Blue Review: Blast from the Past

Part 1: Nedum Onuoha

By Aaron Leggott

After last week's analysis of the recent signings this summer, I decided to go for a lighthearted look at some memorable names from City's past. Every five weeks, I will look back at one name from each year, starting the first part with a name from 2010. The first edition sees me look at one of our academy's products in Nedum Onuoha. 

Manchester City 1 - 0 Wigan: Thoughts and Ratings

By Aaron Leggott

My thoughts

We were far from our best yesterday and I think we were extremely fortunate to finish the game with a win. Wigan really impressed me last night and Roberto Martinez has proven that if used correctly the 3-5-2 formation is one of the best in the business.

In truth, as soon as I saw the starting line-up I was sceptical as to how easy this game was going to be. With Javi Garcia and Gareth Barry playing in holding midfield roles, I knew that we were going to be run over by Jordi Gomez, James McCarthy and Shaun Maloney and I was proven right.

Edin Dzeko tussles with the Wigan defence
Photo: Official MCFC Facebook

I don't know why Mancini persists with picking Barry and Garcia in the same team because it just doesn't work. They are both too slow and you need some pace and energy, especially against a team like Wigan. For this reason, I'd have started James Milner alongside either Barry or Garcia.

Richer than God: Manchester City, Modern Football and Growing up by David Conn

The Sky Blue View's book review

By Aaron Leggott

When Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan took over Manchester City in the summer of 2008, nobody knew what to expect. 

Following decades of hurt, misery and gradual decline, a Sheikh with bottomless pockets decided to make the historic club from east Manchester his new business venture, and in turn raise the hopes of those who had been repeatedly let down for generations. 

David Conn, an award winning writer from the Guardian, has studied the "Manchester City story", from the ultimate highs to the downright spectacular lows, resulting in lifting the Premier League trophy in May.