City had won their previous two matches in UEFA Cup Group A to ensure qualification for the last 32 and victory tonight would have ensured first place in the group, but they could only manage a 0-0 draw at Eastlands.
Dunne told ITV4: “It was a tough game. We wanted to win and to win the group. They set up really well, and it was only the last 15 minutes they came at us.
“They’re a good side; we got a clean sheet and a point and that’s enough. We weren’t sharp enough in the first half, we never got the right tempo and that doesn’t help the forwards.”
City travel to Racing Santander in a fortnight for their final group match, and Dunne added: “We’ll be confident going there and for the knockout stages.”
City manager Mark Hughes agreed with Dunne’s assessment and conceded his side did not do enough to win the game.
“We didn’t create a great deal,” Hughes said. “PSG made it difficult and got a lot of men behind the ball. We weren’t able to create anything to unlock the door.
“But we kept going; you have to make sure you don’t over commit, and we got stretched a couple of times towards the end. We’ll take a point. We’re guaranteed at least second position now and hopefully we’ll get a result in Santander.”
Victory in Santander would ensure City top the group and avoid playing a Champions League team in the last 32, something Hughes acknowledged would boost their chances of making further progress.
“We’re pleased enough to be through to the last 32 but we’d prefer to miss out on Champions League teams,” he added.
Brazilian Jo was given another run-out but again failed to impress, and Hughes admitted the striker is struggling for form.
“He’s a young player and it’s been difficult for him in recent weeks,” the boss said. “The only way he’ll improve and make an impact is by getting games and getting confidence in his play.”
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Jo wont be here next season.
Why avoid Champs league teams? We have to play em sometime so why not in last 32?
The result meant nothing to me tonight but the performance was just diabolical again
If Jo needs games then ship him out on loan. We can't afford to let him run around doing nowt every game!! Eh Dunney... we were not sharp enough!! No mate the phrase you are looking for is we are lazy over paid donkeys!!
Kompany has to be our new captain. Very cool on the ball and runs his balls off every game.
Also PSG great? According to their boss they want out of this cup! We should have been 4-0 by half time against a can't be bothered team.
Can anyone also please justify Ched Evans? I am not having "he is young" and "needs time" anymore. He gets paid thousands every week so can't really feel sorry for him. Vassell mate do us a favour and request a transfer.
i feel for jo as he is obvious a good player or he wouldnt get in brazil team ...just needs better first touch and some confidence
“They’re a good side; we got a clean sheet and a point and that’s enough".
Says it all really, Robinho was right!!! Whatever context you put his comments in, players like Dunne are happy to draw. Why did we not want to win this game in the end? Where is the pride in battle? Why not go for it? we've qualified already so what if we lose, the fans can take that as long as their team tried as hard as they can.
They were there for the taking this evening and in the end we showed no desire to win for our fans who turned up on a cold night, with no beer at the bar to scrap for.
In the end we have to be thankful that their strikers did not have a clue.
Lets hope this was all part of a grand master plan for Sunday!!
Bring on the new team in January, lets bring in players with pride!!!
CTID
yes agreed there dunnymonster,does tempo mean useless
Typical City. Finish 2nd. Draw all the tough CL rejects. No, it's not 'ENOUGH' to get a draw. Will it be 'enough' to get a draw in 2 weeks time? What was it Robinho was saying the other day about settling for 2nd place? 2 weeks time we have to go all out for the win and top this group.
Great winning mentality from our captain. We need a strong leader ASAP were was the fight or the geeing up by the captain. No were as usual
I would give Kompany the captaincy he was the only one trying to drive the team forward
ok Richard I admit your form has improved slightly - lets face it, he couldn't get worse but now as our leader you bemoan the tempo. I counted seven occasions in the second half alone when you getting the ball just inside PSG's half elected to play the long ball back to Hart who then booted it up for Ched Evans to simply nod into touch - thus surrending possession - good job mate! I took a guest to the Mancunion and paid £117.50 each to endure that. The master tactician that is MH please please pretty please do not let Vassell ever wear the blue shirt again. There is something not right(again) at the club why oh why do we shoot ourselves when we should be moving forward with excitement. The crowd tonight suggests that they are not behind yet another manager. Roll on Jan
Wow was really cold tonight.
Do you think that the Brazilians don't like the cold? Jo needs to pick up confidence from somewhere, MH, this is your responsibilty sort him out.
Although we had some 2nd string players tonight, thought we need more depth on the wings and through the middle.
Kompany was fantastic, he was the best player on the pitch.
PSG were average.
We need SWP, Robbie back, we were dependant on Kompany and Zabby getting the ball forward. Thought Ireland played a little too much deep to be effective.
We dearly miss Petrov.
Jo is short of confidence and Benjani needs someone up front to play off, he cannot hold the ball up and chooses the wrong options.
We need more players like Kompany, he wants to win all the time. Hope he wasn't injured. Elano was disapointing but he looked like our best form of attack from Midfield. Ireland was OK but we cannot depend on him all the time. Also Sturridge was ineffective, expected more.
For the Fulham match, we really need Kompany, SWP and Robbie in the starting 11. We need to win that match.
Best part of the match tonight was when the PSG fans made a bee line for the fans, it looked quite funny. Hope no one got hurt.
Voulez vous voudrais Makele? We need more depth for definate.
This January window issure gonna be some spectacle, it is going to be very entertaining, can't wait. Th
Jo not great but Evans, Sturridge and Benjani all worse tonight. He should have been left on to gain both match fitness and confidence.
No wonder the tempo was not right Dunney. Injury list: Bojinov, Petrov, Robinho, SWP, Johnno, and now Elano. All these players have tempo to their game and any manager who had these players injured at the same time would struggle to pick a team to beat one of the best teams in Europe.Come on everyone dont be so down on yourselves and our great football club.Maybe one day we will have a full strength squad to pick from and with the new "very best" players to come as Cook has stated we will be unstoppable.Believe me.
The Top Ten Reasons Darius Vassell Plays in a Manchester City Team
1) Mark Hughes says. “You can’t fault him for his effort”
2) Khaldoon Al Mubarak has him in his fantasy football team
3) He’s in the shop window for January
4) He has the best Christmas Party and everyone wants an invite
5) When he plays his 1000’th game, City get a cash back deal from Aston Villa
6) The staff and coaching team want to be able to tell their grand children they were there when Vassell scored
7) When City win the league, they will not be accused of buying it
8) In order to comply with the equal opportunities act
9) City don’t want to confuse the laundry woman with only 10 shirts
10) It’s illegal to field a team with only 10 players
excuses excuses they passed the ball around but never seem to have an idea what to do with it. No real threat or plan Kompany seemed to be the only one who wanted a crack at net. At 19 mil Jo is a joke what has he ever really done to justify that price. Benjani runs around with a stupid grin on his face whats that about he has not done anything to be pleased with or maybe he thinks its a joke. Sounding like a broken record roll on January.
some one needs to tell Vassel he's no Brazilian his step overs were quite embarraing. On the positive lets not forget where we are and in less than two weeks we have beaten Arsenal and not lost in two European games secured into the last 32 we would have taken that.
I went last night and have to say not a great game, however the frustration amongst the crowd (Colin Bell stand) was just too much for me. Bad enough watching the players struggle but to see grown men berating our young players again was beyong belief. Ignorant fools.
We have money in the bank, but what we are currently is a mid table team lucky to be in Europe. We have qualified for the knockout stages, unbeaten so far and we will have a different starting 11 come the beginning of February. This will undoubtly replace the workers we have with no flair, namely Vassel, Benjani, TBH, Hamann, but also be able to play the novices, Sturridge, Evans, Jo in their right positions at the right time.
Starting 11 beginning February:
GK Hart
RB Zabeletta
CB Dunne & Richards or ?
LB Garrido or ?
RM SWP
LM Robinho or ?
CM SI, VC and ?
CF RSC or another
You'll not see elano in a blue shirt again.
Firstly all like myself who attended should be given a refund & it should come out of the players pockets. The worst game of football in years. Team was without 3 players so what. A club is made up of a squad who can perform when asked to do so. A lot of players had a chance to push for a regular place last night. Vassel, I used to admire his work rate. He now looks lazy & slow. Benjani just runs around smiling & looks simple. Jo what can you say, he appears scared of the ball. Sturrage after the 1st 10 mins got dragged into the run of things. If he wants to make it he's got to take his chance. He's far better than he showed & must learn to pass. Kompany I agree looks like he would make a good captain. Have to improve over night or not only will we be out of UEFA cup but out of Prem!
I've been a City supporter for over 40 years through thick and thin. I realise that this new-found wealth brings with it ludricous, immediate expectation and I for one am happy to see the club blossom and grow under MH and the new owners.
But please tell me this. What on earth do successive managers see in Darius Vassell? Can't tackle, can't pass, can't finish and seems to have lost a yard or two of pace. Yes he tries hard, but is that a good enough reason to consistently command a place in the richest club in the world? I don't think so.
Come January we really need to review the future of players like Vassell, Benjani, Jo (get him, out on loan - i'm sure he'll come good), Elano, Evans and Ben Haim. Quite simply they either don't want to play for us (Elano) or they're simply not good enough (the Rest!)
The question is....how long will the Abu Dhabian's keep bankrolling us from the "Championship"? Not long is the answer and that's where we'll be if we're not careful!
Come on Markey-Boy sort out the dead wood and get some players in in January who want to play for our beloved shirt.
Oh I forgot Hamman. Good servant, but his time has passed.
And what's happened to Berti? Please don't tell me he's going to be another "Vuoso"!!!!
I know we were poor last night and certain players already mentioned on here are either just not good enough or not ready yet. What really annoyed me was the boo boys targetting the likes of Jo and Sturridge, young lads who may have a bright future, but not at City if these so called fans destroy their confidence with abuse. Problem is, there are certain fans who never sing and get behind their team, but when it comes to cupping their hands around the mouth and letting out a loud boo, they are world beaters.
I'm not a doom & gloomer, just a realist who can see what thousands other Blues can see.
Simply that last night confirmed the lack of quality in the squad. Take out SWP & Robinho and we look distinctly ordinary.
PSG are not that good a team and I fear that one of the better European outfits might have murdered us on that showing.
A draw was not good enough in the grand scheme of things. We now need to look for a win in Santander and
there's no guarantee that City will perform there like they did at Schalke.
Roll on January. The cheque book needs a good airing and this squad needs major surgery.
Oh, and one other thing. Blackburn now haven't won for 11 games. Hope they do so before 28th Dec !
I could understand it if we were desparate for a point but this was like a bad friendly. Qualification was assured, so we should have seen relaxed entertaining football. Yes the crowd was small, but we should have been going home telling everyone what they had missed (still not he same on TV) instead we're now saying how right they were to stay away!!!
People keep coming on here saying Elano doesnt want to play for the blues ? thats rubbish he doesnt want tp play for Mark Hughes and who can blame him the way he has been treated when inferior players are picked before him . Good enough for Brazil but not City ! Work rate has to be balanced with skill but our hard working players are simply not good enough for a top 4 club .
I am quite happy to see Mark Hughes given time if we were in a respectable position and await the influx of players in Jan and the summer but the Manager has cost us 12/15 points by stubborn team selection and bad tactics therefore I worry what will happen if he has to manage the likes of Kaka etc These types of players will not stand for this nonsense.I was very angry by the managers reaction to the Utd defeat it seemed like it hardly mattered and that obviously was how he sent the team out rather than pinning up on the dressing room wall all the comments made before by Taggart , shrek and Evra .No excuses can be given for the position we are in quite simply this team should at least be in the top 8.All talk of winning the Uefa cup is dribble Liege , Sevilla , Milan and still the champs league clubs to come in make it very difficult .
How many points are we going to take from Fulham , Everton , West Brom and Hull ? we need 12 but guess 6 is hopeful and perhaps our best hope is the 2 away matches are cancelled due to the weather. Our owners are not stupid and will be watching very carefully they are 6 months behind with their plan and these people will not fail to turn us into a champions league club with or without Mark Hughes !
"Oh, and one other thing. Blackburn now haven't won for 11 games. Hope they do so before 28th Dec" - Bill, Carlisle.
Love it Bill. I know exactly where you are coming from.
Whilst a regular reader of the City fans' comments relating to the the Blues performances, it's once in a Blue Moon that I bring myself to send in my own pearls of wisdom on how the team is playing.
As a Man City follower for over 50 years, I guess I've seen the Good, Bad and the Ugly side of City. Last night's display certainly was the "bad".
Over the years I guess I have seen more than a fair share of 'duffers', players with limited ability, skill and dedication. In their defence at least their wages were not astronomical, compared to present-day so-called 'stars'.
Whilst anticipating the hoped-for big signings in the New Year, and that's a big 'if', surely some of the present squad must be shown the door in January. I look at the input of the likes of Vassell (and please, stop referring to him as "Vass" - that's a term of endearment)and Benjani and cannot believe they are even in the side. Not on merit, not on skill and not on effort; they are really poor and definitely not PL standard. I would go so far as to state that with this type of calibre of player in the side City will always struggle and certainly will not win any honours. Like many fans writing on this
site I am at a loss why Hughes persists with the above two, week after week.
But then Ericsson and Pearce also persisted with the same formula: non-scoring forwards. What is it with Mark Hughes?
Jo, unfortunately, whilst showing potential, will always struggle with the type of service around him. But I do concede that when he was sold to us, someone saw City coming. Greatly overpriced. With regards to Sturridge, both he and a fair number of City fans believe the hype surrounding this 'rising star'. He is much over-rated. I watched him carefully last night. He suffers from the usual City syndrome: poor ball control, poor passing, weak shooting, out of position, etc. Same for Ched Evans: neither he nor Sturridge are truly top PL club quality. So, that's four 'strikers', and not a goal between them.
About a year ago I commented on this site that not all Brazilian footballers are "Pele's". (I think at that time a number of City fans were clamouring for Wagner Love, another who certainly would not make it in the PL). There are, of course, some wonderful Brasilheiros playing in Europe: Pato, Diego and Kaka - these players are a breed apart, plus Robinho. By the way, I am amazed when I read some the inane, vitriolic comments made against this player - our most gifted signing in years.
Which brings me to Stephen Ireland, and no doubt I will get it in the neck from some of you guys on here. It is said that Ireland has improved out of all recognition. Maybe, but a 100 percent of what? The last two matches - Utd and PSG - Ireland wasn't in it. Yes, he has improved his passing, but he still doesn't take the game by the scruff of its neck and turn it around, like, for example, Scholes in his heyday, Fabregas, Barry.
Or even Peter Doherty, Don Revie, Colin Bell, for all those veteran supporters who had the privilege to see those 'greats' who donned the City shirt with pride. Remember?
The January 'sales' are almost upon us. It's up to Mark Hughes now to buy wisely, and come up with the goods - and get rid of the deadwood currently dragging City down. The alternatives, for both Hughes and you long-suffering CTID fans are too ghastly to contemplate.
Finally, it was reported that the match last night was played in Arctic conditions, before a very poor crowd. It has to be said that just four miles away there was a capacity crowd at Old Trafford, same weather and conditions, another 'minor' trophy to be played for. Whether one can bring oneself to admit it, but United and Blackburn really put on a show for the cash-paying customers. Surely City's loyal, but far-too-long suffering, fans deserve a team better than the present lot.
From Sunny South Africa may I wish all you City fans a Happy Christmas, and may 2009 see all our dreams come true!
ROY PAUL (now there was a captain and leader!).
Mark Hughes has a fundamental problem which is City's form and league position. With the squad we have we should be in the top eight and consolidating. Will the owners consider Hughes to be the right man for their plans ? We need to put a run together otherwise surely Hughes is a gonner