It’s Oh So Quiet

So now we wait. The friendlies are over. The players are jetting back to this depressing weather from all corners of the globe, and everyone else (bar Newcastle) gets to start the season before us. Little time for much more preparation, it’s almost time at last to get down to business.

Our two big-lads-up-front did their chances of a starting berth on Monday night the world of good as Edin Dzeko netted twice in his side’s entertaining 4-3 defeat at home to the USA, whilst Alvaro Negredo scored an exquisite little backheel/flick goal far,far away in Ecuador.

See it here: http://t.co/1qoXsctIEY

Joe Hart only had one thing to do, and didn’t do it, against Scotland. We may wail at the constant criticism of him, but to be fair he deserves some. For the last three years I presumed Hart would be our keeper for a decade. It’s not time to start panicking and looking for replacements, but there can be little doubt he needs to up his game, and put in a consistent season. City cannot afford an under-performing keeper, whoever it may be. He is safe for now, but hopefully he can knuckle down and sort out what appears to me to be a mini-crisis of confidence.

Elsewhere and Jesus Navas got on as a substitute, as did James Milner, whilst Razak was overwhelmed 4-1 v Mexico, Yaya Toure not in the squad. Belgium and France saw out a 0-0 draw, a match featuring the likes of Vincent Kompany and Gael Clichy. Nasri played from the bench. That’s now over 6 hours without a goal for France.

 The main news? No reports of injuries. Now we wait…….