Sometimes, though not always, a trawl through the morning papers reveals that a fan’s diet of speculation, rumour and comment can be discovered in one convenient place.
Today is one of those occasions. For, contained within the cover of the Daily Telegraph is a one-stop smorgasbord of City related articles.
The main one by Mark Ogden centres on the thorny topic of Wayne Rooney who in a bid to seemingly win back favour with his admirers in the Old Trafford stands has had a mea culpa moment.
Mark Ogden, of the DT, takes up the story:
‘Although senior figures at City sensed an opportunity to prise United’s star asset from Old Trafford, Rooney insists he would not have crossed the Mancunian divide had he followed through on his decision to leave,’ he tells his readers before adding the proof.
‘Everyone is saying that I was definitely going to Manchester City. Believe me, if I had gone, it wouldn’t have been in England, I’d have gone abroad,’ Rooney told reporters after his side’s win in Glasgow.
‘I feel like I have apologised to the fans, but everyone keeps saying that I haven’t. If that is the case, then I apologise for my side of things.’
It is a story that can be found in all the papers.
Also in the Telegraph and pertaining to the aforementioned game at Ibrox between Rangers and Rooney’s team is an interview with City’s Vladimir Weiss.
The gist of the conversation is that the on-loan winger while lamenting Rangers’ exit from the Champions League is now hoping to draw the Blues in the Europa League knockout stages.
Finally in the Telegraph is a comment piece by Jason Burt in which the author stresses the importance of Roberto Mancini maintaining a positive relationship with key strike Carlos Tevez.
‘A penny – or rather a peso – for the thoughts of Carlos Tévez. The architect of Manchester City's impressive 4-1 victory over Fulham last Sunday, with two more goals and another dazzling performance, he provided yet more compelling evidence of how important he is to his club and to manager Roberto Mancini.’ Burt writes.
Elsewhere the Metro links City with Udinese defender Cristian Zapata. mcfc.co.uk
Fulham chairman Mohamed Al Fayed flips but backs Mark Hughes with January funds
Mohamed Al Fayed has vowed to back Mark Hughes in the January transfer window after venting his fury over Fulham's humbling by Manchester City.
The flamboyant Fulham chairman was angered by his side's meek performance and voiced his frustration at manager Hughes on Sunday night following the 4-1 defeat at Craven Cottage.
However, the 77-year-old did not leave it there and took it on himself to address the firstteam squad and staff personally at training on Tuesday.
Al Fayed is understood to have scolded the players over a dip in form which has seen them plummet to 17th in the Barclays Premier League - level on points with third-from- bottom Wigan - and said that they should be building on their displays of last season when the team received rave reviews as they reached the Europa League final.
His words of warning shocked some of the squad but he was keen to show support for Hughes, 47, whom he values as a shrewd manager.
Recognising that injuries to key players such as Bobby Zamora have had an effect on the team, Al Fayed said he is willing to help Hughes strengthen the squad and bankroll a January spending spree which the former Manchester City boss believes can push them into European contention.
Hughes has concerns in attack, wide midfield and at goalkeeper, where Mark Schwarzer has yet to commit his future to the club and, even if he does, is likely to be missing for most of January as he joins Australia for the Asia Cup.
Hughes has made no secret of his admiration for Manchester City's Shay Given and want-away striker Roque Santa Cruz, and Shaun Wright- Phillips may also come into consideration.
He is also close to agreeing a £3million deal with Romanian champions Cluj for 6ft 8in
Ivory Coast striker Lacina
Traore.
The 20-year-old could have a medical next week.
Fulham scouts have been monitoring Middlesbrough keeper Jason Steele, Tranmere's teenage winger Dale Jennings and Freiburg striker Demba Cisse.
Aston Villa's Luke Young has been watched and they want a right back, despite Chris Baird's return from injury last Sunday.
Indeed, an embarrassed Baird was quick to acknowledge Fulham's inept display against City.
He said: 'We didn't do the things we were supposed to do against City, which was get in their faces early on and play in their half. We were sloppy and it wasn't like us at all.
'We have to move on and, hopefully, we can turn it around this weekend against Birmingham City. We're going to give 100 per cent and deliver a much better display. It's not nice looking at the table and seeing us in 17th place but I think we're in a false position - we're a much better team than we showed last weekend.
'I feel confident we can climb into the top half of the table and cement a position there.
Carlos Tévez is the key to Roberto Mancini’s prospects at Manchester City
A penny – or rather a peso – for the thoughts of Carlos Tévez. The architect of Manchester City's impressive 4-1 victory over Fulham last Sunday, with two more goals and another dazzling performance, he provided yet more compelling evidence of how important he is to his club and to manager Roberto Mancini.
And all this against Mark Hughes, now in charge of Fulham, who brought Tévez to Eastlands and who enjoyed a strong bond with the player.
Indeed it is one of the curious ironies of this season that Mancini is so dependent on Tévez, given the strains that have been evident in their relationship. Tévez is known as a man, and a footballer, who will give his all for the cause.
Prior to Manchester City's match away to West Bromwich Albion last month, Mancini was under mounting pressure following three straights defeats and with Tévez nursing a thigh injury in Argentina, the call went out for the captain to return even if not fully fit. City needed him.
Tévez flew back and started the game, although not in the best shape. He played through pain and he played well, galvanising the team.
With his side 2-0 up and comfortable, despite Mario Balotelli's sending-off, Tévez, not unreasonably, according to club sources, asked to be substituted.
Mancini, despite having Emmanuel Adebayor on the bench, insisted that Tévez stay on the pitch for the full 90 minutes, which he did.
Two games later, at Eastlands, City were struggling to break down Birmingham City. Tévez, having started the game, was feeling fitter, having managed the full 90 minutes in the Manchester derby.
But to his surprise, Mancini brought him off in the 83rd minute, even though City's top scorer wanted to stay on, and brought on Gareth Barry. The game ended goalless.
With City planning to move on Adebayor, Roque Santa Cruz and Jo in January – if possible – and sign Edin Dzeko, they may be more dependent than ever on Tévez to lead their attack. But Mancini's man-management of the player appears surprising.
Wayne Rooney dismisses link to Man City
Rooney signed a five-year deal after a week of instense speculation
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has rejected suggestions he was plotting a move to Manchester City.
Rooney, 25, looked set to leave Old Trafford last month after querying the club's transfer policy, but eventually signed a five-year deal to stay put.
And he has apologised to fans for the way the contract talks were handled.
"Everyone is saying that I was definitely going to Manchester City. Believe me if I had gone it wouldn't have been in England," said Rooney.
During a turbulent week in October there was widespread surprise that last season's top scorer in the Premier League wanted to leave one of the world's biggest clubs.
The saga also led to some fans questioning his loyalty to the club he joined from Everton in 2004 for £25.6m.
"I feel like I have apologised to the fans but everyone keeps saying that I haven't," he said.
"If that is the case, then I apologise for my side of things."
AS REPORTED IN YESTERDAY'S BOLLOX
Arsenal and Manchester City have joined the race to sign Sporting Lisbon's teenage winger Zezinho, dubbed "the new Cristiano Ronaldo".
http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/ ... ew-ronaldo
Liverpool could make a shock January move for Manchester City winger Adam Johnson.
http://www.caughtoffside.com/2010/11/25 ... n-january/
AUDIO BOLLOX
Tony Pulis at the pre match press conference talking about:-
the last 3 results - Beating Liverpool - The Rollercoaster ride that is the Premier League
His view on the penalties at West Bromwich Albion
Preparations during the Cold Weather - Under Soil Heating at Clayton Woods
The Asmir / Tommy battle - Man City - Mancini - Movember Moustaches -
Domestic Violence Campaign - Fuler & Jones combination - Tuncay & Walters
Eidur - Being happy at Stoke City
http://soundcloud.com/boots-bats-and-ba ... city-final
WAG OF THE DAY
http://www.predictfootball.co.uk/2009/0 ... -the-week/
CONCLUSIVE PROOF BOLLOX
Well you can't argue with wikianswers can you?
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Are_Manchester_United_scum
OTHER DAILY BOLLOX
Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier has placed an £80m price tag on Ashley Young after Manchester United and Liverpool revealed their interest in the winger. Daily Mail
Napoli are pondering a January move for Liverpool's teenage striker Nathan Eccleston. goal.com
Liverpool are considering recalling midfielder Alberto Aquilani from his season-long loan to Juventus. caughtoffside.com
The Reds are also interested in Lille's central defender Adil Rami and forward Gervinho. The Independent
But Lille midfielder Eden Hazard will not be leaving the club despite interest from Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson. sport.co.uk
Manchester United expect to clinch the signing of 26-year-old goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard, of Norwegian club Aalesund, by the weekend. talksport
In-form striker Johan Elmander has stalled on signing a new contract with Bolton - and sparked a scramble for his signature. Liverpool, Newcastle and Stoke are interested. Daily Mirror
Fulham are ready to win the £3m race for 6ft 8in Ivory Coast striker Lacina Traore of Romanian side Cluj. Daily Mirror
Manchester United target David De Gea has said he will happily reject overtures from Sir Alex Ferguson to remain at Atletico Madrid. Daily Mirror
Dimitar Berbatov will definitely not be leaving Old Trafford in January, according to the player's agent Emil Dantchev. Daily Mirror
Birmingham are poised to make a £2m move for Swedish striker Denni Avdic who plays for IF Elsborg. Daily Mail
Arsenal target Gokhan Inler could leave Udinese if the right club makes the right offer, says the Swiss midfielder's agent. Daily Mirror
Dinamo Zagreb vice-president Zdravko Mamic has revealed that the Croatian side have rejected a £17m offer from Arsenal for highly rated youngsters midfielder Mateo Kovacic and wing-back Sime Vrsaljko. caughtoffside
Atletico Madrid forward Diego Forlan says he will not be joining Tottenham in January and will instead end his career in Spain. talksport
Palermo's defensive midfielder Armin Bacinovic is a target for Chelsea and Liverpool. talksport
Tottenham defender William Gallas has boldly predicted that Spurs can win "everything" this season, despite having already been knocked out of the Carling Cup. talksport
Plymouth have held talks with former Leeds and Cardiff chairman Peter Ridsdale over potential investment in the cash-strapped club. Daily Mail
Tottenham will press ahead with plans to move to the Olympic Stadium despite receiving the go-ahead to build a new 56,000-seater arena adjacent to White Hart Lane. Daily Mail
Winger Stewart Downing believes new Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier needs to bring in up to five new players during the January transfer window. Daily Mirror
Bolton boss Owen Coyle has revealed that the team's good spirit has been partly helped by the game rock-papers-scissors.
"The lads do a 'scissors, paper, rock' thing and there is a punishment for the loser. So they are getting good at playing it - or else. The loser gets his ears flicked and it is painful," said the Scot. Daily Mirror
FINAL EMBARASSMENT BOLLOX
Chelsea 9 Manchester City 0: The scoreline causing a major stir
Chelsea's Under 15 side have caused a major stir with a staggering 9-0 win over their Manchester City counterparts.
The Premier League clubs have two of the best-resourced youth set-ups in English football, with both under pressure from new UEFA rules to produce homegrown players rather than spend huge sums on foreign imports.
Chelsea's U18s won the FA Youth Cup last season for the first time since 1961. This week's stunning result against City - who have invested £10m in their Academy - suggests they may just have another outstanding crop of youngsters on their books.
