Catching up with a familiar face

The retired City kit boss and former Latics star now has a new role - as City website reporter

DUE to it being quiet at City this week courtesy of the international break, I’ve taken the opportunity to come out to Holland to interview former midfielder Paul Bosvelt.

I’ve spoken to Paul for a feature for the City website - and he really is a good bloke.

He was a top player in his day, and during his two-year stay at City between 2003 and 2005 you could see why he had played internationally for Holland. Paul runs the under-17s team at FC Twente now and it was brilliant when he asked me to come over.

Back home it has been all go on the European Championship qualifying front.

I saw bits of the England game and they looked impressive, and it was lovely to see James Milner get on for his 50th cap.

He’s a great lad and a terrific midfield player, but I can understand Roy Hodgson testing out some of the younger players following the massive disappointment of the World Cup.

Fabian Delph looked okay in there and Raheem Sterling is a real threat. Hopefully the experience of these big international nights will help them, and help England get back to being a team other countries fear.

There’s a massive week beckoning for City once everyone gets home. Arsenal away on Saturday followed by Bayern Munich during the week, then Chelsea the following weekend.

It’s going to be a massive spell and one that could see City set down a real marker in title and European Cup chases.

City have got more than enough talent in the squad to be capable of bouncing back confidently from the shock defeat at Stoke to do a good job against Arsenal.