Roberto Mancini, the City manager, has highlighted the crowded domestic programme as the reason for England’s failures at major international tournaments.
The Manchester City manager, preparing for the Carling Cup trip to Arsenal, has voiced his concern after the Football League refused to budge on the timing of the quarter final tie.
Mancini vowed to make eleven changes for the tie, which is being played just 48 hours after a mentally and physically exhausting 1-1 draw with Liverpool.
An appeal to the Premier League to reschedule last Sunday’s fixture was refused due to the television commitments.
The Football League, meanwhile, said the Trade Union rally in London made it impossible to delay the tie by a day, and refused to postpone until January.
Mancini said: We will go to London and we’ll change all the team because this is an incredible situation.
“Arsenal played on Saturday and we play Sunday evening. Monday we travel to London and we play Tuesday night. Incredible.
"This is the reason why the national team arrive for European Championships, World Cups and they are dying.
"The players don’t have time to recover.
“To play again in two days like this so soon after the Champions League is incredible.
"I don’t know who to blame.
"The Premier League should have said something about this.
"It’s important to play but it’s also important to recover.
"You need three days between one game and the other.
“We’ll have the same in January when we play Sunderland on New Year’s Day and then Liverpool in two days.
"Liverpool play three days before us. Is this correct? I don’t think so.”
City had remained silent on the issue until now, but Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish had already voiced disapproval about the schedule and threatened to play a youth side in his game against Chelsea.
“I agree with Kenny. It’s a quarter final and we should play with eleven young players.
"Maybe our 14 or 15 year olds,” added Mancini. “It’s not right for the players, but of course we will try to win the game.”
Mancini has the depth of squad to make the necessary changes, with Owen Hargreaves among those likely to feature at The Emirates Stadium but former Arsenal defender Gaël Clichy is unlikely to start.
Despite the expected changes, Arsène Wenger, the Arsenal manager, is still prepared for a difficult contest and admitted that City have the potential to emulate his legendary ‘Invincibles’ of 2004-05, but insisted they will need luck as well as exceptional stamina to complete a Premier League season unbeaten.
“As long as they have not been beaten then yes [they are capable],” he said.
“It looks unlikely but you never know. You can never really doubt.
“I think in the modern game you need a bit of luck – watching the game against Liverpool they could have been beaten.
“You have to go through the whole winter when you play in the Champions League – we did that. In the FA Cup as well, the semi-finals of the Champions League.
"To do that together is very difficult.
Wenger’s resolve was tested by the summer departure of Samir Nasri, who was able to more than double his wages by moving to City.
“Financially it is impossible to compete with them – on the football pitch it is possible,” he added.
For Arsenal, the Carling Cup offers the chance for redemption following their devastating last-minute loss in last season’s final against Birmingham.
Wenger insisted that Arsenal have since improved and matured but admitted that a 17th consecutive top four finish is the main target rather than simply a trophy.
“We would love to make up for it [losing in the final],” Wenger said.
“When we you are in a competition of course you want to win it. The target is to finish in the top four though.
"What engages the whole future of the club is being in the top four.”
Manchester City fans to get a taste of Europe with Continental market outside the Eithad Stadium
Manchester City are aiming to give their fans a taste of Europe off the pitch - by setting up a Continental market outside the Etihad.
The Blues, in the Champions League for the first time this season, face a nerve-jangling 90 minutes against German giants Bayern Munich next week in a bid to qualify for the next stages.
But even if they don’t, fans will be able to tuck into bratwurst as though they were in Bavaria and crepes as though they were in Cannes at the ‘Match-Day Markets’.
Euro-style stalls will be set up in City Square, kicking off with this weekend's visit of Norwich City.
They will serve food and drink from across the Continent - no doubt to the joy of some of the Blues’ cosmopolitan squad.
But there will also be a taste of home.
The ‘Manchester Egg’ unveiled by the M.E.N. will also be on offer as a pre-match treat for the Blues faithful.
‘Hatched’ by amateur chef Ben Holden last year it consists of a pickled egg wrapped in Bury black pudding and coated in breadcrumbs which is then deep-fried in hot oil and was a star of the Manchester Food and Drink Festival.
To add to the Mancunian theme there will also be an ‘I love Manchester’ stall and stalls specialising in football memorabilia.
Top city centre department store Harvey Nichols will be on hand to offer ‘something for the ladies’ while a Legoland stall should keep junior Blues entertained.
The markets will be at City Square for the Blues' clashes with Norwich, Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Stoke.
They will also be open for City’s Santa Stroll, which takes place on December 4.
In addition to what officials are describing as a ‘winter wonderland’, DJs, sports stars and celebrity guests will remain part of the pre-match build up.
Nick Becker, Head of Event Production for City, said the Blues had taken their inspiration from Albert Square’s annual event.
He added: “The December markets are loved by everyone in Manchester, and with City Square we have the ideal setting to put our stamp on what is a great day out for fans and families alike.”
Man City owner to get top UAE sports award
At third edition of the Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Awards
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs on Sunday was chosen by the Dubai Sports Council as the Local Sports Personality of the Year, the highest of the third edition of the Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Awards.
The Sports Personality of the Arab World was also bestowed on Bahrain's Sheikh Eisa bin Rashid Al Khalifa, the Deputy President of Supreme Council of Youth and Sports in Bahrain.
The announcement was made at a press conference by Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the award, Dr Ahmed Al-Shareef, Secretary General of the Award, members of the panel of judges and members of the Dubai Sports Council.
Sheikh Mansour, also President of Al Jazira Club and the owner of current English Premier League leaders Manchester City FC, was chosen for the highest award from among 135 nominees from 16 countries, in recognition of his success in driving Manchester City FC to become the champions of the English Premier League.
Among the categories of the prestigious award are: Local Sports Personality of the Year, Arab Sports Personality of the Year, Female Sports Personality of the Year, Creativity in Sports - Arab, Creativity in Coaching - Arab, Premier Arab Sports Institution, Innovation in Sports - Local, Distinguished Rookie - Local, Creative Administrator - Local, Premier Local Team, Premier Local Institution, Creativity in Sport Media, Innovation in Sports Development, Creative Sports -International, Ethical Sports Award and Humanitarian Sports Award, Private Sports Institute.
AC Milan would only sign Manchester City's Carlos Tevez on loan
AC Milan say a January deal for Carlos Tevez must be a loan, but Manchester City will only consider a permanent transfer, so unless its permanent just stop wasting everyone's time please!!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15925177.stm
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[/spoiler]OTHER BOLLOX
Chelsea striker Didier Drogba is believed to have rejected a contract offer to stay at the club. However, it is understood he does want to remain at Stamford Bridge, but his agent has also hinted at a move to the US, Russia, Qatar or Asia. Daily Mirror
Sporting Lisbon striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel says he is happy to remain in Portugal despite rumoured interest from Manchester United and Chelsea. Manchester Evening News
Meanwhile, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson could make a move for AZ Alkmaar's Swedish winger Rasmus Elm in the January transfer window. Daily Star
Liverpool are keen on rookie Romanian goalkeeper Valentin Cojocaru, who currently plays for Steaua Bucharest. talkSPORT
Tottenham have stolen a march on Arsenal in the race for DC United starlet Andy Najar after agreeing to take the promising winger on trial during the MLS off season. Metro
Arsenal scouts are watching Cologne and Germany striker Lukas Podolski, who could be available for £20m as he is out of contract in 2013. Daily Mirror
Chelsea are believed to be keen on landing yet another Barcelona youngster as they prepare a swoop for midfielder Sergi Roberto. talkSHIT
Newcastle United scouts have watched Montpellier striker Olivier Giroud and defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa. Daily Mail
Real Madrid midfielder Royston Drenthe is a summer transfer target for Liverpool as they look to swipe the Dutchman from under the noses of current loan club and Merseyside rivals Everton. Footy-latest.com
Morocco international striker Marouane Chamakh could soon be leaving Arsenal as Paris St Germain are understood to be readying a £10m transfer bid. Metro
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is set to discuss his future with owner Ellis Short after the club's poor run in the league. Guardian
Bruce admits he would consider his future at Sunderland if he thought it would help the club. Newcastle Chronicle
Bolton manager Owen Coyle has urged the club's fans to stick by the team following a torrid run of results which has left his side languishing in the Premier League's bottom three. Bolton News
Chelsea assistant boss Roberto Di Matteo says he is happy as Andre Villas-Boas' right-hand man but has refused to guarantee he will stay as assistant manager at Stamford Bridge beyond the end of the season. Daily Telegraph
West Brom midfielder James Morrison has admitted the Baggies' pre-Christmas programme could shape the future of their season. Express & Star
Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny insists Arsenal are not a one man team - despite captain Robin van Persie's recent heroics in front of goal. the Sun
Blackburn manager Steve Kean says he is ready to meet with the club's unhappy fans if he is required to do so. Lancashire Telegraph
Borussia Monchengladbach pair Marco Reus and Mike Hanke found a novel way of deciding who's on free-kick duty by indulging in a game of 'rock, paper, scissors' during their 3-0 win over Cologne. Metro
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BINGO'S XMAS BOLLOX
This is a slow burning fundraiser. We know you have be great so far, but when you have the odd spare £3, buy a card and have a chance of winning some great prizes.The Bingo B*ll*x game cards will now be on sale until December 9th, 8pm.
To purchase at the very reasonable price of £3 a card, upon making a donation, please state on remittance BXB*. The * indicates the amount of cards you want to buy, for example you may want to donate £10 to Bingo's wedding fund and get 3 bingo cards so you would enter thus ... [b]BXB3 The Bingo Caller will visit http://www.Mancityfans.net on Monday 12th until Wednesday 14th December (so hopefully prizes will arrive by xmas) You will be contacted via PM after the Bingo Caller has confirmed your payment.
As a token of our esteem any fine members that have already donated £20 or more may apply to the Bingo Caller for a FREE entry on us at B*ll*x Towers, further information on this offer will be issued this weekend.
At present the Prize fund stands as follows:
2 tickets (accomodation etc not included) for a top gig at Hampton Court Palace in June/July 2012 (confirmation of act in the next week or so)
A selection of signed Match/Shoot pictures (Man City 70's, 80's stars)
Signed Bert Trautman 1956 cup winners book.
Loads of other donated spot prizes etc to be announced as the week goes on ...
plus
Patrick's defaced T-shirt (we are trying to get this signed by someone very famous people we might know)
TBC - Two invites to an impending wedding (again accomodation/travel not supplied with date to be confirmed)
GET DONATING!!! New stuff added all the time ... donate/buy now ... it's a cracking cause
