Bitter and Blue

Toure on Toure

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Pugsley) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:36:00 +0000

Some interesting comments, albeit not from the rumoured target himself:

Asked if he would like to see City buy his brother, Kolo said: "I hope so. He is a good player, and if he could come to our team that would be great."

And he feels Yaya would jump at the chance to come to England: "He has had a few hard times in Barcelona. He doesn't play a lot, and he loves football and loves to play.

"If he can come, especially to a club in England, he would be really happy because the Premier League is a fantastic place to play football."

Signing any player is difficult enough in the January window, even moreso when it is a player from a team aiming for league and European success so this may be nothing more than (Kolo) Toure responding to a loaded question, as opposed to a story with any great substance.

What it could do however is perhaps show just how interested Barcelona are in Robinho should we ask for Yaya Toure (plus cash) in return.

Onouha on the way back

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Pugsley) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:31:00 +0000

Some good news, and a timely reminder for those currently in possession of the starting positions of the quality we do possess in the defensive area:

Nedum Onuoha will begin his comeback from injury in earnest in Abu Dhabi on Thursday night.

The former England under 21 captain, who has been missing from the squad since the 4-2 win over Arsenal in September, had a gentle run out with the reserves in a friendly at the weekend and is ready to step up is bid to return to first team action.

What to do with Joleon Lescott?

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Pugsley) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 12:31:00 +0000

When Stuart Atwell pointed to the spot after he was adjudged to have handled in the box, Joleon Lescott's face said plenty. Lescott wore the expression of a player both low on confidence and struggling for form.

After small steps forward in the goalless draw at Birmingham, it was very much a case of a step backward in yesterdays 3-3 draw against Burnley, a frustrating fifth draw in succession. All three goals were as a result of poor defending on our part, with Lescott very much at the heart (and hand) of all three - although he was not helped by Wayne Bridge (something that was well scrutinised on MOTD) throughout.

Hughes has been very careful not to criticise Lescott (or the defence as a whole) so far, trotting out the 'collective responsibility' line:

"Defending is a collective duty. We have to stop things at source before they develop. Maybe we have to work exceptionally hard to stop balls coming in to their front men. That's a part of our game we are not doing very well at. It's about working hard and making sure we improve."

Although his City career is very much in its infancy, with Lescott playing only 9 (league) games since his big money, protracted move, the statistics are not favourable. Since his arrival, we have shipped 14 goals, with two clean sheets in two games prior to him signing.

Defensive partnerships though do take time to develop and there have been formative signs that a Toure-Lescott one can be a fruitful one, but not only does it seem to be a confidence issue (which is understandable) but more worryingly, a technical one too. His positional play has at times been questionable, with goals - even prior to yesterday - coming from errors that can be attributed directly to Lescott's positioning.

It is a difficult decision for Hughes. Not only did he pay such a high fee for Lescott, but jettisoned Richard Dunne in the process - a huge decision on his part so naturally he will be reluctant to cast Lescott aside so soon, given the best way to usually fix defensive problems is through playing time to help develop a partnership.

But what the riches ADUG have brought has done is allow Hughes to increase quality competition in the squad, where names and ego hold no water and the likes of Petrov, Robinho and de Jong have all spent time on the sidelines. In recent games, Vincent Kompany has stepped in and looked very assured (alongside Lescott it has to be said) so Hughes has options and can only go so long justifying not making a change.

The dropped points in recent week have not caused terminal damage to our hopes, but there is no doubt we have let a big opportunity this past month slip by, and there is an urgency in that the recent slide has to be arrested.

What has been shown so far in his time at the helm is that Hughes hasn't been afraid to make tough decisions so far during his time in charge.

The issue of Joleon Lescott is fast shaping up to be his next one.

Hughes on the Burnley point

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Pugsley) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:40:00 +0000

Some common themes developing in the post-match interview - concentration and the lack of ability to close games out in particular:

"First half we never really imposed ourselves as I know we can and conceded two poor goals. But then we picked ourselves up and showed some of the qualities I expected from the start.
"For the vast majority of the second half I thought we were excellent. It was a huge effort on our part, but then we shot ourselves in the foot again and switched off.

"At the moment we are struggling to to take the sting out of things. You have to give the opposition no encouragement - you have to see them off, discourage them. You have to make them think there is nothing for them.
"Defending is a collective duty. We have to stop things at source before they develop. Maybe we have to work exceptionally hard to stop balls coming in to their front men. That's a part of our game we are not doing very well at."

City 3 Burnley 3

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Pugsley) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:33:00 +0000

I've been away for the most part today so haven't had chance to see any of the game as yet, so for those of you who were there please feel free to leave any comments or thoughts.

A disappointing result of course though, particularly as fixtures such as this should really be a given. Credit can be given to the side for the manner in which they came back, but serious questions have to be asked as to how we found ourselves 2-0 down in the first place and then having got the lead, let it slip so late in the game.

Joleon Lescott seems to be taking plenty of heat so far anyway.

Norfstander vox pops

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Pugsley) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:28:00 +0000

The latest installment is over at Norfstander. Well worth a look.

Burnley matchday thread

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Pugsley) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:00:00 +0000

Comment away.....

Burnley preview

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Pugsley) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:37:00 +0000

Expectation, expectation, expectation.

With a sense of frustration following four games on the spin, the unanimous feeling around the blogs and forums this week is that tomorrow's game takes on an extra significance. Back at home (easy to forget three of the four draws were on the road) and against a side who have badly struggled on their travels so far suggests three points is a given.

Burnley have impressed so far this season, proving that endeavour and belief can stand promoted sides in good stead as opposed to apprehension and an attempt to merely grinding out points. Sure this is likely to lead to more defeats but picks you up the wins that can be the difference between staying up and relegation. The current table is evidence of this, showing that they have yet to draw but have as many wins as ourselves so far.

Of course, these wins have come at Turf Moor and they their record away from home reads P5 W0 D0 L5 F2 A17 Pts0. Little wonder we are such heavy favourites.

Recent absentees Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor are set to return to the side, but key on everyone's lips this week has been the name of Stephen Ireland with the view that we have been lacking a little craft and guile of late. My hope is that the 4-4-2 is abandoned, and the understable caution shown away from home gives way to a more attacking outlook. My changes to the side would be Adebayor to replace Santa Cruz and Ireland to come in for Wright-Phillips with a switch to a 4-3-3 line-up. This leaves the one change at the back with Toure's return, and despite Kompany impressing the past couple of games he will be the one to make way.

Being such heavy favourites can bring an added pressure in itself of course, but this is a pressure that comes with the territory. Our form at home really does have to be the platform we build our season upon, and after the recent draws we round the month out with tomorrow's game, followed by a trip to Liverpool and then a home game against Hull.

Seven points from these three will put us on 26 points through the first 13 games (a third of the way through the season). A good platform indeed and should see us continue our position in the top four heading into December.

Prediction: 3-1.

Johnson continues his return

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Pugsley) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:57:00 +0000

"On the other side of things, Michael Johnson has had a massive absence from injury for a long, long time, so being in the squad will be a big lift for him."
Johnson's call-up comes after the 21-year-old recovered from a long-term abdominal problem that limited him to eight City appearances last season. He could make his third appearance for the U-21s, 15 months after his last cap.

>>guardian.co.uk

Toure - 'Time to impose'

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Pugsley) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:28:00 +0000

After a run of draws, we see the first rallying call from our new skipper, Kolo Toure:

"We need to impose ourselves as we have some gifted players in this dressing room," he told the club's website. "We can enjoy our football by passing it and controlling games. That's what we need to achieve now. The team needs time but as time goes by we need to improve.

"City is not the team it was before, a lot of things have changed and our mentality has to change as well. We cannot be happy with a draw or drawing four games in a row. Chelsea, Arsenal or Liverpool would never be happy with that, which is why they have been at the top, so neither can we."

He is right of course. Our form at home is going to be the key driver for our ambition at a shot at the top four. Whilst 'must win' is a phrase thrown around far too easily, Saturday's game at home to Burnley is one we need to be winning on a consistent basis this season.

Talk is one thing of course, but the squad has an air of determination about it and I maintain we will return to winning ways this weekend.

I'm not sure this is genuine

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Pugsley) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:32:00 +0000

A nice sideline perhaps given the win bonuses have dried up?

Ireland's scare

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Pugsley) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:45:00 +0000

Stephen Ireland has spoken about the recent incident where he was taken to hospital following the Fulham win:

"Thankfully it wasn't too serious because at the time I thought that was the end of me but I don't even know what it was. I've had every test that there is and still don't know what it was.

"It took me a while to get right but I'm back on track. Everything is looking positive."

Following his return to fitness he has yet to force his way back into the starting line up, but following a fourth successive draw at the weekend, there has been plenty of talk on the blogs about the need to alter the formation that has been used in recent games.

Admittedly three of the four draws have come away from home, but there is a feeling that we have lacked creativity and guile, missing the spark that can turn a point into a victory. The natural answer to this of course is Ireland, so successful during 2008/09 but yet to truly get going this season - first playing in a more withdrawn role before spending recent games on the sidelines.

There is a nice discussion in the comments section of this post over at TLDORC where much of the talk has centred over the role of Nigel de Jong and whether his inclusion is inhibiting our attacking options.

For what it's worth I don't the issue is playing a midfielder whose primary purpose is to stall the opposition, but switching from the 4-3-3 seen earlier in the season. I can see why Hughes made the switch with a series of away games, but looking ahead to Saturday weare at home to Burnley - who have a miserable away record this season - so my guess is he goes with a more attacking look to the side.

Rather than exclude de Jong though, I think Shaun Wright-Phillips makes away. With both Barry and de Jong in the centre, this would allow Ireland at the head of the midfield trident. Not quite a fantasista but more forward than so far this season to supplement the front three (likely Bellamy, Adebayor and Tevez).

Back at home, and in a more comfortable formation, this should see us return to winning ways.

November Wikio rankings

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Pugsley) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:13:00 +0000

The latest Wikio sprots rankings are shortly to be published and guys over at Wikio have been kind enough to send on an advance preview at the new top twenty:

1	Arseblog (=)
2	Gunnerblog (=)
3	BBC Sport - Football blog (=)
4	Off The Post (+1)
5	West Ham Till I Die (-1)
6	Line and Length - Times Online WBLG (+7)
7	SoccerLens (+2)
8	BBC Sport - Phil McNulty blog (-2)
9	Bitter and Blue (+5)
10	BlogF1 (-2)
11	F1 Minute (=)
12	F1 Fanatic (-5)
13	Goodplaya (-3)
14	King Cricket (+10)
15	The Corridor (a cricket blog) (+19)
16	East Lower (+2)
17	Football Banter (-5)
18	Formula One Blog - Times Online WBLG (-3)
19	Lord of the Wing (+10)
20	Twohundredpercent (-4)

Ranking by Wikio

The first ten games

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Pugsley) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:21:00 +0000

Given the talk of how we have cooled off in recent weeks after such a torrid start to the season, I thought it worth taking a look at just how our start this season - still considered to be exceeding pre-season expectation - compared with those in previous years.

With assistance from mcfcstats.com, the following is a breakdown of our opening ten games since we arrived back in the Premier League in 2002/03:

Season	Won	Drawn	Lost	Pts
2009/10	5	4	1	19
2008/09	4	1	5	13
2007/08	7	1	2	22
2006/07	3	3	4	12
2005/06	5	2	3	17
2004/05	3	2	5	11
2003/04	4	2	4	14
2002/03	2	2	6	8

The best start was obviously made under Sven in 2007/08, something that was totally unexpected and given the start we have made this season illustrates quite how impressive that opening was.

It is also worth noting that after the flying start, we cooled considerably, taking fourteen points from the next ten games before tailing off miserbaly over the second half of the season.

Clearly we are in a position that we have rarely been in previously, and it is a measure of the heightened expectations we now have that there is a sense of frustration at our start given the dropped points in the past three games.

Whilst the start has been important - and such a contrast to last years fitful opening - what is more important now is that we can match the opening we have had over the next ten games.

Then, we will be at the half way point of the season and if we are averaging almost two points per game, we will be in a position that we most definitely have not seen in recent times.

Birmingham player ratings

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Pugsley) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:07:00 +0000

Given - Match saving performance. Three superb saves and the penalty stop to 'win' the point. 8.5

Zabaleta - A strong performance, not a step out of place. Put more distance between him and Richards. 7

Kompany - Cool, calm and assured. Forged a nice partnership with Lescott in dealing with the lively front pair. 7.5

Lescott - A solid game. Didn't put a foot wrong and hopefully settling into the side. 6.5

Bridge - Really growing on me as a player. Defended well and constantly looking to get forward. 7

Wright-Phillips - Plenty of the ball and really took the game to Birmingham. As per the season so far, the end product was not to be seen. 6

de Jong - Tenacious as ever and becoming a lynchpin of the side. Surprised he was withdrawn. 7

Barry - Really struggled to impose himself. Both here at Villa the crowd may have affected him. 5.5

Bellamy - Didn't reach the heights of previous weeks, but still looks a threat when he gets the ball. 6.5

Tevez - Again, full of life, energy and commitment. Couldn't quite find the end product in front of goal though. 7.5

Santa Cruz - Took plenty of steps back after a positive in midweek. Found himself isolated but was off the pace and second to everything. 5

Subs:

Ireland - Introduced too late and struggled to really impact. His return to the starting line up is imminent though. 6.5

Petrov - Barely made an impact when he came on but perhaps should have started. 6

Hughes - 'Missed opportunity'

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Pugsley) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 20:54:00 +0000

“Before the season started we would have taken fourth place and one defeat at the start of November but we are a little frustrated with the number of draws that we have had,” declared the manager.

“But that is how the Premier League is shaping up with lots of teams dropping points. What we have to do is make sure that when we don’t play that well, as we didn't today, we still pick up points.
“Possibly this was an opportunity missed but no team is going to allow us to dictate to them and that was the case here. We have done well in the other drawn games. This was probably the one where we didn’t hit the heights . But we have still got something out of it.
“We failed to get any momentum in our play and it was all a little bitty. The game as a whole suffered as a consequence.”

>>Mark Hughes.

Hughes is correct that at this stage of the season, to be sat in fourth place in the table would - at the start of the season - be seen as exceeding expectations.

Yet there is an air of frustration at events over the past month given there has been a missed opportunity in not taking advantage of the failings of other sides. It is also fair to say that we have lost a little of the momentum we had at the start of the season.

I did identify that we had a spell of games until the end of November that would take us to a third of the way through the season, and that as this stage we would have a better indication of what expectation should be.

Whilst a succession of draws has stunted our progress a little, there is ample opportunity in the remaining fixtures - Burnley, Liverpool and Hull to ensure that from the second block of the season can still be regarded a success.

Birmingham thoughts

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Pugsley) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 18:53:00 +0000

Whilst defeats inevitably brings with it the criticism and analysis a side faces, conversely, can draws mask the problems that a side has?

Yet another point yesterday, and in the context of the game with the penalty save (more of a miss?) and wonderful and brave double save at the end of the first half from Shay Given, it can be viewed as a point gained given that we again avoided what could have been a defeat.

But four consecutive draws means that we have dropped eight points out of the lst twelve and despite Liverpool's wretched run we have been unable to capitalise and establish a foothold in the top four.

The defense answered the criticism that it has faced recently, Kompany and Lescott solid enough in dealing with the lively - if lacking genuine potency - pairing of Benitez and Jerome. After the opening fifteen minutes when we struggled to cope with a Birmingham side who came right at us, we had the better of the possession and territory for the remainder yet failed to create a real genuine opportunity.

Too often Roque Santa Cruz was isolated from Carlos Tevez, giving the impression we were operating with just a lone striker (and an unfit looking one at that) whilst Craig Bellamy strugged to get much reward. In fact Shaun Wright-Phillips aside we offered very little threat going forward - making it more surprising that Ireland and Petrov were held back for so long, particularly given that Gareth Barry was struggling to impose himself on the game and as redundant as an attacking option.

Emmanuel Adebayor was obviously missed but the game today highlighted that whilst we possess an abundance of attacking options - and very good ones too - we perhaps lack a Torres or a Rooney type player who have the ability to conjoure something up when it is needed and the team is struggling to create.

This is not to dwell on the negatives too much though. There was no shortage of endeavour, or work ethic in the performance and it is a fair argument to suggest there have been occasions when we would have lost games such as this so there is a clear and tangible progression that the side is making.

Thinking ahead though, there is a very real argument to switch back to a 4-3-3 from the more rigid 4-4-2 we have been fielding in recent weeks. Whilst taking away some of the width that we have at present, this would see the front man less isolated and also, more crucially bring in either Stephen Ireland or Michael Johnson as the additional midfielder with more licence to supplement the attack whilst keeping a solid pair in the middle.

Perhaps this would ensure we are playing with more attacking threat and as a more cohesive unit, hopefully to regain some of the early season momentum missing from our game at present.

Birmingham matchday thread

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Pugsley) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0000

Comment away...

Arsenal drawn in Carling Cup

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Pugsley) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 17:11:00 +0000

As I wrote in the wake of the win over Scunthorpe, we are more than capable of beating any of the remaining sides in the competition.

Whilst Arsenal's shadow side is not the easiest draw we could have got but home advantage is definitely an important factor and tips the balance in our favour.

Opposition view

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Pugsley) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 11:05:00 +0000

Ahead of Sundays game at Birmingham I had the chance to catch up with Kev, who runs the Birmingham City blog 'Joys and Sorrows' to gage the mood ahead of the game and to pose one or two questions about how the season has been going so far.

How has Joe Hart fared this season? Would you like to sign permanently and will that happen?

On the whole I think he has done well. There are mumbles from some fans though, as he has made a few mistakes recently such as against Sunderland last weekend. On the whole though he is a positive keeper and has tremendous potential. I personally would like to see him signed permanently but I'm not sure you will let him go though.

How have you found the Prmeier League? Any surprises or disappointments so far?

I think we've had an ok start. We have had a few tough games, however we have also dropped points we shouldn't have done. As it stands we are gaining a point a game which is ok. No real surprises I guess, just confirmation that the league is now really split into four - the top four, European places, mid-table and those battling to stay up.

From what you have seen, should you stay up? Are you aiming higher?

I think there are 7 or 8 sides who could go down so we have a reasonable chance of staying up. I think the January transfer window could be key though.

What are your thoughts on the takeover? What changes do you see it bringing?

We needed a change. I wasn't one of the board bashers, however they had lost the confidence of the fans. There were lots of broken promises and very little trust. The new guys have brought a new feel to the club. They have responded to criticism regarding ticket prices by reducing the cost for the game on Sunday. They refer to the club as a 'family' - a little cheesy but a nice sentiment. It is early days but I am optimistic things are looking good.

Does Alex McLeish have the backing of the fans?

I'd say just about. He has spent most of this season making us play 4-5-1, which is fine if you have some midfielders to play that but I'm not sure we do. There were plenty of grumbles but he did change to a 4-4-2 against Sunderland and we performed well and the fans were happier.

What are your impressions of us this season? Can we challenge the top four?

I think you are showing the classic signs of a squad still bonding and therefore results like last weekend are happening when you should be winning. Having said that, you have pace, strength and skill throughout the squad.

As time goes on you will be one of the top four. I'm not sure it will be this year though - that will depend on Liverpool and if they pick up. Next season I would be confident you will get a top four spot.

Who or what will be key on Sunday?

A lot will depend on our formation but I'll give you two unsung names. Barry Ferguson is really beginning to look the part as the engine room and Roger Johnson, who has been a superb signing. The back four is far more confident and organised with him in there.

Who should we look out for?

Christian Benitez. He is getting better and better each game. He is quick, and although small he is quite strong. I am sure when he gets his first goal he will become a real key player.

Prediction for Sunday?

1-1.

Hughes praise for returning players

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Pugsley) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:46:00 +0000

In addition to last night's victory, a positive was that it was achieved with a number of players who - through injury - had yet to really feature for the side this season.

In his post-match comments, Mark Hughes singled out Roque Santa Cruz and Michael Johnson in particular:

“Roque got a start and a goal as well. I thought his general play was outstanding. He allowed players to flourish around him. I was pleased for him because I think he showed everybody what he is capable of."

“In addition to that Michael has come on and scored an outstanding goal as well and we are delighted with that because for long periods while he was out it was a worry whether or not he could get back to the level of the first team. Now we understand the problem that he had and hopefully he will be able to stay fit and well."

With Adebayor, Bridge and Toure expected to be fit for the weekend trip to Birmingham, competition for places is really beginning to intensify - something that should sharpen up the focus after dropping points in recent weeks.

Next up

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Pugsley) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:40:00 +0000

The draw for the quarter-final stage of the Carling Cup will take place this Saturday, and it is an all-Premier League affair and after progressing last night we will face one of the following sides:

Arsenal
Aston Villa
Blackburn
Chelsea
Manchester United
Portsmouth
Tottenham

For all the bad press the competition has received in recent seasons, it is perhaps telling that so many of the 'bigger' sides remain at this stage - even with less than full-strength sides being fielded.

As to who we get? We can beat any of the sides left in, but equally we could go out to any of them. I'm not sure there is a really 'easy' tie you would be hoping for.

Let's get a home draw and take it from there.

Scunthorpe recap

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Pugsley) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:33:00 +0000

With a history of recent slip ups to lower league opposition, there is a tendancy to view fixtures such as last nights with a degree of trepidation, and when we gifted Scunthorpe an equaliser after going ahead so early, there could well have been a sense of foreboding around the stadium.

This season though there has been the first suggestions that the old mentality is being cast aside and rather than Scunthorpe's goal spelling disaster, the exact opposite was true as we went on the front foot and sealed our progression through to the quarter-finals in convincing fashion.

In fact, all three fixtures in the Carling Cup (Crystal Palace and Fulham prior to last night) this season now have been tricky ties that in days past could have caught us out, but all have been navigated in professional fashion.

Every bit of pleasing as the result last night though, must have been the performance of the side which contained a number of changes. Sylvinho and Roque Santa Cruz made their first starts for the club, Vincent Kompany and Michael Johnson returned to the side after long spells out. Stephen Ireland and Shaun Wright-Phillips were back after time on the bench, whilst Vladimir Weiss gained further experience.

Even Benjani was afforded a ten minute spell at the end of the game.

Pleasing then that both Johnson and Santa Cruz were on the scoresheet, with Santa Cruz hopefully gearing up for a full return to fitness in time for when Emmanuel Adebayor is missing through African Cup of Nations duty in January.

Of course we are now through to the quarter-finals of the competition, a stage where we have faltered with some abject displays in recent times. Talk is cheap but we do look a different prospect than previously.

Now would be a good time to show it.

Scunthorpe matchday thread

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Pugsley) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:00:00 +0000

Comment away...

Can a good player go bad?

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Pugsley) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:10:00 +0000

After a very impressive start to the season, the recent three game winless run (although undefeated) has brought one or two frustrations from fans to the fore.

None moreso than the continued form of Micah Richards.

As rapid as his ascent was, coming into the side as a teenager and marking a first team spot as his own before catapulting himself into the international fold, his subsequent decline has been anything but.

After forging a solid looking partnership with Richard Dunne during the early days of Sven-Goran Eriksson in 2007/08, both he and Dunne suffered a dip in form over the remainder of that season. Such was Richards drop off that eventually he was moved back to his original position of right-back during 2008/09 as he struggled to recapture the precocious form of his early days.

Whilst he has shown some promising signs this season, he has yet to truly convince and lost his place in the side to Pablo Zabaleta - not before time in many fans opinion.

Amazingly, there is still talk of him forcing his way into the England reckoning for the 2010 World Cup, but this is at best fanciful thinking. Fabio Capello - who is a shrewd (and very good) judge of a player, clearly does not rate Richards and he hasn't been anywhere near the senior side since the Italian took over from Steve McLaren.

An often remarked view that I get emails about is that Richards has simply 'lost it' - that somehow what propelled him to the heights he reached has deserted him, a lack of mojo and leaving him a redundant shell of the player he once was.

But is this the case? Can a good player simply become bad, or is that too simplistic a viewpoint?

My own thoughts on Richards are that he was never really a 'true' footballer, by that he doesn't have the technique or 'smarts' (concentration, positional awareness) that the top level defenders have.

He possesses amazing physical traits of course (which better suits him to a central role) and a great deal of pace, both of which may well have glossed over his frailties during his career. He is strong in the tackle and capable of bringing the ball out of defence.

Concentration appears to be big issue for him though. There has been more than one goal this season where Richards has been out of position, something you simply cannot afford at this level.

You cannot write a player off of course, and it would be foolish to do so with him - particularly with someone who has the ability and potential Richards has. Lest we forget he is only 21 years of age. But the financial restrictions at the club that helped initially propel him into the starting line up are no longer a constraint, which means that Mark Hughes can afford to be less patient and more ruthless.

Having served his suspension, I expect Pablo Zabaleta to slot back in at right-back and although Richards may replace the injured Toure tomorrow evening (personally I would like to see Vincent Kompany), Richards will likely enough find himself back on the outside looking in, and with a great deal of work required to force himself back into the line-up and to the heights he reached when he first burst onto the scene.