There's a few things I'd like to cover with this entry, and I've outlined them in the title so I'll start with Robbie Savage's fantastic and, in my opinion, justified rant at a BBC Radio Derby reporter. If you've not heard it, please listen here before reading the rest of my post. It's a ten minute piece, so just take a moment or two to familiarise yourself with the story.
Before I continue then, I'll assume that you've listened to Savage's defence of his manager, Nigel Clough, and his criticism of BBC Radio Derby journalist Colin Gibson's post match coverage of Derby County's 1-4 defeat at the hands of the Scunts. Clearly, losing by 4 goals to 1 at home in any game is not good enough. Losing by 4 goals to 1 at home to Scunthorpe United is shocking. Scunthorpe United had, until the weekend's game at Pride Park won only once away from home, a 4-0 victory at Crystal Palace back in September, scoring only 9 times in 12 outings away from Glanford Shoebox. So Derby's defeat to the Iron would rankle with anyone connected with the Rams, none moreso than Robbie Savage, the club captain. Savage took umbrage with Gibson's comments after the game and decided to take him to task at a press conference. The Soccer AM favourite criticised Gibson for commenting on rumours that members of the Derby changing room did not back the capabilities of the backroom team and, in Savage's opinion, encouraging listeners to attack Derby County and spread further the feelings of dissatisfaction that are rumbling around the stands at Pride Park.
The reason I bring this up is because too many times journalists, in pursuit of a story, are able to get away with lazy journalism. Perhaps Gibson did hear rumours that Derby players were unhappy with Clough and his staff, but the correct thing to do would be to investigate these rumours and try to establish whether or not the rumours had any grounding in fact before the broadcast. You would expect better of a BBC journalist than to comment on hearsay and pupport it as fact. As Savage states in his diatribe, he would expect such a thing from the Sun or the Daily Mail, but not from the local media, who can play a huge role in encouraging support and generating goodwill towards the club's players and staff. So I say good on Robbie Savage for defending his manager and hitting out at boo happy fans. Okay, it's easy to criticise, and as somebody who unfortunately succumbed to booing the Tigers following our dismal 5-1 defeat to Colchester back in November 2006, I can understand the Derby fans' feelings but it really accomplishes nothing. It only creates more pressure and further reduces the confidence of a struggling team. Get behind the team, in good times and bad. Nobody wants to see them fail so give them a helping hand and back them to the hilt. Booing your team's players are what the opposition fans are for so to do it yourself is counter-productive.
It can't have escaped your attention that the Togo national team were attacked by terrorists on their way to their base for the African Cup of Nations in the Angolan province of Cabinda. It's easy to forget in the post-attack talk of World Cup safety and Togo's withdrawal from the tournament that three of the people who were injured on the bus have reportedly died. Football should not really be the issue, and the importance of a victory in a game is put starkly into perspective by the events of last week. Sadly the 2010 ACN will forever be remembered and tainted by this incident, but let's hope that it will also offer up positive memories, such as Mali's stunning fightback against Angola in the tournament's opening game, with Stephen Keshi's side exhibiting possibly the greatest comeback since Lazarus, or maybe even Elvis, to turn around a 4-0 deficit to draw 4 apiece and claim a vital point. Amazingly, Angola led by 4 goals as late as the 79th minute of the game. Seydou Keita's goal proved to be the turning point and sparked a fantastic revival that was capped by Mustapha Yatabare's goal that came deep into stoppage time. Even more bizarre than this though was seeing former City loanee and generally rubbish footballer Manucho score. Yes, it was a penalty but those of us who were unfortunate enough to see Manucho doing a barely passable impression of a footballer in a City shirt will realise just what an achievement this was for him.
And so we move onto the real meat and potatoes of this entry. This weekend sees City travel to deepest, darkest North London and White Hart Lane, home of Tottenham Hotspur. Tottenham are still the best team I've seen this season. They visited the KC for City's first home game of the season and were devestating. Jermaine Defoe was in fantastic form and showed exactly why he will be a key member of Fabio Capello's World Cup squad this summer. He was brilliant and was joy to watch, unfortunately. He claimed a hat trick that night. Hopefully this Saturday will see Defoe in abject, listless form but that doesn't look likely. The striker has got two goals in his last two games, carrying on his great season so far. Tottenham sit in 5th place in the Premier League on the back of a blinding opening half of the season and look well placed to push all the way for a Champions League spot. Including the routine win against Peterborough United in the FA Cup 3rd Round, Tottenham's recent results point towards a team at the peak of their powers. They are without defeat in their last five games, winning each one except their fixture away at Fulham which was a goalless draw. Looking at the bigger picture, they have lost only once in the Premier League since the start of November, a 1-0 home defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers. In that time they have recorded eye catching victories against Manchester City (3-0) and of course Wigan Athletic (9-1). Impressively, they haven't conceded since December the 12th, with Kevin Doyle being the last player to breach their defence in that Wolves victory. This can be put down in part to Michael Dawson's recent impressive run of form, a run which has seen him emerge as contender for a seat on England's plane to Sith Ifrica.
This all makes rather bleak reading for City fans. Our own form has, somewhat predictably, suffered since Jimmy Bullard's latest injury at Villa Park. But with Bullard's return in sight, is there reason to be hopeful for the Tiger Nation? Well, yes, actually, I think there is. Ignoring the Reserves' appalling 2nd half display away to Wigan in the Cup and concentrating solely on league form, City's performances of late haven't been rewarded with the points many feel that they merited. The performance against Bolton on the 29th of December was an abject one for 70 minutes, and then Stephen Hunt decided to start playing. His two quick goals in the 71st and 78th minutes salvaged a point for the Tigers and City actually finished that game the stronger side and wouldn't have been bad value for a win that looked unlikely following Ivan Klasnic's opener and Kevin Davies's 61st minute header. The listless nature of the performance is perhaps understandable given that the team remained unchanged after the 3-1 home defeat to champions Manchester United. Looking at the result doesn't tell the full story as the herculean effort that City put into that game went unrewarded. For 90 plus minutes, they gave United no peace. The outstanding Craig Fagan led from the front as he gave Wes Brown and Nemanja Vidic and torrid time and deservedly got on the score sheet as he kept his cool to net a penalty that he had played no small part in winning. Wayne Rooney, a striker who cost United more than City's entire squad, was the difference that day and City were once again left to reflect on glorious defeat. The trip to Arsenal also ended in similar circumstances, with the 3-0 scoreline again not telling the full story. For much of that game, Phil Brown got his tactics spot on and City gave their illustrious opponents a difficult time. Unfortunately, this game was a tale of poor refereeing decisions and missed opportunities. Arsenal's opener came from a beautifully struck Denilson free kick after referee Steve Bennett generously awarded Arsenal a free kick for an alleged foul on Abou Diaby. Under challenge from George Boateng, Diaby went down easier than an Amsterdam prostitute and Denilson only added to our anger by duly scoring. The second half saw City handed a similar stroke of luck when Bennett ridiculously judged that Craig Fagan had been fouled by Silvestre and awarded a penalty. But the chance to draw level was spurned, as Geovanni saw his tame effort saved by wannabe Englishman Manuel Almunia. Arsenal made the most of their luck, City didn't and were made to pay for their profligacy only moments later when Eduardo's easy finish rounded off a slick passing move. The Gooners ran out comfortable 3-0 winners in the end. On other days, City might've taken more than they got from their last three games but they didn't and this serves only to highlight the lack of quality in our ranks. With reports of Wolves firming up their interest for Stephen Hunt, this transfer window could see that situation worsen but as long as City continue to exhibit the spirit, determination and fighting qualities they have shown of late (and providing we can get the most out of Jimmy Bullard!) then they will give themselves every chance of staying in the Premier League for another seemingly unlikely season of top flight football.
So what, then, will be the outcome of the visit to White Hart Lane? Another 1-0 victory with a piece of Goevanni magic? Perhaps, but probably not. I'll go for a home win. Enjoy the game, and thanks for reading
Soundtrack for this post:
'To The Confusion Of Our Enemies' by The Riverboat Gamblers
(Volcom Entertainment/No Idea) (2006)
Rating: 5.5/10
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