Manchester City - fan's review of 2008/09 Premier League season
Manchester City - fan's review of 2008/09 Premier League season
Also In The News
Tuesday, 02, Jun 2009 04:37
Good, bad or just the same old, same old? What the fans made of the 2008/09 season.
I said at the beginning of the season that City fans would be expecting better than last year's ninth place, and given the fanfare that accompanied the club's takeover this was the bare minimum they would have been hoping for.
After waving goodbye to Thaksin Shinawatra under fairly controversial circumstances, the club became the richest in the world when it was bought out by the Abu Dhabi United group.
Things started well and pre-season gave some cause for positivity with a 1-0 win over Italian giants AC Milan at the City of Manchester Stadium.
Club record signing Jo and strong links to his Brazilian compatriot Ronaldinho had more than a few season ticket holders salivating over what would surely be a year to remember.
However, it was to be another of the young striker's countrymen that would make the switch from Spain to England in the shape of Robinho.
A run to the quarter-finals of the Uefa Cup could not make up for the disappointment of early exits from the Carling and FA Cups to Brighton and Hove Albion and Nottingham Forrest, respectively.
Jo failed to make the expected impact and was farmed out on loan to Everton, although he is expected back in Manchester after the Merseyside club revealed it could not afford to keep him.
Tenth place in the league will have disappointed City's fans, new owners and manager - a season that promised so much seemed to run out of steam almost as soon as it began.
Grade: A resounding C-
High Point
Although few City fans may agree with me, the 2-0 defeat away to Aalborg in the Uefa cup in March was my high point for the season.
Hughes' men may have believed they were sitting pretty going in to the match two goals to the good - and with five minutes to go the travelling support probably thought so too.
But two strikes in the final four minutes saw the Danes force an unexpected, nerve-wracking extra half hour.
The match went to penalties, with Given saving two. Despite the defeat this was arguably the most exciting game of City's season.
Low Point
The loss to Brighton and Hove Albion in the Carling Cup was equally as exciting, but ended in disaster.
City, fresh from hammering Pompey 6-0 only days before, were a goal up at the Withdean Stadium with one foot in the next round, when Glenn Murray equalised to make it 1-1.
Brighton then took the lead in extra time through Joe Ayinsah, only for Stephen Ireland to take the game to penalties with an equaliser of his own.
However, it was not to be as City bowed out 5-3 to lower division opposition.
The manager
Mark Hughes will be disappointed with his side's failure to challenge for a European spot or a domestic cup.
However, the club's European exploits mean the season wasn't a complete disaster.
The former Blackburn boss will know that more will be expected of him - and with chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak explaining he is expecting a top-six finish next season, Hughes may begin to feel the pressure soon.
He is likely to remain in place for the time being at least and will be looking to make the most of the money he has been promised for players.
Fan's Player of the Year
- Stephen Ireland -
The Irish midfielder has committed his future to the club with a new five-year contract, and this was warmly welcomed by everyone at the club.
With 13 goals in 47 starts, the Corkman's performances this season have stood out. Although it is tempting to say Robinho, Ireland gets my vote due to his outstanding performances both home and away.
The good news for City supporters is he is still only 22 and should only get better.
Needs for Next Season
Hughes may look to bolster his squad with some experience and quality over the summer.
Vedran Corluka's departure left a void that still needs to be filled, while Robinho looks like he would play better with someone with real quality and strength alongside him.
Whether that someone will be the returning Jo remains to be seen, but the former Real Madrid man will be hoping to show his true quality next season.
The main thing for Manchester City is that the current crop of players remembers the pain of this season and ensures the 2009/10 campaign goes a whole lot better.
Chris Malone