Thursday's B*ll*x
Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 8:10 amSWP accepts he's getting his City P45
Shaun Wright-Phillips is resigned to leaving Manchester City this summer - but has vowed to give his all until the end of the season.
Wright-Phillips handed in a transfer request and was on the brink of departing in last month's transfer window, with Bolton and Fulham keen to take the England winger on loan.
But City boss Roberto Mancini blocked any move when winger Adam Johnson suffered a serious ankle injury which has ruled him out for three months.
Johnson's enforced absence through injury has given Wright-Phillips, who has started just two Premier League games this season, an unlikely return to the first-team.
But Wright-Phillips, criticised by Mancini for his ineffective display in the 0-0 Europa League draw against Aris Salonika, knows deep down that he is likely to be on his way once the season is over.
"To be quite honest, I'm here for three months and my heart is set on playing well for that period until the end of the season," said Wright-Phillips.
"Until the season is over, there's nothing much I can really say on the matter. I'm playing for City and that's the main thing.
"I don't do too much talking, I let my feet do that for me and that's what I plan on doing. I never think short-term or long-term.
"I don't feel I can do a job for the club, I know I can do a job for the club. And there's a big difference between feeling and knowing. I know what I'm capable of, so it's just a question of whether the club want me or not.
"I'm never encouraged by another player's misfortune. Adam is a good friend, so I'm disheartened he's injured - for club and country - I'm just concentrating on playing well myself and working hard in training, as I've done before. That's the main thing.
"There should be opportunities to play, because we're involved in two cup competitions and going well in the league."
Mancini revealed he sat down with Wright-Phillips last month to address the winger's frustration at his lack of first-team opportunities and discuss the options available.
While Bolton and Fulham wanted him on loan, City asked for assurances that either club would agree to sign the 29-year-old on a permanent deal in the summer.
With neither club willing to give such an undertaking and Johnson being ruled out for so long, Mancini told Wright-Phillips he was staying put, with no other wide players at the City boss's disposal.
"It [the discussion with Mancini] was just a talk between two mature adults," said Wright-Phillips. "We have a lot of respect for each other and what we said we'll keep between ourselves.
"I've been here as a player for nine years in total and I will never forget the fans. They've practically helped me to become the player I am. It was nice to get a run-out at last."
City take on Notts County in a fourth-round FA Cup replay on Sunday, before facing Aris in the decisive return leg of their Europa League tie a week today.
"Right now, we just have to concentrate on getting past Notts County, then turn our attention to Aris again," said Wright-Phillips. "We know how dangerous Aris can be on the break and we'll have to have our wits about us in the second leg."
Promising Manchester City Ivorian youngster Abdul Razak is waiting to discover whether he will be allowed to remain in the UK by the Home Office. (the Times)
WAG OF THE DAY
OTHER BOLLOX
Tottenham are set to beat Italian teams AC Milan, Roma and Juventus for the signature of Seville's Brazil international striker Luis Fabiano, who is valued at £14m. the Sun
Liverpool are in a five-way chase for St Etienne midfielder Blaise Matuidi, with Roma, Juventus, Fiorentina and Schalke also in the hunt.talkSPORT
Inter Milan are poised to make a move for Tottenham midfielder Sandro following his stunning performance against their arch rivals AC Milan in the Champions League this week. talkSPORT
Blackburn are planning an audacious £20m summer move for Roma striker Mirko Vucinic. Daily Mirror
Liverpool are lining up a £10m move for Lille forward Gervinho this summer. talkSPORT
Blackburn are willing to let flop midfielder Herold Goulon leave on a free transfer just months after signing him. Daily Mirror
Tottenham's unsettled striker Roman Pavlyuchenko is a big-money target for Sunderland this summer. Metro
West Brom sporting director Dan Ashworth says the club made bids for 29 strikers during the January transfer window. (Daily Star)
Manchester United will demand left-back Marcelo from Real Madrid as part of any deal to take Patrice Evra to the Bernabeu. Caughtoffside
The agent of Gennaro Gattuso has claimed the Italian was verbally provoked by Tottenham coach Joe Jordan before retaliating with a head-butt in the Champions League last-16 match on Tuesday. Daily Telegraph
Tottenham striker Peter Crouch says Spurs are genuine contenders for the Champions League following their 1-0 win over AC Milan at the San Siro. Guardian
Spurs team-mate Vedran Corluka fears he could be out for the season following a two-footed tackle from Milan midfielder Mathieu Flamini. The Sun
Qatar Holdings, the company owned by the Qatar Royal family, says it is not in discussions to buy Manchester United.Daily Telegraph
Former Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor has risked the wrath of Gunners fans by urging skipper Cesc Fabregas to quit the club for Real Madrid. talkSPORT
Liverpool teenage striker Raheem Sterling was nicknamed "The Magician" by QPR's head of youth development because of his talent during his time at Loftus Road. Daily Mail
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville is to blood the new generation at Old Trafford by coaching the club's youngsters Daily Mail
Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard says the Champions League is a bigger priority for the Blues than the Premier League.Daily Mirror
Plymouth players are to engage in further Professional Footballers' Association talks as January wages remain unpaid. Daily Mail
England's footballers have added charities Help for Heroes and Cancer Research UK to their good causes list. Daily Mail
free-to-air B*ll*x
The European General Court (EGC) has ruled that UK football fans can continue to watch major events on free-to-air TV in future.
Fifa and Uefa had challenged a decision allowing the UK government to designate the World Cup and European Championships as free-to-watch events.
Both are on the UK list of "protected" events of national sporting importance.
The EGC now says an EU member state can prohibit the exclusive broadcast of games at these two events on pay-TV.
The court also dismissed Fifa's action against Belgium showing all World Cup matches on free-to-air TV in that country.
Fifa and Uefa had argued the current set-up interfered with their ability to sell television rights at the best price.
They had said there was no reason why all games at tournaments should be shown free on UK television, as part of a list the national sporting "crown jewels" that have to be made available to everyone to watch.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12482371
Shaun Wright-Phillips is resigned to leaving Manchester City this summer - but has vowed to give his all until the end of the season.
Wright-Phillips handed in a transfer request and was on the brink of departing in last month's transfer window, with Bolton and Fulham keen to take the England winger on loan.
But City boss Roberto Mancini blocked any move when winger Adam Johnson suffered a serious ankle injury which has ruled him out for three months.
Johnson's enforced absence through injury has given Wright-Phillips, who has started just two Premier League games this season, an unlikely return to the first-team.
But Wright-Phillips, criticised by Mancini for his ineffective display in the 0-0 Europa League draw against Aris Salonika, knows deep down that he is likely to be on his way once the season is over.
"To be quite honest, I'm here for three months and my heart is set on playing well for that period until the end of the season," said Wright-Phillips.
"Until the season is over, there's nothing much I can really say on the matter. I'm playing for City and that's the main thing.
"I don't do too much talking, I let my feet do that for me and that's what I plan on doing. I never think short-term or long-term.
"I don't feel I can do a job for the club, I know I can do a job for the club. And there's a big difference between feeling and knowing. I know what I'm capable of, so it's just a question of whether the club want me or not.
"I'm never encouraged by another player's misfortune. Adam is a good friend, so I'm disheartened he's injured - for club and country - I'm just concentrating on playing well myself and working hard in training, as I've done before. That's the main thing.
"There should be opportunities to play, because we're involved in two cup competitions and going well in the league."
Mancini revealed he sat down with Wright-Phillips last month to address the winger's frustration at his lack of first-team opportunities and discuss the options available.
While Bolton and Fulham wanted him on loan, City asked for assurances that either club would agree to sign the 29-year-old on a permanent deal in the summer.
With neither club willing to give such an undertaking and Johnson being ruled out for so long, Mancini told Wright-Phillips he was staying put, with no other wide players at the City boss's disposal.
"It [the discussion with Mancini] was just a talk between two mature adults," said Wright-Phillips. "We have a lot of respect for each other and what we said we'll keep between ourselves.
"I've been here as a player for nine years in total and I will never forget the fans. They've practically helped me to become the player I am. It was nice to get a run-out at last."
City take on Notts County in a fourth-round FA Cup replay on Sunday, before facing Aris in the decisive return leg of their Europa League tie a week today.
"Right now, we just have to concentrate on getting past Notts County, then turn our attention to Aris again," said Wright-Phillips. "We know how dangerous Aris can be on the break and we'll have to have our wits about us in the second leg."
Promising Manchester City Ivorian youngster Abdul Razak is waiting to discover whether he will be allowed to remain in the UK by the Home Office. (the Times)
WAG OF THE DAY
OTHER BOLLOX
Tottenham are set to beat Italian teams AC Milan, Roma and Juventus for the signature of Seville's Brazil international striker Luis Fabiano, who is valued at £14m. the Sun
Liverpool are in a five-way chase for St Etienne midfielder Blaise Matuidi, with Roma, Juventus, Fiorentina and Schalke also in the hunt.talkSPORT
Inter Milan are poised to make a move for Tottenham midfielder Sandro following his stunning performance against their arch rivals AC Milan in the Champions League this week. talkSPORT
Blackburn are planning an audacious £20m summer move for Roma striker Mirko Vucinic. Daily Mirror
Liverpool are lining up a £10m move for Lille forward Gervinho this summer. talkSPORT
Blackburn are willing to let flop midfielder Herold Goulon leave on a free transfer just months after signing him. Daily Mirror
Tottenham's unsettled striker Roman Pavlyuchenko is a big-money target for Sunderland this summer. Metro
West Brom sporting director Dan Ashworth says the club made bids for 29 strikers during the January transfer window. (Daily Star)
Manchester United will demand left-back Marcelo from Real Madrid as part of any deal to take Patrice Evra to the Bernabeu. Caughtoffside
The agent of Gennaro Gattuso has claimed the Italian was verbally provoked by Tottenham coach Joe Jordan before retaliating with a head-butt in the Champions League last-16 match on Tuesday. Daily Telegraph
Tottenham striker Peter Crouch says Spurs are genuine contenders for the Champions League following their 1-0 win over AC Milan at the San Siro. Guardian
Spurs team-mate Vedran Corluka fears he could be out for the season following a two-footed tackle from Milan midfielder Mathieu Flamini. The Sun
Qatar Holdings, the company owned by the Qatar Royal family, says it is not in discussions to buy Manchester United.Daily Telegraph
Former Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor has risked the wrath of Gunners fans by urging skipper Cesc Fabregas to quit the club for Real Madrid. talkSPORT
Liverpool teenage striker Raheem Sterling was nicknamed "The Magician" by QPR's head of youth development because of his talent during his time at Loftus Road. Daily Mail
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville is to blood the new generation at Old Trafford by coaching the club's youngsters Daily Mail
Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard says the Champions League is a bigger priority for the Blues than the Premier League.Daily Mirror
Plymouth players are to engage in further Professional Footballers' Association talks as January wages remain unpaid. Daily Mail
England's footballers have added charities Help for Heroes and Cancer Research UK to their good causes list. Daily Mail
free-to-air B*ll*x
The European General Court (EGC) has ruled that UK football fans can continue to watch major events on free-to-air TV in future.
Fifa and Uefa had challenged a decision allowing the UK government to designate the World Cup and European Championships as free-to-watch events.
Both are on the UK list of "protected" events of national sporting importance.
The EGC now says an EU member state can prohibit the exclusive broadcast of games at these two events on pay-TV.
The court also dismissed Fifa's action against Belgium showing all World Cup matches on free-to-air TV in that country.
Fifa and Uefa had argued the current set-up interfered with their ability to sell television rights at the best price.
They had said there was no reason why all games at tournaments should be shown free on UK television, as part of a list the national sporting "crown jewels" that have to be made available to everyone to watch.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12482371