City were also hampered by some refereeing that was simply baffling. It’s one thing when 50-50s go against you but when clear-cut calls are still given to the opposition then things become a little more difficult.
But City’s most difficult obstacle was their manager’s tactics and team selection.
The side’s biggest problem at the minute is down the left hand side. Sylvain Distin - a left footed centre-half - is playing left-back. Would it not be better playing a specialist full-back there?
I know Michael Tarnat and Danny Tiatto have been injured and are still not back to full fitness but what about Stephen Jordan. The lad’s the reserve team captain and has been knocking on the door for two years now. Keegan’s had him on the bench but not used him, but if he still doesn’t believe he’s up to scratch then there’s no point in him being here.
Steve McManaman and Trevor Sinclair, both experienced internationals, have both failed to deliver on the left of midfield. Both look lost and McManaman in particular cannot stick to the wing. Therefore Distin has to push up the line but it is plainly obvious that he cannot cross a ball.
That leads on to another of Keegan’s dilemmas – he doesn’t know his own players. McManaman’s best position is a mystery to Keegan and McManaman himself, so he continues to amble aimlessly around midfield.
I was amazed to hear Keegan say after the game that he took Joey Barton off because he is a defensive minded midfielder. I don’t know what game he was watching on Monday because Barton came closest to scoring before his departure. He played a number of perfect through balls to Anelka but he stumbled over them every time.
And Keegan shouldn't take any credit for the substitutions. City were on top at the time and had plenty of time to draw level and then get a winner. It took 10 minutes for the subs to get into it and although Sibierski did get the leveller, Keegan had turned a team capable of winning to one grateful to get a draw.
I was equally stunned to hear Keegan admit earlier in the season that he didn’t know Tarnat could take free-kicks. Even I knew he was handy from long-range and I’m far from being an international manager.
As you know, the curtains closed on Keegan’s international reign when he admitted he wasn’t up to it. But I have to ask if he’s up to it at club level. This is basic stuff and he’s getting it wrong.
The one thing he was respected for was his ability to buy well and get the best out of players. However, Keegan cannot get the best out of European trophy winners at present. It’s alright saying Robbie Fowler’s not getting the rub of the green but perhaps if you leave him on the field for 90 minutes he might get a chance.
I’ve already mentioned McManaman’s predicament but there’s also Anelka. Keegan believes that it is worthwhile to leave him on the field for virtually every single minute of every single game. Anelka’s in the comfort zone and it is clear he knows that no matter how bad he plays, he will still be selected. Put pressure on him; take him out of the firing line a little, if just for the last 20 minutes.
And my final point is team’s inability to communicate. Jihai Sun still headed the ball out of Seaman’s hands on Monday, despite the big man shouting, and Anelka took two chances off Fowler’s head because Fowler didn’t shout for it.
It all begs the question - as the guy sat next to me kept asking - ‘what do they do in training?’