Blues left-back Michael Ball is also finding the glut of festive fixtures is a shock to the system, and he is a Liverpudlian.
Ball has played in both of City's Christmas matches so far, and is bidding to keep his place for tomorrow's home clash with Liverpool as Sven-Goran Eriksson uses his squad to the full to get through a hectic schedule.
Having been restricted largely to substitute appearances following Javier Garrido's summer arrival from Real Sociedad, Ball has started City's last three league matches.
He is grateful to get a run in the side, but admits that playing over Christmas and New Year has taken some getting used to again following his stint in Holland with PSV Eindhoven.
Even though the Dutch Eredivisie has recently fallen into line with the Premier League by playing on Boxing Day, footballers in Holland still have a fortnight's winter break after the New Year games.
And that is why Ball has plenty of sympathy for the cluster of overseas arrivals who might have grown used to putting their feet up over the festive period.
He said: "You know it's going to be difficult, but I'm not used to it either. I've been away for too long, so it's my first time for a while.
Buzz
"But it's a great time for the fans and a great experience when you're playing in full stadiums. It gives everyone a bit of a buzz."
English football's Christmas rush is also something of a new experience for Eriksson, at least at first hand.
Although he took in his fair share of festive fixtures during his five-and-a-half years as England boss, he has never managed at domestic level without a winter break.
The Italian and Portuguese leagues take a Christmas breather, while Sweden's league season is played over the summer.
Eriksson recently put forward the idea of a Premier League winter break between the third and fourth rounds of the FA Cup.
Eriksson cited the heavy Christmas programme as his reason for resting veteran midfielder Dietmar Hamann against Blackburn on Thursday, but the former Liverpool midfielder is eager to face his old club.
Brazilian playmaker Elano is also likely to start, having been restricted to a substitute's appearance in the 2-2 draw against Rovers.
Ball is competing with Garrido for a starting spot against the Merseysiders, and he said: "It's been a little bit disappointing not playing, but I couldn't argue, as the lads started really well and we've gone from strength to strength.
"There was no point knocking on the manager's door, because of the start to the season we had made.
"I've been happy that Sven's been giving me bit parts, keeping me involved in the squad and giving me the chance to come on in different positions. I'm grateful for that and over the last couple of weeks I've had a couple of starts. So if I'm given a chance, I hope I can prove that I'm the No 1 choice."
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Ball is a proper fullback unlike Garrido who is an early birthday present for any winger with a modicum of skill. i'd have Ball play every time if only to stop my heart from missing a beat every time the ball goes anywhere near our left flank.
It's been great when Javier Garrido has been brought on to forage forward on the left and he certainly came up trumps with his winning passes against Bolton - but I agree Michael seems to be a much better defender. His fantastic jockeying and blocking against TWO Villa attackers, most definitely earned us that point at Villa Park. He has vast experience and I'm really pleased he is being given his chance in the leftback spot. Javier is still young, only 21 and it's probably not yet decided what his best position is - but he will come good. Fingers crossed for tomorrow against Liverpool. I would be happy with a draw and keep our unbeaten home record intact.
micheal ball brilliant singer.
Ball is a better full back for me & gives our defence a much more solid feel. Petrov can be brilliant going forwards but he does not provide much cover for the full back, has a tendency to opt out of challenges where he might get a knock and Garrido has been pulled out of position too easily for me. Stick with him Sven.
Agree 100% with Jim. Defence looks much better with Ball at left back - helps Micah as well. Garrido obviously hasn't learned anything from the Chelsea mauling.
At the present time its BALL hands down.
Garrido may be a good buy- but he hasnt proved himself as a left back.
Garrido is a very, very good player, however he seems to have lost it recently. So has Micah Richards. Remember he is young and still getting used to the game over here. He played very well in left mid recntly when he came on and don't have any fear in playing him again after a couple of weeks rest. It also depends on the type of team you are playing and so I think its good we have a couple of options in that position. Ball is more orthodox shall we say whilst Garrido is a better passer of the ball.
It's all good really.
Garrido has been at fault for a fair number of a goals this season. He often gets dragged out of position and he doesn't look quick enough to recover.
Ball is a little less attacking but better positionally and stronger in the tackle. His passing is excellent and now that he hasn't got Pearce telling him to "get rid of it" as soon as he gets the ball, I think we'll see what a technically gifted player he really is.
Only time will tell whether Garrido can adapt to the pace of the Premiership. If he can't make it at left-back I don't think he's got enough pace and skill, or crossing ability to make it as a Premiership winger.
I think credit has to go to Sven for getting the best out of the few decent players that Pearce left over. Ball, Vassell and Hamman have been used very cannily
Ball has been terrific, but I think some of Garrido's problems have to do with the instability in central defense. Javi may be better suited to play in midfield, as he did at times in La Liga. Not a crosser from left wing, but a fine passer of the ball. Should back up Ball and be in the midfield mix.
Win tomoz and we'll be in an excellent position for the second half of the season....can't wait!!!
p.s If we lose it's not MY FAULT lol
Most of us have to go to work at least 5 out of seven days, to jobs we usually hate,we don't get £000's a week, eat in the best restaurants, wear the finest clothes, drive lovely cars and get treated like Royalty everywhere we go. You lot play when you feel like it, take the fans for granted and still keep on about having 3 matches in a week. Let's face it, not many of you made a whole lot of effort against Spurs did you? (I did, I travelled 600 miles round trip, and had to stay in a hotel as I can't afford a car anymore). Against Blackburn it didn't cross many of your minds that it might be a good idea to mark the big fella, who keeps scoring ever week, (you must have seen him on you 50 inch flat screen TV's). Heres my idea, swap places with me or most of the fans who pay you wages and see what hard work and hard lives are really like.( except you "Toilet Duck" Richards, you carry on son, don't worry about dragging the good name of the club through the dirt) Stop believe your own hype,think about what it's like to work in Tescos, we have achieved NOTHING yet this season and won't do if you're stumbling around feeling tired. Be careful Sven is no mug and he'll have the shirkers out before next year.
Happy 2008 everyone.
SVN has warned Christmas would be a difficult period.
What he did not say was our squad is not strong enough for so many games in a short period.
Winter games for sunshine players.
We are hanging on untill the January transfer window.
Get real
Tell me at the end of last season we would be here and I would hsve laughed in your face.
We are far forward in our 3 year plan, life is good and we will get a whole lot better in SVEN'S Blue Revolution.
I have watched this club for the last 40 years, this is the best manager since Mercier/Allison and the best football.
12 Months time we will be better again, seen it, been there and got the T shirt
SVN has warned Christmas would be a difficult period.
What he did not say was our squad is not strong enough for so many games in a short period.
Winter games for sunshine players.
We are hanging on untill the January transfer window.
Get real
Tell me at the end of last season we would be here and I would hsve laughed in your face.
We are far forward in our 3 year plan, life is good and we will get a whole lot better in SVEN'S Blue Revolution.
I have watched this club for the last 40 years, this is the best manager since Mercier/Allison and the best football.
12 Months time we will be better again, seen it, been there and got the T shirt
No brainer, Ball is miles better than Garrido as a left back. One of the few good players that Pearce brought to City.
Just win the game.
Oh dear, I`m not feeling very well. It`s all because I heard Ferguson admit in an interview after the West Ham game that "the better side won".
I suppose there is a first time for everything but come on, SAF, don`t start getting fair-minded in your old age!
Even the diver must have had flashes of guilt as he ran up to miss that penalty. His past cheating must have flashed before his eyes.
Modric is staying in Zagreb, their fans seem to think Diego from Werder Bremman is a similar player but without defensive capabilities. We can live in hope seems Fitzroy got it right again but player refused to leave, keep up the good work. As for Liverpool game just wish we could win one of these games but as always I would settle for a point, but we can live in hope that Elano scores a wonder goal to win it for us.
Not bothered how we do it ..please just get 3 points today ..setting off in a bit
Kevin Pickering:
Good post, a lot of good sense talked here. Altogether well said.