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ROBERTO MANCINI HEAPS PRAISE ON MANCHESTER CITY'S SERGIO AGUERO
MANCHESTER CITY boss Roberto Mancini reckons Sergio Aguero can reach the 30-goal milestone this season.
Signed last summer for a club record £38million Aguero has taken to Premier League life like a duck to water.
The Argentinian bagged another brace of goals during City's Wednesday night win over Stoke to take his season's tally to 15.
But Mancini doesn't want the striker to take his foot off the gas.
With only two points separating Manchester City from second place Manchester United heading into the rivals' Christmas fixtures, Mancini wants the young star to lead the club to even greater results.
"I hope Sergio can score 30 goals," said the Blues boss.
"It is the same for Edin (Dzeko) and Mario (Balotelli). If they scored 50 goals between them it would be good for us."
While Aguero was recognised as an exceptional talent prior to his City arrival, it is rare for any player to make such a blistering start to their debut Premier League season.
Following Argentina's arduous and unsuccessful Copa America campaign over the summer, it would not have been surprising if Aguero had been fatigued and underprepared, having gone without a full pre-season training programme.
But he seems to have avoided both problems.
"Sergio is very strong physically," said Mancini.
"He is not tall but his strength is amazing.
"Also, he has always scored goals in every championship. For this reason I don't think he has had any problems.
"He is still only young and maybe now his value is even more because he has scored 15 goals in three or four months.
"He has the confidence to score even more but what is important at the moment is that he has improved our team."
Manchester City’s Adam Johnson desperate for more playing time
Adam Johnson voices his frustration at a lack of playing time at Eastlands and fears his Euro 2012 hopes could be under threat
Adam Johnson has admitted his frustration at the lack of first-team opportunities at Manchester City this season.
The 24-year-old has started just five Premier League games, despite scoring five goals and helping Roberto Mancini’s side set-up a Carling Cup semi-final clash against Liverpool.
Johnson’s strike against Stoke City on Wednesday helped the Eastlands outfit stay top of the table after the winger completed a full league game for the first time in two months – but the England international admits he is desperate to secure more playing time.
“I’ve been awfully disappointed that I haven’t played as many games,” he said. “Everyone wants to play in all the games and I was thinking about speaking to the manager because I hadn’t started since the Carling Cup.
“It plays on my mind a bit. I don’t mind the rotation system as long as it’s fair. Hopefully that’s going to continue now. I’ve scored five goals in five starts. That’s all I can keep doing.”
Johnson made his England debut during a 3-1 victory over Mexico at Wembley last year and has since earned a further eight caps with the national side.
However, Johnson believes his chances of being part of Fabio Capello’s 23-man squad for next summer’s European Championship will remain in doubt while he continues to struggle to break into City’s first-team.
“I was speaking to my dad about that,” he continued. “It is in the back of my mind because I know Fabio Capello likes players to be playing every week. It’s a major thing for me, to try to go there, having missed out on the World Cup.
“I want to play in these major tournaments. I don’t think I’ve missed a squad under Capello, apart from when I was injured, so I would be gutted to miss out after playing quite a big part in the campaign.
“Obviously there’s a lot of competition, so I want to try to play week in and week out and definitely have a place on that plane.”
Birmingham put £12m price tag on Man City target
Birmingham have slapped a staggering £12million price tag on their in-demand starlet Nathan Redmond.
Mirror Sport this week revealed Premier League leaders Manchester City are keen on a £6m bid for the winger in January.
Redmond, 17, became Birmingham’s second-youngest debutant – behind Trevor Francis – aged 16 years and 173 days, in August 2010. He has emerged as a fine prospect with some stunning Europa League displays after making seven starts.
Cash-strapped Championship City face an uncertain future – with owner Carson Yeung up on money laundering charges.
But the club rate Redmond as highly as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, 18, who joined Arsenal in August from Southampton for £12m – and want the same money.
Wenger denies moving for Bridge Featured
Arsene Wenger has denied making a move to sign Wayne Bridge, but admits he is likely to delve in to the loan market for a left-back after announcing that Kieran Gibbs will be out for a month following yet more surgery for the England defender.
Gibbs was expected to be out for two weeks in October with a stomach injury, but tests revealed the full-back had picked up a hernia and required surgery that would keep him out until mid-December.
The 22-year-old suffered a further setback this week, and he has had to go under the knife again, ruling him out for a month.
Wenger is already desperately short in defence, with Andre Santos out until March and Carl Jenkinson and Bacary Sagna likely to return in mid-January at the earliest.
The Gunners boss has had to field Laurent Koscielny, Thomas Vermaelen and Johan Djourou out of position at full-back recently.
While out-of-favour Manchester City defender Bridge is available on a short-term deal, Wenger has denied he has already lined up a move for the former Chelsea defender.
“I haven’t made any inquiry yet for Wayne Bridge or anyone else,” Wenger said.
“It is of course something we will look at but it depends on how long you have to take them.
“I have to see what is available - if I have a good opportunity then why not? They have a big impact on your wages.
“If you have to sign a player for three or four years and then you have three or four left backs, only one can play, so they are not happy.
“It can only be a short-term solution for us because we have bought Santos, we have Gibbs, we have Vermaelen who can play there, so we do not need a long-term solution.”
Emmanuel Adebayor: Tottenham can wait until I sign
EMMANUEL ADEBAYOR will not open talks about staying at Tottenham until the end of the season.
The striker, 27, is on a season's loan from Manchester City. Adebayor said: "I will try and help Spurs finish top four.
"It's too early to judge. I'm not a liar so I won't say, 'I'll be here for life'." SUN
Blackburn join the race to sign Man City defender Onouha
Steve Kean is hoping to sign Manchester City's Nedum Onouha as he bids to stay on as Blackburn manager.
The 25-year-old, who had a spell on loan at Sunderland last season, is going to be left out of Roberto Mancini's squad for the second half of the season but West Brom and Everton are also keen.
We Have No Fear Of City
Ben Foster has said that the Baggies have nothing to fear from Manchester City, and should simply focus on being at our best on Boxing Day.
Speaking to wba.co.uk Foster said that following our back to back away wins, the camp are totally confident of being able to get a good result when we host City.
'I thought our lads did amazingly well and in the first half we were really 'at it' and not giving Newcastle a second. To go to a place like Newcastle and get three points was a great performance, especially coming just before Christmas. We've given ourselves a big amount of breathing space, so that takes us into the City game in good shape, we've got nothing to fear from it.'
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]AWARDING BOLLOX
Our good friends at MCFCForum have had an award ceremony and kindly shared the results with The B*ll*x
http://www.mcfcforum.com
Enjoy…
The Ali Bernarbia Award For The Most Valuable Player
The nominations include: Nigel de Jong, Vincent Kompany, Pablo Zabaleta, Joleon Lescott, David Silva, Sergio Aguero, James Milner. Each could say they have an argument.
Nige perhaps did his best work last season rather than this, and has had a rather slow return from injury, combined with becoming out of favour with Bobby. However, he never lets us down. Vinnie too could be arguably said to have played better last season than this. However, he’s a warrior and our undoubted leader and bleeds City. As does Zaba – the only thing preventing him from winning this award hands down is the fact that Bobby hardly ever picks him nowadays - but look who he trusts in the big games. Sergio is already a legend but perhaps hasn’t been with us quite long enough to merit winning it. Jimmy has been fantastic but in fits and spurts. Lescott is certainly our most improved player, but is he our MVP? Silva has been a tremendous asset to the club and the team, whom we could not do without. A magician in the Bernarbia mode. But he’s not the winner.
No, there can only be one winner: Stoic in the face of much criticism, he has added class and steel to his efficiency and consistency and really stands out as a must-pick every week. So the award goes to GARETH BARRY.
The Laurent Charvet Award For The Least Valuable Player
Some notable wastes of space this year, in spite of our relative success: Michael Johnson, Kolo Toure, Carlos Tevez, Roque Santa Cruz, Adebayor.
Johnson will never be fit again ever – sadly. Kolo is a total moaner who we need to sell quickly. I don’t believe the denials of his French media interviews: this is a man who thinks City owe him and wants out if he is not playing. And speaking of whom: Tevez merits no further discussion. Case closed. Roque: nice guy, can’t play football. Adebyor: neither - and ungrateful for the respct we showed him when the Togo bus was attacked.
No, there is only one winner: apparently he doesn’t play golf but does a nice line in Saturday afternoon shopping with various (deluded or moneygrabbing) girlfriends. Bobby’s finally busted him but despite his rebuffs in the press this guy doesn’t give a toss. So the award goes to WAYNE BRIDGE.
The George Weah Award For The Most Hollywood Player
As we are now a ‘big club’ we have some amazingly self-obsessed and vain players. But perhaps less than a lot of teams. Who would want Terry, Lampard, Cole, Gerrard, Ferdinand and all those overpaid, squalid, two-faced pillocks who people the England team?
Nominations would include Mario, who has his good and bad side – did you see his so-called ‘Xmas Video’ on the club’s website, where he really couldn’t be bothered to engage in any kind of Xmas message to the fans. Johnson too has his diva moments – totally unjustified. For sheer self-love, hair gel and Youtube appearances in his underpants, Joe Hart must come close. Bellamy has also been a spectacularly self-centred individual, better away from us than with us.
No, there can be only one winner: whose entire saga has been played out in – and using - the media. Here is a man whose personal profile with City fans one year ago would have put him up there with Colin Bell and Marc Vivien Foe. In the course of that year he has managed to use the media (and his own abominable attitude) to turn every City fan in the world against him – and in the meantime probably irrevocably damage his own career out of sheer greed and self-interest. The award can only go to CARLOS TEVEZ.
The Mario Balotelli Award For Services To The Community
On the other side of the coin is that many of the above players have shown real personal kindness to fans away from the media glare. And more: Clichy, Sergio, Barry, Nige, The Wardrobe and Vinny have all shown themselves as genuinely interested in the fans’ perspective and in life outside the football bubble.
But here, there are no other nominees - be it getting arrested in Moss Side; helping out hobos on the way home from the casino with Chris Samba; working in soup kitchens; visiting womens’ prisons; pissing off the population of Alderley Edge (I’d call that a public service) or the alleged Santa-in-a-Range-Rover Xmas generosity – there can only be one winner, as wonderful as a person as he is as a footballer. The award can only go to its own sponsor: MARIO BALOTELLI.
The Manchester City Team Of 2011
Everyone here is going to have their own opinions. I’m not saying this constitutes a balanced ‘team’ – just the 11 best players of 2011 on the strength of their performances in the calendar year:
Joe Hart
Pablo Zabaleta
Gael Clichy
Joleon Lescott
Vincent Kompany ©
Gareth Barry
Nigel de Jong
James Milner
Sergio Aguero
David Silva
Mario Balotelli
Special Award For Footballing Services To MCFC
Finally, thankyou to this player for your unswerving loyalty to the team, the club and the cause, in good times and bad. He’s been with us since a youngster, when people said he wouldn’t make it. He left us and came back to us. He’s always been humble and a team player. He’s scored some wonderful goals and given us some amazing moments. He’s moved on but will still and always will be a City fan. And we will always love him. The award – and our thanks - can only go to: SHAUN WRIGHT-PHILLIPS.
TITLE CHASING BOLLOX
Invincible at home this year, Premier League leaders Manchester City face consecutive away games over Christmas with manager Roberto Mancini wary of offering up unexpected gifts at West Bromwich Albion and Sunderland.
City, who lead the table at Christmas for the first time since 1929, drew 1-1 at Liverpool, then lost 2-1 at Chelsea in their last two away league games and Mancini wants a return to winning ways on the road, starting at West Brom on Boxing Day.
“We still have Chelsea, United, Tottenham and Liverpool to come to the Etihad Stadium, but we need to win away games as well, and we have only one point from our last two,” Mancini, who is about to experience his third Christmas campaign as City manager, told the club’s website.
“I have a lot of respect for West Bromwich, and I have a lot of respect for (manager) Roy Hodgson - he is one of the best managers in Europe.
“I think it will be very hard because they play good football. They have had some problems but they have won their last two away games and seem to be in good form, it will be a hard match,” added Mancini, whose side lead champions Manchester United by two points.
City have few injury worries ahead of a spell of three games in little more than a week and should have swashbuckling full back Micah Richards available after injury.
While Mancini can boast an embarrassment of riches, United and the rest of the pursuing pack are feeling the pinch a little with injuries and suspensions testing their squads.
United have home games against Wigan Athletic and Blackburn Rovers before concluding their holiday fixtures away at Newcastle United and manager Alex Ferguson, preparing for his 26th Christmas in the Old Trafford hot seat, knows how vital the jam-packed holiday programme can be.
He was boosted by the news that Phil Jones suffered no break to his jaw in the dazzling 5-0 win at Fulham on Wednesday, although winger Ashley Young is sidelined for the clash with Wigan, a fixture United have never dropped a point from.
Despite the statistics, however, Ferguson is a big fan of Wigan boss Roberto Martinez, whose third-from-bottom side will arrive in good heart after morale-boosting home draws with Chelsea and Liverpool.
“I watched Wigan versus Chelsea the other day and I thought Wigan were terrific,” he told the United website.
“It says a lot for Roberto Martinez, he continues to play good football irrespective of what position they’re in. We have a good record against Wigan but we won’t take anything for granted. We need to keep our foot on the pedal.”
Injury-hit Tottenham, in third place with 35 points face a trip to Norwich City on Tuesday before a New Year’s Eve clash with another of the promoted sides, Swansea City.
They will be without Rafael van der Vaart and winger Aaron Lennon while striker Jermain Defoe is another struck by a hamstring curse afflicting the north London club as they mount a creditable top-four challenge.
Fourth-placed Chelsea (33 points) are low on defensive options as they prepare for the Dec. 26 derby at home to close neighbours Fulham.
Manager Andre Villas-Boas, who has worries over Branislav Ivanovic and John Obi-Mikel after they limped off in the 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday, said he would try to buy a centre back in January.
Until then, however, the Portuguese, like his Tottenham counterpart Redknapp and even United’s Ferguson, must juggle his squad and hope to keep City in his sights.
“They have the squad for sure,” Redknapp said of City’s strength in depth.”They are the favourites but Man United won’t be far behind them. But anything can happen still, it’s very close in the top four.”
Fifth-placed Arsenal (32 points) will not have to travel out of the capital over the holidays, hosting Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday before London derbies with Queen’s Park Rangers and Fulham.
Liverpool will hope to put the controversy surrounding their support of Luis Suarez, found guilty of racial abuse, behind them with home games against bottom club Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United before their trip to City.
Manager Kenny Dalglish said he had some sympathy for Rovers, the club he took to the league title in 1995, and their beleaguered manager Steve Kean who faced vociferous criticism during his side’s defeat by Bolton Wanderers this week.
“The frustration is understandable in many ways but I don’t think it’s helpful and it’s sad really it has come to that, but that’s the way it is,” Dalglish said.
OTHER BOLLOX
Terry: Chelsea rule out supportive T-shirts
Chelsea have rejected a proposal from their players to wear T-shirts in support of captain John Terry.
The Blues are backing their skipper, who is facing a racially aggravated public order charge.
But a spokesman said: "We didn't think wearing T-shirts was an appropriate or helpful show of that support."
Liverpool were criticised after their players wore T-shirts in support of Luis Suarez following his eight-match ban for racially abusing Patrice Evra.
Circumstances ensure that Terry's treatment will now be a consistent narrative running through Chelsea's games - but he has proved that it has no adverse effect on his performances
The Uruguay striker, 24, clashed with Manchester United defender Evra during the 1-1 draw at Anfield on 15 October.
Liverpool's squad wore the T-shirts during the warm-up before Wednesday's Premier League game at Wigan, which drew criticism from a number of black footballers, including Paul McGrath and Jason Roberts.
Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has since moved to defend his players.
Chelsea do not want to risk something that could be construed as provocative or a potential contempt of court ahead of Terry's hearing at a west London magistrates court on 1 February.
Terry is alleged to have used racist language towards Queens Park Rangers player Anton Ferdinand during Chelsea's 1-0 defeat at Loftus Road on 23 October, and has vowed to fight the charge "tooth and nail".
Dutch striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, reportedly targeted by Manchester United, says he is happy at Schalke, where he has scored 15 goals in 16 matches in the Bundesliga this season. Daily Mail
The Gunners are also ready to step up their interest in Brazil's 19-year-old midfielder Casemiro as his club Sao Paulo are reportedly ready to cash in with a £10m deal. talkShiT
Tottenham are interested in Bolton defender Gary Cahill, but Chelsea will beat them to the signing. Daily Mirror
Meanwhile, Spurs are believed to have held talks with midfielder Giovani dos Santos and his representatives with a view to selling the Mexican in January. Daily Mail
Chelsea target Gonzalo Higuain could be set for a summer switch to Juventus, according to reports in Italy, as the Italian giants plan on opening the bidding at £24m for the Real Madrid striker. talkShiT
Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill is weighing up an offer for Hamburg SV's versatile left-sided player Marcell Jansen, 26, whose contract is due to end in 18 months. FootyBunker
Manchester United have emerged as the latest suitors for Real Sociedad's 20-year-old centre-back Inigo Martinez, according to reports in Spain. Insidefutbol.com
Blackburn will offer Fulham striker Andy Johnson, 30, a £2m pay deal to help them secure their Premier League status. Daily Mirror
QPR are believed to be considering a move for Stoke striker Kenwyne Jones. Daily Mail
Liverpool forward Luis Suarez has been named as Sky Sports' Player of the Year for 2011, despite a voting row in which Anfield supporters accused the broadcaster of sabotaging their own poll. Liverpool Echo
Tottenham striker Emmanuel Adebayor has spoken out in support of John Terry - after the defender was taunted at White Hart Lane - and believes the Chelsea captain's court case will not affect his performances. Evening Standard
Winger Ryan Giggs is planning to discuss his Manchester United future with Sir Alex Ferguson and is keeping an open mind about playing on for another season. Sky Sports
Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill believes striker Nicklas Bendtner can finally show why he rates himself so highly at the Stadium of Light. Daily Star
Pensioner Colin Lee, 72, who plays in goal for an amateur team in Wolverhampton, has been revealed as Britain's oldest footballer.
Metro
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