Man City in ‘crisis’…well apparently!
Man City” width=”100″ height=”100″ />Football FanCast columnist David Mooney cannot understand the media’s overreaction to his beloved City’s run of form.
This is a crisis. A large crisis. In fact, if you got a moment, it’s a twelve-story crisis with a magnificent entrance hall, carpeting throughout, 24-hour portage, and an enormous sign on the roof, saying ‘This Is a Large Crisis’.
Not my words, but the words of Edmund Blackadder, shortly after finding out he was due to be going over the top. But his words have never been more relevant to a football club than they are today.
No win since the end of September in the league and draws in games they were expected to win, and Manchester City’s season has come off the rails. It’s not as if the club is sitting in 4th in the Premier League, a point ahead of Liverpool, with a game in hand over them and Tottenham (with whom they are on level points with a better goal difference), and an owner who is willing to spend millions on quality players, youth development and top class facilities around the club.
Oh no, wait…
See, statistics are all in the presentation. City are having a bad season because they haven’t won in the last four. Or are they having a good season because they’ve only lost one in ten? And that was in the 117th (or something) minute.
City have a leaky defence, because they’ve conceded 11 goals this season. Or do they, because only Chelsea have kept more clean sheets (City:4, Chelsea: 6)?
Ok, so, the performances against Birmingham and Fulham weren’t great. Nevertheless, both were a point earned – the teams around City have been dropping points of late by losing: Tottenham and Liverpool the prime examples. The hare may set off by bashing in goals and winning games 4-0 or 5-0, but soon enough the hare tires out and starts losing games. Then, the slow but steady tortoise takes the lead. In fact, in that example, one of the two hares nearest City appears to have gone lame, capitulating to Fulham, Sunderland and Chelsea.
And the other’s not doing that much better, running with a limp as it showed Arsenal how to score from kick off and thought it only sporting to let Stoke win at home.
See, I’m quite worried about the mentality of some people in the media and some of the fans. Just because the club has riches beyond imagination doesn’t mean that every game will be won by five or six goals.
Teams will raise their game when City are in town. That’s no reason why City shouldn’t win the game, because it’s up to the team to break down difficult opposition. But we’re forgetting that City are new to this – not once have we finished in a European place in the Premier League, let alone the top four. In fact, the highest we’ve ever finished in the Premier League is eighth.
Just because we have a lot of money doesn’t mean this season will be a walk in the park. It just means that we’re going to have to enjoy trying to beat tough teams to get a top four place instead of despairing trying beat tough teams to stave off relegation.
And, anyway, it’s Burnley next at home. We can’t draw that one… Can we?
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Nice one Dave, that beds a few misconceptions. The media are waiting to pounce but they haven’t really got the ammo. As for Mr Cook, I thought he said there’d be no more ‘typical City.’ He’s not been around long enough has he?
4 draws in a row = 8 points dropped from 12. You forgot that statistic. And yes, your season is going off the rails because you spent 100 million billion quid on players and should be winning at least 3 of the games you’ve just drawn. Spurs have lost 4 games, 3 of them to the current top 3 and they are STILL on level points with you. Let’s see where you are after you’ve played the top 3 and after Spurs have played the teams you drew against. The only thing I agree with is that you’re better than Liverpool – currently. Post Christmas all your Prima Donna’s will be screaming for first team action or a transfer!
All bow to the wisdom of the great and mighty ARSEnal fan, how we all love you coming on our sites and imparting your great knowledge of football…..Where were you a couple of years ago eh? getting worried..!!!
Arsenal fan BUT City have already played 2 of the top 3! Scored 3 at Old Trafford and 4 against Arsenal or have you forgotten? Stick to facts and less wishful thinking.
Reality Check- Arsenal. He’re a statistic for you 4-2….. We’ve only played 4 home games against 6 away and lost less than you…I love it that everybody hates us now it’s brilliant
Is it too soon to say bring back me?!!
Sack the Board anyone?
Move back to Maine Road?
Reinstate Stuart Pearce’s stuffed toy?
That’s all I’ve got.
Yep, you beat us. We’ve played as many games as you have and we’re STILL 3 points ahead of you. If you read my post, it states that you need to be winning the games you’re drawing. And you’re not. Pretty much everyone will drop points to the top 4, including the top 4 themselves. And I mean the ‘established’ top 4. Not you lot!
Dear Mr Arsenal Fan,
could you not be a little bit gracious in your posts?
We all admire the lovely football Mr Wenger gets you playing, it’s a million times better than watching George Graham’s team, which frankly was like pulling teeth, and it’s a pleasure to buy your players.
City are building a real team to challenge for the title and other silverware, might not happen this season, same as Mr Wenger says when he’s building a team, the difference is Mark Hughes has £550 Billion backing him, which does seem to bring a jealous streak out amongst many footy fans.
If we do win something this season, or even break into the top four it’ll be a great season for us, if you weren’t worried by our progress I don’t think we’d see so much vitriol from you on our forums – have you posted on anyone elses forums this week?
I suggest you get used to us because we’re not going away, your cosy world order is changing.
Reality Check from an Arsenal Fan:
“Spurs have lost 4 games, 3 of them to the current top 3 and they are STILL on level points with you”
Yep. City have lost 1 game, to the team in second place, and we beat the team in third. So even if we lose to Chelsea we’re still doing better than Spurs. I’m not sure whether you intended to support the original article but you have.