Positive defeat

Sorry it's been a while since my last post, things just get on top of you! I've just got back from the derby, a 3-2 defeat at home to United. At first look a dreadful defeat. Taking into account that we had ten men for the 80 minutes of the match makes it somewhat bearable, but I still can't comprehend that I'm sitting here on the eve of my mocks starting, having lost to 'them,' and I'm not too upset.

We started well, for the first ten minutes we were on top and Rooney's header (a top goal by the way) was totally against the run of play, probably the first voyage into our half by our not-so-noisy neighbours. The atmosphere flattened somewhat before a brilliant challenge by Kompany on Nani, at least, that's what we thought. When the free-kick was given there was a feeling of disappointment and surprise around the Etihad, but when Chris Foy produced a red card we were flabbergastered. Ten men, 1-0 down, still with some hope. Danny Welbeck got a second for United not long after, before Rooney scored at the second time of asking after Pantillimon saved his penalty at first. Half time, 0-3. Oh dear. The mood in the concourse was somewhat flat, even the away end seemed quite quiet. I'd say they were in a state of shock just like us. Perhaps the 6-1 demolition wouldn't be the biggest derby shock of the season.

The second half begun, I was just hoping to shut them out in the second half, and make sure we weren't getting battered. The United fans weren't getting to me, even if we had moved to block 123. Their 'Poznan' was impressive, but then again every away fan seems to do it to us now. Kolarov scored a brilliant free-kick before Aguero got another back. 2-3, half an hour to go. The game began to fizzle out, and despite City's pressure in the last 10 minutes or so United held on. Out of the cup, home loss to United, conceded 3, and I walked out of the ground not bothered. I was proud, the way that Aguero played on his own against the United backline. The way that Savic battled on with blood covering his face, the fact Richards ran himself into the ground and the fact even Kolarov seemed to have a good game on the left hand side. Of course, I was only proud of the second half performance, but it is a performance to give us real confidence.

United shipped 5 goals whilst down to ten men, and got one back in Ocotber. We conceded 2 and scored 2. Those stats alone say a lot, but watching the game back and seeing the grit and determination on those players' faces is a great feeling. Forget the referee and the result, the one thing questioned about City is their ability to fight back, to battle to a result and to regroup . We did that and more in the final 45 minutes today, and I hope and feel that this alone will give us a boost after a poor spell and propel us onto a good run of form, hopefully towards taking the title from United, and getting to Wembley in the Carling Cup.

Liverpool up next, I won't be going to the home leg but hope to be at Anfield. Once again sorry for the delay, but I will be writing as soon as I can, possibly with a post this weekend about the Liverpool game and a short opinion of the atmosphere at the Etihad. It was superb today at any rate.

Cameron

A good start, a poor end.

Hi, first up welcome to my new blog. The title says it all really; I'm a 15 year old blue (the Manchester City shade,) from Huddersfield. I've got a season ticket in block 137, and attend some away games. Not sure how many people will actually be reading this but I hope it will be something that I enjoy at least!

So the first talking point of this week was the aftermath of a home win against Newcastle, making us the only unbeaten side in the Premiership. I thought we were deserved winners, the game was quite comfortable really I was glad to see Richards do well and he surely now must be called up to the England squad? A 3-1 was routine, and I'm sorry to not be writing too much about it but I'd really like to concentrate on the Napoli match on Tuesday.

Disappointed. That's the one word that springs immediately to mind. We're not technically out of Europe, but Bayern Munich will be a tough task, and even then I can't really see Napoli slipping up at Villarreal. As the league table stands, we are one point behind Napoli with a game to go, but due to head-to-head record being a decisive factor it realistically is a two point deficit. How do we go through? We win, Napoli don't. A possibility but unlikely.

The match itself was average, a few bright spells but average on the most part. I thought Napoli were the better side, particularly in the first 30 minutes. Cavani netted the opener after ANOTHER set-piece goal conceded, déjà vu from Munich. Near post and all in all, quite a blow. We pulled one back before half-time, Balotelli tapping in from a low Kolarov cross. Second half they came out of the traps much quicker than us and Cavani got another just after the restart, and a dull half an hour followed until city piled on the pressure for the last ten minutes to no avail. Final score (as I'm sure you're all aware,) 2-1.

Obviously I was disappointed but it’s not the end of the world, we're still unbeaten in the league. The main question that I think will be asked as a direct result of this performance is what is happening to us in the Champions League? Two poor results against Napoli and an all-round embarrassment away at Bayern Munich. Villarreal away was good, but we were lucky to snatch a late winner at home. So why? Away from home in the Premiership we've been scintillating, 6-1, 5-1, and 4-0. Why not in Europe? I don't believe it is the standard of opposition. White Hart Lane and Old Trafford are much harder places to go than Naples, and yet we scored 11 against 'Them' and Spurs, yet 1 against Napoli.

Many people will be quick to jump on Kolarov's back, but I think we should stop for a minute. Yes I thought he was poor defensively and people will be quick to mention a few slips that almost led to goals, but it was his cross that led to Balotelli's tap in, and on that left hand side he seemed to provide the only width. It was Kolarov's free kick that earned us a draw at home to Napoli, and I was also impressed with him against Villarreal at home.

I think Mancini did the right thing in making offensive changes towards the end, with De Jong making way along with Dzeko, and Nasri and Aguero replacing them. Throughout the match De Jong covered Kolarov as he went forward and I feel we were getting caught out by that, I was surprised Mancini didn't bring on Savic to plug that gap, but part of me is glad he didn't. Mancini certainly has a much more attacking mentality this season.

I wouldn't be surprised if we end up in the Europa league this season, but I think it is vital we push on and try to win it, even if it is just for the Uefa Coefficient. A good run in any European competition would see a dramatic rise in coefficient, something which could propel us into a higher pot for the draw, being seeded where Villarreal were this year.

With City now certain to be in 3 competitions until the New Year, and a fourth if we win at the Emirates in the League Cup, we certainly are challenging on all fronts. I believe we have the squad to manage it, and a manager who knows exactly what he wants. Anfield on Sunday will be a tough test but I have faith in Mancini and City. I'm going for a 2-0 win, a nice clean sheet for Joe Hart who has been magnificent all season. Forza Mancini, Forza City!

Thanks for reading,

Cameron.