BringBackSwales
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 3 Jul 2009
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I thought that was what he said about you?
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cleavers
Moderator
I must have picked my games very carefully.I took my youngest daughter there as she wanted to do an away game where it was just the two of us, from 1--0 up we lost 4-1, she never went again unless the others were there as well!
BringBackSwales
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 3 Jul 2009
- Messages
- 33,650
I take it you are referring to Goal Difference and not Gordon Davies?Wasn't GD in issue too, or is that just me?
Wasn't it just?
I did a weekly column about City for The Times that season, and my first one was about that game. Can't find it online anywhere, but here it is for anyone interested:
Good times for a change
After what was unquestionably the most mundane season in living memory, the last few months have brought a veritable whirlwind of activity for the blue three-quarters of Manchester. Firstly, of course, there was the controversial takeover of the club by deposed Thai Prime Minister Dr Thaksin Shinawatra (hereafter known simply as 'Frank') and then the appointment of Sven Goran Eriksson. An owner with, shall we say, a dubious human rights record and an ex-England manager was never going to endear City to the press, and you can sense that many factions of the media are just willing us to fail.
So it came as a very welcome surprise that City emerged from a potentially tricky visit to Upton Park with not only three points but also a composed, impressive performance that will have made pundits and journalists alike take notice. Make no mistake about it, this was a firm two fingers up to the detractors from Eriksson.
"He's signed players without having actually seen them play!", they guffawed on Fleet Street. But Eriksson is no fool. One need only look at his exceptional record in club management to realise that. The new signings were excellent at Upton Park. Garrido and Corluka were composed and resolute at the back, whilst Elano and Petrov provided the creativity in midfield that was so badly lacking last season.
Eriksson's transfer policy so far has been a revelation. Whilst the tabloid press were busy linking us with such footballing luminaries as Keiron Richardson and Marlon Harewood, Sven slipped under the radar to sign a host of promising international players at reasonable prices. Granted I've never heard of any of them, but there can be no more damning indictment of the English game than the former national coach not buying any of his ex-players. So much for the golden generation. Indeed, Eriksson seems to be basing his transfer policy purely on Championship Manager 5, which is a novel approach to say the least. What price Kim Kallstrom next? To be fair many of the new signings do look quality on YouTube, but then again so did Georgios Samaras so we won't get too carried away just yet.
It was particularly pleasing to end the West Ham game with five Academy players on the pitch, with Nedum Onuoha creating the second goal for Geovanni, and there's a nice blend of youth and experience about the squad at present. Stephen Ireland and Dietmar Hamman, both peripheral figures under Stuart Pearce, seem rejuvenated and were excellent in midfield. We passed the ball about with a calmness and purpose not seen since the early days of Kevin Keegan's regime.
I'm not going to bad mouth West Ham as we consider them our brethren (apparently they were ever so nice to us after relegating us in 1804, or something). Relations were understandably somewhat strained after they duped us into buying Mark Ward, but there are indisputable similarities between the two clubs: a loyal, passionate fanbase, a rich history and tradition, yet ultimately a rubbish football team with a propensity to shoot themselves in the foot. They are the Manchester City of the south.
But that was the Manchester City of yesteryear. The future looks much brighter for the newly rejuvenated City of the 21st century, and under Frank and Sven's leadership we hope for great things. But we'd settle for a League Cup. Beggars can't be choosers.
Next weekend we 'welcome' our Stretford neighbours to the city of Manchester, with a quiet optimism. We've handed out a few thrashings to them over recent years, and that was when we were essentially rubbish. Imagine what we might do now that we're actually quite good?
In Sven we trust.
gordondaviesmoustache
Well-Known Member
Sadly, Gordon had been cast aside the previous season. Otherwise, might have been a very different outcome that season ; -)I take it you are referring to Goal Difference and not Gordon Davies?
BringBackSwales
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 3 Jul 2009
- Messages
- 33,650
You mean it wouldn't have even gone to the last game?Sadly, Gordon had been cast aside the previous season. Otherwise, might have been a very different outcome that season ; -)
gordondaviesmoustache
Well-Known Member
See, the press hated us even back then.I did a weekly column about City for The Times that season, and my first one was about that game. Can't find it online anywhere, but here it is for anyone interested:
Good times for a change
After what was unquestionably the most mundane season in living memory, the last few months have brought a veritable whirlwind of activity for the blue three-quarters of Manchester. Firstly, of course, there was the controversial takeover of the club by deposed Thai Prime Minister Dr Thaksin Shinawatra (hereafter known simply as 'Frank') and then the appointment of Sven Goran Eriksson. An owner with, shall we say, a dubious human rights record and an ex-England manager was never going to endear City to the press, and you can sense that many factions of the media are just willing us to fail.
So it came as a very welcome surprise that City emerged from a potentially tricky visit to Upton Park with not only three points but also a composed, impressive performance that will have made pundits and journalists alike take notice. Make no mistake about it, this was a firm two fingers up to the detractors from Eriksson.
"He's signed players without having actually seen them play!", they guffawed on Fleet Street. But Eriksson is no fool. One need only look at his exceptional record in club management to realise that. The new signings were excellent at Upton Park. Garrido and Corluka were composed and resolute at the back, whilst Elano and Petrov provided the creativity in midfield that was so badly lacking last season.
Eriksson's transfer policy so far has been a revelation. Whilst the tabloid press were busy linking us with such footballing luminaries as Keiron Richardson and Marlon Harewood, Sven slipped under the radar to sign a host of promising international players at reasonable prices. Granted I've never heard of any of them, but there can be no more damning indictment of the English game than the former national coach not buying any of his ex-players. So much for the golden generation. Indeed, Eriksson seems to be basing his transfer policy purely on Championship Manager 5, which is a novel approach to say the least. What price Kim Kallstrom next? To be fair many of the new signings do look quality on YouTube, but then again so did Georgios Samaras so we won't get too carried away just yet.
It was particularly pleasing to end the West Ham game with five Academy players on the pitch, with Nedum Onuoha creating the second goal for Geovanni, and there's a nice blend of youth and experience about the squad at present. Stephen Ireland and Dietmar Hamman, both peripheral figures under Stuart Pearce, seem rejuvenated and were excellent in midfield. We passed the ball about with a calmness and purpose not seen since the early days of Kevin Keegan's regime.
I'm not going to bad mouth West Ham as we consider them our brethren (apparently they were ever so nice to us after relegating us in 1804, or something). Relations were understandably somewhat strained after they duped us into buying Mark Ward, but there are indisputable similarities between the two clubs: a loyal, passionate fanbase, a rich history and tradition, yet ultimately a rubbish football team with a propensity to shoot themselves in the foot. They are the Manchester City of the south.
But that was the Manchester City of yesteryear. The future looks much brighter for the newly rejuvenated City of the 21st century, and under Frank and Sven's leadership we hope for great things. But we'd settle for a League Cup. Beggars can't be choosers.
Next weekend we 'welcome' our Stretford neighbours to the city of Manchester, with a quiet optimism. We've handed out a few thrashings to them over recent years, and that was when we were essentially rubbish. Imagine what we might do now that we're actually quite good?
In Sven we trust.
Sven's appointment definitely rekindled my passion for City, which had dwindled somewhat at the end of the Keegan and throughout the Pearce eras.
gordondaviesmoustache
Well-Known Member
Exactly.You mean it wouldn't have even gone to the last game?
Prestwich_Blue
Well-Known Member
Definitely one on Vassell later on that half but it was the Petrov one I was thinking of so thanks. It could not have been more clear cut.
totallywired
Well-Known Member
Loads of visits to West Ham, stood in the chicken run when a wham fan ran o the pitch towards Willie Donachie, Willy booted him up the arse!! Another one , a midweek game when the trains were on strike, 80`s. Kicked off at half time at the bar, as segregation did not exist. Went back up for the 2nd half, and about 30 of us were surrounded by the local loons. A well known blue from leve decided attack was the best form of defence. As it turned out, it wasn`t. The relegation game, the police intercepted about 250 of us at Oxford Circus where we had been drinking, would not let us go any further. Cue mayhem!