Gael Clichy urges Manchester City to forget about Manchester United's challenge and focus on winning their next 11 games
Gael Clichy has urged Manchester City to remain focused on their own performances and forget about Manchester United’s challenge in the Premier League title race.
The 26-year-old’s deflected first-half goal helped City to a straightforward 2-0 victory over relegation candidates Bolton Wanderers at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
And Clichy emphasised the importance of City maintaining a strong mentality and sticking together as the title race intensifies.
“The mentality is really important,” he told City’s website. “It’s tough because the gap was only two points [before City’s win], so it was the difference between winning and losing a game.
“We just have to play the way we play. The players up front are scoring goals and we’ve been really solid at the back.
“The spirit is there and everyone believes we can win the title. We have to take each game at a time and see how far we can go. Hopefully it can be a great season.”
City’s victory put the pressure back onto derby rivals United ahead of their trip to Tottenham – but Clichy admitted he doesn’t expect the reigning champions to be fazed by the situation.
“I don’t know if Manchester United feel the pressure because they are used to this situation,” added Clichy.
“There are 11 games to go and we know if we have a run of winning all those games then the title is ours.
“We can’t be focused on what United are doing, and they’re a big team so they know how to deal with this situation.”
I understand why Tevez can't settle at Manchester City - Newcastle's Gutierrez
The Argentine winger says his family's presence is one of the main reasons he loves life in Newcastle, but also offers words of sympathy to his troubled countryman
Newcastle United winger Jonas Gutierrez says he loves life in England, but admits he can understand why countryman Carlos Tevez has failed to adapt to the English way of life.
The South American winger, who has been a hit in Newcastle since arriving from Mallorca in 2008, says there is no secret as to why he has settled so well and Tevez has struggled.
He told the Sun on Sunday: “My brother is in Argentina but my sister is studying in Manchester and my parents are in Newcastle.
"They came to Spain with me when I was at Mallorca. It's not easy for your family when you leave South America so to have them with me in Spain and now here has been vital.
"I always wanted to play in England but to live in Spain first was the way to go, to make that first step away. The difference between here and Argentina is too great to cope with.
“The weather, the language is all a shock. For Carlos, his family hasn't been around; he has children back in Argentina.
"That is the problem for him. I text him now and then. He's a fantastic player. I can understand why he has had problems though.
"At times it has been hard here for me like when we got relegated. But if you go down you have to stay and bring them back up.
"My family love it here anyway. I can't speak Geordie though. It's impossible."
With his side facing Sunderland on Sunday, Gutierrez added that the Tyne-Wear rivalry brings back memories of the passion generated by the heated derby matches he experienced back in Argentina, albeit without the infamous violence which accompany them.
“I love the passion," he revealed. "The fans don't care if we play well or not. Three points is the aim. It's the same for the players. We know we have to win. Simple as that.
"Everyone I see in the street, all they say is that we have to win this game. But we are confident, even if their new manager has come in and done very well.
"In Argentina the derby I was involved with was Velez Sarsfield v San Lorenzo. It's not like River Plate v Boca but still one of the biggest derbies in Argentina.
"If you lose angry fans will go down to the training ground to complain. Luckily that never happened to me because we got good results.
"People die in South America at matches which just isn't right. The violence is wrong. Fans in England love football the same but channel their passion in a different way."
DAVID SILVA’S £60M MANCHESTER CITY CONTRACT JACKPOT
DAVID SILVA will strike gold in the summer with Manchester City determined to tie him up with a new £60million six-year deal.
Silva, signed for £24million from Valencia 19 months ago, will have another two years left on his current contract at the end of a season.
Right now he is focused on trying to help City land a Premier League and Europa League double.
When the season is over boss Roberto Mancini wants club chiefs to get Silva to discuss extending his stay in Manchester.
Mancini has already been pressed on whether a new deal could be struck in the next few weeks but City don’t want any distractions from their task of winning major honours after FA Cup success last season.
That’s why contract talks will be put on hold until the summer with Silva, 26, likely to be offered new terms of around £10m a year – £200,000 a week.
The deal will give Mancini and City confidence that Silva will stay for a big chunk of his career.
Mancini said: “I don’t think we will have a problem with David and his contract.”
But Silva was cagey and said: “I’ve got two more years on my contract here. I’m going to see them through. After that, who knows? Football is a changeable game.”
Cagliari midfielder Radja Nainggolan 'eyed by Man City and Juventus'
Cagliari midfielder Radja Nainggolan has emerged as a surprise summer transfer target for Manchester City.
The 23-year-old appeared as a substitute for Belgium in the 1-1 draw with Greece in midweek and afterwards admitted he is far from certain to stay with the Sardinian club next season.
His future is likely to depend on how much progress Cagliari make with their plans to move to a new ground.
Nainggolan told La Derniere Heure: 'If the club can build its new stadium, the president wants to keep his whole squad.
'If this is not the case, it changes things.'
Juventus are known to be keen to sign Nainggolan, but the player has previously indicated he would rather leave Italy than join another Serie A side.
Reports in Belgium suggest City are one of the other clubs monitoring the ex-Piacenza star with a view to making a summer bid.
Should they choose to move for him, they are likely to face competition from Russian Premier League teams Zenit St Petersburg and CSKA Moscow.
AGUREO SHOULD JOIN REAL MADRID - MARADONA
Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero, 23, has been advised that he should take any chance he gets to sign for Real Madrid - by his father-in-law Diego Maradona.
http://www.insidefutbol.com/2012/03/03/ ... ero/59010/
Rubin Kazan are ready to make an offer to take Manchester City's 19-year-old striker John Guidetti, who made his debut for Sweden last week, to Russia, after some superb performances while on loan at Feyenoord. Inside Futbol
VIDEO: BBC reporter mistakes Roberto Mancini for Mario Balotelli
BBC reporter Damian Johnson refers to Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini as "Mario Balotelli" in their post-match interview with Mancini jokingly admitting: "I would like to be Mario because he is young".
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17248809
AC MILAN are desperate to sign Mario Balotelli.
The Italian giants are preparing a big money move for the £30million-rated Manchester City striker.
Milan look set to lose Brazilain striker Pato to PSG this summer and want Balotelli to replace him.
Balotelli has been sent off twice for City this season and missed eight games through suspension.
He was left out of the squad for Italy's international friendly defeat by the United States this week.
Italy manager Cesere Prandelli said: “When Balotelli begins to behave well, he will get a call-up.
“He has been handed eight games in suspensions so far in England, which is a lot.
“A great player must be able to face provocation and should not react."
Real set to snub Chelsea and offer Higuain to City
Real Madrid are prepared to offer Gonzalo Higuain to Manchester City – even though the Argentinian striker is wanted by Chelsea.
The Spanish giants want to do a player-plus-cash deal involving Higuain with City for Sergio Aguero who is on Real’s hit-list.
City do not want to sell Aguero, while Chelsea are also keen on Higuain as they look to bring in a top-class striker this summer.
Higuain is ready to leave Madrid after falling down the pecking order and Chelsea, Juventus, Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain are also interested.
City are also keen on Higuain but they would rather use Carlos Tevez as bait in a player-plus-cash deal this summer.
Chelsea have looked at Higuain in the past and the Argentinian has been watched by Stamford Bridge scouts.
Under-pressure boss Andre Villas-Boas also rates Brazilian striker Hulk, who he managed at Porto.
Man City want to buy Sturridge back from Chelsea
Manchester City are plotting a sensational bid to bring Daniel Sturridge back to the club after enquiring about the Chelsea striker’s contract situation.
Sportsmail has learned that City have been asked to be kept updated on developments regarding Sturridge's future.
The England international only left the Etihad Stadium in July 2009 after agreeing to join Chelsea following a contract dispute.
Attracting interest: Manchester City are understood to be keen to re-signing Chelsea's Daniel Sturridge
Sturridge's future at Stamford Bridge has been the subject of growing speculation in recent weeks.
The forward is keen to start negotiations over a new Chelsea deal, though the club are yet to call him in for formal discussions due to the fact he still has two years left on his existing contract.
And the 22-year-old is growing increasingly agitated at Andre Villas-Boas' decision to use him in a wide role, rather than his preferred central striker position.
News of his concerns have filtered back to his former club, who are now trying to manoeuvre themselves into a position to strike if Sturridge becomes obtainable.
Chelsea will offer Sturridge a new contract, which will include a significant pay-rise from his current £65,000-per-week package.
But City's decision to take a watching brief on how the situation regarding Sturridge's contract develops is an interesting development.
Position to debate: Sturridge wants to play as a central striker but manager Andre Villas-Boas has asked him to play out wide more this season
Roberto Mancini is a huge admirer of Sturridge and admitted this week that he found it 'strange' that City - who were managed by Mark Hughes at the time - let him leave.
And the Italian would jump at the chance at having Sturridge back at the club in the future.
However, City will not be the only in club for Sturridge if he becomes available. Sportsmail revealed last month how Arsenal are also keeping close tabs on Sturridge.
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OTHER BOLLOX
Bayern Munich forward Arjen Robben, 28, is considering a return to English football and could join Chelsea, Tottenham or Arsenal for as little as £10m. Sunday Mirror
Cagliari midfielder Radja Nainggolan , 23, has emerged as a surprise summer transfer target for Manchester City. Metro
Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay is planning an £8m summer bid for 24-year-old Leeds midfielder Robert Snodgrass. Sunday Mirror
Tottenham's Kyle Walker, 21, and Liverpool's Glen Johnson, 27, are on a list of full-back targets drawn up by Real Madrid. Metro
Cardiff have started a scramble for former Manchester United trainee Tom Heaton's signature by not offering the 25-year-old goalkeeper a new deal. the Sun
Arsenal will break the bank in a bid to persuade 28-year-old striker Robin van Persie to sign a new contract. The Mail on Sunday
Alex McLeish is in pole position to sign Peterborough's 24-year-old goalkeeper Joe Lewis - with Brad Guzan, 27, set to quit Aston Villa this summer. Sunday Mirror
Arsenal will look to lure Barcelona youngster Cristian Tello to the Emirates Stadium this summer after a series of scouting missions on the 20-year-old attacker. Caught Offside
Former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is on the brink of replacing Andre Villas-Boas as Chelsea manager and could be in place for Tuesday's FA Cup fifth-round replay against Birmingham. The Mail on Sunday
The Chelsea boss is "doomed" and Benitez could be a viable short-term replacement, but owner Roman Abramovich is poised to turn to Barcelona's Pep Guardiola in the summer. Sunday Mirror
Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho will reject any approach from the Football Association to succeed Fabio Capello as England manager as he is only interested in taking on a Premier League job. The Sunday Times
Mourinho has emerged as Harry Redknapp's most serious rival for the job of the next England boss and both men have strong support within the FA. The Mail on Sunday
Everton manager David Moyes says that everyone in the Premier League should take a 20% cut to make fotball more affordable for fans and put football finances in order. Sunday Express
Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill is to give Stephane Sessegnon a free role in Sunday's Tyne-Wear derby. Daily Telegraph
Newcastle defender Fabricio Coloccini has said he is determined to be the next Magpies captain to get his hands on silverware. Evening Chronicle
Wolves midfielder Karl Henry has revealed that a summit held by players after Mick McCarthy's sacking has galvanised players for a survival fight. Express and Star
Striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 30, has revealed Arsene Wenger gave him a Arsenal number nine shirt with his name on to try and tempt him to London in 2000, but the Swede refused a trial and instead chose Ajax. the Sun
Former England and Manchester United full-back Gary Neville has picked his "winning England squad" and named Kyle Walker at hs old position of right back. The Mail on Sunday
Tottenham striker Louise Saha coped with restless nights in his London Docklands apartment caused by noisy trains by wrapping bandages around his head and eyes to get some sleep. the Sun
GARY'S TITLE TASH-O-METER
(It's pretty fair and impartial of Gary to have all City's Away fixtures, bar 1, as Red whilst United have just 2 Red fixtures away hmmmm, great unbiased pundit my arse)
Today is the most significant day in the Premier League title race up to now. I know everyone, including Sir Alex Ferguson and Roberto Mancini, is talking about the potential title shoot-out, when Manchester United travel to play Manchester City on April 30, as title D-Day. That may be the case but my gut feeling is that D-Day comes today and April 30 will be Coronation Day.
I drew attention to this in my column on New Year’s Day and nothing has led me to change my opinion. If United win today at Tottenham, coming off a run of league games against Arsenal, Chelsea, and Norwich away and Liverpool at home, the title odds switch in their favour. And they will know that in the United dressing room.
But if City can be five points clear by the end of today, they clearly remain favourites. So they will be watching the Tottenham game today thinking: ‘Please, just give us a break!’ Because, though both clubs will be approaching each match as it comes, they will have taken a look ahead and know the fixtures now dramatically turn in United’s favour. United’s run-in, other than that game at City, is as gentle as could be expected in the Premier League.
MORE: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footba ... grasp.html
