19/11/05 - City 0 Blackburn 0Updated: October 3rd, 2007
match reports
Manchester City 0 Blackburn 0 (MEN)
Manchester City could not find a way past resolute Blackburn Rovers despite dominating much of the game at Eastlands.
City frustrated by Blackburn (Sky Sports)
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Stalemate frustration brings Pearce’s old instincts into play (Independent)
Somebody had to get hold of the ball and try to make something happen. The fact that it was Stuart Pearce, the Manchester City manager, twice stepping over the line, encapsulated the sterility of the match.
Pearce fails to bring City response (Telegraph)
For all Pearce’s passion off the field, City looked in need of a guiding hand on it and afterwards the City manager did not disguise his interest Manchester United’s celebrated cast-off, Roy Keane. “I’m always interested in good players,” he said, “and Keane falls into that category. I’ve not really had time to think about it. I’ve not rung Roy, but he might ring me! I don’t see a problem in his crossing the city. Other players have done it, including Andy Cole.”
Ireland and Croft rise above the mediocre (Guardian)
For all the youthful exuberance of Stephen Ireland and Lee Croft, it is clear Pearce is missing a gnarled old campaigner in midfield and, hey presto, one has appeared.
Pearce struggles to raise temperature (Observer)
The home fans appeared to be in a similar stupor, failing even to raise a chant about the troubles of their neighbours in Trafford. The banks of upturned seats long before the final whistle were an eloquent commentary on the match.
Get on with it! (Mirror)
Even by Pearce’s uniquely demonstrative touchline standards, his frustration at Blackburn’s perceived stalling tactics was truly something else. He sprinted 10 yards on to the pitch to grab the ball and speed up play when he felt Blackburn’s Steven Reid was trying to time-waste with 25 minutes remaining. And in injury-time Pearce again raced from the technical area like an Olympic sprinter to collect the loose ball and place it in position for Robbie Savage to take a free-kick.
Pearce keen on old team-mate (Times)
Some, especially those such as Pearce still cutting their managerial teeth, would feel threatened by signing Keane, a manager in the making himself. “If their position at their individual football clubs were fragile, they might be,” Pearce concurred. “I’d be happy to have a team full of future managers. It shows they have an aptitude for the game.” No one could accuse Pearce of lacking that, and City are all the better for it.
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