Striker Wins Over The Doubters

Last updated : 16 September 2006 By Footy Mad - Editor


And many questions were asked when Glenn Roeder produced Man City reserve Antoine Sibierski out of a hat.

Many thought it was a transfer out of panic, yet the 32-year-old Frenchman scored the game's only goal just 10 minutes into his debut at the Le Coq Arena in Estonia, and became an instant hit.

What impressed me most about the player was his pre-match inteview when he LOOKED a player out to do business. "The fans expected a bigger name, and I know they were disappointed with me. But I will show them what I can do."

Roeder says he was happy with Sibierski's contribution on a night when £10million strike partner Obafemi Martins drew a blank for the third game in succession.

Roeder: "It was a trademark goal. We have seen his ability in the air in training, which I saw first when I watched him at Lens and when I saw him play at Manchester City. Give him enough chances to score from aerial crosses and he will take a high percentage of them.

"Once he climbed above the lad on the back post, it had the look of a goal all the way. It is not an over-familiar position for him to play as a striker in a 4-4-2, although I did ask him to play deeper off Oba and try to get into that zone between Levadia's back four and their midfield.

"We tried to thread passes through to him which in the first half, we did well. But generally, I have got to be pleased with him. He is certainly pleased with himself, and rightly so. He was tired at the end. He has not played a lot of football this season, so it was nice for him to score the goal.

"We have just got to get the wee man to get one now."