Hodgson: City Still Making Progress

Ahead of tonight's important clash at The Etihad Stadium, shrewd West Brom gaffer Roy Hodgson states his belief that City are still on course for higher heights...

Statistically, City are on an undeniably upward curve under Roberto Mancini, yet it's interesting to hear the view of the man who on Boxing Day this season became the first Premier League manager to find a way to frustrate Mancio's previously marauding Citizens. Hodgson brings his side to town tonight with The Blues eager to pull out of a wretched run of stuttering form.

The West Brom manager isn't daft and having underlined the financial reasoning behind why Carlos Tévez is being selected again at City he rationally summed up City's progress this season:

'City have done very well. Unfortunately for Roberto, there is some negativity surrounding them because they have not been able to keep the championship race going down to the wire...We were all hoping for a last-ditch battle between United and City to see who wins the championship.

'As a result City, who have made it such a fascinating battle and made life so hard for them, they are now not receiving the praise they deserve for keeping the fighting going for as long as they have.

'It doesn't matter whether you have a lot or money or no money to spend. You have still got to do the best job you can do with the players at your disposal. This year Manchester City have had a successful season because they look like finishing second in the Premier League.

'...Any team who does that has had a good season.'

UPCOMING FIXTURES:
all times East Manchester
TONIGHT 19:45 WBA, The Etihad, PL
14 Apr 12:45 Norwich, Carrow Road, PL
22 Apr 16:00 Wolves, Molineux, PL
30 Apr 20:00 The rags, The Etihad, PL
6 May 14:00 Newcastle, St James' Park, PL
13 May 15:00 QPR, The Etihad, PL

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