DownSwinging.com

The somewhat lippy Manuel Almunia has come out with a few comments regarding the revolution at Manchester al City:

“There is no doubt we will miss two great players, Kolo is one of the greatest defenders for us. I’m sure we will miss him but we have to play without Kolo and Adebayor now. It’s no problem for us. I still think we are better than them.”

Quite right, I must say. I did find it funny though, that the guy who is starting to return the banter to the Eastlands is the player who has been perhaps the least impressive so far this pre-season. After an embarassing blunder last week against SC Columbia, Almunia was a little shaky against Rangers yesterday, flailing several times at inswinging corners. And with Wenger continually offering Fabianski playing time, you have to wonder if this is Almunia’s last season as the number one. Its only his second season with the gig, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Fabianski is handed the job next summer, or even if Wenger were to make a short-term signing to give Fabianski a bit more time. Point is, Manuel needs to focus a bit more on his job.

That being said, it is nice to see someone shooting the talk back at City. A club whose players don’t seem to notice that they’re scuttling through the pre-season. Maybe they’re finding their groove, or maybe Kaiser Chiefs and Barnsley are world class clubs in hiding. But regardless of what City fans say, these games are somewhat important, these are chances to find a cohesion without the risk of losing points. We’ve seen it before, when clubs have attempted to just flip a switch once the season starts, football doesn’t really work that  way.

Laslty, I stumbled upon this article in the News of the World, despite being one of the least respected publications around, it could still serve as pin up material for the Arsenal squad. Despite being desperately anti-Arsenal, the ‘columnist’ also seems to have forgotten Arsenal finished four points off the pace just one year ago.