Manchester City - 2006/7 season prediction (for The Observer)
Prospects do not look good at the City of Manchester Stadium, but when have they in recent memory? For all his animated gesticulation, Stuart Pearce appears less than canny in the transfer market. Last season’s loaned players and has-beens, who cruised after Europe galloped out of sight, have been replaced by more cheap, spent forces in the form of Paul Dickov, Dietmar Hamann and Ousmane Dabo.
Options are paper thin in defence. David James has left, and with the classy Sylvain Distin relinquishing the captain’s armband and Newcastle sniffing around, 18-year-old Micah Richards could be moved to centre back. Pearce would do well to secure 6’7” goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson’s services, and Tunisian Hatem Trabelsi could prove a great signing. Richard Dunne, the appointed captain, will offer guts and graft, and in many ways he personifies Pearce’s team ethic.
Up front Georgios Samaras will look to flourish alongside Italian signing Bernardo Corradi, or 34-year-old Andrew Cole. However, unless Stephen Ireland is afforded a pivotal role, or Pearce brings someone creative in, the forwards will have little to work with.
Pearce’s pre-season talk of Europe is Keegan-esque, and after Chelsea and Arsenal in the first three games, a more realistic tone could be set for the season. Fans can expect another roller coaster ride, and (hopefully) a mid-table finish. For now, the City of Manchester Stadium will continue to be famed for its architecture rather than its football.
Prospects do not look good at the City of Manchester Stadium, but when have they in recent memory? For all his animated gesticulation, Stuart Pearce appears less than canny in the transfer market. Last season’s loaned players and has-beens, who cruised after Europe galloped out of sight, have been replaced by more cheap, spent forces in the form of Paul Dickov, Dietmar Hamann and Ousmane Dabo.
Options are paper thin in defence. David James has left, and with the classy Sylvain Distin relinquishing the captain’s armband and Newcastle sniffing around, 18-year-old Micah Richards could be moved to centre back. Pearce would do well to secure 6’7” goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson’s services, and Tunisian Hatem Trabelsi could prove a great signing. Richard Dunne, the appointed captain, will offer guts and graft, and in many ways he personifies Pearce’s team ethic.
Up front Georgios Samaras will look to flourish alongside Italian signing Bernardo Corradi, or 34-year-old Andrew Cole. However, unless Stephen Ireland is afforded a pivotal role, or Pearce brings someone creative in, the forwards will have little to work with.
Pearce’s pre-season talk of Europe is Keegan-esque, and after Chelsea and Arsenal in the first three games, a more realistic tone could be set for the season. Fans can expect another roller coaster ride, and (hopefully) a mid-table finish. For now, the City of Manchester Stadium will continue to be famed for its architecture rather than its football.
Labels: football, Manchester City, Stuart Pearce
