Hughes psychological master

Transfer rumour time is upon us with the international break just around the corner.


The Daily Mail's Ian Ladyman has come up with the strangest  case of urinating in the wind so far. Not because of the 3 names mentioned, more so for the timing of the revelations.

 He states that Hughes wants to replace Micah Richards, Paulo Zabaleta and Wayne Bridge in the January transfer window.

Now lets think about this for a minute. Firstly, Hughes is supposedly upset with right back Richard's training application and inability to learn his position. So maybe there is some truth in the matter there.

Secondly, he does rate Zabaleta, just not as a 1^st choice right back or defensive midfielder. He sees him as Mr Versatility (Our John O'Shea or Phil Neville).

Not content with destroying the confidence of the whole right side of the defence, Sparky has decided to have a go at dismantling the left as well, or so Mr Ladyman would have us believe.

"Ahh Javier Garrido!" I hear you say. Even the a blindman can see he's not made the grade as a premier league full back, lets ship him out. Well no actually, Ladyman goes on to say that Hughes is not happy with Wayne Bridge's performances recently.

The Ladyman continues to single Bridge out for his weak Derby performance and defensive frailties at set pieces (Hardly the rest of the defence's greatest game or forte). Forgetting conveniently that Bridge was close to being man of the match against Villa and has been what Steven Ireland was to last season- our most improved player by a mile.

Nearer to the truth, may be the fact that Mr Ladyman hasn't actually watched the Blues this season apart from
in the Derby. For who in their right mind would want their 3 senior fullbacks to know that they were not wanted after only 7 games of the season?

Any Blue knows that Hughes is very discreet at the bet of times, always supporting his players (Robinho - rape accusations/ Dunne - Captain until he decides to leave/ Petrov - consummate professional) in public at least.

For all of last season, every Blue and his dog knew of the friction betwen him and Elano, but not once did he condemn him in the press. As soon as the season was over however, it was a different story with 'Ela' being shipped out to the furthest possible European outpost he could find (Turkey and Galatasaray). The same is happening at the moment with Petrov and maybe to a lesser extent Richards.

Back to the story now, not forgetting we have Silvinho on our books as well from Barca, what does Lazyman (the man in the know) suggest our Gaffer has in mind to solve this defensive crisis? One that has put us in the precarious position of 4^th in the Premier League with a game in hand over our rivals.

Thats right you've guessed it ... Daniel Alves and Christian Chivu are on the verge of signing on the dotted line 2 world class full backs at the peak of powers. Well no actually, The Ladymeister thinks Hughes has a better strategy.

To offload over 25 million pounds worth of talent and replace it with Eric Abidal and Carlos Puyol, 30 and 31 respectively, with no Premier League experience and not wanted by Barcelona for the same reason Richard Dunne wasn't wanted by City- for being past their peak! Champion just champion.

Now I would love to finish on a quote from our Commander in Chief, but of course there aren't any, are there Ian?

So instead I'll finish with a quote of some sorts. Jog on please Mr Ladyman and in the famous words of a certain Mr Royle (not that one), "My Arse!"

City Mercenaries are just amateurs

The entire City squad are a bunch overpaid money-grabbing mercenaries, or so the media, pundits and fans alike would have you believe. 

Since the Arab takeover last summer and in particular the arrival of Robinho from Real Madrid City have been the number 1 target for the media vultures, Loads a' Money impersonators and 'Boo Boys' alike. No signing has been spared their wrath from the January arrivals Santa Cruz, De Jong and Bellamy to the summer arrivals of Toure, Adebayor, Tevez and Gareth Barry.

To understand what a mercenary is we have to look at the very core of the word. A Merc is a private soldier of fortune who fights for personal wealth or gain, rather than for a good cause or overwhelming patriotic feeling .

So in footballing terms a mercenary can be seen as anybody who leaves his own team team for financial or personal gain. A player who has no longer the affection for their team in which they started their careers or at least joined very early on.

Putting that into context almost all footballers are Mercs and so in fact is the person sat behind the keyboard (as he left JD Sports for Allsports in 1997) and the person reading his article at the minute for that matter. So, lets all take a moment to see who are the truly world class Mercs and see how many of them play for the team in sky blue.

The List
20. Robinho £10m Manchester City Age 25

18. Dimitar Berbatov £11m Manchester United Age 27
18. Joe Cole £11m Chelsea Age 27
15. Damien Duff £12m Fulham Age 30
15. Gary Neville £12m Manchester United Age 34
15. Petr Cech £12m Chelsea Age 27
14. Emile Heskey £13m Aston Villa Age 31
11. Ashley Cole £14m Chelsea Age 28
11. Fernando Torres £14m Liverpool Age 25
11. Nicolas Anelka £14m Chelsea Age 31
10. Didier Drogba £16m Chelsea Age 31
9. John Terry £18m Chelsea Age 28
8. Steven Gerrard £20m Liverpool Age 29
7. Frank Lampard £21m Chelsea Age 31
6. Michael Ballack £22m Chelsea Age 33
5. Ryan Giggs £24m Manchester United Age 35
4. Rio Ferdinand £30m Manchester United Age 30
3. Wayne Rooney £37m Manchester United Age 23
2. Michael Owen £38m Manchester United Age 29
1. David Beckham £125m England Age 34 Ex -Rag

Beckham Tops the Rich list by some way but still shops at H&M -

                                                      You know whats shes thinking!
According to the latest figures however,  City have only 1 player in the Top 20 rich list of footballers- Robinho at number 20. In fact the professional mercenaries are from other teams in the top 4. Of course the fact they have all come from each teams academy and play for the pride of the shirt should override this.

Or maybe not! Lets look at the Top 20 list again. Of the 20 listed Premier League/British players only Mr Chelsea, Mr Liverpool and Mr ... Bury Bumpkin Neville  have come up through the ranks.

The others have all been poached form their respective sides (yes Ryan Wilson was on City's books before being poached by the slippery Alex Ferguson) making hypocrites of the highest order out of anyone throwing insults City's way. 

Which team has the highest number of Mercenaries.... yes you've guessed it Manchester United have 4 of the Top 5 and the 'Top Dog' David Beckham was of course there as well.

              
Bury Bumkin Gary Neville at number 15 despite only practicing his Derby goal celebration for the last 5 years

Just to underline the ridiculousness of the scathing attacks on Mark Hughes' charges, City's current squad have at least 10 academy graduates and 5 are first team regulars.

 Joe Hart, Micah Richards, Nedum Onouha, Javid Vidal, Steven Ireland, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Kierren Trippier, Michael Johnson and David Ball to name but a few are all British and academy graduates and have played in City's squad this year. Hardly a cause for alarm should Nasty Blatter and Slimey Platini get their wicked way.


So before throwing stones perhaps fans of the Big 4 should check if their own houses are made of glass first. Mercenaries or not, City's players have a long way to go before they can emulate these lot.

Blues stars throw a Paddy

City's Irish stars Steven Ireland and Shay Given have both been getting things of their chest this weekend.

First of all, Superman has gone on the offensive for the first time in 2 years over his international career.
There has been much debate from fans and pundits alike, with even Roy 'Scumbag' Keane quoted as saying he'd camp outside his house if Ireland returned to the international arena.

Whilst his last offering informed us that his team-mates tried to pull out his hair implants in the changing room was sensational to say the least. This week's offering is less sensational, more surprising.The Super-Hero is quoted in a Mirror 'Exclusive' as saying,

"I'll NEVER play for arrogant Trappotoni, even if Ireland qualify for the 2010 World Cup."

Clearly upset by his dialogue with the Republic of Ireland boss, Superman talks of a meeting in which Trappatoni insults him by continually leaving the room to answer his mobile and not giving him the time of day.


But the most interesting comments he saves for last, with his revelation that he doesn't miss playing for Ireland and that he sees it as a chore. He goes onto say that he won't even miss playing in the World Cup next summer and that he believes international football has had its day.


He claims there is a plethora of young Premier League footballers who will retire from playing international football after the World Cup and blames the bulging Premier League calendar, a lack of patriotism and meaningless friendlies for its demise.


As a new father I fully understand the want and need to be close to one's own family, and Ireland after the way he's been treated by manager and players alike is well within his right to not want to play.


His 'International football to die a death' comments are a little more difficult to agree with. Now most diehard club fans at any level will probably tell you that they feel 10 times more passion for their team than when their International eleven lines up. But In this case Ireland is probably underestimating the Patriotic bandwagon that rolls up just before a major championships and the Hysteria that follows. I know I'm not the only one!


The Blues custodian Shay Given meanwhile has been quoted in many newspapers, sites and blogs as being surprised at the abuse Ex Villa captain Gareth Barry received on his return to Villa Park. The Independent quotes him as saying,

"He was at Villa for so many years and did great service, got them £12 million after Villa hardly paid a penny for him as well, so I thought it was a bit unfair."

Given added,

"Fans up and down the country are perhaps a bit jealous of Man City in the sense that they have new owners and what they can bring to the club. But they should respect Gareth for what he did beforehand.""

He also goes on to commend the reaction of the City faithful towards their long time hero and captain Richard Dunne, who was cheered throughout Monday night's game. Just to cement their place as the best fans in all the world, they could be heard cheering Dunney Monster on after his goal against us. The Irishman returned the favour, and showed his class, by not celebrating and making some complimentary comments about us after the game.

Arsenal fans I can understand booing Adebayor and getting incensed at his goal celebration. But Villa fans hurling abuse at Barry after over a decade of 110 % commitment to the badge is going a bit too far, don't you think?

City Ratings v Villa

Monday, 5 October 2009

City v Villa player ratings

Given Must have to get the Guiness in next time out after Dunnie's goal  6

Zabaleta Stuck to his task well against the speed and trickery of Young and the endeavour of Milner in the end. Got forward to support SWP when ever possible too. 6

Touré A tremendous performance against the pace and height of Villa's attack from the captain. He gets forward like Beckenbaur when he thinks others are too tired or hiding. Still needs to organize our players at set pieces better. 8

Lescott His best performance yet. He looked calm and composed against the Bohemouth that is Carew. Tried to help out the attack too. 7

Bridge He is getting better with every game in an attacking sense! He also did well against the industrious yet limited Milner. 7

De Jong The Pitbull was as tenacious as ever in the engine room and broke Ashley Young in two resulting in him being taken off.  Limped off early in the second half himself however and replaced by Superman. 6

Barry You can never tell what this introvert is feeling, but looked a littled rattled by the abuse he was taking in the first half. Impressed more in the second half  shifting play intelligently. How would he have reacted! 7

Bellamy Another Man of the Match performance from our Talisman. He has the energy and drive of Dickov and Tevez put together and so seems to be more clinical. Top performer yet again 8

Tévez Certainly has the work ethic of his twin terror if not the stamina. He looked rushed tonight and constantly got in the way of Adebayor's runs. His shooting and passing was woeful to day the least tonight, but he'll have more good than bad nights for us. 5

Adebayor Looked like he'd been missing for 3 games and the rustiness was one of the main reasons we didn't get 3 points out of the game. Good hold up play and assist, but a match fit Adebayor would have been the difference tonight 6

SWP Is jaded anyway, so the two-footed horror tackle by Petrov made his night near impossible and it showed with bad decision making, wayward passing and shooting boots left at home. Should have been subbed for Petrov . 5

Subs:

Ireland Just what the doctor ordered- a superhero to save the day! His entrance changed the game for 20 mins when he was Fabregasesque showing us his full repertoire of passing. Seems to have lost his ability to shoot and was ultimately drawn into the physical battle which reduced his effectiveness. 7

RSC Hard to remember a player who has looked less match fit than this lad. 18 million quid- get on the tread mill lad!4

Pantomime Villains come back fighting

Aston Villa's nickname is the Villain's but on this showing you'd think it was Manchester City's. The usual Sky Blue kit was discarded for their new all Black number, a fitting colour for any villain.

As with all pantomimes, a chief villain is needed. Step forward Gareth Barry the former Villa captain and their own Prince Charming was subjected to a chorus of boos and bank note waving from start to finish.

The first half, had everything you'd expect from 2 teams in form and wanting to make a statement to the rest of the league. Respect was shown from both sets of players apart from 2 cynical challenges, one from De Jong on Young and the other from Petrov on SWP. Neither victims of the challenges were the same afterwards and both instigators were lucky not to have been more harshly dealt with than the yellow cards they received.

In a very tight affair in which City edged possession defences were on top until the only goal was scored from a corner. Like at the derby City's genius strategy of lining up on the six yard area allowing the opposition strikers to attack the ball at will paid dividends ... for the opposition. Just as we'd conceded 2 goals to Ginga Fletcher 2 weeks ago, this time Richard Dunne stole a jump on Gareth Barry. Yes Barry again and YES I said RICHARD DUNNE scored with his HEAD from a SET-PIECE!

City came close to equalizing when Carlos Tevez saw his 30-yard drive go inches over the bar.Tevez again tried his luck from long range but dragged the shot wide, before Stephen Warnock floated a ball into Steve Sidwell who could only direct his header well over the crossbar.

In fact the well oiled attacking machine of previous weeks looked out of sink tonight with Adebayor not on the same wavelength as the terrible twins and even they got in each others way half of the time.

The Second Half, began brightly enough, with City firstly taking the initiative and then Villa having a go at the Blue's back line. Young and Milner's willingness to run the channels was a constant wake up call to the inspired Zabaleta and Bridge who got forward as much as they could.

An injury brought about a significant change to the game when De Jong hobbled off allowing the more attack-minded Steven Ireland onto the field of play.

In a 15 min spell Ireland was the difference with his Fabregasesque passes cutting through Villa at will. Nobody's suggesting that Villa were the Three Little Pigs here, but City were certainly the Big Bad Wolf as they huffed and they puffed and finally blew the Villa house down courtesy of a crisp passing move.

It was Ireland's defence splitting pass that found Adebayor who cut back for Bellamy to lash his shot into the roof of the net and show Villa how a counter attack should be played.

After the goal a period of giving the ball away began. Even Superman was engulfed in the physical battle and his cameo contribution was halted there as he was assimilated into the war of attrition.

Hughes decided to go more direct and threw Santa Cruz up front in an  attempt to take advantage of Villa's encampment in their own half. Villa had began to sit further and further back in their own half trying to catch City on the break, which almost worked a couple of times.

It must have been worrying for the Villa fans to see their team play so negatively after a resilient first half performance. Collins and Dunne had been immense all game at the heart of a well drilled defence and they were needed on more than one occasion in the last 25 mins as City pushed up the pitch trying to force a winner.

The physicality of the game was no more evident than an elbow by Bellamy on Collins during a 50 - 50 aerial challenge. One could be forgiven for thinking that the fiery Welshman's words whilst stood over his prostrate former teammate were reminiscent of Roy Keane's to Alf Inge Haaland in their infamous rematch. But it is more likely that he was letting his Welsh International team mate know that it was a challenge out of 100% commitment and not malice.

The last ten minutes was a show of commitment if nothing else by most on the pitch, with tired legs beginning to show after immense physical battle. Craig Bellamy shone in this period to seal his Man of the Match performance with 2 lung busting runs down the by-line that should have been converted, but ultimately weren't.

Verdict

Richard Dunne for Villa is worth a mention as were all 4 centre-backs on show, as he scored a goal and got rid of his Pantomime Fool tag... for this week anyhow. Both he and the City fans showed more class than the booing Villa fans as he didn't celebrate his goal and they even cheered him after it!

A mention must go to the City defensive coach who's placement of defenders for set-pieces has been woeful in the last 3 games. 2 goals from Ginga Fletcher in the Derby together with another carbon copy tonight should be evidence enough that Gareth Barry should not be marking key opposition players in aerial battles.

But maybe there's more to it than just Gareth looking like a Sumo wrestler doing the high jump. The jumping start that opposition players get on our static defensive line as they attack the ball on set plays means that there can only be one winner. It happens so often that I'm amazed that we've got a defensive coach at all. Up until now it has cost us 4 points.

The woefully match unfit Santa Cruz was not at the races all night and Hughes' inability to replace Wright Phillips, who was carrying a knock all 2nd half, with the recently impressive Martin Petrov was perplexing to all City fans to say the least. After all, Petrov is the best crosser of the ball at the club and would have had 2 towers to aim for tonight.

Overall, a fair result but can't help think that our tactical ineptness at set plays lost us 2 points in the end. Good luck to Villa as we've always had a good rapport with them. Hope they finish in the top 4 with us but maybe that's just another fairy tale.

Man of the Match: Craig Bellamy never gives up and got his well deserved goal.

Villa will be singing the Blues

Why tonight's game might not be the foregone conclusion many Blues might think.

ASTON VILLA v CITY

Away

Barclays Premier League

Mon 05 Oct 2009, 8:00PM

Most City fans would be forgiven for thinking that tonight's game against Villa is going to be another exhibition of attacking brilliance marred by the inevitable albeit irrelevant, by then, defensive lapse. Some might even be thinking that for every goal we concede Big Dunnie will kindly oblige with a 2 for 1 special of his own speciality.

Afterall, results don't lie and we go to Villa on a run of six victories in seven competitive games and with our only defeat coming in controversial fashion in the Derby where a draw was stolen from us in the 126th minute of stoppage time at Prawn Sandwichville.

We also have the best attacking options in the Premier League, with 4 in 4 Adebayor back in a mix that packs more explosiveness than a Molotov Cocktail in a gas station. Not only is Roque Santa Cruz fit and chomping at the bit, but twin terrors Carlito Tevez and Craig Bellamy have been starved and gagged(in Craig's case) all week and are hungry to turn Dunne and Co into mincemeat.

Our midfield, the envy of almost every Premier League team, has been further strengthened by the returns of Michael 'I could of played rugby' Johnson and a refreshed Superman. Martin 'I don't even share me Pringles, so don't expect me to pass you the ball' Petrov is on a mission to rule the world, while SWP must be feeling the krytonite stare of a certain young Slovakian prodigy, knowing that he has to produce week in week out in this world cup season.

Behind them, sit Basher and Gnasher, messrs De Jong and Barry who screen our back 5, whilst snapping opponents in half and burying them under the corner flags. If thats not bad enough, should one of them get slightly bored or tired of breaking things, a bigger beast is ready to be unleashed from the bench in Vincent 'Floorless Victory' Kompany.

With the best goalkeeper currently available in the league in Shay Given protected by a defence marshalled by Captain of the Guard Kolo Toure we fear nobody. Afterall, at right back we have the technical Zabaleta or the powerhouse(or powerlifter depending on your view of him) that is Micah Richards.

At left back we have the swashbuckling Wayne Bridge backed up by 'I played in that match when we beat The Rags' Silvinho or Toure's central defensive partner Joleen Lescott. Add a fit again but short on match practice Vincent Kompany and you struggle to understand where a defeat can come from against Villa.

So back to my original point. Most Blue's might be forgiven for thinking that tonight's game will be another 3 points for the Sky Blue Juggernaught. When in truth the game against our Midland's rivals will be a Battle Royale of the highest order.

I could sit here and tell you that tghere's a high probability that Ashley Young will rip either Richards or Zabaleta a new A-Hole or that Gabby Agbonlahor and Big Jon Carew will have too much pace, power and height for Lescott and Toure.

I could also argue a case for the occasion being too much for Gareth Barry on his return with him going to pieces, whilst the ever dependable Richard Dunne will brush off his emotional occasion off with a rock solid performance at the back ... but then I think about everything I've just written and every negative bone that has pained me for the last 30 years disappears in the blink of an eye.

As long as our lads are at the races we'll be like the infamous Peperami Animal ... too spicy for em!

Probable Teams (from)
Aston Villa : Friedel, Cuellar, Collins, Dunne, Warnock, Milner, Petrov, Delph, Young, Agbonlahor, Carew, Sidwell, Heskey, Guzan, Shorey, Beye, Reo-Coker, Gardner, Delfouneso.

Manchester City : Given, Taylor, Richards, Zabaleta, Toure, Lescott, Bridge, Sylvinho, Garrido, De Jong, Barry, Johnson, Wright-Phillips, Ireland, Ball, Weiss, Vidal, Bellamy, Santa Cruz, Petrov, Tevez, Adebayor.


Match Needle
Former Villa captain Gareth Barry's controversial defection to lower in the table City, caused much heartache amongst the Villa Park faithful.

Former city captain Richard Dune has plenty to prove to his old boss Mark Hughes, who obviously felt he wasn't upto the task anymore.

Odds
Manchester City 2.45/ Aston Villa 2.60/ Draw 3.40

Form
Aston Villa league form: WWWWL

City league form: WWWLW

Prediction

Villa 2 (Agbonlahor, Carew) - City 3 (Adebayor, Bellamy and Barry -winning pen given away by the emotional Dunney-Monster)

Pull the other one 'Arry

Sometimes its difficult to know who your real friends are in everyday life never mind in the cutthroat world of professional football. Manchester City are going to have to find out the hard way as the latest richest kid in the playground.

With all this morning's hysteria surrounding Emmanuel Adebayor's FA verdict its easy to get lost in something that will have very little impact on the Blue Juggernaught that is successfully breaking down the Top Four barriers one by one.

Even though the the Arsenal match was almost a month ago, you would have to live on the Moon to not remember what happened. After being racially taunted and physically assaulted by the Arsenal fans and players before and during the game, Adebayor ran the full length of the pitch to celebrate in front of the Arseanl end at Coms.

The majority of pundits, fans and the media would have you believe its an absolute outrage and as the well-respected but bitter Henry Winter would have it;

"...a Bad call: the FA's decision not to punish Emmanuel Adebayor for inciting Arsenal supporters at Eastlands on Sept 12 is devoid of logic..."

Most Blues, fans opposed to the Big Four monopoly and Spuds fans vehemently believe that it is Adebayor the victim in all this and that it is nothing more than a witch hunt by the Top four biased hierarchy that is the FA. The most damning of their actions has been Spurs boss Harry Rednapp who felt it was time to give his penneth on all that is Man City at the moment. Ol' Arry as commented on everything from our spending policy to Tevez being hypocritical in not-celebrating his goals against West Ham but doing so against The Rags.

Whilst sounding like a staunch supporter of the Citizens you don't habe to think too long before The Twitcher's real motives come to the fore. His remarks about Tevez stem from a the bitter realization that his nephew Frankie Boy Lampard is not afforded the same welcome by West Ham fans even though he played for years for the Hammers. Tevez only play the year in which they escaped relegation but Harry would have you believe,

"...He never got A look in under Pardoe until they were desperate at the end of the season and even then he only showed up about ten times..."

Ye Harry but one of those times was at Old Trafford scoring the winning goal and keeping them up you muppet. Sour Grapes to say the least especially as Arry's seen as a turn coat by most Hammer's fans too.

What about his comments about City then I hear you say? Well after missing out on Barry, Roque Santa Cruz, Joleen Lescott and all of his other top picks to City in the summer transfer window Harry is playing his own version of the Bacon face mind game. Not only does he realise that City are his teams main threat to breaking into the Premier League's elite places, but he also knows how to rub a players back if he wants to sign him in the future.

I'm sure he secretly harbours hopes of signing most of City's squad from the midfield enforcer that is Nigel 'Pitbull' De Jong to the Yeoman that is Kolo Toure. But if he could have one player above all it would be Emanuel Adebayor. Not only is he Arsenal's new public enemy number one, but he is also the best big man in the league and probably the world at the moment.

SO amidst the media frenzy and obvious enemies taking potshots at City at the moment, its worth giving a thought to Ol 'Arry sitting at his used car lot office desk suffering from wheelin and dealin pangs. After all the enemy that is most dangerous is the one sat right next to you secretly dreaming of everything that is yours.

Do us a favour 'Arry and pull the other one.