Here we are again, another Monday morning but at least this week we’ve got something to be happy about.
Avoiding a Greek Tragedy
Last week was a bit of a miserable one after a derby day defeat and Roberto Mancini ordered his players to go home and have a drink following the defeat. Wonder what Stuart Pearce would have made of that? But it was soon back to business on Tuesday as we travelled to Greece for the Europa League tie against Aris.
The Greeks have never lost a home game in Europe and City threatened to do so but had to settle for a goalless draw. Edin Dzeko came in for a little criticism for not scoring on a couple of occasions, but I’m quite pleased with the result and look forward to Thursday’s return leg at Eastlands.
We’ve got to be confident of going through, having won the last six games at home in all competitions, but we will need to start a lot better against Aris than we did against Notts County. I have a feeling that, should we start the match the way we did yesterday, Aris may not let us get away with it.
Edin Will Come Good
He’s only played a handful of games for us, but it seems the knives are already out for the Bosnian striker. Roberto Mancini said he expected more from Dzeko and that he needs to improve.
Now as everyone knows, it can take a little time for a player to settle at a new club and Dzeko is no different. But Mancini hit the nail on the head by saying we need to cross the ball to him more. That was in evidence when he had a header saved in the first half against Notts County before converting a Carlos Tevez cross for City’s fourth.
Dzeko will come good, sooner than later. He’s got the quality and the skill to be a huge success at City. All he needs is the time.
The FA Cup
Aston Villa wait for City in the fifth round, with a potential home tie against Everton or Reading for a place in the quarter finals.
The performance to start with wasn’t great but I don’t think County really posed a huge threat to us. City let them have their moment and allowed County to burn themselves out before taking control. That’s the sign of a good team.
Now I don’t want to tempt fate, but the last time we reached the FA Cup Final in 1981, we beat Everton on the road to Wembley in the quarter finals. It took a replay after a 2-2 draw at Goodison, but a 3-1 home win set up a semi final tie at Villa Park. Coincidence? Probably but the superstitious amongst us may well take that as a good omen.
And Finally…
I like the News at Ten theme. The more observant of you will have noticed a couple of articles recently surrounded information supplied by The Mail or The Mail on Sunday.
I find their stuff quite amusing and they are another rag that likes to try and wind City up. We’ll continue to bring their drivel and give our own thoughts on the subjects as well as any other anti City rants and raves that I find.
Right, well have a good week everyone and don’t worry, it’ll soon be Friday.
