January 2004
City 2 Leicester City 2 FA Cup R3
January 3rd att 30,617
With the EUFA and Carling cups a past memory, position 4 in the Premiership a lost dream, todays Cup game against Leicester City had that extra significance that demanded a greater attendance than the paltry thirty thousand that turned out on this depressing wet and cold January afternoon. I suppose we must be thankful it was a 3-0pm kick-off. City made just one change from the team that played so well in the first half against Liverpool. Tarnat missing out at the last minute through injury. It was surprising that Jihai Sun came in at left wing back , KK playing three at the back -Sommeil, Dunne and Distin. As a witness to both the City win against Leicester in the Final in 69 and Dickov's goal against Gillingham the presence of Dickov playing against City added spice to the occasion. I certainly doubted that City would repeat their 7-0 win over Swindon in 1953 (Johnny Hart scoring 4 ). One round three game I remember with some enjoyment was in Norwich in 1959 where I was stationed when the home side beat United sorry PLC 3-0.
At least we had a half decent referee - Graham Poll - in charge of this all premiership tie.
Robbie Fowler who looked far sharper against Liverpool once again gave the opposition some problems in the opening stages.
After just 4 minutes Leicester took a shock lead. A long clearance by Ian Walker down the Leicester right evaded Jihai Sun and Marcus Bent easily beat Distin to clip the ball to Dickov who flicked it past Seaman from an acute angle despite the close attention of Dunne. Poor defending indeed as it could have been prevented three times.
Paul Dickov talked his way into the referee's book as early as the 18th minute but as usual the Scotsman was giving his all against his old club.
City gave the Leicester defence plenty to think about but without Walker having a difficult save to make.
City had control for long periods and we felt the visitors defence could not hold out much longer
The reward came in the 27th minute when a cross from Anelka was cleared to Bosvelt - on his knees- who was brought down by McKinlay just inside the box. A well placed Poll gave a spot kick.
Up strode Anelka to take his 7th penalty kick of the season and he crashed it past Walker to even the scores.
Dickov continued to harass both City players and the referee so it was not surprising when he was substituted after 60 minutes by veteran Les Ferdinand for his own 'safety' to both cheers and boos.
Five minutes later and the visitors took the lead following an appalling mistake by Dunne. who completely misjudged a long booted clearance and he let in Marcus Bent to score from the edge of the area.
Once again victory had eluded City and as the crowd left the brightly lit City of Manchester Stadium on this cold wet winters evening they must have wondered when we would next get a win at home. The continued form of Fowler was a plus point but the imminent departure of Berkovic is sad. Remember his wonderful debut in the annihilation of Watford a few years ago. I really think KK should have a rethink. Are Boswelt or Sinclair or even Steve McManaman that much better on present form. Pride and stubbornness can in some circumstances be ideal attributes but not at the expense of Manchester City. Leicester City were not a good side but they worked hard and took advantage of City's errors as they hardly made Seaman make a save. I often felt City held onto the ball just a few seconds too long. When Anelka had the ball there were often three opponents shadowing him. That meant that colleagues were unmarked. So why does he not release the ball earlier. The wonderful football nouse that Benarbia and Berkovic had is missing at the moment. I know that Premier defences are stronger than in Division One but defence splitting passes will get you goals in any league.

The equaliser was not long in coming. After 69 minutes Robbie Fowler took a left footed corner from the right and a delicious header by Anelka gave the Frenchman his 14th goal of the season.

2-2 and City piled on the pressure to no avail. Leicester were going to hang on to the draw at all costs.

The 'Incredible Sulk' was congratulated by his team mates. Just when is Anelka going to appear to enjoy his football!
Here Sibierski who had come on for McManaman at half time narrowly misses as did Fowler in the dying seconds.
Team
Seaman 6: Sommeil 6 Dunne 6 Distin 6: Wright-Phillips 6 (Sinclair 6), Bosvelt 6 (Barton6), Reyna 7, McManaman 5 (Sibierski 6), Sun 6: Fowler 8, Anelka 7:
Back to City 2003-2004
City 1 Charlton Athletic 1
January 7th att 44,307
Many City supporters arrived late into the ground for this the 13th game without a win. The reason - massive queues to get in! Some had waited ten to fifteen minutes at some entrances while at others there were no queues. Perhaps the ground authorities should have a rethink and readjust the software to allow access at different levels using the new access cards.
Another problem that is occurring that might well cause concern are the gangs of youngsters who are climbing the 'access turrets' to get free access. Should one fall and sustain injury then who would be responsible? I was also told they were ordering snacks and then rushing off without paying.
I also wonder whether any of the directors have been round to the various walkways during half time and prior to the game.With the amount of smoking and lack of air clearance the atmosphere is not healthy and I firmly believe smoking should be banned in the stadium in ALL areas. While I am in a moaning mood can I complain about the high level of the PA system. If you lived next door you would be calling in the local environmental officer to deal with it. In conversation you have to shout to make yourself heard. Finally a word about the operator of the electronic information screen . This is supposed to communicate information - not to see how fast you can put the team or scores on! Now I have had a good moan what about the game. With the club slipping dangerously into relegation water and the manager unable to decide on his best formation let alone his choice of midfield Sibierski had his first start for a while and Sinclair was preferred to Wright-Phillips who had gone off the boil. Tarnat made a welcome return to left back and Jihai Sun was on the bench.
Charlton had not brought a large number of supporters so when the teams came out it was the lowest league attendance of the season.
City had the better of the early exchanges and Charlton did not look a top 6 side.
A great ball from Bosvelt found Anelka in space and only last ditch defending prevented an early goal for City
After 12 minutes or so Paolo Di Canio had a great chance to score but his shot went well wide from a good position in front of goal.
After 20 minutes Reyna who had started to limp a little was substituted by Barton. A great shame as Reyna had been one of City's consistent midfielders of late.
Six minutes before half time City took the lead. A mazy run by Anelka past three defenders ended with Fowler - scoring from close range. On the left he is just receiving the ball from the ricochet off a defender.
The 'Predator' strikes again.
His third in three games.
Seaman who had been kept quite busy for once made a good save here from Scott Parker just after the start of the second half.
Sibierski who was having a fair game put through Sinclair but his final shot went just wide of the far post - above
After 60min Charlton substituted Konchesky with the giant Carlton Cole - seen above jumping with Dunne.
Ten minutes later KK took off Fowler and brought on Macken - pity because Fowler was playing well
With less than ten minutes to go and City about to get their first win for ages Charlton won a penalty due to a hand ball by Barton. Looked a bit dubious to me and the City crowd and players were stunned
Seaman made a good save from the penalty taken by Di Canio but Paolo was quickest to the ball and slotted home the rebound with ease. What an anticlimax. Two points thrown away -again.

Team
Seaman 7: Sommeil 5, Dunne 7, Distin 7 Tarnat 6: Sinclair 5, Reyna 6 ( Barton 5 ), Sibierski 6 (Wright-Phillips 5), Bosvelt 6: Fowler 7 (Macken 6), Anelka 7:

City deserved all three points tonight and only missed chances when they had a good spell in the second half prevented it. On the whole Charlton did not look a side towards the top of the league. Again lack of concentration and focus at times has cost us dear. Anelka showed a bit more passion and Fowler again showed how he is getting near full fitness. Sinclair does not look the England player he once was and is only playing on past reputation not present form. I still think Berkovic is better than several of the present midfield given a chance.
There are odd things that annoy me. Why is Anelka taking corners ? Surely there must be someone else capable of accurately putting the ball in the middle with his right foot from the left wing corner. Shouldn't this be sorted in the dressing room before the game.
How Sommeil gets away with his histrionics is a mystery. Tonight after making a bad judgment call and losing the ball he went down as though shot and curled up like a child waiting for a Charlton player to put the ball out. Minutes after getting 'treatment' he was running as fast as ever. This is cheating pure and simple and the sooner this is stamped out of the game the better. By going down like this he is virtually out of the game and soon referees and opponents will catch onto the ruse and we give enough soft goals away without adding to the situation.
City 1 Blackburn 1
January 17th att 47,090
A week in the life of a City supporter must be like a lifetime to some people. The departure of Berkovic just before the Pompey game and his angry vitriolic outburst against Kevin Keegan after City's 4-2 defeat was followed by David Seaman's retirement and then the signing of David James from West Ham. I watched the replay against Leicester on TV and when they equalised I feared the worst but a brilliant goal by Annelka and a third by Macken, both in extra time raised the morale. So what were to expect today. Macken kept his place at the expense of the injured Fowler. So he has a chance to show what he can do.
David Seaman who finally decided to pack it all in and retire after his recent injury was welcomed back for a fond farewell by both teams and the crowd.
I personally thought he went a season too many but he was a useful stop-gap after Peter S also retired.
team
James 6: Sun 4, Dunne 6, Distin 6, Tarnat 6: Sinclair 4 (Tiatto 5), Bosvelt 7, Barton 5, Sibierski 7: Macken 5 ( Wright-Phillips 5) Anelka 7:
As I passed Phillips Park cemetery I wondered whether this game was going to be the death of City's Premiership hopes.
David James got a good reception when he came out for the warm-up
City made a good chance early on but Sinclair when well placed put the ball well wide.
A clash of heads between Sinclair and Douglas ended with the Blackburn players going off for a while.
Both players ended up swathed in bandages.
Ex -City favourite Garry Flitcroft (no.7) leaves two City players on the floor to get booked.
An early corner for City goes to waste- again.
It was almost half time before débutante James had to make a proper save when he took this high ball well under pressure.
As the sun set behind the stand the teams came back for the second half. Could it be any worse than the first!
Five minutes after the break Bosvelt was brought down at the edge of the box. Tarnat went to take the kick as usual but Anelka standing near took the kick himself curling round the wall to beat Brad Freidel. For once it was a well thought out free-kick and City were in front. A good duck by Bosvelt at the end of the wall.
A cross from Neill reached Flitcroft who beat James to equalise for the visitors. It looked like an error by Dunne .
Dunne's downward header from a corner is well blocked by Brad Frieidel easily the busier of the two keepers.
Sibierski's shot rebounds from the post with Friedel beaten.
Sinclair - just out of shot - put the ball wide.
City put pressure on the Rovers goal but to no avail. The lack of creativity is obvious.
The early pressure continued but the Blackburn defence held out and play became scrappy very quickly
Eleven league games without a win is a record City could do well without. Hovering just a few points above the relegation zone with games against Arsenal and Chelsea to come shortly, the future does not look bright for both manager and club. The attack is too predictable, shooting often abysmal. There are too many clangor in defence due to lack of experience, lack of concentration and sometimes just rank carelessness. Passing is not precise enough. Too many air balls - thumped up field without much hope of success. Players are slow to the ball not giving themselves time to control the ball in order to pass the ball accurately. The strikers are offside too often. I notice that they rarely look along the line to see where defenders are. Their eyes are glued on the ball alone. Peripheral vision is vital in football. So its Spurs in the cup next. At least Ardiles and Ricky Villa wont be playing but a certain chap called Brown may be.
On a positive note I believe the PA system was at a better level today and the Video screen information went up at a slower rate. Also I understand from colleagues there has been a slight change in the entrance system to get rid of the queues that caused problems at the last home game. Thank you .

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The City Experience and Museum

City 1 Spurs 1 FA Cup R4
January 25th att 28,840
This was City's 300th game in the FA Cup and as there have been some good ties against Spurs over the years it was disappointing to see such a poor crowd. Granted the game was on the box and as there was no announcement giving the official attendance I expect the club were perhaps too embarassed to give it out over the PA. I estimated it barely 30,000 with Spurs having a big contigent of 4000 noisy supporters which rather showed up the home support. City brought back Fowler and Reyna and the young Dane Ellegard continued in goal with new signing Arason was on the bench.
Turning out for Spurs and celebrating his birthday was ex-City player Michael Brown. It was a shame we ever let him go.
A great crossfield ball from Tarnat found Fowler who shot from the edge of the box and Keller had to save low down by the post.

 

 

After 11 minutes City took the lead. From the corner -awarded for the Keller save (above) Dunne headed to Distin on the edge of the box. he headed back in the danger area and Fowler hit the post - above -. The rebound dropped to Anelka who pushed it home to make it 1-0.

Anelka who had been booed by the Spurs supporters puts his finger to his lips as he runs towards the City supporters.
After half an hour Reyna put a great ball through to Fowler but his scuffed shot lacked pace and Keller was able to drop on it.
Reyna who had been booked for a tackle on Brown a few minutes earlier got clobbered by Darren 'sick note' Anderton who also got booked for his trouble.
After 36 minutes Spurs had their first shot on goal when Robbie Keane broke through but Ellegard made a good double save.
After 39 minutes Jihai Sun put a great through ball to Reyna but the resultant shot cum chip was woeful and went wide.
Just before half time a corner from the left was missed by Ellegard but he was fouled by Keane.
The dangerous Dalmat who came on for Anderson at half time immediately made an impact by crossing for Keane to test the City keeper once more
A good ball by Bosvelt put Anelka away and Keller had to come out his area to clear.
After 57 minutes Spurs equalised following a corner from the left. Elleagard was poorly positioned in the centre of his goal and Doherty coming in on the blind side lost his marker Anelka and scored easily. Shame as the young Dane had played really well.
A minute or so later Spurs got another corner and guess what Doherty got his head to the ball again . Thank goodness it went over. Where was the marking?
The City had a narrow escape when Postiga went close
A Brown free kick is saved by Ellegard. Spurs were now on top and had taken over the midfield.
Postiga misses from the edge of the goal box
After 80 minutes Macken missed a sitter when he beat the offside trap. He could have passed to Anelka who was unmarked. City's display in the first half was good but they went right off the boil in the second
Despite City's final onslaught on the Spurs goal it remained at 1-1 with a replay to come and oh by the way did anyone notice Berkovic had a hand in both Pompeys goals in the cup!
Team
Ellegard 7: Sun 7, Dunne 7, Distin 7, Tarnat 7: Sinclair 7, Reyna 7, Bosvelt 6, Sibierski 6 (Wright-Phillips 6) : Fowler 6 (Macken 6), Anelka 7: