City General Team Discussion

"Hope... is kindled"

While I still think it's very unlikely, we at least have that small opening now that gives us hope.

It'd be Typical City to go and lose to Norwich now but supposing we don't we'll pile the pressure on the rags going into what should be an easy home game against Villa for them, as we play Norwich earlier.

The movement and ideas were there yesterday that have not been there for a while. Playing Tevez instead of a big target man seemed to help a lot as his, Aguero, Silva, and Nasri's movement was fantastic. Silva also seemed to regain a bit of his swagger after so long out of form.

I was at the ground last night and even before the goal and even before Wigan scored, the fans were brilliant - that stubborn support that said "We love you no matter what", creating a feel-good factor around the Etihad that probably affected the players. When Wigan scored the stadium exploded.

City to play a friendly against Real Madrid in Boston probably on August 5th according to Marca in Spain. Any of our American fans here going to that if it's confirmed?

Wow. That is all. If only we'd have been able to maintain this form for the entire season, maybe next season? Our best performance since the other Sickswan against United. Tevez and Aguero absolutely amazing, if Tevez had not done what he did in Munich, what could have been... not just in the league but he might have helped us in the cups we bowed out of too easily.

Yeah I am not getting too hopeful, I think we may have left it too late but as the song went today "We'll fight to the end" and losing by 3pts would be better than losing by 8pts+ as it looked to be going not so long ago. Any other season and this points total or rather the projected final total would win us the league, I believe United are overachieving this season.

3rd Old Trafford game in a row that a penalty decision their way has turned the tide of the game. We can't win this league on merit, we might have to start applying the "dark arts" more next season as simply being a talented football team doesn't seem to be enough with the cheating we're seeing from the likes of Ashley Young and certain referees. Tevez booked for being fouled in the box, Young rewarded with two penalties for two dives in two games.

I've revised my 50/50 stance on Tevez, I'd say keep him now, we'll need every asset possible to win a league that may as well give United a 10pt head-start. I'm sure Ferguson would "admire Mancini" if he sold Tevez and the real reason would be the elimination of a threat towards his crooked team.

Good article: http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/314793

A contrary view is that we could have afforded those slip ups if the officiating was consistent and they weren't gifted so much. Their last three home games now have seen them awarded game-changing decisions. Yes, they probably would have beaten Villa anyway but goals change games and it was 0-0 when Young did his belly flop. The Fulham non-penalty that was 100% a penalty, if that was given and converted, 2pts dropped. The Ashley Young dive (while offside) and subsequent red card for a QPR side that was dealing with United comfortably, another 2pts at least quite possibly handed to United. And it goes back further than the last few games. Only 1 game this season where I can say we stole the 3pts on the back of some bad officiating and that was against Spurs, I could name many games where United have stolen points. It's a joke really.

Mourinho extending his contract with Real which will confirm Mancio stays another season, if his scouting missions across Europe (he was in Amsterdam last weekend, not sure why... looking at Eriksen or Vertonghen maybe?) weren't evidence enough anyway. If he sorts out the problem areas I think he'll win us the league anyway and it'd feel better than if Mourinho did as City fans have a strong affinity to Mancini and vice versa.

One step at a time, who is to say we can't win the CL with him because just like we're a team growing, learning, and improving, he's a manager doing the same. He's accomplished a lot in his fairly short managerial career but is still gaining experience. Anyway, one step at a time, winning the league next season will be a huge first step for the club and we can think about the CL later as just bedding ourselves into the competition regularly is our priority right now.