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.

Proud of the effort

Everything seemed set for the fairytale City winning and Villarreal holding Napoli.  Indeed City did finish up beating Bayern Munich 2-0 though sadly the score was mirrored in Spain as two second half goals put Napoli through.  Speaking to a few fans I got the impression people knew it was a tough ask but IF we were to go out then at least do it with pride and that's exactly what happened thanks to a lovely strike by David "Merlin" Silva and a coolly finished Yaya Toure goal

It has been a learning experience for Roberto Mancini and the squad one which no doubt they will learn from .  There is little doubt mistakes were made in earlier games but just like City's rise from the ashes no journey is ever smooth.  For me the defensive tinkering did play a big part in the reasons we now are in the last 32 of the Europa League but surely it won't be too long before the Champions League music again blasts out of the Etihad PA system.  That said I can't see any reason why we don't push to win the Europa League.

Ironically all week I'd read United fans goading about us facing "Thursday nights on channel 5" well it appears lady luck wasn't smiling on them either as despite them needing to simply draw they lost and crash out with a worse record than City.  It would appear the players have caught the fan bug of simply believing turning up was enough or were they too busy looking at us as appears to be their life at the moment (yet we are the obsessed ones don't you know)  They are a good side but no where near as strong as they once were there simply isn't the strength in the squad they once had.

City meanwhile can take pride in their first ever Champions League becoming the first English side to win in Villarreal and even reaching the 10 points which if you believe the pundits is good enough to qualify.   Roberto Mancini learnt a lot during his first 6 months and used that too guide City to a record Premier League finish and a first major trophy in 35 years.  No doubt he will have learned much from this Champions League campaign and be eager to guide City further next season.

Lack of credit = smell the fear

City getting into the Carling Cup Semi Finals again is signs of a winning mentality within the club so much so that a squad side could become the first blues team since before I was born to win away at Arsenal.  Instantly this was met with comments like "well it was a young Arsenal side full of kids" But thats what Arsenal always do and the got to the Final last season! Well ok if you ignore the fact that these players played Park, 26, Chamakh 27, Arshavin 30, Koscielny 26, Vermaelen 26, Benayoun 31, Fabianski 26 and Squillaci 31, then run kids by me again?

City won in Villarreal becoming the first english team to do so in European competition and that was met with "well they aint the same side they were"  City thrash Utd 1-6 at Old Trafford and of course that was met by "red card changed the game"   City beat Spurs 1-5 "down to the bare bones at the back"

Perhaps you can see a pattern emerging there?  Yes no matter what City do the knockers try their hardest to have a pop,  they pose the questions City answer in style suddenly the question changes.  Last season "Champions league you're having a laugh"  was quite popular amongst visiting fans to the then City Of Manchester Stadium along with "you're gonna win f**k all"

Well we won the FA Cup! only for the comments of "FA Cup means nowt these days" and we also qualified for the Champions League only goal difference in fact stopped us finishing second.  The Champions League hasn't been as smooth and City need to win and Villarreal to get points to get through into the knock out stages if not it's Europa League for the Blues. But the players have tasted what football is like at Europes top table and will no doubt be keen to ensure they taste even more.

Point is the squad are learning and evolving they used the disappointment of Semi Final defeat in the Carling Cup 2 years ago to Utd and became cup winners 1 season later beating Utd in the semi final (more red card excuses)  We used the disappointment of Spurs pipping us to 4th by ensuring it didn't happen again the next season by Ironically beating Spurs.  Of course if City win the Premier League the question will be "so how does it feel to buy the title?" my honest answer name one team in the modern era that hasn't?

All the knockers are afraid very afraid. They realise this sleeping giant (used to hate that tag) is very awake and hungry for Silverware and as a friend on facebook posts quite a bit "MCFC hated adored never ignored!"

International break nice and quiet...then guess what

Players jetting off during an international break isn't uncommon.  However over the last 24 hours it's become clear that a certain player on the books of Manchester City has done something he shouldn't have.  Yes step forward Carlos Tevez.  It was reported last night he had boarded a flight to Argentina he was of course mobbed as he arrived back there judging by TV Images.

Now many might not see that as a problem though that's indeed where the issue lies it turns out he had done it without the permission of the club and was expected at Carrington today for training.  Press reports indicate that City have passed the matter to club lawyers as they investigate yet another clear breach of contract by Tevez.  The PFA got his original fine reduced over him refusing to warm up at Bayern Munich.  It looks like this could be another matter they get involved in as it's highly likely Tevez will be suspended again.  However with these constant disregard of his contract it does make you wonder if Tevez actually cares is he that wealthy that it won't matter if he gets sacked and possibly banned by FIFA?

Jim Boyce the vice president of FIFA was certainly the most high profile person to speak out over the incident at Munich it will be interesting to see what happens over the next few days and weeks but one thing that is clear in my opinion we've seen the last of Carlos Tevez in Manchester City colours.  Indeed if anything the incident in Munich galvanised the team who since that game have been scoring freely with 30 goals coming in the 8 competitive games since.  There is little doubt Tevez signing for Manchester City was a huge coup at the time and he did play a huge part in the run to Wembley for the FA Cup and his goals ensured 3rd place in the League.  But a look at this years table sees City top 5 points clear with 3 players in the top 10 scorers and 3 in the top 5 assists.  City are in a position to cope without Tevez and that makes me wonder was he happier being the big fish in a small pond?  Certainly these issues have come more and more to the fore as the pond got bigger so is this simply a ploy to keep his name in the headlines?

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!

Imagine if time travel was possible

The last 6 months have been incredible now just imagine if time travel was possible when would you go back to?  I have my own theory it would have to be back to perhaps the darkest hour in City's recent past.

I'd go back exactly 13 years to October 1998 it had been 6 months since City's relegation to what is now League One and we'd hardly started well hanging around mid table.  Despite it all crowds at Maine Road were pretty healthy smashing the average for the division.

Now just imagine telling your 1998 self that City have just annihilated United 6-1 imagine telling them that we were in the Champions League and that we'd won the FA Cup in May.  Following that up by informing yourself that there would be an amazing afternoon at Wembley the next May in the playoffs and I'm almost certain my 1998 self would ask for some of what I was smoking.  Either that or calling for "those nice young men in their clean white coats"

With all the positive things happening at the moment sometimes a bad result causes a barrage of abuse from critics and the snipers are out in force.  For me I tend to think back to how I felt back in 1998 "CITY TILL I DIE" I cried then, I still cry it now no matter what I am always will be a proud blue just like many people happy to take my children to watch the club if a little jealous they won't suffer the lows we felt!

A lot has changed since 1998 I have loved "the journey" I'm hoping for many more highs!