Well, we’re now into March and still have not won a game this year!
It’s okay though, we’ve got… (checks notes)… Manchester City next at home. Easy. To hear about how the City fans are feeling ahead of the Saturday evening clash, I caught up with journalist and City die hard Amos Murphy
Q – Amos, how are City fans feeling right now? Confident about the league? Happy to have a new contender to battle? Or more focussed on the Champions league?
AM: It’s been a strange season for City and one which has divided opinion in the fanbase. While City are still on course for a historic treble, there is a feeling of frustration amongst fans. City started the season really well, playing fast-flowing and exciting football, with Erling Haaland – as Palace fans experienced themselves in the reverse fixture – scoring for fun. The goals haven’t dried up for Haaland, but the style of play has certainly shifted from what we saw at the beginning of the season. Regardless, City, for now, remain in three competitions, with a strong chance of winning each.
Q: I guess you would trade winning the title for the Champions League?
AM: Honestly, no. At the start of every season, almost every City supporter will tell you the Premier League is the number-one target, without fail. It’s a 38-game season, stretching from early August to the end of May, meaning the team that finishes on top, is more often than not the side that deserves to win the league. With the Champions League, the ‘best team in Europe’ rarely wins the competition. Knockout football is an untameable beast, where luck, rather than skill, is more often than not rewarded. Being said, a Champions League win at the end of the season would be alright, wouldn’t it?
Q: Who has been your player of the season so far? Phil Foden has come good recently, and obviously Haaland has been crazy, although I’ve been really impressed by Bernardo Silva’s ability… to do everything?!
AM: I’d lose all journalistic credibility if I sat here and made a case for anyone other than Haaland for Player of the Season, not only in the City ranks, but also for the league overall as well. Being said, looking beyond the obvious candidate, I’d love to make a case for Nathan Ake. He’s had, without doubt, his best season in a City shirt since arriving from Bournemouth in 2020. Often deployed on the left-hand side of a make-shift back-three, Ake has shone for City this season and is part of the reason why Joao Cancelo was forced out of the club in January. Also, don’t discredit the importance of Rodri for City either. Comfortably the best holding midfielder in Europe, who is as crucial to City at the back as he is going forwards.
Q: If you had a Magic wand, who would you be signing in the summer?
AM: A left-footed left-back. It doesn’t matter if they’re coming in from Paris Saint-Germain or a Sunday League side that play on Hackney Marshes. It’s been a problem area for some years now and it’s high tide City addressed it. Elsewhere, the glamour signing would, of course, be Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund. Last season for the first time really in City’s post-takeover history, the club were able to beat the likes of Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Real Madrid to signing a true ‘Galactico’ in Haaland. Irrespective of the ongoing investigation from the Premier League, City’s pull in the transfer market will likely remain strong. Bellingham is a ready-made star and would likely elevate City’s midfield to the next level.
Q: What’s your perspective on Palace from the season so far or from our previous game? We had you for a few minutes at least (and a Paddy Power payout!!!)
AM: It’s been a mixed season for Palace. The job Patrick Vieira did last season is one that didn’t get the recognition it deserved at the time and still doesn’t now. Palace were as good as down before a ball was kicked last season, but in the end it was a relatively comfortable campaign. Being said, this time around, things look as if they might’ve gone a little bit stale. I can imagine Palace fans are looking over at their London rivals in West London, with Brentford and Fulham both challenging for European positions, and questioning what’s stopping Palace from doing the same.
TEB – Words have been stolen from mouths here.
Q: To the match on Saturday, where do you think the match will be won and lost?
AM: Most likely on City’s ability to finish in front of goal. We’re only a couple of weeks removed from City registering over 20 attempts at the City Ground against Nottingham Forest and still being held to a 1-1 draw. City will likely create the chances to put Palace to the sword, but whether they take them is the question that will need to be answered. It hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for City in the past, so don’t be shocked if Palace spring another surprise under the Selhurst Park lights on Saturday evening.
Q: Anything else?
AM: It’s actually my first trip to Selhurst Park for this match, so I’ve got everything crossed I’ll actually be able to see the pitch. If not, a couple of beers on the concourse with Sky Go open on the phone doesn’t sound like a bad alternative!
TEB – Cheers Amos, hope you enjoy Selhurst due to the refreshments more than the result!
