City 2-1 Hamburg: City Eliminated in Maine Road Like Atmosphere
Manchester City’s European dreams have ended in what was a valiant effort at Eastlands today. The atmosphere tonight at COMS reminded me why I choose City as my club as a foreigner visiting England two decades ago: Maine Road was the best ground for my money in English Football, and today Eastlands filled with passionate and hopeful supporters developed the same feeling that Maine Road did for years even while City was buried in the third flight of English Football.
The Blues playing without Craig Bellamy, Benjani and Shaun Wright Phillips produced a sterling display of attacking football after conceding an early goal to Martin Jol’s Hamburg side. Elano converted a controversial PK, but also was unlucky on two brilliant free kick efforts: one hit the crossbar, the other the post. Felipe Caicedo forced to take chances was perennially offsides until early in the second half when he scored a wonderful goal.
In addition to Elano, Stephen Ireland and Robinho both fed off the crowd today and gave better effort than recently. City’s back four however were a mess at time. Wayne Bridge, not fully fit was beaten several times and Richard Dunne was sent off for a second yellow, after being reprieved twice by a sympathetic official for clumsy challenges while already in the book. Micah Richards was downright awful until the last five minutes when clearly spent, he deployed as an extra attacker and gave a herculean effort.
City’s elimination from Europe leaves little to play for this season and potentially hurts the attempts by ownership to bring in World Class footballers in the Summer transfer window. Mark Hughes also will continue to feel the heat even though today he got his tactics, team sheet, and team talk right.
Man City 1-3 Fulham: Boos Rain Down on The Blues
Manchester City lamentable form spread to home premiership action Sunday with a crushing defeat to a mid table Fulham side at Eastlands.
City have the distinction of being the first side to concede two goals on their home ground to journeyman quality American midfielder Clint Dempsey, and also allowed Andy Johnson what seemed like acres of space to stimulate the Cottagers attack.
City’s road form under Hughes is worse than any season under Stuart Pearce or Kevin Keagan. In fact City’s road form this season bears little difference from the 2000-2001 season when the club was relegated under Joe Royle who had after all played for City not United, like Hughes.
Tactically Hughes setup has been simple and unconvincing. His handling of star players has been abysmal.
For all of Hughes success in handling the likes of Benni McCarthy, and Brad Freidel at Blackburn, his rapport with players of international superstar caliber like Robinho and to a lesser extent Elano have proven his limitations as a manager particularly for a club as ambitious as City.
This is not to say Hughes is a bad manager. His record with both Wales and Blackburn speaks for itself and proves he has few equals when managing a certain type of squad. But he appears at this point to be the absolute wrong fit for Manchester City.
With a UEFA Cup match this Thursday, Hughes fate could be sealed if the Blues do not erase a two goal deficit and overcome Hamburg. A performance like Sunday’s and Hamburg can name their scoreline.
Hamburg 3-1 City: Reaction
City’s performance in Hamburg against a side missing several regulars was pathetic to say the least. A bit of indiviaul brilliance from Robinho and a good finish by Shaun Wright Phillips gave City an early and surprising lead. But to allow countless chances and encounter several breakdowns at the back was unacceptable.
I’ve seen much written about the possibility of City getting a 2-0 home win to win the tie. I find that to be unlikely given the form of both sides and the lack of quality City has shown in key matches this season.Additionally, Martin Jol has done a good job shuffling his lineup all season and keeping HSV fresh and on form.
Some other thoughts:
- Shaun Wright Phillips was poor in this match. He provided little service into the middle and was lost tracking back several times.
- Robinho had his best away performance in sometime but it was not good enough.
- Daniel Sturridge isn’t yet ready to find space and hold his position consistently at this level.
- Micah Richards is caught out of position to often on quick breaks or counter attacks. We saw this at the weekend against Arsenal and again in Germany Thursday.
- Benjani’s return was welcome but another injury to the striker was not welcome.
UEFA Cup Quick Thoughts
I had some issues earlier the week that prevented me from getting online and doing a full match summary for the Arsenal match.
What’s more important for City is today’s UEFA Cup clash with Martin Jol’s Hamburg side. The match has started and I’ll be back later with a full match summary and thoughts.
Arsenal and Internationals
I’m traveling today but have watched the first 80 minutes of the Arsenal match live and will have some commentary as well as a look back at City’s international contingent in midweek action last week and a look at how City’s current form compares to other seasons since the club returned to the PL in the next several days. Stay tuned!
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