over £1.25 billion more than the current deal.  And that's just for UK audiences with Sky and BT sharing coverage.  

Whatever 2012-2013 brings I'm sure the main aim of the club will be to have a bigger impact on the champions league and of course defend the title we snatched at the last possible second.  I just hope we do it a bit easier on the old heart!

Attwell...at least we won!

Manchester City 3 Wolves 1 doesn't really tell the story of a game ruined by a referee clearly out of his depth.  Stuart Attwell (he of the phantom goal fame) turned in quite possibly the most inept and incompetent performance I've ever seen in 26 years of attending football matches.

You can understand a referee making one or two bad calls in a game but Attwell made so many I lost count.  During the first half of every 50-50 challenge resulting in a free kick to Wolves (Matchday centre on the City website shows 18 fouls by City to Wolves 6 in total)  This lead to Vincent Kompany questioning what was going on in his role as captain  There were some challenges of equal force made on City players only for play on to be the decision.  Apparently throttling a player is ok...well as long as you are Mr Stearman of Wolves as he did to Edin Dzeko  in what should have been a penalty to City.  Half time came with a chorus of boos ringing out directed at the official.

The second half started well for City  going 2-0 up and it must have been eating at Attwell he hadn't be centre of attention for 15-20 minutes as suddenly the decisions started again. 

To be fair to Mr Attwell the decision of penalty and red card for Kompany were spot on.  However just before Yaya Toure was fouled he then went into a challenge which resulted in a free kick for Wolves an obviously frustrated Toure screamed out his disgust at the decision.  we've all heard and understand the "Respect" campaign but seriously?? respect should be earned by at least having officials who are competent and able to do the job sadly Stuart Attwell simply isn't up to the job and could have cost Manchester City vital points today. It's also lucky David Silva wasn't seriously hurt by some of the challenges that were dished out (none of which were punished) As luck would have it a great strike by Adam Johnson sealed the points for City late on but surely the FA or Premier League will have to act and remove this joker from it's lists he isn't fit to referee a WWE No Disqualification  match (there are no rules) he'd still get it wrong!