Monday's B*ll*x

Fulham manager Mark Hughes apologised for his spat with Manchester City counterpart Roberto Mancini after the two sides' 1-1 Premier League draw.
Hughes angrily withdrew his handshake after Mancini failed to meet his glance when they came together at full-time.
"I apologise if I offended anyone," said Hughes, who was sacked at City and replaced by Mancini in December 2009.
"Maybe I'm old-fashioned but I didn't think he offered his hand with any sincerity today."
Hughes, who also sent some stern words in Mancini's direction, added: "I was well beaten 4-1 by City and Roberto in the reverse fixture at our place and I offered him my hand and admitted they were the better side."
We're not happy with the draw, it's another two points lost
Mancini, who saw his side's already slim title hopes suffer another major setback, said he did not know what the problem was.
"I don't know, I don't know what he said," the Italian revealed. "I shook hands with him, but I don't understand what he was saying. There's no problem as far as I'm concerned."
City took the lead in the first half at Eastlands through Mario Balotelli's fine right-foot strike, only for Fulham to level soon after the restart when Damien Duff met Andrew Johnson's right-wing cross to equalise.
Hughes lavished praise on his side but admitted he was frustrated to be leaving his former club with only a point after an impressive performance.
"In the first half we were in control of the game and conceded against the run of play and it's difficult when you go behind against such a good team," the Welshman added.
"But we've got character and desire in abundance and we showed that in the second half. In fact we're a little disappointed because I thought we could have won it.
"We have been away at some of the hardest places to go to this season and haven't got our rewards and that was in the back of our minds. We feared that today, but weren't prepared to allow that to happen.
"City are playing every three days at the moment but they've got the resources to cope with that because they are a top club and they've got to get used to that.
"They looked like they were struggling at times to keep tabs on us and the desire of my team helped with that."
Mancini admitted it was a difficult afternoon for City, who now lie 10 points behind league leaders Manchester United, having played a game more than their rivals.
"We're not happy with the draw, it's another two points lost," the Italian reflected. "It's normal to have some tiredness when you play every three days, but it's difficult with four or five players missing.
"We played with three strikers today [Balotelli, Edin Dzeko and Carlos Tevez] but it didn't work well. You have to play well with the rest of the team and move well, but it just didn't work.
"In this moment we need all our players available. Every three days, every three days, it's very hard.
"But our mentality must be different if we want to improve in this way. Every game we want to play at 100%, but it does make it difficult when we can't change four or five players every game."
MCF.NET THREAD: viewtopic.php?f=119&t=37503
Mancini warning to Mario
City boss not happy with striker
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has revealed his unhappiness with striker Mario Balotelli following their 1-1 draw with Fulham.
City took an early lead at Eastlands, with Balotelli firing home a smart finish, but Fulham fought back and claimed an equaliser through Damien Duff.
Mancini's men could not find the winner and Mancini was quick to reveal that Balotelli was not up to standard.
"I am not happy with Mario," said the City boss.
"I know him very well and I know he can play better. He can play for the team.
"He scored a fantastic goal, but there were still 70 minutes left.
"He can't lose the ball all the time. Every time the ball went to the front, we didn't keep it."
MATCH REVIEW OF THE DAY BOLLOX
City feud stirred as Mancini and Hughes clash
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/foot ... 27475.html
WAG OF THE DAY

OTHER BOLLOX
Arsenal are planning a £20m summer move for Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina, who has also been linked with Manchester United. Daily Star
The Red Devils, meanwhile, are planning a move for Borussia Dortmund centre-back Neven Subotic as manager Sir Alex Ferguson looks to strengthen his back line. Caughtoffside.com
Cardiff City have signed former England international goalkeeper Chris Kirkland on an emergency loan from Wigan Athletic. Wales Online
Championship side Nottingham Forest are set to bring in Newcastle midfielder Danny Guthrie on loan to help their promotion push. Daily Mail
Birmingham City hero Obafemi Martins claims his winning goal in Sunday's Carling Cup final win over Arsenal was the easiest he has ever scored. The Sun
Referee Mark Clattenburg is due to submit an account of Wayne Rooney's clash with Wigan's James McCarthy to the Football Association, which will determine whether the Manchester United striker faces a three-match ban. Daily Express
West Ham boss Avram Grant has lauded his side's win over Liverpool as one of their best performances of the season. talkSPORT
Grant also revealed that Hammers midfielder Scott Parker could not walk hours before the vital win. Daily Mail
Bolton boss Owen Coyle has tipped on-loan striker Daniel Sturridge to follow in Jack Wilshere's footsteps after a strong start to his spell at the Reebok. Daily Express
In-demand Newcastle midfielder Cheik Tiote has revealed why he snubbed a deadline day move to Chelsea in January to stay with the Magpies. Daily Mail
Chris Smalling believes that Manchester United are not worried about which of Chelsea's trio of strikers they face on Tuesday night. talkSPORT
Liverpool's record-signing Andy Carroll has been ordered to lose weight before making his debut for The Reds. The Mirror
Hughes angrily withdrew his handshake after Mancini failed to meet his glance when they came together at full-time.
"I apologise if I offended anyone," said Hughes, who was sacked at City and replaced by Mancini in December 2009.
"Maybe I'm old-fashioned but I didn't think he offered his hand with any sincerity today."
Hughes, who also sent some stern words in Mancini's direction, added: "I was well beaten 4-1 by City and Roberto in the reverse fixture at our place and I offered him my hand and admitted they were the better side."
We're not happy with the draw, it's another two points lost
Mancini, who saw his side's already slim title hopes suffer another major setback, said he did not know what the problem was.
"I don't know, I don't know what he said," the Italian revealed. "I shook hands with him, but I don't understand what he was saying. There's no problem as far as I'm concerned."
City took the lead in the first half at Eastlands through Mario Balotelli's fine right-foot strike, only for Fulham to level soon after the restart when Damien Duff met Andrew Johnson's right-wing cross to equalise.
Hughes lavished praise on his side but admitted he was frustrated to be leaving his former club with only a point after an impressive performance.
"In the first half we were in control of the game and conceded against the run of play and it's difficult when you go behind against such a good team," the Welshman added.
"But we've got character and desire in abundance and we showed that in the second half. In fact we're a little disappointed because I thought we could have won it.
"We have been away at some of the hardest places to go to this season and haven't got our rewards and that was in the back of our minds. We feared that today, but weren't prepared to allow that to happen.
"City are playing every three days at the moment but they've got the resources to cope with that because they are a top club and they've got to get used to that.
"They looked like they were struggling at times to keep tabs on us and the desire of my team helped with that."
Mancini admitted it was a difficult afternoon for City, who now lie 10 points behind league leaders Manchester United, having played a game more than their rivals.
"We're not happy with the draw, it's another two points lost," the Italian reflected. "It's normal to have some tiredness when you play every three days, but it's difficult with four or five players missing.
"We played with three strikers today [Balotelli, Edin Dzeko and Carlos Tevez] but it didn't work well. You have to play well with the rest of the team and move well, but it just didn't work.
"In this moment we need all our players available. Every three days, every three days, it's very hard.
"But our mentality must be different if we want to improve in this way. Every game we want to play at 100%, but it does make it difficult when we can't change four or five players every game."
MCF.NET THREAD: viewtopic.php?f=119&t=37503
Mancini warning to Mario
City boss not happy with striker
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has revealed his unhappiness with striker Mario Balotelli following their 1-1 draw with Fulham.
City took an early lead at Eastlands, with Balotelli firing home a smart finish, but Fulham fought back and claimed an equaliser through Damien Duff.
Mancini's men could not find the winner and Mancini was quick to reveal that Balotelli was not up to standard.
"I am not happy with Mario," said the City boss.
"I know him very well and I know he can play better. He can play for the team.
"He scored a fantastic goal, but there were still 70 minutes left.
"He can't lose the ball all the time. Every time the ball went to the front, we didn't keep it."
MATCH REVIEW OF THE DAY BOLLOX
City feud stirred as Mancini and Hughes clash
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/foot ... 27475.html
WAG OF THE DAY

OTHER BOLLOX
Arsenal are planning a £20m summer move for Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina, who has also been linked with Manchester United. Daily Star
The Red Devils, meanwhile, are planning a move for Borussia Dortmund centre-back Neven Subotic as manager Sir Alex Ferguson looks to strengthen his back line. Caughtoffside.com
Cardiff City have signed former England international goalkeeper Chris Kirkland on an emergency loan from Wigan Athletic. Wales Online
Championship side Nottingham Forest are set to bring in Newcastle midfielder Danny Guthrie on loan to help their promotion push. Daily Mail
Birmingham City hero Obafemi Martins claims his winning goal in Sunday's Carling Cup final win over Arsenal was the easiest he has ever scored. The Sun
Referee Mark Clattenburg is due to submit an account of Wayne Rooney's clash with Wigan's James McCarthy to the Football Association, which will determine whether the Manchester United striker faces a three-match ban. Daily Express
West Ham boss Avram Grant has lauded his side's win over Liverpool as one of their best performances of the season. talkSPORT
Grant also revealed that Hammers midfielder Scott Parker could not walk hours before the vital win. Daily Mail
Bolton boss Owen Coyle has tipped on-loan striker Daniel Sturridge to follow in Jack Wilshere's footsteps after a strong start to his spell at the Reebok. Daily Express
In-demand Newcastle midfielder Cheik Tiote has revealed why he snubbed a deadline day move to Chelsea in January to stay with the Magpies. Daily Mail
Chris Smalling believes that Manchester United are not worried about which of Chelsea's trio of strikers they face on Tuesday night. talkSPORT
Liverpool's record-signing Andy Carroll has been ordered to lose weight before making his debut for The Reds. The Mirror