[center]Manchester City v Norwich City
Sunday 18th May 2013 4pm KO
Referee: Mark Halsey
[/center]In a week where an FA Cup final post-mortem was launched, the manager was sacked on the 1st anniversary of the league championship he lead us to and season ticket renewal prices with a 9% (ish) increase were announced Manchester City even managed to fit in a game of football.
The headlines were written in advance of kick off, the former kitman’s tweets picked up by every new source, hastily re-hashed articles about player unhappiness were reprinted, comparisons to Chelsea at the ready and journo’s suddenly outing themselves as City fan’s gaining their 15 seconds of fame with their faux-outrage to the news of Mancini’s dismissal. All that was left was for City to capitulate at the hands of the already relegated Reading.
With the Italian’s clearing their belongings from Carrington and filling their cars with anything that wasn’t nailed down Brian Kidd looked an isolated figure as he drafted in youth academy coach Scott Sellars and youth academy goalkeeping coach (and Leigth RMI legend) Dave Felgate to support him. It was all set up and the media held their bated breath to hammer another nail in the coffin of the football club they don’t understand. (and don't wish to)
Typical City! When the world is crashing around them and you think things can only get worse they band together for quite easily one of the best performances of the campaign. Detractors will say that the opposition were poor, and Reading were, defending like statues and that we should have had a cricket score and we should have if hadn’t been for the intervention of Alex McCarthy (if Adam Federici had played we would have broken a league record) but all the important attributes were evident. There was movement off the ball that has been unparalleled this season as Milner, Silva, Yaya all linked up and supported the front two, the passing was crisp, direct and played in front of people rather than into or behind them and there was clear evidence of hard running. Personally how I hope they play every single week.
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[/center][center]Milner playing more central, Yaya Toure having more influence on the game and Maicon essential playing as a winger.[/center]
There were several candidates for man of the match as Aguero looked more interested and involved than he had in months, Tevez played like a man possessed and Milner was simply everywhere. He started the game more central than usual then moved out wide in the second half to stretch the game for Maicon. However I’d have to give it to Brian Kidd considering the circumstances of his battlefield promotion it would have been understandable but he fielded a side with intent, recognised fatigue in both Nastasic and Kompany, made like for like substitutions that made sense and even praised the side in the post match interview managing to sound outraged, dignified and humble all at the same time. Tuesday night was one of the most enjoyable away performances in recent memory and if the first goal had been scored by Liverpool or Arsenal everybody would be raving about it.
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Passing concentrated down both wings almost completely bypassing the middle of the field[/center]
[center]Norwich
[/center]Unfortunately there is very little to comment on Norwich as they've achieved their objective of Premier League survival and very little else. They've signed Javier Garrido on a permanent basis which is no doubt good news for the ladies of Norwich and they've signed up Ricky Van Wolfswinkel from Sporting Lisbon.
Norwich City's review of the season from today's Observer
Norwich City 8/10
Despite a poor second half of the season City achieved what they set out to do – preserve their Premier League status. While the road to getting there may have been rockier than hoped – expected even – it was achieved with a game to spare.
Star man The mainstay of the side has been the back four, at the heart of which has been Sébastien Bassong. Since his summer arrival he has solidified a leaky defence and inspired those alongside him. Robert Snodgrass has also been excellent.
The flops Through little fault of his own – injuries, loan moves etc – Jacob Butterfield has been a disappointment. His much heralded arrival from Barnsley turned into something of a damp squib; his first-team appearances virtually nonexistent.
The gaffer 7/10 Despite being on the receiving end of brickbats aplenty as the season neared its finale, Chris Hughton remained calm and dignified. Even when some fans started to doubt his philosophy he trusted his judgment and was rewarded. A minor criticism could be his natural tendency for caution, but it served as a means to a successful end.
Who should he sign? We've already signed Ricky van Wolfswinkel from Sporting Lisbon, which goes at least part of the way to addressing the lack of goals. Hopefully a creative midfielder will be Hughton's shopping list; someone who'll add a little extra invention to a squad of honest grafters.
Best visiting fans Luton in their shock FA Cup win. Worst Arsenal hardly made a murmur.
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[/center][center]City[/center]
Simply put it shouldn't be necessary to change a winning side bar injuries and that's exactly what I hope Brian Kidd does today. Kolo Toure has a hamstring injury and may have played his last game for City and I would be torn between bringing Zabaleta back into the side and moving Micah into the middle or bringing Kompany straight back into the lineup. I suspect that Kidd will bring both Kompany and Zabaleta back into the starting line up not wishing to risk Micah twice in the space of a couple of days.
Up front Aguero may be a doubt after he picked up a knock on Tuesday night so we may get to see a farewell from Dzeko. or he may choose to push Yaya Toure behind a lone Tevez and start Rodwell or Garcia in the middle. I suspect Kidd will want to keep things simple and choose the former.
[center]Prediction[/center]
Feeling very confident for a change but expecting the same effort and commitment as Tuesday. Feeling a 4-0 or a 5-0 coming on (famous last words i realise)
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