Friday's B*ll*x

[Chinners]

City hope gifted Johnson can clean up his act
Doubts over winger's lifestyle and application remain as Mancini's patience wears thin
Manchester City's Adam Johnson may have to convince his club that he is capable of putting football before his lifestyle if he is to be retained beyond the end of this season.
Johnson is City's single world-class wide player but the club are still looking for evidence that he has the necessary application to go with the ability which makes him appreciated at the highest levels within the Etihad Stadium as a type of City player who is unlike any other.
There is a deeply held conviction at City that a generation of top players, including Stephen Ireland and Michael Johnson, has been lost because those players could not find the application to go with their talents. The City academy is built around attempts to create more rounded individuals who will not let their talents go to waste in the same way. Johnson has received the City message, to an extent.
The club perceives a calmer, more professional approach to life as the 24-year-old has started to adapt his lifestyle in line with club demands. But he appears to have a way to go to convince Roberto Mancini that he is worth persisting with. Though the club are unlikely to seek a move for the player, he is among those for whom an offer might be considered if one comes in this summer. The former England manager Fabio Capello shared Mancini's doubts about the player's approach to life.
City's frustration with Johnson is all the greater because of what he delivers once on the field. He has scored six league goals despite making only 10 starts this season – one reason that his ability is in no doubt. Mancini is not the kind of manager to put an arm around Johnson's shoulder, however. The club return on Sunday to Molineux, where after a Carling Cup tie in October, Johnson refused to board the bus home as he was so indignant about the Italian's public criticism of him. Mancini was unmoved.
"I am happy he is upset," he said at the time. "I say what I want because, if he were not a good player, then I would not waste my time on him. But because he has everything, I don't want him stopping at this level. I want him up a level and then a level more."
The incident typified the kinds of concerns which lead City to fear that Johnson will look back in two or three years time and wonder what might have been at the Etihad. All that said, Johnson has not been helped by Mancini's disinclination to use wide players.

Meanwhile, analysis by the financialfairplay.co.uk website, to be published today, suggests that City will find it harder to fall within the losses set out by the Uefa financial regime as had been widely thought. The site questions the assumption that £53m can be excluded from City's losses in the 2012-13 season relating to players signed prior to 31 May 2010 – a specific Uefa exclusion. The wage exclusion applies to the 2011-12 season only, the site asserts, placing City on course to miss a £38m target for the initial monitoring period.

LESCOTT HITS BACK AT CRITICS
Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott has sought to deflect attention away from the misdemeanours of his high-profile team-mates.
Mario Balotelli has come in for criticism for his behaviour on and off the field, culminating in his red card in the crucial defeat at Arsenal earlier this month.
While Carlos Tevez's explosive return to action has only highlighted what a huge loss his self-imposed exile has been for City this season.
But the England international defender feels it is not helpful to single out Balotelli for criticism for his role in City falling behind in the title race.
In particular, Lescott feels the player's youth should be taken into account.
"I think it's a bit harsh to solely blame Mario," Lescott told Sky Sports News. "He's a young player and he's going to make mistakes - we all did at that age.
"Obviously he's disappointed what happened with Arsenal but hopefully he's learnt from that."
And the 29-year-old defender is also keen not to speculate on what might have been had Tevez made himself available for selection.
The Argentine has returned to the fold in recent weeks, scoring four goals in just two Premier League starts including a hat-trick at Norwich on Saturday.
But Lescott insists: "We're not dwelling on the past. Who's to say that if Carlos had stayed he wouldn't have got injured and missed the rest of the season.
"We're just grateful that he's back and playing for Man City and scoring goals."
United can extend their lead to eight points with victory at home to Everton on Sunday before City travel to bottom club Wolves later that day.
Lescott has not given up hope of securing the Premier League title this season but he is not expecting former clubs Everton and Wolves to provide any dramatic changes in the race.
He added: "No disrespect to Everton and Wolves but we'd both like to think that we could win those games. So that means there is more emphasis on the derby.
"No matter what we're going to have to win that game if we want to win the league and take control of our own destiny."

Joe Hart hails 'awesome' Carlos Tevez
Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart has hailed the impact of Carlos Tevez on his return to the team as "awesome".
Tevez has scored four goals after starting the last two games for the Barclays Premier League title-chasers, including a hat-trick in last week's 6-1 thrashing of Norwich.
It has been a dramatic comeback by the Argentinian, who spent six months out of the side after falling into dispute with the club.
Tevez's performances have helped bring City back within five points of leaders Manchester United with four games remaining and Hart says he has been a welcome presence back in the dressing room.
The England number one told Sky Sports News: "We have been a bit dry on goals recently, so that fresh Carlos input has been awesome.
"You can say what you want about Carlos Tevez, but when he plays, he plays to win and he plays for his team-mates.
"There are far more important things in our lives than what went on and what didn't go on.
"We have that goal of trying to win the league and Carlos has bought into that. He has not come in and tried to make any big statements. We have just all moved on."
Hart is determined to keep battling for the title until it is mathematically out of reach.
Manager Roberto Mancini has publicly said the fight is over but with a Manchester derby still to come on April 30, City can make the battle very close and Hart will not concede.
Hart, preparing for this weekend's trip to struggling Wolves, said: "There is no point in us turning up on Sunday if the title race is over.
"We've still got to believe, we've still got to fight for every single point available.
"I know three of them definitely can be overturned - that is in our hands.
"Other than that, we've got to rely on other teams. We can only battle away and try and win every game and hope that United slip up."

8-year-old heads for derby crunch match
Leading out Manchester City Football Club (MCFC) against archrivals Manchester United for the Barclays Premier League derby crunch match on April 30 is a ‘dream come true’ for Emirati youngster, Ali Waleed Al Saeedi, according to a release.
Having won the prize as part of a competition run by MCFC Principle Partner, Etihad Airways and Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, the eight-year-old football fanatic, from Bani Yas in Abu Dhabi, couldn’t believe his luck when his father called to tell him the good news at school.
“This is a dream come true, I cannot wait. I am a huge football fan and to go see one of the world’s best teams will be a memory I cherish forever. I knew they were going to announce the competition’s winner on Sunday whilst I was in school, however, I didn’t think for a second that I would win. When my father called, I couldn’t believe it. This is my wish,” said Ali, who entered the competition with his three brothers, Abdulla, Mohamed and Khalid.
Football has been a big part of Ali’s life, said his father Saeedi, and has been important in building his confidence, both at home and socially.
“Ali is shy by nature but he is very excited to be there close to the stars and this is something he will remember when he grows up. Ali used to be a quiet boy but recently, since he joined Manchester City School of Football, he started to get more confidence not only in football but also even in his personality and daily life,” said Saeedi. However young Ali will not be the only one very excited that day. Townley regulars are set to welcome Patrick, a regular of the fansite mancityfans.net via the French Alps on April 30th.

[spoiler][/spoiler]
OTHER BOLLOX
Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, 34, is close to agreeing a £6.7m-a-year deal to join Chinese side Shanghai Shenua. Daily Mail

Drogba and midfielder Frank Lampard, 33 will be allowed to leave in the summer as Chelsea attempt to reduce the average age of their squad. Daily Express

Chelsea defender Jose Bosingwa, 29, is being targeted by Inter Milan on a free transfer but his considerable wage demands are a potential stumbling block. talkShit

Aston Villa will demand £12m for 25-year-old England striker Gabriel Agbonlahor, who is a target for Sunderland. Daily Mirror

Real Madrid playmaker Mesut Ozil, 23, is Manchester United's number one summer transfer target. Caught Offside

Arsenal are tracking versatile Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, who is the 22-year-old captain of Montpellier. Daily Mirror

Manchester United and Arsenal target Luis Muriel, a 21-year-old Colombian forward, will not leave Udinese for another year at least according to his agent. talkShit

Wigan winger Victor Moses, 21, is set to spark a summer scramble between Liverpool and Tottenham after deciding not to renew his deal at the DW Stadium. Metro

Ryan Giggs can play for Manchester United until he is 42 and further cement his place as the Premier League's greatest-ever player, according to former team-mate Gary Neville. Manchester Evening News

Stoke manager Tony Pulis is "desperate" for Robert Huth, 27, to sign a new deal as the German defender approaches the last year of his contract. The Sun

Wigan are in a fight to keep Mohamed Diame, 24, as he is stalling on talks while he waits to see if the club stays in the Premier League. The Sun

England are planning a 'home' friendly against Italy in Switzerland on 15 August - three days before the start of the Premier League season. The game cannot be held at Wembley because the date set by Fifa comes so soon after the the Olympic Games, which end on 12 August. Daily Mail

Newcastle United striker Pappis Demba Cisse made himself at home on the city's streets when he sparked a 200-strong crowd outside a barber's. Metro

Celebrity Liverpool fan and United States basketball star LeBron James has launched a Liverpool-inspired range of trainers - only for them to be panned by fellow supporters. Daily Mirror

[Chinners]

BOLLOX UPDATE
Are the ‘big boys’ worried about the changing dynamic in English football?
Not long ago the Premier League was an almost pre-determined list, with the usual suspects finishing in their predicted positions at the start of the campaign. Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool were labelled the ‘big four’, with the likes of Tottenham and Everton occupying the places just below the quartet. As you journeyed down the table, for much of the 38 games, the bottom five often consisted of the same names, sitting behind the remainder of the sides in mid-table obscurity.
However, the past couple of seasons have seen a shake-up when it comes to end result of the English season with the emergence of new title challengers, and teams joining the mix from the Championship proving that the leap isn’t as vast as feared. It looks increasingly likely that both Liverpool and Chelsea will miss out on Champions League football for next season due to the exploits of Tottenham or Newcastle, allied with the emergence of the Abu Dhabi backed Manchester City. The appearance of these sides, has been met with fear from managers who had become used to their almost guaranteed position in the upper echelons of the division, and are now looking over their shoulder at the ‘new kids on the block’ and the former occupiers attempting to re-establish themselves.
As well as the shifting dynamic in the top-flight, the reputation of Premier League sides in Europe has taken a hit, with Chelsea the only side to make it to the quarter-final stage of the Champions League. Over the past decade English sides have enjoyed large levels of success, with Liverpool claiming victory in 2005 and Manchester United beating national rivals Chelsea in 2008, but over the past few seasons the dynamic has shifted toward other continental nations, mainly Spain.
As a result it’s believed that the summer spending by the upper level teams of the Premier League will once again be vast, as they all look to cement their status within their nation, and continent’s elite. There was a period of complacency on the part of some of the higher level sides in England during the course of the past few years, as teams allowed star men to move on, never really believing that those below them could emerge. Liverpool in particular have struggled with this, allied to financial difficulty, allowing Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano to depart, eliminating the spine of the promising 2007-08 team. As well as this Manchester United sanctioned the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo, albeit for a world record £80 million, as well as refusing to spend big money to keep Carlos Tevez from the clutches of local rivals Manchester City.
Moves such as these have seen a real drop in the quality at the upper end of the Premier League, shifting momentum away from the established forces, and handing a sense of optimism to the chasing pack. Due to this a summer of transfer activity is expected on the part of the United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal, who have seen their cosy quartet blown apart. Red Devils’ chief executive, David Gill, has recently admitted that there will be comings and goings during the next window, hinting that the side are likely to spend big once more, after a relatively quite period of time in the transfer market. As well as the defending Champions, Arsenal have already made inroads to sign German international Lucas Podolski, while rumours surrounding wholesale changes, and a phasing out of the ‘old guard’ at Chelsea have gathered momentum throughout the season. It’s likely that Liverpool will once again spend big, with Kenny Dalglish keen to put the disappointing memories of this season behind him, while Manchester City will be linked to anybody who becomes available at a price of over £20 million, and Tottenham will be looking to build upon their recent upturn in fortunes.
Such actions show a sign of fear from the former ‘top sides’. Arsene Wenger has never been one to spend big and secure the signatures of proven players, yet this summer he could buck that trend, as he did during his deadline day flurry last season. The case of Manchester United is another fascinating one, as over a period of time their formidable squad gained an increasingly porous look. With the rumoured financial issues at the club, a big spend would hint at a genuine fear for their status as ‘top dogs’ after the emergence of their noisy neighbours.
The recent shift in the power dynamic at the upper end of the Premier League looks to finally be sinking in. This summer will once again be a busy one, with a spot in the top-four becoming ever more important.

Mancini hits out at referee standards Roberto Mancini is frustrated by the standards of refereeing in the Premier League.
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has voiced his frustration with the standard of refereeing in England and claimed "the rules are not the same for everyone".
You'll be amazed by how much money the world's biggest clubs make. Check out the top 20.
Mancini did not want to comment on specific incidents but City's title rivals Manchester United have benefited from two controversial penalty decisions in the past fortnight.
City, who trail United by five points at the top of the Premier League, also felt wronged when striker Carlos Tevez was booked for diving in last week's defeat of Norwich.
Mancini has said, with four games remaining, his side's title hopes are over and still feels that way despite some players expressing a different opinion.
When asked his thoughts on what his players have said, Mancini said: "I am happy because they believe but, for me, I (still) have the same feeling. I think it is very difficult.
"Also after some of the some of the situations I saw in the last three or four weeks, I think it is really difficult for us."
When asked if he was referring to refereeing decisions involving City or United, he said: "Both."
Mancini, at a press conference to preview Sunday's game at Wolves, was then asked to elaborate.
He said: "I can say it is a very strange situation, only this. For us it is important to finish well this season.
"We want to try to win the next game. That will be difficult. Wolves are bottom of the table and it will be a tough game. We need to play like against Norwich."
When asked to expand again about these "situations", Mancini said: "I am not frustrated. In Italy we say, 'Every place is the same'."
Asked what that meant, he said: "The rules are not the same for everyone."
Mancini was then asked if he was suggesting the rules are different for City and United.
He said: "I am not saying this, I don't want to say this. I said the rules, maybe sometimes, are different.
"When I was in Italy I always thought here there were the best referees. My idea has changed, probably."
Mancini remains adamant that City are out of title contention. He said: "Five points are too much and, I repeat, there are some strange situations that I do not like - we don't have any chance.
"We should go our way, only this. I stay with my opinion for the next four weeks - I don't change. The title is gone."
Mancini will wait until the end of the season before making a decision about the future of controversial striker Mario Balotelli.
Balotelli, who is currently suspended, has made peace with Mancini following his recent sending off against Arsenal, after which the manager said he would "probably" try to sell the player.
With that merely being the latest in a long line of misdemeanours from the 21-year-old, Mancini has since said Balotelli could stay if he changes his ways - but that is not an issue he will address yet.
He said: "Mario is a City player, 100%. Mario is a top player. At the end of the season we will see what happens."

Sunderland fined for conduct towards Man City penalty-row ref
SUNDERLAND were today fined £30,000 by the Football Association for the behaviour of their players at Manchester City.
The charge related to the conduct of players towards referee Phil Dowd during the 3-3 draw at the Etihad Stadium on March 31.
The Staffordshire official awarded a controversial penalty in the 43rd minute after deciding Craig Gardner had fouled City striker Edin Dzeko in the area.
In the immediate aftermath, several Sunderland players crowded round Dowd to voice their disapproval.
That prompted an FA charge, and the game’s governing body today confirmed the Wearsiders, who denied the charge, had been fined, as well as warned to their future conduct.
It is their second FA charge this season: they were fined for failing to control their players during March’s stormy Tyne-Wear derby with Newcastle United at St James’s Park

Mancini adamant on title hopes
Man City boss Roberto Mancini believes nothing has changed in the Premier League title race and that his side cannot win it.
The race had seemed all but over following the Citizens' 1-0 defeat at Arsenal which left them eight points behind arch-rivals Manchester United, although that was reduced to five after the Red Devils suffered a shock 1-0 defeat at Wigan.
City put their recent away-day blues behind them in style with a 6-1 rout of Norwich at Carrow Road last weekend which may well have given punters looking to use their free bet hope of a title win, particularly with the Manchester derby at the Etihad looming large.
However, Mancini insists that he has not changed his mind and, although he wants to see his players finish the season on a high, he believes that United cannot be caught.
"I stay with my opinion for the next four weeks - I don't change. The title is gone," Mancini said.
City have the easier task on paper this weekend when they travel to Molineux to take on Wolves, who could already be relegated by the time the teams take to the field, but Mancini has tried to guard his players against complacency.
"For us it is important to finish well this season," the Italian manager added.
"We want to try to win the next game. That will be difficult. Wolves are bottom of the table and it will be a tough game. We need to play like against Norwich."

[Mingchester Mingy]

Mancini really brings me up a notch on the "Hope" scale. Jesus Bob, just say we still have a chance ! Everyone knows maybe our only chance is this weekend....if Everton can pull one out of their arse....we are right back in it !

[Ted Hughes]

Mancini really brings me up a notch on the "Hope" scale. Jesus Bob, just say we still have a chance ! Everyone knows maybe our only chance is this weekend....if Everton can pull one out of their arse....we are right back in it !

I love his current stance, it's completely fucked up the rags' media machine.

Before he said it, they were saturating the media with different current & ex players plus all their raggy friends, all telling us how they would win it because of their experience. Then Manci says 'yes they will, no problem'. They've all gone 'errm' 'it's not over you know, everything is still to play for' he's got the fucking rags arguing our case for us !

They've had to resort to getting their mates to print transfer rumours & 'drink problem' stories because they don't know what to say next.

Now suddenly, a bunch of City players have chirped up saying we do think we can win it after all & Bob has hit played the 'biased ref' card, whilst completely denying he's playing it.

I think it's absolutely hilarious, & I bet him, Kiddo, Plunty, Vieira etc are having a proper laugh about it.

[john68]

Totally agree Ted and as I have posted in the DH Training thread, I think it is a club policy change. Not just from Bob but throughout the club.

Tell em nowt, smile and agree, just treat them as children and nod knowingly.

[Beefymcfc]

"When I was in Italy I always thought here there were the best referees. My idea has changed, probably."

This may have been lost a little but is he talking about corruption or just incompetence?

[Blue in the face]

"When I was in Italy I always thought here there were the best referees. My idea has changed, probably."

This may have been lost a little but is he talking about corruption or just incompetence?

You see,...you're not quite sure what he meant. Thats exactly his intention.

[Beefymcfc]

"When I was in Italy I always thought here there were the best referees. My idea has changed, probably."

This may have been lost a little but is he talking about corruption or just incompetence?

You see,...you're not quite sure what he meant. Thats exactly his intention.

It's when he refers to the ref's in Italy. He was there at the height of the corruption involving the referee's and is well aware of how these things go.

It would be good if his Highness could spend a few quid to find out the truth, whether that be corruption or just incompetence. At least we could concentrate on the game rather than have the endless threads about referee's.

[Blue in the face]

"When I was in Italy I always thought here there were the best referees. My idea has changed, probably."

This may have been lost a little but is he talking about corruption or just incompetence?

You see,...you're not quite sure what he meant. Thats exactly his intention.

It's when he refers to the ref's in Italy. He was there at the height of the corruption involving the referee's and is well aware of how these things go.

It would be good if his Highness could spend a few quid to find out the truth, whether that be corruption or just incompetence. At least we could concentrate on the game rather than have the endless threads about referee's.

I don't think theres any corruption Beefy. I think its partly incompetence and partly fear of old whiskey nose. It will all change when the fucker is gone.

[ashton287]

This may have been lost a little but is he talking about corruption or just incompetence?

He is talking about the corruption. Without getting himself dragged into any bullshit for it.

[Beefymcfc]

"When I was in Italy I always thought here there were the best referees. My idea has changed, probably."

This may have been lost a little but is he talking about corruption or just incompetence?

You see,...you're not quite sure what he meant. Thats exactly his intention.

It's when he refers to the ref's in Italy. He was there at the height of the corruption involving the referee's and is well aware of how these things go.

It would be good if his Highness could spend a few quid to find out the truth, whether that be corruption or just incompetence. At least we could concentrate on the game rather than have the endless threads about referee's.

I don't think theres any corruption Beefy. I think its partly incompetence and partly fear of old whiskey nose. It will all change when the fucker is gone.

That in itself is a form of corruption mate, it's not just about money changing hands, like morally corrupt:

cor·rupt

adjective

1. guilty of dishonest practices, as bribery; lacking integrity; crooked: a corrupt judge.
2. debased in character; depraved; perverted; wicked; evil: a corrupt society.
3. made inferior by errors or alterations, as a text.
4. infected; tainted.
5. decayed; putrid.

Adverb (used with object)

6. to destroy the integrity of; cause to be dishonest, disloyal, etc., especially by bribery.
7. to lower morally; pervert: to corrupt youth.
8. to alter (a language, text, etc.) for the worse; debase.
9. to mar; spoil.
10. to infect; taint.

[Blue Since 76]

Can't believe no one else has commented on AJ being a 'world class wide player'. Who wrote that? His mum?