£33 Million for Nigel De Jong

The tough tackling, play breaker upper, defence protector is sorely missed by Manchester’s finest side. Say what you will about our friend from the Netherlands, City are missing him.

The fact the reported fee was only £3 million received from AC Milan makes it even harder to bear. I’m sure City paid around £17 million for him in January 2009. In which time I would argue he got better and better. So did he really ‘depreciate’ by £14 million in the space of three and a half years? My mind says no.

What also appears to have happened on the evidence so far is that City has replaced Nigel with inferior players.

Prior to his injury Rodwell suffered a shaky start to his City career. Despite the fact he is still only young and playing at a higher level he is yet to really impress me. I appreciate he may be better going forward than De Jong although there has been no real evidence of that yet. His defensive play is nowhere near the level of Nigel as yet, which is one of the reasons the side is struggling.

At this moment in time I cannot see why Garcia was bought. For me he offers nothing to team above anyone else. I’ve yet to see him play a forward pass. He is not better going forward than Toure and is not better than Barry in the defensive role. £16 million is a lot to pay for a player who offers little to the side, especially with FFP looming on the horizon.

Perhaps those evaluations are a little harsh and I hope both players prove me wrong. As it stands, in simple terms; neither Garcia nor Rodwell offer the qualities of our much missed Nigel.

The defence seems to miss the Dutch master as opposition players are finding it easier to get at them. There are too many open spaces between the midfield and the back four to be exploited.

Nigel would have sat in these exact spaces and prevented those attacks from happening. I bet if you asked Kompany et al would they like De Jong back they would bite your arm off.

The defence has looked shaky and void of confidence at times this season. I never remember them looking like that over the past two seasons. De Jong was a major reason behind that.

If it was a contract dispute that forced his sale then so be it. I’m not privy to what goes on around the boardroom table. However whatever he wanted I’m sure it was more financially viable than the combined transfer fees and wages of Rodwell and Garcia.

In my book it was a mistake to let him go. Paying out £33 million to replace him was even worse.

Grant Mills

@mancinismarvels

Hammer Time

On a day where Chelsea dropped points and United seized the day against a poor Arsenal side, typical City failed to take their opportunity to go level with United.

On a side note, is it now the norm that a side like Arsenal will turn up at City and play out of their skins because we are champions? Contrast this with their non-existent showing at Old Trafford. Something City needs to understand quickly.

City dominated West Ham yet failed to make it count. Mario missed a sitter, Tevez and Toure missed good opportunities. But apart from that City failed to break a spirited resistance.

On a night when it was clear West Ham had only one tactic and seemed to be happy to defend it was simply not good enough from City. As Mancini later stated it was definitely a case of two points dropped.

How frustrating was the often mislaid final pass? There were so many times when a bit more composure or class in the final phase of the play could have led to a goal. With all the ability this side has it’s simply not good enough.

As soon as I saw the line up I was concerned. No recognised right back (how frustrating is that, we have three, all unfit) and a lopsided attack. It’s my opinion that Mancini should not play Edin and Mario together. They are too static and there are too many, annoying, frustrating times when they give the ball away too easily and the move breaks down. This is simply asking for trouble during an away game when the opposition and their fans are well up for it.

The eternal Dzeko debate lingers on. For me, when he starts he is simply not good enough. He is so frustrating at times and seems to offer little threat. Case in point was a great ball in from Mario, all Dezko had to do was take it in his stride and the goal was on (not a hard skill for a top striker I would assume). Annoyingly again it bounced off his thigh and rolled away and the chance gone.

Oh for Rosler in his pomp, chipping Schmeicel or Flowers, Quinn leading the line or Goater getting on the end of everything. They would offer as much threat as Mario and Edin do at present.

Kolo Toure had his best game in a City shirt for a long time. Defensively sound he rarely looked in trouble and was always on for an out ball, he created a few openings as well. Despite this the team miss Richards and Zabaletta who are as much a part of the attacking play as our forwards. Hopefully Zabaletta is back for the Ajax game.

Surely at a time when Silva is injured, Nasri and Yaya are not producing; Sinclair should be given a chance to start, otherwise we did we buy him? Last night’s game would have been a great opportunity for him and would have provided more width and creativity. The Swansea game was also crying out for his introduction yet Kolarov was given the nod instead.

Sinclair must be desperate for a chance to impress, get him on and let him show us what he can do. The team needs a spark from somewhere why not Sinclair?

On a positive note the defence was rarely troubled and Kompany looks back to his commanding best. That is the third clean sheet in the last four games. Sadly we have only scored six goals in those four games. Contrast that with this time last season and we are well off the pace.

Its all well and good saying City have not yet clicked into gear but what if this is it? What if they have already peaked? At a time when United have found their feet and Chelsea can be unplayable, City are in danger of watching them disappear over the hill and out of sight.

With fixtures against Spurs, Chelsea and United now rapidly approaching this is a time for our players to really show what their made of and take control of the title race. Winning those games (two are at home) would most likely put us top (all else being equal) while denting our rival’s aspirations.

Come on City.

Grant Mills

@mancinismarvels

Carlitos Way

City struggled to a win over Swansea in a game which for the first half was almost a mirror image of last season’s encounter. The home side huffed and puffed with no cutting edge whatsoever whilst The Swans looked the more likely to score.

The Blues looked void of ideas, had no penetration and could not get the ball forward quickly enough. The tempo was so slow that there were never any gaps to exploit and on the rare occasions that City pressed Swansea were able to get back into position and defend the attack.

I’ve said it before 4-4-2 is a dated formation, which has been exploited since 2004 when Rafa Benitez bought players like Garcia to Liverpool in order to exploit the space between the two banks of four. It’s simply too easy to play around this formation, surely it’s not the way forward for City.

On Saturday this also saw Tevez and Aguero isolated up front, withdrawn from the game with little impact. The midfield could not get the ball forward quick enough, whenever they did the space was closed down. Frustrating times for the home side.

All that changed when Mancini got a grip of the tactics in the second half. Kolarov went off, allowing Balotelli on up front, this pushed Aguero out to the left (which I’m still not sure about) but more importantly allowed Tevez to drop deeper and take hold of the game by the scruff of the neck.

When City plays in my favourite 4-2-3-1 they play with two strikers, one in a deeper role, linking play. This contrasts to Chelsea who employs three interchangeable, attacking midfielders and only one striker. Tevez showed last night he was back to his best and in the deeper striker role it could be argued that City play it better than Chelsea (they have copied us haven’t they?). As well as being a creative force Carlos was also a goal threat and a menace around the box.

His goal, when it came was a thing of beauty. Such accuracy, combined with pace and power is difficult to achieve from that distance. When you view the angle from behind the shot it, he really didn’t have much to aim for. It was a strike fit to win any game. In fact he hit it so hard that Vorm, the Swans keeper injured himself trying to save it.

Silva is absent but has not been at his best this term, whilst both Nasri and Toure seem to have gone off the boil. Their creative juices have not been flowing like last season and City have really missed that creative spark. Step forward Carlito, he showed what City have been missing. He picked the ball up, attacked defenders, went past people, shot at goal, brought people into play and effectively ran the game in the second half. This was the Tevez of 2009-10 and 2010-11, I hope he is here to stay.

If he can display this form week in week out and the aforementioned three can get back to their best City can start to threaten defences up and down the country again. Our number 32 will surely impress on Mancini that he is the best man to play as the deeper striker, none of the other three can play that role as well as he can. Mario and Edin are more of a number 9, whilst Sergio can play deeper but as a number 10; he needs to be closer to the goal.

The stats will show that Carlos completed forty seven of his sixty two passes and had three out of four shots on target. It might not be obvious from these, but for me he dominated that second half and really made City tick and provided inspiration at a time when we really needed it. At a time when other strikers around the league seem to be scoring freely I would bet Tevez is chuffed to bits with that performance. He should be he saved the day.

Grant Mills

@mancinismarvels

Top 5 Terriers in the Tackle

1.   Nigel De Jong

I still can’t believe he’s gone. Signed by Mark Hughes in the January transfer window of 2009 he was always tough in the tackle. City were ridiculed in some areas of the press for paying such a large sum for him (£17m), when they could have gotten him on a free in the Summer. Money well spent in my eyes. Alongside Tevez he was the first name on the team sheet during the 2010/11 season. He never gave in and scored a couple of cracking goals too. Sadly for him the team progressed and there was less demand for his abilities. Although at this present time I think we are missing him. Good luck Nigel.

2. Pablo Zabaletta

This guy is great. Fact. Over the past few seasons he must have spent more time being patched and stitched up than any other Premier League player. He has other qualities too (see my Lifetime XI). Opened the scoring on that fabulous day in May versus QPR. “I thought I score one goal in one season and we are going to lose. But I’m still dreaming I don’t want to wake up”. If every player showed his determination we would never lose. He seems to be getting better in every game we play. Why City bought Maicon when we have Zab Man and Richards is beyond me.

3. Danny Tiatto

This guy had that Aussie competitive spirit and it clearly showed in his game. He was up and down the whole game, could put his foot in and scored goals. Bought in 1998 for £300,000 he was never one to shy away from a challenge. I went away to Boro in 2001 when he scored a cracker. Ran the length of the field, beat a few men and slotted the ball in the corner. It was incorrectly ruled out for offside. Typical City.

Had his less than favourite moments as well, like when he was sent off against Blackburn in 2002 and went mental. Tia Tia Tiatto, Tiatto, Tiatto.

4.  Peter Reid

Signed by Howard Kendall in 1990 he went on to manage City, leading them to two 5^th place finishes (1990/91 and 1991/92) after Kendall could not resist a return to Goodison. A real ‘bull in a china shop’ Reid was coming toward the end of his playing career whilst at City. He provided experience and midfield steel to complement some of City’s emerging youth talent of the time. Thankfully he didn’t have to chase Maradona around the pitch whilst at City.

5.  Joey Barton

Despite his recent antics Barton did well during his time at City. After graduating the youth set up he was given his debut during the 2002/03 season by Kevin Keegan. He went onto become a senior figure in the squad making 153 appearances scoring 17 goals in the process.

Eventually he moved to Newcastle in 2007 after an earlier ill advised transfer request fell through. Sadly Barton only seems to make headlines for the wrong reasons nowadays.

His antics on May 13^th provided the extra 5 minutes which allowed City to score twice.

Grant Mills

@mancinismarvels

Nostalgic Match Reports

Welcome to the first in a series of nostalgic match reports

Division 1, February 2000, The City Ground, Forest 1 – 3 City.

City travelled across The Peak District to Nottingham to face a Forest side intent on interrupting their promotion push. The City side that day in the East Midlands included the likes of Bob Taylor, Jeff Whitley and Richard Jobson.

Forest were a mid table side at best after suffering relegation from the Premier League the previous season. They were in the process of rebuilding following the Pierre Van Hooijdonk debacle only twelve months earlier.

At that time as a student you could get a ticket from Nottingham Trent University for a fiver. The downside was that it was a home ticket and it required silence sitting amongst a mixture of regular home fans and people who had turned up just  because City were the draw that season.

Sat in silence I was when Chris Bart Williams opened the scoring after only nine minutes leading to what appeared to be the eruption of the entire ground.

This was to be City’s day however as the talents of Goater, Kennedy and Bishop started to show why City were eyeing the title. Wearing the classic ‘middle badge’ Eidos shirt, Bob Taylor scored the equalizer after thirty one minutes to silence the home fans and the hangers on.

Things got even better only four minutes later when The Goat popped up to score another to put City two one up going in at half time. Not to be out done by his strike partner Goater bagged another in the eighty third minute to send the City fans into celebration and cause the Trent End to begin to empty.

Forest were overwhelmed by City that day and the blues were simply too good for them. It was easy to see the confidence in the players who would go on to gain promotion that season.

Grant Mills

@mancinismarvels

Top 5 Transfer Deadline Day Deals

1. “We’re Sheikhing up baby now”. September 2008

Mansour and the Abu Dhabi group seize control of City on a brilliant day for the blue half of Manchester. It felt like all of City’s Christmases had come at once. The embarrassment of the Shinawatra era had come to an end and all of a sudden the possibilities were endless. No debt, unbelievable resources, the financial backing to achieve the unthinkable. In a statement made shortly afterwards, whilst talking of others at the club he said “.They reflect our shared aim of seeing Manchester City Football Club evolve to become a significant force in the world of football”.

City’s new owners immediately announced their intentions by signing Robihnio from Real Madrid.

2. Robinho, September 2008

Straight from left field this deal was literally out of the blue. The new petro dollars had been secured and City were linked with every player under the sun from Berbatov to David Villa.

It appeared that Robinho was on his way to Chelsea when Andy Burton appeared on Sky Sports News saying similar to “Here we go, sweaty fingers time.....Robihno has signed for Manchester City”.  Unfortunately for Robinho it appeared the next day he thought he had signed for Chelsea.

Despite what went on afterwards he was our first ‘superstar’ signing at £32 million and paved the way for the rest of the big deals.

3. Benjani, January 2008

Prior to the big money investment our transfer policy was somewhat average. Rolando Bianchi take a bow. Benjani had looked a decent player at Portsmouth and City were lacking a proven goal scorer at that time (Emile Mpenza anyone?). The deal dragged on all day and amongst rumours of private jets, medical complications and fee problems it appeared the clock was going to run out. Big Ben chimed midnight on Sky Sports News and City fans were left wondering if the deal had been completed. It was not until the early hours when most of the freezing reporters had gone home that we learned the deal had been completed.

4.  Adam Johnson, February 2010

Mancini had only recently taken the hot seat at City, Johnson was the much hyped player of the moment and was also linked with a potential move to Stamford Bridge (déjà vu – see above).

After a string of impressive performances for Middlesbrough, City shelled out a fee rumoured to be around £5 million for the left footed winger and became Mancini’s second signing following the capture of Patrik Viera.

5. Majita Nastastic, September 2012

Despite a flurry of transfer activity in the most recent transfer window none of the new purchases have really impressed me so far. I also feel its possible these five new players were bought just to appease Mancini following his public complaints and the majority of them were players we did not need.

The one exception so far is Nastastic who has impressed me the most. Aged only nineteen he looks composed on the ball and good in the tackle. He could go on to be a great player and the fee of £12 million could be a bargain. The other bonus was that we got to send Stefan Savic in the other direction.

Grant Mills

@mancinismarvels

Top 5 City Goal Scorers

1.   Shaun Goater

He played for City between 1998 and 2003; after being bought by Joe Royle for £400,000 from Bristol City. When I first laid eyes on him I couldn’t believe how bad he looked, gangly, ungainly and with a first touch like a baby elephant; he didn’t fill me with hope. How wrong I was. Goater quickly settled in and scored 21 goals in his first season to fire City to promotion to division 1.

My favourites memories of our Shaun are the 2001/02 season when at the start of the season he seemed to score every game and had bagged something like 25 goals by the time Halloween had rolled around.

2.   Carlos Tevez

Joined City from United (although he was technically never a ‘United’ player) in summer 2009. talkSport broke the news first and it was like waiting for Christmas for the move to be formally announced.

After a slow start when Adebayor grabbed the early headlines, Tevez burst into life and scored 29 goals in his first season. He scored 23 goals the next season and lifted the FA Cup. Prior to the arrival of the likes of Yaya, Silva, Aguero and Nasri, Carlos almost carried the team creativity wise and was always the go to man when City needed something to happen.

3.   Sergio Aguero

“Aguerooooooooooooooooooo……….” Will forever be remembered for that moment back in May. Bought as a replacement for Tevez (who had asked for a transfer) Sergio arrived from Athletico Madrid and made an immediate impact. Brought on with 20 minutes left in the season’s opener against Swansea he scored a tap in with his first touch, brilliantly set up Silva then rounded it off with a long distance strike.

Strong, skilful, quick he scored 30 goals (23 league) in his debut season, there is still much more to come from Kun.

4.   Nicolas Anelka

Often forgotten due to our recent superstar signings, ‘Le Sulk’ was a coup by Keegan when he bought him in 2002 to provide the fire power for the new Premier League campaign.

Opened his account with two goals in a home win over Everton and scored the opener in the 3-1 win over United. Had his moments at City but he mostly led the line brilliantly when he often had to manufacture his own chances. His goal scoring stats are just shy of a goal every other game, which in a mid table at best side; is a great return.

Eventually left in January 2005 to join Fernerbache.

5.   Uwe Rosler

Nicknamed Herr Bomber, Rosler was brought in during early 1994 after then Chairman Francis Lee was tipped off about the former East German internationals availability. Scored three for the reserves before quickly establishing himself in the first team.

The team were poor at the time but he quickly struck up great partnerships with Paul Walsh, Nicky Summerbee and Peter Beagrie. Uwe went on to play 181 games for City scoring 65 goals in the process. Probably our best player until Kinkladze arrived.

Grant Mills

@mancinismarvels

Top 5 Worst City Moments

I know things have been a bit bleak recently (until Saturday) but it's nothing compared to where we came from!

Top 5 Worst Moments

1.  Stoke 2 – 5 City, May 1998, Division 1 (Old Money)

Despite a high scoring away win it’s too late as other results go against us. The chickens finally come home to roost as poor performances on the field and bad management off it see City slide into the third tier of English football for the first time in our history. It didn’t even seem real when the final whistle went. We had been awful all season; I still never thought it would come to this.

2.  Gillingham 2 – 0 City, May 1999, 89 minutes, Division 2 Play Off Final

This cannot be happening, can it? After slogging it out all seasons at some of the smallest grounds in the country it seems like we are going to have to do it all again next season. Horrific thoughts race through most fans minds. What will happen when we don’t go up, will the club survive, and can I face this all over again? Thankfully we all know what happened next.

3.  City 2 – 2 Liverpool, May 1996, Premier League

For crying out loud, don’t hold the ball in the corner and play for time, we need to score again. Somehow mixed messages reach the City bench who then pass out the wrong instructions to the players on the field. This just about summed up Alan Balls tenure in charge at City.

Despite Niall Quinn’s best attempts, City could manage only a draw with a Liverpool side who looked almost embarrassed to have scored their goals.

4.  United 3 – 1 City, January 2010, Carling Cup, Semi Final, Second Leg

City were 2-1 up from the first leg after a scintillating game at COMS and go into this game knowing anything can happen. Fortunately for United fans it does. Scholes and Carrick put United ahead but Tevez’s improvised finish, his 3^rd of the tie puts City level on aggregate.

Enter Wayne Rooney. The striker scores a last minute winner to seal the game and the tie. This was the second of three times United beat City via last minute goals in one season (four games).

5.  Ipswich 2 – 1 City, May 2001, Premier League

Almost a year to the day after our magnificent day at Ewood Park, City return to from whence they came. To make things worse our fate is sealed at the hands of Ipswich Town, who we’ve had a mini feud with since we got promoted together the previous season.

Shaun Goater puts City ahead late on, injuring himself in the process. City can’t hold out for the win and succumb to two late goals.

Grant Mills

@mancinismarvels

What is going wrong at the moment?

Can’t defend

The past two seasons we have been the best defence in the league and Joe Hart has the highest number of clean sheets. Last season especially, City looked more than capable of comfortably defending a one goal lead and seeing the game out for a win.

This season opposing teams seem to be allowed far too much time on the edge of the box and the defence seem to go to pieces every time they come under pressure. I have lost count of the amount of times Kompany has needed to make last ditch tackles or interceptions to prevent a shot on goal.

More worryingly at this time, apart from Madrid, we have not faced a first rate strike force.

Not taking our chances

Last season we racked up goals galore with two 6’s, two 5’s and plenty of 4’s and 3’s. This season we are still scoring goals but are nowhere near the free flowing regularity we enjoyed last season. This time last year we had already scored 4 against Swansea, 3 at Bolton, 5 at Spurs, 3 against Wigan and 4 against Villa.

City has the strikers, Tevez has done well so has Dzeko, Aguero has been unfortunately injured and Balotelli is yet to get going. None of them seem to be working in tandem and they are not taking the chances as they would have done last season.

It’s not all down to the strikers to score the goals though. Aside from Toure no one else appears to be a regular goal threat. Nasri and Silva need to up their goal getting from deeper positions in order to take the pressure off the forwards.

Change of formation

This has not helped (see my previous article on 3-4-3). Four Four Two against Arsenal was suicidal and does not suit our style of play at all. Mancini has mostly operated a 4-2-3-1 formation which enabled City to terrorise opposition defences. This formation also suits our players and they are used to it. This style allows free flowing quick, intricate football to be played around the edge of the opposition penalty area.

I understand the need for continuous improvement and team development and the fact other teams may have worked out how City play. However I do believe that when we are firing as we can we are by far the best side in the league. No matter what the opposition think they can do to stop us we have the individuals in all areas of the pitch to win games.

New Players

Not great so far. Maicon looked out of place against Madrid as all the problems came down City’s right. For me Garcia looks too ponderous in central midfield, he takes too long to move the ball and when he does it’s generally a negative pass. At this moment in time I much prefer Jack Rodwell.

Sinclair will fit in as he almost a direct replacement for Adam Johnson, only time will tell if he will be any better.

Unsettled side

Mancini needs to act quickly now to arrest this slide. A settled formation is a must; I do understand the need for player rotation due to games coming in thick and fast every three days.

A settled formation gives the players the confidence of knowing their role and knowing what the others are doing and where they are supposed to be. They also know it works as it has brought two trophies in the past two seasons.

Bring Back

I never thought I’d say this….Gareth Barry. He knows the league, is an experienced international and brings the best out of YaYa Toure. Both know how to play together.

Barry is solid if not spectacular and the kind of player we need in order to start putting performances together again.

James Milner has never been given the opportunity to really show what he can do from central midfield. He is always pushed wide to the left or right and restricted in how he can influence the game.

During games against United, Villa, Liverpool and Wigan last season he was given the opportunity to show what he’s all about and he grabbed it with both hands. Against United and Villa especially he was magnificent.

Milner is another honest, hardworking British player who knows the league inside out and knows what’s expected. He also has any eye for goal as well. My thoughts are that when he’s given the chance he delivers, so give him a chance. Please.

Trust in Roberto

Despite my wittering above, I do. I’m sure he will turn it round.

Grant Mills

@mancinismarvels

The Ones that Got away during my lifetime

1.       Robin Van Persie

It started with I am happy in London, it moved to a three way tussle between City, United and Juventus, it ended with RVP joining our cross town rivals. Wenger was facing a nightmare scenario with this one, Juventus can’t afford him, United somehow can but they are bitter rivals, City definitely can but they buy most of Arsenals best players nowadays. The whole situation comes to a head when RVP allegedly tells his agent United are the only team he wants to join.

In my eyes City should have broke the bank to get him. In my opinion, Champions League and Premier League double would definitely be achievable had he chose blue over red.

2.    Eden Hazard

Another three way fight this past summer, this time between City, United and Chelsea. For whatever reason he chose to ply his trade in London after keeping us all waiting on Twitter on the day of the announcement. I couldn’t have cared less after his nonexistent display in the community shield at Villa Park. However he seems to have fit right in to the Premier League with Chelsea. Imagine if we had bought Hazard and RVP!

3.   Daniel Van Buyten

He spent a portion of the 2003/04 season on loan at City. A giant of a man DVB fit right in at City and provided some real power at the back when we were suffering a nightmare in the league (no wins between Nov 03, 0-2 at Southampton and Feb 04, 1-3 at Bolton).

He should have been bought permanently in the summer of 2004. City could have paired him with Richard Dunne at Centre back and moved Slyvain Distin to left back. That would have eradicated the inconsistency of players in that role and when Distin made his mistakes they would have been in a less crucial position.

4.   Trevor Sinclair

The first time around, although he eventually ended up at City in 2003 he was nothing compared to the early 90’s version. Born in London but raised in Manchester, Sinclair was a boyhood City fan. He made his name at Blackpool and in 1993 was ready to move up the levels. City were in for him and it seemed a certainty he would be gracing Maine Road, somehow it never happened and he ended up at QPR. He rubbed it in slightly by scoring a volley from the half way line against us in 1996.

5.   Geoff Thomas

Made his name with Crystal Palace during that scintillating FA Cup run of 1990, where they lost to United and Lee Martins winner in the replay. He was up for sale in 1993 and claimed he would love to join City and would walk up the motorway to play at Maine Road. Somewhere along the M6 he must have taken a wrong turn as he ended up in Wolverhampton.

Perhaps it was a lucky escape. After the game against France for England when he went through one on one with the keeper and hit the corner flag, Geoff was never the same player again.

Interview with Nicky Summerbee

Nicky Summerbee is a former Manchester City midfielder, who has also had spells with many other sides, as well as being capped for the England C team and England u-21’s. Nicky spent 3 years with the blues, in a side that also included Georgi Kinkladze, Uwe Rosler, Peter Beagrie, Paul Walsh amongst other players. His dad Mike, is also a former City player, who was a huge part of the 1968 side that won the Division 1 title. In this interview, Nicky talks about his experiences as a player, the current city side, how he thinks the blues will do this season and much more.

Josh: Since hanging your boots up in 2006, what have you been up to?

Nicky: Well I’ve had all sorts, I’ve had businesses, I had a pub outside Man City’s ground, which I bought just before the commonwealth games. I’ve had building companies, I was selling cars. But pretty much now, I’m covering matches, I do a lot of media work and after dinner speaking work, talking about something that I know, which is football. Its difficult when you finish football because to try and get your work sorted out is difficult, but your best sticking to what you know really and for me its football, talking about Man City and everything , you get a lot of work and that and doing the after dinner speaking.

Josh: So do you miss football and why?

Nicky: Yeah you do,  because its adrenaline of playing infront of big crowds every week, no matter what level your playing at, whether your playing in the fourth division, in the conference there’s a bit of a crowd there and when your playing in the premiership it’s the training every day, keeping fit, you know building your life up to a game at the weekend or in midweek, stepping out on the pitch to the adrenaline rush of the crowd is what you miss, I think you miss the dressing room banter with the lads aswell, you know its good every game having a bit of mickey-taking and giving a little bit back, you know that’s what you miss. But the main thing what everyone does miss is stepping out on the pitch every match, it sends a shiver down your spine, stepping out on the pitch to play football. You’ll never get that again, so all you’re left with is memories and what you think you probably should or shouldn’t have done.

Josh: As a kid, you had trials with many teams and you signed for Swindon, but was it always your intention to play for City?

Nicky: It wasn’t really, it was just I was making my way in the game, I had trials with United, City, Norwich, Leicester, and a lot of them didn’t take me on. Which looking back now, gave me the strength to make it. One day there was a trial on at Swindon, where my Dad (Mike Summerbee) started off there, there was a guy there called Cecil Green, who was like a father figure to dad, he said why don’t you give it a go. And I went down there and that was it. I had a bit of luck, you know when I was there they had some good managers like Lou Macari, Ossie Ardiles and Glenn Hoddle came in. We were lucky, as we had a good season and we made it to the premiership. As you can see now with a lot of the teams, if you get to the premiership and you have a good season, you might get yourself a move. I was in the game and trying to make it as high as possible and all of a sudden I had that good season and then a few clubs were interested, there was Aston Villa, Celtic, Blackburn and where Man City came in for me, there was only going to be one move for me. I used to go an watch the games with my dad and the groundsman Stan Gibson and I could really feel the atsmosphere, and I just felt one day I’d love to have the opportunity to play in a Manchester derby and when Man City came along it was a dream.

Josh: What do you make of the signings City have made in the summer transfer window, will they settle in quickly do you think?

Nicky: I think they’ll have to settle in quickly, with the progress that City have made, they are certainly well ahead of where they should be, but the quality of player that’s come in like Yaya Toure, Silva, Kompany, Aguero and Tevez, they’ve got big games in them and they haven’t really had time to be in to be honest. They have to really hit the floor running, you know this season in the Champions League they’ve got Real Madrid in the group and every game’s a massive game for City, if they’re going to regain the title. Sinclair, I hope he does well, I think he will do well. He’s not at Swansea now, he’s at a bigger club and he’ll have to continue what he did at Swansea for Manchester City. I thought Johnson was a good player and I would put him ahead of Sinclair at the moment, but Sinclair has got his chance and hopefully he can get that form going here. The players that have come in are very good but they’ve got a big squad, they have one of the best midfielders in the world in Yaya Toure, Tevez is like a brand new signing. When I went to watch them at the beginning of the season against Chelsea they looked breath-taking and its strange really because Chelsea have started the season off better than City, but I still fancy Man City to win the league this year.

Josh: What do you think about Johnson and De Jong departing the Etihad, do you think they’ll be players who will be missed this season?

Nicky: I think they will definitely, I think De Jong wanted to go himself really, he was offered a deal and he didn’t sign the deal and he’s gone and I think Johnson wanted to play more games, he was in and out the team and did well when he played, I think everyone played a part last season in City winning the league, and Johnson certainly did. When he was playing or came on he’d always make a statement by scoring a goal or setting something up. He’ll be missed but he’s gone to play football, hopefully Sinclair comes in and does even better than him. Because I think we need a bit more width, we play a lot of football going through teams through the middle and having a bit of width is not predictable it just gives them another option and it will give people like Silva a bit more room and they’ll be a little more dangerous. De Jong and Johnson will be missed without a shadow of a doubt, but City have got a great squad, so its not a problem. They have 2 squads really Man City, so they are more than comfortable.

Josh: Your dad was a big part of the side that won the league in 1968, did he have an influence on your decision to join City, giving the success he had with the blues?

Nicky: Well it wasn’t like that really, Dad wasn’t pushy at all, so if I made a football, I made a footballer. He was always there to give me advice in certain situations, which was a massive plus and help to me. And for me to make a footballer, it was a lot more difficult for me, because of my dad you see. People said that you only made a footballer because your dad, it’s the biggest load of rubbish ever, it was really difficult. And all of a sudden Man City came, and it was like I made that option myself basically, my dad helped me but it was all my choice what I wanted to do. When someone like City comes knocking on the door, there was only club I was going to, I didn’t really need any help at all, so my decision was made basically.

Josh: During your time at City you played with Georgi Kinkladze, a player who was incredible with the ball at his feet, how do you think he would fare if he was playing in today’s team?

Nicky: Well I think its perfect for Georgi now, it wasn’t like it was when my dad was playing, but when we were playing it was still quite physical when we were playing. Today it’s much more about technique and flair play and I think if he was playing with the players now, they’d know when to give him the ball at the right time and they are all world class players. It would be perfect for Georgi. Unfortunately on that last day against Liverpool when we couldn’t manage to stay up, because we could of saw a bit more of Georgi in the premiership.

Josh: Did you honestly ever see City winning the Premier League?

Nicky: Did I? Being honest, no. Obviously when the new owners came in, we thought here we go. I’ve been used to living in Manchester when Man United were dominating all the time and I thought if it was ever going to change. And It has and its fantastic, the end of last season you couldn’t even write it in a script. The owners have put the money where the mouth is, but they’ve brought top quality players in. The hardest stumbling block at the time was to get that first trophy and when they got the first trophy at Wembley when they win the Fa Cup, I thought it may took a couple of years until they won the league. But they’ve fully deserved it, they were quality last year and they were quality throughout the whole of last season.  And the way that the won it aswell, it was special. Did I think they were ever going to win it ever? No, not in my lifetime, but they have and its fantastic.

Josh: Roberto Mancini has done a terrific job at City, winning the Fa Cup and the Premier League, can he go on and lead City to Champions League glory?

Nicky: Without a shadow of a doubt yeah, he’s signed a 5-year deal now, when he first came in there were the usual people thinking he’s not good enough but he’s proved them wrong and done really well. He’s shrewd and he can play the mind games aswell. The next level is to compete in the Champions League and I think all the players know that. They went in there a little bit not knowing what’s going on last season against teams like Napoli, thinking they could beat teams 3 or 4-0, but it’s a totally different ball game, they catch you on the counter attack. I think City have got a great group there, whether its going to be this year, I don’t know because it’s a difficult group, but Mancini is capable of anything really.

Josh: Can you honestly believe how far City have come in such a short space of time, having been known as ‘Typical City’ for all these years?

Nicky: Well its not typical City anymore, that mentality of the fans, that has to go now. You support your team through thick and thin, that’s what its all about and a lot of fans have seen bad times like relegation, but anything that has happened City fans have held strong with it. There’s a new belief now, the players are world-class players, so its different on the pitch now. You can’t help the fans because United were so dominant at the time and that’s one of the reasons for the sarcasm. But now we have the belief, especially on that last game of the season, that we can do it. I think that the players have that belief aswell, they may not off played so well at the start of this season but we still have the belief that they can win games of football. The fans have changed, they have got what they wanted and now its all looking rosy, it’s a case of filling that trophy cabinet up. The days of doom have gone now and I think it’s a case of kicking on. Every year it changes in the Premiership, you’ve got to step up and improve every year, so that’s what City are ready for and the fans are ready for the ride now.

Josh: What should City aim to achieve this season?

Nicky: The aim is to secure back to titles and then whatever competitions you’re in you have to go strong in it. We have the squad to be strong in every competition and they have to get the winning habit, they are capable of anything really. Champions League is going to be difficult, if you look who we’ve got in the group, Real Madrid, Dortmund, Ajax, its going to be very difficult, but they are capable of doing it, with the players that they have, they are capable of anything. If they can get another title, back to back, that would be great, as it’s very difficult. So that’s something all the other teams are going to be going for.

Josh: Obviously Carlos Tevez has got himself fit for this season, are you expecting a good season from him?

Nicky: Yes I am, I’m expecting him to be top goal-scorer or player of the year, that’s how good I think he’s gonna be. I think he’s sorted himself out, he’s got himself in fantastic nick, scored in every game and he’s looking the part. I think he’s like a new signing. No matter what happens with Tevez, he will give you 110%, you know that’s what it his with him at the end of the day. I think it’s a new signing really; he’s going to be a top, top player this year. I think Nasri will be a top player aswell.

Josh: What were you doing the exact moment Sergio Aguero popped up in the 93^rd minute to clinch City’s first Premier League title?

Nicky: What was I doing? I was in the ground, I was really thinking it wasn’t gonna happen and it was just like an out of body experience when it came. I was kissing everyone, even when I watch it now, it sends a shiver down my back. It wasn’t really how it was supposed to pan out really, City weren’t really in the game, struggling and 2-1 down thinking here we go again and all of sudden we just got that goal in Fergie Time or whatever you wanna call it, to win it at the end was just unbelievable.

Josh: What is your favourite game you have played in for City and why?

Nicky: My favourite game is probably the one when Georgi (Kinkladze) scored that goal against Southampton. We all played well that well day. Georgi when he scored that goal, he got in on the half way line and jinked through everyone, it was a wonderful goal. But we were just on form that day and everyone enjoyed their football. I saw a lot of relegation when I was at City, but we did get it going occasionally. Georgi (Kinkladze) was the best player I have played with, some of the goals he scored were phenomenal and it was nice to be part of it sometimes.

Josh: Who is your favourite current City player?

Nicky: My favourite current City player would have to be Yaya Toure, I think he’s immense. He’s a big game player and I just think he’s the real deal. He can step up on the occasion, like he did last year against Newcastle, I think he’s perfect and there’s not many better than him. When you watch him, he gets the ball and he can just change defence into attack and make it look dead easy. So for me Its Yaya Toure when playing well. I’m also a fan of Micah Richards you know, I like Micah, I think he’s on the same level with Zaba (Pablo Zabaleta), but I think he's got so much more to give.

Josh: Out of all the players in the world, who would you like to see play for City and why?

Nicky: Who would I like to see and why? I’d have to say someone like Ronaldo or Messi, I really would. They are the two best players in the world, without a shadow of a doubt. Probably Messi, I’d like to see him play here, just because the amount of goals, he would score week in week out. I’d have to say one of them two, because they are the two best players in the world.

Josh: How does the City side you played in compare to the side of today?

Nicky: It doesn’t really, I don’t think we could lace their boots to be honest! We had good players, but the players today are all world-class, international players. We did have some good players, but not as near as good as the players are now, these are all top, top players, so to compare, there’s not really a comparison.

Josh: City have been placed in yet another difficult Champions League group, in your opinion, do you think they can qualify?

Nicky: Yes course they can, there’s no reason why they can’t.  They’ve got the players and the squad. Sometimes when you are playing against the best it raises your game even more. It’s a fantastic group, people say oh what a bad group that is, I don’t think it is at all, its perfect for City. For how far they’ve come they deserve it. They have the big game players, so there’s no reason why they can’t get to the next stage.

Josh: What is your favourite experience or memory as a City player?

Nicky: My favourite memory is simply putting the kit on and having the opportunity to play for Manchester City. Its something I’m proud of, especially because it was a bit different for Dad, because he was a club legend there and I got the opportunity to play for City at Maine Road and playing in Derbies and everything, it was a dream come true.

Josh: Finally, your prediction for City in all competitions this season?

Nicky: I think City will win the league, I think maybe the FA Cup and I think it might be just a little bit of a bridge too far in the Champions League but I think they’ll get through the qualifying stages, so we’ll just have to see what happens.

Many Thanks for Nicky for taking the time out to answer the questions; it really was a privilege to interview a former City player. We hope to be bringing you even more interviews very soon.

City's Five Least Remarkable Signings of My Lifetime

1.      Michael Frontzeck. Bought by Alan Ball to play the left back role for the doomed 95/96 season, this Homer Simpson lookalike was a disaster from start to finish. Little pace and even less tactical awareness, Frontzeck looked like a fish out of a water in The Premier League.

2.      Christian Negouai was a £1.5 million signing made by Kevin Keegan in 2001 to bolster the midfield. He made a total of 6 starts in that promotion campaign and scored a cracking handball goal against Rotherham. To be fair he was hampered by injuries.

3.      Laurent Charvet. Brought it from Newcastle by Joe Royle with an endorsement by Alan Shearer “I’ve been impressed with Charvet since the first time I played against him”. Who was he trying to kid? Charvet looked like he’d never even met his defensive partners. Keegan quickly saw the light and shelved him.

4.      Tal Ben Haim. Came in from Chelsea and City fans expected. They were left disappointed when Mark Hughes £5m signing quickly fell out of favour. He made only 15 appearances for City and was loaned to Sunderland halfway through his only season.

5.      Alioune Toure. Remember him? Me neither! He was at PSG before Keegan signed him for City. He made two substitute appearances. Enough said.

Once again these are only my opinions, open for discussion.

Grant Mills

@mancinismarvels