Hazard warning (guffaw).

Just a little comment on Eden Hazard's 'I've made up my mind' shenanigans. When it first emerged that City were in a position to sign him, then of course I was excited. Not really having seen much of him apart from a few YouTube compilations and hearing about his exploits (hat-trick on his final appearance for Lille, Joe Cole says he's good...) I couldn't give a comprehensive scouting report, but it's always exciting to hear City being linked with the best available players.

He looks quick, confident and skilful and has obviously scored a lot of goals. I lived in France for a year, though, and the French league is not necessarily the best test of a player - atrocious defending is rife and goals often come from mistakes rather than skill from the strikers. This is not to say he is a bad player, just a note of caution about imports - remember Samaras was banging them in in the Dutch league!

I'm not sure I like this party boy attitude he seems to have though. Watching the various post-victory interviews etc. it was apparent how many actually likeable players City have, a rare thing in this day and age and especially so in a successful side. The worst we have are Tevez and Balotelli who divide opinion rather than being universally hated. Looking a pictures like this reminds me how much more satisfying it is to support a club whose players seem like decent individuals to go for a pint with - can Real Madrid fans really enjoy watching Ronaldo roll up his shorts to reveal his thigh when he scores an admittedly impressive 30-yard strike, or are they thinking 'what a wally'?

I'm just slightly concerned that Hazard might rock the boat - I've heard some dark mutterings about his attitude. It is also slightly galling to see him openly court the club like this - doesn't he realise he's messing with the Champions of England?! We're not some trophyless has-beens like, ooh I don't know, other clubs he's being courted by... Petty smugness aside, I suppose he is treating the other two clubs in the same way, and of course you always want to get an advantage over your rivals, I just hope Vincent has a word in his ear and explains that we expect a certain standard of soundness from our players.

Looking forward to seeing him for Belgium on Saturday though - travesty they didn't qualify.

The players: Goalkeepers

Joe Hart
Apps: 51 (38 PL)
Clean sheets: 17 (most in division)
Every great side has to have a great goalkeeper, and Joe Hart ('Tranmere reject' according to my mate's dad) is showing all the signs of becoming just that. He's got everything - he's tall, athletic, great shotstopper, and although there are occasionally question marks over how he deals with crosses, this is clearly something that can be learnt, plus I think this might just be something people in the football media say to appear learned rather than something based in fact (I think he deals very well with most things that come high into the box - he'll often get a crucial fingertip to it that just nicks it from the head of the striker). His attitude is another important aspect of his contribution to the side - not only is he cheerful and positive, exactly what you'd want in a player on your team, but he also takes it upon himself to gee the other players up, and is always great for a quote (ITV reporter: "What do you think they're saying at Old Trafford?" Hart: "I couldn't care less what they're saying at Old Trafford!"). Indisputably one of the players of the season, both for City and the Prem, and barring injury or something disastrous (ADU get bored?!) looks set to be a City stalwart for years to come.
Moment that defined his season:
After a season of sustained excellence in net it seems strange not to go for one of the many late saves he made which ensured we won games: away at Newcastle, Villa, Wigan spring to mind. However, what really summed him up for me was the later stages of the QPR game on the last day of the season - he was desperate to contribute, despite the ball only coming into our half twice (both goals!), and was barely in his area, sprinting out to collect and return long balls, even taking a couple of throw-ins. This single-mindedness, this desire to inspire his teammates and have an influence on games is what I think sets him apart from other talented keepers.
Keep hold/get rid?
We might as well build the statue now. I hope he spends his entire career at City, and leads us and England to success after success. He's got the ability and the temperament, I just hope he gets the luck as well.


Costel Pantimilon
Apps: 5 (0 PL)
Clean sheets: 2
The Romanian goalkeeper of the year 2010 is in a bit of a funny position, understudy to the best keeper in the league. So far though he doesn't seem to mind, and has taken his opportunity in the cup competitions to reasonable effect. It's the ideal arrangement really - you don't want to see someone like Given sat on the bench, we don't want to be hoarding players and it would be a shame to see a truly great keeper wasting his time on the bench. If Pantimilon is happy doing what he's doing, then I'm happy, Mancini's happy, everyone's happy.
Moment that defined his season:
Going to be negative I'm afraid but the most high-profile match he played in was the FA Cup match at home to United, and it was his mistake that led to their second goal - his weak goal kick was collected easily in the middle of the park and spread out to Valencia who went down in the box for the pen. To be fair, he saved it, but couldn't reach the rebound. I was annoyed at the time because I felt it was an avoidable, sloppy goal at a time we needed to keep it tight (and obviously would have meant we drew after our fightback in the second half), and I was worried that match might hand the impetus to United in the league as well. Harsh to blame all this on Costel, but even as sub keeper you need to be 100% switched on at all times.
Keep hold/get rid?
Seems no reason to change things at the moment - touch wood, Hart seems to be ok injury-wise and if he does get crocked or sent off, we've got 6ft8-odd of Romanian to throw on.

England squad - Downing?!

Well, he didn't have much to work with did he. For the most part, I think he's done as well as could be expected. although there are a couple of disappointments. Here are my thoughts... 


Goalkeepers - Joe Hart, Robert Green, John Ruddy.


It is, I suppose, slightly worrying that our talent pool is so low, we'll just have to hope for City's sake and for England's that Hart stays free of injury. Assuming he does (and he seems to be made of stern stuff) then I think goalkeeper is one of the few parts of the England team that is truly world class. His attitude is second to none as well, and exactly the sort of player I would always want in my team. Always great to see a City player in there as well. So far so good...

Defenders - Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Glen Johnson, Phil Jones, Joleon Lescott, John Terry.


Terry and Johnson shouldn't be going. The other players are going into the tournament off the back of excellent seasons - Lescott has been (mostly) great for us, Cahill has looked fantastic for Chelsea having been questioned at times for Bolton, while Cole, although he does not always come across as the most approachable person, is one of the best in the world at left-back. Leighton Baines has had another good season for Everton and is reliable backup, and I suppose Jones can play in a few positions. Terry, though, is not only a divisive (and racist!) presence in the dressing-room, but is also experiencing his limited ability coming to an end - he was absolutely schooled by Liverpool the other night. Johnson is a liability, and has played in a shocking team this year. Jagielka and Richards to replace them in my book.

Midfielders - Gareth Barry, Stewart Downing, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Scott Parker, Theo Walcott, Ashley Young.


Gerrard is the right choice for captain, he's a leader and not quite over the hill. Milner and Barry have done a good, if unspectacular (mostly- Barry at home to Arsenal and Milner at OT were pretty spectacular) job for us, and Young is dangerous if inconsistent. Parker does a good spoiling job although I'm not sure he's world class. The Ox should definitely go, he's fantastic going forward and would be good to bring off the bench when you need something different. Walcott I don't rate, I just don't think he's a footballer. He can run really fast but he's got no brain and makes the wrong decision too often. I would leave Walcott and Downing (no goals and no assists - enough said) and take Lennon and Adam Johnson, both more dangerous and productive than the two Hodgson has picked.


Strikers - Andy Carroll, Jermain Defoe, Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck.


This is really the worst part of the squad. What is it about the English condition that we can't produce strikers? How was Sergio Aguero's upbringing so different to Andy Carroll's? What a big lump he is. I might just about be tempted to take him because he 'offers something different' (yawn), but actually I'd rather have Sturridge - go for the youth and the footballing ability rather than height and 10 half-decent minutes in the FA Cup Final.


Standby - Jack Butland, Phil Jagielka, Jordan Henderson, Adam Johnson, Daniel Sturridge.


Bloody Henderson, useless.


My starting XI: Hart, Richards, Cahill, Lescott, Cole, Parker, Barry, Gerrard, Young, Lennon, Welbeck/Sturridge (Rooney when he's not suspended)

The spirit of '99 (or Sporting)

What utter madness. Is it going over the top to say the most dramatic end to a title race ever? I'd have to look it up, but I'm not sure if two goals in injury time have ever won it before, although of course Mickey Thomas in '89 springs to mind. I can't claim I was confident. When Cisse scored, I was worried. When Mackie scored, I was shellshocked. And when 90 minutes came and we were still behind I couldn't believe it was true. Although before the match my head said we'd steamroller them, my heart had been reminding me that this was still City and we have made a point in my 27 years of idiotic wastefulness. My mind went back to '96 - would we do something equally hilarious? Instead, though, it was the playoff final that the players managed to conjure up.

That said, I think it was this season's match against Sporting that really set the tone - 1-0 down from the first leg, 2-0 down on the night, at half-time it looked like we were set to lose embarrassingly, giving up our chance for European success for another season and putting all our eggs in the Premier League basket. However, two goals from Aguero and a penalty from Balotelli (won by Aguero) brought us back level, then Hart's header right at the end nearly put us through. This was then followed by games against Chelsea, Stoke and Sunderland. In all of these games we went behind but came back to get something from the game. Although Stoke and Sunderland looked like points dropped at the time, of course every point was vital in a league won on goal difference!













Anyway, Sunday. In many ways I think it was our season in a nutshell - dominate for the first half without managing to get convincing ahead of the opposition, have a suspect third quarter in which we nearly throw it away, undoing all the good work, and then pull it back right at the end. The very end. But what a match. So much drama, so many talking points, all discussed ad infinitum in the days since the match (I'm not exactly bang up to date with my writing). I just want to mention a few players though.

First, Sergio. Just unbelievable all season, since scoring that belter against Swansea and continuing to score since. He's got such pace, skill, nerve, ability, temperament...a friend of a friend was involved in the medical at City and apparently he's a lovely bloke into the bargain. The cool head with which he dropped his shoulder to go round the defender and then smash it in was worth the price we paid (incidentally, just £3m more than Carrol and £12m less than Torres!), and I was also impressed with how adeptly he wheeled his shirt around afterwards. Great celebrating.

I think Lescott must be the most relieved man in the country, and there are a lot of relieved Blues out there. He must have been feeling that he had let one slip-up define a season in which he has been largely excellent, even if he is the only member of the squad who is more comfortable with his head than with his feet. However, it wasn't Lescott who I was most angry with when we were losing. I can forgive ineptitude (I have supported City for 20-odd years) and even lack of concentration, but what I can't abide is laziness on the pitch. For that reason, it was Nasri who I was ready to blame if we didn't manage to win the title. The way he jogged back for the second goal, leaving Mackie completely on his own, was terrible. I couldn't believe the lack of desire, in a match of that importance! I was also furious when he let the ball go out for a throw-in after our second, wasting precious time giving the ball to the opposition. I think he's the only player who you could really say has under-achieved this season, although he has scored a couple of important goals against Tottenham and Chelsea. I also enjoyed how he was named man of the match at home to Arsenal (slightly generous but I love a bit of goading), and anyone who manages to embarrass Piers Morgan is a good lad in my book. I also loved it when he celebrated with Cisse at the end, but I think he needs to improve next year.

I was delighted that Dzeko scored the equaliser. I thought he helped to change the game when he came on, just as he had against Sporting, but the one who really made the difference was Super Mario. Sometimes I think he can be a passenger, sulking when he hasn't got the ball and then fouling when it comes to him and he inevitably gives it away. On Sunday though he was excellent, full of energy and running, getting into dangerous positions and of course setting up the winner.

But what a day. It was a long time coming, but it was worth it when it did. Champions League next season?

More Kompany love

As if I wasn't fawning enough in the last post, I'd just like to reproduce the great man's tweeted response to being voted Premier League player of the year (there is no one near him in all honesty):


"I'm really grateful but I must say straight away that I wish I could share this award in particular with my defensive partners... they are all incredible - Pablo Zabaleta, Gael Clichy, Joleon Lescott - and those not on Twitter. The prize is theirs!"


Class and humility, in this day and age. It brings a tear to the eye. 

Pole position?

The build-up for the derby was so hyperbolic and all-pervading that it almost felt like a cup final rather than a league match, and that's how it played out. The play was tight, with neither team willing to over-commit and few chances. We were clearly the more nervous at the beginning of the game, and I was worried we were in for a tough time. However, we remembered quite early on that we are, and have been all season, the best team in the country, and began to put them to the sword.

That the goal would come from a (slight) mistake and a set piece was not surprising though, and what a header. If there is a captain more inspiring, intelligent and consistently excellent I'm yet to see him play. I just can't speak highly enough of Kompany. He is a credit to the club and his defending is as thrilling as Sergio's attacking. To hear him speaking articulately in his press conferences is a delight and makes me proud to support the club that he leads. The fact that he's triple hard is just another reason to love him.

But what an achievement to prevent United from even having an attempt on target. There was no doubt that the better team took the spoils, we outplayed them in every department and thoroughly deserved to go level on points. In the run-up to the game it was mentioned a few times that we hadn't scored at home against them in the league for nearly five years, since Geovanni's deflected winner at the start of the madness of the Thaksin/Sven era (as an aside, remember Ferguson's expression when it looked like Tevez had scored but then he hadn't? Heh heh...). I think the reason for that became clear last Monday - Ferguson has been worried about us for a few years now, and has gone defensive for the last few occasions we've played them. The difference is that now we have the players to score when they park their big red bus. We've scored the most goals from corners now apparently, a far cry from a few seasons ago when we didn't score from a corner until Onuoha at Tottenham in about April.
















My dad was saying after Wolves game that Newcastle away was a much harder challenge than United at home and that was certainly how it felt in the week up to the game. It would be 'typical City', surely, to beat United home and away and then contrive to lose to Newcastle or QPR (or both). It was a nail-biting 70 minutes but when you've got Yaya you've always got a chance. He's got the ability to impose himself on the game through his physicality, technique and desire that effectively won us the FA Cup last season, and his two goals have put us in the position where we can at last admit that we are (just) favourites for the league.

Of course, if we won 1-0 but United won 10-0 I wouldn't be entirely surprised. City are still City in my mind, even if we now look like a 'proper' team on the pitch. I would be disappointed if we relegate QPR on Sunday - I don't care about Hughes, I was never convinced (especially with him being an ex-Rag), and I am always shocked to remember we've still got some of his dreadful signings on our wage bill (Santa Cruz, Bridge, Adebayor), but Shauny, Nedum and even Joey Barton are three of my favourite players of all time, and great examples of graduates from our academy.

So, we've got a good chance. If we keep the attacking side we've had in the last few weeks, and don't do anything silly, then who knows. Just hope Wes Brown and John O'Shea haven't planned to knock in 5 own goals each.