Source: Man_City
Gary Owen column
| Submit Comments| Printable Version1/1Play SlideshowClose MapCity had goals coming out of their ears at times last season. Carlos Tevez scored more than anyone since Franny Lee, the team scored more goals than in any previous Premier League season, and we scored six at Burnley, five against Birmingham and even four against Chelsea and Arsenal. So it might sound a bit churlish to say we need a few more next season. And we need them from other areas of the pitch, rather than being too reliant on Signor Tevez. Look no further than Chelsea to see what you need to be champions. Like City, they had a main man, in Didier Drogba, who scored 37 in all competitions, and back-up from Nicolas Anelka with 15. The difference comes in midfield where Chelsea had midfielder Frank Lampard scoring an amazing 27 goals. City's main central midfield pairing of Gareth Barry and Nigel de Jong got precisely three between them - all from Barry. Barry came to City with a reputation for scoring goals. He averaged eight goals a season for the previous five seasons with Aston Villa. He began very well but appeared to be hampered by a groin problem as the season progressed - and I just hope he gets himself fit for the start of the World Cup because he is important to England. The lesson is plain for City, especially if they intend to challenge for the title next season. If you have someone capable of scoring 30 goals, it just needs a contribution from other parts of the team, and you are almost there. Tremendous When we bought Joleon Lescott, much was made of the fact that he was a goalscoring centre-half at Everton, where he even hit double figures a couple of seasons ago. He also had his season sliced up by injury but managed just a couple of goals, the same as Vinny Kompany - who was tremendous - and Kolo Toure. But the lack of goals from midfield, if you ignore the contributions of Craig Bellamy and Shaun Wright-Phillips from the flanks, needs addressing, and I am sure it will be uppermost in Roberto's thoughts on his sun lounger this summer. Tevez was dropping deeper and deeper to get on the ball - if he could play nearer the goal, he would have scored even more. But City need someone who can operate in there. Stevie Ireland could still be the answer, if he can re-create the kind of form he showed the season before last. It looks like another intriguing close-season as the prelude to another exciting campaign, and hopefully another big Blue stride forward.| Submit Comments| Printable VersionAdd A CommentEnter your comments:Type your comment here...NewsletterGet the latest news straight to your inbox.
