Sibierski: Defeat won't derail us

September 19, 2005

ANTOINE SIBIERSKI: Confident despite defeat

CITY are on the verge of something special, according to midfielder Antoine Sibierski.

The Frenchman believes they have little to fear despite the home defeat by Bolton.

City carved out a host of chances - rattling the woodwork five times - but Gary Speed's stoppage-time penalty brought to an end their 13-match unbeaten run.

However, Sibierski, 31, took a lot of heart from their overall performance.

"I have no worries about this team being successful because if we show the same attitude and commitment we will do many good things in the league this season, " he said.

"Of course we were disappointed but we have the comfort of knowing we played very good football.

"With the attitude and togetherness that we have in the side we feel we can beat any team.

"No one can point the finger at us and say we threw the match against Bolton away.

"We all tried everything we could to win the game but it wasn't to be. The woodwork and their goalkeeper saved them.

"Bolton know they were lucky and we have nothing to be sad about except the result. I think our fans know that too."

What did you make of Sibierski's performance? Have your say.

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Simon, Urmston (19/09/2005 at 17:30)

Thought Sibs had a good game yesterday, as did Dunnie however, the man is always seconds from disaster. On another point, why are we playing Everton at an 11.15am kick off? What genius thought that up?

Prestwich Blue, Manchester (19/09/2005 at 17:38)

I'd always thought there was a good player in there somewhere but despaired of ever seeing him. However I thought he had a good game on Sunday and gave the Bolton defence plenty of problems. It's a shame he wasn't replaced when he obviously tired later on in the game. Also his pass to Sinclair when he set up Cole's late chance in the derby was sublime. The point he makes about having no-one to fear is also a valid one. The only team we need to fear at the moment is the old Man City!

Chris, Chorlton (19/09/2005 at 18:21)

We do have to fear that we will put in great performances, but for lack of finishing quality we still do not win games!

FREDTHEBLUE, DERBYSHIRE (19/09/2005 at 18:49)

NICE to see antoine get a full game, almost. did himself proud yesterday, just a pity one of those headers didnt go in...

gerry, brentford (19/09/2005 at 18:49)

On the verge of something big? could that be a draw at Doncaster? ha ha ha ha 29 years? small wonder with such average players as Sibieski in your team of FAILURES!! ha ha ha ha

ste, manchester (19/09/2005 at 19:07)

he played very well as did the whole team god help doncaster wednesday night

bob, manchester (19/09/2005 at 19:35)

I was very impressed with Sib in the Bolton game. He showed alot of great touches and showed us what up till this game was his mythical aerial ability. On another day he could have scored a hat trick. His best game in a City shirt especially the first 45 mins.

shrek, reddish (19/09/2005 at 19:56)

have to agree with sibs,reyna,and joey playing well sp has got good team spirit going just need to push on do not loose heart over a jammy bolton side,big sam the man thought all his birthdays came at once ctid shrek

Marko, Chorlton (19/09/2005 at 20:51)

Siberski played well on sunday if fact i would go as far as saying it was one of his best games for the club. Keep up the good work Antoine

Martin, Manchester (19/09/2005 at 21:03)

Sibi comes in for a lot of unfair stick in my opinion. He showed on a couple of occasions against Bolton that he's a good player and could of had a hattrick. His first shot was a poor one but both headers we're taken well and on another day they'd of gone in. His quick ball through to Vassell after Jussi's mistake showed he's a clever player, just a shame Darius was offside.

Blue Tiger, Virginia (19/09/2005 at 21:04)

Sibs came close to scoring a couple of times, he was giving a very good effort in his game, he deserved a goal, but thats football it never happened.

Stephen, Urmston (19/09/2005 at 22:07)

Always believed that he was a good attacking midfielder in a 3-5-2 or 4-5-1 formation and have defended him as such in the past. Never dreamt that he could 'do' the target - man job as well as a natural forward but felt that he out-shone Davies by some distance on Saturday - well played Toni, shame you didn't get the goal (or three) you deserved.

Blackley lad., N.Y. (20/09/2005 at 02:24)

Does anybody know what has happened to Andy Cole? I've scoured every site I know tryng to find out why he never played on Sunday, if ever a game was screaming out for him it was certainly this one. Is he injured ? Has he thrown a wobbler? Can anybody throw some light on the subject, and another thing , why put Robbie on the bench if you've got no intention of playing him??

bluewoody, Bellport, NY USA (20/09/2005 at 03:38)

Excellent perfomance by Sibierski. Like many of the City Faithful, I've wondered about his lack of finishing, but now I'm convinced he is just the Unluckiest Man in the World. The Football Gods were perverse at COMS on Sunday. SP and the Mighteh Blues will withstand their daunting tests!

Mat, Bredbury (20/09/2005 at 08:21)

thought he had a good game, caused their defence all kinds of problems,won almost everything in the air and linked well with Vassell with his flick-ons.WIth a bit more composure and a bit more luck he could quite easily have walked away with the match-ball having scored a hat-trick.

POTNOODLE, DIDSBURY (20/09/2005 at 08:47)

EXTREMELY IMPRESSED WITH SIBIERSKI JUST NEEDS TO BREAK HIS DUCK,WE BATTERED BOLTON BIGTIME CANT BELIEVE ALLARDYCE SAYING BOLTON WERE TIRED..THEY WERE AWFUL.ALSO HAVE TO AGREE, STOP THAT PIPED CROWD SOUNDTRACK,WE DONT NEED IT..

DJ, Chorlton (20/09/2005 at 09:26)

Sorry Tony, but your contract is up next year, and I don't expect you to be here after that. I can't see the board proposing a new contract for you. You played quite well on Sunday but one game isn't enough. We bought you without really knowing where to play you: not sharp enough to be a striker, too slow to be a winger, too soft to be a midfielder. Another KK bad-buy

Mike, Stockport (20/09/2005 at 09:59)

Glad to see that Gerry from Brentford has been let out. Remind me Gerry if you will, what was the score in the derby at Old Trafford?

Peter Griffin, Audenshaw,Manchester (20/09/2005 at 10:15)

I have to disagree,i thought Sib was average & is too lightweight,Should have brought Fowler on.

Steve, Droylsden (20/09/2005 at 10:25)

Were most people on drugs on Sunday? If so, where were they handing them out? Apart from his two good headers, will someone please tell me what he did? For a tall bloke he gets knocked off the ball far too easily. I wouldn't say he's a great passer (that's why I was stunned at his pass to Sinclair in the Derby). He hasn't got any pace to speak of and his finishing record speaks for itself. That's not unfair criticism, it's just fact. If we don't want to recall Bermingham or try-out Ishmael Miller, while BWP, Cole & Fowler are out, then I hope Stu plays a 4-5-1 and drop Sibierski for Ireland. Does anyone know just was HAS happened to Cole?

gandalf, stockport (20/09/2005 at 10:30)

NOt one of the boo boys or depression gang but one good game since he has been with us is not good enough, tony will leaving the building when his contract is up or i am a chimp.SP already a demi god c4ever...
p.s. stellios did not impress me much , no better than trev really.get steed end of season for nowt...

Mat, Bredbury (20/09/2005 at 10:42)

Steve,Droylesdon...COle got a hamstring injury in training,thats why he didn't play!disagree with your view of Sibi,you seem to be one of those who don't rate him and never will no matter how he plays.He won the majority of balls in the air,with plenty of flick-ons for Vassell to chase.Agree that he needs to show this sort of form consistently to be a success.

Mike, Stockport (20/09/2005 at 11:01)

Steve, according to Five Live on Sunday, Cole suffered a hamstring injury which prevented him playing.

Steve, Droylsden (20/09/2005 at 12:16)

Cheers Mat & Mike.

Axe, West Didsbury (20/09/2005 at 12:51)

I like Sibierski as a player, gives us an option we otherwise lack i.e. aerial threat up front. Don't think he's effective enough to start the games if we play a 442 though, I wouldn't have him in midfield as people rightly say he's not tenacious enough. Also, go to mcfc website and click on 'have your say' to complain about that stupid piped crowd noise (quicker than writing a letter). It's embarrassing!

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