Skoorb
Alert Team
Thank goodness that’s over. The international break. Does anybody welcome them?
Real football returns this weekend as City travel to the Emirates for the first of a London ‘double header’ (not strictly speaking, but just go with me on this) where there is much at stake……
The most interesting thing to emerge over the International Break was the incontrovertible validation of the value that appropriate and judicious use of technology can have on the game of football. Twice during the friendly between France and Spain the trial of the Video Assistant Referee was engaged by the referee and twice this choice was vindicated with the correct decision being delivered - an offside goal chalked off and a goal ruled offside by the real live Assistant Referee was allowed to stand. Who knew that such a system could offer real value to the outcome of the game, the integrity of the result and provide genuine support for the humans in the middle of the frenetic action? Apparently virtually every fan of the game except for the sclerotic ancient old farts in the game’s governing bodies who for years have resisted the tide of technology.
It was hysterical to find that the only arguments an ex-professional footballer could come up with against the system was that it would upset the fans whose (incorrect) goal celebrations would be interrupted and that it would give “blokes nothing to discuss in the pub”. As a contribution to the debate, ex-rag Paul Ince’s ‘insights’ could not have been more fatuous. I feel we may have witnessed a seminal moment in football - not Paul Ince’s comments, but the fact that after this demonstration in such a high profile friendly seems to have acted as a kind of footballing enema breaking up the log jam, the blockage and resistance to the use of technology in the game to deliver the correct result. The announcement the day after this validation of the system that it may now be fast tracked within the EFL Cup next season, complimenting the plan for it to be used in the FA Cup from the third round, seems to me to mark a moment when the game of football has finally moved into the twentieth century. Only 17 years late guys but welcome nonetheless.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39435430
But I digress…….
The Premier League returns this weekend with much at stake ………the success of Guardiola’s inaugural Premier League campaign (securing Champions League football the absolute minimum); the destiny of the league title (the chance to disrupt Chelsea’s ‘automatic crowning’?); the continuation of the seemingly endless soap-opera that is being endured in Ashburton Grove (will he stay or will he go?).
According to Pep Guardiola he has a full squad to select from apart from Gabriel Jesus and Ilkay Gundogan, his caveat being that Sterling and Zabaleta are maybe not “top, top” whatever that means in fitness terms. I am going to take it as they are not 100% and would add Sagna and De Bruyne to the “not top, top’ list. Arsenal have a slight doubt over Kieran Gibbs but will be missing Cech and Perez as well as Cazorla who is out until July with what is described as a “Plantaris injury” which sounds rather like it is something better suited to a science fiction movie.
Assuming everyone is classed fit to start we can pretty much rely upon our attacking options being Aguero supported by the fleet footed Sane & Sterling and backed by the skills of Silva and De Bruyne. What is going to happen on the team sheet between those guys and Caballero in goal has almost become a version of Player Lucky Dip. Aside from John Stones I am scratching my head when it comes to me Be The Manager defensive options. Perm any combination of Fernandinho, Kolarov, Clichy, Otamendi, Toure and Zabaleta. Or possibly Sagna :048: :059:
Arsenal are in turmoil at the moment. The continuing speculation regarding Arsene Wenger’s future is gnawing away at the club like a nagging toothache and is clearly disrupting performances. They have lost six of their last nine games including the two 5-1 thumping from Bayern Munich, a home defeat to Watford and losses against Liverpool and Chelsea. Two of the three victories that they have managed since the end of January have been in the FA Cup against lower league opposition in the form of Sutton United and Lincoln City. Not a record to write home about. Together with the revelation from Alexis Sanchez, that he is happy to stay in London but wants to play for a team with a “winning mentality” (ouch) one could be forgiven for thinking that this isn’t at all a bad time to be facing them. As we can testify through bitter personal experience, disharmony at a club and disunity within a dressing room are not the breeding ground for success. If City can make their record seven defeats in ten on their home ground one might expect the already extremely disgruntled Tarquins to make their views know rather volubly within and outside the stadium on Sunday afternoon.
To quote another famous (albeit fictional) Frenchman let’s “Make it so”.
City come into this game having suffered only a single defeat since the 15th January in a run which has delivered eight victories and four draws which has seen them reach the semi finals of the FA Cup (where we play Sunday’s opponents) and maintain a decent handle on their ambition to qualify for the Champion’s League next season. Sadly that single defeat was the disappointing loss in Monaco which saw the European dream dissipate in a frustrating puff of smoke but which served to drive home the long accepted acknowledgement that City’s defence needs serious attention during the summer. But that is history and we now have to focus on the league…..and the cup!
Our record against the Gooners in recent years hasn’t been exceptional. In the last six meetings we have managed only a single victory (in the reverse fixture this season), 2 draws and 3 defeats so there could be no better time to start improving those statistics. Whilst Arsenal have won six of the last seven home matches their last league victory at home was against 10 man Hull way back in February. City have kept a clean sheet in the last three away fixtures - keep that stat going and I fancy we might leave the ground with all three points.
Whatever side is selected by Pep they have to be fired up and ready to take the game to a vulnerable Arsenal side. Riven by doubt’s over their manager’s (& possibly their personal) future, they are in a fragile state and if we can get about them and get the lead the crowd are unlikely to be amused. Whilst they will always pose a threat especially if Giroud is brought on late in the game with his aerial ability and given the pace of Walcott and skills of Sanchez they still seem to retain that soft centre and are heavily dependent upon the presence and performance of Koscielny. I don’t think Pep will set his side up to defend (when has he ever?) so we could be in for a roller coaster of a game!
Andre Marriner is in charge of the whistle and the pretty coloured cards this Sunday afternoon.......
A victory at the Emirates will be a welcome boost before the team moves across the nation’s capital to face Chelsea on Wednesday evening. After the events which unfolded at the Etihad at the beginning of December including the unfathomable decision making of Anthony Taylor, the rush of blood from Sergio Aguero and the deceitful behaviour of Cesc Fabregas we owe them a game to remember but for footballing reasons & which can put a dent in their seemingly unstoppable progress towards being crowned league champions. Can we be the ones to sow a seed of doubt and puncture their little party balloon? Let’s hope so because, in the words of a famous Geordie and ex-City manager Kevin Keegan, “I will love it if we beat them. Love it”.
Time to step up guys.
Come on City!!!
Real football returns this weekend as City travel to the Emirates for the first of a London ‘double header’ (not strictly speaking, but just go with me on this) where there is much at stake……
The most interesting thing to emerge over the International Break was the incontrovertible validation of the value that appropriate and judicious use of technology can have on the game of football. Twice during the friendly between France and Spain the trial of the Video Assistant Referee was engaged by the referee and twice this choice was vindicated with the correct decision being delivered - an offside goal chalked off and a goal ruled offside by the real live Assistant Referee was allowed to stand. Who knew that such a system could offer real value to the outcome of the game, the integrity of the result and provide genuine support for the humans in the middle of the frenetic action? Apparently virtually every fan of the game except for the sclerotic ancient old farts in the game’s governing bodies who for years have resisted the tide of technology.
It was hysterical to find that the only arguments an ex-professional footballer could come up with against the system was that it would upset the fans whose (incorrect) goal celebrations would be interrupted and that it would give “blokes nothing to discuss in the pub”. As a contribution to the debate, ex-rag Paul Ince’s ‘insights’ could not have been more fatuous. I feel we may have witnessed a seminal moment in football - not Paul Ince’s comments, but the fact that after this demonstration in such a high profile friendly seems to have acted as a kind of footballing enema breaking up the log jam, the blockage and resistance to the use of technology in the game to deliver the correct result. The announcement the day after this validation of the system that it may now be fast tracked within the EFL Cup next season, complimenting the plan for it to be used in the FA Cup from the third round, seems to me to mark a moment when the game of football has finally moved into the twentieth century. Only 17 years late guys but welcome nonetheless.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39435430
But I digress…….
The Premier League returns this weekend with much at stake ………the success of Guardiola’s inaugural Premier League campaign (securing Champions League football the absolute minimum); the destiny of the league title (the chance to disrupt Chelsea’s ‘automatic crowning’?); the continuation of the seemingly endless soap-opera that is being endured in Ashburton Grove (will he stay or will he go?).
According to Pep Guardiola he has a full squad to select from apart from Gabriel Jesus and Ilkay Gundogan, his caveat being that Sterling and Zabaleta are maybe not “top, top” whatever that means in fitness terms. I am going to take it as they are not 100% and would add Sagna and De Bruyne to the “not top, top’ list. Arsenal have a slight doubt over Kieran Gibbs but will be missing Cech and Perez as well as Cazorla who is out until July with what is described as a “Plantaris injury” which sounds rather like it is something better suited to a science fiction movie.
Assuming everyone is classed fit to start we can pretty much rely upon our attacking options being Aguero supported by the fleet footed Sane & Sterling and backed by the skills of Silva and De Bruyne. What is going to happen on the team sheet between those guys and Caballero in goal has almost become a version of Player Lucky Dip. Aside from John Stones I am scratching my head when it comes to me Be The Manager defensive options. Perm any combination of Fernandinho, Kolarov, Clichy, Otamendi, Toure and Zabaleta. Or possibly Sagna :048: :059:
Arsenal are in turmoil at the moment. The continuing speculation regarding Arsene Wenger’s future is gnawing away at the club like a nagging toothache and is clearly disrupting performances. They have lost six of their last nine games including the two 5-1 thumping from Bayern Munich, a home defeat to Watford and losses against Liverpool and Chelsea. Two of the three victories that they have managed since the end of January have been in the FA Cup against lower league opposition in the form of Sutton United and Lincoln City. Not a record to write home about. Together with the revelation from Alexis Sanchez, that he is happy to stay in London but wants to play for a team with a “winning mentality” (ouch) one could be forgiven for thinking that this isn’t at all a bad time to be facing them. As we can testify through bitter personal experience, disharmony at a club and disunity within a dressing room are not the breeding ground for success. If City can make their record seven defeats in ten on their home ground one might expect the already extremely disgruntled Tarquins to make their views know rather volubly within and outside the stadium on Sunday afternoon.
To quote another famous (albeit fictional) Frenchman let’s “Make it so”.
City come into this game having suffered only a single defeat since the 15th January in a run which has delivered eight victories and four draws which has seen them reach the semi finals of the FA Cup (where we play Sunday’s opponents) and maintain a decent handle on their ambition to qualify for the Champion’s League next season. Sadly that single defeat was the disappointing loss in Monaco which saw the European dream dissipate in a frustrating puff of smoke but which served to drive home the long accepted acknowledgement that City’s defence needs serious attention during the summer. But that is history and we now have to focus on the league…..and the cup!
Our record against the Gooners in recent years hasn’t been exceptional. In the last six meetings we have managed only a single victory (in the reverse fixture this season), 2 draws and 3 defeats so there could be no better time to start improving those statistics. Whilst Arsenal have won six of the last seven home matches their last league victory at home was against 10 man Hull way back in February. City have kept a clean sheet in the last three away fixtures - keep that stat going and I fancy we might leave the ground with all three points.
Whatever side is selected by Pep they have to be fired up and ready to take the game to a vulnerable Arsenal side. Riven by doubt’s over their manager’s (& possibly their personal) future, they are in a fragile state and if we can get about them and get the lead the crowd are unlikely to be amused. Whilst they will always pose a threat especially if Giroud is brought on late in the game with his aerial ability and given the pace of Walcott and skills of Sanchez they still seem to retain that soft centre and are heavily dependent upon the presence and performance of Koscielny. I don’t think Pep will set his side up to defend (when has he ever?) so we could be in for a roller coaster of a game!
Andre Marriner is in charge of the whistle and the pretty coloured cards this Sunday afternoon.......
A victory at the Emirates will be a welcome boost before the team moves across the nation’s capital to face Chelsea on Wednesday evening. After the events which unfolded at the Etihad at the beginning of December including the unfathomable decision making of Anthony Taylor, the rush of blood from Sergio Aguero and the deceitful behaviour of Cesc Fabregas we owe them a game to remember but for footballing reasons & which can put a dent in their seemingly unstoppable progress towards being crowned league champions. Can we be the ones to sow a seed of doubt and puncture their little party balloon? Let’s hope so because, in the words of a famous Geordie and ex-City manager Kevin Keegan, “I will love it if we beat them. Love it”.
Time to step up guys.
Come on City!!!
