Hughes hails Blues intensity

Mike Whalley

October 28, 2009

Roque Santa Cruz in action

ROQUE Santa Cruz and Michael Johnson both had nights to remember as City thrashed Scunthorpe to book a Carling Cup quarter-final spot.

Santa Cruz marked his first Blues start with his first goal since his £17million summer arrival from Blackburn.

And Academy graduate Johnson marked the next stage of his comeback from a long-term injury nightmare by scoring for the first time in more than two years.

City boss Mark Hughes said: “We ran away with the game in the second half. There was more intensity to our play, and in the end, they weren’t able to cope with it.

“Roque was excellent. His general understanding of his role in the team was very good and allowed other players to flourish.

“Michael scored an outstanding goal, and we’re really pleased. For long periods while he was out, it was a worry for everybody whether he could get back to the level of the first team.

“Thankfully, he’s back now. And the likelihood is he’ll be able to keep fit and well because we understand the problem that he had.”

Hughes made half-a-dozen changes to the side which had drawn with Fulham on Sunday, with Sylvinho making his debut at left-back.

Stephen Ireland made his first start for more than a month, and struck his first goal since the opening day of the season to give the Blues a third-minute lead.

Jonathan Forte tapped in from close range to equalise for Scunthorpe midway through the first half, and the Blues were rattled for a while.

But Santa Cruz’s header seven minutes before the break put City back in command, and they dominated the second half.

Joleon Lescott’s powerful header shortly after the break gave the Blues a 3-1 lead, and they never looked back.

Slovakian youngster Vladimir Weiss impressed as a second-half substitute, and could easily have had a goal to show for his efforts.

Instead, he had to settled for an assist, crossing for Carlos Tevez to sweep in a fourth from close range 19 minutes from time.

And Johnson capped a wonderful night with a 25-yard strike which took a slight deflection off Scunthorpe defender Niall Canavan – and drew applause from Hughes.

What is your verdict on the action? Have your say.

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mcfc2308, Fareham (29/10/2009 at 08:37)

"And the likelihood is he’ll be able to keep fit and well because we understand the problem that he had.”

Does anyone know EXACTLY what this "abdominal problem" was?

City soap opera, Manchester (29/10/2009 at 09:08)

Sanata may have scored but his work rate in the match was appalling. How he also got man of the match is beyond me. There was no urgency and his goal came against a poor team. Scunthorpe were garbage. Glad to see Jonno back. The guy looked utter class and that goal was something special. Weiss also looks good. He ripped apart Scunthorpe. All he needs to do is get a goal and a bit more confidence with his shooting and this guy will be unstoppable. We could have cocked up in this game like the old city would have done. All in all a god result.....

City Slipper, Manchester (29/10/2009 at 09:12)

The good thing about last night is that it showed us the strenghth in depth we now have. I wouldn't think twice about bringing on Johnson, Weiss, Sylvinho, Kompany or RSC in a league game. Ok, we already knew about those players but they are not first team regulars at the moment and so must be seen as back up for Barry, SWP, Bridge, De Jong, Ade. That side of things looks good, as does our attacking play. Apart from some poor finishing, we look very strong going forward. Tevez may not score a hatful but he is great to watch when he chases down lost causes and takes people on, always flying in to the box. Weiss just needs the final ball and he will eclipse SWP. RSC showed great skill and strength.

However, and it's a big however, we must work tirelessly at improving the cohesion of the defence, if we are to get anywhere in the Cup games or improve in the league. I understand that Kompany and Sylvinho were newbies in the back line but they are experienced players and we really should not have seen the frailties in defence that we saw last night or in the last few games. Apart from the odd gaff,I thought Sylvinho looked competent and assured last night and I would not flinch at bringing him on for a few more games in the league. Kompany looked less assured although he improved as the game went on (though he had less to do as the game went on). I prefer him in midfield. All in all a good workout against a very weak side who, at least, tried to come to our place and play (unlike Fuham). Good atmosphere last night I thought for a CC game and well done to the 36000 who turned up.

City Slipper, Manchester (29/10/2009 at 09:14)

Does anyone know EXACTLY what this "abdominal problem" was?
mcfc2308, Fareham
29/10/2009 at 08:37

It was just a bad case of wind. You get that with too many pies.

Alec G Moonshiner, Kendal (29/10/2009 at 09:19)

Sylvinho impressed me. Oozed class and confidence, showed the power of brain over brawn. Love to see him against premiership opposition.

IS IT REALLY 33 YEARS, TAMESIDE (29/10/2009 at 09:23)

IT WAS A £1 TO GET IN DESPERATION OR WHAT.

Peter Beagrie`s beagle (29/10/2009 at 09:35)

Good performance from the lads last night, although against a poor, lower division side, it would be nice to see that kind of performance against brum.

I have a sneaking feeling that we will draw Chelski in the next round. CTID

AlexC83, Manchester (29/10/2009 at 09:36)

City soap opera, Manchester 29/10/2009 at 09:08

Give Santa Cruz a break, when was the last time he played 90 minutes?! And why would we need him running around like a complete lunatic when his strike partner was doing exactly that for the whole time he was on the pitch?!

Santa Cruz was immense last night - he's link up play was better than I've seen in years from a city striker - how we could've done with him up front at the end of last season... But guess his play is too subtle for some on here.

Good job you redeemed yourself with your assesment of our subs though - they were both beyond good.

Only slight concern for me was with Kompany. He dived in on more than one occasion and left us in trouble but he'll learn fast.

The Blue Roman, Staffs (29/10/2009 at 09:47)

I didnt have a problem with RSC's work rate last night. I thought he led the line magnificently. His control & hold up play were 1st class.

As for Weiss, don't think it will be too long before he moves ahead of SWP in the pecking order. His final ball, whilst not always perfect, is already better than SWP's.

Brissy Blue, Brisbane, Australia (29/10/2009 at 09:54)

I am an expat Manc now living in Brisbane, Oz. I have seen that there seem to be a few Blues on here that are based in the Brisbane area and I was hoping to maybe start maybe meeting up in the Pig & Whistle (English football pub) in Brissy to watch big games and have a beer or two with fellow blues. Anyone keen??

SDS (29/10/2009 at 10:18)

just to recap, 12 cup and league games played won 8, drew 3, lost 1, not bad by any standard, scored 27, and conceded 13, if we could just tighten the defence we would then be some team, as we are if we play Chelsea in the next round it will be about 5 each.

Eike Immel's crossed eyes, Leeds (29/10/2009 at 10:22)

IT WAS A £1 TO GET IN DESPERATION OR WHAT.
IS IT REALLY 33 YEARS, TAMESIDE
29/10/2009 at 09:23

If you rags did your research you would find out that it was a "kids for a quid" scheme, designed to give underprivileged children the opportunity to see their heroes play without it breaking the bank for the parents.

Lots of football clubs have done this on and off for years, with great success. It encourages loyalty through thick AND thin, something you lot probably wouldn't understand.

Incidentally, adult tickets were priced at a very fair and reasonable £20, unlike your lot of money grabbers who wouldn't think twice about charging double that - and they don't even give you the choice do they? It's "buy them or else"...

Also, our owner can afford to lose a bit of money by offering tickets at a cheaper rate - in marketing terms it's called a Loss Leader...

IS IT REALLY 33 YEARS, TAMESIDE (29/10/2009 at 10:24)

brissy blue leave it mate no one wants to meet you.its your own fault for leaving manchester.

Surrounded by Idiots, Brisbane (29/10/2009 at 10:24)

RJKS, St Retford (29/10/2009 at 10:29)

IS IT REALLY 33 YEARS, TAMESIDE; Yes it was £1 for kids to get in & watch a preniership team play at the COMs last night. The thing is MCFC can afford to do that & invest in the future football supporter's by giving the parent's a chance to bring the kids with them. MCFC can afford to do that because they have no debt & MEGA rich owners. If that's the best wind up line you can think of i would suggest you go back to sleep ?. What a tw*t !

Ed the Duck, Manchester (29/10/2009 at 10:34)

IS IT REALLY 33 YEARS, TAMESIDE
29/10/2009 at 09:23

So you'd rather charge kids full price at half term during a recession? That's nice. You're not even a football supporter - just pathetic.
CTID

Twilight Zone, Inbetween reality and a 5th dimension (29/10/2009 at 10:34)

City soap opera, Manchester
29/10/2009 at 09:08

dint know which game you were watching Blue, but RSC played very well concidering the amount of time he has been laid off.
As for Scunny being garbage, well I thought they did very well first half and scored a really good goal. They knocked the ball about really well and looked confident. A bit more clinical up front and they could have caused us a problem.
Enjoyed the game.

CTID and some

Shaun, At My Desk (29/10/2009 at 10:36)

Shame we conceded but job done,enough said.

Infijar Ken, Angola (29/10/2009 at 10:49)

Eike Immel's crossed eyes, Leeds
29/10/2009 at 10:22

Try "money grubbers", it makes them sound so much more the soulless avaricious parasites that they are!

expatblue , Australia (29/10/2009 at 10:54)

When Hughes bought Bellamy & RSC there were an awful lot of sceptics & knockers on this site slagging both of them off. Now with Bellamy looking like he's won over almost everyone, and RSC starting to look like a decent player as his fitness & sharpness returns, maybe all the Hughes doubters will give him the credit for that. MH knew both players, and what they brought to the team so just maybe EVERYBODY will get behind the manager as well as the team, and hopefully in time, Lescott will justify the money we paid too.

SDS (29/10/2009 at 11:28)

see some city haters are on about the reduced admission prices.
so which manchester team would you support.???

the manchester club wanting to attract mancs, fathers sons and daughters, future fans, thinking about the future understanding many people have so many social choice options these days, taking into account we played a home game only a few days earlier, it is half term and kids need things to do, and we have to accept we need to build up the support, hook people in for the very bright future that lies ahead, also taking into account scunthorpe are not a major attraction, the idea being that eventually when success comes the additional support gained will mean the club will become self financing. above all else it shows the club care about the fans and it clearly wants to encourage local and new support, good marketing i would say.

option 2, no rebates, no care or thought for thier real fans, half fill the stadium with glory hunters from further afield, or business connected deals that the average fan cannot afford or be invited to, all well and good whilst trophies come thick and fast, but should as i predict the trophies dry up, then the whole saga of manyoo will come crashing to its knees, united are not a club they are an institution a brand, providing they win trophies none stop they will be fine, but what if the trophy cupboard starts to become bare and the wheels start to come off. ripping your fans off is poor and confirms the club has no relationship or heart with its fans, and to hope businesses and glory hunters will remain loyal to a brand that is not succesful anymore is unrealistic and will not happen.

the united fans or city haters continue to go on about no trophies for city for 33 years, it hurts and it is true, but we remain loyal to our club, i predict that if united did not win a trophy inside say 2 years they will loose at least 50% of there so called fan base, a half empty swamp will put unbelievable financial pressure on the club which is already massively in debt.

i actually feel sorry for manc man united fans, and i wonder why do they want to be with a load of foreign johnnies, flash harrys, southerners, as we have not won anything for 33 years we still have some spare seats for you, so come and join us, and bring your kid we will even let him in for £1.

Adebayors Knee Slide (Formerly Robinho's stepover), Manchester (29/10/2009 at 11:36)

IT WAS A £1 TO GET IN DESPERATION OR WHAT.
IS IT REALLY 33 YEARS, TAMESIDE
29/10/2009 at 09:23

You're childish seat comments are the only "DESPERATE" things round here.

Are you aware that there are no points or byes awarded for seats being full?? Are you proud of being ripped off??? are you proud of the Glaziers for having control of your supporters bank accounts?? are you proud they are bleeding your club dry to repay their borrowings???

You're empty seat rants are becoming "tall floodlight like" Its fantastic that the club is in a position to let kids in for £1 during a recession. Like may other Blues I am PROUD that the club is giving SOMETHING BACK to its supporters unlike the fools over the border.

Like many blind glory hunters at the swamp who are prisoners of the "hills have eyes clan", I can only assume you have the IQ of a raddish.

Tick Tock . . . .

kevin cairns, morecambe (29/10/2009 at 11:56)

My nephew went to watch Fulham against city in the cup and found it was too late to get home to bed after extra time,got home around 1130,this I am sure is the reason that you don't see many children coming to watch midweek games.

MCFCANDY, M41 (29/10/2009 at 12:26)

Quick enough to make comments about us. I would stay worried with the rags from the swamp

It may be 33 yrs but it will never be 37yrs. (29/10/2009 at 12:28)

IT WAS A £1 TO GET IN DESPERATION OR WHAT.

I thought it was a brilliant idea to let kids in for a quid something only Manchester City can afford to do unlike other clubs that are debt ridden and whose only thought is how much can we take our fans for so the debt can be paid. It was good to see Michael Johnson progressing further keep it up City.

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