Sunday's B*ll*x (updated)

[Chinners]

*** OFFICIAL BOLLOX ***
So how many of United’s team would Roberto Mancini want in his City starting XI?
That’s an interesting question posed by Hugh McIIvanney in this morning’s Sunday Times. Recalling his meeting with Sir Alex Ferguson not long after the Blues’ 5-1 Maine Road win in 1989, the veteran broadcaster and journalist writes:
“I was unsurprised to find him coming across as a man grimly defiant under siege. Similar resilience would obviously be summoned in the wake of the even more devastating defeat suffered against the current City side last weekend.
“No doubt Sir Alex’s thinking is far too positive to entertain a bleak speculation that is hovering in the minds of some of us. It concerns how many, or rather how few, of United’s players Roberto Mancini would be keen to accommodate in his team.”
That’s one to ponder over your Sunday dinner!
Aside from the match reports of City’s 3-1 win over Wolves, there are one or two nuggets to be found elsewhere, most notably in The Sunday Express where Mike Summerbee compares the 1967/68 Blues with today’s talented crop.
In Johns Richardson’s feature, Buzzer gives a lengthy interview and says he doesn’t think he’d even get in today’s EDS team, even if he was still playing at his peak.
“Summerbee – a member of City’s ‘Holy Trinity’ alongside Colin Bell and Francis Lee which landed the league title, FA Cup, League Cup and European Cup Winners’ Cup between 1968 and 1970 – insists the class of 2011 have the edge on his golden era.
“’I thought I could play a bit in my day but I don’t think I could get in this team. I might even struggle to get into the second team the way we are performing at the minute!’”
Buzzer is interviewed at length and it’s well worth a read, too. And there is another puzzle for you to discuss – how many of the golden era City side would Roberto pick?
That, surely, is a harder question than the one Hugh McIIvanney set at the start of today’s media round-up
mcfc.co.uk

MIKE SUMMERBEE’S GLORY-GRABBERS NO MATCH FOR NEW MANCHESTER CITY
MIKE SUMMERBEE admits to being transfixed by Manchester City’s swashbuckling football and believes he would even struggle to gain a place in the current second team.
Summerbee – a member of City’s ‘holy trinity’ alongside Colin Bell and Franny Lee which landed the League title, the FA Cup, the League Cup and the European Cup Winners Cup between 1968 and 1970 – insists the class of 2011 have the edge on his golden era.
He stated: “I thought I could play a bit in my day but I don’t think I could get in this team. I might even struggle to get into the second team the way we are performing at the minute.
“Yes, I do think this is better than the Bell, Lee, Summerbee era. I know we won things but this side is capable of doing even better. They have started by placing the FA Cup in the trophy cabinet.”
As club ambassador, the former England international looked down with pride from the Old Trafford directors’ box last Sunday as City demolished their great rivals 6-1.
He dared not think what his great mate George Best would have made of it, but gave credit to the way manager Roberto Mancini carried himself amid Manchester United’s debris.
“I thought his reaction was very good in his interviews. There was no gloating at all. The players also handled the situation well and that’s what it’s all about,” he said.
Summerbee, now a sprightly 68-year-old, revealed he and former team-mates Lee and Tony Book have been blown away on occasions by City’s attacking frenzies.
He added: “We have been unplayable going forward at times. There was one moment when I looked at Francis and Tony and we just shook our heads and smiled.
“It’s incredible how quickly this team moves forward. The speed is frightening. You have to remember the playing conditions are better now. In my day, the pitches could be like cabbage patches at certain times of the season.
“There have been some dark days since those times when we were successful but there’s no need to look back.
“This is a fresh, exciting era and one I am pleased to be involved in.”
For that he pays credit to former chief executive Garry Cook, who resigned his post over an inappropriate email.
“When he was here, he gave me the opportunity to be the club’s ambassador,” Summerbee explained.
“This club looks after the old guys, people like Tony Book. They look after all the old players, which is fantastic.
“It should be remembered that Garry Cook has done so much for this club.”
City face Villarreal on Wednesday night in Spain, with Summerbee confident that Mancini’s side can qualify from the Champions League group of death. “I think we can do well in both the Premier League and the Champions League,” he said. “We knew it was a tough group.
“Everyone has some difficult results, as we have. Look at Manchester United only drawing at home to FC Basel.
“I am confident we have the players to take us to the next stage because some of them have already played at this level for other clubs.”
Then there is the calming influence of manager Mancini.
Summerbee added: “He is very well organised and knows what he is doing. I am a great admirer of him.
“He has great experience and was a superb international footballer in his own right.
“As a manager, he has been successful in Serie A with Inter Milan. What more can you ask for? His pedigree is excellent.”
Mancini insists the Spaniards, who were only beaten by Sergio Aguero’s last-gasp goal at the Etihad Stadium, will be dangerous despite losing former Manchester United striker Giuseppe Rossi with a cruciate knee injury.
Mancini said: “We will go for a win but it’s a difficult place. I have played there for Inter Milan and lost, while Manchester United haven’t won there.”
David Silva, City’s outstanding performer this season, returns to Spain with reports that both Barcelona and Real Madrid are interested in bringing him back to his homeland.
But Mancini added: “David is one of the top players at the moment, but when we bought him Barcelona and Real Madrid could have talked to him but didn’t.
“Now he plays for us and he is content to play here for a long time. We want to reach the next stage of the competition. I am confident because we have done well in the last 10 days.”CITY SLICKER: Mike Summerbee (below) believes Sergio Aguero (above) and co can be even more successful than the side he played for

NAPOLI WANT CARLOS TEVEZ SWAP
NAPOLI are looking at a move for Carlos Tevez after being told by Manchester City that they have no chance of signing Mario Balotelli.
The Italian club were keen on the in-form Balotelli but now realise there is no chance of prising him away from the Etihad Stadium with him among the goals for their Champions League group rivals.
But with City boss Roberto Mancini eyeing three Napoli stars, the club are hoping that they can land Tevez in a swap deal.
Mancini’s top target in Naples is striker Ezequiel Lavezzi but he is also a big admirer of fellow frontman Edinson Cavani and playmaker Marek Hamsik.
Napoli want to keep their top players, but would consider releasing one of them if City rebel Tevez was in the deal.
That would mean Argentinian Tevez joining the club at which his hero Diego Maradona was such a success.
At the moment, though, Napoli are behind fellow Serie A sides AC Milan and Juventus in the queue to snap up Tevez in January.
And his former club in Brazil, Corinthians, remain in the frame for the controversial star.
A potential stumbling block for Napoli would be the striker’s City pay packet of £200,000-a-week – but that is a problem for all the interested clubs.

BALOTELLI HAILS MANCINI
Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli believes he is starting to find his best form and has thanked Roberto Mancini for keeping faith in him.
Balotelli produced arguably his best performance for City in last weekend's derby demolition of Manchester United with two goals at Old Trafford.
The controversial forward has endured a turbulent time at City since arriving from Inter Milan in the summer of 2010, but he believes City fans are now seeing the real him.
"I'm happy, I train good and I feel good and that's how it should be always," Balotelli told the Mail on Sunday.
"I'm getting better all the time. The real Mario is coming now and it isn't the same Mario as last year.
"I think I did OK before my injury, but this year is going to be better, I hope."
Balotelli puts his improved form down to the influence of Mancini who also worked with the Italian international during his time in charge of Inter Milan.
"With Mancini I feel very comfortable. I've known him a long time and he's a good manager," added Balotelli.
"He believes in me - even when no one in England believed in me, he did. And he kept on believing in me. I want to do something important here with him."
Balotelli has also won praise from England coach Fabio Capello with the Italian feeling the 21-year-old has matured.
"He is a player of immense class," noted Capello. "He can make a great player and has the desire on the pitch and in training. He is not the person he was a while ago.
"He accepts decisions and he has put himself out to work for the team."

Kolarov: Wolves win vital to title chargeAleksandar Kolarov has stressed the importance of Manchester City’s win against Wolves, claiming they must be able to pick up wins against the smaller sides in the Premier League if they want to win the title.
Roberto Mancini’s side retained their five-point cushion at the top of the table after a 3-1 victory and continued their unbeaten start to the season which has seen them installed as early favourites to win a first top-flight title in 43 years.
But Kolarov was also quick to remind his teammates that they must not get carried away by their form in the opening ten games, saying they must keep working hard if they want to achieve their ultimate aim of title glory.
He said: “We played well, we deserved to win. They came here just to defend and in this kind of game you need to be patient and keep the ball.
“These types of games are important if you want to win the title. It is difficult but we need to improve every game and to work hard. We know that every game is very hard.
“We are in a good moment now but we need to work hard every day and to keep our feet

[spoiler]Nasri's girlfriend, Tennis player Tatiana Golovin
[/spoiler]

OTHER BOLLOX
Juventus's Serbian midfielder Milos Krasic has dismissed interest from Manchester United and insists he is happy with the Italian giants. Metro

Manchester United are planning a £10m bid to hijack Chelsea's move for Genk midfielder Kevin De Bruyne after positive reports from scouts. Caught offside

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson may turn to Barcelona's former Liverpool hero Javier Mascherano to solve his midfield problems. Caught offside

Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Borussia Dortmund midfielder Mario Goetze for a fee of about £17.5m. Footie-online.co.uk

Tottenham's Gareth Bale could be next on the shopping list for big-spending Russian outfit Anzhi Makhachkala as they plan an "outrageous" offer for the Welshman. Footie-online.co.uk

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is "looking for a good offer" for striker Roman Pavlyuchenko with a number of players, including Heurelho Gomes, set to leave White Hart Lane in January. Metro

Gomes could be set for a move home to Brazil as he grows frustrated at sitting on the bench. Daily Mirror

Arsene Wenger is eyeing Ajax and Belgium defender Jan Vertonghen as a possible January signing to reinforce his injury-prone defence. Footie-online.co.uk

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admitted he was as surprised as anyone to see Robin van Persie hit a hat-trick against Chelsea. talkSHIT

Barcelona's Cesc Fabregas has proved he hasn't lost any fondness for Arsenal as he praised his former team-mates on Twitter after their win at Chelsea. Metro

Former Arsenal boss George Graham has been impressed by summer signing Gervinho and how well he has settled in. talkSHIT

West Ham's Carlton Cole looks set for a return to action against Bristol City following a month out with a knee injury. Daily Express

Burnley manager Eddie Howe has dismissed talk of managing Portsmouth. Daily Express

Former Liverpool and West Ham defender Julian Dicks has applied for the vacant managerial post at Darlington. Daily Mirror

Former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann has backed the Reds to finish in the top four this season. talkSHIT

Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey has urged team-mate Emmanuel Frimpong's followers on Twitter to make him stick to his bet and dye his hair pink after the Gunners' amazing 5-3 win over rivals Chelsea. Metro

Wayne Rooney may have a less-than-friendly relationship with Everton fans but he used Twitter to pay tribute to them after Manchester United's 1-0 win at Goodison Park. Metro

[Chinners]

De Jong delighted with City decision
Manchester City midfielder Nigel de Jong believes his decision to join the club has been justified. Manchester City midfielder Nigel de Jong believes his decision to join the club has been justified.
The Netherlands international joined City in 2009, playing his part in the club's 2011 FA Cup title, qualification for the Champions League and now early lead in the 2010/11 English Premier League title.
He told The Sunday Mirror: "Everyone thought I was mad (when I joined). Why did I prefer Man City above other clubs?"
"But (owner) Sheikh Mansour's people sold the club and their ambitions very well to me."
"They told me we were going to buy big players and we would be making big steps in a couple of seasons. Everything they said was solid."
"They literally said to me, 'Within four years, we will have a team that will play for the league title'. And this season is the first year that is happening."
"I really think we can go and become the new champions of England."
The former Hamburg midfielder believes the spending which has helped turn City around has also made English football more competitive.
"You just have to look at Liverpool and Arsenal. They have lost what I call their subscriptions to a place in the top four. They now have severe competition from other clubs," he said.
"First, it came from Chelsea. Now we are a competitor too. Arsenal and Liverpool are forced to consider making new signings to strengthen their teams."
"They can't survive in the top four with a modest transfer policy or just a couple of ordinary signings."
"There are six or seven teams who can fight for the four top places in the Premier League now."
But De Jong does not believe the spending of owner Sheikh Mansour is an unhealthy prospect, arguing that it has helped to increase the quality on show for fans.
"If City had not started this development project at Eastlands, the European transfer market would be dead now. We are creating a bigger gap between the bigger and smaller clubs in the league," the Ajax product said.
"But the big advantage is that the public get to see an incredibly high level of football each week."

Martin Samuel believes PFA chief Gordon Taylor should have handled the Carlos Tevez saga differently.
The chief executive of the players' union represented the Argentina striker during his disciplinary hearing at Manchester City after he was accused of refusing to warm up during their Champions League game against Bayern Munich.
The PFA also forced the club to reduce the four-week fine that City had imposed on the player because, according to their regulations, a club may impose a maximum sanction of two weeks' wages unless the circumstances are exceptional.
A PFA statement insisted there was "no justification" for a bigger fine and maintained their support for Tevez, but Samuel feels they handled the situation badly.
The Daily Mail's chief sports writer feels Tevez should be condemned for his apparent actions and while Taylor has a duty to protect players from unfair punishments, he did not need to criticise City as much as he did.
"What he is trying to protect is the right of footballers to have a disciplinary structure in their dealings with clubs," Samuel explained.
"What he will think is that if he turns a blind eye to this one then when it's a left-back at Port Vale and they fine him six months' money then the guy's got no redress and no way of defending himself. If the PFA step in on his behalf they will just clam: 'you didn't do anything about Tevez'. This is what he's protecting.
"I can understand why he wants to protect the rules that he's got, but the statement that he made condemned Manchester City in quite strong terms. I thought that was unnecessary.
"Gordon Taylor could have taken a middle ground, a third way by saying: 'We have got to try and protect the disciplinary process, but at the same time I can understand that this is really serious. This is above and beyond most of the cases we look at. Whilst we defend this, we certainly don't appear to be on the side of someone who is refusing to warm up for his manager.'"
The reduced fine has been reported as a triumph for the player over the club, but Samuel believes the situation could actually work in City's favour.
He believes the outrage felt by many supporters towards the PFA over their handling of the issue will put the club in a stronger position.
He said: "I read that this was a big defeat for City; that they tried to impose this fine and they weren't allowed to. The PFA stepped in and said 'no, you can only do this'.
"This was supposedly a big defeat for City, but I don't think it was. I think it was a big defeat for the PFA.
"The only way it can be a defeat for City from here on is if they lose the support of their fans and of neutrals, people who love football and are looking at this situation. The only way City can lose from now on is if they do something that alienates those people.
"All that happened this week was that the PFA had everybody united, looking at this and thinking the PFA are totally wrong.

mancityfans thread (including actual footage of above): viewtopic.php?f=119&t=35151&start=225