ANGRY Sven-Goran Eriksson has warned his players that they are playing for their futures in the last six games.
The normally placid Swede was clearly rattled by his side's defeat at Birmingham that dented hopes of a top-six place and European qualification.
And he told his shell-shocked stars not to hide behind excuses when they come to examine their contribution to the 3-1 defeat against a side battling to stay in the division.
"Some of the players are not doing themselves any favours," he said. "If I was the owner I would start to think. I am the manager and I am getting worried when I see performances like this one - absolutely."
Eriksson was clearly miffed at the award of a 75th-minute penalty for Birmingham that sealed the destination of the points but will not let his St Andrew's underachievers use that as a smokescreen to hide behind.
"Before we blame the ref we should blame ourselves," he went on.
"It is pointless talking about Europe if we play like that and take nothing from a match that was not that difficult.
"It wasn't even the physically hard game that we might have expected. It was nothing like as hard in that respect as the match at Bolton and we should win a game like that.
"But you don't win games if you concede goals in the way we conceded them. It was too easy for Birmingham.
Decision
"Our penalty was harsh but you can always make a case for the award because Queudrue had his hand on Benjani's neck and shoulder. From then on we should have been capable of getting a point against 10 men.
"Everything changed when the game went to 3-1. Of course it was not a penalty, everyone could see that.
"The referee got it wrong. Jihai was the one being fouled if anything but I felt it wasn't even worthy of a free-kick.
"It was a big decision from the referee because this not only affected us but teams like Bolton and others at the bottom.
"But in the end we must say to ourselves we cannot perform like that and defend like that if we are serious about getting into Europe. We are not the Manchester City of earlier in the season. We gave the ball away far too often when not even pressed by the opposition.
"You will never win a game in the Premier League giving the ball away like we did and making so many unforced errors.
"I am frustrated because we are dreaming and talking about Europe and even against Bolton we fought hard for a point but on Saturday we were poor in what should have been an easier physical game."
"I am not blaming individuals, it is a collective thing. There were a lot of players involved in not stopping the first two Birmingham goals. But we should have produced more in the middle. There seemed a lack of confidence."
Eriksson is hopeful that Michael Ball and Michael Johnson will shake off injuries before the Chelsea game and will welcome back flu-hit Martin Petrov.
What can City do to pick up their form? Have your say.
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drew peacock, stockport (31/03/2008 at 09:27)
Secondly, make them earn their money. Train twice a day.
Revolutionary I know, but it may work.
kevin cairns, morecambe (31/03/2008 at 09:44)
Co. Kildare Blue (31/03/2008 at 09:46)
Kiwiblue, Wellington, New Zealand (31/03/2008 at 09:49)
Charles Light (31/03/2008 at 09:49)
Spiderman (Back for Good) (31/03/2008 at 09:50)
The Blue Meanie, London (31/03/2008 at 09:51)
Greek feeder, Whalley range (31/03/2008 at 09:53)
jerseyblue, jersey (31/03/2008 at 09:55)
This was very much not Sven's team mind. They played like last years side. The only sven purchases that started were Fernandes (who Sven said would not be for this year when bought!!), garrido -£1.5m, Elano and Benjani. Benjani should have scored in the first half - I would give caciedo a chance now instead of him. Elano's ball to him for that chance was world class and if he had scored, like we were in first half of season, then we would be raving about him. That is his role. the defence splitting one moment of genius to win a game.
Sven know's who needs replacing, knows who to get.
I watched the game saturday in a pub packed with frustrated blues. Then stayed to watch the villa game with a mate from Brum. Rememeber O'Neil has signed a player in nearly every starting position for villa - spent millions. He has had 3 years. And no villa supporter is calling for his head...????
The Blue Phantom, Who Knows?!?!?!?! (31/03/2008 at 09:58)
Firstly I`ll say this, Saturday was unacceptable to me, no fight, players in that in my opinion shouldnt be anywhere near the first team (And they know who they are!!), just because they`ve done it in one game this year they appear to still get picked.
What has Geo done thats so wrong? Give the guy a game. Sun, sorry mate, away you go at the end of the year, you cant defend and always look like scoring................in our net.
Now people reading this may now think I`ve joined Ted Knott, Peter Jones (Or anyone of his numerous profiles. You may have thought I`m related to Bluefield`s (Or one of his numerous profiles) but NO!
Where I differ from these, for want of a better word loons is that I understand that Sven has not had enough time to get the club playing, or the players that he wants in. And before people state he`s bought a few already well yes he has, in what can only be desrcibed as a high pressure time when hes had four weeks in the role last July / August. And dont start going on about how he had time in January as yes he had time but noone and I`ll say it again.....NOONE moves in the January window!!!
SO I stand on the I`m not that happy, but glad we`re not near the relagation zone, but I`ll give Sven till 10-15 games in next season and see where we are then, rather than jumping up and down like a spoilt child now.
And before I go a big shout out to Spidey, mate when you first arrived I did wonder about you, but how I was wrong, well done mate. What I`ll say to you is that on another thread you stated that Bluefield and the like could make their feelings felt if they booed at the home game........erm dont worry about that mate the large majority of moaners on this forum dont go anywhere near the live games.
Mike (31/03/2008 at 09:59)
true blue middlesbrough, middlesbrough (31/03/2008 at 10:05)
Clearly he must realise the supporters are getting sick and tired of the ineffective team set up he is employing week after week.
offey blue, stockport (31/03/2008 at 10:09)
PLEASE DITCH THE 4-5-1 NOW
Sven's pants (31/03/2008 at 10:12)
PS: Anyone on this site who still thinks Dunne is anything more than an ok EPL player needs their bumps feeling. Horrid performance, let him join the barcodes.
Spiderman (Back for Good) (31/03/2008 at 10:13)
Very very good post my freind,i,ll be there for the Chelski game singing and shouting my head off and giving Sven and the players support and hopefully a win or score draw.....i know your going call me a muppet a crazy fool but who would have thought we would have won in the Rags own back yard!!
Keith Curle (31/03/2008 at 10:16)
I have never left a game before the final whistle before but on 77 minutes and coupled with a shocking team performance. The arrogant, unfit Rob Styles changed all that. I doubt he’ll apologize for that howler but he should be made accountable. He should be made to ref some local football for a few weeks. Another £100 well spent. Now bring on Chelsea.
Shaun Goaters Dentist, Middleton (31/03/2008 at 10:19)
To start with, to call me a rag is a joke after supporting the blues at places like Rotherham and Walsall over the last 40 years.
Anyway, I dont want say " I told you so ", but I told you so.
I just tell it as I see it, and if other posters on here dont like it.... tough.The bottom line is , we are light years away from the top 5 as regards class and consistancy, even poor Dunny has fell to pieces and if I see Sun in City shirt again I'll puke up my balti pie.
John-Thai sandwich brigade (31/03/2008 at 10:21)
they just move away and carry on at another club,leaving the damage and broken dreams behind them, with a smile and a wave from their Bentley..........
champions league in 2 seasons,??
clubs with years advance start from us are still behind the top 4,
I'd rather build my dreams on the reality of the situation, that we are 9th,
possible we could finish 7-8th, but no way that will happen if we continue to play like we have been doing recently.
New players are a must of course.
but will WE get the same mid table players, musical chairs players, who perform at the same level as the one they replace. or those with fire in their belly.
who can spot the diference??
who'd be a manager ???
CTID..... REGARDLESS.
Dave Jenkinson (31/03/2008 at 10:32)
Openshaw Bob (31/03/2008 at 10:33)
I will be there against Chelsea and will be fully behind the team and singing my head off. Just like I was at Birmingham, but it seemed that it was only the fans that could be bothered.
I travel 100 miles, get an earful off the wife for going away again, stand in the cold but am looking forward to a good game. I sing, cheer, applaud etc but when virtually every player looks disinterested what am I to do - bow down when they come off the pitch. Sure players have a bad game but I am not talking about them having a bad game I am talking since December when many can't be bothered. It's an insult to the club, to Sven and to the fans.They might not like a cold Saturday, might not like the club, might not like Sven even but please try and show interest for 90 minutes. Too many were thinking about the night out instead.
I have and will support City through thick and thin but when the players can't even be bothered I ask myslef why should I be?
The worst game was versus Sheff Utd. A chance to progress in the Cup and again they just couldn't give a monkeys.
Syko, on my chair (31/03/2008 at 10:36)
If we go through our squad it's easy to see Vassel and Sun are not good enough, and if they have to start a game it shows we just dont have the necessary cover to compete for anything. Ireland might still prove his worth in the future but I would drop him for the rest of the last few games and give Geo a chance - give Geo 6 starts and see if he deserves a new contract or not, assuming he wants to stay with us.
Midfield with Geo in the middle (behind Benjani), Petrov on the left, Castillo on the right, Hamann and Elano behind them getting ball back and distributing it forward. Then swap Elano and Geo round from time to time to make it hard for the other team to mark them out.
Spike,, Whitefield (31/03/2008 at 10:36)
ablueneville, Somewhere in yorkshire (31/03/2008 at 10:37)
west gorton fc, manchester (31/03/2008 at 10:39)
Reidus, Cambridge (31/03/2008 at 10:40)