a lifeless run out against Stockport County

By: j | August 2nd, 2008

Today’s run-out against League One Stockport County certainly wasn’t at the optimal time given the club had played only forty-eight hours earlier against the admirable squad from the Faroes, EB/Streymur. And while I have been critical of the clubs performance, this match shouldn’t be used as much of the gauge. The 2-2 draw and the spellbinding penalty strike by Ched Evans as time was running out masks the truth that this was the friendliest of friendlies and goes down in my file folder under “insomnia cures”.

However in a match that marked the debut of Tal Ben Haim with City, the most important element was the triple substitution of Ben Mee, Ched Evan and Daniel Sturridge early in the second half. While I have noted this ad nauseum, this trio has tremendous talent and must have a role with the squad. I would have lacked to see them more with Vladimír Weiss (son of Slovakian head coach) who has done well in the Academy but it was good to see him get the start. Equally Valeri Bojinov’s long return back from injury continued and it took him only four minutes to get on the scoresheet after coming in. Each of these events were highly positive and some of the best news to come out of the pre-season yet.

On the opposite side of the equation, the match also included rare sightings of Nery Castillo and Rolando Bianchi for City, although including them in this lineup was salt in the wounds. Both have made no secret of their interest to move, Nery very publicly in the press and Rolando is just trying to play hardball with his very large contract. At least two squads in Serie A are prepared to pencil Ronaldo in as their top name but need his contract worked down where Nery’s personally financed loan agreement is troublesome from a financial standpoint. I’ll watching both of these situations closely as these two very talented players to move shortly.

This time next week, AC Milan!