Doncaster 1 Manchester City 3

July 15, 2007

MICAH: Celebrates his goal

SVEN-GORAN Eriksson swapped Germany for south Yorkshire and re-discovered that winning feeling.

Three hundred and seventy eight days after England's defeat by Portugal on penalties in the World Cup quarter final, the Swedish coach was back in the dugout.

About 1200 Manchester City supporters made the 120-mile round trip to witness Eriksson's first game in charge of the club.

He saw his team dig in to overcome the ambitious League One side in this friendly.

That defeat on July 1 2006 in Gelsenkirchen must have seemed a world away when Eriksson arrived at the Keepmoat Stadium.

He looked fit and well, happily posing for photographs and shaking the hand of home boss Sean O'Driscoll.

Wearing a smart suit, not a track suit, Eriksson took his place in the dug out and was joined by Hans Backe, who appointment as assistant manager was confirmed today.

Eriksson has also recruited by his old friend Tord Grip as he tries to get to grips with club management for the first time in seven years.

He has gone quickly about his business, signing striker Rolando Bianchi for £8.8million from Reggina and midfielder Gerson Fernandes from Sion for an undisclosed fee.

City's problems in attack were clear for all to see last season. They scored only ten goals in 19 Premier League games - a record low for the top flight.

Bianchi was in the crowd of 6,375 this afternoon and will head to Sweden tomorrow with the rest of squad for a pre-season tour.

With Eriksson looking on intently, City stepped up the pace in the second half after Sean McDaid had given Doncaster the lead in the 17th minute.

Substitute Bernardo Corradi equalised in the 48th minute then Micah Richards (62) and Emile Mpenza (64) added to their tally to complete a satisfying afternoon for the former England boss.

What do you think? Have your say

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julio JORDio, Wonderland (15/07/2007 at 12:45)

Good start yesterday. Does anybody know if the sweden tours on telly anywhere?

Holme Valley Knowledge. (15/07/2007 at 13:07)

I thought they did okay yesterday. We were a little bit weak in midfield in the first half, but still created enough clear cut chances to have scored three by half time if not more. Their goal came out of the blue with a bit of a cock up from Ball not clearing convincingly. Onouha, Dunne and especially Richards (who looked really classy) defended well. Needles was okay, Bernard looked better than any other time he's had a blue shirt on. Ireland had a spell around the goals where he was involved in everything and had a couple of very good efforts on goal where he was unlucky not to score. Sam was a real mixed bag again and Miller truly awful.

I know it was only Donny Rovers but lets not forget they have ambitions themselves and are one of the clubs expected to be competing at the top of 'One' this season. Wasn't Horlock there last season and if so, where is he now?

JJBlue's, London (15/07/2007 at 13:19)

Was that Corradi.......?

p-woodhouse, gorton (15/07/2007 at 13:30)

heard you speaking about miller.. its funny you said he had a bad game, the bloke who was covering city on sky, was saying miller had been playing well,, dont think corradi did himself any favours with the fans, when he scored, didnt seem to celebrate with the fans,, would like to know if he applauded the fans at the end, and if so did he get applause back from the fans...did score a great goal though. maybe there is something there to work with....

proudtobeblue (15/07/2007 at 13:37)

hail Sven the miracle man....he managed to do in 1 week what SP failed to do in 12 months....make Corradi look like a footballer, or was that an imposter. If Sven can find improvement in the likes of Samaras,Dabo then with 6 or 7 new players we may just have the making of a half decent squad.

Wilf Veevers (15/07/2007 at 13:49)

Corradi was good on Saturday...Not a bad start with a depleted squad, but Samaras had 90 minutes and looked as bad as ever....The rest were OK and things can only get better...

p-woodhouse, gorton (15/07/2007 at 14:00)

WILF NO RELATION TO JIMMY ARE YOU...

Brisbane Blue (15/07/2007 at 14:04)

It's good to see a couple of posts stating that Corradi had a good game. Refreshingly honest given the amount of stick he has taken recently. I think that I was only one of a handful of people who said he may come good if he is given the right service and whilst I am fully aware that one swallow does not make a summer at least it's a start.

SGE has promised everyone a clean slate and so let's hope Corradi accepts the challenge. You guys get to watch him week in, week out. I don't and the TV doesn't really reflect the 'off the ball' work so I will be interested to read how he goes over the next few weeks. I am sure you will be equally honest in your appraisals if he proves not to be up for it.

Manc Through and Through, Withington (15/07/2007 at 14:07)

Looks like we can at least get through a few rounds in the cup without going out to teams like this. I liked SP but loosing to teams like this was shocking and made us a laughing stock. Also I am going to stick my neck out and say that Sven will turn Corradi round and the reason why you may ask? Welllll (just like Sven) I think Corradi is used to more organised team play and good service into the box. SP insisted on lone strikers who were expected to take a long ball down beat 5 defenders and score a wonder goal and if this option was not on hold the ball on the edge of the penalty area and pass it back over the half way line for someone to then dribble it back to the edge of the penalty area and win a set piece. It may have worked at Wealdstone United but in the premiership? Anyway great start for Sven and regardless of the slagging off SVG is getting off the press he is still quality.

stuart malcolm (15/07/2007 at 14:07)

For the people at Doncaster -"Did Corradi show any pace of movement or thought?

Was TGT any better? Describe his game please. Is there any chance?

bluefield, chesterfield (15/07/2007 at 14:29)

Anyone read in one of todays papers, that the supposed 50 million transfer kitty is way off the mark. Yeah, more like just short of 200 million. I don't believe that, but if it was true then flippin eck, the good times might not be too far away.

bluestreety, Hollingworth (15/07/2007 at 14:36)

Not sure if it will show any of our tour games but check it out anyway.
livefooty.doctor-serv.com/

p-woodhouse, gorton (15/07/2007 at 14:39)

didnt read that, but if it is 200 million. roll on the champion league.. are you sure you didnt dream it...

what do united fans do when they have won the champions league, ( turn off their ps3)

Wilf Veevers (15/07/2007 at 14:57)

P. Wodehouse Gorton..Yes, he's my brother. Watches the rags home and away on two different telly's!!!

eddieeric, holmes chapel (15/07/2007 at 15:09)

i did say i an earlier post that if we did bid 27 mil for toorres 50 million was way off the mark. the people did say 200 million.i think they are nearer the mark . never mind sven having something to prove . old frankie boy has a junta to stick two fingers up to. ronaldino you are next.

MK Blue, milton keynes (15/07/2007 at 15:10)

Great atmosphere at the Donny match 4 a pre season friendly. Well done to us noisy blues and the boys who took it seriously for once. Sam got a full game but sadly looked as bad as ever. Poor first touch and no real composure. Dabo I thought also looked anything but a prem player and if Hamann could pass the ball forward he might look like a prem player again but sadly looked well past his best. First half City looked ... well just as last season. Change of formation to 433 did the trick at half time and bringing on Corradi for Vas made City look a new team. Corradi in the middle looked a good target man and had a very good half. Even allowing for the opposition we looked a good team in the second half and Corradi looked a prem striker at last.
A good all round performance I thought but don't be too surprised if Sam goes soon and if Hamann and Dabo are left to make up the numbers. Expect Onouha to be on the bench for a while 2 along with Ireland. Can't see Dickov playing more if at all either as he also looks well off the pace.
Roll on the new season and a few more players too. These are exciting days thank u Frankie and a rejuvinated SGE. CTID

30 years of pain, Lowestoft (15/07/2007 at 15:11)

Disappointed with Sven, ruined my whole season by saying we were not going to win prem this season, sack him.

Once a blue always a blue - CTID, Denton (15/07/2007 at 15:15)

I also read that it was more like 200m and not 50m, i think it was hotline in the people that printed it. I would not be surprised if it was though the way SGE talks so confidently about winning the EPL. I know he's a confident man but he's not stupid to think that we can we the league without some serious investment.

blue62 (15/07/2007 at 15:22)

Nice win for the lads. I am interested to know how many players played in the game and whether Shaleum Logan played any part. Although I am happy with the 1st choice back line, its an area where we need to buy. The question is do we buy a couple of players to play in the 1st team ahead of players already there i.e. Onuha & Ball? Or do we buy a couple of younger players to come in for suspensions and/or injuries?

Holme Valley Knowledge. (15/07/2007 at 15:27)

Bernard put himself about, he was tackling back....successfully winning the ball several times. His touch looked more assured and he looked confident. Sam on the other hand looked like a rabbit caught in the headlights again. He had one moment where a ball came into the box to him, which he let bounce before attempting to control, only problem was he let it bounce straight over his head and out of play. At another point though in the second half he was out wide left and took a ball in his stride, changed direction in the same movement and left the full back trailing behind. It's so baffling how he can switch from such extremes so quickly.

Miller didn't want to take on his full back even though he had loads of the ball in good positions, I think largely because he knew he couldn't beat him. he was also very very lazy and half hearted, to such an extent that it prompted debate around us as to whether he knew he was leaving and has somewhere else lined up. Still it's all subjective I suppose....but he was rank rotten!

Holme Valley Knowledge. (15/07/2007 at 16:03)

Incidentally, I sort of expect the tabloids to have a pop at Sven, but this mornings report of the match in The Times was misleading and less than flattering. They also suggest that City fans gave Sven a luke warm reception which couldn't be further from the truth, with almost non stop chanting for him including the amusing ditty "if Sven's s*****d your wife clap your hands" For his part, Svenny seemed to appreciate it and came over at full time to applaud a generally enthusiastic crowd.

Invisible Man, Manchester (15/07/2007 at 16:19)

Yet again it proved what I've been saying all last season. It wasn't the forwards at fault it was the pathetic midfield who didn't create anything. Maybe having players who pass to a blue shirt helps. Barton being the obvious example.

Ice (15/07/2007 at 17:00)

Bravo Bernado! Un gol fantastico!

The Blue Tool, URMSTON (15/07/2007 at 17:03)

Mr Eriksson, please sign midfield players of note and worth, not untried and to young, i am sure you have it in hand , every confidece in you, Come on CITY.

Taggart (15/07/2007 at 17:14)

No point in praising, or indeed playing, Corradi as he wants off asap

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