Skoorb
Alert Team
Preview
City welcome Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth to the Etihad this weekend as the team return to Premier League duties after the masterclass against Borussia Mönchengladbach in Wednesday’s delayed Champions League fixture. Unaffected by the 24 hour delay Guardiola’s players demonstrated an impressive level of progress in adopting his footballing philosophy - Juego de Posición - and adapting to his demanding work ethic as they delivered an perhaps their most accomplished European football performance in many a long year.
The Nay-sayers are now starting to sit up and pay more attention.
So far Guardiola has passed every test laid before him. He inherited a team that had squandered it’s talents and failed to lived up to expectations, that had glimpsed glory in reaching the semi final of the elite European club competition but failed to grasp the opportunity. His side remain undefeated in all seven competitive matches, have scored 19 goals & conceded only 4. The early litmus test of the the Premier League (let’s see if he can win away at Stoke on a windy afternoon) was passed; his players dug in against one of last season’s surprise packages, West Ham, and toughed it out; the first serious domestic title opponents were defeated on their own turf (the resurgent U*****d test) after some sumptuous football blew them away in the first half; and a potentially tricky European opponent were outshone. Chalk up 1 to Guardiola and zero to the hacks who doubted his ability to cut it without Messi, Iniesta, Xavi, Lahm, Ribery, Robben etc.
Complacency is not one of Pep Guardiola’s characteristics though and I have no doubt that he will have his players right bang at it on Saturday. He takes nothing for granted, he works hard and expects everyone around him to do the same. Not an bad work ethic and one which seems to be rubbing off - “if the gaffer is putting the extra hard yards then I have no excuse”. His active presence on the training ground; his fully engaged micro-management at pitch side; his intensity of purpose…….no one can doubt his commitment. But beyond this he he showing a belief in his players and their abilities which is infusing them with confidence. They are revelling in his trust and repaying it in spades as the players see the benefits that it brings - not just the victories but the pure joy of playing good football, of being part of something beyond solely what you get out of a game: of being part of something bigger. Sheik Mansour and senior management must be very pleased with how things are going. The platform that have been building has created an environment within which their coach can deliver an important part of their vision: a successful Premier League team regularly challenging for trophies, a growing European force, a quality product on the pitch which is pleasing to the eye and gets people talking ……..and the team that is the spearpoint of a global football plan. #vindicated.
Whilst this is a giddy time for Blues we will always have that element of caution in our minds - a player’s slip, a momentary lapse in concentration, a mistimed jump at a set piece allowing an opponent to get a header on target, a penalty given after some quick footwork - these moments can and will happen. We must steel ourselves and trust that the team will cope with any setbacks….
…whilst at the same time ensure that they don’t start this weekend when I am at my first game of the Guardiola era and which sees Jack Can’t-Get-A-Game-At-Arsenal Wilshire rock up at The Etihad wearing what appears to be most City fans favourite MCFC Away kit, the red and black stripes. Eddie Howe has shown that he likes his teams to play football and despite the temptation to batten down the hatches to ensure survival he has resisted and asked his players to trust their abilities and play their football. If City remain on message and play as they have shown they can over the past two games then at some point a team is going to get a battering - with or without the imperious, peerless & rampant Sergio The Brute Agüero. Maybe it could be this weekend…..
The Guardiola revolution remains in its early stages and much work needs to be done but Blues, after several false dawns and disappointed by the two steps forward, one step back, progress witnessed in recent years, have left City fans with a residual hesitancy and caution about expecting too much. Stern tests remain but perhaps we can start to believe that we are witnessing the emergence of something beautiful.
Back at you hacks, nay-sayers and desperate ex-rag pundits.
Come on City!!!
Team News:
Man City:
> Out - Sergio The Brute Aguero (suspended Grrr); Kompany
> Doubtful - Silva; Fernando; Delph
Kompany remains sidelined; Agüero is suspended and so will have more time in the gym to practice his brutal karate chop; Silva may be rested after the training knock which kept him out of Wednesday’s dismantling of Borussia - Gündogan is likely to get his league debut. Strangely Delph is injured again…..
Bournemouth:-
> Out - Mings
> Doubtful -
Eddie Howe has nearly a full squad to select from with only Tyrone Mings out with torn knee ligaments.
Stats
League Standing & Form:
01 Man City P04 W4 D0 L0 GF11 GA4 GD+7 Pts12 Form WWWW
14 B’mouth P14 W1 D1 L2 GF3 GA5 GD-2 Pts4 Form LLDW
Overall Form:
Man City P7 W7 D0 L0 GF19 GA4
B’mouth P5 W2 D1 L2 GF5 GA6
Previous meeting (last 2 Premier Leagues):
EPL 17/10/15 Man City 5 B’mouth 1
EPL 02/04/16 B’mouth 0 Man City 4
Goals - City 9 B’mouth 1
Y Cards - City 3 B’mouth 1
R Cards - City 0 B’mouth 0
Top scorers (all comps):
Man City - Agüero 9; Nolito 3; Sterling 2;Iheanacho 2
B’mouth - Gradel 2; King 1; Smith 1; Wilson 1
Match Facts:
>> There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 9 of City's last 10 home games
(EPL)
>> City have scored at least 2 goals in their last 5 home matches
(EPL)
>> City haven't kept a clean sheet in any of their last seven league matches (EPL)
City welcome Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth to the Etihad this weekend as the team return to Premier League duties after the masterclass against Borussia Mönchengladbach in Wednesday’s delayed Champions League fixture. Unaffected by the 24 hour delay Guardiola’s players demonstrated an impressive level of progress in adopting his footballing philosophy - Juego de Posición - and adapting to his demanding work ethic as they delivered an perhaps their most accomplished European football performance in many a long year.
The Nay-sayers are now starting to sit up and pay more attention.
So far Guardiola has passed every test laid before him. He inherited a team that had squandered it’s talents and failed to lived up to expectations, that had glimpsed glory in reaching the semi final of the elite European club competition but failed to grasp the opportunity. His side remain undefeated in all seven competitive matches, have scored 19 goals & conceded only 4. The early litmus test of the the Premier League (let’s see if he can win away at Stoke on a windy afternoon) was passed; his players dug in against one of last season’s surprise packages, West Ham, and toughed it out; the first serious domestic title opponents were defeated on their own turf (the resurgent U*****d test) after some sumptuous football blew them away in the first half; and a potentially tricky European opponent were outshone. Chalk up 1 to Guardiola and zero to the hacks who doubted his ability to cut it without Messi, Iniesta, Xavi, Lahm, Ribery, Robben etc.
Complacency is not one of Pep Guardiola’s characteristics though and I have no doubt that he will have his players right bang at it on Saturday. He takes nothing for granted, he works hard and expects everyone around him to do the same. Not an bad work ethic and one which seems to be rubbing off - “if the gaffer is putting the extra hard yards then I have no excuse”. His active presence on the training ground; his fully engaged micro-management at pitch side; his intensity of purpose…….no one can doubt his commitment. But beyond this he he showing a belief in his players and their abilities which is infusing them with confidence. They are revelling in his trust and repaying it in spades as the players see the benefits that it brings - not just the victories but the pure joy of playing good football, of being part of something beyond solely what you get out of a game: of being part of something bigger. Sheik Mansour and senior management must be very pleased with how things are going. The platform that have been building has created an environment within which their coach can deliver an important part of their vision: a successful Premier League team regularly challenging for trophies, a growing European force, a quality product on the pitch which is pleasing to the eye and gets people talking ……..and the team that is the spearpoint of a global football plan. #vindicated.
Whilst this is a giddy time for Blues we will always have that element of caution in our minds - a player’s slip, a momentary lapse in concentration, a mistimed jump at a set piece allowing an opponent to get a header on target, a penalty given after some quick footwork - these moments can and will happen. We must steel ourselves and trust that the team will cope with any setbacks….
…whilst at the same time ensure that they don’t start this weekend when I am at my first game of the Guardiola era and which sees Jack Can’t-Get-A-Game-At-Arsenal Wilshire rock up at The Etihad wearing what appears to be most City fans favourite MCFC Away kit, the red and black stripes. Eddie Howe has shown that he likes his teams to play football and despite the temptation to batten down the hatches to ensure survival he has resisted and asked his players to trust their abilities and play their football. If City remain on message and play as they have shown they can over the past two games then at some point a team is going to get a battering - with or without the imperious, peerless & rampant Sergio The Brute Agüero. Maybe it could be this weekend…..
The Guardiola revolution remains in its early stages and much work needs to be done but Blues, after several false dawns and disappointed by the two steps forward, one step back, progress witnessed in recent years, have left City fans with a residual hesitancy and caution about expecting too much. Stern tests remain but perhaps we can start to believe that we are witnessing the emergence of something beautiful.
Back at you hacks, nay-sayers and desperate ex-rag pundits.
Come on City!!!
Team News:
Man City:
> Out - Sergio The Brute Aguero (suspended Grrr); Kompany
> Doubtful - Silva; Fernando; Delph
Kompany remains sidelined; Agüero is suspended and so will have more time in the gym to practice his brutal karate chop; Silva may be rested after the training knock which kept him out of Wednesday’s dismantling of Borussia - Gündogan is likely to get his league debut. Strangely Delph is injured again…..
Bournemouth:-
> Out - Mings
> Doubtful -
Eddie Howe has nearly a full squad to select from with only Tyrone Mings out with torn knee ligaments.
Stats
League Standing & Form:
01 Man City P04 W4 D0 L0 GF11 GA4 GD+7 Pts12 Form WWWW
14 B’mouth P14 W1 D1 L2 GF3 GA5 GD-2 Pts4 Form LLDW
Overall Form:
Man City P7 W7 D0 L0 GF19 GA4
B’mouth P5 W2 D1 L2 GF5 GA6
Previous meeting (last 2 Premier Leagues):
EPL 17/10/15 Man City 5 B’mouth 1
EPL 02/04/16 B’mouth 0 Man City 4
Goals - City 9 B’mouth 1
Y Cards - City 3 B’mouth 1
R Cards - City 0 B’mouth 0
Top scorers (all comps):
Man City - Agüero 9; Nolito 3; Sterling 2;Iheanacho 2
B’mouth - Gradel 2; King 1; Smith 1; Wilson 1
Match Facts:
>> There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 9 of City's last 10 home games
(EPL)
>> City have scored at least 2 goals in their last 5 home matches
(EPL)
>> City haven't kept a clean sheet in any of their last seven league matches (EPL)
