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The six things Sheikh Mansour learned in his first visit to watch Manchester City
What sugar daddy picked up on first trip to Eastlands...
24 Aug 2010 08:20:00
By Jamie Dunn
Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour took his seat at Eastlands on Monday night for the first time since buying the club in 2009. Imagine his delight at seeing his expensively-assembled side run out 3-0 winners against Liverpool.
It will not only have been an enjoyable experience for Mansour, but also, Goal.com UK feels, an educational one - like a good school trip, if there is such a thing.
Here are just a handful of things Sheikh Mansour will have learned from his first Eastlands experience:
1. Mancini must never play 4-4-2 away from home
The extent of Sheikh Mansour's tactical nous remains largely unknown (doesn't seem like a chalkboard kind of guy), but after seeing Roy Hodgson's Javier Mascherano-less side outnumbered and outrun in midfield on Monday night, he may call for Roberto Mancini's head if he ever catches the Italian attempting to follow suit on his travels.
2. Sheikh Mansour = Goals
On the opening day of the season, City hung on to a 0-0 draw with Tottenham Hotspur, who dominated proceedings at White Hart Lane. Nine days later and with few changes made to the personnel in the starting lineup, the Blues turn over Liverpool 3-0.
The difference? Not perfectly plausible reasons like the squad has had more time together, they had the home crowd behind them or Liverpool played the wrong system and were weakened by the loss of Mascherano — almost certainly not. It was purely because Sheikh Mansour was there.
Now this unquestionable scientific fact has been proven, it is in his best interests to attend every game.
3. You don't always need to splash the cash...
Despite all the money spent since Sheikh Mansour's arrival at the club, some of the key players against Liverpool cost comparative peanuts to the latest raft of signings. Adam Johnson ran the show at Eastlands and cost a reported £7 million from Championship club Middlesbrough, while Joe Hart, who cost a mere initial fee of £600,000, again made a string of outstanding saves. Elsewhere, Micah Richards, who joined the club's youth ranks as a teenager, reckons he scored the second (actually Tevez did, but you definitely had a hand in it, big man) and kept Milan Jovanovic quiet all night.
4...but sometimes it helps
Then again, Yaya Toure, Nigel De Jong and James Milner were all involved in Barry's opener - as was Adam Johnson. That's a combined total, based on reported fees, of £78m - plus one Stephen Ireland - involved in the first goal in the 3-0 victory.
5. Liverpool would be a bad investment for fellow trillionaires
At the next 'Meeting Of People With So Much Money They Don't Know What To Do With It' (because those meetings definitely happen) Sheikh Mansour is unlikely to suggest to one of his mega-rich amigos that they part ways with a fraction of their wealth to buy Liverpool. The Merseyside club is of course one with a magnificent history and two seasons ago the Reds pushed Manchester United for the Premier League title, but based on Monday night's display, they are a long way away from securing a sugar daddy of their own. Mind you, following Tom Hicks and George Gillett would surely make you look like the Messiah...
6. 'Oh Manchester...is wonderful!'
'...Oh Manchester is wonderful! It's full of t!%s, f@#!y and City, Oh Manchester is wonderful!' according to a healthy chunk of the 47,087 at Eastlands at least, who were in full voice and most likely had Sheikh Mansour reaching for his English language phrasebook. Of course, as well all know, the only two tits at Liverpool are those aforementioned American owners...
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It will not only have been an enjoyable experience for Mansour, but also, Goal.com UK feels, an educational one - like a good school trip, if there is such a thing.
Here are just a handful of things Sheikh Mansour will have learned from his first Eastlands experience:
1. Mancini must never play 4-4-2 away from home
The extent of Sheikh Mansour's tactical nous remains largely unknown (doesn't seem like a chalkboard kind of guy), but after seeing Roy Hodgson's Javier Mascherano-less side outnumbered and outrun in midfield on Monday night, he may call for Roberto Mancini's head if he ever catches the Italian attempting to follow suit on his travels.2. Sheikh Mansour = Goals
On the opening day of the season, City hung on to a 0-0 draw with Tottenham Hotspur, who dominated proceedings at White Hart Lane. Nine days later and with few changes made to the personnel in the starting lineup, the Blues turn over Liverpool 3-0.
The difference? Not perfectly plausible reasons like the squad has had more time together, they had the home crowd behind them or Liverpool played the wrong system and were weakened by the loss of Mascherano — almost certainly not. It was purely because Sheikh Mansour was there.
Now this unquestionable scientific fact has been proven, it is in his best interests to attend every game.
Sheikh and bake! | Nigel De Jong pumps his fist in celebration at Mansour...probably
3. You don't always need to splash the cash...
Despite all the money spent since Sheikh Mansour's arrival at the club, some of the key players against Liverpool cost comparative peanuts to the latest raft of signings. Adam Johnson ran the show at Eastlands and cost a reported £7 million from Championship club Middlesbrough, while Joe Hart, who cost a mere initial fee of £600,000, again made a string of outstanding saves. Elsewhere, Micah Richards, who joined the club's youth ranks as a teenager, reckons he scored the second (actually Tevez did, but you definitely had a hand in it, big man) and kept Milan Jovanovic quiet all night.
4...but sometimes it helps
Then again, Yaya Toure, Nigel De Jong and James Milner were all involved in Barry's opener - as was Adam Johnson. That's a combined total, based on reported fees, of £78m - plus one Stephen Ireland - involved in the first goal in the 3-0 victory.
5. Liverpool would be a bad investment for fellow trillionaires
At the next 'Meeting Of People With So Much Money They Don't Know What To Do With It' (because those meetings definitely happen) Sheikh Mansour is unlikely to suggest to one of his mega-rich amigos that they part ways with a fraction of their wealth to buy Liverpool. The Merseyside club is of course one with a magnificent history and two seasons ago the Reds pushed Manchester United for the Premier League title, but based on Monday night's display, they are a long way away from securing a sugar daddy of their own. Mind you, following Tom Hicks and George Gillett would surely make you look like the Messiah...6. 'Oh Manchester...is wonderful!'
'...Oh Manchester is wonderful! It's full of t!%s, f@#!y and City, Oh Manchester is wonderful!' according to a healthy chunk of the 47,087 at Eastlands at least, who were in full voice and most likely had Sheikh Mansour reaching for his English language phrasebook. Of course, as well all know, the only two tits at Liverpool are those aforementioned American owners...
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| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
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| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
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