Defence and Džeko have their heads over the toilet in City hangover, but we're not in a crisis

It wasn't just a hangover. It was an aggressive, enduring, head-over-the-toilet, Russian hangover that condemned Manchester City to their second league defeat of the season at Upton Park on Saturday afternoon. 



Goals from Morgan Amalfitano and Diafra Sakho were enough to suppress a frenzied surge from the blues in the final 30 minutes of play, and not even David Silva's exquisite curler could lubricate the uncompromising bond between James Collins and Winston Reid in the heart of West Ham United's defence. City have now failed to recover a single point from their last eight Premier League games in which they've been behind at half time, and with Chelsea in such impressive form, things are beginning to look a little grim for the current league champions.

Gaël Clichy was left on the bench in City's 2-2 draw with CSKA Moscow on Tuesday night, but no one seemed to notice the Frenchman sipping away at the Russian Standard he managed to sneak into his water bottle. The 29-year-old has become something of a liability in Manuel Pellegrini's team so far this season, and his hasty decline from one of the league's most dependable full-backs was illuminated by the speed and physicality Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia on Saturday. 

Valencia took advantage of his deteriorating pace to assist Amalfitano for the Hammer's first, and Sakho nudged the defender's petite frame aside to nod Allardyce's men into a 2-0 lead on 75 minutes.

(Gaël Clichy struggled with the pace of Enner Valencia on Saturday afternoon - image via West Ham United Official Facebook)

And he definitely shared some of his bottle with compatriot Eliaquim Mangala on the flight home from Moscow. The £32m man is yet to justify the obscene price tag he balances on his head, and with every mistake, the fee appears more and more ridiculous. Misplaced passes and mis-timed tackles characterised the 23-year-old's display in Moscow and he carried that uncertainty into London on Saturday, but glimpses of his so-called brilliance did begin to surface in the second half. 

The Frenchman made two crucial tackles to keep his side's hopes alive in the last fifteen minutes, saving the blushes of the usually dependable Vincent Kompany who was fortunate not to walk after a number of unnecessary fouls. Of course, City's new-look central defensive partnership needs time to solidify, but not at the expense of lost points. 

Martin Demichelis, anyone?

(Eliaquim Mangala is yet to justify his £32m price tag - image via West Ham United Official Facebook)

City's back line were unforgivably poor, but their failures were outdone by one Edin Džeko who offered absolutely nothing. In fact, his performance deserves no further comment. 

Whatever happens, it's going to be an uncomfortable weekend for Manchester City fans. We've been forced into the awkward position of having to support Manchester United tomorrow, but if Chelsea do maintain their unbeaten run with a win at Old Trafford, Mourinho's side will boast an eight-point lead at the top of the table. 

The positives? Joe Hart gave another spirited, brave, and commanding performance, Sergio Agüero looked dangerous and hungry in City's final push for an equaliser, David Silva was allowed to orchestrate our play in the 4-5-1 system that saw us acquire some tempo, and Yaya Touré showed a few glimpses of his old, lethal self in the final 20 minutes. But City only began to exhibit their mouthwatering qualities when the formation was altered, and it was a case of too little, too late. 

(David Silva's wonder goal was one of a very limited set of positives to take from City's performance - via @MCFC)

Did Manuel Pellegrini get it wrong? Was he too slow to make substitutions? Or was it a lack of effort that saw the blues slump at the hands of West Ham? 

It's been a disappointing week for Manchester City, but we're not in a crisis. We're second in the league, active in both domestic cup competitions, and we still have the opportunity to progress in the Champions League. There's time to address the many issues afflicting the squad, and Manuel Pellegrini has the credentials to do just that. 

Player Ratings

Hart 7

Zabaleta 6

Kompany 5

Mangala 5

Clichy 4

Navas 5

Fernando 6
Touré 6
Silva 7
Džeko 3

Agüero 6

Ahmed Musa was right, Manchester City are 'weak'.

Maybe Ahmed Musa was right.

Manchester City surrendered a 2-0 half-time lead in a desolate Khimki Arena to bury their chances of progression from Group E even deeper under the snow on Tuesday evening, and now boast just two points from three games in this year's Champions League.

Goals from Sergio Agüero and James Milner handed the Blues a deserved lead heading into the break, but complacency, lethargy, and general naivety characterised their second half display on yet another somber European outing as CSKA Moscow were handed an unlikely 2-2 draw. 


(James Milner gives City a seemingly comfortable 2-0 lead - via @MCFC)

Manuel Pellegrini has questions to answer. Why was Fernandinho brought into the game so late? Why was Yaya Touré allowed to push forward when he should have been helping to defend our lead? The man who was appointed to address our Champions League woes has shown incredible ignorance in the tournament he supposedly mastered at Villarreal and Malaga. Unfortunately, Manchester City aren't a club that can take risks on Europe's biggest stage, the players we have at our disposal means there is no excuse for failure, and there is an extreme amount of pressure to succeed. At Malaga and Villarreal, perhaps there was no pressure. Is the Chilean cracking under the weight of it?

But Uefa also have to address a number of issues. They clearly indicated that CSKA Moscow's stadium ban meant that no fans would be able to penetrate the walls of the Khimki Arena, so why were the hosts allowed to play along to the roars of local Moscovians? Why was a penalty not awarded to Manchester City when Edin Džeko was quite clearly fouled in the 18-yard-box in the first-half? And how on earth couldn't referee Istvan Vad recognise that Seydou Doumbia dived for his side's 86th minute penalty?

It was an appalling performance from the official, but City's negligence of their defensive duties once again had a greater bearing on the result.

Eliaquim Mangala, signed for £32.8m in the summer, fooled us all with a commanding debut against Chelsea in September, but ever since, the Frenchman has been worryingly below par. The 23-year-old was caught ball watching for CSKA's first goal, and misplaced a number of passes in dangerous areas to present the hosts with momentum going forward. Mangala will certainly mature and improve under the guidance of his defensive partner Vincent Kompany, but Manuel Pellegrini must decide whether it is worth risking such a raw talent in important games for the remainder of the season. 


(Were Manchester City conned out of £32.8m by FC Porto? - via @MCFC)

Defending Yaya Touré has been a pursuit of mine ever since he was unfairly criticised for his slow start to the Premier League season, but the Ivorian was ineffective once again on Tuesday night. He was a calm and dominant presence in the first half when City were commanding the play, but pushed way too far up the pitch when Fernandinho was introduced instead of attending to his defensive responsibilities. It's not the first time the 31-year-old has left his side short at the back, and Pellegrini must consider whether it is a product of fatigue, or just pure disinterest. 

Ahmed Musa was right. Manchester City are 'weak'. They have the ammunition and the talent, but in Europe, City simply don't have the right mentality to assert themselves.  

Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur: Possible line-up and team news

I, like many, find it difficult to muster any sort of enthusiasm for the international break. 

Maybe it's because I'm a miserable Englishman; a miserable Englishman who is forced to 'support' a miserable team with a miserable manager and miserable players. The somber 1-0 win over Estonia did little to change that. 

What England does boast, however, is a particularly stimulating domestic competition. This weekend, the Premier League returns. Thank God. 

Manchester City host a Tottenham Hotspur side that melted like butter against the top four last season, and although the North London outfit are still an extremely beatable side, Pochettino has improved their defensive discipline somewhat. 

Long gone are the days when a tug-of-war between the Blues and the Lillywhites often confirmed a Champions League spot, in fact, City have sailed so far past their ex-rivals that we don't even hate Spurs anymore. And Christ, did I despise Spurs' fans. 

Pochettino's men are no longer the Bale-ful side they used to be (get it?...) and City look set to record a comfortable victory in Saturday's early kick-off.

Prediction: 2-0 

How Manchester City should line up


Goalkeeper
There's no choice, really. Hart is the better, more commanding goalkeeper and Manuel Pellegrini needs to get out of the habit of rotating him with Caballero. It will only damage his confidence.

Defence
Aleksandar Kolarov was involved in a rather eventful tie against Albania that involved more drones and fighting than football and will probably be rested on Saturday. Gaël Clichy was overlooked by France manager Didier Deschamps (again) and will be fresh.


(Kolarov was forced to act as a peace-maker when Serbia's international match against Albania was abandoned due to violence)

Eliaquim Mangala played no part in France's 3-0 win over Armenia after picking up a groin injury, but his omission was believed to be precautionary. 

Midfield
Yaya Touré is expected to land back in Manchester tomorrow after representing Ivory Coast in their 4-3 loss to the Democratic Republic of Congo yesterday. The Ivorian scored the Elephant's first goal, but is unlikely to contribute anything to City's weekend fixture and could be rested for CSKA Moscow. 

His likely absence could form a Brazilian partnership between Fernando and Fernandinho in the centre of midfield. Both are considered as defensive players, but Fernandinho does have the ability to bombard forward with pace. He'll probably supplement the attack whilst Fernando sweeps up just in front of the defence. 

(Fernandinho and Fernando could finally line up alongside each other on Saturday)

Fernandinho was unavailable for Brazil's 4-0 win over Japan earlier in the week after picking up a hamstring injury, but could be fit to start this weekend.

Jesus Navas opened the scoring after just 14 seconds in last year's equivalent fixture, and his speed is always a welcome addition to City's attacking play, especially at home. James Milner is bang in form, but Navas will offer that little bit more in terms of goalscoring threat.

Strikers

Manuel Pellegrini has shown a preference towards the 4-4-2 formation with two strikers at home this season, and with Sergio Agüero and Edin Džeko in form and scoring goals, the Chilean should opt for the Argentinian-Bosnian strike-force yet again on Saturday. 

(Agüero and Džeko have scored 7 Premier League goals between them so far this season) 

Injury list

• Samir Nasri
• Stevan Jovetić (Limped off in Montenegro's 0-0 draw with Liechtenstein, but reports suggest it could have just been cramp)
• Eliaquim Mangala (Groin injury - omitted as a precaution against Armenia, could return)
• Fernandinho (Hamstring injury - no fresh news)

Why Aleksandar Kolarov should be made Manchester City's wingman

Last week, the Daily Star reported that Manchester City had joined the race for FC Barcelona full-back Jordi Alba.

Mere rumour? Perhaps, but Manchester City's left full-back situation is far from stable. Although Gaël Clichy and Aleksandar Kolarov occupy the role in a rotation system, one has become Mr.Inconsistent, and the other is far more effective at the other end of the pitch. 

The left full-back role hasn't been dominated by a single player since the days of Roberto Carlos, but alongside Bayern Munich's David Alaba, Alba could be the most competent in that position. 

But regardless of whether the Premier League champions submit a bid for the 25-year-old Spaniard or not, bringing in a left-sided full-back could allow Aleksandar Kolarov to become the dangerous winger City's measured attacking play desperately craves this season. 

From zero to hero.

Before Manuel Pellegrini joined the club in the summer of 2013, Aleksandar Kolarov was already preparing to call time on his short stay at the Etihad Stadium. Regarded as a defensive liability and appreciated only for his explosive left foot, the Serbian was mocked for the £16m price tag that balanced on his head, and a move back to Italy looked certain. 

But under the Chilean, Kolarov was given the game time he required to settle into the side, and his new manager's attacking philosophies married with his playing style sumptuously. The deep defensive line Roberto Mancini often employed exploited Kolarov's defensive weaknesses; Pellegrini's comparatively high line revealed the 28-year-old's various attacking qualities. 

An attacking threat.

Against teams like Arsenal and Chelsea, who are armed with predatory wingers such as Alexis Sánchez and Eden Hazard, Gaël Clichy has been legitimately preferred over Kolarov at left-back. The Frenchman is a more accomplished defender, and has a turn of pace that makes him more reliable in one on one situations. So far this season, Clichy has averaged 9 defensive actions per game and has won an impressive 54% of his duels. 

(Clichy is a more accomplished defender than his Serbian counterpart - image via @Squawka)

Contrastively, Kolarov has won only 39% of his duels (the lowest of any defender in City's squad) and has averaged just five defensive actions per game, but his conduct has been much more influential further up the pitch. The Serbian has created five chances in five league appearances for the blues and has also registered an assist. 

(Kolarov has made four key passes and one assist in the Premier League this season - image via @Squawka)

In Manuel Pellegrini's offensive system, Kolarov is regarded as an important outlet when City go forward. His shot power enables him to occupy positions just outside the 18-yard-box which are often populated by stray balls, and the venom and accuracy in his left boot often stings the hands of opposition goalkeepers.

(Kolarov is often one of City's most advanced players when they attack - image via mcfc.co.uk)

But the former Lazio man's most valuable asset is his seductive delivery into the box. Kolarov's versatile left foot can whip, drive, and curl a variety of accurate and teasing crosses into the penalty area that cause endless problems for defenders and attractive opportunities for City's strikers. No other player in the league possesses the same ability to whip a ferocious first time cross into the 18-yard-box, and Kolarov does this meticulously on a consistent basis. 

(Kolarov possesses a delicious crossing technique that has become a critical component in Manchester City's attacking play - video via @MCFC_Videos)

Pellegrini must remove Kolarov of his defensive responsibilities

Aleksandar Kolarov certainly offers vitality to Manchester City's attacking play, but his tendency to occupy positions further up the pitch leaves the team vulnerable to counter attacks. 

The champions have become worryingly susceptible to the counter attack this season, conceding goals from attacking positions in games against AS Roma, Chelsea and Stoke City. In City's 1-0 defeat to Stoke, Kolarov was unable to provide protection against the Potter's counter attack because of he was too far up the field, and Mame Biram Diouf was able to sprint into free space and slot past Joe Hart.

(Kolarov can be seen sprinting back in attempt to help his teammates defend, the X marks where he should have been - image via mcfc.co.uk)

But is this the fault of the player, or is it a tactical mistake? Kolarov has obligations at both ends of the field, but Manuel Pellegrini must facilitate the Serbian's strengths and play him in front of  Gaël Clichy rather than instead of him. 

Samir Nasri's injury has proven to be a blessing in disguise for the Chilean who has been able to infuse his team with the energy and enthusiasm of James Milner alongside David Silva, Fernandinho and Yaya Touré in the midfield, but Aleksandar Kolarov must also be considered as a midfielder than can offer more to City's decelerating attacking play. 

By no means must the 28-year-old be considered a first-team regular, but removing him of his defensive responsibilities could help to plug City's leaky back-line and arm their attack with more flavour. 

Aston Villa 0 - 2 Manchester City: Silva keeps striking gold

Yaya Touré's ingenious 82nd minute strike sent Manchester City on their way to a vital 2-0 victory over Aston Villa on Saturday evening, but it was David Silva's heroics that sustained City's hunger in attack throughout the 90 minutes and eventually shrugged off Paul Lambert's stubborn Villains. 

City's attacking play had a leisurely undertone and the midfield decomposed under the agility present in the Villa counter-attack, but what the blues lacked in speed, David Silva made up for in imagination. 

(Image via http://outsideoftheboot.com/tactics-creator/)

Silva keeps striking gold.

Manchester City relied heavily on the pace and physique of their forward players for goals last term, but the blues' attacking play has acquired a comparatively placid undercurrent so far this season. Pellegrini's men are finding it more difficult to break down resolute defences, and creativity, rather than agility, has become their main mechanism of penetration.

Accordingly, David Silva's role in the side is now even more imperative. The Spaniard is the league's most gifted footballer by a stretch and has acted as a monotone for City's play ever since he joined the club from Valencia in 2010, but with Yaya Touré's legs now teetering under nearly 32-years of age, Silva's innovation around the 18-yard-box is even more crucial in unlocking defences.

On Saturday, Silva completed 87% of his passes and created three of City's 19 chances, but it was the direction of those passes that will encourage the Etihad faithful. The 28-year-old always looks to penetrate and his assuredness in possession, especially in heavily populated areas of the pitch, affords Sergio Agüero and Edin Džeko the time to find the space that Silva then sprays the ball into. The Spanish international didn't register an assist on Saturday evening, but his ability to hold onto the ball allowed City's midfield to move up the pitch and occupy dangerous positions around Aston Villa's penalty area.

(A graphic of David Silva's completed passes against Aston Villa - via @Squawka)

Before Manchester City's 2-0 victory, Silva had completed 199 passes in his opponent's half in the Premier League this season, with only Mesut Özil (214) and Eden Hazard (206) completing more. The statistic illustrates his desire to move City forward, command the possession and permeate opposition defences - and that could be Manuel Pellegrini's key to retaining the Premier League title this term.

Silva's immaculate display was applauded by a number of the game's famous faces yesterday evening:

(Manchester City legend Paul Lake, QPR midfielder Joey Barton, and BBC pundit Phil Neville all took to Twitter to show their appreciation for the Spanish maestro).

Was Nasri's injury a blessing in disguise?

Samir Nasri was ruled out for a month after picking up a groin injury in September, but his absence has facilitated the impressive form of James Milner who has been tremendous for the league champions in their last five games. 

Nasri endured an underwhelming start to the campaign and often fades out of games characterised by physicality. Unfortunately for the Frenchman, the Premier League is famous for its 'rough and tumble' nature.

The 27-year-old certainly improved under Manuel Pellegrini last season and almost hit the form he consistently exhibited at Arsenal, but generally, Nasri has disappointed in the sky blue of Manchester City since joining the club three years ago. 

Much more suited to the expeditiousness of the league and City's game plan this term is James Milner, a player who has long been hideously underrated. The Englishman was instrumental in the 2-0 win over his former club on Saturday, creating seven chances, completing four crosses, and assisting Sergio Agüero for his side's second goal. 

(Milner created seven chances against Aston Villa, one of which was an assist - via @Squawka)

Milner offers the pace, energy, tenacity and enthusiasm throughout the 90 minutes that Nasri sometimes lacks, and his versatility makes him one of the most important players in Manuel Pellegrini's squad. 

That new contract has to be signed soon.

Go with your Hart, Manuel.

Robbie Savage criticised Manuel Pellegrini's decision to drop Joe Hart to the bench following two confident displays against Chelsea and Bayern Munich - and I whole-heartedly agree.

England's No.1 was excoriated for his poor display against Stoke City in August, but since then, the 27-year-old has commanded his area with authority and has produced a variety of stunning saves to suggest he is still Manchester City's first choice goalkeeper. 

Hart has successfully claimed 95% of crosses into his box this season, and along with Swansea City's Łukasz Fabiański, has produced a league high of six punches. He's a much more secure option than his Argentinian counterpart. 

By no means is Hart the finished article, but rotation in the goalkeeping department will only hinder his development. 

Manchester City 1 - 1 AS Roma: Empty seats, a lack of pressure, and an uphill trudge toward qualification

Rudi Garcia's expanding Roman empire were always going to test the credentials and character of Champions League Group E's two titans. Bayern Munich are yet to acquaint themselves with the dauntless Italian outfit who currently boast a 100% record in Serie A; but on Tuesday evening, Manchester City quivered before the intimidating pace and energy of AS Roma. 

Sergio Agüero's fourth minute penalty suggested a rare, and relatively unequivocal, European triumph was on the menu at the Etihad Stadium, but David Silva's seductive chipped through ball into the Argentine provided the only real creativity displayed by Manchester City throughout the 90 minutes. 

Roma, martialled by the elegance and imagination of Italian legend Francesco Totti, responded vehemently, disorienting and teasing their hosts with intricate one touch passing and a succession of dangerous through balls. It was the 38-year-old who levelled the tie with a sumptuous chip over Joe Hart after 23 minutes.

Manuel Pellegrini's side now face a dispiriting uphill trudge toward qualification. They are expected to collect six points from their two games against CSKA Moscow, but a trip to the Stadio Olimpico and a visit from Bayern Munich pose significant obstacles in the way of their bid to progress from Group E.

City lacked imagination on Tuesday night, but they also lacked the confidence we often see from them in the Premier League. 

Why leave early?

(Rio Ferdinand showed his true colours with a series of ignorant tweets regarding Manchester City's attendance)

City's fans were wrongly criticised for their supposed lack of support on Tuesday evening, but in truth, the Etihad faithful orchestrated an audible Mancunian chorus of 'When the Blues go marching in' that resounded around the stadium throughout the first 45 minutes of the game. 

But there's no excuse for leaving the stadium early, especially when your team are pushing for a goal. A considerable portion of the 38,000 attendance vacated their seats well before the final whistle blew, and City could have done with a 'twelfth man' in those five additional minutes. Ticket prices are ridiculous and do not accommodate for the average working class fan, but beating the traffic is an embarrassing excuse for abandoning your team as they desperately push for a winner.

No pressure.

(Image via AS Roma Youtube)

Roma are a fast, creative team with plenty of attacking intent, and Manchester City facilitated the momentum of the Italian's attacking play by standing off their opponents. In the image above, Touré presents Roma's most influential playmaker, Miralem Pjanić, with at least 10 yards of space to drive into. The space available to Roma's midfielders forced David Silva into a more central position in an attempt to plug the gaps leaving Gaël Clichy isolated against the pace of Gervinho and Maicon. 

City are notoriously vulnerable to a counter attack, but Manuel Pellegrini's decision to employ a deep-lying midfield back fired and presented the Giallorossi with too much room to exhibit their brilliant one-touch attacking football. 

Is Sergio OK?


Sergio Agüero has scored five goals in eight appearances so far this season - but his impressive tally doesn't narrate the full story of the Argentine's start to the 2013/2014 campaign. He's lost the ball and reacted with only a disappointed grimace, he's been outmuscled by the opposition on numerous occassions, and he's faded out of every game he's started. By no means am I questioning Sergio's commitment, but there are concerns over his fitness levels. 

Agüero has certainly performed better alongside a partner this term. Last season, Álvaro Negredo's strength and physicality brought out the best in the 26-year-old who netted 28 goals in all competitions, and so far this season, Edin Džeko's muscular presence has expedited Agüero's tendency to buzz around the 18-yard-box and run at defenders. 

There have been flickers of brilliance from the Argentine, but his performance levels have indubitably dropped in the latter stages of the games he has featured in. We need him back to full fitness, and soon.