City have been in the news for various reasons this week as the Media Circus refuses to relent in its coverage of the Blues.
In the aftermath of last week’s victories over Arsenal and Chelsea, there have been reports of spats in the dressing room and their consequences in the squad.
Given recently revealed that egos had been damaged and noses put out of joint in the City dressing room after the Blues had blown yet another two-goal advantage in their draw with Hull at Eastlands.
Hughes also pulled no punches in the ‘Battle Royale’ and the City manager believes it was for the greater good of the club and that there is no better way to fire players up.
Mark Bowen says that the management team see arguments among his players as a sure sign that they care passionately about City and the project as a whole.
Hughes’ number two said in an interview on the OS…
“It’s very, very healthy.We were delighted to see the reaction after the Hull game. Things were also said by the management and staff as well. We were all part of it and we were all very demanding of each other.”
Shay alluded to it well – it is healthy and good. Obviously there is the tiny element that you can’t let it turn into a problem situation, where it gets physical, but on this occasion it was like a breath of fresh air in the place.
One only has to look to Stoke City’s recent punch-up between Stoke manager Tony Pulis and James Beattie or Anelka’s ‘python’ encounter at Arsenal to realise that dressing room ‘debate’ is part and parcel of any football team.
Elsewhere Wayne Bridge has been coming to terms with ‘that’ tackle by Chelsea’s Belletti that will keep him out until after the New Year.
In an interview on the OS he responded to Alan Hansen’s recent comments about his display against Burnley.
“Alan Hansen said a few things and Mark Hughes said a few things back, but I don’t like to think about it too much.”
“It’s not going to hurt or bother anyone, but I didn’t need to watch Match of the Day to realise I had played badly and been out of position.”
“He (Hansen) said a few things, but I’m not going to cry about it. Instead, I’ve just come into training and trained hard.”
“I felt I did ok in the games after that and, since then, I feel I’ve done well defensively and attacked as much as I could, although I can still do better.”
Bridge has come under criticism this year for some below par performances, but no one can deny that he has improved tenfold from last season and he will be missed.
It is an unfortunate double-whammy for the former Chelsea defender however, as how well Lescott or Barry do at left back in his absence could have deeper consequences than the loss of his first team place come next year.
It has been a very long time since City have had as many England representatives on its books, yet pundits and football writers have been quick to urinate on City’s bonfire.
Many believe that one of Barry, Lescott and Bridge will miss out due to them all being able to play left back as cover for number one choice Ashley Cole. And with Bridge not being able to play effectively in another role, it is possibly the worst thing that could have happened to him.
Robinho on the other hand has been at it again in the media, stating that he has no intention whatsoever, he thinks, of leaving the club for Barcelona, for now, and that all Blues fans love him and he loves them.
Great Robbie, but will the loveable Brazilian still be smiling after being benched for Craig Bellamy for the game against Bolton. We’ll all know the answer come Sunday’s tabloids, as the media will presumably find some quote to twist no doubt.
Perhaps the most upsetting news, depending on your point of view, is of young starlet Michael Johnson and his latest career injury.
It has been reported that Johnson broke down in training with a knee injury and will probably be out for the rest of the season.
The Blues midfielder has had more career setbacks than Theo Walcott and after his last much publicised stint in the Printworks… sorry on the sidelines, this will be a major test of the popular and talented midfield star.
Will he be another Nicky Weaver, picking up a monthly wage after a promising career start only to hit a spate of injuries spending his time in North West bars and clubs telling old war stories to any girl that will listen? Or does he have the metal required to get through this latest tragedy in his fledgling career?
As he is a born and bred Mancunian and an academy raised Blue, one would hope it is the latter of the two.
One things for sure, he’ll certainly need the support of his friends, family, club and fans alike as the first picture of him out on the town will undoubtedly be seen as yet another footballer throwing is career away.
Michael if you are reading this, you have all our support and are still young and talented enough to comeback be one of the greats and make the next world cup squad.
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