Tuesday's B*l**x
Posted: Tue May 07, 2013 7:36 amTHE BOLLOX
'Don’t count on it!' Dickov hands Blues a Wembley warning
City legend Paul Dickov knows all about cup giant-killing acts after over-seeing League One Oldham’s fourth-round shock win over Liverpool earlier this year.
Roberto Mancini must be wary of unfashionable Wigan causing one of the biggest-ever FA Cup upsets in Saturday’s princes versus paupers final at Wembley.
That’s according to City legend Paul Dickov – who knows all about cup giant-killing acts after over-seeing League One Oldham’s fourth-round shock win over Liverpool earlier this year.
City could see off an 11th-hour surge from Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham to seal the Premier League runners-up spot behind champions United with a win at home against West Brom tonight. Meanwhile, impoverished Wigan’s Wembley build-up will see them continue their nerve-jangling battle to avoid relegation when they play host to Swansea.
Regardless of their respective league fortunes tonight, City will start as overwhelming favourites in Saturday’s final.
But Dickov, who etched himself into City folklore with his late, late goal against Gillingham in the 1999 League One play-off final at Wembley, believes the Blues will have everything to lose on Saturday.
Dickov, 40, who scored the last-ever goal at Springfield Park in City’s 1-1 play-off semi-final in 1999 before Wigan moved to the JJB Stadium, said today: “We were in a very similar position to Wigan, very close to the bottom of the table. And the week in, week out awareness of relegation can add extra pressure to players.
“But then you have an outlet – an FA Cup game and in this case an FA Cup final. I know that Wigan are a good team and I went to watch the Premier League match last month at the Etihad, which City won 1-0.
“But Wigan were fantastic on the evening – never mind get a point out of it, they deserved to win.
“The way they played was a credit to Roberto Martinez, so I don’t think the final will be as clear-cut as many people think.”
Dickov went on: “All we said to the boys at Oldham was that the game against Liverpool was a gimme. They could go out there and play football like they did in the playground, for fun and with flair and have a right good go as there was nothing to lose. Martinez will be doing just the same to ensure they deliver their best on the day.
‘From the outside looking in, nobody is expecting Wigan to get anything, but to go down in the history books as the first Wigan team to win an FA Cup final will be a fantastic incentive.
“Premiership survival is important, but you would have something to show future generations if you earned an FA Cup winners medal.”
Dickov is now at a career crossroads having lost his Oldham job but is in talks about a return to management with Doncaster.
But despite his warnings, he is backing the Blues to prosper.
Dickov added:“City won’t be resting players as the FA Cup is their one chance of getting silverware this year.
“So Mancini will play his strongest team. He’ll have to respect Wigan as they alone stand between City and FA Cup glory. Whatever Wigan do it will be a relief, but I am supporting City and suspect they will be too strong and will win 2-0.”
Man City ponder surprise move for Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers
Recently-dethroned Premier League champions Manchester City are lining up a shock swoop for Liverpool head coach Brendan Rodgers to replace their under-pressure manager Roberto Mancini at the Ethiad stadium next season, according to recent reports in the Daily Mirror.
The young Northern Irishman only arrived on Merseyside last summer to replace previous Reds boss Kenny Dalglish in the Anfield hot seat and the 40-year-old has a contract with the Premier League giants until May 2015.
However, with those in charge of City said to be unconvinced by Mancini’s abilities to wrestle the title back from city-rivals Manchester United next season, as well as make more of an impression in the Uefa Champions League, it is expected that the popular Italian will be given his marching orders come the summer.
But, the name of Rodgers as his potential replacement will come as a major surprise to the club’s supporters, especially as the new Liverpool coach has hardly set the world alight in his debut campaign in charge of the club.
Liverpool currently lie in seventh pace in the top-flight table, with Rodgers having won 23 of his 51 games in all competitions this season, giving him a win percentage of just 45, which will need to be substantially higher if he moves to Eastlands.
City players set for FA Cup final trial
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini will use Tuesday's Premier League clash against West Bromwich Albion as an audition for the FA Cup final, insisting he is yet to decide his starting line-up.
City could seal second place when they host West Brom at the Etihad and although there is much less to play for than at the same stage last season, Mancini has introduced an added incentive for his charges to grab the three points.
"I have not yet decided my Cup final team. We will only talk about it after tonight's game," he said. "A good team should have a good mentality in this game, and then we have four days to recover before the final.
"We need to play with five or six fresh players, for sure. We need to beat West Brom and get second, then we can play the next three games with no problem."
Although Mancini is expected to have one eye on Saturday's match when selecting his line-up for the West Brom clash, Pablo Zabaleta claims the City players are eager to prove their place one last time.
"We will all be playing for places at Wembley," Zabaleta said. "Every single player will want to show the manager that they want to play in that game.
"We want to keep winning to make sure we get second place. Then we can turn our focus to Wembley. Hopefully winning will give us momentum for such an important game. Winning gives you confidence and makes you stronger.
"It's important for the club to keep winning trophies. The main target for the team was to retain the title which was difficult but winning the FA Cup is always important because it is a special competition."
Baggies striker Romelu Lukaku, who has scored 14 league goals this season, with be the biggest threat for City and his Belgium team-mate Vincent Kompany is relishing the chance to play against one of the nation's brightest talents.
"Romelu is probably one of the biggest talents in Europe at the moment," Kompany said. "We are very lucky with him, being a very young striker and Christian Benteke. We have two unbelievable talents coming through. I am looking forward to playing against him. He will be a world beater in England very soon."
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Southampton and Liverpool both want to sign Celtic's 21-year-old defensive midfielder Victor Wanyama. Daily Mirror
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce is considering making a bid for Aston Villa's £5m-rated American goalkeeper Brad Guzan, 28. Sun
West Ham midfielder Joe Cole, 31, says the Hammers would love to keep on-loan striker Andy Carroll, 24, beyond the end of the season. Metro
Bayer Leverkusen's Andre Schurrle, 22, who can play either as a striker or as a winger, is believed to have already signed a pre-contract agreement to join Chelsea. Daily Mirror
Stephane Mbia, 26, has upset QPR fans by appearing to ask fellow midfielder Joey Barton, 30, on Twitter if they can swap clubs again so Mbia can move back to Marseille. Mbia joined QPR from the French side in August, with Barton moving on loan in the opposite direction. DSSC
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho, 50, wants former Blackburn boss Steve Kean, 45, to join him if he returns as manager at Stamford Bridge. Daily Mirror
Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny, 23, insists Tottenham are not good enough to claim a top-four spot. Sun
Liverpool are considering bringing forward plans for midfielder Steven Gerrard, 32, to have an operation on a shoulder injury. The Anfield captain was scheduled to have surgery in the summer, but it could happen earlier than expected. Times
England winger Wilfried Zaha, 20, must show Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson his best form after problems on and off the field. Zaha joined United in January from Championship side Crystal Palace, but was then loaned back to Palace for the remainder of this season. DSSC
Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud, 26, says he has had a better all-round first season in England than Thierry Henry and Didier Drogba. The Gunners forward has been criticised despite only scoring 17 times in all competitions since joining the club last summer from Montpellier. Times
Belgium-registered agent Daniel Striani has lodged an official challenge with the European Commission to Uefa's financial fair play regulations claiming it is an illegal restriction on his potential income. Independent
Liverpool's policy of buying up houses around Anfield for a ground expansion and leaving them empty has driven the local area into dreadful decline, claim local residents. Guardian
Juventus will try to sign Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, 26, Real Madrid attacker Gonzalo Higuain, 25, and Barcelona forward Alexis Sanchez, 24, as they aim to mount a challenge for the Champions League title next season. Tuttosport
Relations between Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho and his team are so bad that he is on speaking terms with only three players - goalkeeper Diego Lopez, 31, and midfielders Michael Essien, 30, and Luka Modric, 27. Marca
Barcelona left-back Eric Abidal, 33, does not expect to be offered an extension to his contract which is due to end on 30 June. The Frenchman returned to the team last month after undergoing a liver transplant. Radio Cadena Cope
Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho was spotted buying boxes and packaging in furniture store Ikea, increasing speculation that he is to leave Spain in the summer and return to England as Chelsea manager. Guardian
MORE BOLLOX LATER ...
'Don’t count on it!' Dickov hands Blues a Wembley warning
City legend Paul Dickov knows all about cup giant-killing acts after over-seeing League One Oldham’s fourth-round shock win over Liverpool earlier this year.
Roberto Mancini must be wary of unfashionable Wigan causing one of the biggest-ever FA Cup upsets in Saturday’s princes versus paupers final at Wembley.
That’s according to City legend Paul Dickov – who knows all about cup giant-killing acts after over-seeing League One Oldham’s fourth-round shock win over Liverpool earlier this year.
City could see off an 11th-hour surge from Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham to seal the Premier League runners-up spot behind champions United with a win at home against West Brom tonight. Meanwhile, impoverished Wigan’s Wembley build-up will see them continue their nerve-jangling battle to avoid relegation when they play host to Swansea.
Regardless of their respective league fortunes tonight, City will start as overwhelming favourites in Saturday’s final.
But Dickov, who etched himself into City folklore with his late, late goal against Gillingham in the 1999 League One play-off final at Wembley, believes the Blues will have everything to lose on Saturday.
Dickov, 40, who scored the last-ever goal at Springfield Park in City’s 1-1 play-off semi-final in 1999 before Wigan moved to the JJB Stadium, said today: “We were in a very similar position to Wigan, very close to the bottom of the table. And the week in, week out awareness of relegation can add extra pressure to players.
“But then you have an outlet – an FA Cup game and in this case an FA Cup final. I know that Wigan are a good team and I went to watch the Premier League match last month at the Etihad, which City won 1-0.
“But Wigan were fantastic on the evening – never mind get a point out of it, they deserved to win.
“The way they played was a credit to Roberto Martinez, so I don’t think the final will be as clear-cut as many people think.”
Dickov went on: “All we said to the boys at Oldham was that the game against Liverpool was a gimme. They could go out there and play football like they did in the playground, for fun and with flair and have a right good go as there was nothing to lose. Martinez will be doing just the same to ensure they deliver their best on the day.
‘From the outside looking in, nobody is expecting Wigan to get anything, but to go down in the history books as the first Wigan team to win an FA Cup final will be a fantastic incentive.
“Premiership survival is important, but you would have something to show future generations if you earned an FA Cup winners medal.”
Dickov is now at a career crossroads having lost his Oldham job but is in talks about a return to management with Doncaster.
But despite his warnings, he is backing the Blues to prosper.
Dickov added:“City won’t be resting players as the FA Cup is their one chance of getting silverware this year.
“So Mancini will play his strongest team. He’ll have to respect Wigan as they alone stand between City and FA Cup glory. Whatever Wigan do it will be a relief, but I am supporting City and suspect they will be too strong and will win 2-0.”
Man City ponder surprise move for Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers
Recently-dethroned Premier League champions Manchester City are lining up a shock swoop for Liverpool head coach Brendan Rodgers to replace their under-pressure manager Roberto Mancini at the Ethiad stadium next season, according to recent reports in the Daily Mirror.
The young Northern Irishman only arrived on Merseyside last summer to replace previous Reds boss Kenny Dalglish in the Anfield hot seat and the 40-year-old has a contract with the Premier League giants until May 2015.
However, with those in charge of City said to be unconvinced by Mancini’s abilities to wrestle the title back from city-rivals Manchester United next season, as well as make more of an impression in the Uefa Champions League, it is expected that the popular Italian will be given his marching orders come the summer.
But, the name of Rodgers as his potential replacement will come as a major surprise to the club’s supporters, especially as the new Liverpool coach has hardly set the world alight in his debut campaign in charge of the club.
Liverpool currently lie in seventh pace in the top-flight table, with Rodgers having won 23 of his 51 games in all competitions this season, giving him a win percentage of just 45, which will need to be substantially higher if he moves to Eastlands.
City players set for FA Cup final trial
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini will use Tuesday's Premier League clash against West Bromwich Albion as an audition for the FA Cup final, insisting he is yet to decide his starting line-up.
City could seal second place when they host West Brom at the Etihad and although there is much less to play for than at the same stage last season, Mancini has introduced an added incentive for his charges to grab the three points.
"I have not yet decided my Cup final team. We will only talk about it after tonight's game," he said. "A good team should have a good mentality in this game, and then we have four days to recover before the final.
"We need to play with five or six fresh players, for sure. We need to beat West Brom and get second, then we can play the next three games with no problem."
Although Mancini is expected to have one eye on Saturday's match when selecting his line-up for the West Brom clash, Pablo Zabaleta claims the City players are eager to prove their place one last time.
"We will all be playing for places at Wembley," Zabaleta said. "Every single player will want to show the manager that they want to play in that game.
"We want to keep winning to make sure we get second place. Then we can turn our focus to Wembley. Hopefully winning will give us momentum for such an important game. Winning gives you confidence and makes you stronger.
"It's important for the club to keep winning trophies. The main target for the team was to retain the title which was difficult but winning the FA Cup is always important because it is a special competition."
Baggies striker Romelu Lukaku, who has scored 14 league goals this season, with be the biggest threat for City and his Belgium team-mate Vincent Kompany is relishing the chance to play against one of the nation's brightest talents.
"Romelu is probably one of the biggest talents in Europe at the moment," Kompany said. "We are very lucky with him, being a very young striker and Christian Benteke. We have two unbelievable talents coming through. I am looking forward to playing against him. He will be a world beater in England very soon."
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]Southampton and Liverpool both want to sign Celtic's 21-year-old defensive midfielder Victor Wanyama. Daily Mirror
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce is considering making a bid for Aston Villa's £5m-rated American goalkeeper Brad Guzan, 28. Sun
West Ham midfielder Joe Cole, 31, says the Hammers would love to keep on-loan striker Andy Carroll, 24, beyond the end of the season. Metro
Bayer Leverkusen's Andre Schurrle, 22, who can play either as a striker or as a winger, is believed to have already signed a pre-contract agreement to join Chelsea. Daily Mirror
Stephane Mbia, 26, has upset QPR fans by appearing to ask fellow midfielder Joey Barton, 30, on Twitter if they can swap clubs again so Mbia can move back to Marseille. Mbia joined QPR from the French side in August, with Barton moving on loan in the opposite direction. DSSC
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho, 50, wants former Blackburn boss Steve Kean, 45, to join him if he returns as manager at Stamford Bridge. Daily Mirror
Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny, 23, insists Tottenham are not good enough to claim a top-four spot. Sun
Liverpool are considering bringing forward plans for midfielder Steven Gerrard, 32, to have an operation on a shoulder injury. The Anfield captain was scheduled to have surgery in the summer, but it could happen earlier than expected. Times
England winger Wilfried Zaha, 20, must show Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson his best form after problems on and off the field. Zaha joined United in January from Championship side Crystal Palace, but was then loaned back to Palace for the remainder of this season. DSSC
Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud, 26, says he has had a better all-round first season in England than Thierry Henry and Didier Drogba. The Gunners forward has been criticised despite only scoring 17 times in all competitions since joining the club last summer from Montpellier. Times
Belgium-registered agent Daniel Striani has lodged an official challenge with the European Commission to Uefa's financial fair play regulations claiming it is an illegal restriction on his potential income. Independent
Liverpool's policy of buying up houses around Anfield for a ground expansion and leaving them empty has driven the local area into dreadful decline, claim local residents. Guardian
Juventus will try to sign Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, 26, Real Madrid attacker Gonzalo Higuain, 25, and Barcelona forward Alexis Sanchez, 24, as they aim to mount a challenge for the Champions League title next season. Tuttosport
Relations between Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho and his team are so bad that he is on speaking terms with only three players - goalkeeper Diego Lopez, 31, and midfielders Michael Essien, 30, and Luka Modric, 27. Marca
Barcelona left-back Eric Abidal, 33, does not expect to be offered an extension to his contract which is due to end on 30 June. The Frenchman returned to the team last month after undergoing a liver transplant. Radio Cadena Cope
Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho was spotted buying boxes and packaging in furniture store Ikea, increasing speculation that he is to leave Spain in the summer and return to England as Chelsea manager. Guardian
MORE BOLLOX LATER ...