They are gone now and in their place is a counterfeit Manchester City; ripped asunder from its Moss Side roots and plonked like a spaceship from District 9 on the wintry plains of Eastlands. The only similarity between the old and new is the lack of trophies. Citizens will still argue that in that respect, it’s still the same club, but like Faust, the grip on their own soul is tenuous now. That grotesque duel with Spurs for the “achievement” of finishing in fourth place last Spring illustrates that.
A drawback of our Thursday Preview series is that a club can sometimes be in action between our putting pen to paper and the occasion itself. A gruelling trip to Kiev will presumably have an influence on Sunday’s encounter and Reading may distil hope from the suggestion that Roberto Mancini may “do a Houllier”.
But City’s squad represents a cornucopia of talent and even a weakened eleven will be fearsome. Champions League qualification is by no means a certainty, so the FA Cup remains important - Carlos Tevez in particular can be well nigh unplayable and a doubt over Matt Mills following his early exit from the action at Portman Road on Tuesday will harm the Royals’ chances of repeating their defensive heroics from Goodison.
Reading come into the game in good form - tanning Middlesbrough’s hide in a five star display at the weekend and then effortlessly cruising to victory at Ipswich. Shane Long continues his astonishing scoring streak and Mikele Leigertwood has been patrolling the midfield like a minesweeper - he crucially missed early February’s dip in form after being inexplicably docked three matches despite not being sent off at Cardiff.
Tactically, Reading may line up with a 4-4-2 that may in reality be a 4-5-1 but they can be expected to attack as much as City will allow. Two previous cup ties in the north west have finished in draws only for the Mancunians to make hay back in Berkshire - 7-0 in 1968 and 4-0 in 1993 - and I was at Elm Park for the latter as Niall Quinn rose majestically to nod in a Steve Lomas cross. I rather expect a similar outcome this time and feel Reading have a good chance of entering the draw for the semi finals, albeit in either/or mode.
Manchester City FC is now “counterfeit”? From the days I went to watch City at Maine Road and at the play-off final to today - the club hasn't changed that much. Okay we have a new owner and a much improved stadium - but what makes a club on the whole are the fans - and crucially they haven't changed: The atmosphere at away matches, the drinks with fellow blues before the match - the memories of games and anticipation of the future… Win or Lose…
To call the club counterfeit is to call the supporters counterfeit - and for City fans I think that's very far from the truth.
As for the preview of the Reading Game - have you not researched Manchester City at all except for the rag tabloids? We are currently suffering a number of injuries - I suggest you explain why we have Jo on the bench.
City therefore can not do a Villa unless we put out 11 kids (whereas Villa put out internationals - not first choice mind you). City will not field a weakened team (injuries permitting). Manchini hasn't done that in any cup competition this year - I doubt he'll do it at this late stage.
Tonight's game will be tough - I predict we'll go for a 0-0 draw and save an attacker for Reading. De Jong may get some play tonight but I can see him starting against Reading allowing Tevez and Balotelli up front with Dezko on the bench.
I appreciate your comments which were very well put indeed. As a primarily Football League focused website, our natural concentration is on the smaller club.
I certainly do not dispute how wonderful Man City fans are - as good as any around infact - nobody forgets those huge crowds when they were in the third tier. I spent three happy years at university watching the team at Maine Road - very happy days.
But there has to be a question mark among City fans as to whether this is the same club that they owe their loyalty to - Jô is hardly a cut price option when he cost an initial 6 million - double what Reading have ever paid for a player. Obviously you are quite right to show loyalty and to get behind the team but I know many City fans are rueful and would perhaps rather have achieved success without the big budgets.
But without being churlish - good luck tonight. I know that Mancini has fully respected the FA Cup but feel he may be forced into changes by the arduousness of the trip to the Ukraine. It would be good to see Michael Johnson feature if he is at all near readiness.