Cup-tie relief — now let’s finish the job

The Manchester City kit manager and former Latics star writes every week for Chron Sport
I WAS relieved to see Manchester City earn a 2-2 draw at Leicester City in the FA Cup third round, because there were a few scary moments where it looked like we would lose the tie.

The Foxes are a good side, and two or three of their players would not look out of place in the Barclays Premier League.

Obviously the last thing we needed was a replay because the games come thick and fast at this time of year, but at the end of the day it is better than being knocked out.

The pitch was in quite a bad way at the Walkers Stadium. Hopefully the playing surface at Eastlands will be a plus point for us and we can get through to the fourth round, where a trip to Notts County awaits us.

Our former manager Sven-Goran Erikkson is now Leicester boss of course, and I have mentioned before how much of a gentleman he is.

I popped into the manager’s office for a chat with Sven and his assistant, Derek Fazackerley, who also coached at City under the Swede and Kevin Keegan. It was great to catch up with them both.

The Leicester staff think just as highly of Sven as we all did during his time at Eastlands — the man is so polite and makes time for everyone.

Our supporters donned red and black scarves as part of a fundraising appeal which came about when it was announced that City legend Neil Young has terminal cancer.

Neil scored the winning goal in the 1969 FA Cup final against Leicester, so it was a fitting gesture. I believe the scarves sold out.

Like the fans, I am desperate for City to win a trophy. I have been with the club since 1992 so I have not seen us win anything in that time, apart from the promotions.

We are doing well in three competitions at the moment, so to win one or dare I say it, even two is not beyond the realms of possibility.


I MET our new striker Edin Dzeko for the first time at the end of last week, and he seems like a very nice lad.
Aleksander Kolarov taught me a couple of Bosnian swear words, which was a lovely welcome for Edin!

But joking aside, I made it clear to him, like I do to all new players, that if he needs anything he only has to come and ask.


KENNY Dalglish has returned to management with Liverpool and I believe it is a good appointment.
As well as being a lovely bloke, Kenny is extremely knowledgeable about football and players. He is also a Liverpool legend, who will bring the fans back onside.

I don’t know Roy Hodgson, but he seems to be a good guy, too, so it was sad to see him go.

But I was not surprised to see Kenny get the nod as his replacement.

It is a club close to his heart and it will be interesting to see if he can revive the Reds’ fortunes.