***OFFICIAL CLUB BOLLOX***
The Sunday media round-up doesn’t make particularly pleasant reading with news-starved journalists deciding if there’s not much happening elsewhere, any old tosh about City will do.
Mario Balotelli has quickly become the poison pen pin-up this season and there a plethora of tabloid tittle-tattle aimed in his general direction today ranging from the bizarre to ridiculous.
Kick-boxing, darts and various other tenuous threads are associated with the Italian striker today and, it’s worth adding, none of them are worth regaling in this column.
In fact, you’d struggle to find anything worthy of giving up ten minutes of your time up if you’re after a decent read on the Blues.
So it’s a little ironic that a TV review of a documentary that has had plenty of City fans talking in the last few days is perhaps the best of the lot.
Andrew Tong in The Independent was impressed by The Bert Trautmann Story on satellite channel Yesterday (aired Thursday, March 24). In his Sport on TV column, he writes: “Bizarrely he faced the prospect of an armed enemy again when he received a death threat from a Spurs fan.
“He hauled a Tottenham player down in the box in the '56 Cup semi-final but got away with it. The fan said he would be waiting behind the goal at Wembley with a gun.”
If you missed the programme first time around, read Tong’s overview and keep an eye out for it again on the same channel – you won’t be disappointed - unlike the majority of City-associated stuff in the papers or on the web today.
OTHER BOLLOX
Roberto Mancini begs bosses for £100m transfer kitty
ROBERTO MANCINI has turned Oliver Twist by asking Manchester City bosses for £100million MORE to spend on new recruits.
The under-pressure Italian coach, who has spent £150m on players in the past year, is at war with the club’s football administration officer Brian Marwood after waving the begging bowl again.
Mancini believes his squad of superstars is just not good enough to win trophies and achieve regular Champions League football.
He has told the Eastlands hierarchy that billionaire owner Sheikh Mansour will have to fund another massive spending spree if the Abu Dhabi-backed club want to cement their place at football’s top table.
And that has stirred conflict behind the scenes, with Mancini’s own position fast becoming the central issue for ruthless Blues chiefs.
I understand that if they miss out on the FA Cup and fail to make the Champions League for the first time then Mancini will be out.
His position is also undermined by the increasingly bizarre behaviour of his £24m gamble Mario Balotelli. The 20-year-old hothead’s latest crackpot stunt was chucking darts at City youth players on the training ground.
Balotelli – who was with Mancini at Inter Milan – has played a dozen games, been sent off twice, scored six goals and had a training ground punch-up with team-mate Jerome Boateng.
Jose Mourinho, who had a stormy relationship with Balotelli when he took over at Inter, is City’s top choice to succeed Mancini.
But if Sheikh Mansour cannot persuade Mourinho to break his Real Madrid contract, former Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink, now in charge of Turkey, would be a target.
Or they will turn to current Stamford Bridge chief Carlo Ancelotti who has a strained relationship with Roman Abramovich and may quit this summer.
Mancini fought a battle for more signings in the January transfer window and was said to have been “disappointed and deflated” that Marwood only managed to land £27m Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko.
That prompted Mancini to demand assurances from Marwood and chief executive Garry Cook that another treasure trove of cash will be made available in the summer.
Potential targets are Real Madrid’s Brazilian star Kaka and Inter hit-man Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
But Cook and his paymasters believe Mancini has been well backed with cash. Despite moves to sign Chile striker Alexis Sanchez – for another £24m – they are reluctant to bankroll the manager’s targets. That’s left Mancini concerned that the club are losing faith in the hardline methods which have met with resistance from some players.
Skipper Carlos Tevez – second-top scorer in the Premier League with 18 goals – has clashed with Mancini and could leave after becoming disillusioned.
Players privately admit there is little joy playing for a boss whose own desire to achieve his targets has made City’s Carrington training ground a serious and sombre environment.
Craig Bellamy fell out with the Italian and has been on a season-long loan at Cardiff since leaving City in August after a series of bust-ups. But losing Tevez would be a real hammer-blow. The Argentinian has scored more than 50 goals in two years and become a firm favourite since defecting from Manchester United.
Mancini faces a period of real uncertainty as he approaches a season-defining six days next month. City travel to Anfield on April 11 to play an improving Liverpool side, with their eyes on a European place.
Five days later, there is the FA Cup semi-final with Sir Alex Ferguson’s treble-chasing United at Wembley. If City squeeze past them they will have their best chance of claiming a major trophy since 1976.
They would be hot favourites to win the Cup, with underdogs Bolton and Stoke contesting the second semi-final. But losing to United could spell the end for Mancini.
In the space of three days in May, City must again go to Merseyside to face Everton in a fixture where there is no love lost after the bitter acrimony surrounding Joleon Lescott’s £24m transfer from Goodison to Eastlands.
Then City have the nightmare scenario of entertaining Tottenham on May 10 in a re-run of the dramatic match late last season where Peter Crouch bagged the winner at Eastlands – and claimed fourth spot in the Premier League for Spurs.
The game is again likely to decide whether City or Spurs make the Champions League.
And if Harry Redknapp’s side triumph again, it will be the final twist in Mancini’s troubled reign.
Balotelli caught throwing darts
Manchester City are to hold a meeting on Monday to discuss Mario Balotelli's disciplinary issues after he was caught throwing darts from a first-floor window.
Balotelli said in The People that he threw the darts in the direction of youth players because he was "bored". Nobody was hurt during the incident and ESPNsoccernet has been informed that the club view the incident as a misguided prank rather than a serious transgression.
However, Balotelli has continued to attract negative press since leaving Inter in the summer and was fined two weeks' wages for his dismissal in the Europa League game against Dynamo Kiev. Roberto Mancini held the forward responsible for City's failure to overturn the 2-0 deficit from the first leg and described his actions as "stupid".
ESPNsoccernet understands that Mancini was not aware of this latest incident on Sunday morning as he had been away from the club, but there was due to be a conversation between the board and the manager on Monday to bring him up to speed.
A club spokesman said: "The matter will be dealt with internally."
Marsh tells Man City fans: Do not EVER compare me with sulk Balotelli
Former Manchester City star Rodney Marsh has told City fans: Don't you dare compare me with Mario Balotelli!
Marsh was signed by Manchester City for a then club record £200,000 in 1972 by Malcolm Allison and blamed for losing the title because his flamboyant style didn’t suit the team.
Balotelli is regarded as possessing the same explosive talent as ‘Hot Rod’ although his record of two sendings off and eight bookings have put his City career on the line.
Marsh told the Daily Star Sunday: “Yes, there have been some people comparing Balotelli to me. I had this conversation last Monday evening at a supporters’ club meeting.
“A few fans there compared Balotelli’s signing to mine but that’s nonsense.
“I dont want to be associated with Mario Balotelli. I’ve loved football from the day I was old enough to kick a ball and always played with a smile.
“But just look at Balotelli. You never see him smile or look like he’s enjoying himself. He’s always arguing with his team-mates and his manager.
“Maybe Mancini needs to tell him that he’s loved – he needs to lighten up, he looks like a bulldog chewing a wasp.”
Bellamy thinking over Wales future
City striker Craig Bellamy says that he is considering whether to bring down the curtain on his international career.
The former West Ham and Newcastle man has seen his loan at his home-town club Cardiff this season interrupted by spells sidelined by injury. And it those injury problems that appear to have Bellamy considering his future at international level.
Bellamy, who was in action for his country against England on Saturday but couldn't find the back of the net as Fabio Capello's side strolled to a comfortable win in the Euro 2012 qualifier, said: "I'm 31 years of age now, I've had nine operations and most people are probably in better nick than me.
"My body is a lot different to most people of my age because of the work I've had done. I take it season upon season because of the condition of my knee. It doesn't allow me to look much further than the next couple of months."
The striker, who has played 61 times for his country, says he will assess the situation in the close season. He added: "I will see how I am in the summer. I'd love to keep going as much as I can. I enjoy football and it's important to me."
WAG OF THE DAY - Emily O'hara
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Manchester United are reportedly planning a move to lure Tottenham playmaker Rafael van der Vaart to Old Trafford. caughtoffside
Manchester United want Inter Milan midfielder Wesley Sneijder as a replacement for Paul Scholes. Daily Mirror
United are also considering an £8m summer swoop for Blackpool's sought-after midfielder Charlie Adam. Daily Mail
Striker Danny Wellbeck, who is currently on loan at Sunderland from Manchester United, could be the key as the Red Devils look to secure a move for Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell. United will offer the Toffees Wellbeck in a player-plus-cash deal. Daily Mail
Liverpool are apparently interested in Aston Villa winger Marc Albrighton and may move to sign the youngster this summer.caughtoffside
Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has added Barcelona winger Jeffren Suarez to his summer transfer wish list. Daily Mirror
And Dalglish will battle it out with Chelsea this summer to sign Wigan midfielder James McCarthy. the People
Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp is set to take advantage of defender Wes Brown's falling out with Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United by signing the full-back this summer. caughtoffside
Brown is also a target for Premier League sides Everton and Sunderland. Daily Mirror
Aston Villa and West Ham United are leading the chase to buy Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole. caughtoffside
Liverpool, Tottenham and Everton are battling for the signature of Real Madrid midfielder Fernando Gago. Daily Mirror
Newcastle are scouting AZ Alkmaar striker Kolbeinn Sigthorsson as a replacement for Andy Carroll, who joined Liverpool for £35m in the January transfer window. Daily Mirror
West Ham are hot on the trail of Newcastle defender Danny Simpson, while Rangers are set to make a summer swoop for Toon midfielder Alan Smith. the People
Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri has advised Gunners boss Arsene Wenger to sign his former room-mate at Marseille, defender Mehdi Benatia. Daily Mirror
Tony Pulis wants to sign Leeds midfielder Robert Snodgrass as a replacement for Glenn Whelan, who is out of contract in the summer. Daily Mirror
Former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy wants to return to the Premier League, even if he has to play as a reserve. The Dutch striker says he will leave current club Hamburg at the end of the season.
Daily Mirror
Midfielder Marouane Fellaini's dad has upset Everton manager David Moyes by claiming the Toffees are not a big enough club for his son. Daily Mirror
Striker Craig Bellamy is considering quitting international football, which will add to the pressure on new Wales manager Gary Speed. "I will see how I am in the summer. I'd love to keep going as much as I can. I enjoy football and it's important to me," said Bellamy, who played in Wales 2-0 Euro 2012 qualifying defeat by England on Saturday. Daily Mail
West Brom defender Abdoulaye Meite will extend his contract if the Baggies avoid relegation from the Premier League. Daily Mirror
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez is losing the support of his chairman Dave Whelan. The Latics are currently bottom of the Premier League table. Daily Mirror
Guiding their clubs to survival may not be enough to keep Avram Grant and Gerard Houllier in jobs this summer. There is a growing belief inside West Ham amd Aston Villa that their current bosses will get the boot, even if they avoid the drop. Daily Mirror
And Villa have put Everton manager David Moyes top of their short list to replace Houllier this summer. Daily Mail
Sunderland midfielder Sulley Muntari believes Black Cats boss Steve Bruce and Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp are the men England should be seeking to replace Fabio Capello. Daily Mirror
Midfielder Adel Taarabt will discuss an improved deal at QPR. But the Championship player of the season may not put pen to paper until the end of the year. the People
Midfielder Steve Sidwell is set to make his loan move from Aston Villa to Fulham permanent in the summer by signing a three-year-deal at Craven Cottage. the People
Liverpool and Brazil midfielder Lucas Leiva believes his country's international friendly against Scotland on Sunday is "very important" but admits that he may have to upset club manager and former Scottish international Kenny Dalglish if he is to secure victory. Daily Mail
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