Manchester City assistant manager Brian Kidd has cautioned against the idea that Red Bull Salzburg will be the weak link in the Blues' Europa League group.
With Juventus due to arrive at Eastlands later this month for a mouth-watering contest and Lech Poznan an awkward proposition on geographical grounds, many City fans expect their team to make sweet music in the city of Mozart's birth on Thursday night. But Kidd has been around too long to get complacent.
A cut above the rest: Carlos Tevez at Manchester City's training ground on Wednesday
Juventus may have the big name, but Salzburg were the team who recorded six straight wins at the same stage of the competition last season. And Kidd believes City will underestimate them at their peril.
'We have to get away from the idea that you can cherry-pick your games and just look at Juventus because they have the big name,' he said.
'These games against Salzburg and Poznan are going to be hard and we have to do your homework.
'We need to get those results nailed, not be looking at the glamour games.
'These are the bread and butter matches. These are the ones you have to win ugly.
'You can't play pure football all the time. 'In European competition, teams can put a lot of men behind the ball. That is the challenge for us tomorrow. 'We have to overcome it.'
TRANSFER BOLLOX
Manchester United are tracking Sporting Lisbon's 20-year-old forward Wilson Eduardo, currently on loan at Portugal's newly promoted side Beira-Mar. Daily Mirror
United are also lining up a move for Tottenham's Wilson Palacios, with Red Devils manager Sir Alex Ferguson seeking a defensive midfielder in the continued absence of the injured Owen Hargreaves. caughtoffside.com
Tottenham are monitoring the £5m-rated Hoffenheim striker Peniel Mlapa. The Togo-born 19-year-old has been dubbed the new Emmanuel Adebayor. talkSPORT
Chelsea could make a move for Malaga striker Juanmi, despite the 18-year-old having recently signed a new five-year deal at the Spanish club. Daily Mirror
Arsenal are plotting a raid on German club Schalke for goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and defender Benedikt Howedes. caughtoffside.com
The Gunners have joined Manchester United in tracking Werder Bremen winger Marko Marin. footylatest.com
Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson is planning a January move for Romanian side Cluj's 20-year-old Ivorian striker Lacina Traore. caughtoffside.com
The Anfield club are also preparing a new bid for Bayern Munich striker Mario Gomez after the German side blocked a loan deal in the summer. footylatest.com
Everton striker James Vaughan, on loan at Crystal Palace for three months, wants to continue at Selhurst Park after scoring a hat-trick against Portsmouth on Wednesday. "I definitely want to stay, it is a great club and I am enjoying it," said the 22-year-old. Daily Star
OTHER BOLLOX
Manchester United winger Antonio Valencia will be sidelined for six months following the horrific ankle injury he suffered against Rangers on Tuesday. talkSPORT
Former Manchester United forward Alan Smith has given his support to Valencia, having experienced a similar injury in 2006 that ruled him out of the sport for eight months. Smith, now at Newcastle, said: "There's no getting away from the fact it is a hard road back from an injury like that but with determination, you can do it." the Sun
Barcelona and Spain superstar Lionel Messi arrived at London's Hackney Marshes this week by helicopter to play against an amateur team as part of a publicity stunt but was unable to even put his boots on after being whisked away amid security fears. metro.co.uk
Steve McClaren's job as Wolfsburg boss is safe for the time being, despite his side losing the first three games. The ex-England manager received a vote of confidence and the German club's managing director Dieter Hoeness said: "I won't get the hammer out and start smashing things. The situation isn't critical." the Sun
Manchester United striker Michael Owen has stoked up the rivalry with Liverpool ahead of the Old Trafford showdown on Sunday. When asked which Premier League fixture most excites him, the former fans' favourite at Anfield said: "Probably the Manchester derby."the Times (subscription)
Stoke striker Tuncay insists he wants to stay and fight for his place and dismissed any talk of a rift with manager Tony Pulis. The Turkish international, who left the Britannia Stadium before Monday's match against Aston Villa after failing to make the bench, said: "I am an emotional person but for the gaffer it is very hard with his choices because he has so many options. This is my team and my job is here. It is only the weather I do not like here."the Independent
Former Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has been lambasted for criticising Werder Bremen's goalkeeper. The ex-Germany international turned television pundit questioned Tim Wiese's positioning as Tottenham opened the scoring in Tuesday's 2-2 Champions League draw. Wiese responded by saying: "He [Lehmann] belongs in the Muppet Show, on the couch or in a mental institution." Daily Mail
