Friday's B*ll*x

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Friday's B*ll*x

Postby Chinners » Fri Oct 20, 2017 7:10 am

The BOLLOX from Friday's papers
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Manchester City play Burnley this weekend looking to continue their unbeaten start to the season – and according to this morning’s newspapers, Pep Guardiola is planning to add to his already fine squad in the January transfer window.

The Manchester Evening News say City will renew interest in Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez - and add a left-back to their ranks in a bid to cover Benjamin Mendy’s injury setback.
James Robson writes: “City will go back in for Alexis Sanchez if they fear losing the Arsenal striker to one of their European rivals.
“The Etihad hierarchy have been alerted by Arsene Wenger’s willingness to cash in when the transfer window opens in January, with Sanchez resisting all attempts to get him to sign a new long-term deal.
“The 28-year-old is free to talk to teams abroad in the New Year, with Paris St Germain heavily linked with a move.
“City will be prepared to pay in the region of £20m - £40m less than they bid in the summer.
“But Guardiola’s priority is to find cover for Mendy, who will be out until April.
“Napoli’s Faouzi Ghoulam is on City’s radar - as is Southampton’s Ryan Bertrand and Aaron Martin of Espanyol.”

Meanwhile, Aymeric Laporte says he had the chance to move to City from Athletic Bilbao this summer.
But, according to L'Equipe, the France under-21 international said he did not want to leave the La Liga side.
"I had the chance to leave but I did not feel it," Laporte said.
"Also because I was injured and did not want to leave so."

Away from transfers, City’s impressive start to the season continues to garner praise across the board.
Today it’s the turn of Jonathan Wilson, writing in Sports Illustrated, who describes City’s football as ‘mesmerising’.
“This is what was hoped for when Guardiola first joined the club. City's pace and movement are mesmerizing. The club's tally of 29 goals is more than any side has managed in its first eight games in the top flight since Everton in 1894-95, and it hasn’t been because of a simple fixture list. City's run to open the season has included a 1-0 win at the champion, Chelsea; a 5-0 win over Liverpool, which admittedly had Sadio Mane sent off in the first half; and a 6-0 win at Watford, which sits fourth in the current table.”

Man City producing some of the best football in club history
"The Brightness of her cheek would shame those stars as daylight doth a lamp; her eyes in heaven would through the airy region stream so bright that birds would sing, and think it were not night." - William Shakespeare.
It is not recorded what the few birds, who call their home central Manchester, thought of it all, but Manchester City's performance in beating Serie A leaders Napoli 2-1 in the Champions League on Tuesday set hearts soaring in a way hitherto not thought possible in this down-to-earth northern bulwark of a city.
In a place where chips come with gravy and the simple form of a meat-filled pie is a paragon of virtue, Pep Guardiola's masterpiece of geometry and physics is now being welcomed as part and parcel of the new Manchester scenery. For 30 minutes against Napoli, City played the most eye-watering version of high-energy, high-precision swarming that many City supporters can remember.
The Italian league leaders, lauded beforehand for their measly defence and jet-heeled attack, their stylish midfield and their trusty goalkeeper, were reduced to a confused rabble by a sky blue onslaught that hit them between the eyes right from the first shrill blast of Antonio Lahoz's whistle.
Many supporters -- including this correspondent of more decades of rough and tumble football than he cares to recall -- struggled to remember the last time City had produced a passage of play so profoundly capable of obliterating opposition of this calibre.
The nature of Manchester City, 100 years-plus of contrary occurrences, has been hewn from games where they managed to produce extremes of good and bad within the limits of a 90-minute match. It is, therefore, nothing particularly new to see City play well for a passage of time during a match, then fall away to another level.
This, however, was very different.
Two-up after 13 minutes, the first 30 minutes of the game involved a bewildering amount of possession, clever movement and domination of the spaces. The ball moved as if attached to an invisible thread, spinning delightfully from the boots of David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne to the flanks, where Leroy Sane, Raheem Sterling and Kyle Walker continued the light-footed magic. In the middle, Gabriel Jesus dropped back and Fernandinho forced himself forward to further squeeze the life out of what was -- and still is -- a wily and more than capable Napoli team.
Reward came in the shape of two early goals, but De Bruyne's immaculate no-look left-footed blast that came back from the underside of the bar, and Jesus' shot stopped in extremis on the line between the jittery ankles of Kalidou Koulibaly, could well have made it 4-0 before Napoli regrouped and produced a strong reaction of their own.
By this time, the delighted crowd was feasting on one of the best 30 minutes of football ever served up in the name of Manchester City Football Club.
Down the years, there have been plenty of ups and downs in City's vivid history. On several occasions, the full range of emotions were experienced within one game. Memories of a stunning comeback in the second half of seemingly lost games, to Tottenham in the FA Cup in 2004 -- down 3-0 at half-time, with 10 men only to prevail 4-3 -- and Stoke in the third tier of English football in 1998, when a half-time deficit was turned around with no apparent catalyst beyond the crowd's noisy disquiet -- remind us that this club is the ultimate chameleon.
The so-called "Ballet on Ice" -- when City destroyed a very good Tottenham side in the snow of Maine Road in 1967
Watch on youtube.com

The 1977 second-half demolition of then European Champions Liverpool and the still fresh in the memory dismantling of Stoke City (7-2) from a few weeks ago all involved periods when the home side was utterly untouchable.
History tells us that what is most recent is not necessarily most beautiful, but in City's case at least some of their recent offerings must be considered candidates for the hall of fame. Oddly, given the club's apparent mental block in European competition, where it has taken time and patience to adapt, there are three outstanding candidates from the last two seasons.
In defeating Barcelona in the group stage last season, Guardiola's charges revealed the first signs of a team that could take a game forcefully to one of the world's heavyweights. In jousting with Monaco, the team of last season for many, and matching them for verve and vivacity in a sparkling 5-3 win, City showed yet more signs that European football was beginning to become a good fit.
But this latest showing, utterly flattening the much-appreciated Italian league leaders, showed power and precision, a mutual understanding of the where, the who, the how and the when that can only bode well for the rest City's promising season.

Kevin De Bruyne thinks Man City and Man United will fight out title
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MANCHESTER -- Kevin De Bruyne has told ESPN FC the Premier League title race is heading for a showdown between Manchester City and Manchester United.
Both clubs have significantly strengthened their squad in the summer after disappointing seasons last year when they failed to maintain a significant challenge to champions Chelsea.
De Bruyne has been in brilliant form to help City to the top of the table, two points clear of their Manchester rivals, but the Belgium international says neither can afford any slip-ups with so many quality sides in the Premier League.
Asked if he believed the Manchester clubs were the favourites in the title race, De Bruyne said: "For the moment I think so, but everybody's still there.
"It's so early, if you lose two or three games you go back to a [lower] position. We have to maintain this hopefully."
United finished three places below City in sixth last season but have been boosted by the form of De Bruyne's international teammate Romelu Lukaku, who has 11 goals in 11 appearances, following his £75 million move to Old Trafford in the summer.
Marouane Fellaini has also drawn praise from manager Jose Mourinho but De Bruyne says the rivalry among the Belgians has not intensified just yet.
"We see each other in the national team and we just talk but not like bantering already like we're going to win or you're going to win," said De Bruyne, who was speaking as Manchester City announced details for their first SkillCity national final, being held in Pomona, California, on Dec. 9.
"I think everybody's excited to play against each other but it's too early. Everyone's trying for the same goal, you have guys at Chelsea, Tottenham -- and the Belgians are everywhere at the moment."
City have won 11 of their opening 12 games this season, with the 1-1 draw against Everton with only 10 men their only blip in the Premier League, while they have made a perfect start to their Champions League campaign.
Pep Guardiola's side also made strong start last campaign when they won their first 10 matches under the former Barcelona coach. However, that form came to a stuttering halt around this time last year with defeats to Tottenham and Chelsea in the Premier League and Barcelona in Europe.
City, though, have already laid a significant marker this season with wins over top-four rivals Liverpool and Chelsea as well as Tuesday night's victory over Serie A leaders Napoli in the Champions League.
Asked what the differences are to last season, De Bruyne said: "Just that we are winning. I think last year we played good football but especially in the big games we didn't win them.
"Especially at the moment, we are playing maybe a little bit better, but we're just building on what we did last year and for the moment everything is going well. But we'll put hard work into it and we have to keep going."
City have been winning praise from pundits for their brand of attacking football and De Bruyne says City are playing close to Guardiola's vision for his team.
"I think we're pretty much what he wants," he said. "Obviously one game is going the better than the other ones and one time we will look more like his team than another, but I think the way we play is always the same.
"We play dominant football and like to put a lot of pressure on them and if you can do that, it works well. It's hard to go full pace all the time but at the moment everyone is in great shape."


Manchester City star Raheem Sterling puts in weight session hard graft but for once this season is on losing side

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Raheem Sterling has clearly been working hard on and off pitch to become one of Pep Guardiola's standout performers at Manchester City this season.
With eight goals in 11 games Sterling is already seeing the rewards for his efforts and is clearly keen not to take a step back. He lifted the lid on what kind of work he has been putting in, sharing several clips of a recent gym session on Instagram.
In the videos posted on his Instagram story Sterling, 22, lifts some impressive weights for his visibly slight frame, apparently bench pressing 100kg.
However the City winger does not come out on top in the competition with his gym buddy, with Sterling unable to match his friend's 120kg lift.
The weight session might not directly help Sterling in his bid to maintain his impressive goal scoring form but it is clearly part of a concerted effort from the England international to stay sharp.
'I need to continue focusing on getting in the goal-scoring areas,' Sterling said prior to netting in the Champions League against Napoli. 'That's the most important thing for me, trying to get inside the box, because that's where the majority of my goals come from.
'I'm always building and trying to improve on the year before. That's no different this season. I just need to make sure I'm getting in the box and I'm hoping to get into double figures this year.
'I keep growing and learning, and loving the game. There are ups and downs in football, and you just have to pick yourself up.
'Each time that things don't go your way, you've got to keep working hard and keep trying to be the player that you know you want to be. I know exactly what I want to achieve, and I'll keep building for that.'

Garbiel Jesus reveals new tattoo as Manchester City forward shows he holds the cards after flying start
Gabriel Jesus has celebrated his side's Champions League victory over Napoli by adding more ink to his elaborate tattoo collection.
Jesus, 20, scored his eighth goal in 11 appearances in Tuesday nights 2-1 victory over their Italian opponents at the Etihad Stadium.
Despite a late scare by Amadou Diawara's penalty in the 73rd minute, City held on to preserve their unbeaten start to the season, as well as opening up a three-point gap at the top of group F. Reason enough to celebrate.
The Brazilian took to the tattoo parlour to celebrate the win and his goal, and has become notorious for his unique tattoo inspirations and goal celebrations since his £27million move from Palmeiras in 2016.
First came his iconic goal celebration, 'Hello, mother', followed by a portrait of his beloved mother, Vera Lucia Diniz de Jesus, on his left upper-arm, and now? Now Jesus has shown he holds the cards in the City team.
The 20-year-old, who lives with his mother in Manchester, has had four aces along, with dice on his wrist, printed on his left wrist while attaching a rose underneath his mother's face.
The four aces on his wrist are accompanied by dice underneath a section of text
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Jesus's tattoos though, all have a meaning according to the Brazilian star, who has spoken of his emotional connection towards all of his tattoos in the past.
'I have four and all of them represent me a little bit,' Jesus said. 'One is for faith, the other ones are one of Jardim Peri, where I was born and grew up with the dream of being a football player.
'The other completes the image of the neighbour of my childhood. The last one is the quote of my mom. I intend to have more tattoos about my career in the future.'
It hasn't been revealed the true reasoning or meaning behind his latest body art however.
But while the meaning is unknown, Jesus is still his mother's son, who has actively discouraged some of his body art in the past.
After scoring in a 2-0 win over Venezuela during a World Cup qualifier in 2016, Jesus began to imitate a phone call, which was later revealed to be in reference to a conversation with his mother

Manchester City take out trespass injunction after seven daredevils break into Etihad Stadium and climb on roof
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Any trespassers on Manchester City property face potential jail in an immediate response to seven urban free climbers breaking into the Etihad Stadium.
The youngsters filmed themselves free-running around the stadium on August 27, with footage showing a pair of legs dangling over the roof before they were escorted away by police.
City have now taken out a trespass injunction on six of the group's seven members — one is a minor — but that also extends to any other member of the public too.
Those going beyond a green perimeter fence around 50 yards from the Etihad turnstiles once gates are locked will be deemed to have illegally broken into the premises.
Individuals breaching the order will be in contempt of court and sanctioned by a judge. The options available are a fine, seizure of assets or a custodial sentence.
The order, the first of its kind in the Premier League, also covers the club's training ground and academy as well as their London offices.
It applies to other clubs under the City Football Group umbrella stationed in New York, Melbourne, Montevideo and Girona.
City are not the only top-flight club to have endured trouble with unwanted guests breaking an entry. Manchester United condemned four men as 'stupid and irresponsible' after filming themselves inside Old Trafford late at night in June.
Two other supporters had slept at the stadium overnight after leaving their tour group last year, with United then taking a review of their security.
Problems are not exclusive to the North West, however. One YouTuber went undetected at the Emirates last December before attempting the same at West Ham's London Stadium soon after.
Watch on youtube.com


WAG OF THE DAY
Spoiler: Show/Hide
Spoilbox

NEW AGUERO SONG
Status Quo style tribute to imminent City record goalscorer
MCF.net thread: viewtopic.php?f=119&t=53111


GOLDEN BOLLOX
On this day in 2012

Vincent Kompany: Content with Manchester City's start to the season
Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany is happy with his team's start but there is much more to come from the Premier League champions.
City may be third in the table when the Premier League resumes after the international break, but are yet to reproduce the form shown during their title-winning campaign.
An impressive 3-0 win over Sunderland last time out suggested that their best football could be isn't far away and the skipper is content with their form.
"We are exactly where we wanted to be, second or third place and there are still a lot of games to play. We are just getting through them," said the Belgium international.
"There will be moments where we will really switch it on.
"It's already positive for us to pick up so many points when people say maybe we didn't play our best games, but I think we have to be happy with the results.
"If we can still step it up, it's going to be a great season for us again."
Kompany's fitness has been an issue in the early part of the season as he has struggled with a calf injury and his form appeared to drop below the high standards of last season.
But the 26-year-old, who was on target for his country in a 2-0 win against Scotland on Tuesday, feels expectations were a little high.
"I just look at the league now and we are in a good position. We have done what we needed to do and we have managed to keep ourselves at the right place."
Kompany added: "I've always been good. It's just that we set such a ridiculously high standard last season that people are expecting a lot.
"That's fair enough, I've got no problem with that. I just keep working hard. I never really change my vision of the game, I always try to give my best.
"I just look at the league now and we are in a good position. We've done what we needed to do and we've managed to keep ourselves at the right place.
"Chelsea are obviously doing great at the moment. We never said it wasn't going to be a tough season."
City travel to the Hawthorns on Saturday to take on Steve Clarke's in-form West Brom side.

T-SHIRT BOLLOX
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says he disagrees with Reading striker Jason Roberts's decision not to wear a Kick It Out T-shirt. Roberts said he will not wear the T-shirt in protest at what he perceives to be the campaign group's lack of action in combating racism in football.
"I think everyone should be united, I don't know what point he's trying to make," said Ferguson.
"He really should be supporting all the other players who are doing it."
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger added: "If they [black players] do not join in that makes the campaign not credible."
Anti-discrimination campaign group Kick It Out's annual week of action started on Thursday and players have traditionally worn shirts promoting it.
But Roberts, referring to incidents involving John Terry and Luis Suarez, told BBC Sport: "I won't wear one.
"I find it hard to wear a T-shirt after what has happened in the last year."

This should be amusing as Camelface has just said he'll do the same thing
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20003368

Manchester United are interested in re-signing centre-back Ryan Shawcross, but will face competition from Chelsea and Tottenham. The 25-year-old began his career at Old Trafford before making the permanent switch to Stoke in 2008. skysports.com

Juventus hope to beat Arsenal to the signature of Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente by offering the 27-year-old a deal which would make him the highest paid player at the Serie A leaders. DSSC

Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez, 24, is an £8m summer transfer target for Italian Serie A side Fiorentina. Daily Star

Liverpool hope to take advantage of the breakdown in contract negotiations between Birmingham City and 18-year-old winger Nathan Redmond. The England youth international has a year-and-a-half left on his current deal and has grown frustrated with the Championship side's failure to offer him terms. Daily Telegraph

Reds boss Brendan Rodgers expects to be able to reinforce his attacking options in the January transfer window after being left with just one recognised striker, in Luis Suarez, at the club for the next three months. The Times

Everton manager David Moyes is yet to decide whether to offer a permanent deal to midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger, 30, who has impressed on trial. Moyes is also yet to make a decision on whether to extend 18-year-old midfielder Ross Barkley's loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday. Liverpool Echo

Norwich manager Chris Hughton wants to sign 26-year-old Stoke striker Cameron Jerome. Daily Mirror

Centre-back Michael Dawson, 28, believes he still has a future at Tottenham despite the fact manager Andre Villas-Boas tried to sell him in the summer. talkSHIT

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has seven centre-backs on his shortlist ahead of the January transfer window. First choice pair Steven Taylor, 26, and Fabricio Coloccini, 30, have both suffered injuries this season. Evening Chronicle


The man who feeds Kevin de Bruyne
What's it like to be the personal chef for Manchester City players Kevin de Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan and Kyle Walker? Michelin-star trained chef Jonny Marsh knows.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41637100

FIFA U17 World Cup: Manchester City close to signing Brazil U17 player
One of Brazil U-17's star players currently in India, is reportedly close to signing for Manchester City as he turns 18 next year.
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The player made 3 substitute appearances for Brazil in the FIFA U-17 World Cup that is currently taking place in India. 2 appearances in Kochi vs Korea DPR and Spain and 1 in Goa vs Niger.
Victor Gabriel Moura de Oliveira, also known as Vitinho, is one of the many great talents to emerge from Brazil and currently plays for local club Corinthians. Vitinho first made headlines in 2015 during the U-15 South American Championship where he was the tournament's top scorer with 7 goals and ended up winning the tournament with Brazil. He has also won the U-17 South American Championship with Brazil, which took place in February 2017.
2015 was a great year for Vitinho as it was reported that Manchester City had a 'first option' clause on the player after he had a 10 day trial with their youth team where he was accompanied by Corinthians Director Augusto Melo. He also scored in a friendly against Newcastle United for the City youth team.The clubs had reportedly held talks for future deals and Manchester City were apparently interested in signing the player when he came of age.
It seems that AS Roma are also interested in the player's services. However according to Calciamercato, it is understood that Pep Guardiola and Man City are in pole position to land the player due to his trial with the club in the past as well as the growing Brazilian contingent within the City squad that feature players like Fernandinho as well as young talents like Ederson and Gabriel Jesus which makes the Manchester Club seem like a likely choice for the player.
Also Read: 4 potential options for India U17s' Dheeraj Singh after his World Cup heroics
Vitinho will turn 18 in January and will officially be eligible to move to Europe, the Corinthians director has hinted many times that Vitinho is destined for greatness and won't like to stay in Brazil in the near future. The club has set a €25million release clause on the player and it remains to be seen when and if Man City will like to trigger the release clause in the coming months.

‘Yes’ already given to Manchester City transfer after club official flies to England
Manchester City defender Eliaquim Mangala may have a list of personal fans, but Pep Guardiola is certainly not one of them.
When the Catalan manager took charge of Manchester City, the player was immediately sent on loan to Spanish side Valencia, where he spent an entire season and did well.
Now since his return to the Premier League club, Mangala has only had the chance to make two appearances. One was a start in the League Cup and the other was when he came on as a sub and played only 19 minutes in the Premier League.
That’s why his departure once again looks quite possible, and the Italian media has some news about a possible move.
Newspaper Tuttosport claims Inter Milan director Piero Ausilio has recently been in England, and returned to Italy with a ‘yes’ from the Manchester City defender.
But before the Premier League side let him go, they must sign a new player for the position first, as requested by Pep Guardiola.
Only then Mangala will be available to move, and in case it happens, it will be another loan transfer.

OTHER BOLLOX
Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil, 29, has told his team-mates he will sign for Manchester United. (Mirror)

Manchester United are expected to extend 28-year-old midfielder Ander Herrera's contract and also remain hopeful of persuading midfielder Marouane Fellaini, 29, to stay. (Telegraph)

Burnley manager Sean Dyche has not ruled himself out of the running for the Leicester job. (Mirror)

Real Madrid regret not selling forward Gareth Bale, 28, to Manchester United in the summer. (Diario Gol via Star)

Inter Milan are set to sign former Chelsea midfielder Ramires, 30, in January after agreeing a loan deal with Chinese Super League club Jiangsu Suning.(Gazetta dello Sport via Mail)

Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben, 33, is in no rush to discuss a new contract despite his existing deal coming to an end next year. (Sky via FourFourTwo)

Former Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari is set to leave Guangzhou Evergrande after three years in charge of the Chinese Super League club. (Mail)

Liverpool will resist any moves for the versatile James Milner in January as the 31-year-old remains part of manager Jurgen Klopp's plans. (Telegraph)

Manchester United and Arsenal are keen on Germany forward Marco Reus, 28, but Borussia Dortmund want him to stay. (Star)

Athletic Bilbao defender Aymeric Laporte, 23, says he has rejected both Manchester City and Chelsea in the summer because he is happy at the Spanish club. (L'Equipe via Talkshit)

Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic says Jose Mourinho is the best coach he has worked with, and described him as a "brand". (Manchester United Evening News)

A Coventry City fan whose pitch invasion went viral has revealed why he ran on - and what he told the Sky Blues players. (Coventry Telegraph)

Barcelona striker Lionel Messi appeared to take a glucose tablet during his side's victory over Olympiacos on Wednesday. (Mail)

Southampton forward Nathan Redmond will donate to charity for every goal and assist he produces this season. (Talkshit)

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere once again hit out at Watford striker Troy Deeney after the Gunners' Europa League win

Wilshere wrote on Instagram: "Great character, I told you we have some. Another 3 points at a difficult place. Shout out to the fans who travelled over, unbelievable support!"

Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah has turned down the offer of a luxury villa as a reward for helping Egypt to the 2018 World Cup. (Liverpool Echo)

Former jockey AP McCoy says Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil is "not worth feeding, never mind paying a contract". (Goal)

GOLDEN BOLLOX
On this day in 2013

Manuel Pellegrini LIED to Man City players about Man United result before West Ham clash
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The Manchester City manager galvanised his players to an inspired performance by telling them that their rivals had beaten Southampton
Micah Richards has revealed Manuel Pellegrini FIBBED about Manchester United’s result ahead of City’s stunning win over West Ham.
The Etihad right-back admitted Pellegrini’s claim that the Reds had beaten Southampton had left his side fired up.
Richards said: “We thought they were winning one nil. The manager said they had won, Arsenal had won and Chelsea had won, and so we had to win.
“Maybe it was a bit of reverse psychology but it was obviously nice. United will come strong.
"We just knew we had to win. If we had dropped points today, well... we watched Liverpool because they kicked off early.
“They looked strong and Arsenal just keep winning. I know people always say Arsenal will blow up, but when a team gets that confidence going it’s hard to stop and they will do well this season."
Richards also believes United are missing their legendary former boss Sir Alex Ferguson. But the defender is refusing to rule out a resurgence from City’s Manchester rivals.
“They still have the same players.” he said, “They have massive experience and experienced players around who will get them going. So I have no doubts that United will come back stronger from this.
“Let’s not kid ourselves, Fergie is probably the best manager ever. He’s probably like having a 12th man in your team.
“But Moyes is a great manager. He’s done a similar job at Everton, he didn’t have that much to spend and he kept them consistently playing well.
“It will be hard for them, losing Fergie, but I think in time, Moyes will get it right because he is a fantastic manager.”
Recalling City’s difficult start to the season after they had lifted the title, Richards went on: “Before we won the league teams didn’t expect us to win, so we could go out and play our football.
“When we won the league teams would drop 11 men behind the ball and we didn’t know how to break them down. That is the difference.
“It hurt [losing the title], especially to United. Because I think squad-wise last season, I think we had one of the best in the league.
“There was no reason why we shouldn’t have been up there. Not saying we should have won it but maybe we should have given them a harder time.
“How many points was it in the end? 11 points? It’s not really good. If they won it by three or six maybe but 11 points is not really good enough. I think this season, we have to make sure we correct that.
“But this season, it’s even harder because Chelsea look strong, Arsenal and then there’s Liverpool.
“So you’ve not just got an eye on United, you’ve got an eye on all the rest of the teams, so it’s going to be tough. Whoever wins it this year will really deserve it because there are so many teams that can win it.”

Manchester City chase Juventus star
Juventus star Paul Pogba could be the subject of a bid from Manchester City this January.
The Citizens are reportedly prepared to offer £40 million to Juventus for the signature of Pogba.
The Sun on Sunday reported that Manchester City are fans of the young midfielder and would be willing to offer a large sum to lure him.
The midfielder is a former player of cross-city rivals Manchester United, having spent a season with the Red Devils after graduating from their youth academy.
The 20-year-old has also been the subject of interest from fellow English clubs Arsenal and Chelsea, as well as Spanish giants Real Madrid.
The Frenchman has also has also received his first caps for his national side, scoring once in three games for Les Bleus.
Pogba has scored three times in eleven appearances for The Old Lady this season.

Manchester City defender Micah Richards praises team-mate David Silva and reveals how he stops the 'little wizard' in training
Silva was brilliant in City's first away league win of the season and Richards admits that the only way to stop him is to 'smash him'
Micah Richards has watched over half a billion pounds' worth of signings come through the doors at Manchester City, and the defender believes none of them compare to David Silva.
Sergio Aguero may have scored the two vital goals, but it was Silva who stole the show at Upton Park on Saturday evening as City won 3-1 to claim their first maximum on the road this season.
The Spanish midfielder was a constant menace, picking holes in a bamboozled West Ham defence with his incredible vision and passing.
The performance came as no surprise to Richards, who has marvelled at the magic of the man they call Merlin ever since he arrived at the Etihad Stadium in 2010 following a £26million move from Valencia.
City have spent approximately £600million since Richards signed his first professional deal at the club in 2005.
The likes of Carlos Tevez, Mario Balotelli and Patrick Vieira have come and gone, while superstars like Yaya Toure, Aguero and Samir Nasri remain. Of the talent to arrive, Richards has no doubt that Silva is the best.
"The only way I can stop him in training is if I smash him," the City full-back said.
"He doesn't come near me now! We have an agreement - you don't come near me, I won't hurt you.
"We call him Merlin. He's like a little wizard isn't he? He is class.
"At West Ham he was just ridiculous. He is the best player I have played with.
"He just makes it look easy, the way he goes past people. He is just amazing."
Silva's pinpoint cross allowed Aguero to double City's lead after the Argentinian had put the visitors ahead and the Spaniard wrapped up the win with 10 minutes left following Ricardo Vaz Te's overhead kick.
Two hundred miles away, City's neighbours were licking their wounds after drawing against Southampton at Old Trafford.
Interestingly, Manuel Pellegrini reportedly lied to his team about the United result in an attempt to spur them on to victory in east London.
"I didn't know United had conceded a late equaliser," Richards said.
"The manager said they had won, and that Arsenal and Chelsea had won so we thought we had to win against West Ham.
"Maybe it was a bit of reverse psychology. We just knew we had to win. We couldn't drop points."
While the doors at the Etihad keep revolving every summer, welcoming new players and overseeing the exit of others, Richards has remained.
The defender has found first-team opportunities hard to come by of late due to the form of Pablo Zabaleta, but his connection to City is still strong.
He probably, therefore, felt the hurt of last year's title surrender to Manchester United more than most of his team-mates.
United won the championship by 11 points last season, but under David Moyes they have struggled so far, winning just three of their opening eight games.
Richards is convinced United are not a spent force, but he does concede that the club are missing the wisdom of former manager Alex Ferguson.
"Let's not kid ourselves, Fergie is probably the best manager ever," Richards said.
"He's probably like having a 12th man in your team. Moyes is a great manager. He's done a similar job at Everton, he didn't have that much to spend and he kept them consistently playing well.
"It will be hard for them, losing Fergie, but I think in time, Moyes will get it right."
Sam Allardyce turned 59 on Saturday, but it was a birthday to forget for the Hammers boss.
He hit out at his defenders for allowing City to stroll to victory, and the team that tore Tottenham apart a fortnight ago looked toothless in attack.
Allardyce hopes to have better news on Monday when he calls Belgian physio Lieven Maesschalck to see how record signing Andy Carroll is doing in his recovery from the Achilles heel injury that has kept him out all season.
"Andy is still in Belgium and he's improving week by week," the West Ham manager said.
"I will speak with the specialist and hopefully he will be able to give us a date when he thinks he can come back to us.
"It is very important we get him back as quick as we can. I don't want to continue not playing with frontmen in games where we need one."

Alex Ferguson: losing the Premier League title to Manchester City was biggest blow of my United reign
Alex Ferguson had to put Manchester City back in their place by regaining the Premier League title before he could retire as Manchester United manager
However hard you stare at football to understand its complexities, the ears offer a higher level of comprehension when the speaker is one of the great managers. Anyone who spent large swathes of time with Jock Stein, Bill Shankly or Brian Clough will guess at how much there was to learn from writing a book with Alex Ferguson.
Ferguson’s My Autobiography, which is published this week, brought us together for many a midweek afternoon to retrace the steps of his life from Govan shipyard boy to master of a multi-billion empire at Manchester United, where he retired last May with a palpable sense of relief after winning the title back from Manchester City.
“I’ve never spent so much time in the video analysis room,” Ferguson said of his final season in charge. In that mini-cinema, he burned countless hours studying his own team as well as opponents for clues about how to knock City off their new perch.
There was more plotting, more intensity, more detail than ever. City winning the title was the greatest single blow to Ferguson in his near 27 years in charge. He would not stand down until the insult was reversed.
The afternoon we spent discussing City’s first league win for 44 years revealed the draining nature of his addiction. He spoke again and again of United’s tradition of responding to setbacks. Almost as pleasurable to him as bestriding English football was climbing off the floor after a knockout blow from Arsenal, Chelsea or City.

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Chelsea are poised to spend £50m on Marseille midfielder Giannelli Imbula, 21, and FC Porto defender Eliaquim Mangala, 22, in the January transfer window. Metro

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce is due to address his team's striker shortage by attempting to sign Iceland's Alfred Finnbogason, 24, from Dutch club Heerenveen. Daily Mirror

Liverpool defender Andre Wisdom, 20, looks set to join Championship club Derby County on loan. Daily Mirror

Manchester United are on the verge of losing the title if David Moyes does not quickly rediscover the club's air of invincibility, according to Alan Hansen. Daily Telegraph

Former England captain Alan Shearer has urged manager Roy Hodgson not to bow to calls for Chelsea's John Terry to be tempted out of international retirement. Sun

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is likely to escape a touchline ban for his side's visit of Manchester City after the Portuguese was sent to the stands for an outburst aimed at referee Anthony Taylor during Saturday's 4-1 win over Cardiff City. Sun

Meanwhile, Cardiff will seek an explanation from the Professional Game Match Officials Limited general manager, Mike Riley, as to why the referee, Taylor, allowed Samuel Eto'o's controversial Chelsea equaliser to stand. Guardian

Arsenal forward Theo Walcott, 24, has been ruled out for at least another two weeks after suffering a setback on his recovery from abdominal surgery. He will miss the Gunners' next three games. Daily Telegraph

Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp says his side can beat Arsenal at the Emirates in their Champions League group fixture on Tuesday, despite his ban from the touchline for abusing a match official during the 2-1 win over Napoli. Sun
Last edited by Chinners on Fri Oct 20, 2017 7:46 am, edited 4 times in total.
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Re: Friday's B*ll*x

Postby Hutch's Shoulder » Fri Oct 20, 2017 7:37 am

Today’s Friday bollox are better than yesterday’s Friday bollox.
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Re: Friday's B*ll*x

Postby Mase » Fri Oct 20, 2017 11:40 am

I can't think of one footballer, maybe Meireles, that has decent tattoos.
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Re: Friday's B*ll*x

Postby sheblue » Fri Oct 20, 2017 12:33 pm

Pity those cunts didn't fall of the roof.
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Re: Friday's B*ll*x

Postby City64 » Fri Oct 20, 2017 12:46 pm

Wow they will all be getting tired as fuck doing a bit of weight training and getting some tattoos done ?!?!?!

Is it really Friday ?!?!?!
Not really here

Fuck VAR
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