Archives for August 2011

Based on Manchester City's first two Premier League games, something seems to have shifted in the normally cautious mind of manager Roberto Mancini.

Actually, you can make that one-and-a-half matches because, since he introduced Sergio Aguero as a substitute to replace Nigel de Jong during the 4-0 win over Swansea in their opening fixture, City have looked close to unstoppable.

Granted, they will face sterner tests than they did against the Swans and Bolton, but in playing two strikers from the start at the Reebok Stadium, Mancini added deeds to his words after stating his intention to take more risks this season.

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Rather than considering himself a special one, new Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas has preached a collective approach since taking over at Stamford Bridge this summer.

He has been reluctant to talk about individual players despite constant questions about the form of Fernando Torres, and even after one of the Spaniard's best displays in a Chelsea shirt as they drew 0-0 with Stoke, the Portuguese coach was careful to praise the group.

Not that he was totally satisfied with the performance from his team, but he was content to gain a point against a Stoke defence which looked as though it had been grazing on iron filings over the summer.

Torres rode a barrage of challenges by Ryan Shawcross and also had to contend with Jonathan Woodgate, yet it was his overall sharpness and improved movement which had observers purring.

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