Royle variety disappointment

IN their playing days, Brian Kidd and Joe Royle were a couple of strikers hewn from the same chunk of granite.

The two friends, as well as former team-mates, knew how to take a knock as well as give one and never shirked the challenge of putting a foot, or a head, in where it hurts.

But their views on this dramatic afternoon at Maine Road could hardly have been more contrasting. They were as different as, well the first and second halves of an intriguing game.

Or, if you dare contemplate the prospect, as different as the immediate futures of these two famous clubs promise to be.

As chorus upon chorus of "Blue Moon" echoed around a packed stadium to celebrate Manchester City's late but clinching second goal, Royle could have been forgiven if there had been a triumphant edge to his comments.

But he was generous to a fault, clearly and genuinely believing the Blackburn Rovers team his City side had just brushed aside would eventually come good.

There was, however, no consoling Kidd.

He could have praised his team for their first-half display - probably the best they have performed all season - acknowledged City's comeback and lived to fight another day.

But the man is too honest for that. Maybe even too honest for his own good, as he laid bare his soul and delivered a no-punches-pulled verdict that not only damned his players for under-achieving but scarcely complimented his own contribution. There's no doubt that the squad Rovers have assembled after relegation is still more Maine Road than Swindon side street.

The way they performed in the first half you could tell they feel more at home in surroundings suited to the Premiership.

But the reasons why they are no longer still in the the top flight are still causing them problems.

And, while a new Manchester City is threatening to rise from the ashes of the club that has suffered so much for so long, the opposite is threatening Rovers.

This is a team with a soft centre which also seemed to be the point that Kidd was making after Saturday's defeat which could have been so different if only there was more ruthlessness in the side.

But, if you fail to score goals during periods when you are as much in command as Rovers were in the first half hour or so, and then concede to what was virtually the opposition's first decent attack then you are asking for trouble.

City, clear at the top of the table, are far from being world beaters but they are good enough to capitalise when their opponents are as generous as Rovers.

Kidd felt it was a question of attitude and he may be right. Are there too many nice guys in the dressing room when a 'Mr Nasty' or two is needed?

Possibly, but that is the manager's responsibility.

What remains a mystery is that Rovers have enough quality in their squad to win what is a poverty-stricken league in terms of class. Yet they continue to struggle.

The difference between the sides for 30 minutes summed up the gulf between the Premiership and the First Division.

Yet Rovers failed to score a single goal and then fell for the day's first sucker punch - not very professional.

City left out Terry Cooke again to go with a midfield three and Mark Kennedy the one winger on the left. Rovers did exactly the same to counter them and, for most of the first half, it worked.

They could have been in front in the second minute when Matt Jansen's header was blocked on the line, then Per Frandsen's header hit the woodwork.

Before City had enjoyed an attack of real note, Jansen and Ashley Ward caused more problems and Frandsen would surely have scored but for a poor first touch that let the keeper scramble successfully at his feet.

It looked odds on a Rovers goal at any moment but Kennedy was, ominously, starting to knock in a few crosses.

In the 39th minute he found acres of space on City's left, crossed low and accurately to the far post and Richard Edghill charged in to sweep it home. Still Rovers carried the greater threat, with Frandsen and Christian Dailly agonisingly close, but the pattern changed in the second half.

Three minutes after the break, Paul Dickov's pace and trickery embarrassed Craig Short, Dailly pushed him over and Kevin Horlock stepped up for the spot kick. John Filan, however, flung himself to his left to save a well-struck shot.

Rovers threatened occasionally but the second half belonged to City as they took control. Ian Bishop struck the bar and a second goal began to look inevitable.

It arrived eight minutes from time, courtesy of more poor defending. Kennedy, starting to make Rovers look a shambles down his flank, hit a corner just past the near post and Jeff Whitley raced in to head firmly into the top of the net.

He seemed to have been given the freedom of Maine Road.

Perhaps the one positive note was the surprise return of Jason McAteer as a substitute. He certainly showed enough determination and was a welcome addition to the squad.

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