Tuesday's B*ll*x

[Chinners]

Platt tells City fans: Forget United, think trophies
Manchester City fans have been told to get over their hatred of Manchester United by assistant manager David Platt.
Platt feels that, following their FA Cup triumph, Blues supporters need to think bigger than their fierce rivalry with the Reds.
He claims the club will continue to progress under Roberto Mancini and says the punters need to focus on what is best for City rather than what is worst for United.
“What we will get eventually is a mentality change among the supporters that the be all and end all isn’t necessarily to outdo Manchester United, but to win trophies,” said Platt.
“It’s very difficult for them to understand that at this moment in time.
“What reinforced that point for me was, when we were playing West Ham the other Sunday, United lost to Arsenal. A big cheer went round the ground.
“You can understand that is born out of the rivalry between the clubs. But in the cold light of day, you should look at it and think: ‘We can get third place if Arsenal drop points.’
“That’s where we’ve got to continue to win games and continue to win trophies. Slowly but surely, there will be a change in the mentality, that what is important for the club is not so much winning derby matches, but trophies.
“We won’t be on a level with Manchester United until we start winning trophies on a regular basis. But to be in and around them and competing with them is tremendous.”
City can crown their tremendous season by pipping Arsenal for third place - and the passage straight into the group phase of the Champions League that goes with it.
They will overtake the Gooners if they beat Stoke tonight at Eastlands in a re-run of the Cup Final.
Platt claims Wembley has already been forgotten as City focus on finishing in the top three.
“We’re delighted to have won the FA Cup and we should enjoy it - but only until Tuesday because we’ve got a game that night,” he said.
“We’ve got two games to go and we can take six points. If we do that, we can go into the Champions League without having to play that qualifying round in August.”
Hmm, part of me feels he has a point while the other says 'you would say that you ex rag bastid'

Gareth Barry claims City’s FA Cup party has been put on ice while they pursue Arsenal.
The players left the post-match party early on Saturday evening to return to Manchester and had to report for training on Sunday morning.
“We had to watch the celebrations a bit, because of the game on Tuesday,” said the England midfielder. “There’s an opportunity for us to get third place so we’ll be out to win the game.
“It’s been an unbelievable week. This club and its fans have waited so long for a trophy so to get Champions League and then the FA Cup is the perfect week.
“Hopefully it’s not over yet and we would love to finish by beating Arsenal to third.”
Manchester City probable team: Hart; Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Zabaleta; Milner, Vieira, De Jong, Johnson; Tevez, Dzeko.

NIGEL DE JONG is banking on that winning feeling to help make Manchester City the dominant force in English football.
Manchester City spent the weekend celebrating after their FA Cup triumph over Stoke at Wembley.
The win was greeted with relief as much as anything else as City finally ended a 35-year wait for silverware to get the monkey off their backs.
Now Dutch midfielder Nigel De Jong has urged the big spenders not to leave it so long before they claim the club’s next trophy.
City’s victory was slightly overshadowed by the fact bitter rivals Manchester United also had something to boast about.
United claimed a record 19th league title success to become the most decorated English club of all time.
And Sir Alex Ferguson’s men can go on to totally eclipse the success of their neighbours with a Champions League win over Barcelona at Wembley on May 28.
But De Jong has warned United to make the most of their opportunity because it could soon be City’s turn to compete for the game’s biggest prizes.
The World Cup star is sure Mancini’s men have what it takes to start their own period of dominance and put United in their place.
And De Jong hopes the feeling of being winners will be like a drug to Mancini’s stars.
He said: “I can only hope that this is the start of an era for us like United have had.
“I can’t say from next year we will dominate for the next five seasons in the Premier League, but that is what we are hoping for and we will work hard for it.
Next season can be a bigger year but we have to go step by step.
“We have to unleash the hunger around the team. That’s what we did against Stoke and we had a feeling of winning with each other rather than as individuals.
“That’s the positive for next season and everybody wants to have that feeling again.”
City’s immediate task, however, is to try and finish above Arsenal in third place.
Mancini’s men can leapfrog the Gunners with another win over the Potters at Eastlands tonight and Gareth Barry has urged his side to keep going.
The England star said: “We had to watch the celebrations a bit because of the game against Stoke. And we all had an eye on the Arsenal-Villa game, to see whether there was any chance we could get third.
“It’ll be a strange feeling for both teams, having just played in a cup final, but there might be a chance of us getting third place so we’ll be out to win the game.
“It’s been an unbelievable week. This club and its fans have waited so long for a trophy.
“To get to the Champions League and win the FA Cup is a perfect week.”

Bayern Munich ramp up bid to sign £8m Man City defender Boateng
Bayern Munich are stepping up efforts to sign Manchester City defender Jerome Boateng.
Bayern can offer around £8million for the former Hamburg defender, 22, who City bought for £12m last summer.
On the move: Bayern are looking to tie up a deal for the Manchester City defender
Boateng's most recent start for City came in late February, while he last made an appearance in a matchday squad two months ago.
German magazine Kicker reported on Monday that a four-year deal had been struck between Bayern and the player, with the matter of a fee proving to be the only stumbling block.
Bayern, who have already agreed to spend almost £20m on Schalke goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, want to strike a deal for 'significantly less' than City paid.

Mancini planning £25m raid for Everton star
Manchester City have targeted Everton left-back Leighton Baines as the £25million first stage in their summer reboot.
City chief Roberto Mancini spent 20 minutes with Eastlands chairman Kaldoon Al Mubarak in the Wembley corridors following Saturday’s FA Cup Final victory, and agreed on the need to continue improving the squad ahead of a Champions League campaign.
England defender Baines is likely to be the start of the summer overhaul, with Mancini deciding he needs to beef up that part of his squad.
Aleksandr Kolarov has not pulled up many trees since his £16million arrival from Lazio, while Jerome Boateng has been linked with a return to the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich after just one season in England.
Wayne Bridge will return to Eastlands at the end of his loan spell at relegated West Ham, but Baines is the priority and Everton’s financial position may hasten a deal.
The Merseysiders famously played hardball with City over the protracted and controversial £24m departure of defender Joleon Lescott two years ago.
But Baines and Jack Rodwell are the Goodison Park outfit’s two most saleable assets, and with debts of £45m and a need to start making substantial repayments in the summer the former Wigan left-back could be the easiest to prise away.
Spurs and Arsenal have also signaled their interest in the 26-year-old, an ever-present for Everton this season who has now gained four caps under Fabio Capello and secured his status as Ashley Cole’s England understudy.
But the Kirkby-born defender is understood to be keen to stay in his native north-west.
While he is not in any way pushing for a move, Baines would be attracted by the prospect of playing Champions League football with the emerging force of the English game.
Mancini revealed the need to bolster his squad: “I don’t think we need a lot of new players but I do feel that, this year, we should take Tottenham as an example.
“Tottenham played in the Champions League until the quarter-finals and in the Premier League will be fifth or sixth.
“It is difficult in the league if you do not have a big squad, so you can change six or seven players every game. If not, it is difficult to play in the Champions League.”

West Ham captain Scott Parker is expected to lead the exodus from the relegated club with Tottenham set to compete against Manchester City and Arsenal to land the 30-year-old. Daily Telegraph

Chelsea and Manchester City dealt Romelu Lukaku transfer blow
Romelu Lukaku has dampened speculation that he is set for a move to either Chelsea or Manchester City by hinting he may decide to stay at Anderlecht.
The powerful 18-year-old seemed destined for a switch away from Belgium this summer, with the mega-rich Premier League duo set to battle it out for his signature.
However, speaking after the 2-1 defeat to Standard Liege, which ended Anderlecht’s title hopes, Lukaku told the waiting press: ‘I hope we will make some big transfers.’
When asked if he would be one of them, the big hitman replied: ‘No, I still have a contract until 2015.
‘I can still learn a lot at Anderlecht. I do not have an agreement with any other club whatsoever. ‘
Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Juventus have all been following the teen sensation, but the Blues remain favourites to land the man dubbed ‘the new Didier Drogba’, after it was reported Anderlecht’s general manager Herman Van Holsbeeck had made a visit to London.

WAG OF THE DAY


OTHER BOLLOX
Tottenham attacking midfielder Rafael van der Vaart, 28, has dismissed fears he will try to engineer a move so he can play Champions League football next season. the Sun

Meanwhile, Spurs boss Harry Redknapp has admitted he needs to buy a couple of top-class players if they are to compete for a Champions League place. the Sun

Redknapp travelled to Saturday's French Cup final to personally scout Lille attacking pair Gervinho and Eden Hazard. Metro

Newcastle are lining up a bid for West Ham striker Carlton Cole. The 27-year-old could be available for £7m. Daily Mirror

Barcelona forward Jeffren Suarez, 23, has dampened interest from Liverpool by insisting he wants to stay at the Nou Camp. talkSPORT

Liverpool and Everton have been warned by West Brom boss Roy Hodgson that he will fight to hold on to star midfielder Chris Brunt, 26, if they make an approach. Metro

Newcastle left-back Jose Enrique, 25, reportedly a target for Liverpool, is being chased by French side Lyon. talkSPORT

Manchester United and Newcastle are ready to test Lens' determination to hang onto their French youth international defender Raphael Varane, 18, after their relegation from the French top flight. talkSPORT

Striker John Carew, 31, has said he wants to quit Aston Villa and make his loan move to Stoke permanent. Daily Express

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has not responded to the Football Association's charge of improper conduct over his comments about referee Howard Webb. The Scot neither accepted or contested the charge by Monday's 1600 BST deadline in apparent protest. the Times

Ferguson may escape Premier League sanctions if he fields a weakened side in their final game of the season against Blackpool at Old Trafford on Sunday. Guardian

However, United's boss has promised Blackpool's relegation rivals that whatever team he picks on Sunday will play to win. Daily Express

Former England boss Chris Hughton is in pole position for the West Ham job after Steve McClaren ruled himself out of the running. talkSPORT

West Ham face a fight to convince any of their top targets to succeed Avram Grant as manager. McClaren has ruled himself out and Martin O'Neill, Neil Warnock and Sam Allardyce have reservations about working for the Hammers board. talkSPORT

The Football Association hope to convince Chester-born Jaguares de Chiapas striker Antonio Michael Pedroza Whitham, 20, to play for England should he fail to make the breakthrough with Mexico. Daily Mail

Blackpool could have been ahead of Fulham in the fair-play standings that will decide an additional Europa League place had their coaches scored as highly as Cottagers' boss Mark Hughes and his backroom staff. Daily Telegraph

Birmingham owner Carson Yeung has warned fans there will be little money to spend on players next season with the club facing relegation. Daily Express

Manchester United fans pulled a daring stunt, complete with getaway cars, unfurling a banner celebrating their 19th league title at Anfield ahead of Liverpool's game against Tottenham on Sunday. the Guardian

[CityGer]

Sums up the problems we face in the transfer market.

Bayern Munich ramp up bid to sign £8m Man City defender Boateng

Mancini planning £25m raid for Everton star Leighton Baines

[Mase]

Fuck off Potato Head you rag twat!

[lets all have a disco]

Best WAG EVER.

[bobby brows]

Sums up the problems we face in the transfer market.

Bayern Munich ramp up bid to sign £8m Man City defender Boateng

Mancini planning £25m raid for Everton star Leighton Baines

Mancini clearly doesn't trust Boateng but I'd like to see him given a second season especially if were not getting our money back.

Am I the only one who doesn't want Leighton Baines?

[Goaters 103]

Platt's speech clearly demonstrates his continued love for the dark side. Still cant stand him I'm afraid - he does have a point but also demonstrates he will never fully understand how despised they are too.

[Mase]

Platt's speech clearly demonstrates his continued love for the dark side. Still cant stand him I'm afraid - he does have a point but also demonstrates he will never fully understand how despised they are too.

Basically, "I was pissed off hearing the City fans cheering the fact the best team in the world lost. Fuckin bitter blue nosed twats!"

[KinkyKinkladze]

What is the name of this wag and what pornos can I watch her in? I've got the day off work and I'm very eager to get the day started.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Sums up the problems we face in the transfer market.

Bayern Munich ramp up bid to sign £8m Man City defender Boateng

Mancini planning £25m raid for Everton star Leighton Baines

Mancini clearly doesn't trust Boateng but I'd like to see him given a second season especially if were not getting our money back.

Am I the only one who doesn't want Leighton Baines?

He's a good player but for me it's all about his attacking ability rather than defending where I don't think he is much better than what we have already.
£25 million is a farce though and Boateng is worth more than £8 million obviously.

[Ted Hughes]

Platt's speech clearly demonstrates his continued love for the dark side. Still cant stand him I'm afraid - he does have a point but also demonstrates he will never fully understand how despised they are too.

Basically, "I was pissed off hearing the City fans cheering the fact the best team in the world lost. Fuckin bitter blue nosed twats!"

No, it's exactly what I was saying at the time, basically that some City fans are as thick as pig shit.

[Ted Hughes]

Sums up the problems we face in the transfer market.

Bayern Munich ramp up bid to sign £8m Man City defender Boateng

Mancini planning £25m raid for Everton star Leighton Baines

Mancini clearly doesn't trust Boateng but I'd like to see him given a second season especially if were not getting our money back.

Am I the only one who doesn't want Leighton Baines?

He's a good player but for me it's all about his attacking ability rather than defending where I don't think he is much better than what we have already.
£25 million is a farce though and Boateng is worth more than £8 million obviously.

Baines actually looked worse against Valencia than Kolarov did but on the whole has been a better defender imo & a much much better attacker. Kolarov definitely has more ability in the attacking third than he's producing though. I don't think we're even getting 25% of what he could actually do if he sorted himself out. That near post shot at Wembley, 2nd half, right in front of me, almost triggered a solo Ted pitch invasion.

[Goaters 103]

Agree Ted. Kolarov should be on notice next season as his delivery isnt aywhere near what it should be in the final third.

He also isnt a "free-kick specialist" - he just takes all the free kicks and there is a difference. He's taken 456 or whatever it is dead balls and scored 2 - one good one at Brum and a Mickey Mouse one against Kiev that the keeper should have caught in his cap. I'd wager if we'd had another player taking all the dead balls Kolarov has, most if which he regularly slams them into the wall or the stand, an alternative taker would have scored more than 2 Alex has come up with.

[ant london]

Kolarov definitely has more ability in the attacking third than he's producing though. I don't think we're even getting 25% of what he could actually do if he sorted himself out. That near post shot at Wembley, 2nd half, right in front of me, almost triggered a solo Ted pitch invasion.

haha so true

Kolarov would be instantly more dangerous for us if he could start to more consistently use talent/skill it is clear as day that he has

a) Deliver corner kicks actually into the danger area (ie. not failing to beat the first man consistently NOR driving it over the top of everyone in the box)

b) improve his decision making and just do some simple things rather than aiming for the spectacular.....ie. go past the full back and just drive a low hard ball across the 6 yard box....or a cut back to the whereabouts of the penalty spot (...rather than trying to launch a howitzer at the near fucking post!)


He can do all of the above...and likely more. I don't know why he's not doing so but I actually don't think it's any great quantum leap for him to go from where he is to where he needs to be so pretty hopeful all in all

[Ted Hughes]

Agree Ted. Kolarov should be on notice next season as his delivery isnt aywhere near what it should be in the final third.

He also isnt a "free-kick specialist" - he just takes all the free kicks and there is a difference. He's taked 456 or whatever it is dead balls and scored 2 - one good one at Brum and a Mickey Mouse one against Kiev that the keeper should have caught in his cap. I'd wager if we'd had another player taking all the dead balls Kolarov has, most if which he regularly slams them into the wall or the stand, an alternative taker would have scored more than 2 Alex has come up with.

Baines certainly delivers a wicked ball from set plays. Don't know how many he scores direct though. Seen a couple of crackers go in.

[Ted Hughes]

Kolarov definitely has more ability in the attacking third than he's producing though. I don't think we're even getting 25% of what he could actually do if he sorted himself out. That near post shot at Wembley, 2nd half, right in front of me, almost triggered a solo Ted pitch invasion.

haha so true

Kolarov would be instantly more dangerous for us if he could start to more consistently use talent/skill it is clear as day that he has

a) Deliver corner kicks actually into the danger area (ie. not failing to beat the first man consistently NOR driving it over the top of everyone in the box)

b) improve his decision making and just do some simple things rather than aiming for the spectacular.....ie. go past the full back and just drive a low hard ball across the 6 yard box....or a cut back to the whereabouts of the penalty spot (...rather than trying to launch a howitzer at the near fucking post!)


He can do all of the above...and likely more. I don't know why he's not doing so but I actually don't think it's any great quantum leap for him to go from where he is to where he needs to be so pretty hopeful all in all

We need an alternative to battle it out with him, then he can either produce the goods or sod off.

[ant london]

agree totally

Bridge won't be coming back, McGivern and Ritchie Cunningham don't look even remotely good enough (or ever likely to be IMO....and McGivern's albinoness is just offputting from a spectator perspective if I'm honest) and we should certainly have a specialist competitor with the genocidal Serbian rather than just having Zabba to slot in there

[Kladze]

Platt's words are the right ones, they're just coming out of the wrong mouth.

[Slim]

Platt's speech clearly demonstrates his continued love for the dark side. Still cant stand him I'm afraid - he does have a point but also demonstrates he will never fully understand how despised they are too.

Basically, "I was pissed off hearing the City fans cheering the fact the best team in the world lost. Fuckin bitter blue nosed twats!"

I think he's saying Love City, Hate United. In that order.

But knowing the source...well he can go fuck himself sideways.

[craigmcfc]

Best WAG EVER.

Have a word with yourself

[Mikhail Chigorin]

Agree Ted. Kolarov should be on notice next season as his delivery isnt aywhere near what it should be in the final third.

He also isnt a "free-kick specialist" - he just takes all the free kicks and there is a difference. He's taked 456 or whatever it is dead balls and scored 2 - one good one at Brum and a Mickey Mouse one against Kiev that the keeper should have caught in his cap. I'd wager if we'd had another player taking all the dead balls Kolarov has, most if which he regularly slams them into the wall or the stand, an alternative taker would have scored more than 2 Alex has come up with.

Baines certainly delivers a wicked ball from set plays. Don't know how many he scores direct though. Seen a couple of crackers go in.

One aspect of Kolarov's game which I find frustrating is that when he gets the ball in an advanced position but finds he can't go on the outside against the defender, instead of cutting inside and playing the ball square with his right foot to a colleague, to keep the attack going, he keeps the ball on his left foot and turns to play it 10/20 yards, or so, backwards. In doing this, the move then tends to run out of steam and we have to start and build all over again.

Just wish he would realise his right foot is not for just standing on.

Still don't think Baines is the answer though; surely there's got to be better, younger and cheaper out there just waiting for us to come along. Aren't there any tough, uncompromising, hewn out of concrete Argentinian, Uruguyan, Chilean etc. left backs, in the 22 to 24 age category, ripe for us to sign ?? Having said that, if we were to scour South America for such a player, please can we avoid any Brazilians like the plague........