Bellamy to consider retirement?

[9secondlegend]

good luck with getting an answer to that question ted!

still, don't like any fucking player talking about this to the media.

I've calmed down a little now

The reason Bellers has spoken out IMO is that he REALLY wants to play for us this season and this is his misguided way of showing it

He knows damn well we are his last chance of winning any silverware in his career so he has laid his cards on the table and is bricking it that he will be dropped

I seriously wouldn't give a fuck if we were talking about a player who has nothing to offer the squad

But IMO..and after an outstanding season last year..we owe him a shot at glory

If we let him go now it will be a crime

Yeah I'd agree with that. I feel he did tail off towards the end of the season but the first 6 months he was sublime. I think Bellamy deserves to be in the 25.

with out a doubt.
someone who wants to play for us and show some passion.
i just saw the interview on SSN and i think hes a gonna. especially has said mancini hasnt spoke to him since february! what the fuck is all that about?

[irblinx]

i just saw the interview on SSN and i think hes a gonna. especially has said mancini hasnt spoke to him since february! what the fuck is all that about?

He also says it isn't unusual and that Hughes and MON were the same, he is talking about being taken to one side and talked to one to one not that he is ignored by Roberto.

FFS, I know that SSN will do their best to sensationalize everything but the way some people bite at every out of context snippet they put out amazes me

[Ted Hughes]

good luck with getting an answer to that question ted!

still, don't like any fucking player talking about this to the media.

I've calmed down a little now

The reason Bellers has spoken out IMO is that he REALLY wants to play for us this season and this is his misguided way of showing it

He knows damn well we are his last chance of winning any silverware in his career so he has laid his cards on the table and is bricking it that he will be dropped

I seriously wouldn't give a fuck if we were talking about a player who has nothing to offer the squad

But IMO..and after an outstanding season last year..we owe him a shot at glory

If we let him go now it will be a crime

Yeah I'd agree with that. I feel he did tail off towards the end of the season but the first 6 months he was sublime. I think Bellamy deserves to be in the 25.

If Bellamy is fired it's not a football decision. People can try & paper over it & pretend that it is but they won't fool anybody or themselves if they're honest. There's no good football reason for him going. It's all bollocks & excuses.

[9secondlegend]

i just saw the interview on SSN and i think hes a gonna. especially has said mancini hasnt spoke to him since february! what the fuck is all that about?

He also says it isn't unusual and that Hughes and MON were the same, he is talking about being taken to one side and talked to one to one not that he is ignored by Roberto.

FFS, I know that SSN will do their best to sensationalize everything but the way some people bite at every out of context snippet they put out amazes me

who is sensationalizing everything? he just said mancini hadnt spoke to him since february. thats all what was said so how can guess what was and wasnt said when it didnt show it?

[Murph]

I reckon Bellamy's a goner, don't reckon we'll see him in the blue shirt again. This whole thing has nothing to do with Bellamy's ability as a player, even stevie wonder could see that bellamy is good enough for the squad. If there's a serious problem between a manager and a player then there's usually only one winner unless the manager is on very thin ice with the owner, and Mancini at this stage of his City career is about as bomb proof as any City manager can get.

[BobKowalski]

good luck with getting an answer to that question ted!

still, don't like any fucking player talking about this to the media.

I've calmed down a little now

The reason Bellers has spoken out IMO is that he REALLY wants to play for us this season and this is his misguided way of showing it

He knows damn well we are his last chance of winning any silverware in his career so he has laid his cards on the table and is bricking it that he will be dropped

I seriously wouldn't give a fuck if we were talking about a player who has nothing to offer the squad

But IMO..and after an outstanding season last year..we owe him a shot at glory

If we let him go now it will be a crime

Yeah I'd agree with that. I feel he did tail off towards the end of the season but the first 6 months he was sublime. I think Bellamy deserves to be in the 25.

If Bellamy is fired it's not a football decision. People can try & paper over it & pretend that it is but they won't fool anybody or themselves if they're honest. There's no good football reason for him going. It's all bollocks & excuses.

The only real argument is potential for injury. The 25 ruling means that there is a potential for risk in picking a player who has a poor injury record (RSC) or potential to break down because of pre existing condition (Bellers). It is not dissimilar to picking a WC squad and gambling that some key players will be fit or not break down. City however do not need to gamble as Bellers position is more than covered with Silva, AJ, Milner, Balotelli (if they sign) or even Kolorav. The same applies to Paddy but he is Mancini's mate and Bellers ain't. If Hughes was in charge Bellers would get the nod because he would overlook the potential for injury just as Mancini will do with Paddy. Sometimes life's a bitch and all that.

I personally think Bellamy should get his chance for this season but I do think in Mancini's eyes he wants to eliminate any potential weakness from the 25 squad. RSC will go as there is little point in including a player who is unlikely to be fit for long periods. Ned has a spotty fitness record and he has seemingly gone. Ireland well its all about his mental weakness I guess and so on. Mancini wants a strong, powerful squad with a good mentality and the 25 ruling means he will prune ruthlessly - unless of course you are a mate.

Interestingly in City's case the 25 ruling does put considerable power back in the hands of the coach. Even if you make the 25 unless you pull your weight when called upon to do so then you could find yourself excluded in January with zero point in kicking up a fuss because we are just following the rules. Bellamy would not be doing a Princess Di on the TV if it wasn't for this new ruling. He would be betting that he would be needed at some stage and if given the chance he would go for it and prove his worth. Now he cannot do that. All Bellamy can do is hope that Mancini believes his plus points outweigh the negative and names him in the 25. I would suggest that Bellamy greets Mancini on Thursday with a large latte and the managers favourite danish pastry. Mind you he will probably have to beat Paddy to it first.

[Ted Hughes]

good luck with getting an answer to that question ted!

still, don't like any fucking player talking about this to the media.

I've calmed down a little now

The reason Bellers has spoken out IMO is that he REALLY wants to play for us this season and this is his misguided way of showing it

He knows damn well we are his last chance of winning any silverware in his career so he has laid his cards on the table and is bricking it that he will be dropped

I seriously wouldn't give a fuck if we were talking about a player who has nothing to offer the squad

But IMO..and after an outstanding season last year..we owe him a shot at glory

If we let him go now it will be a crime

Yeah I'd agree with that. I feel he did tail off towards the end of the season but the first 6 months he was sublime. I think Bellamy deserves to be in the 25.

If Bellamy is fired it's not a football decision. People can try & paper over it & pretend that it is but they won't fool anybody or themselves if they're honest. There's no good football reason for him going. It's all bollocks & excuses.

The only real argument is potential for injury. The 25 ruling means that there is a potential for risk in picking a player who has a poor injury record (RSC) or potential to break down because of pre existing condition (Bellers). It is not dissimilar to picking a WC squad and gambling that some key players will be fit or not break down. City however do not need to gamble as Bellers position is more than covered with Silva, AJ, Milner, Balotelli (if they sign) or even Kolorav. The same applies to Paddy but he is Mancini's mate and Bellers ain't. If Hughes was in charge Bellers would get the nod because he would overlook the potential for injury just as Mancini will do with Paddy. Sometimes life's a bitch and all that.

I personally think Bellamy should get his chance for this season but I do think in Mancini's eyes he wants to eliminate any potential weakness from the 25 squad. RSC will go as there is little point in including a player who is unlikely to be fit for long periods. Ned has a spotty fitness record and he has seemingly gone. Ireland well its all about his mental weakness I guess and so on. Mancini wants a strong, powerful squad with a good mentality and the 25 ruling means he will prune ruthlessly - unless of course you are a mate.

Interestingly in City's case the 25 ruling does put considerable power back in the hands of the coach. Even if you make the 25 unless you pull your weight when called upon to do so then you could find yourself excluded in January with zero point in kicking up a fuss because we are just following the rules. Bellamy would not be doing a Princess Di on the TV if it wasn't for this new ruling. He would be betting that he would be needed at some stage and if given the chance he would go for it and prove his worth. Now he cannot do that. All Bellamy can do is hope that Mancini believes his plus points outweigh the negative and names him in the 25. I would suggest that Bellamy greets Mancini on Thursday with a large latte and the managers favourite danish pastry. Mind you he will probably have to beat Paddy to it first.

Mates or not, there's no comparison between the possible effectiveness of Vieira & bellamy. We have about 8 players who could do Vieira's job & one (Tevez) who offers similar qualities to Bellamy. On the potential injury front we have Vieira, Lescott, RSC & Bridge, who are all just as prone to breaking down as Bellamy. There's no problem finding a place for him & in football terms there's no risk in it. If he goes it's not football related.

Consider an injury to Tevez. Remainig striking possibilities; Ade(nutcase/inconsistent) Balotelli(nutcase/inconsistent) RSC(injured/inconsitent) Jo (totally unproven/weird/inconsistent) Robinho (say no more). Dumping Bellamy is gross negligence.

[Green & Blue]

This is a farce, no reason he should not be in the squad of 25.
How long until Hughes sticks in his bid?

[gillie]

This is a farce, no reason he should not be in the squad of 25.
How long until Hughes sticks in his bid?

Mate your avatar is the reason Bellers wont make the cut.FACT.Bobby does not want him.

[carolina-blue]

It seems that my only postings lately have been on Bellers , putting my personal views aside , He deserves to be in the 25 on Merit , And I understand the views of some others regarding risking a spot on a potential Injured player But as I have said before we have the players around him so that we dont need to flog him to death and can risk manage his knees Ala Twitchy with King . An on fire Bellamy has proved time and time again that he can do It In the Prem We are going to be giving spots to unproven Prem Players, I know ' great players , but prem unproven non the less.

[Dazzacity]

No. In my opinion, Bellamy has been a right gobshite tosser. Why the hell couldnt he wait till the season started?? If he isnt picked in the 25, the window is still open and he can bugger off!! Instead he has to go on air like a little spoilt brat and slag our club off. I can understand how Mancini has kept his cards close to his chest. He cant really go around sayin "Yeah, you,you and you will be ok, but Im not saying anymore than that" Everyone has to wait for the right moment. What if we have more signings lined up?? He cant hardly name 23, for example, and leave a couple of places open for posible new players.

I love Bellamy's efforts in games, but Im going back to my old original view of him- that I think he's an arsehole of a guy.

After what he has said on SSN, Id fook him off even if I originally had plans of keepin him in the 25. The guy is a trouble maker and it wont be long before he gobs off again. Lets not forget the shit he has done in the past- i.e hitting a team mate with a golf club.

[dazby]

For me it all depends on what happens with Robinho. If Robbie stays, Bellers will go. If not, there'll be a place for him.

[Colin the King]

Bellamy has been a right gobshite tosser. Why the hell couldnt he wait till the season started?? If he isnt picked in the 25, the window is still open and he can bugger off!!

Because the 25 man ruling deadline is the 1st of September, not the start of the season. So he wouldn't know where he stood until it was too late, which is why he'd want to know beforehand to make alternative plans.

Instead he has to go on air like a little spoilt brat and slag our club off.

Where did he slag the club off? All I can see if someone who's disappointed and disillusioned by the fact that his future at City is up in the air. He'll feel his contributions last season warrant being picked for this. That's pretty much all he's said, I haven't seen him have a go at City as a club, or the fans, just frustration at the handling of his own personal situation. In fact, he said the reason he's disappointed is because he wants so much to achieve things and contribute towards our success. Not exactly slagging the club, or being a spoiled brat.


If Vieira makes the squad, considering we've an embarrassment of riches in midfield (and an embarrassment of winners for the 'dressing room' argument- Touré, Tevez and Silva alone, have 2 Champions Leagues, 5 League titles and a World Cup medal between them) and Bellamy doesn't make it, given all he can offer, versatility, pace, heart, goals- I'll be hugely disillusioned to be honest.

But let's wait and see.

[mcfc1632]

Whatever... - it is all very unsatisfactory and does not auger well for team spirit - we really do need to get off to a flyer in the PL - then the talk will turn all positive - but if we have a bad 1st 5 results or so you can imagine the media campaign - it is a bit of a lose lose scenario - if we do well it will be all down to buying success etc and we will get no credit - if we falter there will be no end of destabilising stories - prob about the manager about to be sacked etc....

The fact that players are saying so much points at some lack of camaraderie in the ranks - or discipline - or professionalism - they are getting paid very very well and should keep stuff within the team rather than fuel an already agenda ridden media

I would love to see Bellamy available as an impact sub - but his head has to be right - there is no room for sulky bastards - they should all be chomping at the bit - how unlucky are CITY that this 25 rule comes in this year!!

I was wondering if that comment about CITY allowing him to speak to Wolfsburg had any Dzeko connections? - anyway if he makes the 25 man squad or not prob depends on the rest of our transfer business

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

I reckon Bellamy's a goner, don't reckon we'll see him in the blue shirt again. This whole thing has nothing to do with Bellamy's ability as a player, even stevie wonder could see that bellamy is good enough for the squad. If there's a serious problem between a manager and a player then there's usually only one winner unless the manager is on very thin ice with the owner, and Mancini at this stage of his City career is about as bomb proof as any City manager can get.

why do I still get the feeling this may not be just about Mancini and Bellamy? I have a feeling that powers that be are balancing books and our wage bill IS huge. Remember, Bellamy is on something like 90k/w.

I've always said that these decisions should be solely down to manager. If he don't think player is good enough or disruptive influence in dressing room player needs to be sold. That's the way football is. Despite all the player power bollocks, manager should always be the one calling the shots. For better or for worse.

People also don't seem to take into account that one of the reasons some people in hierarchy might be trying to ditch him off is exactly this! Bellamy is like a talking machine and in his stay with us he has already managed to bring lot of questionable attention to club. I'm sure some people feel that his outburst after Hughes sacking was last thing we needed at the time.

I don't buy Mancini - Bellamy rift theory at all. Despite what Dev tried to imply on another topic, Mancini actually has exceptional track record of dealing with highly complicated players. I mean he deserves a medal for getting full potential out of Adriano in Inter for those two seasons when he wasn't injured. Ibra, Ballotelli, Cambiasso etc. Seems like someone who doesn't give a shit what players do as long as they do it on the pitch. However as Robinho found out, if you are all mouth no end product you are gone.

[ant london]

Who, apart from Tevez, played better than Bellamy after Christmas? Johnson would be in with a shout but was up & down. Robinho was sacked, Ade was mostly average or below, SWP was shit, Ireland was shit, which attacking player was good? Who played well in the midfield? De Jong perhaps but who else? Barry? Vieira? What about at the back? Micah? Lescott? Toure? Bridge? Tell me honestly that those people were better than Bellamy & I'll tell you your a liar. Under Mancini, our attack was mostly shite & our football was mostly negative & dull. When it was good, it mostly involved Bellamy & Tevez. When they got tired we were shit.

People singling out Bellamy are imo fucking blind or are blaming him for being a Hughes representative. Either way it's fucking shite.

There are at least 10 players worse than Bellamy who wil get in that 25.

That says it all for me.

I think he's an arsehole for doing the interview (see previous posts on Given and Hart) but I agree with the view that it comes from frustration rather than out of any malice towards the club.

It's clear that he wants to stay and he wants to be in the 25. Poor way of going about it and Cook/Mancini need to get a fucking grip on him and the rest of the squad as we do not need these pricks helping the media sharpen their knives for City.

The fucking players need to remember who pays their wages and they have a responsibility to their employers whether or not they are currently uneasy about their future or not.

Notwithstanding the above....all the posts about him being below average in the second half of the season are absolute horseshit. He was below his own first half of the season form but he was still streets ahead of most of the squad. The Vieira/25 Man Squad issue is a farce if Bellers were to miss out.

Questions have to be asked as to how the squad is being managed at the moment....it does rather reek of Capello/England/South Africa in terms of the uncertainty eating at team spirit rather than making everyone fight for their place and show their worth.

[mcfc1632]

Thing that confuses me is why he is making these comments so publicly at this time - I think that the insinuation is that no one has spoken to him - well given the US tour etc then I would say that is an issue for both the player - he should just work hard on pre-season to ensure that he is worthy of selection (wash my mouth out) - like some might suggest Jo has - and the manager and his staff - they are the ones responsible for having the interaction and they have been living in the same hotels!
i would consider Bellers to be in the same boat as Zabs - he also might feel vulnerable - he was a great servant last year - but needs to work hard to justify his place now - this is as it should be surely.


Given that Bellers is not alone in making comments - perhaps it is Mancini's style to be a bit removed?? - but heh - he is the manager - his way or highway?

I doubt that this has anything to do with Marwood - he has been everywhere else trying to close deals unless we are into major conspiracy theories.

But also - I cannot really see the 25 man squad issue - I think that he will be in - unless causing shit at this key time when every player should be concentrating on the start of the season - pushes the manager against him. Allowing for the under 21s to not have to be counted, would not the squad look something like:

Given, Hart,Taylor

Bridge, Kolarov, Richards, Zabaleta, Toure, Kompany, Lescott, Boateng,

A Johnson, Silva, Wright-Phillips, Milner, Barry, de Jong, Toure, Vieira, M Johnson,

Adebayor, Jo, Tevez, Robinho, Bellers

Personally, I would take Taylor out of the squad and just go with 2 keepers - come on here - the 25 man rule is until January - 4 months!! - and it makes provision for emergency back-up - especially for the keeper situation - I would put Taylor in the Europa league spots and he can be drafted in come January if there is a problem

I know it is conventional wisdom to have 3 keepers - but it is a (potential) waste of a spot for me - given the emergency rules - obviously only cut him if we are stuck for space.

So before Bellers is out, Taylor is gone - then M. Johnson, then probably Robinho, then possibly Jo - then possibly SWP, then possibly Zabs - is this all because he has 'not been told'?? - well I guess these other players have not been told either.

We do not need this shit in the desperately anti-CITY media Craig and it would have been better to just keep quiet during this week

[avoidconfusion]

Who, apart from Tevez, played better than Bellamy after Christmas? Johnson would be in with a shout but was up & down. Robinho was sacked, Ade was mostly average or below, SWP was shit, Ireland was shit, which attacking player was good? Who played well in the midfield? De Jong perhaps but who else? Barry? Vieira? What about at the back? Micah? Lescott? Toure? Bridge? Tell me honestly that those people were better than Bellamy & I'll tell you your a liar. Under Mancini, our attack was mostly shite & our football was mostly negative & dull. When it was good, it mostly involved Bellamy & Tevez. When they got tired we were shit.

People singling out Bellamy are imo fucking blind or are blaming him for being a Hughes representative. Either way it's fucking shite.

There are at least 10 players worse than Bellamy who wil get in that 25.

That says it all for me.

I think he's an arsehole for doing the interview (see previous posts on Given and Hart) but I agree with the view that it comes from frustration rather than out of any malice towards the club.

It's clear that he wants to stay and he wants to be in the 25. Poor way of going about it and Cook/Mancini need to get a fucking grip on him and the rest of the squad as we do not need these pricks helping the media sharpen their knives for City.

The fucking players need to remember who pays their wages and they have a responsibility to their employers whether or not they are currently uneasy about their future or not.

Notwithstanding the above....all the posts about him being below average in the second half of the season are absolute horseshit. He was below his own first half of the season form but he was still streets ahead of most of the squad. The Vieira/25 Man Squad issue is a farce if Bellers were to miss out.

Questions have to be asked as to how the squad is being managed at the moment....it does rather reek of Capello/England/South Africa in terms of the uncertainty eating at team spirit rather than making everyone fight for their place and show their worth.

This, that and the other.

If Jo and even Grandpa Vieira make it into the 25 man squad but Bellamy does not then I am not sure wtf Mancini is smoking.

[johnny crossan]

remember this insight anyone?
[youtube]jcAedBJbSUM[/youtube]

[Ted Hughes]

Speaking ahead of Wales's game against Luxembourg, he said: "I've turned down Wolfsburg. They are the only club they tried to push me into.

"They wanted Dzeko, so were pushing for a deal and wanted me to go the other way. It's not for me. 'But I've had my most offers ever and felt more wanted elsewhere.

"It's obvious Tottenham have tried for me but Man City have declined. There have been two clubs in the top seven who have tried to get me. Man City obviously want me to go, but not to one of their rivals."

At least we've got the good sense not to give him to a rival. If Dzeko still comes in that would be a place less for Bellamy but then again, Jo & RSC are more similar to Dzeko so should be replaced rather than Bellers.