Man City 2008-09 preview

Unpredictability still the watchword at Eastlands

By Andy Clarke   Last updated: 11th August 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Man City 2008-09 preview
Star Man: Micah Richards
Richard Dunne has been City's player of the season for four years, but it is time for Richards to realise his full potential and take the honours this time around.
One to Watch: Danny Sturridge
Made a fleeting impact last season but with the benefit of a full pre-season and with two striking berths up for grabs, this could be the teenager's breakthrough year.
Manager: Mark Hughes
High fitness levels and a strong team ethic were the key to his successes at Blackburn and he'll see no reason to change his ways at City.
INS: Jo (CSKA Moscow), Tal Ben Haim (Chelsea)
OUTS: Bernardo Corradi (Reggina) Paul Dickov (Leicester), Gary Breen (Hereford), Emile Mpenza (released), Ashley Grimes (Millwall), Georgios Samaras (Celtic), Matthew Mills (Doncaster) Andreas Isaksson (PSV Eindhoven), Geovanni (Hull), Sun Jihai (Sheffield United)
Best signing: Jo
Sky Bet Odds: 150/1
Likely top scorer: Jo
Possible best XI Hart, Corluka, Richards, Dunne, Ben Haim, Elano, Fernandes, Johnson, Petrov, Jo, Bojinov
Predicted finish: 9th

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Even the most optimistic Manchester City supporters are having palpitations. Executive chairman Garry Cook promised earlier in the summer that "success is imminent" and added that "there is no greater opportunity in world football than Manchester City".

Those words were so impressive when Cook was unveiled alongside new manager Mark Hughes. But the decision of Thaksin Shinawatra to flee to London rather than face trial in Bangkok has changed the picture completely. This could be City's biggest ever false dawn, and they've woken to a few of those down the years.

The rollercoaster has been in full working order. From the 8-1 humiliation at Middlesbrough (Middlesbrough!) on the final day of last season, through the drawn out sacking of Sven Goran Eriksson, there were protests and despair.

The appointment of Hughes and the public pursuit of Ronaldinho had supporters dreaming of long-forgotten (or never-remembered for the under 35s) glory days. City missed out on Ronaldinho but did smash their transfer record to sign another Brazilian, 21-year-old striker Jo arriving from CSKA Moscow for a fee which could rise to £19million.

Optimism

Optimism peaked as moves for Shaun Wright-Phillips and David Bentley were mooted, but three weeks of little transfer activity ended with the signing of Tal Ben Haim and fresh newspaper reports that the cash had run dry.

Speculation returned that owner Thaksin Shinawatra is considering selling up (denied by the club), while rumours began circulating that City would need to sell in order to meet commitments on last summer's transfers.

From classic City to the new Chelsea and back in the space of 12 weeks as the club descended into farce with the potential sales of Stephen Ireland and Vedran Corluka, both apparently sanctioned in the boardroom but not in the manager's office.

The situation still has the potential to run out of control, particularly if Thaksin is forced to give up all hope of retrieving his £800m in frozen assets, or if he is convicted in his absence and forced to step down as a director of the club.

Even so, victory over FC Midtjylland would give City a place in the Uefa Cup proper while there is no doubt they have the quality to improve on last year's final position of ninth if things go well under Hughes.

When he arrived, the former Wales and Blackburn boss highlighted an imbalance in the squad that would need to be addressed before the end of the transfer window.

Problems still exist - notably the lack of an experienced right-sided midfielder - but there is much promise in the ranks with City having won last season's FA Youth Cup.

If Hughes is denied further funds to strengthen, then supporters should get more opportunities to see the likes of Danny Sturridge, Ched Evans, Kelvin Etuhu and Vladimir Weiss in action and that would be no bad thing.

Sturridge, the England youth striker, should get plenty of opportunities to establish himself in attack now City have shipped out Georgios Samaras, Bernardo Corradi and Emile Mpenza (with Rolando Bianchi likely to follow), particularly as Hughes has opted for two strikers throughout pre-season.

Injuries to Benjani and Darius Vassell and Jo's participation in the Olympics mean Sturridge's chance should come sooner rather than later.

Exciting

Of the others, talented Slovakian winger Weiss is perhaps the most exciting prospect, not least because of his entertaining style. The 17-year-old has a range of clever tricks to beat opponents, but must work on the defensive side of his game if he is to make the breakthrough this term.

The signing of Ben Haim presents an interesting selection poser in defence, where Micah Richards could find himself back in his international role of right-back, especially if Corluka's on-off move to Tottenham is pushed through.

Javier Garrido may get the nod over Michael Ball at left back - Hughes may also consider using Ben Haim in this role - while Elano could find himself out in the cold in the new 4-4-2 formation, which looks better suited to the midfield pairing of Gelson Fernandes and Michael Johnson. The Brazilian should be accommodated on the right in the absence of a suitable incoming transfer.

Hughes was quick to sign up Richard Dunne to a new contract when he arrived at the club, so City should continue to be reasonably strong at the back, where Joe Hart's rapid progress is likely to continue. Hart impressed the watching Fabio Capello with a strong performance in the 1-0 friendly win over AC Milan.

The new manager will be expected to make some impression on the cup competitions - City have not played in a major semi-final for 27 years - just as he did at Ewood Park.

Realistically, reaching the last four of either the FA or League Cup and a repeat top-10 finish would be a success for City, but even that would mean a lot of people would have to tone down the expectations which were built up in the days following Cook's arrival. Or tone them up, if they're inclined to panic at media speculation.

How do you think City will get on this season? Let us know using the form below.

Comments (9)

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Stuart Kay (Manchester City fan) says...

It's always said that as a City fan we shouldn't pay full price for a seat, cause we only use the edge of it!! Why should this season be any different?? When all is said and done, we're City till we die and I for one am right behind the team.

Posted 21:50 11th August 2008

Brian Parry (Manchester City fan) says...

Just completed fantasy football team that includes 8 Man City Players with a view to a great start to the season ( I am after manager of the month) but will have to make transfers after christmas thats for sure.

Posted 19:34 11th August 2008

Rob Allen (Manchester City fan) says...

The current squad is good enough to knock on the UEFA cup places however to acheive the aim of champions league Thaksin will have to sell if the stories are right he has only approx £70 million left with £800 Million frozen in Thailand this isn't the news we needed but should be a good season under Mark Hughes he has the passion to do well and the tactical sense

Posted 17:04 11th August 2008

Dean Edwardson (Manchester City fan) says...

Few quick things really - I want Jo back from the games asap. 2nd of all I want Benjani to really show his worth this season... he looked to be an angel last season coming in and winning the game against the blurts from across town. as for Ste Ireland i actually really want to keep him... I think his creativity of "shoot and hope for the best" which we saw a couple of times he definetly has something to push into the team which I want to see more of before he goes. Finally - I am too damn happy that we got to keep Corluka!! Corluka - Richards - Dunne - Ben Haim back lines won't be as strong as that this season.

Posted 16:12 11th August 2008

Ludovic Cerdor (Manchester City fan) says...

From where we were (few years ago), we must be proud of achieving that much (win against AC Milan) and we have quality players to achieve more in the coming years......

Posted 15:03 11th August 2008

Clive Acraman (Manchester City fan) says...

If Hughes and the team can survive the exit of Frank (PLEASE) then we will be stronger and better for it. Hopefully we will find a buyer we must be a great prospect for the Saudies? Come on City Top 6 and a derby double?

Posted 14:02 11th August 2008

Chris Bateman (Manchester City fan) says...

I have no idea what is going on at City and I think it is a travisty if the board are going behind Mark Hughes' back by trying to sell players. However, according to Man City's website Vedran Corluka is staying at the club which is really good news. As far as Stephen Ireland is concerned, I'm not too sure. In all honesty I don't think we need to make any further acquisitions to the squad. We have plenty of youth players coming through and Sturridge, Evans & Etuhu played really well against Milan on Saturday. Bojinov coming back is another huge plus (what a goal as well) and Ben Haim had a corker of a game at centre and left back. Onuoha also played really well. In regards to Michael Johnson's predicament I just hope he signs a contract soon because to me it seemed he wasn't playing to the best of his ablilities on Saturday. Everyone knows he can turn it on and I hope he remains at the club. Elano and Petrov will be better than ever this season, Joe Hart will be an England regular within no time, Gelson Fernandes is holding his own in midfield and the partnership between Richards and Dunne will flourish even more, I'm keeping my hopes up for a top 7 finish this season with a decent cup run. God knows, we need it.

Posted 13:28 11th August 2008

Paul Shaw (Manchester City fan) says...

I think Manchester City will do good and then not so good then good again because that is good to watch. Mark Hugs is welsh so that's good too. And ched evans is good as well. I told my friend we would finish 8th this year, but maybe it will be 9th. Either way I think both those positions are good. Come on city! Woah.

Posted 12:52 11th August 2008

Dave Clarke (Manchester City fan) says...

well same as always start ok look good by 10 fade at dinner clock watch at 4....just got to love man city... no to be true we should do better than last time out maybe 6 or 5th i think we should still be in for swp if nothing just for the fans but he will give us speed and he is great to watch....oops 10 to 4 got to go come on you blue moon boys .

Posted 12:46 11th August 2008
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