Manchester City eye end to trophy drought</p> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'></p> MANCHESTER, England (AFP) - There is a banner draped over the Stretford End at Old Trafford, which simply reads '32,' a mocking reminder to the success-starved supporters of Manchester City of just how many years have passed since the club last lifted a major trophy. Manchester United supporters are free to poke fun at their neighbours having seen their club collect a lorry-load of silverware in the years since City triumphed in the 1976 League Cup Final. But the Sven Goran Eriksson-inspired revival at Eastlands could edge City closer to ending that lengthy drought with victory over Premier League rivals Tottenham in the quarter-finals of this season's League Cup on Tuesday. Such has been the hopeless under-achievement at City in recent years, a victory against Juande Ramos's team would secure their first major semi-final since 1981. The time has clearly come for City to start delivering and former England coach Eriksson admits that the desire for success ensures he will not take Tuesday's game lightly. "Of course I understand the need for a trophy here and how important the Carling (League) Cup is, so of course I will play my strongest team against Spurs on Tuesday," said the Swede. "The Carling Cup is probably the best and simplest route into Europe for City at the moment, but the most important thing for the supporters is to get to the semi-final and to win a trophy. "I know what it means to them and I don't need to be told that." City, who are fourth in the Premier League, go into the game against Spurs as favourites having won all ten of their home games at the City of Manchester Stadium in league and cup this season. Brazilian playmaker Elano has been a key figure in that run and he is set to return from a hamstring injury in time to face north London side Spurs. But the return to form of Darius Vassell, a striker selected for a World Cup and European Championship by Eriksson during his reign as England manager, is a key factor and the City manager believes Vassell can again be the player he took to Japan and South Korea in 2002 and Portugal two years later. "Darius can get back to the player he was when he played for me with England, but that will only happen if he stays injury-free," Eriksson said. "I don't know what happened last season or the season before, but this season, he has had small injuries and bigger injuries. Once he is fit, he gets a new injury, so he has been unlucky. "If Darius had wanted to leave, I would have let him leave, but he wanted to stay and take his chance. I am happy that he stayed because, when he is fit, he has pace and experience and they are both very important qualities." Spurs will travel to Manchester buoyed by a 1-0 victory at Portsmouth on Saturday. Since replacing Martin Jol as manager in October, Ramos has steadied the ship at White Hart Lane. But the former Sevilla coach warned Spurs fans against getting carried away. "Little by little, the team is improving," the Spaniard said. "The most important thing is the confidence in the players has got much better. "I don't believe in making long-term plans. We have to make short-term plans, looking at the teams above us, looking at the teams in Europe and trying to get as high as we can in the League and as far as we can in the Cups."</div></p>
they have the players. (Elano, Richards etc) and they got Sven so maybe they could get a trophy but i doubt this season. Maybe UEFA next season?</p>
They're exceeding the expectations, I never thought they would be in the top 4, or even top 6 for that matter.</p> You're right, maybe next season. They'll make it to the champions league if they hold to the 4th place right?</p>
