Sven Makes A Good Point
With the unenviable home record City have this season, a point yesterday at Villa Park was a decent enough result.
It could have been better after Bianchi fired City into an early lead, but it could have been a whole lot worse if Villa had converted more of their many chances. On the balance of play, Villa dominated without being able to produce a killer finish.
City held firm and I guess rode their luck a little, but we'll take that - it is the season of goodwill after all! That said, most of the away fans would have headed back up the M6 with a bit of early Christmas cheer savouring a well earned point.
I couldn't quite work out some of the team changes though. Dropping both Garrido and Corluka to the bench seemed a bit strange; clearly they were both fit and both had decent enough performances in the Spurs game on Tuesday night. I wonder whether there was an element of Sven making a point after some sort of internal misdemeanor? All a bit strange if you ask me.
To be fair though, Ball came in and was probably man of the match. His block against Reo-Coker in the final moments denied Agbonlahor an easy tap in and meant City came away with a share of the spoils.
After slating Steve Bennett in my last report (available here), once again the referee (Lee Mason) in my opinion was far to keen to get his card out - 6 bookings was inappropriate for what was good match played in the right spirit. It just makes you wonder when common sense is going to prevail in football matches.... sadly, probably never is the answer to that one!
Merry Christmas to you all and thanks for reading this Blog!
Next game: Blackburn Rovers at CoMS on 27th December - k.o 7.45pm
Prediction: another bruising game - they always are against Rovers, but City to shade it with another trademark 1-0 home win
6 comments:
I was also surprised to see both full backs dropped, but there may be an element of resting some of the players in advance of the busy Xmas and New Year fixtures. It showed though that both Corluka and Gariddo can do a job in midfield as well as defence.
Not surprised to see the changes Sven made with such a busy period coming up. Some of the players are in need of a rest and cannot be expected to perform week in week out.
Good to see Onouha back in the team perhaps he is the one to select when, and if, Dunny gets his overdue rest.
The fullbacks were dropped after horrendous mistakes in the last two games. Garrido against Spurs when Lennon set up the goal and Corluka against Bolton. Both mistakes led to goals !!
As the last couple of games have Clearly shown, Dunnie needs a rest pretty soon. Ned could fill in on the right, while Charlie moves over or even slot straight in. Micheal Ball could even cover, although I would like to see him kept at left back with Garrido on the wing in front of him. The speedy Petrov should come off the bench and be used as an impact player when opposition legs are getting heavy, same with Etuhu on the right. Bianchi seems to thrive from crosses rather than balls played up from the back, and using orthodox wingers would maximise his game by playing to his strenths. I would also rest Elano until fully fit as yesterday was like playing with a man down(2 men down if you count the competely innefectual Vassel). Overall a point was good but why did we switch off after dominating the first 15-20 minutes? We seem to have lost that ability to zip the ball around to feet that was so pleasant to watch at the start of the season. Whatever passing drills were used then should be re-instituted in training now. OK. Its still a VAST improvement on what we had to endure over the past 3-4 seasons, but why not push on? We finally seem to have genuine cause for optomism, God bless Svengali, The good Dr. and a very Happy Crimbo to Blues everywhere.
Good shout Blackley Lad - hope Sven's reading this ;-)
cheers alphieblues for the elf yourself me and andy dible dancing i look great !!! (not)
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