Carling Cup team is predictably swept aside by a full strength City.

Last season Manchester City showed no mercy in the league game at Eastlands, after we had just been humiliated by Aston Villa at the Grove and it was the same story this year, following Chelsea’s swaggering demolition on Sunday, albeit against a deliberately weakened Arsenal.

We just about held our own in the first half but our fragile players withered in the second, allowing Manchester City to power three impressive strikes beyond Fabianksi. The decisive blows struck by Chelsea on the weekend were matched by players at the peak of their careers and it is no coincidence that, in contrast, we have failed to find the net against domestic opposition since Robin van Persie fell victim to the ridiculous international friendly schedule.

Despite Wenger appearing to have an embarrassment of riches in the final third, the Dutchman’s absence has left a huge hole that none of our identikit, lightweight attacking midfielders can fill. Manchester City away in the Carling Cup was always going to be a tough assignment but the manner of the defeat was so similar to the Chelsea game that this demoralising period threatens to suffocate all confidence out of the squad.

Suddenly, defeat in every game seems plausible, at least Stoke will be the away side on Saturday but their boisterous approach is the last thing we need, despite the 4-1 victory we achieved in the final game of last season against Tony Pulis’ men.

Photo: Action Images

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