Sunday's B*l**x (updated)

[Chinners]

here's . . .


Teenage kicks: Derby won't sell Will Hughes to Manchester City for £10m
Champions have sent scouts to watch the 17-year-old on several occasions but the Rams are holding out for more money

Derby are adamant that starlet Will Hughes will not be leaving this month despite Manchester City stepping up their interest in the highly-rated midfielder, writes the Sunday People.
Roberto Mancini’s No.2 David Platt went to Brighton last weekend to watch the 17-year-old in action.
And top City scouts were due to run further checks on him yesterday in the East Midlands derby against Nottingham Forest at Pride Park.
City’s presence at Derby’s matches has prompted reports that a £10million offer – that could include an Etihad player moving in the opposite direction – will be tabled this month.
But Sunday People Sport understands that Derby consider that figure well short of Hughes’s true value and even a higher bid would be rejected. Nigel Clough’s side are still in the hunt for the play-offs and want Hughes to help them win promotion. Mirror

Contract killer: Homesick Carlos Tevez turns down new Manchester City deal
Argentine striker intends to see out the last 18months of his deal before returning to play for boyhood idols Boca Juniors

Carlos Tevez has ­rejected Manchester City’s offer of a new ­contract.
The Argentine has told the Premier League ­champions that he will see out the last 18 months of his current deal before leaving the Etihad on a free transfer to play for his boyhood heroes Boca Juniors.
Tevez revealed in an ­interview in Argentina that he has turned down City’s offer of a two-year extension.
And after playing his way back into the hearts of the fans after his AWOL antics 12 months ago, the 28-year-old has risked their wrath again by ­admitting he would ­rather have played for Boca in the Buenos Aires derby against River Plate than line up for Roberto ­Mancini’s men against Fulham.
Tevez said: “I’ve got a year left on my contract at ­Manchester City and they want me to sign for two more ­seasons.
“I would prefer to return home, but it is very ­difficult because City won’t let me leave for nothing.
“I will stay in Europe for another two years and then go back.
“Boca’s president always says the door is open for me to rejoin them and I am dying to pull on their shirt once more.
“I want to end my career with them. It is my dream and the dream of my ­family as well. I would love to be playing for them against River Plate. I’d prefer that to City’s game against Fulham.
“But I am under contract and have to be here in England.”
Tevez became a hero at the Etihad when he ­rejected the chance to s­tay with Manchester United to join City in 2009.
But a dispute with ­Mancini over his role as a substitute in a Champions League tie at Bayern ­Munich last season prompted him to decamp back to Argentina and he was fined more than £10million in wages.
Tevez admitted: “I ­almost retired last year.
“I had lost the desire to play and spent time ­crying alone in my room.
“Bad things happened one after the other. I was knocked out of the Copa America with Argentina and I had my dispute with Roberto Mancini.
“I suffered psychologically. I did not want ­anything more to do with football.”
Tevez added: “I am much better now.
“I am winning people over because I began the new season well.
“Although my form dipped, I am on my way back. I have lost weight and I can run faster.”
“I still don’t like being substituted. I am a hot-blooded individual, but at least I now understand the manager’s reasons.
“In the past I used to call him every name under the sun, but now I ­understand he does it for the good of the team.” Mirror

Don't lie for me Argentina: Tevez claims City lied AND he nearly quit football
Manchester City forward Carlos Tevez has revealed that he nearly retired from football last season in the midst of his Manchester City and Argentina crisis.
The controversial forward dropped the bombshell on Argentine radio show Rock and Closs, revealing: "Last year I seriously thought about giving up football because of everything that happened with the national team and Mancini."
Tevez went on to describe his rollercoaster relationship with Roberto Mancini as "cordial".
Discussing the row that so nearly ended his career at the club, the striker was keen to express how much he had changed in the last year.
He said: "I am hot-blooded, I don't like to be substituted or be on the bench."
"Before when they took me off or I didn't play I would insult them, [but] now I am much calmer.
"I lack that hunger for goals; now I am thinking of supporting the move or providing the assist."
With that in mind, the 28 year-old is looking to get his international career back on track, adding to his 62 caps for the first time since his missed penalty saw Argentina eliminated from the Copa America in 2011, saying: "I am good enough for the national team because I've recovered the desire to play football, because I'm well mentally."

When asked about the events that saw him take a period of leave without absence from Manchester City, Tevez insists that he was not being forced out by the Blues, but felt he didn't get enough support from the club.
He said: "Nobody kicked me out of City, they sent me to play in the reserves and I didn't want to, so I found myself on my own."
Roberto Mancini famously declared that the striker was "finished" at the club and Tevez was accused of not caring about the club that paid him such astronomical wages. The striker was quick to refute any such claims:
"I DO play for the shirt, people here at City lied," he said.
Tevez finished by speaking about his future, and when he would return to Argentina.
"It is my desire to return to Boca, but it's very difficult.
"I'm dying to wear the shirt of Boca again, but with the contract that I have here it's very difficult for me to leave.
"It is what I want... I would rather play Boca - River [Argentina's biggest rivalry] than against Fulham."

JAMES MILNER’S BOND TO THE ETIHAD

MAN CITY are planning to reward in-form James Milner with a new contract.
The England midfielder, 27, will have two years remaining on his current deal at the end of the season.
But summer talks are likely to see that agreement extended by two or three years.
Milner will also receive a pay rise, even though City have scaled-down salaries to conform with UEFA’s financial fair-play rules.
The ex-Leeds United, Newcastle United and Aston Villa star will see his weekly wage jump by £10,000 – to £80,000.

MANCHESTER TITLE RACE
PTS +4 GD +1

Manchester City's Mario Balotelli in Milan move – if price is right
Milan want Balotelli but £31m price is stumbling block • More talks with Manchester City scheduled for Monday

Mario Balotelli's turbulent spell at Manchester City seems more likely to fizzle out in a swift January exit than end in fireworks after the Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani confirmed his club's interest in the Italy striker who adorned Euro 2012 but has so often proved an encumbrance to his long-suffering manager Roberto Mancini.
The deal that would see the 22-year-old return to Serie A and the club of his choice hinges on the Premier League defending champions' asking price of €37m (£31m). Balotelli's off-field antics – ranging from training ground fisticuffs to pyrotechnic mishaps – have raised questions about his temperament at City. But Galliani said Milan were still eager to sign the player, provided the price is right. He told Gazzetta dello Sport: "At the end of Friday, Manchester City still said €37m. We will see on Monday. Under these conditions, he will remain at Manchester City."
The Rossoneri are also seeking to re-hire one of their former players, the Real Madrid midfielder Kaká whose spell in La Liga has been less than dazzling. Again, however, there is a cash caveat: Galliani says the 30-year-old's capture will require "great effort" from all parties – the Brazilian must take a pay cut.
"Everyone must make a great effort: Milan, Real Madrid and Kaká," he said. "Much depends on [the player's] economic sacrifice. I have up days and down days. At the moment it is down because I look at the taxation – that kills. In Italy, no player earns more than €5m net."

AC Milan reveal price tag for Manchester City striker
Milan transfer chief Adriano Galliani spoke about Kaka and reveals Manchester City have a £24m price-tag for Mario Balotelli. “We’ll talk about it if that price drops.”
The club had previously denied interest in Balotelli, but the director confirmed they made enquiries within the last 24 hours and were given a price by the English Champions.
“Balotelli? We can talk about it if that price drops. Up until last night it was staying firm at €37m and at these conditions it is impossible.”
Galliani is also in negotiations with Real Madrid to take Kaka on loan if he halves his wages.
“It is a very complicated operation and for it to go through we need all three parties to make sacrifices. President Silvio Berlusconi is enthusiastic about the move.”

Twitchy - "I tried to sign Balotelli"
Harry Redknapp has revealed he tried to sign Mario Balotelli while he was Tottenham manager and has predicted a great future for the Italian.
Balotelli guided Italy into the final of Euro 2012 by scoring both goals in the 2-1 victory over Germany.
The 21-year-old is a volatile character and had a turbulent season although he ultimately secured a Barclays Premier League winners' medal with Manchester City.
Redknapp said: "You never know what you're going to get with Mario Balotelli but one thing is certain - he is a major talent. He stunned Germany in the Euro 2012 semi-final and his second goal was fantastic.
"I actually tried to sign him for Tottenham before he went to Manchester City. I'd admired him for a while and I went over to Italy to watch him play. I was impressed and I met up with him too.
"We wanted him on a loan deal but his club weren't keen and it never happened. Shame because he's definitely got it and, at only 21-years-old, he'll be terrorising defenders for many seasons to come."

Helen Flanagan's love hell: I'm A Celebrity star's boyfriend Scott Sinclair sick of her clingy behaviour
Emotional breakdowns in the Aussie jungle led to footballer suffering merciless mickey-taking from team-mate
I’M a Celebrity star Helen Flanagan is battling to save her three-year romance with her Premier League boyfriend.
Friends of the couple say their love is on the rocks because Manchester City’s Scott Sinclair is sick of her “clingy” behaviour.
The ex-Coronation Street beauty wants to settle down and have children, but pals claim cracks in the relationship appeared after the player’s move from Swansea City last year.
The rift deepened after her emotional breakdowns in the Aussie jungle led to Scott, 23, suffering merciless mickey-taking from team-mates.
A source said: “Things are extremely strained. It looks as though it might have run its course.
“They were happy in Swansea, but after the move, whenever Scott went out, Helen would demand to know where he was at all times.
MORE: http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/hele ... im-1546427

[spoiler]Helen Flanagan's where facts meet fiction bollox
Helen's character has aspired to be a glamour model.
Nominated for a British Soap Award for Best Dramatic Performance from a Young Actor or Actress in 2006.
She was once in a scene that saw her tied to a bed in just black lingerie. You're going to Google that now...
She has previously been linked to footballers Micah Richards and Scott Sinclair.

http://bcove.me/5jvgi21j

"I'm really proud of my boobs. I never had boobs when I was young, so I'm grateful I've got a voluptuous chest now. It has a lot of power! Guys always talk to my chest, but I find it quite endearing."

[/spoiler]

It's a STRIP-OFF: Manchester City blasted for selling FIVE different kits in one season
Dedicated fans would have to cough up £236 for all three team shirts and two souvenir jerseys
Champions Manchester City are selling supporters a staggering FIVE strips this season – the most of any Premier League club.

Dedicated fans would have to cough up £236 for all three team shirts, above, and two souvenir jerseys, the Sunday People has reported.
Last night Man City were blasted by their own supporters club, whose secretary Kevin Parker branded third kits “unnecessary”.
He added: “Most fans would be happy with just home and away strips.”
The shirt table was based on ads from all 20 clubs’ websites.
Nine of the clubs sell a third-choice kit – which their stars might wear in just a handful of games.
Supporters Direct said: “Clubs are ­taking unfair advantage of hard-pressed fans’ good nature.
"The big question is how long the supporters will put up with it.”
The top 10, with number of shirts and total cost, is:
1 Man C, 5, £236; 2 Chelsea, 4, £195; 3 Spurs, 4, £192; 4 Fulham, 3, £147.97; 5 Newcastle, 3, £129.98; 6 QPR, 3, £128.97; 7 Wigan, 3, £119.97; 8 Liverpool, 3, £105; 9 Everton, 3, £90; 10 Man U, 2, £100.

Another classic from the Mirror .... like Man Utd only have two kits ... tsk

GOLDEN BOLLOX 20-1-2011
Monaco lining up £9million Adebayor
Manchester City misfit Emmanuel Adebayor has been cleared to talk to his old club Monaco about a cut-price £9million transfer.
Adebayor has no part to play now in Roberto Mancini’s plans, and the 26-year-old striker could be sold to the French outfit before the weekend – with City ready to take a massive hit on the £25m fee they paid Arsenal for him in July 2009.
Monaco are willing to take on Adebayor’s king-sized salary - as they will be helped by the fact that the principality has a tax-free status.
That means the Togo international could pocket around £100,000 a week and not lose out.
Adebayor is seeking a pay-off from City to go, but the mega-rich club are ­optimistic of shifting him out.
He is becoming an expensive luxury item in reserve.
City still have Adebayor under contract until the summer of 2014. If he lasted the distance, it would cost City around £20m in wages – so they will just put him down as an expensive mistake.
Monaco are clear ­favourites in the chase, as they are the only club willing to both accommodate Adebayor’s wages and pay a fee him.
City have searched for takers at home and abroad without success.
There is Premier League interest in taking the player on loan, but that is only a temporary solution to City’s problems with their unwanted forward.
Adebayor had four years with Monaco as a ­youngster before being brought to England by Arsene Wenger in January 2006. He still has friends in the south of France and is open to the idea of a full-time return to the area.

Meanwhile, teenage sensation Romelu Lukaku remains an Anderlecht player after premature claims he had already signed for City.
Reports in Belgium’s ­Sport/Foot said the 17-year-old striker agreed a deal to move to Eastlands in July for around £17m.
The magazine stated: “Lukaku has already reached an agreement with City for a transfer in July.”
But it has now emerged the race for Lukaku is still very much open.
Real Madrid, Manchester United, Arsenal and AC Milan are all keen

SNUB COUNT - 201

LOVEBITES AND EVERYTHING BOLLOX
PAUL MERSON: 'PEP'S SNUB OPENS THE DOOR FOR JOSE TO LORD IT AT CITY'
PEP GUARDIOLA’S decision to manage Bayern Munich next season has left clubs across Europe disappointed.
Manchester City and Chelsea were desperate to get him, and so were so many other teams, it’s ridiculous. I’ve never seen anything like it before.
He was linked with Inter Milan, AC Milan, Paris Saint Germain, Manchester United – even the Qatari national team.
The people behind the scenes at City will probably be the most disappointed because they would have offered him the earth to go there.
But perhaps Chelsea fans should be – because what does their club do now?
I can’t see Jose Mourinho going back there. With his ego, he’s probably still thinking, ‘How did you sack me?’
In fact, I can see him ending up at City next season, so he can come back to the Premier League and show Roman Abramovich how wrong he was.
How sick would that make Chelsea fans feel?
The City job is still the one that looks the most attractive to me. If Roberto Mancini goes, you can only take that club forward.
With the money they’ve got, the players they’ve got, and the things they haven’t done – like win the Champions League – it has to be the best job around.
That’s why I was flabbergasted Guardiola did what he did. I could not believe it when I heard the news.
I mean, Bayern have basically won their league. They could win the Champions League as well this season. How do you follow that?
I know they’re a big club. But German football is not the greatest. The Premier League is still the best league in the world. Maybe Guardiola didn’t fancy it.
Maybe he looked at the amount of times the big clubs slip up against sides down the bottom and thought, ‘That’s not for me.'
There are no guarantees he would have been a success here.
It’s the hardest league in the world and it’s very different to what he was used to in Spain.
He was coaching the best team ever after all, and he had the world’s best player as well in Lionel Messi.
I do think he has amazing ideas though, and it’s that vision that attracted many of Europe’s top clubs to him. They want him to build something.
He was at Barcelona from a young age and has seen everything at that club. He knows how it runs from the youth team up. That’s what Bayern Munich want from him.
Whether he’s successful remains to be seen. But his decision is a disaster for Chelsea.
Rafa Benitez probably thinks he can keep the job now. But I would be shocked if he gets it long term. I mean it’s possible, but I don’t think he has anybody on his side right now.
I was there to see them blow a two-goal lead and draw at home to Southampton, when he took off Frank Lampard and threw on Fernando Torres.
I could not understand what on earth he was doing. Sometimes I think he does it on purpose, just to spite the fans. Is he trying to wind them up?
If he is, he’s doing a good job of it! I honestly can’t tell sometimes whether it’s a joke or not. It’s like he thinks, ‘The fans won’t tell me what to do.'
I literally sat there and thought, ‘What are you doing?’ when he made that substitution. It was extraordinary – and some of his players must have been thinking the same thing.
I bet they were gutted when they found out Guardiola won’t be coming.
I cannot think of another time when a manager has been so sought after. It must be the first time ever.
So well done to Bayern for getting him - but I'm still shocked it's happened.

SNUB COUNT - 202

City cut in on Daniel deal
MANCHESTER CITY are due to receive a £1.7million cheque from Chelsea after Daniel Sturridge completed his £12million move to Liverpool last week.
The former City trainee has scored 3 goals in his opening 3 games so sharp eyed readers will deduce thats 1 a game so nothing like the heroics of the City player who scored 7 in one game ... YES 7 (SEVEN).The tribunal which ruled on Sturridge’s 2009 move to Chelsea ordered them to pay City 15 per cent of any future transfer profit.Sun

Time for Arsenal to turn back the clock to the times of Vieira, Keown and Adams and get physical, says Wenger
Manager Arsene Wenger feels it could be time for Arsenal to turn back the clock to get 'a bit more physical and aggressive' as they look to force themselves back into the top four of the Barclays Premier League.
The Gunners head to Chelsea tomorrow to take on a team against which, last season apart, they had struggled to match in terms of strength on the ball.
Wenger's great Invincibles side never had such problems, with the likes of Tony Adams, Martin Keown, Emmanuel Petit and Patrick Vieira coming out on top in the duels, his players receiving more than their fare share of red cards since he took over in September 1996.
The French coach believes while Arsenal's new generation have taken their game to another level in terms of finesse, an added edge would not go a miss.
'Maybe we have to go back a little bit, not less technical but a bit more physical and aggressive,' said Wenger, who yesterday was boosted by the confirmation Theo Walcott had finally signed a contract extension.
'I think that when [referees] see Arsenal on the sheet, they say "oh fantastic" [to referee them].
'This side are physical players, but we have to restructure the balance of the team a little bit.
'The players have the character to do it. The [likes of] [Jack] Wilshere are technical players, but they are also physical players.'
Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany was shown a red card in last weekend's 2-0 Premier League victory at Emirates Stadium for a challenge on Wilshere, which referee Mike Dean viewed as leading with both feet off the ground and dangerous.
That decision was subsequently overturned on appeal by the Football Association.
Wenger feels the art of tackling is in danger of being lost.
'Tackling is a technique,' he said.
'I don't think that Kompany wanted to hurt Wilshere. I think it was a clumsy tackle, and technically a bad tackle and it can be seen as a red card.
'For me, the tackle facing the player is one leg on the ground, and the other leg is bent, where you can see that you give a pass when you intercept the ball - the guy that jumps in with two legs doesn't know where he finishes.
'I believe that a full-back who tackles and wins the ball back with one leg, and gets up with the ball, it is an art.'

Chelsea have struggled for consistency in recent weeks, failing to win any of their three home games this year - which have included two defeats.
Following the 2-2 draw with Southampton on Wednesday night, after his side had blown a two-goal lead, interim manager Rafael Benitez again came in for criticism from some sections of the Stamford Bridge faithful.
With Didier Drogba having left after their European Cup triumph, and the future of long-serving midfielder Frank Lampard uncertain, the Blues are viewed as a club in transition.
Wenger, though, does not feel the regeneration of the squad will have a major impact on Roman Abramovich's plans for continued progress.
'They have the financial potential to rebuild the team, which they are doing,' the Arsenal manager said.
'They lost some historical players, like happened to us. It's difficult [to rebuild], but there is still a good cheque book.
'Chelsea have bought great players. They bought Luiz, they bought Hazard, they bought Mata.'
Abramovich has a history of wasting no time in making changes at the top, with Roberto di Matteo removed earlier this season despite having won both the FA Cup and Champions League.
Wenger said: 'They are so high on a financial planet that you can always get what you need.' DSSC

Ashley Cole has reached an agreement on a new contract at Chelsea.
While the deal has not yet been officially signed, the formalities are expected to be completed early next week, with reports suggesting the contract is a one-year extension.
The news ends speculation about the 32-year-old's future. His current deal is set to expire at the end of the season.
Frank Lampard is also out of contract at the end of the season, but looks increasingly likely to leave Chelsea.
Despite coming towards the end of a glittering career, Cole is still regarded as one of the best left-backs in the world.
The defender had been widely expected to leave Stamford Bridge. Shortly after taking over as Chelsea boss, Rafa Benitez was asked whether he thought Cole and Frank Lampard , 34, would be leaving the club when their contracts expired.
"I think so, I think that's the case at the moment," he replied.
And Paris Saint-Germain - whose boss, Carlo Ancelotti, managed Cole at Chelsea - have been strongly linked with the England player.
Cole has won 99 England caps and has been a fixture in the Chelsea defence since moving to Stamford Bridge from Arsenal in 2006.
Since what was widely regarded as a controversial move, Cole has won one Premier League title, four FA Cups, one League Cup and last May lifted the first European Cup of his career.

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard is set to move to the United States and join LA Galaxy. Galaxy want the 34-year-old for the start of the new MLS season but the Blues could insist on keeping the midfielder until the end of the Premier League season in May. Sunday Express

But Lampard could still end up moving to Italian side AC Milan. People

However, Lampard's England career could be in jeopardy if he moves to Los Angeles rather than staying at Chelsea or moving to Milan. DSSC

Barcelona are expected to move to re-sign Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina in the summer after Victor Valdes's announcement last week that he will not be renewing his contract. DSSC

Alternatively, Barcelona are prepared to offer up to £10m for Chelsea's Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, 20. Metro

Manchester United's bid to sign Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha, 20, is on the brink of collapse after Palace rejected a £10m bid. Sunday Mirror

Barcelona are prepared to offer up to £10m for Chelsea's Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, 20. Metro

Stoke have told Swansea they will have to pay £4.5m if they want to sign the Potters' 28-year-old Trinidad & Tobago international striker Kenwyne Jones. Daily Star

Sunderland are lining up a loan deal for Lazio's Argentine ­forward Mauro Zarate, 25. Sunday People

West Ham have yet to agree a new deal with midfielder Mohamed Diame, 25, and he could join Arsenal before the end of the transfer window. Metro

Newcastle are chasing Bastia midfielder Florian Thauvin, 19, but face competition from Arsenal. Newcastle Chronicle

Arsene Wenger will be offered a £30m deal to leave Arsenal and join Paris Saint-Germain this summer, with current PSG boss Carlo Ancelotti interested in succeeding Wenger at the Emirates. Sunday Mirror

Wayne Rooney has designed a diamond-encrusted motorbike, inspired by his overhead-kick against Manchester City, to sell at auction for the charity KidsAid.

Using the 'dirty' PC down in the basement of Bollox Towers we hacked into the last story on the DSSC website. To save any readers succuming to a similar fate as the current Lounge skivvy we publish the opening sentence of the lengthy shrek cock sucking article which rather overshadowed & spoilt the promotion of an excellent charity fundraiser.

Wayne Rooney's overhead kick against Manchester City in February 2011 is rightly lauded as one of the finest goals in the history of the Premier League.

Google it yourself if you are really that interested http://www.google.com

TWEETING BOLLOX
Former world champion boxer Ricky Hatton (@HitmanHatton) is impressed by a knockout performance from Silva: “2-0. A good win today. Should have been three goals for Silva. He had a great game. Absolutely freezing.”

City striker Sergio Aguero (@aguerosergiokun) is happy to be back from injury: “It’s always good to be back and better when a victory welcomes me. @21LVA can make a nice finish, can’t he?”

Everyone is talking about Silva’s performance, and Joleon Lescott (‏@JoleonLescott) adds: “What a performance by @21LVA, he is never in a rush and makes the game look so easy.”

GOLDEN BOLLOX 20-1-2010
Carlos Tévez makes point to Gary Neville after firing Manchester City to win over United
Carlos Tévez's limited grasp of English probably ensured that he did not understand most of Gary Neville’s comments and barbed observations during his two-year stint at Manchester United.

The Argentine understands English in its written form, however, so it would not have taken long to take on board the United captain’s pre-match assertion that Sir Alex Ferguson was right not to break the bank – or the Glazers – to keep Tévez from Man City’s clutches last summer.
Judging by Tévez’s 'quit-talking’ hand gesture towards his former team-mate following his 42nd-minute penalty equaliser in Tuesday night's Carling Cup semi-final first leg win, he knew exactly what the United substitute had said.
Neville, perhaps the embodiment of a Mancunian noisy neighbour, should have known better than to tweak the tiger’s tail by offering his opinion of Tévez in the build-up to such an explosive fixture.
Then again, he was warned by the Football Association for his incendiary celebration of Michael Owen’s injury-time winning goal in the 4-3 win against City in September.
Neville said: “I can’t disagree with his [Ferguson’s] decision on Tévez. He was a good player for us, but if the financial demands are too big, then that’s just the way it goes.”
Never has one player split opinion in Manchester like Tévez. Adored by the Man United fans while wearing red, he is now the subject of a distasteful chant as a result of his defection to the blue half of town.
The legendary 'Welcome to Manchester’ billboard which bore his image last summer enraged Ferguson, but the player liked it so much that he paid £2,000 for a scaled-down version to hang on the wall of his family home in Buenos Aires.
Yet despite his hero to villain status among United supporters, Tévez did not goad the 5,400 visiting fans after scoring in front of them.
He celebrated, but there were no cupped ear gestures (that came later). Even after Wayne Rooney had seemingly attempted to psyche him out prior to the penalty by urging Tévez to 'watch the post’, the City forward kept his response under wraps until well clear of the away end.
He has a growing repertoire of goal celebrations, but then he is scoring quite a few goals in City blue. When he scored against City for United last season, Tévez stopped in front of the directors’ box before standing with his ears-cupped in front of United chief executive David Gill, an apparent dig at the man he perceived to be blocking his permanent deal at the club.
Tévez later denied that this was the reason behind the celebration.
And having put City 2-1 ahead with a near-post header early in the second half, Tévez did it again. It must have been painful for Gill, but Ferguson will not have enjoyed it either, as chants of 'Fergie, sign him up’ rang around Eastlands.
We will perhaps never know what prompted Tévez to swap red for blue.
Did Ferguson really believe he wasn’t worth the £25.5million required to tie Tévez to a five-year deal at Old Trafford, or did the player have his sights set elsewhere months before United finally made their belated move to keep him?
United is Tévez’s past. His future appears brighter at City.

[youtube]BGNgS-DPJcY[/youtube]

GOLDEN WAG 20-1-2010
[spoiler]

WAG OF THE DAY
Today's WAG has been cancelled as you should all be happy enough.

viewtopic.php?f=119&t=44570&p=484450#p484450

however we do have a nice story about a woman with 40LL breasts ...
http://www.anorak.co.uk/345234/strange- ... asts.html/[/spoiler]

Guests of honour: Manchester City invite murdered season ticket holder's family to match
Club bosses moved by the teenager’s death sent them flowers and an invitation to the match against Fulham
THE family of stabbed ­student Kieran Crump Raiswell were guests of ­honour at the Manchester City game today.
Club bosses moved by the teenager’s death sent them flowers and an invitation to the match against Fulham.
Kieran, 18 – killed in an apparently random attack – was a season ticket holder and treasured a picture taken with City striker Carlos Tevez.
A club spokeswoman said: “Everyone expresses heartfelt condolences.”
DCI Pete Marsh urged the killer to come forward. He warned: “It’s a matter of time until we get you.”
Kieran was attacked on Wednesday in Whalley Range in Manchester. His killer is believed to be 16 or 17.
MORE: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/ki ... ty-1545904

LAHAD'S LICK BINGO OUT BOLLOX
A perfect place to honour the Fez & Nipple Tassel wearing one ....

We will be having a poll to decide what message to have put onto the plaque. If you would like to put forward a suggestion to go into the poll please post it in this thread. . http://mancityfans.net/mcfnet/viewtopic ... 21&t=44934 .Please keep in mind that the club may refuse to engrave the plaque with 'lick me out' so whilst I am sure Danny would have approved, maybe it would be better to chose a more poignant heart-felt message.
Bingo's wife Diana will have the final say on whatever message is chosen.

APParently you can get a load of B*l**x on your phone nowadays

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ASK THE LADS BOLLOX - Part 31
viewtopic.php?f=122&t=40215

Tunnel-Cam-Bollox

. http://www.mcfc.co.uk/citytv/Features/2 ... m-v-Fulham .

[Chinners]

A decent read ...
Mertesacker admits Arsenal 'were a bit scared' when they played Man City
The angst around Arsenal lifted a little with the FA Cup victory at home to Swansea City in midweek but defender Per Mertesacker admitted that the atmosphere in the team had been very different the last time they had stepped on to the turf at the Emirates Stadium.
“I thought we were a bit scared against Manchester City from the beginning,” Mertesacker revealed, recalling last weekend’s 2-0 home defeat to the Premier League champions. “We were not that confident.” It is some admission.
Confidence has, as manager Arsène Wenger later conceded, been a fragile commodity at Arsenal of late. “We can sometimes be inhibited, especially at the start of games,” Wenger said. “It’s important that we get that out of our system.”
Maybe, also, he revealed this Arsenal team can simply be too nice. “We need to be a bit more physical,” according to Wenger. “I think when referees see our team sheet they say ‘Oh, Arsenal, fantastic’.”
It could be, Wenger added, that he must “restructure the balance of the team. We have the characters to do it. We have technical players but we also have physical players”.
Arsenal are certainly a ‘bigger’ team than they were and at 6ft 6in Mertesacker is the biggest of them all. With 85 caps for Germany, aged 28 and one of the most experienced defenders in the Premier League then, he would also be expected to provide much of that physical edge.
But there is an interesting statistic attached to him: in 221 appearances in the German Bundesliga he was cautioned just nine times. In 61 games for Arsenal and Germany in the last 18 months he has received four bookings. Maybe he epitomises that Arsenal niceness?
Certainly Mertesacker believes it is time for this Arsenal team to show “our ability and character”. Last season’s 5-3 victory away to Chelsea was pivotal in Arsenal rallying after a poor start. Last time round, however, they still had Robin van Persie who scored a hat-trick at Stamford Bridge.
This season and Arsenal’s campaign — once again — sits at a crossroads. Sixth in the league and only three points adrift of fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur means that they remain strongly in contention to once again qualify for the Champions League.
But they are also, already, a daunting 21 points behind the leaders Manchester United while the frustration of their supporters at the team’s lack of competitiveness has been increasingly intense with a debate over whether this squad of players lacks that character that Mertesacker highlighted. And leadership.
The German understandably bridled at that suggestion. “We have a good squad,” Mertesacker said. “Good, young players and experienced players. We have a good balance. But everybody has to stick together, that is the most important thing. We have young players who are vital for the team. Every player needs the team and gets his chance.”
Perhaps it was a criticism that has hit home. When Mertesacker arrived at Arsenal on Aug 31, 2011 — the transfer deadline day — for £8 million from Werder Bremen, his signing represented a shift in Wenger’s thinking. Here was an experienced, older player — and others were also signed with Mikel Arteta and Andre Santos as the manager accepted he needed to bolster his squad. As a shift in recruitment it has had mixed success.
After an initial, shaky start at the club Mertesacker, who admitted his first season was difficult as he struggled to compete with the physical demands of the Premier League, has become a more assured presence even if, at times, his lack of pace has been exposed in a defence that can often appears vulnerable and in which captain Thomas Vermaelen has struggled for form.
Champions League qualification was secured during the last campaign but, once again, it is in doubt and Mertesacker claimed that Arsenal have to improve their record against the other contenders for that prize to be attained — having lost against City last Sunday.
“If you want to be in the top four you have to compete with Chelsea, City, United and Tottenham,” he said. “These teams are in this ‘zone’.
“We need to win against those four – as much as we can. It is a good point to show how we are. We need our character on Sunday. That is the most important thing.”
So far this season Arsenal have beaten only 10-man Spurs, drawing with City away but losing against both United and Chelsea.
There are grounds for hope today. Arsenal improved in the second half against City – “with a bit of luck we could have scored in two or three situations,” Mertesacker argued – and the win against Swansea in the third-round replay. “The FA Cup win was absolutely vital to prove that we were ready to compete,” he added.
But, above all, there are Chelsea’s own problems at home with the atmosphere at Stamford Bridge toxic towards interim manager Rafael Benítez, who has won just one of six domestic fixtures, and evidently affecting the team.
“We can go there with optimism,” Mertesacker said. “We showed that last season that we can go and win there. Yes. We have to show our confidence and that is the most important thing. We are a good squad when we put our opponents under pressure. We are always dangerous. Always. That must be our target at Chelsea as well. Let’s see what we can do. Let’s show our ability and character at Chelsea as well.”
Today Wenger has to decide whether to recall the more mobile, quicker Laurent Koscielny — available again after his suspension for being sent off against City — or retain Mertesacker as Vermaelen’s central defensive partner.
It may depend on whether Arsenal believe they will face Demba Ba or Fernando Torres. Ba is a striker Mertesacker faced in the Bundesliga, when the Senegalese was at Hoffenheim. “He is very compact, physically strong and quick. He is always a threat in games,” the defender said of Ba who recently made his £7 million move from Newcastle United and whose impact has highlighted, again, Fernando Torres’ troubles. Either way Arsenal must compete from the start.

[Chinners]

Keep on keepin' on: Edin Dzeko says Manchester City need to keep the pressure on Manchester United
Manchester City again did their job as they wait for an opportunity to get back into the title race.
The champions continued their pursuit of rivals Manchester United at the top of the Barclays Premier League by easing to a fourth win in succession at the expense of Fulham.

David Silva grabbed both goals, the first inside two minutes and the second a sublime chip, in a 2-0 victory over the Cottagers at the Etihad Stadium.
City have recovered their poise since losing to United and Sunderland in December and are determined not to give up their crown without a fight.
Striker Edin Dzeko told the club's website, http://www.mcfc.co.uk: "We have to just keep doing what we're doing.
"I think Manchester United will drop points sooner or later but we just need to keep winning and keep the pressure on them."
City were the dominant team and although Fulham frustrated them at times in the 67 minutes between Silva's strikes, they could have won by a greater margin.
Silva was inches away from a hat-trick when he rolled a shot past the far post just moments after making it 2-0 and late substitute Sergio Aguero had two good chances on his return from injury.
Dzeko also had opportunities, not least when he fired over from close range in injury time.
Dzeko, City's top scorer with 11 goals in all competitions this season, said: "David took his goals really well and he is disappointed he didn't maybe get a third, but I'm really pleased for him and that the team won.
"We are a bit disappointed we didn't score more goals after taking the lead so early in the game and I think if we'd scored again in the first half we'd have gone on and won by more but sometimes it doesn't pan out like that.
"We got the second at a good time so we have to be happy.
"I'm disappointed I didn't score, but I think I played okay. As long as we keep winning, I'm happy."
Silva had scored only one goal previously this season and his recent return to form has given City a lift after losing Yaya Toure for the African Nations Cup.
He got on the scoresheet by pouncing when Mark Schwarzer parried a Dzeko shot and he demonstrated his class in doubling the lead by combining with Carlos Tevez and lifting a shot over the goalkeeper.
The Spaniard said: "It was great to get two goals and I had the opportunity for a third, for the hat-trick, but I didn't make contact as good as I wanted. But it is the points for the team that really matter.
"It was a good game, the important thing was to get three points and put some pressure on United."
Fulham tried to play a patient game to frustrate the hosts but, having conceded such an early goal, never truly threatened.
They created only one moment of alarm for City when Steve Sidwell glanced a header against the outside of the post from a Damien Duff cross just before half-time.
Although they look comfortable on the ball, form is a concern for the Cottagers with just two wins in their last 15 games.
But defender Matthew Briggs, who replaced Kieran Richardson at left-back in the second half and has a chance to move up the pecking order with John Arne Riise out of favour, expects it to improve.
He told http://www.fulhamfc.com: "I think it's only a matter of time.
"It hasn't been easy, and when you break it down like that it isn't good enough.
"I do think we have been very unlucky at times, but that's football isn't it?
"Every side goes through bad patches, and that's what we have to deal with.
"We have a lot of quality though, and I'm sure it will click into place for us.
"We need to find our feet again, we need to find the momentum that we had before.
"There are positives to be taken despite the results, and we believe we can find our form again."

I've been there: Why we mustn't let Johnson be a lost cause... if he doesn't want to be
by Stan Collymore

Personal problems should not let Michael Johnson's dream of being a footballer die, if he still wants it enough
Today I am reaching out to Michael Johnson because if he wants to save his football ­career then I can help.
Seeing the picture of him looking overweight and hearing about his release from Manchester City was horribly sad.
When you find yourself in a situation like that you need to keep battling and make sure you get the right advice.
Johnson has been in and out of The Priory as he bids to get his life back on track but will need support around him in everyday life if things are to change.
He will be feeling a ­failure right now – but this does not have to be the end.
I have been in The Priory too and was in a situation similar to Michael’s when things spiralled out of control for me.
I was playing for Aston Villa – the club I support – and that bad time was when things happened ­between me and Ulrika Jonsson that ended up on the front pages.
The issues I have had are well documented. But eventually I saw light at the end of the ­tunnel.
The mental-health issues around depression and suicidal thoughts are something people find difficult to understand – but I eventually realised I wanted to be around for my two kids, Tom and Mia, and my mum, who is now 82.
There was still so much life to live and I didn’t want to be remembered for the reasons people were talking about me. Basically, I went back to basics and worked out what was important to me. Michael Johnson now has to do exactly that.
If he doesn’t want to be a player any more, fine. He must not ­torment himself. It is better to be a happy dustman than an unhappy footballer.
The PFA are good at ­helping ex-players with ­retraining in different industries, so look into what else can be achieved.
But if he does still have that desire inside to play ­football then he has to ­realise it is still possible.
At a time like this he doesn’t want mates who are going to take him out for a beer. Instead he needs somebody to put an arm around him and remind him that he is still only 24 and that City kept faith in him for a long time before ­finally cutting him loose.
The Premier League champions would not do that for many players, and this is where I would be happy to step in and help out.
I’d say: “Let’s look at where it went wrong. The cons: You had injury ­problems, you lack fitness, people ­probably think you don’t care enough about the game.
“The pros: It is easily possible to get fit again, you’ve been at a top, rich club where you were very highly regarded, you clearly have a rare talent that puts you in a better position than other ­players who have lost their way.”
Johnson will be looking at his ­situation right now from a very negative point of view. At best he’ll think he might have a chance at somewhere like Bury or Crewe or Stockport.
But if this lad was given so much time by Manchester City and ultimately let himself lose his shape, then there is still an opportunity there to play right at the top because he has the capacity to turn things around.
I really hope Michael reads this – and if he does then he can get hold of my number quite easily. I would love him to get in touch.
This is not a time to mock the lad for putting on weight. It is not a time to reminisce about his talent. It’s a time to encourage this great player and young adult that his life still has plenty of potential.
If he doesn’t fancy it, stay away from the game.
But I’d love it if we could get Michael Johnson back on track and playing ­football.

[Dameerto]

Amen, Stan Collymore.