ROUND-UP
Joe Hart has spent the past 12 months under the scrutiny of the nation’s Press with his every move under the microscope - and the England No.1 has had his fair share of critics, too.
But three clean sheets out of four in the Premier League and two more for England last week suggest it’s time to leave Joe alone and let him to get on with what he does best – as highlighted by Stuart Brennan in the Manchester Evening News.
Brennan quotes James Milner in his piece, writing: “Joe Hart is blanking out his critics by keeping four clean sheets on the bounce.
“The City keeper was in fine form to ensure the Blues returned from the Britannia Stadium with a point on Saturday to add to two shut-outs on England duty and another against Hull before the international break.
“And his pal Milner believes he is providing the perfect answer to the snipers who have questioned his displays for club and country so far this season.
‘Harty has been brilliant,’ said Milner. ‘He has been getting a bit of criticism but has been doing his talking on the field.
'It’s good to see, and I’m sure that kind of form will continue. He is improving all the time because he is still young in goalkeeping terms.’”
Meanwhile, with City facing Viktoria Plzen tomorrow evening, Stevan Jovetic is looking forward to a productive first Champions League campaign with the Blues.
The Montenegrin striker is quoted on Goal.com this morning with Tom Etherington writing: “Jovetic says Manchester City are determined to progress from the Champions League group stages this season.
“The Montenegro international was one of the high-profile stars to move to the Etihad Stadium this summer in a £23.3 million switch from Fiorentina.
“And Jovetic feels this season's squad is strong enough to make it out of the group stages after two disappointing exits.
‘We were a strong team before, and now with Fernandinho, Navas, Negredo and myself we're even stronger,’ said Jovetic.
‘We can definitely compete for our targets (which are) the Premier League title and to go as far as possible in the Champions League.’”
Man City fans' guide to Plzen
While our International Ground Guide is undergoing some maintenance, we thought we'd provide our usual service of advice and information for travelling supporters in brief blog form.
Once up and running again our ground guide will cover all manner of information from travel options to hotel advice, eating and drinking suggestions to practical tips on getting around, along with safety and security advice and anything else we think will be of use to travelling supporters.
In the meantime, while the below might not necessarily have all the information you'll be after if you're heading out to Istanbul this week, we're always available to help - just drop us an email if you have any questions.
We'll do our best to find out what you need to know, either from our own vast experience in covering England and Wales games abroad, or from our friends at Football Supporters Europe.
The Stadium
Until recently Viktoria Plzen have had to play their European matches in the Czech capital as their home, The Doosan Arena, wasn't up to Uefa standards. After renovations in 2011, however, they now play their matches in their home city. The stadium, located to the northeast of the city centre at the confluence of the Mze and Radbuza rivers, is an 11,700 all-seater stadium.
Away fans will be grateful of the work, turning the ground from what was a typical bowl style stadium with a running track around the pitch and uncovered stands into a compact, modern facility, with vastly improved sightlines.
The Team
Viktoria Plzen have only recently rose to prominence in the Czech League, winning two of the last three championships (the only titles in their history). Until 2010 they had been a largely mid-table outfit, and had been something of a yo-yo club, suffering relegations in 1999, 2001 and 2004. Despite their relative modest history, they can boast former players of the class of Petr Cech and Pavel Nedved.
The City
Located around 60 miles southwest of the Czech capital Prague, Plzen is a small city of around 170,000 people whose history dates back as far as 976 AD. The city's royal charter was granted in the late 13th century. An important trade point for Bohemia, most people will know Plzen as a result of its brewing - Pilsener was first brewed here back in 1842, and the original Pilsener Urquell brewery continues to churn out gallons of the stuff to this day. The city has also been chosen as one of the 2015 European Capitals of Culture.
To get to Plzen, assuming you're not hiring a car, your main choices are by bus or train. There are hourly services from Prague's main railway station )Praha - Hlavní nádraží) throughout the day, which take just over an hour and a half. Buses are slightly quicker (around an hour) and leave from Zličín metro station. For information on timetables and prices, visit the Czech railways website. For getting around Plzen, PDMP (the regional public transport operator) has an English-language website, although most of the city can be covered on foot.
There are two tourist information points - the most obvious being in the main square (náměstí Republiky), which is open from 9am to 6pm daily. These will offer the usual help and assistance, free maps of the city, and contacts for accommdation if you've not pre-booked any.
If you've got time to see a bit of the city, we'd recommend the imposing 13th century St Bartholomew's Cathedral. You can hardly miss it - in the centre of the city's main square and boasts the highest cathedral tower in the Czech republic. The Great Synangogue, just off to the west of the main square, is the third largest in the world, and worth a look, as is the Town Hall, a renaissance building dating back to the late 1500's.
If you'd rather learn a bit more about the city's brewing history, then take the Plzeňský Prazdroj brewery tour. Costing 150 Koruna (around a fiver) it'll fill you in on the history of the brewery, as well as offering a few free samples.
Vincent Kompany set for Manchester City Champions League return after travelling to Prague
But Gael Clichy and David Silva haven't travelled because of thigh injuries as Manuel Pellegrini gets set to face Viktoria Plze
Vincent Kompany could return for Manchester City tomorrow against Viktoria Plzen after travelling to the Czech Republic with his team-mates this morning.
Kompany has been out for City since suffering a groin strain in their opening win over Newcastleand the Blues have missed their skipper and defensive linchpin.
His return tomorrow would be a huge boost, particularly with the Manchester derby looming on Sunday at the Etihad.
City landed in Prague without Gael Clichy and David Silva, who both have thigh injuries.
Micah Richards was also absent as he recovers from his hamstring injury
Young Manchester City defender George Swan is set to join Wednesday on loan.
The player announced the news on his personal Twitter account on Saturday, saying: 'Glad to be joining Sheffield Wednesday on loan on Monday. Going to be a great experience ! #swfc'
Swan, a centre back, has yet to feature for Manchester City's first team, playing mainly for their under-18s set-up and it's yet to be confirmed if he will join the Owls' Development Squad or first team squad.
The Wakefield-born player endured an injury-hit campaign last season but captained the club's under-18s side and was on the verge of a place in the Premier League club's reserve squad before suffering a knee injury.
He came through the youth ranks at Leeds United before moving across the Pennines, where he faces a tough task of breaking into City's first team given the club's spending on some of the best defenders in the world.
James Milner says Manchester City need time to gel after sluggish start to the season
With James Milner stressing that Manchester City need time to click, perhaps it is no bad thing that it is hard to conceive his team’s first Champions League away game of the season being as explosive as the last two.
Manuel Pellegrini’s side travel to the Czech Republic on Monday ahead of Tuesday’s game against Gambrinus Liga leaders Viktoria Plzen, which is followed by the Manchester derby on Sunday, on the back of a third successive fitful performance in the Premier League.
The first away trip of their third attempt to get beyond the Champions League group phase is certainly low key in comparison to the 2-0 defeat at Bayern Munich, in which Carlos Tévez refused to come off the bench and sparked a six-month feud, in 2011 and last year’s late collapse in a 3-2 loss at Real Madrid.
With half a dozen players missing through injury, Vincent Kompany, who has been absent since the opening game of the season with a groin problem, may travel on Monday along with another weekend absentee Gael Clichy. Joleon Lescott should also be available again after being left on the bench at Stoke City with a minor hamstring problem.
Manchester City's lack of squad depth in comparison to Manchester United played a key role in their utter failure to launch a meaningful title defence and the fractured display at Stoke, with five players starting for the first time this season, was hardly overwhelming evidence of change in that respect.
The optimism brought by the 4-0 win against Newcastle United in the opening round of matches has been dimmed somewhat by the shambles of the 3-2 defeat at Cardiff City and the scrappy 2-0 win over Hull City.
At Stoke, five of the first starters, including full debuts for Alvaro Negredo and Stevan Jovetic, were in the front six and the visitors’ attack struggled for fluency, although they did keep a third clean sheet in four matches following no shortage of criticism of their defence. Milner was one of those appearing in the starting line-up for the first time this season and feels that City will take time to adapt to Pellegrini’s changes in personnel and style.
“We’d like to have a few more points. In the first game we played really well, setting our standards high, and since then we haven’t quite hit those, for whatever reason,” Milner said. “We have a new manager and new players coming into the club so it will take time for everyone to get on the same page but the longer time we spend together, and the longer we play together, the better and we now have a few weeks before the next break. That’s more time without everyone jetting off, and the more we are together the better the manager can get across his ideas and we can work together.
“Any team that has qualified for the group stages of the Champions League are obviously a strong team and deserve to be there. The groups in previous years have taught us not to take anything lightly.”
That was the feeling Stoke were left with, as manager Mark Hughes suggested that Pellegrini had prioritised the wrong match.
Following their 1-0 defeat at Liverpool on the opening day, Stoke can feel aggrieved that they did not convert this into a fourth straight victory, with Jonathan Walters and Kenwyne Jones passing up the best chances of the match.
There is a freshness under Hughes and not even the prospect of next week’s trip to face Arsenal and Mesut Ozil is denting the confidence.
“They’re a good side and had a good win at Sunderland, but we’ll go there with confidence,” midfielder Charlie Adam said. “We won our last away game at West Ham and we’re looking forward to it. We’ve adapted well to the way the manager wants us to play. We’re happy with the way we’ve started and hopefully we can continue that.”
GOLDEN BOLLOX 16-9-1978
Ron Futcher scores a hat-trick as City beat Chelsea 4-1 at Stamford Bridge to move seventh in the Division One table. Mike Channon gets the other goal as Tony Book’s buoyant side begin to look something like the side that had challenged for the title the season before.
Manchester City look to steal Manchester United wonderkid
Manchester United starlet Adnan Januzaj has impressed in the early stages of the new season - but now could be a target for fierce rivals Manchester City according to the Daily Mirror.
The talented youngster shone for the Red Devils during pre-season and made an eye-catching cameo in the 2-0 win against Crystal Palace yesterday.
Hopes are high at Manchester United that Januzaj will become a regular starter in the years to come, but before that they may have to fight off serious interest from rivals Manchester City.
The Mirror report that the Citizens are looking to exploit the fact that Januzaj is in the last year of his contract at Old Trafford and will look to make him a tempting offer to switch allegiances.
Manchester United do not want to lose the 18-year-old wonderkid but are in a tricky situation as they look to tie him down with a new deal. The news of Manchester City's interest could well be used by his representatives to negotiate better terms.
The Mirror claim Manchester United are wary of losing another youth star after the departure of both Paul Pogba and Ravel Morrison last summer.
While the Red Devils decide what step to take next, Manchester City are lurking in the hope of taking one of their rivals' most prized assets.
Barry- Fans made difference as he scoops up MOTM Award (inc VIDEO)
http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/2 ... difference
Leighton Baines says Gareth Barry showed on Saturday why his switch will be Manchester City’s loss and Everton’s gain.
And the Blues' left-back has revealed that view is also shared within the home dressing room at the Etihad Stadium.
Baines, an international teammate of several Manchester City players, told evertontv after the weekend win over Chelsea that there was disappointment amongst the players at Eastlands that the 32-year-old had been deemed surplus to requirements.
Barry made 41 appearances last term for the Premier League runners-up but new boss Manuel Pellegrini allowed him to make the loan switch to Goodison Park on transfer deadline day.
“I’ve known Gareth through the England setup and I’ve always rated him really highly,” Baines said.
“The City lads on the last international break were saying that they can’t believe that they haven’t kept him and he doesn’t play for them. That says enough about his worth for any team he plays in.
“Everyone rates him who he plays with and he has come in and shown what a great asset he is going to be for us.
“We’ve seen straight away what he can give to the team.
“I’m sure Gaz will tell you that he has not played as much as he would have liked and he has already produced a performance like that. If he plays like that most weeks, he is going to add to the team.”
Everton were unable to break down the stubborn resistance of West Bromwich Albion and Cardiff City before the international break, playing out two successive stalemates.
However, Baines felt that Chelsea’s attacking intent actually worked in Everton’s favour at the weekend.
He continued: “A large part of that [win] was because we played someone who came to try and beat us. The sides that we have played against have sat back and kept men behind the ball and tried to frustrate us. They have been difficult to break down.
“A side like Chelsea are going to come here to try and win the game. They are challenging for titles. It made the game more open and probably made for a better watch.”
City linked to bid for Barca boy
Manchester City scouts compiled a 56-page dossier on Chilean star Alexis Sanchez before he instead opted to join Barcelona in 2011.
Reports in Spain are claiming that City, under new Chilean coach Manuel Pellegrini, could go back in for the 24-year-old in the January transfer window as he continues to sit on the fringes of the Barca side.
That may be true but the rumours circulating in Spain today appear to have come from a recently-published book about scouting called "The Nowhere Men" in which author Michael Calvin reveals that then City scouts Mike Rigg and Barry Hunter prepared an extensive dossier on the Udinese winger in 2011.
They followed him for four days in Italy and interviewed his friends to the point that they knew he loved to play the piano and enjoyed a game of tennis.
Sanchez, however, joined Barcelona for £25million but two years into a five-year contract he still has not established himself in the team and may be looking to leave.
The Chile star came on as a second-half substitute to score the last-gasp winner for Barcelona against Sevilla on Saturday but could find himself back on the bench for the visit of Ajax in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Ireland 'keeper gets City call for Champions League trip
MANUEL PELLEGRINI has handed Dublin teenage goalkeeper Ian Lawlor a dream Champions League ticket.
Ireland's U-19 'keeper was last night promoted to Manchester City's first-team squad for tomorrow's visit to Plzen.
The 18-year-old had been due to face the Czech outfit in UEFA's new youth version of the Champions League.
However, the latest masterclass he produced for City's U-21s at Upton Park last Friday night prompted Patrick Vieira to alert his senior chief.
And Pellegrini has decided the 6'5" tall Irishman deserves the chance to travel with the first-team today.
Lawlor will act as back-up to No 1 Joe Hart and reserve custodian Costel Pantilimon at the Struncovy-Sady Stadium.
It won't be the first time for the Dubliner to rub shoulders with City's expensively assembled first-team players.
He was just 16 when Roberto Mancini invited him on a pre-season tour to Austria. A new two-year contract soon followed.
Both Pellegrini and Vieira have so far resisted the urge to allow Lawlor to move on loan in the face of intense interest from lower league clubs.
Its felt the experience the teenager is gaining from working alongside England goalkeeper Hart in training is more beneficial for the time being.
At a time when no Irish outfield player features in an English Premier League squad for the Champions League, Lawlor's sudden elevation represents a boost.
GOLDEN BOLLOX 16-9-1970
When City drew the Northern Irish part-timers Linfield in the first match since winning the European Cup Winners’ Cup six months earlier, few looked upon the tie as anything but a comfortable passage into Round 2.
The reality, however, was a rather uncomfortable passage through to the next round with Colin Bell’s solitary goal the only difference between the teams at Maine Road.
In the second leg, the Blues were visibly edgy being in a country experiencing horrific civil disturbances and there was even a point Linfield boss Billy Bingham was forced to walk in front of his own fans’ Kop to plead with them to stop throwing missiles onto the pitch.
Linfield went close to causing a huge upset by winning the second leg 2-1 and almost grabbed a late third on the night, but Francis Lee’s goal ultimately proved decisive as City scraped through on the away goals rule after drawing 2-2 on aggregate. It remains the Blues’ only competitive game against a side from Northern Ireland.
Jovetic : Manchester City can progress from Champions League group
The Montenegro international moved to the Etihad Stadium this summer and feels the squad are strong enough to improve on their two previous group stage exits from Europe
Stevan Jovetic says Manchester City are determined to progress from the Champions League group stages this season.
The Montenegro international was one of the high-profile stars to move to the Etihad Stadium this summer in a £23.3 million switch from Fiorentina.
And Jovetic feels this season's squad are strong enough to make it out of the group stages after two disappointing exits.
"We were a strong team before, and now with Fernandinho, [Jesus] Navas, [Alvaro] Negredo and myself, we're even stronger," Jovetic told UEFA.com.
"We can definitely compete for our targets: the Premier League title and to go as far as possible in the Champions League.
"The first two seasons they didn’t make it out of the group but it was difficult for them. Last season it was also difficult being in the same group as Real Madrid, Dortmund and Ajax.
"But now we have two years of experience and hope to go through."
Jovetic also revealed he snubbed a move to Italian champions Juventus to join City, and the striker has pinpointed new coach Manuel Pellegrini as a key factor in his move to England.
He added: "His philosophy is more or less the same as mine. I like the way his teams play, I saw that last season with Malaga.
"When we went away for pre-season we did a lot of running, but it was all with the ball. I think that's great and it really suits me."
City have been drawn against Bayern Munich, CSKA Moscow and Viktoria Plzen in Group D and kick off their campaign against the latter on Tuesday evening.
ONE FOR THE SPELLING/GRAMMER POLICE ON HERE
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[/spoiler][spoiler]THIS WEEK ITS NIGELS 'BODYSTOCKING' TACKLE WEEK
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Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas is willing to let striker Emmanuel Adebayor, 29, go out on loan - to save him from playing with the reserves. QPR are tipped as the most likely destination for the Togo striker. Daily Mirror
Cristiano Ronaldo's new five-year contract at Real Madrid has ended Manchester United's hopes of luring the 28-year-old back to Old Trafford. Sun
Ronaldo's deal will see him earn around £15m a year, nearly twice as much as new team-mate Gareth Bale, to underline his importance to the Spanish club. DSSC
Manchester United striker Robin van Persie, 30, says he wants to extend his stay at the club beyond the end of his current three-year contract. MUTV
Arsenal and Manchester City have been alerted to the availability of Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes after the 31-year stated his desire to leave the Spanish champions at the end of the season. Daily Star
Manchester United striker Federico Macheda, 22, is on the verge of sealing a loan move to Doncaster Rovers. Doncaster Free Press
Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard received threats to him and his family during training in the build-up to his side's Premier League match against Swansea on Monday. Liverpool Echo
Manchester United boss David Moyes says striker Wayne Rooney, 27, should be aiming to score 30 goals this season and insists he can form a formidable partnership with Robin van Persie. Guardian
Moyes has also decided that Rooney will not play in midfield, where the England international was unhappy to be placed by predecessor Alex Ferguson, in the immediate future. The Independent
Premier League referees are to be advised against talking to managers after former official Mark Halsey's claim that he was on texting terms with ex-Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson. Halsey admitted he contacted Ferguson in his book, About Time. Daily Mirror
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has warned Luis Suarez that he will no longer be the main man at Liverpool when he returns from suspension. Metro
Former Liverpool defender Sam Hyypia, now manager of German side Bayer Leverkusen - who meet Manchester United in the Champions League - says the English game has lost its passion. DSSC
Swansea midfielder Jonjo Shelvey has rejected Stuart Pearce's claims that the 21-year-old and his England Under 21 team mates lacked passion at last summer's European Championships. Daily Express
Monaco defender Eric Abidal, 34, has revealed that former Barcelona team-mate Dani Alves offered to donate his liver to him before he had surgery. Metro
Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey has warned that the pressure faced by top-flight officials could lead to mental breakdown or suicide. Sun
Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea are among a host of clubs monitoring Juventus striker Fernando Llorente, 28. The Spain international has struggled since joining the Serie A side on a free transfer this summer. Mirror
Striker Emmanuel Adebayor, 29, wants a £1m pay-off to leave Tottenham after being banished to the reserves. Metro
Manchester United manager David Moyes has defended his decision to start forward Wayne Rooney, 27, against Crystal Palace on Saturday, less than four days after he was deemed unfit for international duty with England because of a head injury. Telegraph
Meanwhile, Arsenal will test United's determination to keep Rooney by offering the Old Trafford club £30m for him in the January transfer window. DSSC
Mathieu Flamini has warned Arsenal that he wants to finish his career with the "club of his heart" Marseille. The 29-year-old midfielder started his career with the Ligue 1 side before moving to the Gunners in 2004, rejoining Arsenal this summer after five years at AC Milan. Metro
And Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger's concerns over his lack of cover up front was the reason he blocked 25-year-old striker Nicklas Bendtner's move to Crystal Palace. Express
Manchester United and Chelsea are ready to fight it out in an attempt to land Everton's £20m-rated midfielder Ross Barkley. The 19-year-old featured against Chelsea in Everton's 1-0 win at Goodison Park on Saturday. Express
Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas is set to spend more of the world record transfer fee they received for Gareth Bale, and will target AC Milan forward Stephan El Shaarawy, 20, in the January transfer window. People
Championship side Wigan may make a loan move for Blackburn striker Jordan Rhodes, 23, before signing him permanently in a deal worth £9m in the January transfer window. Express
Liverpool are reviewing security at their Melwood training ground after a member of the public scaled a fence and screamed abuse at captain Steven Gerrard, 33, including threats against the midfielder's family. DSSC
Manchester United striker Robin van Persie, 30, has revealed he was tormented all summer by "a little voice in the back of my head" telling him he should have achieved more. The Dutchman scored 30 goals in his debut season for United, but feels guilty about the club's Champions League failure last term. People
Qatar face a battle to hold on to hosting the 2022 World Cup, even if Fifa decides to switch the tournament to winter because of the summer heat in the country. DSSC
Celtic manager Neil Lennon believes his mentor Martin O'Neill is perfectly suited to the vacant Republic of Ireland managerial post and that the 61-year-old's playing career with Northern Ireland would be no bar to that role. O'Neill managed Lennon at Leicester City and Celtic. Observer
Manchester United manager David Moyes says his predecessor Alex Ferguson told him the Champion League group the Red Devils are in is "one of the hardest draws United have ever had" in the competition. Telegraph
Serie A side Genoa insist that the club's youth coach, Luca De Pra, caught spying on local rivals Sampdoria while dressed in full 'Rambo'-style camouflage gear, was "acting entirely alone". Observer
