Mark Hughes: The Right Manager at the Right Time
Many pundits and self proclaimed experts have questioned the decision of City’s wealthy Arab backers to support Mark Hughes in the job. It has been said that City need a cosmopolitan, foreign manager to mold together a talented side bought with the riches of the Abu Dhabi economy.
But the new City ownership group clearly has a plan, and knows what they are doing. In a period between City fighting constant relegation battles and trying to assert itself as a top shelf club in English football, Hughes mentality seems perfect for the side.
City is not only fighting battles on the pitch, but also off the pitch against a skeptical press and hostile opposition supporters. The clubs good fortune in terms of ownership has resulted in an anger from opposing support- not unlike what Chelsea supporters and players faced earlier this decade.
Mark Hughes has always been a manager whose qualities lie in his motivational tactics. His ability to rally less talented squads to play at a high level has been admirable and apparent for many years. This was the case with the Welsh National Team and with Blackburn.
Now, Hughes has a more talented side, but one viewed with skepticism bordering on disdain throughout much of England. But with this situation comes the need for a manager that understands English football, and the mentality of supporters, the press and his side. Mark Hughes is uniquely qualified to deal with this situation.
The City Manager’s reaction to the derby loss to the club he featured so prominently for as a player should erase any doubt about Hughes competence for this job. Rather than soft peddling the controversy under which the match ended, Hughes indicated his team had been “robbed” and that the real fault for the much talked about post match incident involving Craig Bellamy was with the United supporting pitch invader. Hughes also made it be known that a coin was thrown by United supporters at the city team (probably intended for United villain Carlos Tevez) heading into the halftime team talk.
The City Manager also defender Emmanuel Adebayor last week after the City striker faced a fury of angry fans and even angrier media. Arsene Wenger may have found fault with Hughes’ defense of his player, but Mark Hughes is a fighter, a scrapper, and a manager that sticks by those he goes to battle with.
Hughes may not be the most tactically adept manager nor the most capable to soothe large egos, but he is the right manager for Manchester City at this time.
Manchester United 4-3 Man City: Derby Day Blues For Hughes
Mark Hughes has been on then other end of Manchester derbies for much of his career in football. But today, Hughes experienced the agony of defeat in the most emotional way at Old Trafford.
Darren Fletcher was outstanding today and Michael Owen’s winner was well deserved and well taken even if City had legitimate shouts about the amount of stoppage time given.
Credit to Sir Alex Ferguson for his faith in fellow Scot, Fletcher. The same can be said for Mark Hughes faith in fellow Welshman Craig Bellamy.
The final verdict on this match was the failure of City’s expensive central defense duo of Kolo Toure and Jolean Lescott to make a positive impression. The City back four looked disjointed and disorganized throughout the entire second half, conceding three well earned goals to United and being bailed out on several others by the heroic Shay Given.
The additional stoppage time was indeed frivolous, but City’s inability to control possession in stoppage time and Hughes bizarre tactical switch to place the previously effective Stephen Ireland out wide early in the second half created lots of space in the middle of the pitch for United’s midfield.
United without Paul Scholes, perhaps the most technically gifted English footballer of the past decade, provided City with a fighting chance at the points today. But the Blues didn’t take advantage of the depleted United side today, losing a classic 4-3.
Certainly, a healthy Vincent Kompany would have helped City at the back today, as would a healthy Robinho in maintaining possession. But City’s first half brilliance gave way to second half desperation, and with the exception of Bellamy, Shay Given and perhaps Carlos Tevez, every City player must wonder why they could not play better, more free flowing and possession oriented football in the second half.
While the official is certain to gain the ire of most City supporters, as well he should for the extended stoppage time, it was City’s defense that put itself in the position to be denied a draw this afternoon.
PLAYER RATINGS
Given 8
Bridge 5
Lescott 4
Toure 5
Richards 4
Barry 6
DeJong 7
Ireland 6
SWP 6
Bellamy 10
Tevez 7
Petrov 6
Adebayor Ban: City Blues
Emmanuel Adebayor has been banned for a minumum of three games. What does this mean for the club and its ambition of a top four finish?
For starters, Mark Hughes decision this past closed season to loan out a number of potential reserves coupled with an injury crisis has left Craig Bellamy as the only potential striker for the Manchester Derby on Sunday. This means Hughes will need to field a 4-5-1 formation and hope Bellamy can play a full 90 minutes. Roque Santa Cruz and Benjani and both still out, while Robinho and Carlos Tevez are highly doubtful.
A worst case scenario could see the possible use of left footed Martin Petrov as an emergency striker off the bench.
Here is the possible lineup for City:
————Given——————
Richards—Toure—Lescott—-Bridge
——-DeJong——–Barry————
SWP——————————-Petrov
—————Ireland——————
—————Bellamy——————
Man City 4:2 Arsenal- Adebayor’s Show
City’s perfect start to the 2009-10 season continued at Eastlands, Saturday with the third win in four seasons at home to Arsenal.
Nigel DeJong replaced the injured Carlos Tevez in the starting eleven, with Garreth Barry pushing up into Tevez’s normal position. DeJong played a solid match, serving as a ball winner in front of a shaky back four. Jolean Lescott’s league debut at home was a mediocre one.
But ultimately City played some attractive football thanks in large measure to the creativity of SWP and effort of Emmanual Adebayor and Craig Bellamy. Adebayor in particular was outstanding given his desire to show his former club that they had made a mistake by selling him.
The post goal celebration from Adebayor is sure to grab the morning’s headlines in the tabloids and other papers, but that should not take away from his effort on both ends of the pitch.
PLAYER RATINGS
GIVEN 7
BRIDGE 6
LESCOTT 6
TOURE 7
RICHARDS 8
DE JONG 8
BARRY 5
SWP 8
IRELAND 6
BELLAMY 7
ADEBAYOR 9
———
PETROV 7
Does Dunne’s Departure Leaves Sour Taste?
The deparure of Richard Dunne from Eastlands has sent shockwaves through the City supporters community. The longtime club skipper is perhaps the reason City is still in the Premier League, and his sale was at least from my persepctive, unfortunate. But his lashing out at Garry Cook, after being sold has now turned many in the City community against him. What are everyone’s thoughts on Dunne’s departure?
Portsmouth 0-1 Man City: Citizens Perfect Start Continues
Mark Hughes made a significant change for today’s Barclays Premier League fixture against Pompey at Fratton Park. The corresponding fixture last season is the match I often point to as the day City’s push to qualify for Europe collapsed.
As poor as Pompey has been early this season, securing maximum points away from home is never an easy task at a ground like Fratton Park. Those who want City’s performances to resemble that of Arsenal, Man U or Liverpool sides of yesteryear are deluding themselves.
My EPL Talk colleague, Laurence McKenna pointed out that if you swapped City’s crest of United’s and had the same results, the press would be hailing the grit and resourcefulness of the side. But City are afforded no such deference by the media.
Pompey and their new chairman can certainly take some measure of satisfaction in the second half performance which was quite good. City’s back four continue to be tested regularly late in matches, but yet to have conceded a goal in this campaign.
After the international break, City must however be more focused late in matches as a difficult stretch of fixtures looms ahead.
Other Thoughts
- Emmanuel Adebayor continues to be a force, scoring his third goal in three games.
- With Robinho replaced in the starting XI by Bellamy today, the linkup play was better. Adebayor and Bellamy showed good interplay and understanding with both swapping positions on the left side often.
- The Micah Richards goal which was nullified by an offsides call was perhaps the best build up play we have seen from just outside the area in four City league and cup matches this season. This sequence was an indication that Tevez, and Bellamy have developed a chemistry and understanding that comes from pitch and training time together.
- Wayne Bridge continues to be shaky at left back. Pablo Zabeletta had some difficulty after coming on for Micah Richards on the right side.
- Expect the Nigel Dejong for Stephan Ireland substitution to be pretty standard for Hughes if City is sitting on a second half lead away from home.
- Player ratings to come after a second review of the match
Crystal Palace 0:2 Manchester City- Post Match Thoughts
City’s traditional struggles against lower league sides made this an impressive and worthwhile victory. I was unable to watch the match until this morning, as the sale of the US second and third tier leagues by UMBRO to outside investors kept me busy during the match yesterday.
A few quick observations:
- Jolean Lescott played well and showed his quality on set pieces at both ends.
- The handing of the armband to Kolo Toure to me was a surprise. I expect Vincent Kompany however to assume the captaincy when he returns from injury.
- The City midfield was poor for much of the game.
- Nice goal for Carlos Tevez, but an overall uneven performance from him.
- Mark Hughes is taking every opportunity to gel the squad and thus many of the typical reserves you’d see trotted out in a League Cup match were left on the bench. However, if City progress much further in this competition, depth is going to be a factor and City have that even if they have been reluctanct to show such thus far.
The Lescott Saga: Winner and Losers
Jolean Lescott is finally on his way to City. Enough has been written about the player himself. Let’s break down who wins and who loses now that the deal is done.
WINNERS
- MARK HUGHES
By signing another solid player from within the Premier League, Hughes has an immediately available option to upgrade the squad as early as this weekend. Additionally, Lescott is likely to be highly motivated.
- ENGLISH CENTRE BACKS
With City willing to pay such an exorbitant fee for a player, who is not an England regular (£24 m is the reported transfer fee), Centre backs across the country are likely to feel they can be the next John Terry, Rio Ferdinand or Joleon Lescott. Look for agents everywhere pump up the value of central defenders.
- DAVID MOYES
While Everton is down its most important defensive player, Moyes has proven again how shrewd he is as a manager. It is no mystery why Everton cintue to finish ahead of richer club each and every Premiership season.
LOSERS
- RICHARD DUNNE
The Longtime City skipper’s run in the first team appears to have ended. As a sentimental backer of the club, I hope Dunne is given the opportunity to stay at Eastlands and provide cover for the new signing.
- EVERTON FC
While David Moyes was a winner, his employer was a loser. Sitting on £24 million so late in the transfer window doesn’t do the club much good. By the time the January window roles around the Toffees could be in dire straights as far as chasing a berth in Europe for next season.
Cry for United: Sylvinho Joins City
35 years young, Sylvinho, a cultured and successful left back was signed today to give City some backline cover. Given Wayne Bridge’s indifferent start to the 2009-10 campaign, Mark Hughes now has an experienced option on the bench to call upon if need be.
The left back was most recently seen in Barca colors shutting Manchester United down on May 27th in Roma. Remember that match, United supporters?
Sylvinho replaced Eric Abidal who had been suspended after a questionable, borderline frivolous sending off in the semi-final second leg at Stamford Bridge. All the left back replacement did was play an amazing 90 minutes to earn his second Champions League winners medal.
The Brazilian has played for some of the world’s top clubs: Corinthians, Arsenal and Barcelona. Now he joins an emerging power on the blue side of Manchester.
Not a bad way to further torment United at the age of 35.
Man City 1-0 Wolves: Close Shave at Eastlands
It looked so good early. But, once again City’s new look side could not play a complete 90 minutes.
Emmanuel Adebayor scored his second goal in as many City matches inside of 20 minutes, but from that point forward the Citizens were wasteful in the attack and woeful at the back.
The Jolean Lescott transfer row with Everton is apparently close to a resolution, and it cannot happen soon enough for City.
Match Ratings
GIVEN 7
BRIDGE 6
DUNNE 6
TOURE 6
RICHARDS 7
BARRY 7
IRELAND 6
SWP 7
ROBINHO 6
TEVEZ 7
ADEBAYOR 7
DEJONG 5
BELLAMY 4
More later………….
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