Forever Blue With Ian Cheeseman

Two away wins in four days might be the kick start Manchester City’s players need if this strange season is to bring more trophies to the Etihad Stadium.

The first half of the campaign has been inconsistent, by City’s very high modern-day standards. The goals haven’t been flowing like they have in recent seasons, although the extra protection the defence has had from the double defensive midfield formation seems to have been a success.

I’ve seen some City fans argue that the extra protection from Rodri and Fernandinho or Gundogen has been brought in by Pep as a tactic that might benefit the team in the latter stages of the Champions League. I’m not sure I agree with that but against an Arsenal side that was bereft of all confidence, it worked well enough at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night and of course there were four goals scored.

It’s not hard to spot when one of the giants of the Premier League are in trouble. I’ve witnessed it first-hand as a City reporter/fan down the years. As City were tumbling from crisis to crisis, the absence of leadership, on and off the field, was there for everyone to see. It doesn’t seem long ago that Arsene Wenger was seen as the fall guy at Arsenal, indeed Arsenal Fan TV shot to prominence on the back of the negativity around the Emirates, at that time.

With my City hat on, I’m just happy that it’s my team’s turn to dominate and I’m grateful that I’ve had this period in my life. At the weekend City won at Southampton and while I’ve never hidden my current disconnect from football because of the lack of fans in stadiums and the ongoing health crisis, I probably enjoyed the win at St.Mary’s as much as any game this season. The Saints looked confident and were prepared to go toe to toe with City which made for a much more open game.

The Blues had more quality than their opponents and deservedly won. It’s hard to predict how this season will unfold but at this stage it feels like, despite the fact they’ll be 8^th in the Premier League on Christmas Day, City are handily placed to finish in the top two, at the very least. They’re in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup, the last 16 of the Champions League and Messi might be on the way to the Etihad in 2021. This year has not been the best, for any of us, but if I was summing up 2020 for City fans I’d say it has to be a good one and full of positivity and hope.

The club is well run, has a great coach and some of the best players in the World. They won the Carabao Cup during this horrible year and let’s remember that ultimately football is an escape. For most football fans, watching TV games this year has been one of the few positives and watching Manchester City under Pep is something to cherish, because just like Wenger’s time at Arsenal, one day it will come to an end. Don’t take it for granted, enjoy it.

If you didn’t already know, I present a radio show called “Sports Talk” on Tameside Radio 103.6FM every Friday evening from 7pm and despite it being Christmas Day this week, I’ll be on air as usual, so (especially if you’re on your own) join me for sport and a few quiz questions to listen to with your Turkey. Happy Christmas!