Respect The Shirt

VMC's man in Dobcross and Copenhagen Dave Clinton calls for two of City's star men to fly the flag and mean it...

Attended the match last night. Extremely impressed by the Aris support, fantastic effort right the way through.

We really need to start filling our ground to enhance our standing with football fans - not the media - around Europe. I hope last night was a launch pad. I know how difficult it is personally to raise the cash to go, but still the club are doing their part now and I hope we can step up as a support to enhance our deserved reputation as loyal supporters.

My controversy is about respect for the shirt. Two players in particular, Mario and Carlos. I do not believe for one minute either have any intention of showing disrespect to Manchester City. However, implicitly by his young brash and cannot be arsed demeanor, Mario denounces what should be a proud shirt to wear. Our history and support demand that he undertakes his transformation into a professional approach much sooner than is happening now.

Carlos is a different case in point. Whilst he claims no one gives more for the shirt, I think that is measured by physical effort. His goal scoring exploits back this up and long may it continue. For me, as captain he should not be turning his back on players and raising one arm in disdain for a mislaid pass by a new member of the team. No matter what temperament lies beneath the captaincy belies a certain responsibility for a further change of characteristic. The goal scoring exploits are not mutually exclusive, although this maybe a point some wish to argue?

Whether this is populist or not, I hope both can be addressed for the good of the team, the club and the individuals by our steely manager.

It was a professional performance last night. We are sowing some good seeds and Mancini's winning philosophy begins to permeate.

My expectations are already met for this season. After years of optimism and a heart full of the winners and internationals I began to support through family ties at the tender age of four (I mean going when I say support), I am now allowing realism to enter a mentality that has been thwarted by many years of front to other clubs, whilst the performance and levels decreased.

Massive summer change, the manager stamping his mark, long bedding in period and people getting up to pace for a realistic assault next year. Realism and long term thinking.

The faux outrage at Silva's ability at the start of the season being a short term case in point. The guy is truly world class as too, Dzeko will prove. Backed up by no lesser footballing genius than Walter with the Brolleter - I digress.

My model professional is Vinny Ko. I know all teams need a balance of characters. However, if anyone was to seek a role model look at the level of consistency Vinny instills. Phenomenal levels of performance maintained and bettered throughout the course of the season. The heights he reached at the derby were in the echelons that only hard work and focus can hope to reach. Same consistent performance last night prior to early injury.

Lovely to see a thoroughly professional performance from Gazza Bazza last night, too. My Man of The Match, despite the obvious pick being Edin's two goal salvo.

Great effort lad.

WELCOME BACK SPARKY THIS SUNDAY WITH VMC:

Head for the VMC Match Day Experience Forum for the build up and beyond to City's next tremendously important match. A league win is badly needed against Leslie Hughes' Fulham in order to maintain the Top Four challenge.

VMC ON YOUTWITFACE:

VMC is now available on both Facebook and Twitter, so if you are that way inclined and more importantly understand all this new fangled dangled stuff, feel free to watch us, poke us or whatever else you are meant to do there!

VMC on:

VMC on:

JOIN VMC:

It's easy to REGISTER HERE, simply click the link and enjoy getting involved!

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.