Man City

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=293188&cc=4716

City booed after another goalless draw

Roberto Mancini felt the full weight of frustration as his ManC side were booed off aft their 2nd 0-0 draw in 4 days @ Eastlands, tis time against Birmingham.
Just as against ManU on Wednesday, the entertainment value was sadly lacking, except on tis occasion City were playing against a side who could be in the bottom 3 by Sunday evening.

James Milner came closest 2 breaking the deadlock, 15 secs aft the interval, when his shot was cleared off the line by Stephen Carr.

It was not impressive stuff though 4 a side who, whilst remaining in a Champions League position, have now won just 1 match fr their last 5 Premier League outings & hv not scored a league goal on home soil since the beginning of October.

Tat Mancini compounded tis by taking crowd fav Carlos Tevez off b4 the end, & replacing him with Gareth Barry, jz heightened a sense of unhappiness @ the sight of an obdurate Birmingham outfit heading back down the M6 with a precious point.

As Birmingham turned out in a red away kit tat could hv passed 4 ManU, it was easy 2 believe tis was simply a continuation of Wednesday night's awful fare.

There were obvious differences. 4 a start, Birmingham were intent on defending their penalty area, a tactic tat became apparent within the 1st 5 mins.

Aleksandar Kolarov was introduced 4 only his 2nd start of the season, a notable figure if only becos he came across fr his left-back station 2 take City's right-wing corners.

And Adam Johnson was picked, offering the England star 2 match his words of discontent abt forcing himself in2 Mancini's plans so infrequently, with meaningful action.

Unfortunately, the end product was depressingly similar 2 a midweek derby generally acknowledged 2 be 1 of the worst of recent times.

If anything, due 2 a chronic lack of atmosphere mainly, tis was even worse.

Ben Foster did not hv a 1st half save 2 make, or @ least the 1 he did need 2 make but failed, turned out 2 be of no consequence anyway as Carlos Tevez was ruled 2 hv handled David Silva's cross 2 get it past the England man.

Referee Mike Jones got tat call right, jz as he was probably correct 2 rule it was not a penalty when Liam Ridgewell went down under Johnson's challenge.

It was more a case of accidentally tripping over some1's feet by the Birmingham full-back, who did not complain, even if manager Alex McLeish did.

Kolarov, Tevez & Johnson drove ambitious efforts wide, drawing groans fr home supporters who clearly expect much better.

They came very close 2 getting it within 15 secs of the restart.

Having organised his defence so well, McLeish must hv been startled @ hw easily they were undone in route 1 fashion when James Milner breached their defences.

Foster repelled the midfielder's 1st effort but Milner seemed sure 2 tuck the rebound home, only 4 Carr 2 pop up & make a fine goalline clearance.

It emphasised the greater purpose City had found during the interval, even if Tevez, Milner & most glaringly Yaya Toure wasted decent chances.

Toure is yet 2 win over the Blues support since his summer arrival fr Barca on a reputed salary in excess of £200,000 a week.

For tat money, more is anticipated tat a rushed finish 2 a move in which both Milner & David Silva created space 4 the imposing Ivorian 2 shoot.

Toure has been part of a spending spree over the past 2 transfer windows tat has turned Roque Santa Cruz in2 City's forgotten man.

The Paraguayan, signed by Mark Hughes fr Blackburn in an £18million deal 17 mths ago, admitted earlier tis week tat he would be seeking pastures new in January.

However, with Emmanuel Adebayor missing due 2 a bruised heel & his side starting 2 run out of ideas, Mancini opted 2 introduce Santa Cruz in2 a Premier League encounter for the 1st time tis season.

The Paraguayan almost had an instant impact 2, slipping an intelligent pass through 4 Tevez, who dragged his shot wide.

As thoughts of an upturn in fortunes increasingly looked like being an illusion, frustration in the stands turned 2 fury when Tevez was replaced by Gareth Barry 7 mins fr time.

Tevez raised a rueful eyebrow as he took his place in the dug-out, leaving Mancini 2 face the ire of his own supporters.

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...nsfers&cc=4716

Given ponders January exit due to City frustration

Shay Given has hinted tat he could look 2 leave ManC in January aft growing increasingly frustrated with his limited chances @ Eastlands.

With Joe Hart retaining his grip on the No. 1 shirt @ City, Given, 34, has been restricted 2 just 2 starts all season & not 1 single appearance in the BPL.

He will win a record 109th cap 4 Republic of Ireland against Norway on Wed night & says he will welcome the match practice aft being unable 2 dislodge Hart fr Roberto Mancini's plans.

Though Given could start the weekend's game against Fulham due 2 a back injury sustained by Hart, he appears open 2 a possible move away fr the club in January.

"As a kid growing up, you 1 2 play football, you 1 2 play games & when you don't it's frustrating, so it's more abt me getting a game than the cap thing," Given said.

"My own personal situation isn't ideal, as every1 knows,& we'll see wat happens over the next couple of mths. I 1 2 be playing football & so hopefully something will happen in the New Year. It's frustrating & I'm not coping very well, 2 be honest."

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...nsfers&cc=4716

Balotelli committed to Manchester City 'until June'

Mario Balotelli has only committed his future 2 ManC until June amid speculation he could join AC Milan.

Balotelli, a Milan fan fr childhood, has frequently been linked with a move 2 the Rossoneri & he fuelled speculation when he attended a restaurant with the club's vice-president, Adriano Galliani, aft the victory over the striker's former team, Inter, @ the weekend.

"Until June, I am certainly @ ManC," he said. "I hv a 5-yr contract & can't say anything.

"It's true tat I had dinner with Adriano Galliani aft the derby, but wat does tat mean? If I had dinner with Massimo Moratti would you say I was returning 2 Inter?"

Balotelli also had words of praise 4 Zlatan Ibrahimovic, currently on loan fr Barca but expected 2 join Milan on a permanent basis.

"1 day I would like 2 return 2 playing with Ibrahimovic," he said. "It doesn't matter wat shirt I wear. It would be great."

Ibrahimovic added: "Mario asked me 2 come 2 play with him @ City but Mario will 1 day ask 2 come & play here. We shall hv 2 watch tis space."

Balotelli also hailed another Milan star, Andrea Pirlo, when asked his favourite player in the current Italy side.

"He's another Milanista, but it's not my fault if they hv so many great players," he said.

Aft the meeting with Balotelli tis week, Galliani denied suggestions the striker was a January target following the injury 2 Pippo Inzaghi.

"We talked abt tis & tat, but there r no negotiations in progress," he said. "Aft all, ManC is a rich & powerful club & they hv not taken Balotelli only for 6 mths."

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/feature...pinion&cc=4716

Mancini is not the man 2 deliver City's dreams ?

ManC r 4th aft jz 13 matches. Tat Roberto Mancini is defending his position may be seen as the onset of insanity. Mancini & Mark Hughes, already sacked 4 failing his audition @ the big time, hv many similarities.

As Hughes was shown the door by the dynamic Garry Cook & Brian Marwood, tat is not something the Italian would 1 2 hear. @ Inter, winning a league hat-trick was the reason City 1 him. However, the way he won, & hw rapidly Jose Mourinho upstaged him, demonstrates why he should nvr hv been given the City job.

Hughes & Mancini started their league management careers by making the best out of limited budgets. Hughes brought David Bentley, Ryan Nelsen & Roque Santa Cruz 2 Blackburn 4 less than £5 million. Against a backdrop of Walker Trust cloth-cutting, Hughes achieved as much as anyone could hv expected. @ Fiorentina, Mancini could do little but stretch out the club's life as it went fr playing in purple 2 being severely in the red. @ Lazio, also hamstrung by financial difficulties, Mancini was able 2 finish 4th & 6th, a comparable achievement 2 Hughes.

Hughes took over @ ManC in 2008. The chance 2 buy Carlos Tevez, Kolo Toure, Craig Bellamy & Shay Given meant City had a team tat could hv been creative & durable. However, he alienated, among others, Robinho. Like Mancini, Hughes does not get on with moonlight-fondling, nightclub-dwelling players. Aft 18 mths, he was sacked 4 cowering against their new peers of United & Chelsea. He could not give ManC the mindset tat they were a truly important team - something Mancini cannot do now either.

Mancini got his promotion 2 Inter in 2004. Inter were suffering dizziness aft chasing success 4 so long, hving won their last scudetto in 1989. A huge task &, given Massimo Moratti's constant involvement in transfers, few assumed Mancini would be the manager 2 bring consecutive titles 2 Inter. They were rite - Mancini didn't. But Luciano Moggi did. In Mancini's 1st yr, Inter were knocked out of the Champions League by AC Milan, out of the reaches of Italian referees.

Calciopoli's interference gave Inter their 1st title in 2006 aft they had originally finished 3rd in a discredited league. It is hard 2 treat tis as a genuine success. Of course, there seemed no alternative but 2 give it 2 Inter, but those responsible had tainted the neutral's appreciation of the achievement.

The punishment of Milan & Juventus meant tat Mancini's 2nd album, his scudetto hat-trick, will always hv a liner note 2 discredit it. Calciopoli did not just punish the guilty, but turned the scudetto fr a passionate affair 2 a brisk handshake with no eye contact with added faded glory. Mancini succeeded due 2 disqualifications & handicaps hobbling his opposition. In Europe, while nobody would hv demanded tat he win the Champions League 2 assert himself, it was the manner of defeat tat ought to hv worried Garry Cook.

In 2006-07, Inter lost in the 2nd round against a limited Valencia team, the game ending in slapstick fisticuffs. Sauntering down the tunnel as violence erupted might look cool, but it suggests tat Mancini has always had trouble relating 2 his players.

ManC hv indulged him with Mario Balotelli, a maniac & occasional footballer. He rubber-stamped Adam Johnson, a Marwood 'Buy British' purchase & a rag-week drinker, but who is now already willing 2 talk up a transfer away. His club captain, Carlos Tevez, sweats stories of unhappiness with football, Manchester & existence. Tat's Carlos Tevez, club captain, last week shown up by Rafael in an on-field contretemps.

He lost 2 a tactically superior Liverpool in 2007-08, & the failure stained him as it came in the 2nd ko round. Tat represents slow progress. Last season, Mancini guided City 2 5th, playing functional football. They r only 1 position higher aft more investment. Losing early in Europe so often was due 2 tactical intransigence. He secured his Italian titles becos of his 2-yr headstart. Seven defenders will never put clear water between a team & its fellow title challengers. Tactical inflexibility is 1 thing if your players r markedly better than anyone else's, but Mancini plays the same way against both Wolves & ManU.

His successor @ Inter, Jose Mourinho, however, k make triple substitutions 2 positive effect. He k switch a team fr 4-3-3 to 4-4-2 within the same half & back again the next. Similarly obsessed with control, Mourinho would rather do it when his team hv the ball, & with players who k score. Mancini just has Carlos Tevez. Comparisons with Mourinho r unfair on most managers, but they damn Mancini as a tactical coward. Think again of Mancini's progress tis year, from 5th to 4th. In his 1st season, & very 1st Premier League fixture, Mourinho had a Chelsea team beating ManU. Mancini fielded 7 defensive players in the comparable fixture.

Mancini is criticised 4 indulging in Italian tactics, a modern catenaccio. Tis misses the point. Another Italian manager, Claudio Ranieri, brought attacking football 2 Chelsea @ a level no less successful than Mancini, & his Roma team r still more attacking than defensive. Carlo Ancelotti oversaw fine attacking performances directed by Kaka, & his Chelsea side regularly demolish other sides with impressive urgency. Mancini's flaws r not his country's, they r his own.

Beyond tactics, & with his players, he is sentimentally stunted. Aft 4 more Chelsea managers, John Terry still belongs 2 Jose. @ Chelsea's peak, the 2 shared an umbilical bond. When Inter won the Champions League last season, Marco Materazzi was so devoted 2 his manager tat the 2 shared explicitly metrosexual tears of joy.

Mancini oftens acts as if he would not even defend his players in a fight. Emotionally he could nvr hv such a relationship with a player, & tactically he is not brave or smart enough 2 win a Champions League. Rite now, he does not look a manager 2 win a title in a fair fight. When the time comes, 1 wonders hw Cook & Marwood will justify their existence tis time.

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...nsfers&cc=4716

Dzeko back on the agenda as City plan clear-out

ManC hv alerted football's top agents tat they r willing 2 write off close 2 £100 million worth of players in the January transfer window.

Joleon Lescott, Wayne Bridge, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Emmanuel Adebayor, Roque Santa Cruz & Jo hv been earmarked either 2 be sold off @ cut-rate prices or loaned out with the club willing 2 pay 50% of the players' wages.

In addition, Shay Given & Adam Johnson 1 2 leave hving lost their places in the side.

City 1 2 make room 4 new signings, with Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko - rated @ £33 million - top of their wanted list.

A leading agent told ESPNsoccernet: "It is now common knowledge tat ManC 1 1 offload a no. of players."

Another added: "Players r queuing up 2 leave, but it won't be easy 2 shift them as they r on such high wages."

City allowed Craig Bellamy 2 join Cardiff City on loan tis season, effectively paying most of his salary, but the situation 4 some other players could be more complex, with some of them on massive wages.

ESPNsoccernet has been informed tat Adebayor is on £170,000 a week, with Bridge earning £90,000, Lescott £75,000, Santa Cruz & Jo both on £70,000 & Wright-Phillips on £65,000.

An agent said: "The best 1 k hope 4 is 4 the wages 2 be paid 50-50 with City paying half, but @ the end of the loan comes the problem.

"If any players r then sold off @ the end of the season & the clubs cannot afford 2 match, or get anywhere near, the wages, then City will hv 2 pay those players millions jz 2 get them off their books, & 2 make up the shortfall 4 the player."

City hv confirmed tat they do not intend 2 continue spending big money on players, with UEFA's Financial Fair Play rules threatening their rite 2 compete in Europe when fully introduced, but a move 4 24-year-old Dzeko still appears likely in the January window if they k offload 2 existing strikers.

The agent said: "There is a €40 million release clause in the player's contract, & while City wouldn't pay it b4, they might do now."

Dzeko's representatives r believed 2 hv attended City's 0-0 draw with ManU @ Eastlands.

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...ngland&cc=4716

Mancini talks trophies ahead of City's Hughes reunion

Roberto Mancini is convinced he will hv a UCL place & a trophy @ the end of the season 2 prove he has changed ManC's fortunes 4 the better.

City head 2 Fulham on Sunday & a 1st encounter with Mark Hughes since the Welshman was dismissed in acrimonious circumstances by the Blues' cash-rich Abu Dhabi-based owners in December last year. 4 Mancini it promises 2 be an ordeal, not least becos the statistics surrounding his own tenure r open 2 criticism.

Mancini has gleaned exactly the same number of points fr the 1st 13 games of tis campaign as Hughes managed in the last, & the Blues hv also lost 3 times, compared 2 only once @ tis point 12 months ago. In fairness 2 Mancini, there is a significant difference in tat the Blues hv established themselves in the top 4, something they failed 2 do under Hughes.

Yet, 4 the money tat has been spent reinforcing Mancini's squad, it is not tat impressive. What would make ppl sit up is if the Blues were able 2 end a trophy drought tat will hv lasted 4 35 years by the time they next get an opportunity 2 win 1, & tat goes alongside a place in the UCL next season. Mancini is confident both targets will be achieved.

"We are in 4th position, 3 points behind United but we must check @ the end of the season,'' said Mancini. "@ the end of the season I think we will get in2 the UCL & probably we will win something. Tis is my opinion becos I believe we hv improved a lot.''

Others may argue otherwise. Certainly Hughes felt his side would hv achieved their objectives if they had been given a chance last term. Owner Sheikh Mansour & chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak had other ideas, which means Hughes will be fully motivated tis weekend, even if Mancini is eager the contest should not become a personal battle.

"I don't know if Mark Hughes has a point 2 prove but Sunday is Fulham against ManC, not Mancini against Hughes,'' he said. "Maybe it means more, I don't know. But I am sure they always try 2 win, whether they play against ManC or Newcastle, who they played last Saturday.''

Nevertheless, the spectre of Hughes lingers over Mancini's work, not least becos he was clearly talking with City b4 there was actually a vacancy. Not tat Mancini defends himself against such accusations. He merely points out the brutal reality of life @ the sharp end.

"This is our life. A manager's life,'' he said. "2day you k be here. 2morrow you k be @ another club. If a manager does not accept tis, he doesn't do his job. The world is full of football managers.''

What the world is not full of r clubs with the financial muscle City hv @ their disposal. It brings pressure Mancini insists he does not feel, a state due in a large part 2 his total belief in the work he has done so far.

"I am not saying we will achieve things becos I 1 2 keep my job. I m saying it becos I know my job & I know my squad. We r 4th now & the best is yet 2 come. We beat Liverpool & Chelsea & didn't give them any chances. We didn't give ManU any chances. This is very important. If we don't give our opponents any chances we won't hv a problem scoring when everyone is available.''

Not every1 will be available tis weekend though as controversial striker Mario Balotelli serves the final game of a 3-match ban. In addition, Mancini has doubts over England duo Joleon Lescott & Micah Richards but he has reported good news over goalkeeper Joe Hart, who was forced 2 miss the friendly defeat 2 France aft suffering a back spasm in training on Tuesday.

"Joe is getting better,'' said Mancini. "I think he will be available 4 Sunday.''

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...ngland&cc=4716

Hughes: Man City would be better under me

Mark Hughes claims he would hv advanced ManC much more than Roberto Mancini has been able 2, had the club not sacked him last season.

Former Inter Milan coach Mancini has spent £135 million on new signings since arriving @ Eastland's last term, but has come under fire aft a series of negative performances.

And despite the massive investment, Mancini's Premier League title-chasers hv accrued the same point's total tat Hughes acquired aft 13 games last season & with an inferior GD.

Hughes, now manager @ Fulham, said: "They made the change with the view tat they 1 2 accelerate the process of getting success. Tat doesn't seem 2 hv happened.

"I know wat I left behind, tat the club & the group of players I had there was good enough 2 hit the targets I was given. I knew they had 2 spend significantly more money [last] summer - tat opportunity was going 2 be given 2 myself. It wasn't. If I had still been there I would hv been there 2 & a half years so tat I think would hv helped."

Mancini has strongly defended his record, claiming City r far stronger under his management.

"We hv improved a lot," Mancini said. "We hv won a lot of away games. We r in 4th position, 2 points behind ManU. We must check again @ the end of the season but I think we will get in2 the UCL & probably win something."

[benglian]

Dzeko back on the agenda as City plan clear-out

Manchester City have alerted football's top agents that they are willing to write off close to £100 million worth of players in the January transfer window.


GettyImages
City will look to revive their interest in Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko
Joleon Lescott, Wayne Bridge, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Emmanuel Adebayor, Roque Santa Cruz and Jo have been earmarked either to be sold off at cut-rate prices or loaned out with the club willing to pay 50% of the players' wages.

In addition, Shay Given wants to leave having lost his place, although Adam Johnson has now said he wants to fight for his place.

City want to make room for new signings, with Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko - rated at £33 million - top of their wanted list.

A leading agent told ESPNsoccernet: "It is now common knowledge that Manchester City want to offload a number of players."

Another added: "Players are queuing up to leave, but it won't be easy to shift them as they are on such high wages."

City allowed Craig Bellamy to join Cardiff City on loan this season, effectively paying most of his salary, but the situation for the aforementioned players could be more complex, with some of the players on massive wages.

ESPNsoccernet has been informed that Adebayor is on £170,000 a week, with Bridge earning £90,000, Lescott £75,000, Santa Cruz and Jo both on £70,000 and Wright-Phillips on £65,000.

An agent said: "The best one can hope for is for the wages to be paid 50-50 with City paying half, but at the end of the loan comes the problem.

"If any players are then sold off at the end of the season and the clubs cannot afford to match, or get anywhere near, the wages, then City will have to pay those players millions just to get them off their books, and to make up the shortfall for the player."

City have confirmed that they do not intend to continue spending big money on players, with UEFA's Financial Fair Play rules threatening their right to compete in Europe when fully introduced, but a move for 24-year-old Dzeko still appears likely in the January window if they can offload two existing strikers.

The agent said: "There is a €40 million release clause in the player's contract, and while City wouldn't pay it before, they might do now."

Dzeko's representatives are believed to have attended City's 0-0 draw with Manchester United at Eastlands.

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...ngland&cc=4716

Toure slams City slackers

ManC defender Kolo Toure claims a number of his highly-paid teammates don't deserve their place in the team becos they don't work hard enough.

Speaking ahead of City's Premier League clash with Fulham, Toure took a swipe @ his colleagues & even suggested the club could withhold the wages of certain players until they pull their socks up.

"You need 2 be honest, even if you hurt people, & there r some players here, I am not scared 2 say, who r not working hard enough 4 the team," Toure told the News of the World. "Some don't do enough in training but still expect 2 play."

The 29-year-old, a £16 million signing fr Arsenal in 2009, added: "We all get big wages @ City but some need 2 work harder. You cannot hv a place in the team - even if you r an international - if you don't show wat you k do in training.

"As players, we hv the best job in the world & if the manager said: 'You hvn't worked hard enough, you will only get half your wages tis week', it would make players fight harder.

"I'm a professional footballer & 2 me, playing regularly is the most important thing. Money is secondary."

However, Toure still believes 5th-placed City k win the Premier League title, as long as the players stop bickering & pull in the same direction.

He said: "Football is not jz abt $, it's abt winning trophies. City 1 2 be a big club. We feel pressure tat we hv 2 deliver & we k still win the title."

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...nsfers&cc=4716

City deny Adebayor is set for Juve loan

ManC hv denied Emmanuel Adebayor's claims they hv "reached an agreement with Juventus" 4 a loan deal 2 be completed in the January transfer window.

Adebayor has been arguably the most high-profile casualty of Roberto Mancini's mass summer spending spree, making jz 2 Premier League starts tis season. He has scored 5 goals in all competitions, but 4 of those hv come in the Europa League.

Following the arrivals of David Silva, Mario Balotelli & James Milner over the summer, Adebayor has fallen down the City pecking order, & he was even an unused substitute behind out-of-favour Brazilian Jo @ Fulham on Sunday.

Adebayor told Sport/Foot Magazine: "I don't know wat I did wrong 2 Roberto Mancini, but he nvr makes me play.

"I k tell you tat City has already reached an agreement with Juventus 4 a loan. I therefore expect 2 be able 2 leave in December."

However, although City r understood 2 be ready 2 listen to offers 4 Adebayor, they hv dismissed any notion tat a deal is already in place.

Juve, meanwhile, r also said 2 hv shown interest in ManU striker Federico Macheda, but his agent, Giovanni Bia, has dismissed the prospect of a move.

"What I can say is tat no 1 has called me - neither ManU nor Juventus - so 4 now I k rule out a move 2 Turin," he told Calcio Mercato. "Macheda is happy in England & is not feeling the urge 2 return 2 Italy."

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...nsfers&cc=4716

Mancini casts doubt on Ade loan

ManC boss Roberto Mancini has ruled out the prospect of striker Emmanuel Adebayor being allowed 2 leave the club on loan in January.

Adebayor, a £25 million signing fr Arsenal in July 2009, has started jz 2 Premier League games tis season aft falling behind Carlos Tevez in the pecking order.

The 26-year-old is rumoured 2 be 1 of a number of Mancini's players agitating 4 a move 2 another club due 2 frustration over a lack of 1st-team opportunities.

He appeared 2 be on his way out of City earlier in the week aft suggesting tat Juventus had agreed a deal 2 sign him on loan, with City assistant David Platt also conceding the player may leave in January.

However, Mancini appears reluctant 2 lose Adebayor & allow his squad 2 be weakened.

"No, in tis moment I don't see it - if we let 1 player [go] then we must get 1 player in," Mancini said. "Tis is difficult. Emmanuel must continue 2 work, & if he has a chance 2 play then he must play well."

1 striker virtually certain 2 leave Eastlands is Roque Santa Cruz as the Paraguayan has made only 1 Premier League appearance tis season & has openly discussed his wish 2 seek a new challenge.

Former club Blackburn would be interested in bringing Santa Cruz back 2 Ewood Park, but manager Sam Allardyce says he may be unable 2 finance such a transfer, despite the recent takeover by Indian company Venky's.

"Yes, I think so - there is no doubt abt tat," Allardyce said. "Whether players of that ilk 1 2 come back 2 Blackburn Rovers & play 4 us, tat is fine - but it all depends on the financial side of it.

"There will be some finances but whether it will stretch 2 the size of the sort of wages tat ManC pay is a difficult 1. They hv blown everyone out of the water recently by the signings they hv made & the main reason has been the size of the financial package they hv been offering.

"Whether ManC k recoup their money or whether we k afford tat player's wages is a difficult scenario 2 try & get over."

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=293079&cc=4716

Stoke City1 - 1 Manchester City

Matthew Etherington emphasised Stoke's never-say-die attitude with a stoppage-time equaliser against ManC @ the Britannia Stadium.

Roberto Mancini's high-fliers looked set 4 all 3 points thanks 2 a marvellous goal fr Micah Richards in the 81st minute.

But Stoke refused 2 lie down & Etherington took advantage of a clever back-heel fr Tuncay 2 ensure his side got a share of the spoils.

City found themselves under pressure 4 long spells in the 1st half & must hv been delighted 2 go in @ the break on level terms.

Stoke showed their credentials as early as the 5th min when a long throw fr Rory Delap was flicked on by Ryan Shawcross.

Jermaine Pennant got on the end of it, clearing the bar with his effort b4 Delap caused further confusion in the City penalty area.

Ricardo Fuller found himself clear following a long throw, only 2 see his shot blocked by Vincent Kompany.

Etherington then took advantage of some defensive hesitancy 2 fire in a shot City goalkeeper Joe Hart got a hand 2 b4 the ball was scrambled away.

The home side should have taken the lead in the 16th minute when Fuller & Kenwyne Jones played a neat 1-2.

Fuller was released in the area but failed 2 test Hart, steering his effort wide of the post. City were again forced on the back foot in the 22nd min when Robert Huth cleared the bar fr a good position.

The visitors launched a quick counter-attack in the 31st min when David Silva released Carlos Tevez. The striker found James Milner but the move broke down following a timely challenge by Andy Wilkinson.

Back came Stoke & Fuller got goal-side of Kolo Toure only 2 send his shot in2 the arms of Hart.

Play switched down the other end & Aleksandar Kolarov tested goalkeeper Asmir Begovic fr distance in the 36th minute.

Stoke were nearly undone in the 42nd min following a mistake by Danny Collins. He played a casual back pass 2 Begovic, unaware Tevez was lurking on the edge of the area. Begovic came 2 the rescue, racing out of his goal 2 divert the ball 2 safety.

Mario Balotelli had started the half with purpose 4 City & showed good strength & pace 2 rattle in a shot in the 52nd minute tat went narrowly wide.

Stoke hit back & Fuller got on the end a ball fr Etherington 2 mins later & skipped in2 the area but sent a soft shot in2 Hart's body.

Then Etherington's miscued effort was met @ the back post by Shawcross, However the defender was off balance & headed over the bar.

Fuller was finding it hard going in the 2nd half & replaced by Jon Walters in the 75th min.

His arrival gave Stoke a bit of impetus & Jones saw his effort cleared off the line by Milner b4 Tuncay fired the rebound over the bar.

City, however, made the breakthrough in the 81st min with a marvellous piece of skill fr the recalled Richards.

He latched on to a ball fr Milner, sold a dummy 2 Collins b4 rifling a shot in2 the corner fr the edge of the area.

Stoke, though, secured a point in stoppage time thru Etherington, who got on the end of a clever back heel fr substitute Tuncay. Although Hart got a hand 2 the ball he could not prevent it going in2 the net.


ManC's owner wouldn't be happy seeing wat they got aft spending so much $.
ManC's home form in the EPL was looking good aft their early wins against Liverpool & Chelsea.
But they draw @ home against Blackburn Rovers, Manchester United, Birmingham & now Stoke City, & collected only 12 pts out of the available 21 pts @ home.
ManC away form also not impressive.
With 8 games on the road, they only got 4 wins, 1 draw & 3 loses.
& collected only 13 pts out of the available 24 pts.

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...ngland&cc=4716

Pulis aims dig at Mancini after late draw

Stoke manager Tony Pulis aimed a swipe @ Roberto Mancini aft Matthew Etherington's late equaliser denied ManC all 3 pts @ the Britannia Stadium.

Mancini, who turned 46 on Saturday, claimed his side, who went ahead thru Micah Richards in the 81st min, deserved 2 win. Pulis disagreed & aimed a barb @ a manager & a club who hv spent millions in an attempt 2 reach the Champions League.

He responded: "Wat game was he watching? But he is entitled 2 his opinion. Tat is wat tis country is all abt. I will leave it 2 the experts 2 decide. When you r on top against 1 of the best teams in the league you hv 2 take your chances.

Tat was the 1 thing tat let us down 2day. We need 2 do better in tat respect. On the whole we played well. You k hv all the $ in the world & all the top players but you need 2 be a team.

We played like a team today, as 1. It takes a lot of beating, irrespective of who the opposition is & the players they hv.''

Ricardo Fuller shld hv opened the scoring 4 Stoke in the 16th min aft a neat-1 2 with Kenwyne Jones. However, the Jamaican failed 2 test goalkeeper Joe Hart & steered his effort wide of the post.

"Tat was an indication of the kind of football we were playing & it would hv been a great goal had it come off,'' said Pulis.

Robert Huth then hoisted a shot over the crossbar fr close range & Jones saw his effort cleared off the line by James Milner. Stoke were then left stunned in the 81st min when Richards opened the scoring with a marvellous effort. He picked up a ball fr Milner, sold a dummy 2 Danny Collins b4 rifling a shot in2 the corner.

Stoke's equaliser was also well crafted with Etherington finding the corner with his effort aft a clever back heel fr substitute Tuncay Sanli. Pulis said: "Tuncay has done well 2 play him in & it was a good finish fr Matty.''

Mancini was unconcerned his title-chasers had slipped further behind ManU & Arsenal, who both chalked up convincing wins. He said: "The season is very long. Every game 4 every team is difficult. Tis was a good test 4 us on a difficult pitch.

"I am disappointed with the result becos we deserved 2 win. It was a fantastic performance in the 2nd half. Richards scored a good goal, he was not 100% but played well & I am happy 4 him.''

Mancini was also pleased with Mario Balotelli's contribution aft the striker returned fr a 3-match suspension. "He did well, he did not talk 2 the referee & tat is important,'' added the City boss.

"Mario has only played 3 games in the league & had 2 or 3 chances. We know he will continue 2 improve.''

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...ngland&cc=4716

Balotelli & Boateng clash in training

ManC team-mates Mario Balotelli & Jerome Boateng had 2 be pulled apart by team-mates aft clashing during training yesterday.

The pair, both new arrivals @ Eastlands over the summer, grabbed each other aft Balotelli reacted angrily 2 a challenge fr Boateng during a practice match @ the club's Carrington training ground.

3 City players, including Nigel De Jong, were required 2 intervene 2 prevent the bust-up fr escalating & as Balotelli attempted 2 return to the dressing-room, boss Roberto Mancini forced him 2 return 2 make up with Boateng.

"The incident is a reflection of the competitive edge the players apply in training," a City spokesperson was quoted as saying in The Sun. "The players shook hands @ the end & there are not further issues."


http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...nsfers&cc=4716

Lescott fed up with City bench role

Joleon Lescott has admitted he will look 2 leave ManC if he cannot earn more regular playing time as he believes he will soon lose his England place.

The £24 million signing fr Everton has been behind both Vincent Kompany & Kolo Toure in the City pecking order tis season,& has often been deployed as a left-back when he has played.

With Roberto Mancini even preferring Belgian teenager Dedryck Boyata on occasion, Lescott admitted he is considering his future & would be open 2 a loan if his salary & fee ruled out a permanent move.

"I m not happy with the situation," Lescott said. "I don't enjoy sitting on the bench, & sometimes not even making the bench. Tat [a loan move] is down 2 myself & the club. The club might say 'If there's a chance 2 play, go & play' &, if not, I will hv 2 stay here."

Lescott was a 1st-team regular 4 City aft former boss Mark Hughes signed him fr Everton in August 2009, but despite racking up 17 Premier League starts in his debut campaign, his chances were limited in the 2nd-half of the season, with Kompany & Toure preferred by Mancini following his arrival @ Eastlands.

However, the former Wolves defender insists he has no regrets abt moving 2 Manchester & promised he would be ready 2 step in & prove his worth if City were 2 suffer any defensive injuries in the coming weeks.

"The squad's big & there is a lot of quality here so I knew it wasn't going 2 be a foregone conclusion tat I was going 2 start every game,'' he said.

"You hv 2 respect the manager's decision & it's warranted becos Kolo & Vincent hv been outstanding so far tis season, but when I've gone in I think I hv done okay. I've nvr regretted my decision 2 come here.

"Mark Hughes was in charge @ the time & I was playing every game but, even now, I still don't regret it. It's unfortunate tat I'm not playing as much as I'd like, but you just hv 2 get on with it sometimes. I'm a professional & level-headed person. I know situations come & go.

"Next week there might be an injury & I could be backin the team 4 the rest of the season. I just hv 2 be ready 4 tat, in case it happens.''

Lescott has retained his England place 2 date - starting the 3 Lions last 3 matches, but he believes tat might soon change if he does not get in the City team.

"Fabio [Capello] has kept his confidence in me when other players hv gone down with injury & I'm grateful 4 tat but there's going 2 come a time when, if I'm not playing 4 City, I'm not going 2 be in the England squad as well,'' he said.


http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...ngland&cc=4716

'Frustrated' Vieira reveals City unrest

Patrick Vieira has lifted the lid on the dressing room unrest @ ManC by describing the "frustration" he feels over a lack of 1st-team opportunities.

Aft City's squad was inflated by a significant summer outlay, several players - many of them internationals - hv found themselves forced in2 the margins.

There hv been persistent rumours of unease behind the scenes @ Eastlands, with some of the club's stars reportedly agitating 4 a move away.

Tis backdrop has set the scene 4 a potential exodus in January, with Roque Santa Cruz expected 2 be 1 of the 1st out of the door aft Blackburn admitted an interest in signing the striker, while Joleon Lescott has also expressed his wish 2 be playing more regular 1st-team football.

Vieira, who has played 4 times in the Premier League tis season, could find it harder 2 attract a suitor due 2 his advancing years. Nonetheless, the 34-year-old has gone public with his disappointment.

"Yes, of course, I'm frustrated, but I'm not the only 1," said Vieira."When you see the squad & how big it is, of course many players will be disappointed and frustrated not to play that often."

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...ngland&cc=4716

Tevez: I'm happy at City

Carlos Tevez insists he is happy with life @ ManC, despite suggesting recently tat he was "tired of football" & contemplating retirement in the near future.

Tevez has repeatedly spoken of his discontent with his life as a professional footballer & in an interview with TyC Sports on Nov 26 explained: "I don't 1 2 play anymore & I m talking seriously."

The striker also hinted @ his restlessness when producing an angry reaction 2 being substituted against Bolton @ the weekend as he had a heated exchange of words with manager Roberto Mancini.

However, Tevez, who has scored 10 league goals in 15 appearances tis season, has now spoken 2 City's in-house media & claimed he is happy with life @ Eastlands.

"I m happy here. I really m," Tevez said. "I do miss my family, jz like any1 would when they r not around. But I don't see retirement happening 4 a long time 2 come.

"A sacrifice has 2 be made when you make a commitment like I hv done with City & it is something I m going 2 see through. Once tat job is done I will hv plenty of time with my kids."

City's season has been pockmarked by dissent, the latest incident of which saw team-mates Mario Balotelli & Jerome Boateng clash in training last week. Yaya Toure & James Milner r also reported 2 hv had an altercation while Emmanuel Adebayor & Vincent Kompany hv argued on the pitch.

Tevez has played down suggestions tat City's dressing room is a particularly discordant place though.

"It is jz like any club," he said. "There r both good & bad vibes alike. The most important thing is tat, as players, we r all pulling in the same direction & trying 2 do our best 4 the club. Anything tat goes on between us off the pitch or in the dressing room stays there he & I keep on fighting 4 the club.

"There is a lot of pressure within the club which the players are always stuck with. Sometimes the odd thing gets out of the dressing room through people who don't have the best interests of the club at heart. It's not big deal. You just have to live with it."