Rewind 1 year: October 2011. By this time last year, Manchester United and their cross town rivals Manchester City had been devastating in their performances, sweeping past opponents with brute force, sheer power and clinical efficiency. United had put 8 past Arsenal, 5 past Bolton. City were equally tenacious, destroying teams and making a huge statement. The message was clear, very early on; The title would land either side of Manchester and nowhere else. United made short work of Chelsea and Arsenal, and City scored freely, rarely conceding. It was quite a spectacular sight.
Well, fast forward 1 year, October 2012, of the 2012-13 Season. It’s not quite the same story now is it? It is quite spectacular, how these two sides seem to have lost their edge, their mental and physical dominance, and it doesn’t look at least for now, like the title will land in Manchester. Personally, I see it landing in London.
As someone said recently, it is either the ascendancy of Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham, or the decline of the Manchester boys. However you look at it, there is no denying, there is a ‘bug’ in Manchester and something is terribly wrong. Despite a recent improvement, well over the course of one weekend, I still believe Manchester United and Manchester City have flattered to deceive, and here are my reasons why.
Without taking too much away from the London boys, they have performed well,and may very well land the title if, of-course, they avoid their own ‘bug’: The Wobble! – A popular habit with these clubs especially in the second half of the season.
The dramatic battle to the death between these two clubs, which was one with virtually the last kick of the ball drained the Manchester outfits of a lot of tenacity and willpower. Manchester City seem to have lost a lot of their drive and motivation. They made toppling United off their perch too central a goal, and now that they have achieved it they are setting other targets and redirecting the squad to aim for greater goals, other rivals, other trophies, and it is just outside their conceivable ability.
Man City also lack the cutting edge of last season, the fear factor. For some reason, opponents believe they can get away with a point at City; they are much more comfortable to take the game to them, and their line-up doesn’t strike as much fear into opponent’s minds as it did last season. This has coincided with Mancini’s indecision on default tactics, David Silva’s decline in form, and Aguero’s injury.
It is clear, City are in quite some trouble. I am not saying they are a bad team, No, they are an excellent team, and make no mistake about it; you can only count them out at your peril. They have the ability within a star studded team, to turn it on in a game, and run riot. Madrid almost became their latest victims, United were mauled 6-1. But something is cooking, something worthy of note. If I were a ‘Citizen’, I would be concerned.
What a pathetic report. United and city second and third in the league. United have won both CL matches. United have had up to 4 defenders injured and Wayne Rooney out for 5 weeks. United have also played Liverpool Newcastle Everton away while chelski have only played arsenal and got away with a fluke win.
So whoever you are concentrate on your own team being London or Liverpool and leave us to win the league in MAY.
Good luck for rest of season, you’ll need it.
shocking as it may, im a man utd fan. But i dont let the love of my team blur and construe the truth. Manchester clubs are second and third only just, on the back of unconvincing performances. And my hunch is it will get worse, unlike a couple of years ago when we won the leaugue despite performing poorly, london clubs may very well make us pay.
I strongly beliv n hope it wil cum 2 north london.gunners!
United are not doing so well because being in debt they now lack the resources to pay the refs for more ‘fergie time’.
I do concure on that,that edge,tenacity is gone and other clubs have improved n studied manchester clubs approach,City thru yaya n silva whereas my beloved devils its wing play n defensive stability am nw worried for hw long are we gonna grind results out
What decline in form? In like for like games, City are +2 points on last season’s haul. Indeed if it wasn’t for a woeful whistler at Stoke, City would be +4 points in like for like games.
haha what load of old nonesense. As pointed out above, City are 2 points better off than they were are the same stage last season, without hitting top form. In addition to that, City have won 10 ten and drawn 3 of their last 13 Premier League Games, as well as winning 30 and drawing 3 of their last 33 games at home. some crisis that isnt it. Chelsea were awful last season and finished 6th, they were always going to improve on that. In their last 2 games there have signs that they are retuning back to their best, 46 attempts at goal in their last 2 games.
A Utd fan are you? Oh a surprise there then & we are bound to get an unbiased opinion from you are we? Wishing City to be on the decline it doesn’t make it so. Pathetic
well, lets wait until they are knocked out of both europe tournaments, and finish 3rd. Im willing to bet any body part on that
If your gut is never wrong Maynard, get some money on your forecasts, then you won’t need to write articles like this.
You can retire to a life of luxury thanks to your special talent 🙂
Please don’t forget us at the end of the season ‘tho, post some pictures of your winnings and flash car.