Saturday's B*ll*x

[Chinners]

Shut it, Shaun! Roberto Mancini tells Wright-Phillips it's time to focus on playing for Manchester City, not money Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has told Shaun Wright-Phillips to stop talking about his desire for a new contract and concentrate on earning one on the pitch.
City's England midfielder Wright-Phillips has complained in recent weeks about what he sees as the club's reluctance to give him an extension to a £60,000-a-week contract that still has more than two years to run.
He has accused City of showing little desire to keep him and is clearly irritated that players brought in since the Abu Dhabi takeover of August 2008 earn substantially more than him.
Shut up Shaun and play: Mancini's message to Wright-Phiilips
His father Ian Wright waded into the argument last week, accusing the club of treating Wright-Phillips like a 'youth team player' and the City hierarchy of 'mugging him off'.
Clearly overlooking the fact that his form this season has barely warranted the money he earns, Wright-Phillips claims his complaints are not financially-driven. But Mancini has little sympathy.
The City manager said: 'Shaun is an important player for us and I'm happy he scored a goal for England recently. But it is important that he plays very well for this team and that there are no problems. Right now, the important thing is the next game. We have an important target and when we reach that target then we can talk about contracts. If a player speaks with me it's much better for the club. For example, I have no problem with Shaun but it's always in the newspapers that there are problems.
'Shaun has never spoken with me. I am happy with Shaun because he always gives 100 per cent but I would prefer sometimes if the player speaks to me.'
With Mancini far from certain to be at the club next season, the issue of Wright-Phillips' contract may not be his problem. But with City due at Sunderland in the Barclays Premier League on Saturday, the Italian knows that he needs another win to follow up the shock victory at Chelsea two weeks ago if he is to cement a push for fourth place.
'That win was important for the squad because after that game we can understand that we can beat any team,' he said.
'But it's important we play with concentration. If we play 100 per cent with a good attitude and confidence we can beat all the teams - Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool.'
City confirmed yesterday that they have joined forces with Manchester City Council to develop the land around their Eastlands stadium.
The development will see the club relocate their training ground to the site and also build entertainment facilities and possibly a casino.

Manchester City chasing Benfica strike star
Manchester City are tracking Benfica’s Paraguayan free-kick expert Oscar Cardozo.
The striker, 26, has been brilliant for Benfica this season, scoring 18 league goals and eight in the Europa League.
City are now lining up targets for summer, still hoping to qualify for the Champions League next season.
Cardozo’s agent Pedro Aldave said: “Benfica may sell but for the best price, which is normal. If he goes, then it will be to a big club.

BABE OF THE DAY
http://uk.media.stars.ign.com/media/913 ... ids_1.html

THE BOLLOX
Liverpool are keeping a close eye on Alex McLeish's contract talks at Birmingham, with a view to bringing in the Scot as a replacement for current Reds boss Rafael Benitez at the end of the season.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson says the desire to become the first team to win four consecutive league titles and a record 19th in all is driving him on this season. Daily Mirror

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce has told his goalkeeper Paul Robinson that it is not too late for him to be included in England boss Fabio Capello's World Cup plans. Daily Mirror

And Aston Villa duo Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor have been told similar by their boss Martin O'Neill despite missing out on Capello's last squad. Daily Star

Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon's World Cup dreams are in tatters though after Spurs boss Harry Redknapp admitted he had no idea whether the 22-year-old would play again this season. Lennon has been out with a groin problem since December. The Sun

Stoke striker Tuncay Sanli is taking his former club Middlesbrough to court. He claims they owe him more than £500,000 in image, sporting and economic rights. Daily Mail

Everton are ready to offer 10 players new long-term deals in an attempt to ward of interest from other clubs. Daily Mirror

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola reckons 10 points from their final 10 games of the season will be enough to keep his side in the Premier League. The Hammers currently have 27 points. (Daily Express)

The 2012 football season will be put back by one week to accommodate the London Olympic Games which runs from 27 July to 12 August. Daily Telegraph

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has admitted he would "do a Thierry Henry" and handle the ball if it meant getting England through to the World Cup final. The Sun

American sports franchise Club 9 Sports claim they are close to a deal to invest in Championship strugglers Sheffield Wednesday. Daily Mail

Fulham striker Bobby Zamora clearly does not rate his chances of making the England World Cup squad - he has already booked a holiday in Las Vegas during the tournament. Daily Telegraph

[The Man In Blue]

chinners, where's all the controversy gone from the bollox? pretty sterile stuff today.

can you add some spin?

[john@staustell]

chinners, where's all the controversy gone from the bollox? pretty sterile stuff today.

can you add some spin?

You're right. Everyone agrees on SWP, he should shut the fuck up and start earning his 60 grand. No controversy there.

[The Man In Blue]

chinners, where's all the controversy gone from the bollox? pretty sterile stuff today.

can you add some spin?

You're right. Everyone agrees on SWP, he should shut the fuck up and start earning his 60 grand. No controversy there.

would you give him a new contract right at this moment in time?

[Chinners]

Sunderland target Johnson set for Light show
STEVE BRUCE will finally see one of his January transfer targets arrive at the Stadium of Light tomorrow – but in the blue of Manchester City rather than the red and white of Sunderland.
Bruce was keen to sign Easington-born Adam Johnson from Middlesbrough two months ago, but the 22-year-old chose to join City instead.
Johnson was believed to favour a move to his boyhood favourites Sunderland, but changed his mind at the last minute.
The Black Cats were trying to land the England under-21 man for less than £5m.
However, City’s decision to allow their Brazilian flop Robinho to join Santos on loan meant the Manchester club came in with a significantly improved offer which could ultimately see Boro receive £10m.
In the longer-term, Johnson is likely to find his first-team chances more limited at Eastlands than they would have been on Wearside.
He will face more competition in City’s star-studded squad, while he would have been a first-team regular had he picked Sunderland.
Meanwhile, Bruce is sweating on the fitness of midfielders Lee Cattermole, Kieran Richardson and Jordan Henderson ahead of tomorrow’s game.
Cattermole suffered a minor knock in the 4-0 win over Bolton on Tuesday but stands a good chance of being fit to face City. Henderson and Richardson trained yesterday and could also come into the frame.
Henderson has been out of action since suffering an ankle injury against Wigan, while Richardson has a calf problem.
Bruce said: “I am keeping my fingers crossed Lee will be fit, and I will make a late decision on Jordan and Kieran.”

Roma Keen On Arsenal's Thomas Vermaelen
Roma are tracking Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen as director Daniele Prade keeps an eye on him.
Sportal.it claims Prade was in London watching Arsenal during their 5-0 win over Porto in the Champions League, and he was impressed with what he witnessed from the Belgian.
Vermaelen has been enjoying a stellar season with the Gunners, and Roma are pondering to fire away with an offer.
It is said Philippe Mexes is likely to leave at the end of the season, and the Italians have identified Vermaelen as a replacement.
The Lupi have also been linked with William Gallas after Claudio Ranieri expressed his admiration for him.

Guus Hiddink has turned down repeated appeals from Didier Drogba to manage the Ivory Coast at this summer's World Cup finals in South Africa.
The Dutchman, who managed Drogba at Chelsea, is currently contracted to Russia but will move to take charge of Turkey when his deal expires.
Both nations have failed to make this summer's finals and Drogba lobbied Hiddink to request he would lead the Ivory Coast's Group G campaign against Brazil, North Korea and Portugal.
But the 63-year-old turned down an offer following talks with Ivory Coast football federation president Jacques Anouma.
He said in his column in Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf: "Although I had a great conversation with the federal president and chief executive Jacques Anouma, I myself had already decided not to go.
"It was a decision taken to avoid unnecessary confusion.
"Though I must admit that with the Ivory Coast it has not been easy."
Hiddink said Turkey's tour of North America in May would take priority as it was necessary for him to assess the players before taking up the job in August.
The Ivory Coast sacked Vahid Halilhodzic after a disappointing African Nations Cup campaign and were under the guidance of acting coach Kouadio Georges when they lost 2-0 to South Korea in a friendly at Loftus Road earlier this month.