BLUES boss Mark Hughes will rest his Uefa Cup starting eleven at Stockport tomorrow but hand a debut to Tal Ben Haim.
Bulgarian striker Valeri Bojinov, Nery Castillo and Rolando Bianchi can also expect to see some action as the Premier League side ring the changes.
The City chief will do so feeling satisfied with the Uefa Cup win over EB/Streymur when his profligate side managed to convert just two of 36 chances.
“We got the result we wanted and progressed to the next round though it was a difficult evening at times,” he said.
“Streymur came with a damage limitation plan, got plenty of people behind the ball and made it very difficult. In fairness to them they defended heroically getting their heads and bodies in the way of shots. I am sure if you asked their keeper he would say that he has had the best game of his career. He was exceptional.
“The balance of the game was overwhelming and we were never in danger even though they stuck at it well. I am sure they enjoyed the experience and their fans got behind them.
“Overall I think we have the talent in the squad to ensure we have a decent run in the competition if we have beneficial cards dealt to us in terms of the draw. I feel the clubs in the Uefa Cup are well matched.
“In terms of new signings we are still looking at the options and I am delighted we have added Ben Haim to the squad and we will try and get him some game time at Stockport.
“I feel things are moving in the right direction for the big kick off on August 17. There are no other incoming transfers imminent but we are always looking to bring in quality players at the right price.”
Hughes will use the friendlies at Celtic next Wednesday and Milan at home a week tomorrow to finalise his line up against Villa but there is a chance for those who have been on the fringes to shine this weekend.
“I want to have a look at the ones who didn’t take part at Barnsley,” he said. “That was always the plan. It will be a completely different at County.”
Central defender Micah Richards left Oakwell will an ice pack on his knee but Hughes described the knock as bumps and bruises and declared everyone else fit.
Kick-off at Edgeley Park is at 1pm.
How do you think City are shaping up? Have your say.
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before last nights game, i would have said poor, as only a limited amount of time the WHOLE squad has had to together. Last night was a HUGE improvement. Shame Bianchi didn't get on though.
Did I read that right, "no incoming transfers imminent" well well well that could spell "disaster"
If we cant score goals against a team of painters and decorators and we have the top notch world class left back that is Michael Ball I dont hold out too much hope for the new season!!!
Looking forward to seeing Tal in a City shirt. He'll have to be ready with Dunne being suspended for two games.
I don't give a smokey robinson...... last nights game underlined how utterly useless michael ball is......I'd go as far to say that he even fails in comparison to michael fontzeck and michelle 'thats right michelle' Vonk, if you can't find space and easy passes against fletcher moss then what hope have we got....talk about unbalancing a strength...a decent left back would give us the strongest left side in the prem ..... ? , petrov, Jo, castillo, bojinov, sturridge, all left peggers, very rare and something we can exploit with laying a foundation in the left back role, has to be a priority, maybe get tezzer phealan out of retirement, now that would of been devastating....phealen and petrov.
Elano did a reasonable job on the right but we desperately need a proper right sided player who can cross.
There are no other transfers incoming imminent.
Why not.
I'm really pleased with the playing side of things. The addition of MH and the management TEAM is just what was needed. I didn't think Elano looked happy last night. I would loan Sturridge out to a SPL or Championship team. Still need strenghthening in the obvious positions ie left back, right mid/wing and hopefully RSC as a partner to Jo. Anybody coming up to Glasgow for the Celtic match? Celtic sold out in 2 days so I hope we sell our 2 thousand tickets and do Man City proud. I have never been to a full house friendly game. As I now live up here I want City to win so much and will save me from so much ribbing if we lose. COME ON CITY!
Blue Maccy D
1/08/2008 at 09:21
behave you gloom merchant, it was more like a pre season match, i wouldn't read too much into the game last night. It was 10 men behind the ball, few if any premier league sides will do that. And besides the side will be much fitter and hungrier against sterner opposition.
No new signings imminent.
ABSOLUTELY SHOCKING!!!!
Gary Cook has sold us (and Hughes by the looks of it) right up the swanny!
If we don't sign a right winger and a left back at least, we'll be getting turned over by the likes of Sunderland next season.
Blue Maccy D,
Hughes is quoted elsewhere as saying City are working on several deals and Tal will not be last incoming player.
Rumour has it Chelsea are now after Diego, which is a great shame as I would have liked to see City go for him when Ron was not signed but one suspects they can't finance a $25m Diego deal.
On a brighter note, I am looking forward to seeing Roly and Boj up front tomorrow. It will be interesting to see if Sven's plan A actually works!
Weiss at right wing tomorrow please Bluesy. Left back? My Gran is available! Just returning back to full fitness after a hip replaacement but lets face it, she can't be any worse than Ball!
we definitely need a goalie , as even with nothing to do there were some hairy moments , last week it was charging out for no reason , this week it was not claiming the ball when asked to , against better quicker opposition that would have been 2 goals in the back of our net , we should loan kusczak or niemi until one of the two pups has had proper coaching
I think the biggest transfer as far as we're concerned so far has been Bently to Spurs because it proves that we are not in a position to sign anyone from a PL club. Having said that, I thought Etuhu down the right for the last 20odd minutes was fantastic. Fast, a bit tricky and put 7 or 8 really decent crosses over that a genuine, aware Centre Forward (Jo??) would have buried. I think if we give this lad a decent run he could save us millions! As far as 36 shots on goal and 2 scored is concerned, I don't think we will play another side that is so determined to put 2 busses in front of goal as last night.
Can someone please confirm kick off time. I am sure my ticket says 1200? I will also confirm when i get home. (Kick-off is at 1pm, ed)
My Neighbour is the REF!! God help him if he has a poor game
Heh Paul Calf,Handforth
I appreciate fully what last nights game was in the fact it was pre season fitness levels not yet there etc etc I am critising based on that teams performance in the second half of last year in the premier league and I could see no hope that that team will improve because they couldnt really dispatch a team of semi pro's pre season or not.That team needs improving in many areas Paul and if we dont we could be in for interesting times I tell thee!!!
We are desperate for a LB and right winger Etuhu isn`t good enough yet and needs to gain experience on loan. As for Michael Ball, words fail me! At the moment we are a one trick pony with everything coming through Petrov down the left, prem sides will soon snuff that threat out and we have no creativity elsewhere! We need options on the right. CTID
If we dont add to our squad then we have no chance of top six postition. lucky if top ten. Garry Cook and Frank have left us in the deep end with out a paddle.
Very disapointed when I was hoping for big things as we where after goofy and when we failed I thought we would have money to spend in other areas that need addressing.
In truth I was a little disappointed last night. Seems to me that whoever is playing up front will struggle to score unless the midfield are creating opportunities for them. If only we could find a player with Etuhu's legs and Hamman's vision and passing ability. I was impressed by Sturridge and Evans when he came on had a presence.
Before I retired I sometimes had conversations with friends about relative salaries. One mate was high ranking RAF officer who earned twice as much as me, another a CEO for a mobile phone company earned five times my annual wage. Difficult to quantify the value of one job against the other, the worth of one person against another.
Yesterday we saw plumbers, carpenters, kindergarden workers and shop assistant playing football against professionals who are earning perhaps £10000 each week !!
(Average salary in Premiership now £676k according to The Independent)
I can only conclude that it's nice work if you can get it, but I didn't see much that justified such differentials. Congratulations EB Streymur FC and your supporters, your goalkeeper was indeed man of the match.
I can't get my head round this,last week in Hamburg MH handed a list of transfer targets to GC,NOW there will be no other in coming transfers imminent.
So i take it there was only Ben Haim on his wish list.
I want some answers on this and i want to know WHY???!!!
I thought Michael Ball had a good game....i guess its all about opinions !!!
Blue-Suede-Hughes., Thaksin's Pocket
It's obvious that we'll let in at least one goal against Sunderland. Malbranque has just signed for them.
He always scores against us.
Bluereed my voice only
1/08/2008 at 09:36
Probably because they are still at iniial negotiations stage. Imminent means about to happen and if MH only handed his wish list over earlier this week I doubt if any of the prospective transfers have gone beyond contacting the players agent as to whether he's interested in coming to City. As I've said before it isn't whether we an afford a player and his wages it's whether he wants to come here. Which is why I have to smile when people post about Bentley going to spuds or chelski bidding for Diego or any of the other names bandied about as players we should be buying, if they don't want to come here no amount of money will tempt them. MH obviously knew Bentley wanted to go down south and I can't believe he hasn't made very discrete enquiries about other players on the basis of would they like to come here. It's plainly obvious that we need a right sided midfielder and a left back so it's a case of watch this space, enjoy the rumours and proabaly be amazed at who we do end up buying.
CTID
To all of you saying Gary Cook promised us signings blah blah blah. Let's wait until the end of the window and see who else (if anyone) we bring in. IMO if we don't sign anyone it won't be because of Hughes or Cook it will have something to do with what's going on in Thailand!
We're not a PLC anymore and our owner's wife's just been sent down for 3 years. He's facing a long jail sentence and possibly a huge fine. At the end of the day I'm sure he has to personally sign off on anyone we sign and no doubt he's probably a little preoccupied at the minute! We're going to have to be very patient.
Why do people take "no transfers imminent" as "no more transfers at all"?
Do any of you know what imminent means? All he means is that none in next couple of days or so! When TBH signed he said there were others coming and Hughes himself has sais they are working on them! Be patient! Moan if no one else is here by 31 Aug (as I will be myself) but not until!
show no mercy - ha ha ha... rubbish, no iminent signings rubbish, why do city do this to me??????? no wonder i don't sleep at night, i really worry where my beloved club is headed. I thought sparky was a striker, how can he accept that none of our strikers have scored a single goal in 3 games (don't call vassell a striker please!) unbelievable, i'm lost for words, we should be putting 10 past part timers, chelsea and arensal did last week, ok we're not at their level but according to DR T we will be champions league next year - ok, whatever ! i'm going to take up crown green bowling its much less stressful and the lovely old ladies provide free scones.