City Views – After The Derby

GROUNDHOG DAY

Key losses either side of the Asian Cup break and things are all too familiar for City fans.  Season 2014/15 hasn’t been our finest, but somehow we have managed to cling onto a top six spot.  Over the next 12 games the squad must decide to stand up and show fans this squad is capable of not only making the finals, but causing some major headaches for the other teams involved. Playing a derby is both special for players and fans and their performance on the weekend was unacceptable.  There was a severe lack of enthusiasm on the pitch and players showed nothing throughout the 90 minutes.

KENNEDY DEBUTS

One of the only positives to come out of last Saturday night was the debut of josh Kennedy.  The former Socceroos striker played the final 30 minutes of the game and looked a class above when in one on one situations.  Kennedy was only on the pitch for 2 minutes before Victory took a 3-0 lead and effectively killed off the game.  Sure we all had our hearts in our mouth every time Kennedy went near the ball in case of another long term injury, but Kennedy looks to be a great signing for the club and should have a profound effect in the final stretch of the season.

ACTIVE TONGUE

Joining in the march to Etihad I was buoyed by the amount of passion shown by the fans.  There was a great feeling amongst the team and there was a real sense of picking up the three points against the Victory.  Sadly that wasn’t to be but I was as disappointed with the individual in charge of the active support on the megaphone and his choice of words before entering the stadium.  Surrounded by a good number of City supporters of all ages he started going into an expletive filled motivational speech about the game ahead.  Next march I’m bringing my swear jar so he can finance my new Melbourne City shirt.  When you are trying to build a fan base this type of behaviour in unacceptable, no fan should want to be associated with this type of attitude or display.

Credit to anyone who gives their time to be involved in the active support area, they play a vital role on match days and building the Melbourne City fan base is crucial over the next few seasons.  Fans don’t need (or deserve) an individual like this representing the club and members of the active support group need to stand up and strip this individual of his role.

RAMSAY STREET

Just when you thought the playing career of Iain Ramsay couldn’t get any worse, he gets subbed in the 30^th minute for tactical reasons.  Whilst I’m unsure why you would start Ramsay after his recent performances the player has shown the club nothing this season and very little in the season before.  Ramsay was a useful player when at Adelaide and showed he was more than just a player who was quick; sadly he’s given Melbourne City minimal output in his 38 appearances.  The club cannot sign Ramsay again on his current performances, hopefully at season’s end Ramsay Street will be a one way street heading away from the La Trobe training facilities.

 

BATTLE FOR SIXTH

Results didn’t fall our way over the weekend and we could expect a very nervous 12 weeks.  Given our defensive record we will need more from Kennedy, Mooy, Koren and Melling over the next few weeks to make up for our fragile defence.

Position	Team	Played	Points	Goal Difference
5th	Sydney	16	25	+6
6th	City	15	19	-6
7th	Brisbane	15	18	-3
8th	Central Coast	16	15	-12

 

THE MONTH AHEAD

14^th February – WELLINGTON (Away)

22^nd February – PERTH (Home)

27^th February – ADELAIDE (Home)

8^th March – CENTRAL COAST (Away)

 

Image: www.a-league.com.au

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