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Touré: I'll prove I never needed drugs
Kolo Touré is determined to prove he did not take drugs to become a better footballer after completing a six-month ban for taking a banned substance. The Manchester City defender failed a drugs test in March having taken bendroflumethiazide which was found to be in water tablets. Touré, 30, admitted taking the tablets but insisted he did not intend to enhance his sporting performance, did not realise they were on a banned list and used them only to help him lose weight.
Touré, who is eligible for City's next game against Wigan on 10 September, said: "For me, everything happened because of God. Everything he does is good but he can do you bad too. Every time he does something, he does it to make you a better man. It was an accident what happened but my faith has driven me on and now I'm feeling fresh. People think I needed water tablets to make me a better footballer. I want to show those people I don't need water tablets to be a strong man. I've been in this League for nearly 10 years now and I've played in a lot of good games and I will do that again.
"Sometimes you don't appreciate how big it is being a footballer but for me to be out for six months has made me realise that. I've been missing it and to be able to come back is great." Independent

Another indication of the quality of Mail reporters, at least get the players position correct ...

Depressed Tevez suffered eating disorder and checked into a clinic over Man City saga
Manchester City midfielder Carlos Tevez has revealed he sank into a deep depression, developed an eating disorder this summer and had to spend time in a clinic.
Tevez was hopeful of securing a move to Italian giants Inter Milan and to be reunited with his wife and two young daughters who had remained in Argentina while he stayed in Manchester.
But the deal fell through and the Argentina international found it too hard to bear, and turned to eating in a bid to tackle his depression.
Tevez told the People: ‘I’m not the s**t that they say I am. I had a personal crisis this summer.
‘I put on five or six kilos and had to check myself into a clinic. I was depressed and so I ate and ate. Only my family and my friends know this.
‘People can criticise me if I don’t play well, but they can’t say “He missed a penalty so the coach would be sacked.” It’s the bad feeling towards me that I can’t stand.’
Tevez’s family have now moved to the North West of England from South America and the talismanic striker now knows he has to knuckle down and fight for his place in Roberto Mancini’s team.
Mancini has once again made a number of high-profile signings which means Tevez is no longer guaranteed a place in City’s starting XI.
One player who has already made a huge impact at the Etihad stadium is fellow South American Sergio Kun Aguero.
Aguero has scored three goals in three games Barlcays Premier League games, but his grasp of English isn’t as fluent as his footwork.
Tevez revealed: ‘Kun is studying English. I would say give him a week or 10 days more and he will give up. The first week he said: “I’ve got English today”.
‘The second week he said the same but with a different expression on his face...and the third week he went off for a siesta instead.’

Former Leeds United youngster signs contract at Manchester City
A FORMER Leeds United starlet from Wakefield has achieved “every boy’s dream” by signing a professional contract at Premier League giants Manchester City.
Sixteen year-old George Swan, son of former Leeds United player Peter Swan, followed in his father’s footsteps when he bagged a place within the Leeds Academy but left Elland Road two years ago to join City.
And his hard work at Eastlands has paid off with a professional contract that will start on September 12 - Swan’s 17th birthday.
The promising centre-half from Normanton, who played for Durkar Devils as a junior, has appeared for City’s U16s and U18s teams but is now hoping to break into the reserve squad. He said: “I am not going to rush anything.
“I want to concentrate on improving within the U18s and take it from there but hopefully I can break into the reserves at some point within the next year.”
Swan admits that leaving Leeds was difficult but the chance to work in Manchester proved too good to turn down. He said: “I got some stick when I left Leeds because people said I was moving just for the money but that was not true.
“I wanted to challenge myself and the set-up at City is a different class.
“I had a groin injury at Leeds but as soon as I moved to Manchester they identified the problem and put me in for a hip operation that has sorted it.”
He added: “I wanted to train and play with the best players and I have improved so much.”
Swan has now moved to Manchester and harbours the dream of one day making it into the City first team, saying: “That would be my dream but I know that the demands are massive to play at that level.
“But I am just going to continue to work hard and take it one step at a time.”

[spoiler][/spoiler]

OTHER BOLLOX
Inter Milan midfielder Wesley Sneijder has told friends that his failed move to Manchester United could still happen in the New Year. Sunday Mirror

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is planning a new move for Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko in the next ­window after failing to get the 29-year-old on loan. the People

Despite managing to keep playmaker Luka Modric this summer, Tottenham fear they may lose him to Manchester United or Chelsea when they return with new transfer bids in January. Metro

England keeper Robert Green was at the centre of shock transfer talks before the window shut and was being offered round to Premier League clubs in a bargain deal. the People

Fulham forward Clint Dempsey and Lyon midfielder Yoann Gourcuff were among a whole host of players Arsenal targeted in their scramble for new faces late in the transfer window.
Full story: Metro

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is keeping tabs on midfielder Ross Barkley's progress at Everton - and could make a move for the 17-year-old in January. the People

Birmingham will try to resurrect striker Nile Ranger's switch from Newcastle when the Football League's loan window opens on Thursday. the People

Striker James Beattie is set to return to Sheffield United after being dropped by Rangers. Daily Star Sunday

England captain John Terry believes 25-year-old Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has another 10 years at the top now that he has found form again and rediscovered his appetite for the game. the Observer

Arsenal fear they could be without midfielder Jack Wilshere for at least three months. Sunday Mirror

Former Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack claims the club's high turnover of managers was down to the egos of the players as much as the owner's ambitions. Mail on Sunday

Bolton defender Gary Cahill says he has put the disappointment of missing out on a move to Arsenal and Tottenham behind him. Mail on Sunday

Robin van Persie has hinted he will ask manager Arsene Wenger if he can play a free role in the Arsenal team, rather than as an out-and-out striker, after scoring four times from the position as the Netherlands beat San Marino 11-0 on Friday. Metro

Christophe Berra claims Dutch referee Kevin Bloom swore at him before denying the Scotland defender a penalty and booking him for diving in the 2-2 draw with the Czech Republic at Hampden. Various

Czech Republic forward Jan Rezek claims he felt a touch from Danny Wilson and that it "was not a big fall, a dive" to earn his side a penalty in the 2-2 draw with Scotland. Mail on Sunday

Former Hibernian and Kilmarnock manager Bobby Williamson will make history today if his Uganda side avoid defeat in Angola as they will reach their first African Cup of Nations finals in 34 years. Scotland on Sunday

New Scottish Football Association performance director Mark Wotte has earmarked Uruguay, World Cup semi-finalists and Copa America winners, as the blueprint for success. Mail on Sunday

Former Gunners midfielder Cesc Fabregas appears to have had no problem settling in at Barcelona - sharing a Twitter picture of him enjoying a Spanish lunch - complete with red wine - alongside four of his new grinning team-mates on Saturday. Metro

Those Tevez quotes are hilarious. Whoever made them up deserves a pat on the back.

So you could say Toure is hungry for success.

If Tevez really wants to make the right impression then for me he needs to do a full on session with the PR people at City.

He should stop talking to the press, and do a few genuine interviews on the OS. Players shouldn't need any other outlet. They are employed by the club who should at least have some involvement in what is being said. The damage that can be done to the club by comments made by players being paid millions is absurd.

If this stuff is not true then the club/players should be taking the papers to the cleaners until it stops but Tevez has plenty of history and there is no reason to really believe this is not genuine.

If I was Aguero I would not appreciate Tezez commenting on my English lessons.

At least he recognises that he no longer bigger than the club!

If you're being paid 150-250K per week; have loads of free time : how fucking bone idle do you have to be that you can't handle a few foreign language lessons to help you integrate you into the country you reside in?

Chinners wrote:Depressed Tevez suffered eating disorder and checked into a clinic over Man City saga
Manchester City midfielder Carlos Tevez has revealed he sank into a deep depression, developed an eating disorder this summer and had to spend time in a clinic.
Tevez was hopeful of securing a move to Italian giants Inter Milan and to be reunited with his wife and two young daughters who had remained in Argentina while he stayed in Manchester.
But the deal fell through and the Argentina international found it too hard to bear, and turned to eating in a bid to tackle his depression.
Tevez told the People: ‘I’m not the s**t that they say I am. I had a personal crisis this summer.
‘I put on five or six kilos and had to check myself into a clinic. I was depressed and so I ate and ate. Only my family and my friends know this.
‘People can criticise me if I don’t play well, but they can’t say “He missed a penalty so the coach would be sacked.” It’s the bad feeling towards me that I can’t stand.’
Tevez’s family have now moved to the North West of England from South America and the talismanic striker now knows he has to knuckle down and fight for his place in Roberto Mancini’s team.
Mancini has once again made a number of high-profile signings which means Tevez is no longer guaranteed a place in City’s starting XI.
One player who has already made a huge impact at the Etihad stadium is fellow South American Sergio Kun Aguero.
Aguero has scored three goals in three games Barlcays Premier League games, but his grasp of English isn’t as fluent as his footwork.
Tevez revealed: ‘Kun is studying English. I would say give him a week or 10 days more and he will give up. The first week he said: “I’ve got English today”.
‘The second week he said the same but with a different expression on his face...and the third week he went off for a siesta instead.’

How inventive can these scumbags get? He's clearly saying that he was depressed over his fuck-up in the Copa América, which the fuckers don't even mention, and not his situation vis-à-vis City.

I really don't get why some get so wound up......lots of that is clearly a work of fiction/extreme embellishment

Load of nonsense.

http://www.thefa.com/England/News/match ... rds-040911

Micah Richards has left the England squad. According to the above, he picked up an injury training on Saturday and is coming back to the club for treatment. Hope it's nothing serious.

ryanmjo wrote:http://www.thefa.com/England/News/match-centre/2011/England-v-Wales/Match-Previews/bent-richards-040911

Micah Richards has left the England squad. According to the above, he picked up an injury training on Saturday and is coming back to the club for treatment. Hope it's nothing serious.

Hamstring apparently. Fucking great.

Chinners wrote:Depressed Tevez suffered eating disorder and checked into a clinic over Man City saga
Manchester City midfielder Carlos Tevez has revealed he sank into a deep depression, developed an eating disorder this summer and had to spend time in a clinic.
Tevez was hopeful of securing a move to Italian giants Inter Milan and to be reunited with his wife and two young daughters who had remained in Argentina while he stayed in Manchester.
But the deal fell through and the Argentina international found it too hard to bear, and turned to eating in a bid to tackle his depression.
Tevez told the People: ‘I’m not the s**t that they say I am. I had a personal crisis this summer.
‘I put on five or six kilos and had to check myself into a clinic. I was depressed and so I ate and ate. Only my family and my friends know this.
‘People can criticise me if I don’t play well, but they can’t say “He missed a penalty so the coach would be sacked.” It’s the bad feeling towards me that I can’t stand.’
Tevez’s family have now moved to the North West of England from South America and the talismanic striker now knows he has to knuckle down and fight for his place in Roberto Mancini’s team.
Mancini has once again made a number of high-profile signings which means Tevez is no longer guaranteed a place in City’s starting XI.
One player who has already made a huge impact at the Etihad stadium is fellow South American Sergio Kun Aguero.
Aguero has scored three goals in three games Barlcays Premier League games, but his grasp of English isn’t as fluent as his footwork.
Tevez revealed: ‘Kun is studying English. I would say give him a week or 10 days more and he will give up. The first week he said: “I’ve got English today”.
‘The second week he said the same but with a different expression on his face...and the third week he went off for a siesta instead.’

haha not anymore...

Buffalo Soldier wrote:

ryanmjo wrote:http://www.thefa.com/England/News/match-centre/2011/England-v-Wales/Match-Previews/bent-richards-040911

Micah Richards has left the England squad. According to the above, he picked up an injury training on Saturday and is coming back to the club for treatment. Hope it's nothing serious.

Hamstring apparently. Fucking great.

where did you get the big re the hammy mate?

ant london wrote:

Buffalo Soldier wrote:

ryanmjo wrote:http://www.thefa.com/England/News/match-centre/2011/England-v-Wales/Match-Previews/bent-richards-040911

Micah Richards has left the England squad. According to the above, he picked up an injury training on Saturday and is coming back to the club for treatment. Hope it's nothing serious.

Hamstring apparently. Fucking great.

where did you get the big re the hammy mate?

It's on Henry Winter's Twitter feed, no mention as to the extent, just that it's hamstring related so you'd expect 2-3 weeks minimum even if it's only a tweak.

Buffalo Soldier wrote:
It's on Henry Winter's Twitter feed, no mention as to the extent, just that it's hamstring related so you'd expect 2-3 weeks minimum even if it's only a tweak.

kinda a good job that we kept hold of Soccer AM-uha then.....clearly Zabba is next in line but just in case

Thought I would augment the esteemed Chinner's B*ll*x with this little gem...

Red Nev accuses Liverpool of helping Chelsea win the 2009/10 title...

http://www.clickliverpool.com/sport/liv ... -race.html

Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville has accused Liverpool of giving Chelsea a "helping hand" in the 2009/10 Premier League title race.

The Old Trafford club had hoped to close in on a record-breaking 19th domestic title but saw all hopes dashed after the West Londoners left Anfield triumphant after a 2-0 win.

Although United would surpass Liverpool's tally just 12 months later, Neville - who has become a media pundit - has claimed that his club's long-standing adversaries 'eased off' against Chelsea.

"Some thought it would be a big test for them playing at Anfield with a couple of games to go and the title still up for grabs," he wrote in his column for the Mail on Sunday.

"But at United we knew that Liverpool would ease off if that meant depriving us of the championship, especially a 19th championship that would take us past their record.

"We'd heard rumours during the week that some Liverpool players had turned round to one of their young lads and said: 'There's not a f****** chance we're going to let United win this league.'

"I've no idea whether that rumour was true or not, but you could see the game was a nice end-of-season stroll for Liverpool.

"You could see half their players were on their summer holidays. Yet we couldn't complain, not publicly. It was up to us to make sure we weren't in a vulnerable position.

"But it didn't say much for Liverpool."

Neville, 36, also took aim at the Reds side that lost the 1996 FA Cup final to United.

Eric Cantona's stoppage time goal proved the difference between the sides and Neville believes that Roy Evans's players were distracted by their well-documented extracurricular activities.

He added: "The Liverpool team we faced in 1996 had talent but their professionalism wasn't close to ours at United.

"They turned up at Wembley for the FA Cup final wearing shocking white suits, looking like they had done most of their preparations in the tailors.

"Perhaps those Liverpool lads have no regrets from their careers.

"I don't doubt they enjoyed themselves.

"But, at United, the time to party is when you've won something."

Robin van Persie has hinted he will ask manager Arsene Wenger if he can play a free role in the Arsenal team, rather than as an out-and-out striker, after scoring four times from the position as the Netherlands beat San Marino 11-0 on Friday. Metro

And who pray tell Princess is supposed to be your centreforward now then?

From Football Italia:

'Lazy' Balotelli in Italy snub?

There’s a new Mario Balotelli controversy, as it’s reported Cesare Prandelli was angered by ‘a lazy warm-up’ and using his iPad on the bench.

The Manchester City striker only played for the final six minutes of Friday’s Euro 2012 qualifier against the Faroe Islands.

It is now claimed he was set to come on early in the second half, but Coach Prandelli decided to delay the change after seeing his ‘lazy warm-up’ on the touchline.

There are even suggestions Balotelli was too distracted to pay attention to the game, as he brought his iPad with him on to the bench.

It remains to be seen how Prandelli will use this behaviour when making his decision on the starting XI against Slovenia.

If Italy win that game at the Stadio Franchi on Tuesday evening, they will be automatically qualified for Euro 2012.

2011 .... The year of the 'SNUB'

Chinners wrote:2011 .... The year of the 'SNUB'

Total Snubbery.

New film in the cinema; The adventures of the SNUBS