Loss of Yaya may prove costly for Manchester City

By David Lee Wheatley

Manchester City may possess enough firepower to threaten Champions League last-16 foes Barcelona, but the first-leg suspension of powerhouse Yaya Toure could prove pivotal.

A great deal of water has gone under the bridge since Manchester City and FC Barcelona met at this stage of the same competition 12 months ago, with the Catalans advancing by way of a comfortable 4-1 aggregate margin.

City eventually claimed the Premier League crown, while Barca missed out on honours both domestically and in Europe to rivals Atletico Madrid. Additionally, ex-player Luis Enrique assumed the Nou Camp coaching reins in place of misfit Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino at the end of that campaign.

Normal service seemingly resumed when Barcelona won five out of six Champions League Group F contests to qualify above fancied French side Paris Saint-Germain. Meanwhile, the Citizens faced almost certain elimination having failed to win any of their opening four group encounters.

Astonishingly, Manuel Pellegrini’s men scraped through at the death courtesy of a home win over Bayern Munich and a subsequent away triumph at the Stadio Olimpico against Roma.

Now the two sides clash again on Tuesday night a year on from what can only be described as a massively one-sided affair in favour of the Blaugrana, but with many observers openly voicing their belief in City’s ability to reach the Champions League quarter-finals for the very first time.

They’ve got Sergio Aguero delivering almost a goal-per-game this term, while David Silva is pulling the strings beautifully, as recently evidenced by a man-of-the-match performance against Newcastle United last Saturday.

However, there is the crucial matter of Yaya Toure’s enforced absence from the first leg, which could tip the balance of the tie in favour of the Catalonian side before they welcome City to the Nou Camp.

Former Barcelona star Toure’s galloping runs, supreme physicality and eye for goal will all be keenly missed by his team-mates who feed off his barnstorming performances.

The 31-year-old has undergone a turbulent spell at the Etihad, with persistent rumours of his unhappiness at the club. But, he remains a potent weapon in their armoury and represents several attributes their Spanish conquerors from last season simply can’t replicate from within their own squad.

Andres Iniesta is still one of the world’s best passers of a ball, while Ivan Rakitic has quickly grown into a key player following his move from Sevilla last summer. Argentine superstar Lionel Messi continues to devastate in between the lines of midfield and attack, with Sergio Busquets undertaking a deep role in helping Barca tighten their grip on possession.

It’s certainly a highly subjective debate, but the likes of Fernando, Samir Nasri, Fernandinho, Jesus Navas and even the fabulous David Silva cannot legitimately claim to be better than their Barcelona counterparts.

What’s more, not one of those aforementioned players offer the beast-like presence of Yaya Toure, who can win a game single-handedly when on top form.

He could well make the difference for Manchester City in the second leg of this glamourous tie once he’s served the last of a three-match ban imposed for his November sending-off against CSKA Moscow, but by then it could be too little, too late.

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Arsenal still have much to do in order to prove win at Manchester City was no fluke

By David Lee Wheatley    @davewh1980 on Twitter

Arsenal’s victory over Manchester City suggests Arsene Wenger’s side have finally found an effective way to deliver successful results against top opposition.

Manchester City would’ve been mightily surprised by Arsenal’s approach at the Etihad on Sunday, as were many observers watching on, but the Gunners’ unfamiliar counter-attacking style paid huge dividends when defeating the reigning Premier League champions.

It seems the penny has finally dropped with the north Londoners’ long-serving manager that he no longer possesses the squad capable of overrunning opponents with all-out attacking intent.

That was eminently possible during the vintage 2003-04 season when the ‘Invincibles’ went an entire Premier League campaign without loss, but not any longer.

Another plan had to be sought to allow Arsenal to resume winning ways against a City outfit they’d failed to beat away from home since October 2011.

Wenger came to a long overdue realisation that his current crop of players required an urgent readjustment to alter their troublesome lack of resilience.

They’d been found wanting far too often, with the fragility of their back-line and defensive midfield area exposed with great ease by a succession top-four challengers.

The Gunners managed only 35 per cent possession during the contest in Manchester, which represents the smallest amount of time in control of the ball they’ve achieved since Opta records began in 2003.

Undoubtedly, playmaker Santi Cazorla’s wonderful end-to-end performance was instrumental in the eventual outcome, but it was the overall discipline showcased by the entire team which led to a 2-0 victory which brought Manchester City 12-match unbeaten run to a shuddering halt.

Central defenders Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny were protected brilliantly by 23-year-old Frenchman Francis Coquelin, who produced his best showing yet in an Arsenal shirt. The pair rarely appeared to be under any significant pressure and almost always found time on the ball to clear their lines successfully when called upon.

Coquelin was ably assisted by the dynamic Cazorla, with the Spanish star popping up everywhere when battling for the ball in his own half and carrying it into enemy territory beyond several attempted tackles that simply couldn’t stop his progress.

Full-backs Nacho Monreal and Hector Bellerin also stuck to their duties diligently without succumbing to the damaging marauding runs forward that Arsenal’s flank defenders are often guilty of employing.

Arsenal’s display drew widespread praise from media pundits across the board, as well as from a beaming Wenger afterwards, in what amounts to a rather ironic twist considering his regular admonishment of rival Premier League teams who’ve set out their stall with similar strategies against the Gunners in the past.

However, it doesn’t seem to be as bitter a pill to swallow for the experienced tactician as most people would have believed after witnessing his contented smile for the cameras after securing a precious three points at the home of the champions.

They’ve apparently accepted that a sea-change in approach was needed heading into those kinds of high-profile fixtures and the key now is to put that level of performance into practice on a consistent basis in order to make certain the win over City wasn’t simply a flash in the pan.

Follow me on Twitter: search @davewh1980

Have Manchester City finally learned how to succeed in Europe?

 

 

By David Lee Wheatley   @davewh1980

 

Manchester City looked dead and buried in Champions League Group E after four winless matches, but they somehow turned it around in spectacular fashion to make it through to the last 16 for a second successive season.

Manuel Pellegrini looked to have resigned himself to Manchester City’s European fate when his charges claimed a solitary point from a feisty double-header with CSKA Moscow.

A shock 2-1 loss to the Russian outfit on match-day four left City almost out of the competition and requiring wins against German giants Bayern Munich and Italians Roma to give themselves any chance of qualification.

Not many observers foresaw a turnaround - Pellegrini included. However, a dramatic 3-2 home victory over Bayern, orchestrated by Sergio Aguero, handed the Citizens an unexpected lifeline.

Yet, they needed to journey over to the Eternal City and grab all three points in order to avoid elimination. Furthermore, they had to complete the task without talismanic Aguero and respected captain Vincent Kompany through injury, plus midfield powerhouse Yaya Toure who was ruled out due to suspension.

Meanwhile, magical playmaker David Silva was also forced to warm the bench as he continued his recovery from a knee injury - the omens did not appear good.
Roma went for the jugular from the outset in a decidedly chilly Stadio Olimpico, but were denied time and again by the inspired Joe Hart in City’s goal.

Gervinho broke free on a number of occasions, with one low shot in particular tipped brilliantly round the post by Hart. Greek defender Kostas Manolas was also unfortunate to see a goalbound header diverted by the slightest of touches from the visiting ‘keeper onto the upright.

In the group’s other showdown, Bayern had taken an 18th-minute lead at home to contenders CSKA, who also began the evening level on points with Roma and Manchester City. The match had suddenly become a do-or-die play-off between the two teams going head-to-head at the Olimpico.

It took an hour of mainly withstanding Roma’s marauding breakaways until the away outfit gained a foothold in the game through a stunning shot from the left edge of the box by Samir Nasri that cannoned in off the inside of a post, thus leaving Roma goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis grasping at thin air.

The hosts then sacrificed defensive duties almost entirely in a bid to claw their way back into the contest, but that policy eventually fell foul of a City counter which unlikely goalscorer Pablo Zabaleta finished off to gleefully wrap up his side’s advancement to the knockout phase.

Manchester City have largely struggled to repeat their domestic form of recent years on the European stage, but the professionalism which characterised Wednesday night’s performance suggests they may finally be getting to grips with what it takes to attain success in the continental arena.

 



Will Pearce arrival prove to be yet another false dawn?

By David Lee Wheatley

Nottingham Forest cult hero Stuart Pearce has agreed to take over as their next manager, effective from July 1st. It heralds the beginning of a new era at the City Ground following the abrupt end of Billy Davies' second spell in charge at a club desperate for a return to the glory days of yore.

It was widely hoped that Davies would be capable of delivering promotion this campaign, but an eight-game winless streak left their season in danger of falling apart and led to the fiery Scot's dismissal.

The Reds sit one place and two points adrift of a play-off spot with seven matches left to play and caretaker boss Gary Brazil will feel an opportunity remains to make it to the promised land of the Premier League. Whether they're ready for such an elevation on the field of play is debatable, but off the pitch it would certainly give the club's coffers a massive shot in the arm as debts continue to mount.

Whatever division in which Pearce eventually takes charge come this summer, it appears a huge challenge for 'Psycho' to bring back the good times to a city starved of top-flight football for 15 years. 

Memories of the awesome side which achieved successive European Cup victories in 1979 and 1980 loom large over every manager who takes on the unenviable task of bossing Forest and it'll be no different for Pearce, despite his 12 years sterling service as a player there. Could he be the one who finally bucks the trend and consigns the ghost of Brian Clough to the history books once and for all?

His record in club management hardly inspires confidence, with a two-year spell at Manchester City starting out impressively before quickly descending into a nightmare prior to his sacking. Pearce also had a short time filling in as Forest caretaker manager in 1997, but he chose to leave in order to continue his playing career with Newcastle United instead of taking on the role full-time.

However, it was while in charge of the England U21 team that he set about constructing a fine coaching reputation during six years leading the young Lions, with a zenith reached when taking the side all the way to the 2009 European Championship final. His success at that level also encouraged then national team head coach Fabio Capello to include Pearce in preparations for the senior squad. Finally, he was handed the unique chance to coach Team GB at the 2012 Olympics and also enjoyed one match as caretaker with the senior team during the interim period between an unsavoury crumbling of the largely troubled Capello reign and the signing of current incumbent Roy Hodgson.

Pearce has successfully shed the whole 'Psycho' image during his time in coaching, while putting himself in the frame for many sought-after roles thanks to his exploits within the England set-up. Additionally, he knows Nottingham Forest better than anyone and that inside knowledge, coupled with an abiding bond with supporters, will stand him in good stead once he officially arrives to begin the job of rebuilding the team from the ground up.

Huge stock is placed on the academy production line in the eyes of the 51-year-old Londoner and a significant aim of his will be to develop a clutch of top footballers who come through the system to then flourish in the first-team. Allied to that belief in youth, there'll be an urgent requirement to bolster the squad with more experienced stars no matter which league Forest feature in next season. The former left-back will need a separate plan for each eventuality, thus making it essential to instigate a double-pronged search for potential transfer targets that would suit either division.

Despite initially turning down the chance to take over at the City Ground with seven games to go, it proved too great a pull to ensconce himself back at his old stomping ground once the focus of talks shifted towards a summer start date. Pearce admitted he had too much on his plate currently, but the renegotiated offer sounded just right for a man who has never been one to shirk a challenge.

"By the time I've finished with management – and hopefully that will be a number of years yet – if ever I felt I had the opportunity to join this great club and turned it down, that I had never walked through those doors as manager, I don't think I would not be totally fulfilled," he proclaimed when introduced to the press.

"I am happy to lead that kind of challenge. I want to galvanise this club and drive it forwards."

If Pearce is afforded the time in which to realise his exalted ambitions for the future of the club, then fans of a true 'sleeping giant' of English football may well find it eminently possible to look ahead with a much brighter outlook after several years of torment.

Twitter: @davewh1980

United hit rock bottom

By David Lee Wheatley

Manchester United last night hit their lowest point yet throughout this tortuous campaign when suffering a 0-3 reverse against neighbours Manchester City, having come off worst in a one-sided contest at home to arch-rivals Liverpool just nine days prior.

United enjoyed a brief upturn in fortunes with two wins on the trot in between the two huge north-west derby matches, but it proved another false dawn for fed-up fans when an inspired City knocked three unanswered strikes past an exposed David De Gea. It looked like men against boys on the hallowed Old Trafford turf for most of the evening, with title favourites City seemingly under no pressure whatsoever.

The heat has been on manager David Moyes all season long and the temperature went up another notch after a defeat which leaves them completely out of the race for a top-four finish. Meanwhile, the stats at this stage of proceedings don't make enjoyable reading: highest number of defeats in a Premier League season; most home league losses in 12 years; only one win in 13 meetings with the top-nine teams; beaten home and away by both Manchester City and Liverpool in the same campaign for the first time; a massive 18 points off the top spot that they occupied at the end of last season.

Most observers expected a transitional phase to take place following Alex Ferguson's retirement after more than 26 years at the helm, but nobody foresaw this level of humiliation. Moyes held a good overall record with previous club Everton and was widely touted as the right man to take United forward; it just hasn't happened for him and the scrutiny continues to grow over the precarious nature of his position.

It appears there is no clear vision, preferred style of play or understanding among the players of what their individual roles actually are.

To compound matters, Moyes signed two-time Chelsea 'Player of the Year' Juan Mata for a whopping £37million in January, only to stick the Spaniard out on the right wing. Mata is a playmaker best-suited to a 'number 10' role just off a main striker, where he is free to roam and everything goes through him in the attacking third. However, he cuts an isolated figure out on the touchline and doesn't cope well with the defensive side of the game. Furthermore, talisman Wayne Rooney usually occupies the area of the field where Mata should be employed. He needs to avoid a scatter-gun approach to the recruitment of new players, so that he brings in the right men to take the club forward.

Moyes must impose his principles upon the team and the club as a whole, while weeding out the players that aren't up to the task. Though he admirably takes all responsibility for his side's lacklustre performances when speaking to the media, it is within the inner-sanctum of the club where ruthless action is required. It's all very well repeatedly telling the public that he is to blame, but where are the signs that his training ground message is getting through to the players under his leadership? They don't seem to be carrying out any particular instructions and many of them seem utterly lost.

Former boss Ferguson was an unbelievably hard act to follow and whoever got the nod to take over had to be prepared for teething problems, but even Moyes himself admits to being surprised by the difficulties he has encountered. The harsh truth is the Scot inherited a squad largely bereft of motivation, pace and invention, while some are over-the-hill and ready to be put out to pasture.

A major reconstruction project will be required in the summer and a distinct course set out by the manager as to how he wants the team to play under his guidance. So far, he looks out of his depth and is failing to adapt to the rigours of coaching one of the biggest clubs in the world. Moyes is in negative equity on the evidence of his efforts up to this point, while certain squad members have shown little to suggest that they have a future with the Red Devils.

There won't be any panicking at board level in reaction to this painful period in the club's history and therefore Moyes will be given more time. However, if he is heavily backed in the transfer market and still comes up short, patience will run out much quicker than he would like.

Significant improvement is imperative next season, otherwise Manchester United will be forced to abandon their long-held prerogative of backing their manager over the long-term through both good times and bad. Previous incumbent Ferguson was given plenty of opportunities to build a team in his own image - despite a series of poor campaigns - and he eventually put in place a winning culture which delivered unprecedented success.

In this age of quick-fix hiring and firing, it is unrealistic to suggest that Moyes will get the same level of understanding afforded to his predecessor. He will be allowed to put this season of abject failure behind him, but any replication will undoubtedly result in his swift removal from the Old Trafford hot-seat.

Twitter: @davewh1980

Negredo: A complete centre-forward

By David Lee Wheatley

Spanish striker Alvaro Negredo banged a memorable hat-trick past the hapless Hammers on Wednesday night giving further evidence of his emergence as one of the world's most complete strikers.

The 'Beast', as he is known, truly arrived on the scene at Almeria before moving to Sevilla and becoming a regular squad member for his national team. Linked with a move to England while featuring for Almeria, nobody took a punt at that time and Negredo went on to seal his reputation with 85 goals in 180 games for the side from Andalusia.

Manchester City, under new boss Manuel Pellegrini, felt compelled to make an offer of £20.4m to take the powerful forward to the Etihad during the summer gone by and Negredo has repaid the Chilean's faith with 18 strikes in all competitions so far this campaign.

Despite West Ham United's shortcomings, the three goals scored by Negredo in City's 6-0 Capital One Cup semi-final, 1st leg routing of Sam Alladyce's men showcased a talent that has the 28-year-old being touted as one of the Premier League's greatest centre-forwards.

Madrid-native Negredo has matured into a fine striker, while nurturing a great understanding with both Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero when paired with either of his fellow forwards. Defenders seem unable to handle the sheer determination displayed by the Spaniard when going for goal and it was a hopeless task for Roger Johnson and George McCartney on Wednesday in attempting to keep him quiet.

Negredo has everything: skill on the ball; fluid movement; supreme finishing; upper body strength; hold-up ability. 29 games into his Manchester City career and Negredo has already hit 18 goals - how many more will he plunder before the season is out?

Pellegrini has come to rely on the former Rayo Vallecano trainee and some observers would suggest Aguero and Dzeko are now vying for a place alongside 'The Beast', as opposed to the other way around.

City have gone unbeaten for 9 league matches - 8 of which were wins - while rapidly approaching leaders Arsenal like a juggernaut and now sit just a point behind the Gunners. Negredo could well be the ace in the pack in Pellegrini's quest to win the title at the first time of asking.

An away trip to 8th-placed Newcastle beckons tomorrow, as City look to make it ten league games without loss and who'd bet against them in current form? Expect man-of-the-moment Negredo to be at the very heart of the action, as the Spaniard bids to cement his own position as top dog at the club during their irresistible charge towards the Premier League summit.

Twitter: @davewh1980

Time to get tough on racism in football

By David Lee Wheatley

UEFA’s punishment of CSKA Moscow for the latest in a string of racism-related incidents inside various football stadia is far, far too lenient.

What do the ‘fans’ involved care if they must uproot themselves from their usual position to another part of the stadium in order to continue conducting their vitriolic abuse of opposing players from other ethnic groups and races?

The only way for the leaders of European and world football to make a clear stand against such hideous prejudice is to begin deducting points and even banning clubs from European competition altogether.

Actions such as those will send a strong message that such vile behaviour will not be tolerated and will truly strike at the very core of clubs and their followers. A lack of top-tier continental action would harm them from a financial point of view, as well as taking away the prestige which taking part in the Champions League and Europa League delivers. Only then will it prove the zero-tolerance policy that UEFA claim to have for this kind of situation actually exists, as partially (or fully) closing stadia does absolutely nothing at all to deter the morons who perpetrate these heinous crimes.

More drastic and assertive measures from the powers-that-be would also act as a kick up the backside for the clubs themselves, making it impossible for them to ignore what is going on in front of their very eyes. Piffling fines and stadium bans serve not as a deterrent, but more as a way of proving just how toothless the aforementioned organisations are.

Tough new regulations must be put in place swiftly and what a legacy it would be for either or both Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini if they were to spearhead a disciplinary revolution leading to the eradication of such abusive and unwanted behaviour in the seating decks of football grounds across the world.

As we currently stand, the degenerates causing all of the aggravation and trouble are simply laughing at the governing bodies at present and have been doing so for a very long period of time. They would be laughing on the other side of their faces if their beloved clubs were kicked out of European competition for such offences.

With the assistance and backing of lawmakers and the police forces that patrol matches, it’s now high-time FIFA and UEFA got a grip to help rid this disease from the sport we love as soon as possible.

Twitter: @davewh1980

Bayern look every bit the Champions of Europe

By David Lee Wheatley

Bavarians Bayern travelled to the Etihad today ready for a battle, but were greeted by a meek surrender from a Manchester City side that look a million miles behind the European champions in every single department.

City were out-passed, out-thought and out-classed on their home turf by illustrious visitors who played with such power, pace and poise that the hosts simply couldn't keep up. Pellegrini's men had absolutely no answer to Pep's boys, as Arjen Robben et al ran riot in this second game of the Champions League group stage.

There had been hope of a repeat performance of City's dominant 4-1 victory over local rivals Manchester United recently, but Bayern stamped their authority on the game early on with a 7th-minute strike from one half of that troublesome twosome on the flanks, Franck Ribery.

The home team huffed and puffed against supremely calm and collected opponents for the remainder of the half and 0-1 is how it remained by the halfway stage.

However, first Thomas Muller - playing in an unfamiliar 'false nine' role - hit home 11 minutes into the second period shortly before Man-of-the-Match Robben compounded City's misery with an easy third.

Alvaro Negredo handed the deflated English club a lifeline after 79 minutes with a fine turn and finish from the edge of the area, but it only provided a brief glimmer of light amid the gloom created by such a one-sided affair in favour of the impressive Germans.

Even the late sending-off involving Bayern centre-back Jerome Boateng with four minutes of normal time left on the clock, plus a subsequent whack of the bar from a David Silva free-kick, didn't detract from the overwhelming evidence on display tonight which suggests it'll be a mightily difficult task for any side to stop the 'Red Machine' from retaining their beloved trophy.

On this showing, Manchester City are no better placed to challenge for European honours than they were last season under deposed manager Roberto Mancini, while Bayern appear at least as strong as they were under Jupp Heynckes in winning an historic treble during a glittering campaign last time around.

Twitter: @davewh1980