Greg Cunningham D Cardiff b.1991

[theworm2345]

He has played for quite a few levels for us up to u-19s and made his debut for Manchester City today. Anyone watch? How did he look?

http://www.soccerscene.ie/ss17/player.php?id=51

[kingdomkerry]

What position does he play?

[Eirambler]

The game is still on, he came on at half time at left back and got booked after two minutes.

[Colbert Report]

I watched the match, hard to judge him as Scunthorpe ran out of gas with about twenty minutes to go.

[Razors left peg]

He was a striker in underage levels in Galway and they converted him to a full back at City. He was very highly rated here before he went over so Im delighted to see him make that sort of progress

[tetsujin1979]

Didn't do much wrong, but didn't have a lot to do either. Wasn't really in the game, apart from the early booking, and made simple passes when he had the ball. Very little came down City's left side so he didn't see a lot of the ball.
Always good to see a young player make his debut, and Mancini seems to be giving the better youth players their chance in recent games.
Hope he can push on from this.

[TheFingallian]

Not the best footing in the world on him and i doubt he'll be a forward thinking left back. With a bit more bulk on him he might be better at centre back. His glancing header from a corner sent the ball into the danger area costing City one goal.

[JimmyJuice]

didnt really have much to do but looked reasonably competant when called upon

[yapster]

let's wait and see...

[tetsujin1979]

Article about Greg's debut in the Independent: http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/shock-city-debut-leaves-galway-ace-cunningham-reaching-for-the-stars-2031304.html

this is the match report from the Liverpool reserve game mentioned in the article: http://www.mcfc.co.uk/News/Match-reports/2010/January/Liverpool-reserves-v-City-reserves

[Razors left peg]

Article about Greg's debut in the Independent: http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/shock-city-debut-leaves-galway-ace-cunningham-reaching-for-the-stars-2031304.html

this is the match report from the Liverpool reserve game mentioned in the article: http://www.mcfc.co.uk/News/Match-reports/2010/January/Liverpool-reserves-v-City-reserves

some unusual praise for Steven Ireland in there too:)

[tetsujin1979]

Interview with Greg from Off The Ball last night on NewsTalk: http://media.newstalk.ie/listenback/
Click the Off The Ball section, Tuesday 26th, Part 3, and it starts just after the 30 minute mark

[elroy]

Interview with Greg from Off The Ball last night on NewsTalk: http://media.newstalk.ie/listenback/
Click the Off The Ball section, Tuesday 26th, Part 3, and it starts just after the 30 minute mark

Sounded like a well grounded lad, seems to be enjoying his time at City. Good to see him get the chance, long road to go yet though Im afraid.

[tetsujin1979]

video interview with Greg on Man City's site: http://www.mcfc.co.uk/Video/Interviews/Greg-joins-new-kids-on-the-block

[tetsujin1979]

second part of Cunningham's video interview: http://www.mcfc.co.uk/Video/Interviews/Greg-Cunningham-part-2
Few comments from Shay Given, and a nice goal midway through the video

[Predator]

Comes across very well. He's obviously held in high esteem anyway! Hope he can go on and keep improving.

[tetsujin1979]

Wayne Bridge out for a few weeks after a hernia operation - http://www.mcfc.co.uk/News/Team-news/2010/March/Bridge-on-sidelines-after-hernia-op - should see Cunningham into the matchday squad while he recovers.
Scored a penalty in the shoot out last night VS Bolton: http://www.mcfc.co.uk/News/Match-reports/2010/March/City-Res-v-Bolton-Res
U19 striker Sam Sheridan scored Bolton's opening goal in the 1-1 draw

[drummerboy]

City have Garido and Silvenho (sp) to cover the left full position so I would be surprised if he is included.

[TrapAPony]

Came on in the 90th minute today against Birmingham.

[theworm2345]

Came on in the 90th minute today against Birmingham.
It was his league debut, good for him. Mancini clearly rates him.

[elroy]

It was his league debut, good for him. Mancini clearly rates him.

Problem is Mancini is unlikely to be there beyond this summer, even if he gets fourth.

[Charlie Darwin]

Why not? They stuck with Hughes went he finished 9th or whatever. From what I've read in the papers, his remit was to finish in the top 4, and barring a Spurs miracle that's where he'll finish.

[Serb]

Why not? They stuck with Hughes went he finished 9th or whatever. From what I've read in the papers, his remit was to finish in the top 4, and barring a Spurs miracle that's where he'll finish.

The problem is more Mancini than the owners I think. There's a lot of speculation about him taking the Juventus job (or some other job around Europe). Sounds like he's not really settled in Manchester anyway.

[Predator]

The problem is more Mancini than the owners I think. There's a lot of speculation about him taking the Juventus job (or some other job around Europe). Sounds like he's not really settled in Manchester anyway.
Not settled in Manchester? Haven't you seen his fancy hair and scarf? Didn't you see his 'pitchside disagreement' with David Moyes? He fits right in!

[TrapAPony]

Here's a recent article about Greg.

http://www.herald.ie/sport/soccer/gregs-ready-for-united-showdown-2136943.html

[seanfhear]

The problem is more Mancini than the owners I think. There's a lot of speculation about him taking the Juventus job (or some other job around Europe). Sounds like he's not really settled in Manchester anyway.
There does seem to be a whiff of Mancini not staying around but that may change if City finish 4th and the owners really want him to stay (money and all that). City will also be able to attract bigger stars if they have the carrot of champions league football. Easier for the players to say its not just for the money if nothing else.

[tetsujin1979]

short mention of Cunningham's call up to the senior squad on City's website: http://www.mcfc.co.uk/News/Team-news/2010/May/Cunningham-poised-for-Ireland-debut

[Ciaran W]

How did he get on last night ?

[tetsujin1979]

not bad, was a little nervy in the first half, but settled well in the second. Slight tendancy to clear the ball anywhere, rather than look for a pass, but that will come with experience

[GUFCghost]

Is he getting first team football at Manchester City?
Surely if he's so good he would make the first team?:confused:

[tetsujin1979]

just three substitute appearances,
he'll be doing well to get ahead of Wayne Bridge or Javier Garrido for first choice left full

[Sullivinho]

A loan spell would do him the world of good.

[tetsujin1979]

Article on Man City's site about Greg's debut: http://www.mcfc.co.uk/News/Team-news/2010/May/Greg-makes-impressive-Ireland-debut

[Charlie Darwin]

Played the first half against Sporting Lisbon tonight and looked out of his depth, but then again he was far from the only one.

[Manblue]

Collectively horrible team performance, his being individually the worst,, shocked at how slow he is.

[Charlie Darwin]

Looks like City are lining up a new left-full:

http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/soccer/2010/0724/1224275415936.html

[irishultra]

think some1 mite have accidently put a 1 in front of that 9!!!!!!!!!!! no way is kolorov worth that, lazio must be laughing. cunningham is an interesting player but will probably need to go to a more modest club(mid table prem) in order to get a look in

[Charlie Darwin]

He's only 19 - he'd need to be a wonderkid to get a look in this year anyway. It'll be interesting to see if Bridge gets on his bike, though - having had a taste of first team football he might not be too eager to go back to being an understudy for the rest of his career.

[Razors left peg]

I think a loan this season would do Cunningham the world of good

[Charlie Darwin]

Playing on the left wing for the second half against Red Bulls. Has just set up a goal now.

[tetsujin1979]

New signing Balotelli wanted to keep his shirt number from Inter (45) which is Greg's number, so he's taken Dunne's old jersey number, 22: http://www.mcfc.co.uk/News/Team-news/2010/August/Balotelli-arrival-means-Gregs-number-is-up

[Ciaran W]

How did he play when he came on against argentina ? I missed the second half

[Charlie Darwin]

Messi was so scared he asked to be subbed off 30 seconds later. But Cunningham did OK - maybe a little unwilling to go forward like KK had been and was left on his arse by the winger's trickery at one point, but overall he looked up to the challenge.

[Predator]

Messi was so scared he asked to be subbed off 30 seconds later. But Cunningham did OK - maybe a little unwilling to go forward like KK had been and was left on his arse by the winger's trickery at one point, but overall he looked up to the challenge.Was he left on his arse because he was bamboozled, or did he just slip? I thought he just slipped.

[Charlie Darwin]

I only saw it once but it looked like he was caught flat-footed to me.

[tetsujin1979]

short interview with Cunningham about his new contract with City: http://mcfc.co.uk/Video/Interviews/Greg-Cunningham-on-new-deal

[Junior]

I hear Kolarov who played LB at the weekend for City is out for 4-6 weeks and Lescott is expected to play LB tonight in the Europa league. Out of interest, Is Cunningham in the 25 man Europa squad?

[tetsujin1979]

It's either Lescott or Cunningham tonight.
From Man City's official site: http://www.mcfc.co.uk/News/Team-news/2010/August/Mancini-preaches-Euro-patience

Either Republic of Ireland youngster Greg Cunningham or Joleon Lescott is likely to start at left back.

[Junior]

Cheers tets. Would be great if he got a start.

[Charlie Darwin]

It would always have been a big surprise if Greg had played tonight. A loss over two legs would spelled the end for Mancini, and handing a youngster his first competitive start in a crucial position would have been a massive gamble.