the flattery of imitation

[thebish]

Stuart Pearce wants Manchester City to follow Bolton's example and add some much-needed "stickability" to their game.

After a shocking run of 10 defeats in their last 11 away games, City head to Everton on Saturday with Pearce promising revolutionary action.

The Blues boss is expected to utilise Joey Barton, plus new arrivals Ousmane Dabo and Dietmar Hamann, at the heart of a five-man midfield in an attempt to make his side more durable.

With Bernardo Corradi the more obvious choice to operate up front on his own, the move could cost Georgios Samaras and Ishmael Miller their starting spots despite stand-out performances against West Ham last weekend.

But, as well as a change in tactics, Pearce also wants a change in attitude and is pointing north up the M61 for an example of how it should be done.

"We need to find more stickability when matches start to ebb away from us," he said.

"Bolton had it at Portsmouth on Monday, which is why they got a win. On balance of play, Portsmouth deserved something out of the game but Bolton's keeper made saves when required, the forwards chased back and the defenders did well in their own half.

"We need to look at that and do something similar."

I'm sure that Didi will be thrilled for the Massive side he chose over us now to be imitating us...

why go for the pale imitation when you could have had the real thing, eh?

[ratbert]

Well I for one couldn't give a toss about him. Proves how dispensible he was in the end.

[TANGODANCER]

Hmmm. Couldn't resist hinting that we didn't really deserve to win though, could he? He wants sort of "big club" football, ala West Ham, but with a bit of long-ball rough stuff and guts when needed. Ah well, good to see the "big clubs" even acknowleging us I suppose. Hamaan will show them how it's done.