Tag: CITY

MERSEYSIDE DERBY HISTORY: DISAPPOINTING STARS

Ahead of the Merseyside Derby, we look at some of the most disappointing stars that have participated in the derby since the 90s.


From the back, we start with Brad Jones. The goalkeeper was the replacement of Simon Mignolet late 2014 as the Belgian was struggling with form and consistency. The understudy had his chance but he could not impress. His only Merseyside derby action was in the October 2012 game that ended in a stalemate. With Jones now in the Eredivisie and Loris Karius usurping Mignolet before returning back to the bench, there’s a lesson.

Marc Hottiger came highly recommended from Newcastle in the 90s but he stayed just 16 months before moving to the Swiss League. He featured in the 1996 Merseyside match where Reds legend Robbie Fowler equalized after Everton went ahead through Andrei Kanchelskis. Hottiger makes this list as right back but in the left wing, it’s Andrea Dossena: the man who netted in the 4-0 Real Madrid victory and four days later against Manchester United in 2009. His career has since wound down.

In central defence, TorbenPiechnik and Mauricio Pellegrino would emerge. Pellegrino was part of the team that did the Istanbul miracle. He was the first Argentinean to play at Anfield in 2005. He had a bad start but had his breakthrough in the Merseyside derby of 2005 where Liverpool won 2-1. On the other hand, Danish star Piechnik spent two years at the Merseyside but failed to build a name for himself. Continue reading MERSEYSIDE DERBY HISTORY: DISAPPOINTING STARS

GIVEN BACKS CITY

Aston Villa goalkeeper Shay Given has said that he is hoping that Manchester City can lift the title ahead of United. Shay Given played for Manchester City for a few seasons before being eventually replaced by current goalkeeper Joe Hart at the club. The former Newcastle United goalkeeper left the club in search of regular first-team football, which he has found at Aston Villa. Yet, the Northern Ireland goalkeeper has said that he still has very close ties with his former club, and that he would like to see City win the title ahead of United.

There have been many accusations that City have been spending a lot of money in order to compete with Manchester United, which has threatened the Fairplay regulations. Shay Given, meanwhile, believes that money alone does not guarantee success and it is one of the biggest jobs to succeed by having a lot of money. Chelsea have been one of the few examples where money has brought on success according to Shay Given. The goalkeeper made a crucial save during the weekend match against West Brom, which helped Aston Villa get a point on the road. This has put a small gap between them and the other relegation threatened teams.

“I’ve got lots of friends at Manchester City and it would be fantastic if they could pick the trophy up, but they have got a tough game at my old club Newcastle at the weekend. I think they’re in the driving seat and hopefully they can get across the line. Years ago I was at Blackburn and Jack Walker had a lot of money and he invested in the team and Blackburn Rovers won the league. I think if you look at the recent success of Chelsea and Manchester United they have had lots of investment in the team too,” said Given.