Andy Gray column: I loved Joe Hart’s reaction after Manchester City loss
Joe Hart was publicly rebuked by Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini for criticising the team after they threw away a 2-1 lead
against Real Madrid on Tuesday – but in my book there was absolutely nothing wrong with the goalkeeper’s reaction.
I loved it, in fact – I don’t think any less of him at all. He wasn’t blaming an individual or a particular unit of the team, he was blaming everybody, the collective, the ‘we’.
And he is absolutely right. If City want to win the Champions League or even come close to winning it then they have to learn, even in places like the Bernabéu, that when you are a goal up with five minutes to go you can’t lose the game.
I wouldn’t have had a problem with Joe voicing his disappointment. Mancini obviously did but I think it shows that it matters to Joe and that it hurts, and that’s what you want to see from your players.
In Mancini’s eyes, he wasn’t wrong to respond to Joe and say it was not his job to criticise the team, but sometimes foreign managers differ from British ones.
I don’t think Sir Alex Ferguson would have thought anything of Paul Scholes coming out and saying Manchester United weren’t good enough in their Champions League opener against Galatasaray on Wednesday, and that they needed to do better.
Far from it – Sir Alex even used to praise Roy Keane when he was his skipper for saying things about the team when they hadn’t been up to scratch.
City might have lost against Madrid but I don’t think it’s a bad start for them at all. I was at the game and they were 2-1 up with nine minutes to go which is no mean feat.
They lost a game everyone expected them to lose but they gave one of the favourites in this competition the biggest fright they have had for quite some time, on their home ground too, so there are a lot of positives they can take from it.
City will get better as the group stage goes on and they will be fine as long as they win their home games and pick up a point or two away, which I think they can at Dortmund and Ajax on the evidence of what I saw.
The end result was a disappointment but there is no need to be disheartened.
Matija Nastasic is ready now, insists Manchester City coach David Platt
Matija Nastasic is set to grasp his chance and become Vincent Kompany’s number one partner at the heart of City’s defence.
The 19-year-old Serb was a shock choice by manager Roberto Mancini as the Blues faced Real Madrid in their Champions League opener on Tuesday night.
Most onlookers saw it as a gamble for a relatively untested teenager to be pitched in to such a high-profile game on his debut.
Nastasic, a deadline day signing from Fiorentina which saw £12m and Stefan Savic go the other way, had been labelled as one for the future.
But he produced a mature performance and served notice he was a cut above Savic, who flopped for City when given his chance last season.
The decision to promote Nastasic left Joleon Lescott – first choice for most of last season – on the bench.
And City coach David Platt refuted the suggestion that the team selection had been bold.
“People said to me before the game it was a brave decision by the manager to pick him, but I don’t think it was brave – he just has belief in him,” said Platt.
Platt is busy analysing the lessons of the defeat at Madrid, and his first conclusion is that the Blues need to be more courageous in sticking to their principles.
He also felt City need to learn to cope better in big Champions League games, where they will be chasing possession, rather than dominating it as they do in domestic league games.
“We were a bit under the cosh in the first half in Madrid but we have to learn from things like that,” he said. “We can’t dominate football matches week in, week out.
“We knew we wouldn’t dominate at Madrid. We had a decent shape about us and constricted them to long shots – they got in two or three times in the first half, coming inside, which we should have stopped.
“Then we were forced into a change of shape through Samir Nasri’s injury, but as the game wore on we got more of a foothold. Having said that, we risked a lot. To score two goals at the Bernabeu means you are disappointed not to go home with something.
“We were too deep. When we went 1-0 up and 2-1 up you have to be brave to stay high, to defend high. We didn’t, and perhaps got too deep.
“When you are playing the likes of Real Madrid, or even going to somewhere like Dortmund in the Champions League, you won’t have 60 per cent of the possession like we do in many of our league games.
“We have to stay resolute and brave, defend high, understand that the first 20 minutes or half an hour might be difficult, and stay in the game as we did on
Tuesday night.”
Many City fans were happy enough after the match, feeling that pushing one of the best teams on the planet so close on their own turf was just another step in the right direction.
But Platt, Mancini and the players saw it very differently. Said the coach: “We are a team where results matter, not someone who is building.
“We go into every football match wanting to get something out of it.
“To start talking about it being morale-boosting because we scored two goals at the Bernabeu means very little because we have taken no points. And it’s about the manner in which we got no points.”
Dietmar Hamann has high hopes for Manchester City
Former Manchester City midfielder, Dietmar Hamann, gives his assessment of City's last-minute defeat to Real Madrid and their chances of winning silverware, this season.
VIDEO: http://www.espn.co.uk/espn/sport/video_ ... =1;sport=3
Vieira dismisses Dzeko rumours
City chief rubbishes Juve link
Manchester City's Patrick Vieira has rubbished suggestions that Edin Dzeko could be sold by the club any time soon.
The Bosnian was strongly linked with a move away from the club over the summer, and most recently Juventus were linked with a January move.
But Vieira, City's football development executive, has insisted that Juve would be wasting their time even showing an interest in Dzeko - who scored during City's midweek 3-2 Champions League loss to Real Madrid.
"Dzeko to Juve? For us he is a key player," he told Tuttojuve.com.
"Did you see that goal he scored against Real Madrid? I'm sorry for the Bianconeri fans, but the extraordinary strikers do not move from Manchester."
Gareth Barry targets Man City turnaround at 'massive' Arsenal clash
Gareth Barry has urged Manchester City to rediscover the form that made them champions at Sunday's clash with Arsenal.
City have won just two of their five competitive games, coming from behind to beat promoted Southampton on the opening weekend and then seeing off QPR 3-1.
They also had to come from behind to snatch draws at Liverpool and Stoke, while on Tuesday they conspired to concede twice in the final three minutes to lose against Real Madrid in the Bernabeu when victory was in sight.
So far, the damage has not been too bad. City are just two points adrift of Premier League pacesetters Chelsea, while losing to away from home to Real will not, in itself, hamper progress to the knockout stage.
However, with in-form Arsenal due to visit the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, Barry realises now would be a good time to hit top form again.
"It has not been an ideal start to the season," the England midfielder said.
"We finished last season with a great defensive record.
"This time we are scoring a lot of goals but conceding at the same time. I am sure as the season goes on it is something we can work on."
City have won four of their last five home games against the Gunners.
Their only recent setback came in 2010, when Dedryck Boyata was sent off just five minutes into a 3-0 defeat.
However, despite the loss of Robin van Persie and Alex Song during the summer, Arsene Wenger's side have emerged a far more well rounded outfit than they have been for some time.
They head north fresh from a six-goal spanking of Southampton and also with a Champions League away win under their belts, neither of which City can claim.
In addition, reports have emerged of another spat between Mario Balotelli and manager Roberto Mancini, bringing even more focus to an important weekend.
"We have started pretty steadily in the league, undefeated," Barry said.
"But this game against Arsenal is massive.
"They are a great side and we have got to try to continue our fine home form."
Wenger expects Man City to rally after Real Madrid loss
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger thinks Manchester City will change their approach after their 3-2 Champions League defeat to Real Madrid when they face the Gunners on Sunday.
Roberto Mancini’s side were 2-1 up with five minutes remaining but conceded twice at the death as Real Madrid secured an unlikely win.
Wenger admits he was surprised by City’s collapse but expects a very difficult game at the Etihad Stadium.
“I was surprised by what happened because I heard they were 2-1 up and suddenly they lost 3-2,” he told Arsenal’s official website.
“In the Champions League the last five minutes are very important.
“For the rest [of the match] they played a game that was based on defending well and counter-attacking, so it could be a little bit different when they play against us, tactically.”
The Arsenal boss says confidence is high in the Gunners’ camp and has urged his side to show what they can do.
“We know it’s a big test. We go there in a very good, positive mind.
“We have a good opportunity to show how good we are and how strong we are. So let’s take it.”
On this day bollox
Looking back through the history books for the events, signings and memorable matches that happened on this day in City’s history.
Saturday 21st Saturday 2008
Five years after first moving into the City of Manchester Stadium, the ground witnesses the highest scoring Premier League win to date as the Blues thrash FA Cup holders Portsmouth 6-0.
£19m striker Jo and club captain Richard Dunne give their side a comfortable two goal lead at half-time, but there is much more to come from City during the second period.
Robinho adds a third, and when Shaun Wright Phillips notches in another, a euphoric home crowd begin chanting for a fifth. They are duly rewarded when Ched Evans taps home from close range and as Gelson Fernandes completes the rout with seven minutes left on the clock.
It remains a Premier league record score at the CoMS.
Tuesday 21st September 2004
Kevin Keegan’s City dismantle Barnsley in the Carling Cup, posting a record score for the City of Manchester Stadium in a 7-1 win. The Blues lead 5-0 by half-time with goals from Joey Barton, Jon Macken (2), Shaun wright-Phillips and Willo Flood. Antoine Sibierski adds a couple more after the break, much to the delight of the near 20,000 crowd.
Saturday 21st September 1957
City ditch ‘The Marsden Plan’ after a experimenting with Keith Marsden in the role perfected by Don Revie a few years earlier.
Marsden, a half-back, was used in an unusual position in defence not dissimilar to a sweeper role and though City win the first two games playing with the new plan, a 6-1 defeat at Preston and a 9-2 thrashing at West Brom convinces manager Les McDowall to ditch the idea – and poor Marsden who never plays for the Blues again!
Cunty Bollox
[spoiler]By a Sportsfail "Reporter"
Quit the partying and fags... or your future at City is up in smoke, Mancini warns Balotelli
Mario Balotelli has had another bust-up with boss Roberto Mancini over his lifestyle.
The Manchester City striker was left out of the squad for Tuesday's Champions League defeat at Real Madrid.
Mancini is fed up with Balotelli's wild ways - including his smoking habit - and is fast losing patience with the maverick Italian.
Balotelli partied until the early hours after Saturday's 1-1 draw at Stoke. He was pictured with boxer Amir Khan on a night out at Circle Club in Manchester.
Mancini was angry as he wanted Balotelli to rest after the Stoke match ahead of their opening European match against the Spanish giants.
As a punishment, Balotelli was forced to travel to the Bernabeu despite being told he wouldn't play a part before stepping on the plane.
Another growing concern for Mancini is Balotelli's smoking habit - infuriating for a club that pay him over £100,000 per week.
Although it is not known just how much Balotelli smokes, he has regularly been pictured puffing on a cigarette away from his job.
Mancini has been left frustrated at Balotelli's refusal to have counselling sessions or hypnosis to help kick the habit.
A source told the Daily Star: 'Mario Balotelli is in the bad books on two fronts – a very late night out after the Stoke game and his refusal to stop smoking. He and Mancini had words on Monday afternoon and it led to him being dropped from the squad.'
Despite Balotelli's long list of mistakes, Mancini has kept faith with a player he regards as one of the world's best.
Since arriving from Inter Milan in a £24million deal in 2010, Balotelli has regularly caught the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
As well as being a regular on the Manchester party scene, he also caused a fire at his house after friends let off fireworks in a bathroom.
It now appears that Mancini is slowly coming to the conclusion that he may be better off without Balotelli.[/spoiler]
Italy centre-back Angelo Ogbonna, 24, interests Sir Alex Ferguson, but Torino have told Manchester United any offer of less than £16m will be rejected. The Sun
Manchester United are targeting Valencia's Algerian midfielder Sofiane Feghouli, 22, as they seek a long-term replacement for veteran Paul Scholes. Metro
Zaha was voted the Football League's Young Player of the Year last season
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez still wants Crystal Palace's England Under-21 winger Wilfried Zaha, 19, but is put off by the £6m asking price. Daily Mirror
Martinez is also considering a move for Honduran midfielder Roger Espinoza , 25, who will be available on a free transfer from Sporting Kansas when the MLS season finishes next month. Daily Star
Liverpool are targeting Spanish midfielder Isco, 20, from Malaga, and Ander Herrera, 23, from Athletic Bilbao as possible long-term replacements for captain Steven Gerrard. Metro
Roma have not given up hope of signing Newcastle's Italian full-back Davide Santon, 21, and may make a move in January. talkShit
Fulham manager Martin Jol has revealed he might be forced to sign a replacement for Mahamadou Diarra, 31, who could have cruciate ligament damage. Daily Star
Newcastle are refusing to give in to the wage demands of Senegal forward Demba Ba, after talks with the 27-year-old broke down. Newcastle Chronicle
Bolton manager Owen Coyle says he could make a move for Aston Villa full-back Stephen Warnock, 30, who has been frozen out by new Villa boss Paul Lambert. Bolton Evening News
Michael Laudrup hopes rumours linking goalkeeper Michel Vorm, 28, with a move away from Swansea City will stop when the goalkeeper signs a new contract. South Wales Evening Post
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich demanded answers from players and coaching staff at the club's training ground the day after they blew a two-goal lead against Juventus in the Champions League. Various
Chelsea's 28-year-old defender Branislav Ivanovic says the Blues are playing a much more exciting style than they did for much of last season under former boss Andre Villas-Boas. The Sun
Nemanja Vidic has called on Manchester United supporters to set an example at Anfield on Sunday by being on their best behaviour and paying respect to the 96 Liverpool supporters who lost their lives at Hillsborough 23 years ago. The Guardian
Former Manchester United defender Henning Berg says Old Trafford strikers are wasting the chances created by Japan midfielder Shinji Kagawa, 23. talkShit
Andy Carroll is expected to be fit for England next month, but West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has pleaded with Roy Hodgson to be careful with the on-loan 23-year-old striker. Various
West Ham legend Sir Geoff Hurst says leaving Upton Park will be tough but the fans should be excited about a move to the Olympic Stadium. Evening Standard
Manager Paul Lambert has inspired a turnaround in Aston Villa's form by making his players sit through replays of their mistakes according to full-back Matthew Lowton. Birmingham Post
Germany striker Lukas Podolski, 27, wants to get an Arsenal tattoo on his left arm to go with the one of Cologne he already has on his right, after just five games with the club. Daily Mirror
AFC Wimbledon have advertised their vacant manager's post on their official club website following the sacking of Terry Brown. The Independent
More bollox later ...
