A Chance for European Glory Driving City

Mark Hughes rocky tenure as City manager got rockier this week with published reports he’s considering dropping Robinho. But with the potential for European glory in the UEFA Cup and City’s first winning cup run since 1976 all possible in the coming months, supporters seem to be backing Hughes.

The concerns about Hughes expressed so frequently by City’s frustrated fans have become less prominent in the last several weeks. While City’s road form continues to be a source of embarrassment for the club, the focus seems to have shifted squarely from the failing of the current Premiership campaign to the UEFA Cup.

European football next season for City may only be attainable by winning the UEFA Cup. While the Blues remain theoretically within striking distance of the 7th and final European spot in the Premier League table, it’s difficult to fathom the clubs road form recovering quickly enough to seriously challenge for that spot.

So tonight the UEFA Cup resumes for City with a 2nd leg tie in Denmark. Sporting a two goal aggregate lead, the club has an opportunity to book its place in the quarterfinals and advance two rounds further than any other English club in the competition. If that isn’t motivation enough to back Hughes, I am not sure what else is.