City struggle with blue chip status

THE funniest celebration of this, or any, Premier League season was dreamt up over dinner on Friday night.

At around the same time, Manchester City were suffering a bit more self-inflicted pain as the world’s richest club struggles to find its new identity.

On its own, executive chairman Garry Cook’s description of legendary Blues striker Uwe Rosler as a former Manchester United player as he was inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame at the 60th anniversary dinner of the official City supporters’ club was a touch embarrassing.

Maybe not quite as cringeworthy as Cook’s declaration that City “are not a Manchester club” during a well-attended barbecue in Abu Dhabi recently – the comment was intended to emphasise a growing global appeal but did not come across in the manner intended – but an inexplicable remark nonetheless.

But it emphasised the teething troubles the new City are experiencing. No longer consigned to the role of irritating little brother to the monster from Old Trafford, the Blues are trying to be serious players.

Yet every time they keep getting close to their next stop, something obstructs them.

Mark Hughes’ team is the same. On the current run of seven draws, there have been some noteworthy displays.

They were the better team at Aston Villa, could easily have won at Liverpool and managed to come away with a point at Wigan despite only having 10 men for a quarter of the contest.

But those noteworthy results are interspersed with worrying failures to defeat Birmingham at St Andrew’s and Fulham and Burnley on home soil. It meant the controversial penalty decision by Lee Probert that triggered Jimmy Bullard’s side-splitting celebration has left Hughes staring at a crucial week knowing if results go against his side, his bosses may wonder exactly what they are getting for an outlay approaching £200million.

“There is pressure to get results, any manager will tell you that,” said Hughes.

“We are still in the mix at the top end of the league and, at times, we looked strong and established.

“At others, we look what we are, a team that has come together very quickly that can show frailties. While we are going through this process we have to keep picking up points, which is what we are doing.

“I believe the owners understand that concept as well and it is only a matter of time before we start winning again.”

Fault could be picked in a number of areas. Both full-backs are failing to deliver and, yet again, a lack of communication between Kolo Toure and Joleon Lescott – who between them cost £35million – proved costly in central defence.

Just like Cook, Hughes deserves to be given time to get over these problems.

Suddenly, though, Wednesday’s Carling Cup quarter-final with Arsenal is a huge game, particularly as it is followed by the visit of league leaders Chelsea – who have a squad bigger in depth and quality than City – to Eastlands on Saturday.

“I keep emphasising that we want to get back to winning ways and obviously we have an opportunity to get into a domestic semi-final,” reflected Hughes.

“That is this club has not been in for many years, so it would be a real positive for us.

“If we can achieve that, which is not beyond us, that would help us leading into the Chelsea game, which, as everybody knows is a big test.”

Of course, any navel-gazing at City will be overlooked by Bullard’s celebration following his 81st-minute penalty equaliser to Shaun Wright-Phillips’ deflected first-half strike.

As the butt of the finger-jabbing re-enactment of his on-pitch half-time team-talk from virtually the exact same position in last season’s corresponding fixture, Phil Brown responded with admirable humour.

“He took it well,” said Bullard. “We had a bit of banter over dinner before the game and decided that we were going to do it if it was a goal to draw or win the game.

“Whoever scored had to do the pointing. Trust it to be me.”

Brown, for his part, was in no mood to deliver another lecture to his players in this corner of Manchester.

“Jimmy is a great character, which manifests itself in the way he plays,” said Brown. “He has an exuberance, which means he is comfortable expressing himself. He also has a confidence that is second to none.

“He makes other players around him want to play as well and the we have who are confident and positive the better we do overall.”

It is a fair point. Brown, having been one defeat from the sack just three weeks ago, has now put together a four-game unbeaten run which has lifted his team back towards mid-table. The decision of Adam Pearson, the new chairman, to keep faith is proving inspired.

“We are on a bit of a run but there is still a long way to go,” he said.

“Now we are putting our best foot forward with the ball. It is what I have always wanted.”

REFEREE: Lee Probert (Wiltshire) 7: Probably just about right with the penalty, despite Mark Hughes’ complaints.

MATCH RATING: ** City were laboured for long spells and Hull’s equaliser had an air of inevitability around it.