City Watch: An emotional week for The Blues

The ups and downs continued for Manchester City over the festive period, but there seemed to be some momentum building after wins against Leicester and West Ham, who ended up sacking their manager straight after the win!

The Blues went into the FA cup 3rd round with two wins on the bounce, against the ex-Manchester United players owned, Salford City. I’m all for a derby, but I don’t think Manchester City vs Salford has the fierce rivalry of the Manchester derby just yet.

The game was, however, flooded with goals, but only for Man City. An emphatic 8-0 win was just about enough to put the blues into the next round, where we’ll play Leyton Orient away from home next month.

James McAtee was the shining star, scoring his first goal at the etihad, but not only that, he went and bagged himself a hat trick. I’m aware that we do have to take it with a slight pinch of salt as the opposition wasn’t exactly Premier League quality, however, since the turn of the year, he’s been absolutely exceptional.

This week has also been one of great sadness for City fans as the news came earlier this week that former Manchester City captain, manager and icon Tony Book sadly passed away at the age of 90. 

Book made 315 appearances for the Blues between 1966 and 1974. He was appointed captain just one year after his arrival and led City to several honours including The FA Cup, a First Division title, the League Cup, Community Shield and City’s first ever European silverware – lifting the European Cup Winners Cup in 1970.  

Above a stellar playing career for The Blues, Book further cemented himself in City folklore through a successful 5-year spell managing the Manchester club between 1974 and 1979, winning the League Cup in 1976.  

Book was a talented footballer and a brilliant servant of the club. His time at City is renowned and he will be missed by everyone at City and fans alike. 

City also played Brentford in the Premier League on Tuesday night, hoping for a fourth win in a row. In what was probably the most entertaining game of our season, the Blues drew 2-2, throwing away a two goal lead in injury time. The game itself was so open, and it really could’ve been any scoreline. 

The problems for Pep’s team remains the same, missing Rodri mixed with a genuine lack of confidence has Dorian into a big pile of dropped points. I hear people say that one win will get us back on the path, that confidence will return with wins.

I don’t think one or two or three wins will fix the issues we have at the moment, I honestly believe we need to appreciate what we’ve had and use this season to rebuild our confidence.

Manchester City travel to Ipswich on Sunday, who have the worst home form in the league at the moment. I’m hoping for a win there, but you never know with City these days. Just remember, as a blue, we never win at home and we never win away!