Costel Pantilimon celebrates City’s Carling Cup win at Arsenal, in which he made a couple of top saves
Recruit the best candidates Costel Pantilimon is the tallest player in the Premier League – and he put in a performance as big as his stature to see the Blues into the Carling Cup semi-finals.
Two brilliant first-half saves from the 6ft 8in goalkeeper meant that the 5,000 travelling fans behind the goal at the Emirates had a new hero.
But that came as no great surprise in his native Romania, where Pantilimon found stardom with a stunning performance for his country in a 2-0 defeat by France in a Euro 2012 qualifier in October.
Pantilimon has had to be patient at City during his season-long loan from Timisoara, but his attitude – and his display between the sticks against Arsenal – have enhanced his chances of landing a permanent deal.
The Blues have an option to buy Pantilimon, for a fee believed to be around £3m, next summer.
And that would suit the big man just fine.
But Pantilimon says he is not at City simply to be number two to Joe Hart. He says he wants to push the England stopper for his jersey and land a permanent contract.
“I just work to be ready when the team needs me,” said the man who cost Timisoara just £64,000 from his hometown team of Aerostar Bacau in 2006.
“Right now it is Joe playing, because he is a great player, a great keeper but in every training session everybody fights and works to be in the squad.
“It is normal that everyone wants to play, but I have to wait for my chances and see what happens.”
Pantilimon first interested City when he played against them in last season’s Europa League and, with Arsenal and Inter Milan also reportedly interested, stepped in to take him on loan last summer.
With Shay Given leaving to join Aston Villa, the Blues wanted a player who could be understudy to Hart but who would also push him for his place.
They had looked at Stoke’s Thomas Sorensen and even toyed with the idea of bringing in experienced German stopper Timo Hildebrand, but in the end plumped for Pantilimon.
“I remember the two games against City last season well because we played well in both,” said the 24-year-old, who now has 14 caps for his country.”
We believed we could win, as we had already beaten Shakhtar Donetsk – who had just won the Uefa Cup – the season before, and that was a big result.”
While City dashed that hope with a 3-0 aggregate win, Pantilimon’s size and ability were eye-catching, and last summer the Blues contacted his representative.
“It was an important moment for me,” said Pantilimon. “I was on holiday as the championship was over in Romania, and my agent called me to say I had an opportunity to go to City.
“I loved that idea, because City are a great team – it was a big opportunity for a young player and there was no question that I would take it.”
While he has had to bide his time at City, he has also been in and out of the Romania side, despite his fine display in Paris, his proudest moment in football.
His only regret in France was that his mother and father – both deaf and dumb – could not hear the national anthem play as their son stood in line before the game.
Pantilimon received a text from Hart, rested from the squad, before the game at the Emirates, wishing him luck.
And he says that Hart and number three keeper Stuart Taylor have both been huge helps in developing his game – and giving him useful advice about the English game.
“Joe is a great guy and a very good keeper. But him, me and Stuart Taylor work hard to help the team – what is important is that the team gets the results,” he said.
“It is different for goalkeepers over here. When I first came, Joe and Stuart both told me to be careful on crosses because they come in very hard.
“In my first game against Birmingham, their players came in and pushed me over! In Europe it is different – in Italy and Romania it is not the same.
“Over there if you go into the goalkeeper he gets a foul, but here it is not the same. But here, they like to fight, and now I understand what is happening.”
Lambert - No City jealousy
Canaries boss admits he would so the same in Mancini's shoes
As Norwich prepare to tackle the Premier League leaders, Paul Lambert claims he does not begrudge Manchester City their limitless resources.
City have dominated the English top flight so far this season, with Roberto Mancini's side having made their way to the top of the table on the back of an unbeaten start.
Substantial strengthening over recent years has put the Blues in the enviable position of being able to dip into a pool of players brimming with world-class talent.
Many of their top stars cost more than the entire Norwich squad combined, with the Canaries having taken the budget route to the big time.
Not that they have any complaints about that, with everything they have achieved put down to hard work and shrewd transfer dealings.
Lambert has been the man to oversee their rapid rise from League One to the top tier and he insists he has no issue with City and the manner in which they have gone about their business.
"I don't lose sleep over it. Manchester City are where they are for a reason and have got some top players," said the Scot, who will take Norwich to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
"Manchester City have a fabulous football club with a manager who has seen it and done it, some great players.
"But you should make no apologies for it, because if I could afford somebody at £35million, then I would do the same.
"If somebody injected a lot of money into the club, it is their money and they can do what they want - they could change the manager, the whole club.
"That is the nature of the game, and I don't really worry about the spending spree. They have got a hell of a side, but if I keep worrying about them, then there is no point turning up."
Lambert is fully aware of the size of the challenge his side will be posed this weekend, but he has vowed to stick with the approach that has served him well so far and is planning to take the game to City as much as possible.
He added: "We have to try to cause them a problem, because there is no point going up there and inviting trouble all the time.
"We might get turned over very heavily, but we will give it a go, although at the end of the day, that might not be good enough.
"There is no point in kidding on, because the gulf is huge and Manchester City are on another level from a lot of teams."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16006897.stm
Mancini warns Balotelli to watch for wind-ups
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has warned forward Mario Balotelli that opposing teams will target him from now on, believing he is susceptible to losing his cool and being sent off.
The ever-controversial Italian was shown a red card for two quick-fire offences after coming on as a second half substitute in last weekend's defeat against Liverpool, the third dismissal of his 18-month career at the Etihad Stadium.
And Mancini was warned the 21-year-old that he needs to be more careful, and recognise when players are trying to goad him to spark a reaction.
"I think some players think they can wind him up," Mancini said. "Mario should pay attention and be clever. We can't do anything because he is the one on the pitch, so he should pay attention and think only about football.
"We always try to keep him level [headed], but during a game it's difficult. He should pay attention and not take any risks."
Mancini believes the former Inter Milan forward has matured in recent times - despite still managing to hit the headlines for unlikely reasons - but insists his disciplinary record is unacceptable.
"Mario is more mature now, that's clear," he said. "But it's important he understands we need him as a player on the pitch. It's impossible - I took three red cards in 20 years and Mario has had three in two weeks!
"Mario has improved a lot and has played very well in the last three months. He's an important player for us and I want him to continue to improve."
CORINTHIANS BACK IN FOR AWOL MANCHESTER CITY STRIKER
Corinthians say they have joined the hunt to sign Carlos Tevez. Club president Andres Sanchez says he will try again for the striker who is AWOL in his native Argentina.
The Brazilians agreed a £40million fee with Manchester City in the summer but could not force the deal through before the deadline.
Sanchez said: "I want to sign Tevez. We are going to hire a top-class player for 2012 and I hope it will be Tevez.
"I don't know how much we would pay but if Tevez decides to move, I'm sure he will play for us."
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[/spoiler]OTHER BOLLOX
Arsenal have been told that Borussia Dortmund playmaker Mario Gotze will not be sold for less than £30m. The Gunners had hoped to tie up a deal for the Germany international for £25m in advance of the transfer window opening. talkSHIT
Arsenal are also chasing £25m-rated Internacional and Brazil striker Leandro Damiao, 22. Daily Mirror
Arsene Wenger is considering a move for Germany international forward Lukas Podolski, 26. The Arsenal boss faces competition from Italian side Lazio for the Cologne striker in the January transfer window.
Full story: TalkSport
Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United could be drawn into a January bidding war for 17-year-old River Plate striker Lucas Ocampos. The Argentine club are contemplating selling the teenager in January and are thought to want £15m. Metro
Aston Villa are closing in on a deal for Nice striker Yannick Djalo. The 25-year-old is available on a free transfer after Fifa refused to ratify his transfer from Sporting Lisbon in August, leaving him unable to play for the French side. the Guardian
Ajax right-back Gregory van der Wiel is set to turn down a move to the Premier League - with both Chelsea and Manchester United interested in the 23-year-old - and sign for Valencia. Footie Online
Italian side Roma are set to make a move for Tottenham defender Vedran Corluka. The 25-year-old wants to play in Euro 2012 for Croatia, while Roma want him to replace the injured defender Nicolas Burdisso. Daily Mail
Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers is keen to sign 19-year-old Cliftonville striker Rory Donnelly. Daily Mail
Newcastle striker Demba Ba believes his team fully deserve their top-four spot in the Premier League. "We haven't stolen anything from anybody, and we haven't cheated anybody," he said. Newcastle Chronicle
Wolves attacker Stephen Hunt says that the club's players are "all on trial" before the transfer the window opens, attempting to convince manager Mick McCarthy not to strengthen the squad in their position. Express and Star
Crystal Palace's Carling Cup hero Darren Ambrose, who came on as substitute and scored a screamer to help beat Manchester United at Old Trafford, has revealed he fears being dropped for Friday's league game against Derby. Daily Mirror
Former Liverpool attacker Ryan Babel has had a run-in with a former convict dressed as children's cartoon character Spongebob Squarepants. Babel hired the entertainer for a children's party but argued with him after Spongebob removed his costume and started smoking in front of guests. Liverpool Echo
BINGO'S XMAS BOLLOX
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The Bingo Caller will visit http://www.Mancityfans.net on Monday 12th until Wednesday 14th December (so hopefully prizes will arrive by xmas)
MCF.net Post of the Week
AFKAE wrote:Steve Bruce is one jammy bastard. He gets the sack on 30th November, and then on 1st December all the department stores are looking to employ a fat twat dressed in red and white.
