Can Sven Turn City’s Blue Moon Into Gold?
Blue moon / you saw me standing alone / without a dream in my heart / without a love of my own.
Blue moon / you knew just what I was there for / you heard me saying a prayer for / someone I really could care for.
And then there suddenly appeared before me / the only one my arms will ever hold / I heard somebody whisper “Please adore me” / and when I looked / the moon had turned to gold.
Blue moon / now I’m no longer alone / without a dream in my heart / without a love of my own.
Well, at least they can laugh at themselves – any club with a fight song like this must truly have a sense of humor. Or, maybe it’s just a loser’s complex. At least it is not bitter.
True to the song, Manchester City’s silverware has come only once in a blue moon. The last trophy was 1976, and that was the League Cup. They last won the FA Cup in 1969 (there also were finalists in 1981). The last league championship (old first division) was 1968.
Is Sven-Goran Erikkson the “only one” in the song? The whisperer? The savior to turn City’s blue moon into gold? Time will only tell. He’s done it at other clubs, the new owner has given him the cash to do it for the Citizens of Manchester, and he has brought in a lot of new faces with talent. Maybe the next blue moon is in the spring of 2008.
Whatever the future holds, the present situation shows that the Blues are off to a flying start, and the headline-splashers are ready to swagger into North London for what surely appears to be a very tasty fixture.
I saw their first match at West Ham – they played effective and attractive football.
Significant to their squad on Saturday is the loss of 21-year old Bulgarian striker Valeri Bojinov – injured in the early moments of last week’s game against Man U. Sven will not have a replacement signed and ready to go for Saturday (you can bet the house on Sven spending money before August 31). So, he is admittedly a bit weak up front.
Micah Richards, the 19-year old defender, is arguably the player that will attract the most attention, being English (just played Wednesday night against Germany and had a quite nice assist to Lampard’s goal) and the real star against Man United last week. An interesting sidelight at City will be how long they will be able to keep Micah from moving on to a Big 4 side.
Also, 20-year old Kasper Schmeichel with three opening clean sheets under his belt, and of some noteworthy pedigree, will also get notice. Here’s to keeping young Kasper busy all afternoon long!
On a sunny late-August Saturday afternoon, with a perfect, wide pitch, this match has the chance of winning the title of “most pleasing match to the eye for the season.”
I look forward to it with great anticipation. Come On Arsenal!
Arsenal 2–0 Manchester City
35 Responses to “Arsenal vs. Manchester City”
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August 23rd, 2007 at 7:59 am
Arsenal 1-1 City.
Arsenal score early, City equalize late on.
August 23rd, 2007 at 8:11 am
Put more crosses into the box, it will expose the boy Schmeichel’s weakness on handling cross.
Ditto Thompson, 2-0 to the Gunners.
August 23rd, 2007 at 8:40 am
one nil to the Arsenal. Arsenal score mid second half, then hold on.
August 23rd, 2007 at 10:37 am
I’m afraid of Micah Richards. He is a real beast, not Samba from Blackburn
3-1 to the Arsenal!!!
August 23rd, 2007 at 11:00 am
2-1 to the Arsenal.
Not sure of keeping a clean sheet but confident we will win.
August 23rd, 2007 at 11:04 am
“Put more crosses into the box”
Andez, quite who will do that? Hleb/Rosicky? If Eboue back from injury, he is the only one capable to putting in good crosses.
August 23rd, 2007 at 11:20 am
Lehman is out for two weeks. I assume AW goes with Almunia.
August 23rd, 2007 at 11:24 am
If Eboue back from injury, he is the only one capable to putting in good crosses.
Eboue is a muppet. Watching him flounder around with the ball only to eventually turn it over has been the most disappointing aspect of the season. And as far as I’m concerned evidence of serious money problems at the club. For I can not think Wenger sees Eboue as a real right wing but instead as an emergency replacement due to lack of funds to get a quality player like Quaresma.
0-2 Citeh.
August 23rd, 2007 at 11:32 am
God knows how Man City are top.
I would say 3-0. However, no Eboue, Lehmann, Gallas, Gilberto, Rosicky will make it closer. 2-1 seems more likely
August 23rd, 2007 at 11:34 am
“Andez, quite who will do that? Hleb/Rosicky? If Eboue back from injury, he is the only one capable to putting in good crosses.”
Whoever.
I merely pointed out this is an area we could take advantage of.
August 23rd, 2007 at 11:35 am
Where have you read that Lehmann is out?
August 23rd, 2007 at 11:44 am
Sheed - http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_2681060,00.html
August 23rd, 2007 at 11:54 am
Thanks Brendan
I believe this is just a make up, as he was playing yesterday for Germany. I’m sure Wenger has decided to drop him, but they say he is injured only because of his reputation. My thought is that he is completely fit.
August 23rd, 2007 at 12:03 pm
What about Fabianski starting the CL return leg? Might not be a bad thing.
August 23rd, 2007 at 12:06 pm
Yes, the duration of his time out of the lineup may depend very much upon Almunia’s performance versus City and Pompey.
I hope he isn’t hurt. That isn’t something to wish on a man. I am glad the other guys are getting a chance, injury or not.
I would love to see Fabianski in goal against Sparta Prague, especially with the goal advantage going into the next meeting.
August 23rd, 2007 at 12:09 pm
Maybe Wenger is giving Almunia a chance because he is the Arsenal winner in the “crossbar challenge” lol
August 23rd, 2007 at 12:12 pm
sheed, that “crossbar challenge” did they show it on YouTube or something? can u paste the link here if u have it? thks.
August 23rd, 2007 at 12:20 pm
oh nvm, I got it. The lads did celebrate like just Almunia just scored a winner in the World Cup didn’t they?! that’s fun to watch!
August 23rd, 2007 at 1:56 pm
Here is the link for the ones who haven’s seen it yet
http://youtube.com/watch?v=2nM90dPW7mg
“I put 50 pounds on Mathieu” - looks like Flamini has the captains confidence, unlike us here at the forum. lol
August 23rd, 2007 at 2:12 pm
btw sheed, i know u r a FM gamer. i just finished a game with Havant & W. Now start it over again with Arsenal. 1st season. I need a ‘keeper, a defender. any good recommendation? I don’t trust my scouts. They keep telling me a lower league free agent as “has potential to become a leadering Premiership star in the future”?! should i trust them? or, should I trust Grimandi?! ; )
August 23rd, 2007 at 3:12 pm
You talking FM07 Andez, I’ve mastered that and can tell you who you need to buy to start winning. Don’t listen to scouts on anything, do your own scouting.
August 23rd, 2007 at 3:29 pm
danny, 1st season, just started. I want a ‘keeper, perfer a young one (to be Jens’ long term replacement).
a CB or RB (currently looking at Woodgate, and M.Richards - i do like Nipuna’s favourite!)
btw, i learned that with FM07, patch 2, Baptista is joining Arsenal at the end of the season for 13 mil. Our initial budget was 20 mil. If i want to STOP the Beast from coming to Arsenal, does that mean if I spend away my 20 mil, then his transfer will get cancel at the end of the season?
August 23rd, 2007 at 4:52 pm
First, let me say that I’m on my 11th season and have won 8 Premier Leagues and 3 Champions Leagues + UEFA Cup, FA Cup x 2, Carling Cup x 4.
The first season is very difficult to win indeed and there isn’t too much money at the club. It’s also not a good idea to start selling to buy so early in the game. In my first season I sold Johan Djourou for £5.25m and Aliadiere for £1.4m.
With the money brought in and cash reserves I bought Joseph Yobo £9.75m (essential buy), Cesar Delgado Andres Guardado £2.7m and Vincent Enyeama £400k is a very cheap and decent understudy to Lehmann who is ok for the first season.
You may be able to cancel Baptista’s loan, that way the board won’t have to splash £13m on him, but I don’t think Baptista affects your transfer budget in any way whether he stays or goes.
August 23rd, 2007 at 5:05 pm
First, let me say that I’m on my 11th season and have won 8 Premier Leagues and 3 Champions Leagues + UEFA Cup, FA Cup x 2, Carling Cup x 4.
The first season is very difficult to win indeed and there isn’t too much money at the club - like you say around £20m. It’s not a good idea to start selling to buy so early in the game. In my first season I sold Johan Djourou for £5.25m and Aliadiere for £1.4m.
You may be able to cancel Baptista’s loan, that way the board won’t have to splash £13m on him, but I don’t think Baptista affects your transfer budget in any way whether he stays or goes.
With the money brought in and cash reserves, in your first season buy Joseph Yobo £9.75m (essential buy), Cesar Delgado £3.3m (essential buy), Andres Guardado £2.7m (not essential but great buy) and Vincent Enyeama £400k (essential back up) who is a very cheap and decent understudy to Lehmann who is ok for the first season.
Moving forward, these players are utterly essential buys.
Cristian Zaccardo (RB)
Raul Albiol (CB)
Rafael Van Der Vaart (CM/MR)
Oscar Ustari (GK)
Gabriel Obertan (MR)
Sergio Aguero (ST)
Sunny (DM)
You won’t be able to get them all straight away - or even within 2-3 years, but add to your shortlist and make sure you buy them asap.
Overrated players are Ljungberg, Toure, Clichy, Lauren, Eboue - you’ll struggle to win anything consistently with them long term. In fact I sold Toure and Eboue to Chelsea almost immediately and it ruined them. They were decent but could never topple me with them at the back.
It’s essential you get good trainers in at the club, with high motivational stats and 5 stars for all your training schedules. And also for youth team as well as some good players can come out of it, especially to sell on.
You have to trawl the database for new players every season and buy young as well. Some of the best players are made-up names that can be trained into awesome players.
And finally, CARLOS VELA - the best striker in the game, here are his goal stats for me (all competitions).
06/07 - 3
07/08 - 31
08/09 - 29
09/10 - 29
10/11 - 35
11/12 - 48
12/13 - 44
13/14 - 24
14/15 - 34
15/16 - 15 (picked up some bad injuries)
16/17 - 19 (only played 20 games, he is still only 27)
Play Vela as a right-sided forward.
Other tips. Don’t play Van Persie up front unless you have injuries, play him left wing. When you get Van Der Vaart play him central midfield or left wing and put him on all your set pieces - his form might fluctuate but he will win you titles alone with goals and assists.
August 23rd, 2007 at 5:20 pm
FM07
GK: Akinfeev, Kameni, Ustari, check out Marcelo Grohe, he was good when I played.
CB: Albiol, Richards, Kompany, Ramos, Milito.
FB: Eduardo Ratinho, Dani Alves, Marcelo.
You must keep Denilson, he will be a beast. He and Cesc, that’s a winning combination. And you must get Aguero, then pair him with Vela and that’s the best strike partnership on the game. And you must get a LM too, Silva from Valencia is the answer.
August 23rd, 2007 at 5:25 pm
Ustari is the best keeper other than Cech, Akinfeev is overrated but you can get by with him.
Albiol is the best centre-back in the game for me, along with Yobo who was solid as a rock for 8 years in my game. Richards is good as right back, not so good in centre - great back up though.
Denilson?? Stats look good but never did it for me, Cesc is hugely overrated in the game - sold him after a few years when I could get the best price. Van der Vaart smashes him.
August 23rd, 2007 at 5:27 pm
thanks man, very helpful. btw, one more question on the trainers. how do u decide how good they really are?
Say, i m trying to get a coach who train my players’ “technical” area, if there is one coach with a “reputation” as “national”, yet “technical” rating as 13.
Another coach with a “reputation” as “local”, yet “technical” rating as 20.
Who’s better?
August 23rd, 2007 at 5:38 pm
Go for World Class coaches if you can. One coach per training regime. Obviously defensive coach should have high defensive stats etc. Try and get coaches with high motivational stats. Just find the best ones out there, should be plenty. Some of the Arsenal youth coaches might be good enough to upgrade to 1st Team Coach.
August 23rd, 2007 at 6:02 pm
Yup, agree with Danny about the coaches.
Don’t agree about Denilson though, in one season he had the highest average rating in my squad. He is very good.
Another full back, Anthony vanden Borre, you can get him on cheap and he is a very good addition to the squad.
August 25th, 2007 at 8:30 am
Less than a hour to go! I think Man City manages to score so we need 2 to win, which matches my predication 2-1. Back to 4-4-2. Would like to see van Persie and Adebayor up front with Sagna off the bench. Interesting comments about Hleb wanting to play centrally- though not a surprise! Cmon Arsenal!
August 25th, 2007 at 11:01 am
One - Nil to the Arsenal!!! Way to go boys.
August 25th, 2007 at 12:02 pm
Ok all you FM07 experts! How do I get wingers & wide players to play early & deep crosses? It drives me up a freaking wall to lose the ball time & again when my wingers refuse to play deep crosses or play crosses when they have space.
I set crosses at team tactics to deep & a couple of guys individually at deep as well but they all refuse to cross the ball from deep! It drives me batty! Is it just something that comes with time? I.e. do they have to play a season or so to “learn” the tactic in game situations?
BTW, another problem I’m running into is I’m trying to play FM07 with Hapoel Tel-Aviv in Israel, but on one of my matchdays I have to play a league match on the same day Israel plays an international & my game crashes when I go to continue after my match. Do any of you guys know if this conflict (matchday same as an international) causes a crash in the game? I downloaded & installed both update patches but it still happens. Does anyone also know a way to maybe get my match moved manually? Any help would be appreciated since FM07 is a lot more hard & challenging than & ergo has more long term playability than EA Sports’ TCMs, although those are fun too…
1-0 to the Arsenal today! Is it just me or does Cesc look like he’s making concerted efforts to get into forward positions more often this year? I hope he keeps that up. Spekaing of playing early crosses, this time in real matches, Hleb is groing increasingly frustrating for me out wide. There were several instances today when I thought he would’ve been better served to play the ball into the box early instead of waiting.
Also, this is the 3rd time I’ve seen this Petrov for City play. I like his game a lot. He may make the occasional mistake all footballers will but I’m impressed that he nevers seems to get caught in 2 minds of what to do. He seems incredibly decisive in his play & likes to hit a lot of 1st time shots, even from wide positions. I don’t recall what City paid for him but he looks a steal for them.
August 25th, 2007 at 3:40 pm
Curt, my game crashed after 7 seasons with one setup and with other setup crashed after 17 seasons. But I have a cracked version, not the original, and I think that happens only because it’s as I said cracked version. Do you have a cracked version or you got the original game?
As for the Petrov price, I think it was 4.7 mil. pounds.
August 26th, 2007 at 1:13 pm
Sheed, by cracked, do you mean a downloaded, extracted version of FM, b/c yes, that’s how I purchased it but I also purchased a backup copy of the disc & have since re-installed with the disc but still the same issue. So I’m thinking it has something to do with the gameday conflicts of domestic & international matchday on the same day. B/c the game works, I can load a saved version & it runs through, it’s just post match when it’s processing other matches, it crashes.
August 26th, 2007 at 2:39 pm
Well, I’ve bought the game from a CD shop, but they got the game one day after the release, so they must have downloaded it, coz here in Macedonia the original is not available. It got to be downloaded, I don’t even have pictures from the players, only a few have pictures and I think the original has pics on every player profile, although I’m not sure.
As for the gameday conflicts of domestic & international matchday on the same day, yeah, I have had some CL match in the same day as international matches, but everything was OK.
My guess, at least for my crashes, is that it’s a cracked version. I don’t know for yours.