Manchester City News 24/7Writer: bigal84 
Date:Monday October 19 2009
Time: 6:00PM
UK time is: 07:09:42
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SWP: What's Wrong?
If there has been one disappointment of the season so far, it is the performance of Shaun Wright Phillips. The lad is a "Blue" through and through; we all know that - he proved this when he returned to City after a three-year stint at Chelsea. City fans expected big things when the little guy came back to his spiritual home but his performances this season have left something to be desired.
Last Season:
He returned to Eastlands for £8.5m, which seemed a snip considering he was sold for £21m. It all started so well for the little winger as he scored 2 goals on his second debut away at Sunderland. Shauny then scored again in City`s 6-0 win over Portsmouth but that was the end of the stable, good form. Wright-Phillips went through an inconsistent period over the winter as he failed to influence games as much as he used to. He was poor against Bolton and Fulham but good against Omonia and West Bromwich Albion.
He popped back up again with his first goal for around 4 months when he blasted the ball past Steve Harper`s near post against Newcastle at home. However, he proved to be inconsistent again when he was nullified by Stoke at the Britannia, I should also add how lucky he was to stay on the pitch in that game after retaliating to Rory Delap`s kick.
Anyway, to sum things up - He had a pretty decent season making 37 appearances and scoring 8 goals.
His First Spell at City:
I can remember going to watch SWP during the time we spent in the First Division (2002-05). He was brilliant; he tormented defenders with his blistering pace and quick feet. Also, he used to score loads of goals from long distances, which were a nice aspect to his game. You could argue that his good form over that period was down to playing a weaker opposition but he is older and more experienced now, at 27 he is basically at the peak of his career.
This Season:
This season, his performances haven`t been great. He`s been OK but it just isn`t clicking. He hasn`t attacked defenders with the belief and vigour that found him so much success previously. Also, he hasn`t looked as confident and he isn`t making those runs in-behind that supplied the main chunk of his goals last season.
I don`t know what this strange period of form is down to but I hope he resolves it soon as I think he is the player most at threat to being replaced. We have Bellamy, Robinho and Weiss as the other options on the right.
Maybe I am being a bit harsh on the lad but I think this criticism is justified. What are your thoughts?
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Your Comments
interesting debate and worth raising. I am assuming that, like ireland, he has been told to stay back in a more neutral position and allow the likes of Tevez, Bellamy and Adebayor to do the hard work in attack.
eighthsin
Love Sweep but suffering Little Fish Big Pond syndrome methinks. Reckon he needs a talking to but will come good.
RobsonGreensleeves
To be honest I have always feared for him and have felt that he will end up in a similar position to what he was at Chelsea with all of the better players that they had which meant that he was on the bench. I thought that he played a bit better yesterday but he really does need to start providing more quality passes/crosses into the box as opposed to just running aimlessly.
Kevinho
Complete bull*****, Shaun week in week out deserves to be in the team. 4 assist and 2 goals and hes normally one or 2 passes away from allot of the positive forward moves the team put together.
Wigan seemed know how important he is to the team going forward thats why had 2 players man marking him. Why don't you?
lukemarsh
Sweep, De Jong, Bridge, Bellamy, Given. I think these have been our most consistent performers this season. We aren't playing with two defensive midfielders now so he has more of a responsibility to stay back than last season where he could go marauding forward at will. He gets through a hell of a lot of work allowing others more freedom. He still also gets forward well. He's never been the greatest crosser in the world but he makes things happen.
MCFC_Goatboy
Top point raised and loads of Blues I know have been asking similar questions. I'd suggest it's because the fella has raised his performance bar so high and maybe trying to hard to make the plane to South Africa with England. He's still giving it everything he's got and getting clattered relentlessly but you can see so much frustration in his eyes because it just isn't clicking for him as regularly as usual. A vital player for the cause and for me, the heartbeat of the team.
Johnny Baguette
He needs to learn to run either side of a defender not straight through them!
Merlin
If you guys dont want him, we'll take him back at CFC. Admittedly, he's inconsistent but makes for an excellent sub and can play for 60 mins and off if he doesnt have it on the day. He does provide something that a few of our midfld players lack: pace....and can be brilliant over a period of time...
blues first
how come it seems that idiots who dont really come on the forum get to do *****e article ?
bluemooner_mcfc
I don't agree with the title of this article - i think SWP is second to none in his 'work rate' and 'effort'.
Thaibluefan
I think that SWP is just coming into form, he was excellent at Wigan
Buzz Lightyear
Fair enough lads, maybe I was too critical of Shauny. I do love the guy but I thought I'd write something on his recent form
Blue Lad Scragg
Your article caused debate mate... that's the point isn't it. Everyone won't always agree and if we did it'd be boring lol.
MCFC_Goatboy
BLS - well why dont you write something more contructive rather than dross that nobody agrees with eh ?
bluemooner_mcfc
I just didn't want to get off on the wrong foot lads. And looking back - I should have looked at both sides of the argument.
Blue Lad Scragg
Bluemooner, he's raising a point, don't attack him for expressing an opinion.
cfcAlex
Scragg made some very constructive points and very well put. Keep up the good work mate.
Tudor
It seems he can't finish during premier games, but in international play and Carling Cup games he is able to get behind the defense and score. He'll get going
fairch14
He should have a decent game on Sunday if selected as he will be playing against Fulhams left back who is the useless John Pantsil!
Kevinho
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