Bitter and Blue

The days best City links 07/07/2008

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Pugsley) — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 08:30:00 +0000

The days best City links 07/05/2008

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Pugsley) — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 08:30:00 +0000

Ronaldinho on verge of move to AC Milan - Football News - Telegraph
tags: City, Football

Dunne pens new deal

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Pugsley) — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 18:44:00 +0000

Manchester City captain Richard Dunne has today penned a new four-year contract with the Club.
The 28-year-old defender was linked with summer moves away from the City of Manchester Stadium, but following talks with Manager Mark Hughes, the Irish international swiftly signed a deal that ties him to the Blues until at least 2012.
After completing the paperwork, Dunne exclusively told mcfc.co.uk: “I’m delighted with it.
“My first priority is, was and always has been to stay at City because I’ve enjoyed it so much and I feel really settled here.
“When Mark Hughes got the job I think everyone was really pleased and I was thrilled that he seemed to make it a priority to sort my contract out. I’m delighted to be able to stay.”

>>mcfc.co.uk

In the piece on the site, Hughes stated it was his main priority after taking over to get a new deal for Dunne penned.

I don't doubt there were plenty of suitors for Dunne, and that he may even of contemplated the possibility of moving on, but much of that would undoubtedly of been in the aftermath of the end of season shambles and it would have been a shock to have seen him leave the club.

Once Hughes was appointed and some stability brought back to proceedings, I'd imagine Dunne was keen to re-sign assuming the deal offered reflected his worth and he will be in line with the top earners at the club which is just rewards for what he has achieved the past few seasons.

Whilst by no means irreplaceable, top defenders are at a premium and it is a sound move to tie him down to what effectively will be to the final stages of his career, and is now only a couple of seasons from breaking into the top 20 appearance list at the club.

Ten released as the transfer window kicks in

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Pugsley) — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 17:44:00 +0000

Manchester City can confirm a final list of 10 players that have not been retained for the coming season.
Of the 10 released, four were members of the 2007/08 season first team squad, with the other players young Academy lads or reserve team regulars.
Paul Dickov, Geovanni, Emile Mpenza and Jihai Sun are the senior players not to have been offered new contracts by the Club.
The other players released are Irish defender Garry Breen, fellow countryman Michael Daly, Filippo Mancini - son of former Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini, striker Ashley Grimes, Faroe Isles Under 21 international Christian Mouritsen and finally young Italian goalkeeper Andrea Giombetti.

>>mcfc.co.uk

A busy couple of days around the Jo transfer, with the usual summer clear out of youth players deemed not good enough to make the grade along with those first team squad players Mark Hughes has decided do not fit into his plans.

No real surprise amongst the ten names announced and some quick thoughts on the comings and goings:

None of the youth players were likely to even threaten the first team squad, but good to see that both Grimes and Breen have been picked up.

There were reports that Sun Jihai may move back to China but he gets a move to Sheffield United who look to be amongst the front runners for promotion this coming season. A long standing player, Sun never quite showed enough during his time at the club and can be considered fortunate to have remained this long.

Dickov is likely to move to Blackpool, where he had a succesful loan spell last season and will be a serviceable player for them. The move to bring him back to the club originally was a mistake, and his record during the past seasons bears this out, and is a sad indictment of the state we were in when he was picked up by Stuart Pearce.

The interesting moves are the signing by Hull of Geovanni, and if reports are to be believed, Mpenza to follow him to the KC Stadium. Both are good pick ups for a side looking to (against the odds) survive in their debut season.

Some thought Geovanni unlucky to not receive more of an opportunity last season and he did show cameos of his talent but whether it was form or fitness did not appear to win Sven over. He possesses talent though, and whilst I can't disagree with the decision to release him it is a good signing by Hull, and he should be complemented by Mpenza, who at the very least provided a good return from what was a free pick up during 2006/07 when we were struggling at the wrong end of the table and he scored some goals which were crucial in the final outcome which saw us stay up.

He featured heavily during the first half of last season (mainly through the Bojinov injury and sidelining of Bianchi) but feel out of favour towards the latter stages and again, you'd like to think the club have progressed well enough to be able to allow the likes of Mpenza to move on.

A busy few days then with the squad now de-camped in Germany ahead of a very early start to the season. Whilst Ronaldinho looks likely to be a no-go, further arrivals are expected, particularly if Hughes's comments are any kind of indication:

"The balance of the squad isn't as it should be. There are certainly areas that we can look to improve and make sure we are strong in. That's an ongoing process. I have to get to know the players".

Whilst it may not be in time for the early UEFA games, I'd be amazed if we didn't bring in another defender, a pair of midfielders and maybe even a striker before the Premier League campaign kicks off as Hughes looks to add to a squad to be able to challenge at least a top six position this season.

The days best City links 07/03/2008

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Pugsley) — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 08:30:00 +0000

Hughes makes Jo his first signing

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Pugsley) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 18:30:00 +0000

Manchester City can confirm the Club record signing of Brazilian international striker Jô from CSKA Moscow on a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee.
The 21-year-old hitman becomes Mark Hughes' first signing as City Manager and comes with a record of 44 goals in 77 games for CSKA since joining from Corinthians in 2005.

>>mcfc.co.uk

Although the club state an undisclosed fee, most of the press report it to be in the region of £19 million - a fair chunk of change even with the deep pockets of our owner.

I don't think for one minute we have paid that amount up front, but much like our signings of last summer it will be spread over the term of the contract presumably giving us more scope to bring in further additions.

Hughes was complimentary about him during the press conference, and it would seem that despite some stories, the signing hasn't been foisted upon him by the owners:

"He's a big talent and a young man with a big future.
"A lot has been said about him and there was a big expectation on him coming out of Brazil. So with the success he's had I think it's a real coup that we've been able to bring him to the club.

"He's a big guy, in stature and in ability, so I think everybody will enjoy watching him play."

Despite offers from elsewhere, Jo appeared keen to join up with Hughes at the club:

"After I spoke to the manager I was very pleased. I was told Manchester City is a club going forward at the moment.
"We can go places, that is our objective. We thought about it and I decided to come to Manchester City for that reason."

The capture of Jo adds another striker into an already overcrowded attack, and despite the departure (or impending) of Dickov, Mpenza and Samaras there are still plenty of options available to Hughes as he begins to ponder the shape of his side, but it would be a surprise given what we know of his Blackburn sides if we didn't field a 4-4-2 line up.

Where the likes of Bojinov, Bianchi and Corradi fit into the situation is unknown, with all touted for moves back to Italy, but with Daniel Sturridge and Ched Evans largely untested, Hughes will not want to leave himself to thin up front going into what will likely be a long and tough season.

Isaksson joins PSV

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Pugsley) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 18:27:00 +0000

Andreas Isaksson has today completed a move to Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven.
The 26-year-old keeper was rarely a regular starter during his time with the Blues and made only 20 appearances for the Club after signing from Rennes in August 2006.
Injuries and the form of Kasper Schmeichel and Joe Hart forced the Swede on to the bench for most of the campaign and after passing a medical this afternoon Isaksson signed a four-deal with PSV.

>>mcfc.co.uk

A good move for Isaksson who despite the arrival of a new manager, had clearly had enough of sitting on the bench as he never seemed to find favour with either Sven or Stuart Pearce during his time at the club, and wasn't helped with a succession of ill-timed injuries.

Perennial Champions League qualifiers, he will be playing at the top level and certainly helped his cause with a solid display during Euro 2008.

Following his departure, will Hughes look to bring another back up to Hart given Kasper Schmeichel's uncertain future with the club?

Barton escapes jail

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Pugsley) — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 19:33:00 +0000

The midfielder, capped once by England, was given a four-month suspended prison sentence and ordered to do 200 hours community service after admitting to punching Ousmane Dabo, 31, during an argument at training.
Barton, 25, is already serving a six-month sentence for an attack on a group of people outside a Liverpool branch of McDonald's on Boxing Day last year.
Today's sentence has been suspended for two years. Barton has also been given a nine-month supervision order and ordered to pay £6,500 costs, with £3,000 going to his victim.

>>guardian.co.uk

And hopefully there draws a line under this whole saga - one that now of course doesn't even involve a player any longer at the club.

Despite all of his protestations since the incident, Barton changed his plea at the last minute - which avoided him being handed down a further sentence on top of the one he is currently serving for this incident, something The Daily Mail I'm sure would question.

Barton is expected to be released from prison fairly shortly, and Newcastle have announced they intend to have 'discussions' with him - rumours range from sacking him through to cutting his wages, but it is fair to say that his career has pretty much fallen apart at this point, considering that eighteen months ago he appeared to have seemingly resolved off-field issues, and was forging a reputation as a leader of the City side and gaining international honours.

As he walks free from prison in the foreseeable future, all that of course is now history and he must surely consider himself lucky to even have a semblance of a career he can attempt to salvage.

UEFA Cup first qualifying round draw

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Pugsley) — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 19:17:00 +0000

The first qualifying round draw was made earlier today of course, and we are pitted against Faroe Island Champions EB/Streymur.

In all honesty I have absolutely no idea who this side are, and even had to make a cursory check to see exactly where they were located (although the club ebsite provide a nice pen picture of our forthcomng opponents). It isn't the largest of towns shall we say. The Guardian reports that the village has just 199 residents in the coastal village of Streymnes, and given their stadium has a capacity of just 1,000 the game may well be moved to the national stadium.

Despite the early start to the season and that the players will not be 100%, there is absolutely no reason at all why this tie is not wrapped up by half-time of the first leg. Looking at the Northern Section of the draw we are in, progress should also be made pretty comfortably through the second qualifying round as well.

The matches will take place on Thursday July 17th & 31st.

UPDATE:

Vital Football have some footage of one of last seasons games played at The Stadium. Should be some trip.

The days best City links 07/01/2008

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Pugsley) — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 08:30:00 +0000

Hughes continues backroom shake up

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Pugsley) — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 22:05:00 +0000

Manchester City can today confirm the appointment of Eddie Niedzwiecki and Kevin Hitchcock as first team coach and goalkeeping coach respectively.

The pair joined Mark Hughes at Blackburn within a month of each other back in 2004 and the move to City sees them rejoin Marks Hughes and Bowen ahead of the return to pre-season training.

>>mcfc.co.uk

Another move by Hughes in bringing in his own guys following the departure of some of the holdovers from the Sven (and earlier) regimes, and in Niedzwecki and Hitchcock we see guys familiar with Hughes over the years (not to mention both former goalkeepers).

He has been fairly low profile so far (impressively so) since his arrival at the club, largely I guess overshadowed by media focus being centered on Euro 2008, but as we head into July we will have the UEFA qualifying draw tomorrow and the opening of the transfer window.

Negotiations still appear ongoing with Jo, but with a suggested transfer budget of £20 million to play with - and a suddenly idle press pack needing to fill column inches, Hughes may find that the media focus is about to step up a notch or two.

The days best City links 06/30/2008

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Pugsley) — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 08:31:00 +0000

The days best City links 06/29/2008

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Pugsley) — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 08:31:00 +0000

Prem: City sign Trotta - Setanta Sports
tags: City

The days best City links 06/28/2008

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Pugsley) — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 09:36:00 +0000

Man City agree fee with CSKA Moscow for Brazilian striker Jo - Football News - Telegraph

tags: City

Manchester City FC - Latest News Story

More backroom staff changes.
tags: City

City to face Celtic in friendly - Lancashire Evening Post

tags: City

The days best City links 06/27/2008

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Pugsley) — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 08:32:00 +0000

Sky Sports | Football | Premier League | Manchester City | Samaras wants Celtic stay
tags: City

New kit confirmed

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Pugsley) — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 21:49:00 +0000

Manchester City is delighted to announce a one-year extension to the existing shirt sponsorship agreement with Thomas Cook UK & Ireland, covering the 2008-09 Season.
The multi-million pound deal takes the partnership between the Club and the nation’s leading travel provider to six successive seasons, one of the longest running in the Premier League.
Commenting on the deal renewal, Club Executive Chairman Garry Cook said: “Thomas Cook has been a loyal and valued partner over the past five years.
“It is fitting that we are extending our agreement at a time when European travel is very much back on the agenda for the Club and our supporters.
“Both Manchester City and Thomas Cook share similar values and we are very pleased to continue our association with them.”
The new Thomas Cook branded home strip for the coming season will be available to pre-order tomorrow (Friday) exclusively from www.mcfc.co.uk and will be officially launched on Saturday 19 July at the City Stores at the City of Manchester Stadium and the Arndale Centre, central Manchester.

The home debut of the new strip will be when the team face AC Milan in this season’s Thomas Cook Trophy on Saturday 9 August.

>>mcfc.co.uk

I guess that the announcement clears this up then.

UPDATE:

Pictures of the new kits are up at the official site:

I guess everyone will be pleased the away shirt has reverted back to the red and black stripes, and the home one does look better than it did in the leaked photo.

£30 isn't a bad price all considered, but disappointing that a new one is released after only a season of the previous one.

Even more so if we have a new one next season, but that's another debate altogether..

The days best City links 06/26/2008

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Pugsley) — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 08:30:00 +0000

Prem: Milito agent on City bid - Setanta Sports
tags: City
Barnsley to host UEFA Cup football - Yorkshire Post
tags: City
Manchester City FC - Latest News Story
Mark Hughes continues his re-organisation of the back room staff.
tags: City

In memory of Marc-Vivien Foe

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Pugsley) — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 06:16:00 +0000

Today marks the fifth anniversary of the death of Marc-Vivien Foe who died on the pitch whilst playing for Cameroon against Colombia in Lyon on June 26th 2003, tragically cutting short a life way too early.

By all accounts he was a tremendously popular player and person for all those who encountered him during his far too brief season with the club back in 2002/03.

There are plenty of sites still dedicated to him, including a memorial site which is dedicated to continuing his work back in his home country of Cameroon.

Marc-Vivien Foe links:

May he continue to rest in peace.

The days best City links 06/25/2008

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Pugsley) — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 08:30:00 +0000

New shirt - fake or fiction?

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Pugsley) — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 20:22:00 +0000

EPL Talk provided a link to what was revealed as a sneak preview of our new shirt for the 2008/09 season (below), but judging by the comments section on the post, there is much debate as to whether the shirt is real or fake.

I didn't think we were actually due for a new kit this season and there hasn't (that I'm aware of) been any publicity regarding a new shirt and although Football Shirts reveal the date for it, I'm sure there would have been some build up from the club.

If anyone does know whether the story is correct or not, feel free to leave a comment.

The days best City links 06/24/2008

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Pugsley) — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 08:30:00 +0000

Manchester City FC - Latest News Story
Pre-season and UEFA fixture run down.
tags: City
Ronaldinho alerts Chelsea and Manchester City - Football News - Telegraph
tags: City

The days best City links 06/20/2008

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Pugsley) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 08:30:00 +0000

Manchester City's Ronaldinho bid back on track - Football News - Telegraph
tags: City

The days best City links 06/19/2008

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Pugsley) — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 08:30:00 +0000

Man City's move for Jo plunged into doubt - Football News - Telegraph
tags: City
Man City hit ownership problems in bid for Jo - Football News - Telegraph
tags: City
Manchester City FC - Latest News Story
Pre-season fixture announced versus Hamburg.
tags: City
Manchester City move closer to Ronaldinho after AC Milan concede defeat | Manchester City - Times Online
tags: City, Football
Revealed: why bloggers and emailers are worlds apart | Football | The Guardian
tags: City, Football
BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Man City | Man City seek guidance on Jo move
tags: City

The days best City links 06/17/2008

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Pugsley) — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 08:30:00 +0000

2008/09 fixtures released

noreply@blogger.com (Danny Pugsley) — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 10:11:00 +0000

Mark Hughes’ first Premier League game in charge of Manchester City will be away at Aston Villa.
The 08/09 Barclays Premier League fixture list was released this morning and revealed that the Blues will travel to the Midlands for their opening fixture on August 16th.
Our first home game, a week later, will be against West Ham United. Our first encounter with Manchester United is at home on November 29th, with the return on May 9th 2009.
Newly-promoted Stoke City pay their first visit to the City of Manchester Stadium on October 25th, while Hull City will be the visitors for the game on Boxing Day.

>>mcfc.co.uk

Obviously subject to much change once the suits at Sky and Setanta get together (not to mention our potential UEFA Cup involvement), but our 2008/09 fixtures as announced this morning can be found here, with the full Premier League opening day fixtures posted over at Football Rants.