Tuesday's B*ll*x
Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 8:14 amIt's 'normal' to wave imaginary cards, claims Roberto Mancini
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has defended his decision to wave an imaginary card at referee Martin Atkinson to signify Maynor Figueroa should have been sent off in the 88th minute of his side's 1-0 win over Wigan.
Ever since City's FA Cup defeat to Manchester United, Mancini has been embroiled in rows over controversial refereeing decisions.
Against United he lambasted Wayne Rooney for what he felt was the striker's part in getting Vincent Kompany sent off.
Then, three days later, Mancini got involved in a tunnel row with Liverpool's Steven Gerrard, who accused the Italian of doing exactly the same thing following Glen Johnson's two-footed tackle on Joleon Lescott.
Last night, Mancini was up in arms that Figueroa, having completely misjudged the bounce of Nigel de Jong's long punt forward, only got a yellow card when he handled the ball to prevent Sergio Aguero running through on goal from the halfway line.
"It is normal when it is something like today," Mancini said. "I am on the bench. It is different to a player who is near the referee. They can have more influence.
"From the bench, it is what you think at that moment but the referee doesn't see you."
Opposite number Roberto Martinez agreed with referee Martin Atkinson that the incident took place too far from the Wigan goal to be considered a clear goalscoring opportunity.
"I don't think it was a goalscoring opportunity," he said. "He has misjudged the bounce but he is not even in his own half. I don't think it is a red card."
Martinez also believes Mancini's conduct will not go down well.
"I've been here long enough to understand that trying to influence the referee is not accepted in the British game," he said.
"I've been here since 1995 so I know when a player tries to buy a decision from the referee it is not seen as clever. It is seen as cheating.
"I understand in Italy, Spain and France you try to get decisions from the referee. What happens here is very different."
The row overshadowed a victory that took City three points clear of Manchester United and five in front of Tottenham, whom they face at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
And it was a personal triumph for Edin Dzeko, who ended an 11-match goalscoring drought by heading home his 14th of the season from David Silva's 21st-minute corner.
"I am happy for Edin," Mancini said. "He deserved to score an important goal. I hope he can continue to score."
Mancini is hoping both Micah Richards and Mario Balotelli, who were missing with hamstring and ankle problems respectively, will be available for the Spurs encounter, when Emmanuel Adebayor will be prevented from playing due to the Premier League's rules on loan players.
But with Kompany suspended for a further two games and Yaya and Kolo Toure about to begin their African Nations Cup campaign with the Ivory Coast, City's 'difficult moment' is not over yet.
"At the moment it is impossible to have an easy game," Mancini added. "We needed the three points. It is difficult but we knew it would be two months ago."
For Wigan, who remain at the foot of the table, it was another case of what might have been.
Although it was something of a surprise for Joe Hart to be named man of the match, the City keeper had enough to do to prove Wigan were in the contest, so the ease with which the visitors got their winner was a sense of enormous frustration.
"We have to be critical," Martinez said. "It is no good saying we were playing against an outstanding team. We are frustrated and disappointed.
"Manchester City have so much talent on the ball and to concede from a soft set play is hard to take."
http://www.mancityfans.net/mcfnet/viewt ... 19&t=41551
SUPERFIT WAG OF THE DAY - VIDEO
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OTHER BOLLOX
Everton are set to give a trial to 30-year-old USA striker Edson Buddle, who currently plays for German second division side Ingolstadt04. Liverpool Echo
Tottenham have placed a £20m pricetag on England striker Jermain Defoe, 29, who had been linked with a £10m bid from Liverpool. Daily Mirror
Striker Dimitar Berbatov, 30, is at the centre of a battle between Russia and Germany. The £30.75m striker is wanted by CSKA Moscow, Anzhi Makhachkala, Bayern Munich and one of his former clubs, Bayer Leverkusen.: Manchester Evening News
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Marseille striker Loic Remy, 25, has turned his back on a January move to Tottenham. the Sun
Liverpool are eyeing a move for £5m-rated Swansea striker Scott Sinclair, 22. Daily Star
New QPR manager Mark Hughes is stepping up his bid to sign Fulham striker Bobby Zamora, 30. London Evening Standard
Blackburn winger Junior Hoilett, 21, looks likely to remain at the club beyond the January transfer window, despite reported interest from Tottenham and a diminishing contract which expires in the summer. International Business Times
And Rovers have priced wantaway defender Chris Samba, 27, at £15m - and claimed the defender, a target for QPR and Spurs, owes them money after they gave him a six-figure loan to pay for improvements to his house. Daily Mirror
Freiburg striker Papiss Cisse, 26, says he is "flattered" by the interest shown in him by Premier League side Sunderland.Goal.com
Liverpool have stolen a march on a host of European clubs by inviting Swedish side IFK Norrkoping's 14-year-old striker Abdul Aziz for a trial at the club. talkShit
Tottenham could be set to make a renewed bid for Atletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente, 26, who could cost up to £24m. Footybunker
Striker Fernando Torres, 27, is believed to have asked Chelsea for extra training sessions to work on his finishing in a bid to end his goal drought. London Evening Standard
Midfielder Joey Barton, 29, has ruled out a move from QPR in January and insists he is happy to fight for his place under new manager Mark Hughes. talkShit
Bolton manager Owen Coyle believes the club can beat relegation without defender Gary Cahill, 26, who has joined Chelsea. Bolton News
Declan Rudd's ankle injury could force Norwich manager Paul Lambert to make an unexpected foray into the transfer market for experienced goalkeeping cover. Eastern Daily Press
Defender Jamie Carragher, 33, admits he's flattered that Liverpool want him to stay at Anfield beyond his playing days but insists he is focused purely on winning back a regular place in Kenny Dalglish's side. Liverpool Echo
Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes, 37, was apparently so in need of a new pair of football boots before his surprise comeback from retirement that he had to pop into his local sports shop and buy a pair for £40. Metro
Prince William can only laugh when asked about Alex McLeish's appointment as Aston Villa manager. Birmingham Mail
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has defended his decision to wave an imaginary card at referee Martin Atkinson to signify Maynor Figueroa should have been sent off in the 88th minute of his side's 1-0 win over Wigan.
Ever since City's FA Cup defeat to Manchester United, Mancini has been embroiled in rows over controversial refereeing decisions.
Against United he lambasted Wayne Rooney for what he felt was the striker's part in getting Vincent Kompany sent off.
Then, three days later, Mancini got involved in a tunnel row with Liverpool's Steven Gerrard, who accused the Italian of doing exactly the same thing following Glen Johnson's two-footed tackle on Joleon Lescott.
Last night, Mancini was up in arms that Figueroa, having completely misjudged the bounce of Nigel de Jong's long punt forward, only got a yellow card when he handled the ball to prevent Sergio Aguero running through on goal from the halfway line.
"It is normal when it is something like today," Mancini said. "I am on the bench. It is different to a player who is near the referee. They can have more influence.
"From the bench, it is what you think at that moment but the referee doesn't see you."
Opposite number Roberto Martinez agreed with referee Martin Atkinson that the incident took place too far from the Wigan goal to be considered a clear goalscoring opportunity.
"I don't think it was a goalscoring opportunity," he said. "He has misjudged the bounce but he is not even in his own half. I don't think it is a red card."
Martinez also believes Mancini's conduct will not go down well.
"I've been here long enough to understand that trying to influence the referee is not accepted in the British game," he said.
"I've been here since 1995 so I know when a player tries to buy a decision from the referee it is not seen as clever. It is seen as cheating.
"I understand in Italy, Spain and France you try to get decisions from the referee. What happens here is very different."
The row overshadowed a victory that took City three points clear of Manchester United and five in front of Tottenham, whom they face at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
And it was a personal triumph for Edin Dzeko, who ended an 11-match goalscoring drought by heading home his 14th of the season from David Silva's 21st-minute corner.
"I am happy for Edin," Mancini said. "He deserved to score an important goal. I hope he can continue to score."
Mancini is hoping both Micah Richards and Mario Balotelli, who were missing with hamstring and ankle problems respectively, will be available for the Spurs encounter, when Emmanuel Adebayor will be prevented from playing due to the Premier League's rules on loan players.
But with Kompany suspended for a further two games and Yaya and Kolo Toure about to begin their African Nations Cup campaign with the Ivory Coast, City's 'difficult moment' is not over yet.
"At the moment it is impossible to have an easy game," Mancini added. "We needed the three points. It is difficult but we knew it would be two months ago."
For Wigan, who remain at the foot of the table, it was another case of what might have been.
Although it was something of a surprise for Joe Hart to be named man of the match, the City keeper had enough to do to prove Wigan were in the contest, so the ease with which the visitors got their winner was a sense of enormous frustration.
"We have to be critical," Martinez said. "It is no good saying we were playing against an outstanding team. We are frustrated and disappointed.
"Manchester City have so much talent on the ball and to concede from a soft set play is hard to take."
http://www.mancityfans.net/mcfnet/viewt ... 19&t=41551
SUPERFIT WAG OF THE DAY - VIDEO
[spoiler][youtube]xMV1kYNgfHQ[/youtube][/spoiler]
OTHER BOLLOX
Everton are set to give a trial to 30-year-old USA striker Edson Buddle, who currently plays for German second division side Ingolstadt04. Liverpool Echo
Tottenham have placed a £20m pricetag on England striker Jermain Defoe, 29, who had been linked with a £10m bid from Liverpool. Daily Mirror
Striker Dimitar Berbatov, 30, is at the centre of a battle between Russia and Germany. The £30.75m striker is wanted by CSKA Moscow, Anzhi Makhachkala, Bayern Munich and one of his former clubs, Bayer Leverkusen.: Manchester Evening News
Meanwhile, United are set to go head-to-head with Serie A giants Juventus for the signature of 19-year-old Basel midfielder Granit Xhaka. talkShit
Lokomotiv Moscow are plotting to scupper Arsenal's attempts to land Cologne striker Lukas Podolski, 26, by blowing them out of the water with a £20m summer bid. Metro
Marseille striker Loic Remy, 25, has turned his back on a January move to Tottenham. the Sun
Liverpool are eyeing a move for £5m-rated Swansea striker Scott Sinclair, 22. Daily Star
New QPR manager Mark Hughes is stepping up his bid to sign Fulham striker Bobby Zamora, 30. London Evening Standard
Blackburn winger Junior Hoilett, 21, looks likely to remain at the club beyond the January transfer window, despite reported interest from Tottenham and a diminishing contract which expires in the summer. International Business Times
And Rovers have priced wantaway defender Chris Samba, 27, at £15m - and claimed the defender, a target for QPR and Spurs, owes them money after they gave him a six-figure loan to pay for improvements to his house. Daily Mirror
Freiburg striker Papiss Cisse, 26, says he is "flattered" by the interest shown in him by Premier League side Sunderland.Goal.com
Liverpool have stolen a march on a host of European clubs by inviting Swedish side IFK Norrkoping's 14-year-old striker Abdul Aziz for a trial at the club. talkShit
Tottenham could be set to make a renewed bid for Atletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente, 26, who could cost up to £24m. Footybunker
Striker Fernando Torres, 27, is believed to have asked Chelsea for extra training sessions to work on his finishing in a bid to end his goal drought. London Evening Standard
Midfielder Joey Barton, 29, has ruled out a move from QPR in January and insists he is happy to fight for his place under new manager Mark Hughes. talkShit
Bolton manager Owen Coyle believes the club can beat relegation without defender Gary Cahill, 26, who has joined Chelsea. Bolton News
Declan Rudd's ankle injury could force Norwich manager Paul Lambert to make an unexpected foray into the transfer market for experienced goalkeeping cover. Eastern Daily Press
Defender Jamie Carragher, 33, admits he's flattered that Liverpool want him to stay at Anfield beyond his playing days but insists he is focused purely on winning back a regular place in Kenny Dalglish's side. Liverpool Echo
Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes, 37, was apparently so in need of a new pair of football boots before his surprise comeback from retirement that he had to pop into his local sports shop and buy a pair for £40. Metro
Prince William can only laugh when asked about Alex McLeish's appointment as Aston Villa manager. Birmingham Mail