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

Former City Boss Passes Away

Sad news today of the unexpected and untimely death of England World Cup hero and former City boss Alan Ball.

It came as quite a shock that Alan died at the young age of just 61 from a suspected heart attack. There are reports that he collapsed in his garden whilst trying to put out a bonfire.

Alan will forever be remembered for his outstanding performance in the 1966 World Cup Final victory over the Germans; an incredible display given that he was at 21, the youngster in that legendary side.

As a player, Ball was arguable ahead of his time, playing with unbelieveable drive and energy compared with most of his fellow players of the same era. Undoubtedly, Alan's best years were at Everton and Arsenal where he assumed legendary status as a player.

Unfortunately, Alan, like so may other top players was unable to emulate his on-field successes as a manager and in a dismal spell as City boss in the mid 90s which saw City relegated and winning less than 25% of the League games.

Nevertheless, we have lost a footballing hero who will be remembered as one of the 20th centuries great England players and one of only a few that have won the highest honour in the game.