Manchester City

[sanmiguellight]

Jack and me talked about this subject in Bangers, Sanmiguel. I totally concur with Jacks post above

Yes i see your point, difficult situation as a club without money could bankrupt themselves by dancing to his tune, if he were to turn out sh7te ... obviously getting advised very badly especially if he goes to Chelsea as is being specualted with its Ajax style development of young players.

Edited June 20, 2009 by sanmiguellight

[JacknDanny]

Jack and me talked about this subject in Bangers, Sanmiguel. I totally concur with Jacks post above

Yes i see your point, difficult situation as a club without money could bankrupt themselves by dancing to his tune, if he were to turn out sh7te ... obviously getting advised very badly especially if he goes to Chelsea as is being specualted with its Ajax style development of young players.

Thats just the point.

He knows City are loaded with money right now. So either him or his advisors or both are taking the p!ss.

He is NOT going to get regular first team football at City, for the time being. He if continues to develop, then he would probably make regular sub appearences for a year or so. The 2 teams who are interested and can afford his ludicrous demands are Chelsea and Villa. There is no way that he plays regular 1st team football for those teams.

If he were to go to a lesser team, he may get full time playing time, but there is no way he gets 75k/week!!

He is just being a dick, and obviously thinks he is a lot better than he actually is.

[MSingh]

Jack and me talked about this subject in Bangers, Sanmiguel. I totally concur with Jacks post above

Yes i see your point, difficult situation as a club without money could bankrupt themselves by dancing to his tune, if he were to turn out sh7te ... obviously getting advised very badly especially if he goes to Chelsea as is being specualted with its Ajax style development of young players.

Thats just the point.

He knows City are loaded with money right now. So either him or his advisors or both are taking the p!ss.

He is NOT going to get regular first team football at City, for the time being. He if continues to develop, then he would probably make regular sub appearences for a year or so. The 2 teams who are interested and can afford his ludicrous demands are Chelsea and Villa. There is no way that he plays regular 1st team football for those teams.

If he were to go to a lesser team, he may get full time playing time, but there is no way he gets 75k/week!!

He is just being a dick, and obviously thinks he is a lot better than he actually is.

It does seem to suggest that this is the case..

[mrbojangles]

He is just being a dick, and obviously thinks he is a lot better than he actually is.

It does seem to suggest that this is the case..

Jack has hit the nail on the head

[mrbojangles]

Quite an interesting viewpoint from skysports, written a couple of days ago:-

Season shape-up - Man City

Hughes aims to take next step in Eastlands journey towards big time

Having learned lessons in 2008/09, Manchester City will aim to take the next step towards big-time status this season. Mark Hughes' side have already signed Gareth Barry, but the world's richest club continues to be linked with a host of star names and we look at the potential new arrivals at Eastlands.

What's happened so far

In comparison with many Premier League clubs, quite a lot. While other teams appear to be taking their time and waiting for the beginning of pre-season in July, City are intent not to repeat mistakes of the past.

The richest club on the planet - funded by the reported £560billion wealth, earned from ownership of the largest oil reserve in the world, of Sheikh Mansour's family - was the talking point of the winter transfer window as a world-record pursuit of Brazil international Kaka ended in a drawn-out failure.

City have learnt their lesson and are not messing around. Business is being conducted at speed to avoid a repeat of the embarrassing transfer brouhaha of six months ago.

Blink and you missed the £12million arrival of Gareth Barry from Aston Villa as the England star abandoned his desire for immediate UEFA Champions League football, or even European participation, to become the latest player attracted by potential at Eastlands.

Star midfielder Stephen Ireland has signed a new long-term contract, announcing that he does not see any reason to ever leave City, to provide reason for cheer.

In between praising the club's hierarchy, and receiving reassurances about his job in exchange, manager Mark Hughes has continued to state the need to conduct business in a hurry, which suggests further arrivals will not be far away.

Hughes interviews can at times sound like repeats as the Welshman, clearly well drilled from the club's media department, persistently pedals the cards-close-to-chest party line of quick negotiations and a catchphrase interest in quality additions, however, that, on the surface at least, demonstrates a combined focus throughout the club which will help in transfer activity.

If conjecture is correct, City have a £150million summer transfer kitty at their disposal. It is unlikely all of that cash will be spent - there is a credit crunch you know - but there have been no shortage of possible purchases.

There has been no secret made of hopes of an audacious move to bring in Carlos Tevez after his loan spell at rivals Manchester United, while Hughes is desperate to capture former Blackburn colleague Roque Santa Cruz in the wake of a failed attempt in January. Everton's Joleon Lescott could be the target of a swap deal involving Micah Richards.

Barcelona trio Samuel Eto'o, Yaya Toure and Thierry Henry have all been linked, while any other player who would demand a transfer fee of around £20m - step forward David Villa, Sergio Aguero, Franck Ribery and Edin Dzeko - have also been connected with City.

Hughes, though, will have to clear out a lot of deadwood from his oversized squad. Elano, Valeri Bojinov, Gelson Fernandes, Benjani, Felipe Caicedo, Dietmar Hamann, Kasper Schmeichel, Danny Mills and Darius Vassell are among a host of players who could leave.

Daniel Sturridge, a rumoured Chelsea target, Ched Evans, Tal Ben-Haim, Jo, Clayton McDonald, Paul Marshall and Richard Martin may also start the new season elsewhere.

There has been speculation over the future of British-record signing Robinho who, having only arrived from Real Madrid last September, has, ominously for City as it is players who hold the power no matter what clubs would like to think, admitted the Camp Nou is an attractive destination.

What they need

City's midfield is well stocked, with the likes of Barry, Nigel de Jong, Vincent Kompany, Martin Petrov, Shaun Wright-Phillips and, if he regains full fitness, Michael Johnson offering formidable combinations.

Hughes has an established goalkeeper in winter signing Shay Given and plenty of choice for backup, so that area should also be fine.

The defence is in good shape, although an option at right-back or centre-half, which is where Lescott comes into the equation, would be welcomed.

Attack is the area that requires improvement. City struggled horribly on their travels in 2008/09 and a player who provides a persistent goal threat would offer a step towards a cure.

Santa Cruz, or rumours of John Carew, would be the target man to hold the ball up, so vital when away from home, which would benefit Craig Bellamy or Robinho.

Tevez's class would add a different dimension, while the Argentine's much-heralded work ethic would reap rewards when on the road and help a push towards the top six in the league.

What they'll get

Tevez, Santa Cruz and Lescott seem the most likely arrivals, with fresh reports suggesting the former has decided to snub Manchester United in favour of a £140,000-a-week deal when he returns from a family holiday.

Santa Cruz has made his intentions clear and an existing relationship with Hughes will probably see the Paraguayan arrive at Eastlands.

Lescott could move to Manchester, despite suggesting otherwise, with City's wealth and long-term aspirations outweighing that on offer at Everton, and Richards, who is understood to endure a shaky relationship with Hughes, would head in the other direction.

There will probably be another two new faces on top of the above trio, while a host of squad players are shown the exit.

[nev]

city spunk 18 million on santa cruz 4 league goals last season.

will spunk 25 million on tevez 5 league goals last season.

when they have robiniho and bellamy who both i rate how is tevez going to get a gauranteed starting place i dont know?

[bkkjames]

city spunk 18 million on santa cruz 4 league goals last season.

will spunk 25 million on tevez 5 league goals last season.

when they have robiniho and bellamy who both i rate how is tevez going to get a gauranteed starting place i dont know?

No doubt they will sign Eto as well. Apparently they are gonna play a 2-3-5 this year. No wonder Richards wants to leave.

[nev]

i can see city playing a lot of players out of position to accomadate them all,like united did with rooney playing left and berbatov playing deep to let ronaldo take the spotlight.

[JacknDanny]

city spunk 18 million on santa cruz 4 league goals last season.

will spunk 25 million on tevez 5 league goals last season.

when they have robiniho and bellamy who both i rate how is tevez going to get a gauranteed starting place i dont know?

No doubt they will sign Eto as well. Apparently they are gonna play a 2-3-5 this year. No wonder Richards wants to leave.

Can you show me your source which states that Richards wants to leave??

[JacknDanny]

city spunk 18 million on santa cruz 4 league goals last season.

will spunk 25 million on tevez 5 league goals last season.

when they have robiniho and bellamy who both i rate how is tevez going to get a gauranteed starting place i dont know?

nev, I expected better from you!!

Santa Cruz was injured most of last season......He played 9 league games and scored 4 goals (almost 1 goal/2 games)

Season before he played 37 league games and scored 19 goals, not a bad return

If you want to talk about 'spunking off' money, you only have to look in your own back garden.....namely that lazy git Berbatov

Now THAT is the biggest money 'spunk off' EVER :D

[JacknDanny]

i can see city playing a lot of players out of position to accomadate them all,like united did with rooney playing left and berbatov playing deep to let ronaldo take the spotlight.

Not at all.

IF we get Tevez, he would play up top with Santa Cruz. Robinho would play behind the top 2.

Ireland in the middle, SWP on the wing, Barry left side of midfield, with our ' enforcer' Kompany or De Jong.

Looks pretty well balanced and good to me

[StevieH]

i can see city playing a lot of players out of position to accomadate them all,like united did with rooney playing left and berbatov playing deep to let ronaldo take the spotlight.

Not at all.

IF we get Tevez, he would play up top with Santa Cruz. Robinho would play behind the top 2.

Ireland in the middle, SWP on the wing, Barry left side of midfield, with our ' enforcer' Kompany or De Jong.

Looks pretty well balanced and good to me

assuming you're only playing with 3 defenders it does, yeah.

[JacknDanny]

i can see city playing a lot of players out of position to accomadate them all,like united did with rooney playing left and berbatov playing deep to let ronaldo take the spotlight.

Not at all.

IF we get Tevez, he would play up top with Santa Cruz. Robinho would play behind the top 2.

Ireland in the middle, SWP on the wing, Barry left side of midfield, with our ' enforcer' Kompany or De Jong.

Looks pretty well balanced and good to me

assuming you're only playing with 3 defenders it does, yeah.

I do not think we will play a 'standard' 4-4-2

[StevieH]

i can see city playing a lot of players out of position to accomadate them all,like united did with rooney playing left and berbatov playing deep to let ronaldo take the spotlight.

Not at all.

IF we get Tevez, he would play up top with Santa Cruz. Robinho would play behind the top 2.

Ireland in the middle, SWP on the wing, Barry left side of midfield, with our ' enforcer' Kompany or De Jong.

Looks pretty well balanced and good to me

assuming you're only playing with 3 defenders it does, yeah.

I do not think we will play a 'standard' 4-4-2

i don't think you will either but you'll still definitely have 4 defenders starting at the back every match.

[JacknDanny]

Not necessarily Steve.

Could play 3 at the back with Barry and SWP playing as wing backs.

At least with a better quality squad, we have more options this year.

[StevieH]

you won't play three at the back because hughes isn't an idiot.

[nev]

you won't play three at the back because hughes isn't an idiot.

[nev]

i can see city playing a lot of players out of position to accomadate them all,like united did with rooney playing left and berbatov playing deep to let ronaldo take the spotlight.

Not at all.

IF we get Tevez, he would play up top with Santa Cruz. Robinho would play behind the top 2.

Ireland in the middle, SWP on the wing, Barry left side of midfield, with our ' enforcer' Kompany or De Jong.

Looks pretty well balanced and good to me

so no place for bellamy he is a better finisher and player than tevez

see you are already trying to find room for tevez to fit in playing 3 up front will leave you exposed at the back.

[bkkjames]

you won't play three at the back because hughes isn't an idiot.

and his name is not shearer.

[JacknDanny]

i can see city playing a lot of players out of position to accomadate them all,like united did with rooney playing left and berbatov playing deep to let ronaldo take the spotlight.

Not at all.

IF we get Tevez, he would play up top with Santa Cruz. Robinho would play behind the top 2.

Ireland in the middle, SWP on the wing, Barry left side of midfield, with our ' enforcer' Kompany or De Jong.

Looks pretty well balanced and good to me

so no place for bellamy he is a better finisher and player than tevez

see you are already trying to find room for tevez to fit in playing 3 up front will leave you exposed at the back.

I actually think Bellamy is a very good player, but he is not as good as Tevez

I did not say we would play 3 up front, but rather 2. Robhino would play behind in a roving role.

Whatever, at least we are now getting more options, and having a large enough squad with options is obviously a good thing

[MSingh]

Spot the deliberate mistake..

GK - Bellamy

RB - Bojinov

LB - Sturridge

CB - Robinho

CB - Caciedo

LM - Benjani

CM - Evans

CM - Santa Cruz

RM - Vassell

CF - Jo

CF -

dam_n i just needed one more, Tevez tomorrow will do it....

[nev]

Spot the deliberate mistake..

GK - Bellamy

RB - Bojinov

LB - Sturridge

CB - Robinho

CB - Caciedo

LM - Benjani

CM - Evans

CM - Santa Cruz

RM - Vassell

CF - Jo

CF -

you need 2 more sturridge is off to chelsea.

dam_n i just needed one more, Tevez tomorrow will do it....

[mrbojangles]

you need 2 more sturridge is off to chelsea.

He never really featured last year, so we really don't need a replacement

[mrbojangles]

A good move for Hart and i think for City, in the long term.

Hart seals Birmingham loan move

Hart won one full England cap against Trinidad and Tobago in June 2008

Birmingham City have signed Manchester City's England Under-21 keeper Joe Hart on a season-long loan deal.

Hart, 22, lost his place at Eastlands following the arrival of Shay Given from Newcastle United last season.

And Manchester City boss Mark Hughes has agreed to let Hart move to Birmingham after signing Aston Villa keeper Stuart Taylor as cover.

Hart is currently with the England Under-21 squad in Sweden for the European Championship.

He signed a five-year contract with City in October 2008 and was described by Hughes at the time as "one of the most promising keepers in the country".

And Hughes admitted earlier this month that Hart could go out on loan in search of regular first-team football rather than sit on Manchester City's substitutes' bench.

Hughes believes Hart will return to Eastlands an improved keeper, telling City's official website: "I have always said that Joe is a really good young keeper, and his talent was obvious to our goalkeeping coach Kevin Hitchcock and I from the outset.

"His contribution to the team prior to Shay Given's arrival was fantastic, but by loaning him to Birmingham, he will add invaluable experience to that already gained here at City.

"I know he will relish the prospect of regular Premier League action, which is vital at this stage in his career."

Hart, who won one full England cap against Trinidad and Tobago 12 months ago, began last season as Manchester City's first-choice keeper but moved down the order following Given's arrival for an undisclosed fee on 1 February.

Former Shrewsbury keeper Hart has previously had loan spells with Blackpool and Tranmere since joining City in May 2006. He has started 50 Premier League games for City.

Edited June 24, 2009 by mrbojangles

[MSingh]

Will be shooting practice for Hart next Year then, Carson all over again if you ask me...

[mrbojangles]

From the city web site:-

Santa could have delivered Europe

Mark Hughes suspects the Blues could now be preparing for a second successive season in Europe if he had been able to bring new signing Roque Santa Cruz to the City of Manchester Stadium last summer.

City's ambitious manager, who took Roque to Blackburn from Bayern Munich, tried hard to prise Paraguay's star striker from Ewood Park 12 months ago before returning to his old club for another doomed attempt in January.

But Hughes' growing frustration became clear as City missed out on seventh place - and a Europa League spot - by just three points to Fulham, whose 3-1 win over the Blues in April went a long way to stamping their passports.

City scored more goals than any team outside the top four, and enjoyed a better goal difference than Europa qualifiers Aston Villa and Fulham, but Santa Cruz stayed right at the top of the manager's shopping list.

Hughes rates Santa's aerial power and physical presence highly, and said: "If we could have had him in the side at the beginning of last season, his presence in certain games, against certain opponents, would very possibly have made a difference to the results that we had.

"Sometimes you find you have to play a certain way because you are up against certain opponents, and now with Roque in the squad we have added that option to our range for next season.

"We are looking to get the right players in, with the right attitude and mentality as well, and he is an ambitious guy who wants to achieve and feels that he will be able to do that at Manchester City.

"He is made of the right stuff, a strong-willed player of the type that we want to bring in to this club."

[bkkjames]

From the city web site:-

Santa could have delivered Europe

Mark Hughes suspects the Blues could now be preparing for a second successive season in Europe if he had been able to bring new signing Roque Santa Cruz to the City of Manchester Stadium last summer.

City's ambitious manager, who took Roque to Blackburn from Bayern Munich, tried hard to prise Paraguay's star striker from Ewood Park 12 months ago before returning to his old club for another doomed attempt in January.

But Hughes' growing frustration became clear as City missed out on seventh place - and a Europa League spot - by just three points to Fulham, whose 3-1 win over the Blues in April went a long way to stamping their passports.

City scored more goals than any team outside the top four, and enjoyed a better goal difference than Europa qualifiers Aston Villa and Fulham, but Santa Cruz stayed right at the top of the manager's shopping list.

Hughes rates Santa's aerial power and physical presence highly, and said: "If we could have had him in the side at the beginning of last season, his presence in certain games, against certain opponents, would very possibly have made a difference to the results that we had.

"Sometimes you find you have to play a certain way because you are up against certain opponents, and now with Roque in the squad we have added that option to our range for next season.

"We are looking to get the right players in, with the right attitude and mentality as well, and he is an ambitious guy who wants to achieve and feels that he will be able to do that at Manchester City.

"He is made of the right stuff, a strong-willed player of the type that we want to bring in to this club."

yep and Rafa and crew would say if Torres and Stevie G weren't injured half the time, they could have won the league.

[StevieH]

yep and Rafa and crew would say if Torres and Stevie G weren't injured half the time, they could have won the league.

if gerrard and torres had been fit all season we would have won the league. but then also if my auntie had <deleted> she'd be me uncle.

[bkkjames]

yep and Rafa and crew would say if Torres and Stevie G weren't injured half the time, they could have won the league.

if gerrard and torres had been fit all season we would have won the league. but then also if my auntie had <deleted> she'd be me uncle.

that's the best line you have provided the forum all year.

[nev]

yep and Rafa and crew would say if Torres and Stevie G weren't injured half the time, they could have won the league.

if gerrard and torres had been fit all season we would have won the league. but then also if my auntie had <deleted> she'd be me uncle.

IF is a very big word who knows you may have lost more games,you lot said if we had done the double over united we would have won the league well you did this year and finished 4 points behind funny game football,its all done and dusted now for season gone.

we all start on an even footing and i can hoestly say i am really looking forward to this season and think citeh will suprise a fewteams this year andcould even get in the top 4 who knows.