Man City

[darkafac]

i guess its bcos of the fact tt its a derby match.. Man City played very well..

especially Benjani who scored in his debut match which i think he deserve it cos for the whole match, his workrate is very high..

another player which i would like to praise is the young defender Nedum Onuoha who tight mark CR so well on tt game which u din even notice tt CR is playing..

Man City definitely has the capability to compete for the 4th place..

[Glen2712]

Now City can be bigger than the Big Four, warns Hughes

Manager won't be fazed by the pressure of managing the richest club in the world

In the next few days Mark Hughes intends to visit Abu Dhabi to meet Manchester City's new billionaire owners and, if everything we have learned about Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim and his friends is true, he will be flying on a private jet, a presidential convoy of blacked-out limousines will be waiting at the airport and his hotel suite will be the kind of six-star luxury where even the Jacuzzi taps are chiselled from gold.


It is a far cry from the skinflint world that Manchester City used to know. Yet this is the way it is going to be at a club that can now be described, without fear of contradiction, as the richest on the planet - a club, lest it be forgotten, where it was not long ago that players had to put up without hot water in the dressing rooms and Niall Quinn remembers asking for basic necessities, such as a pair of new boots, being "like drawing blood from a stone".


For City, it has been the first step into a brave new world and, for Hughes, the craziest week of his professional life. "Agents never used to call me when I was at Blackburn because they knew we did not have the funds," he said. "Now, all of a sudden, I'm every-agent-in-the-land's new best friend."


Hughes was in good humour, holding court from behind his desk at City's training ground, and if there was one thing that came across it was that he was determined to embrace the new regime rather than worrying about the fact ultra-rich businessmen are not usually known for their patience.


"I've had pressure all my career, as a player and a manager," he said. "There's always pressure to win games, irrespective of what club you're at and what resources you have, so that doesn't change. Obviously the degree of expectation changes, but that doesn't really faze me. In fact, it doesn't faze me at all.


"I've been working in the Premier League for four years, it's the hardest league in the world and, in fairness, I did an exceptional job at my last club. I know I'm good at what I do and that's not me just blowing smoke up my own arse.


"The difference is that there was always frustration at Blackburn because there were weaknesses that I couldn't address due to not having the financial resources. There are weaknesses in my current team, too, but I'm in a position now to address them any time I want."


All of which was very apparent on transfer deadline day when it is difficult to look at the list of players City tried to sign - Dimitar Berbatov, Ruud van Nistelrooy, David Villa, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar are only four of the ones who are known about - without inhaling deeply.


"The owners wanted to make a statement and we tried to make the kind of bids to make people think very seriously about letting players go," said Hughes. "We didn't just pick names out of the sky. These were players we thought there was a real possibility we could get. It was a really important day for the owners, they wanted to come in and make a real impact, not only on the people of Manchester but the entire football world. They wanted to get someone in that would make people sit up and take notice and, in the end, they did exactly that and got a great player through the door."


In three days of business, more than 2,000 City supporters have already had Robinho's name emblazoned on their replica shirts. Pele, however, has questioned whether Robinho "needs serious counselling" to want to play for City. "Maybe Pele is not in full possession of the facts about what we are trying to do here," Hughes countered. "If he did understand, and he was still a player, maybe he would have thought about joining us as well."


City, according to Al Fahim, will bid £135m for Cristiano Ronaldo in the January transfer window, as well as offering £50m-plus for Fernando Torres of Liverpool and Cesc Fábregas of Arsenal. Hughes has misgivings whether the top English clubs will want do business with City - "some will be more receptive than others," he says - but he believes Robinho's arrival makes the club a "more attractive proposition" to potential signings.


Berbatov turned down City because he was "in a different stage in his career, in his late 20s, and wants to play in the Champions League very quickly". But eventually Hughes sees City being "bigger than the Big Four" and he smiled when he was asked whether he had spoken to Sir Alex Ferguson since trying to sign Berbatov from under Manchester United's nose? "No," he replied. "It was the other way round, wasn't it?"

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[Glen2712]

Manchester City Transfers

2008/09 Season

In

Jô - CSKA Moscow
Tal Ben Haim - Chelsea
Vincent Kompany - Hamburg
Shaun Wright-Phillips - Chelsea
Pablo Zabelta - Espanyol
Glauber Berti - FC Nuremberg
Robinho - Real Madrid

Out

Bernardo Corradi - Released
Paul Dickov - Released
Geovanni - Released
Emile Mpenza - Released
Jihai Sun - Released
Andreas Isaksson - PSV Eindhoven
Georgios Samaras - Celtic
Vedran Corluka - Tottenham
Felipe Caicedo - Hertha Berlin (loan)

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[Glen2712]

City fans right to be optimistic, says Hughes

Manager In Bright Blue Mood

Mark Hughes is determined to ignore all the talk surrounding Manchester City as he looks forward to building on a good start to the season.


The current international break comes at the end of a week where the Blues bagged two Premier League wins either side of a nail-biting UEFA Cup victory. Following that came the deadline-day move for Robinho, but the Manager is dismissing suggestions that he is already eyeing the next transfer window.


“Actually I am looking forward to the end of the international break,” he asserts, “so we can get the players back and start working with them. I’m a football person, working with players is what I do and making them go in the direction we want is key. The other issues surrounding the Club will addressed by people with that expertise, so for now I’m just hoping that all my players come back fit and well.”


The arrival of the exciting Robinho has captured City fans’ imaginations, but regardless of who potential targets might be Hughes says that his basic approach towards buying players remains unchanged.


“I think the fans are right to be optimistic,” he continues, “but it takes time to build a team and as I have said before we have to make sure that the balance of the squad is right. That’s my job, but we’ll get there as quickly as we can.


“What’s important is that we will try to get value, if we can, if the right player is attainable. We’ll still look for good, young players who will gain value because that is what I always think is the right thing to do.


“We’ll make sure that we get the right players for the right positions, that’s building a football team and a club. We will go for players that I think will enhance our expectations for success. My role does not really change, maybe the sums of money and the means to get a different level of player changes. But the same mindset is here, and that’s bringing players that will help build a team.”


Robinho will meet up with his new team-mates after returning from Brazil’s World Cup qualifier in Rio against Bolivia late on Wednesday night, and Hughes does not think there will be any problem integrating him, or Argentinean defender Pablo Zabaleta, when his squad reconvenes.


“I don’t see a problem, we are getting world-class players here and if you ask any club about bringing those sorts of players in, the effect is always positive. The guys already here will see it as a challenge, they will have to up their game.


“You have to regenerate a team to bring in new faces, it stimulates the group and bringing in the likes of Robinho can only be a positive.”

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[Glen2712]

Amanda brings smile to City

Doncaster girl masterminded Arab takeover of Manchester City

CITY'S sensational takeover was brokered by the same financial high-flyer involved in trying to help Liverpool into Middle Eastern hands.


Amanda Staveley, one of Sheikh Mohammed of Dubai's closest confidantes and senior partner at financial advisory firm PCP Capital Partners, is the woman at the heart of the deal that will see the Blues change hands for more than £200m.


Staveley, 35, is Dubai International Capital's chief negotiator, has been involved in completely separate talks over the Anfield club.


Under the terms of the deal, agreed in principle in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, after two weeks of manoeuvrings former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will retain a 10 per cent share of the Blues and be honorary chairman.


New owners Abu Dhabi United Development Group led by Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim and supported by the Emirate's ruler, HH Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, will not make change for change's sake in the boardroom or boot-room.


Mark Hughes job as manager is safe with the Abu Dhabi firm pledging as much assistance as possible in helping turn the Blues into a top-four club in the next three seasons.


"I advised City on the deal and what Dr Thaksin has done and intended to do all along was ensure the long-term stability of the club," said private equity specialist and former Businesswoman of the Year Staveley.


"The investment partnership has been entered to ensure the long term future of Manchester City. The deal includes a significant budget for player spending and working capital. Dr Thaksin wanted to be a responsible owner and didn't want a repeat of the shenanigans at Liverpool."


Advice

Staveley, who once famously dated Prince Andrew, is one of the most trusted business brains in the Arab world and was keen to stress how big a club the Blues already are to its new owners. Her advice and that of Thaksin's lieutenants was not unheeded.


"We were particularly attracted to Manchester City's reputation for having one of the largest and most loyal fan bases throughout the football world," said Dr Al Fahim who is promising limitless funds and aiming at the top four in the next two or three seasons.


"It is a great opportunity to further invest with the club and with Dr. Thaksin in regional and international sports promotion and youth development programmes.


"What also attracted us to Manchester City is the opportunity to expand our international business reach into the City of Manchester, and especially to consider the excellent real estate development potential on prime property surrounding the stadium."


The former owner was equally pleased with the way the deal has been constructed.


"I am delighted to be building this new partnership with Abu Dhabi United Development Group (ADUG), who share my vision for City to join the top tier of British football on an international stage," he said.


"With Mark Hughes at the helm and some strong player signings the Club is very well positioned for this season and beyond. I look forward to this new partnership delivering great things for City fans."


The strategic investment in City by Abu Dhabi United Group will mark the first time that a Middle East investor has taken a significant stake in a Premier League team.


It is thought that the Is will be dotted and Ts crossed within a fortnight.


Dr Al Fahim is due in England later this week with the deal subject to the finalization of definitive agreements and all appropriate consents and approvals having been obtained.

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[Glen2712]

New owners must learn from Real how not to splash cash

The Guardian Daniel Taylor: In search for success what counts is not how much you spend but how you spend it

The aim, ultimately, is worldwide domination. Garry Cook, Manchester City's executive chairman, has already spoken of the club outgrowing Manchester United and, at the time, many people wondered whether he had his fingers crossed behind his back. But one takeover and one Brazilian superstar later, and nobody ought to be too taken aback when City's new billionaire owners start talking about making £135m bids for Cristiano Ronaldo.


We have been here before, of course. In 1976, City's chairman was Peter Swales and before one match he wrote in the club's programme: "If we've not hit the high spots in two years, I will consider that a failure. My personal ambition is to see City as the No1 club in the country. Anything other than that and I have failed, and I hope I am big enough to accept it." He wasn't and, 32 years on, City are still waiting for their next trophy.


The difference this time is that City are no longer just a football club but a giant fruit machine. Yet vast amounts of money do not always equate to trophies. There are certain models to be followed and, just as importantly, there are those that should be avoided at all costs.


Real Madrid once had wealth that made them the envy of every other club in the world. And yet the romance of the Galáctico era is largely a myth. Their president at the time was Florentino Pérez, an egomaniac who, in his final three years, spent €440m (£358m) on 20 players, fired six coaches and four sporting directors and won nothing - Madrid's longest run without a trophy for more than half a century.


The horror stories of that time should act as a warning about what can happen when people with vast sums of money but little knowledge of football get in a position of power. When Carlos Queiroz, as manager, asked Pérez for money to sign a defender and central midfielder, the club responded by selling their holding player, Claude Makelele, and that summer David Beckham arrived. Beckham was signed when the club already had Luis Figo to play on the right wing and, all the time, the presence of so many superstars caused resentment and friction among the other players. Outside the club's training ground one day there was a huge poster of Beckham, Figo, Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos. One player looked up at it and observed: "You'd think they were the only players at this club."


In City's case, Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim has already spoken about trying to sign Ronaldo, Thierry Henry, David Villa, Ronaldo (the tubby Brazilian version), Mario Gómez and Fernando Torres. Revealingly, he did not mention one defender or goalkeeper and only one midfielder, Arsenal's Cesc Fábregas.


This is where the manager should be trusted and, in Mark Hughes, City have someone who appears to be well qualified and well respected. Yet transfers are already being negotiated above Hughes's head. He had no say in the summer-long pursuit of Ronaldinho and little input in the £19m signing of Jo, and that smacks worryingly of what happened at Madrid before Pérez eventually fired the man who was responsible: himself.


Manchester United and Chelsea, despite the criticism both clubs attract, are much better models. Theirs are impressive behind-the-scenes operations and, in United's case, there is a manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, who has retained a strong enough position for the club's owners, the Glazer family, never to attempt to force a player on him.


When Ferguson hit rock-bottom in late 2005, the Glazers showed nerve and patience and put their trust in him. Would the billionaire tycoons behind the Abu Dhabi United Group do the same if Hughes has a sticky run? It is difficult to tell, but it will certainly not help Hughes if, after every bad result, he starts picking up Ranieri-esque vibes that the club are sounding out, say, Jose Mourinho.


Even if the Roman Abramovich is an occasional meddler, Chelsea have done more things right than not. They, like United, have a hinterland and fan base to attract new players even before the question of money arises. They have bought good players and, in doing so, projected the image of the club.


City have some catching up to do on that front - "we are at a different stage of our development," Hughes admits - but Manchester, as a city, is very much on the football map, with an international airport and a better climate than the stereotype. Robinho's arrival will encourage more A-listers to treat City seriously.


Above all, it is important that City do it with a touch of class. Everyone has seen the mistakes at Chelsea: the PR disasters, the egos, the mudslinging, the nouveau riche lack of class. Back in 1976, Swales, the son of an Ardwick fishmonger, had a combover, Cuban heels and a gritty Mancunian accent. The ultra-ambitious Cook has his initials sewn into his shirt pocket, an American twang and Club Jaguar cufflinks. In one respect already, Manchester City have become Manchester United.




Trouble at the top

• Peter Swales Made his money in rented televisions and was chairman for over 20 years from October 1973. Became hugely unpopular after City's relegation in 1983
  
• Francis Lee Former City striker turned toilet-paper businessman. Bought 29.9% of City in 1994, becoming chairman, but debts mounted. Resigned in 1998 shortly before relegation to the third tier
  
• John Wardle and David Makin Owners of JD Sports who became major shareholders, presided over move to new stadium and top-flight promotion. Struggled with debts
  
• Thaksin Shinawatra Bought City in June 2007 but chose to sell with £800m in assets frozen in Thailand

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[Glen2712]

Villa would cost City '£121m'

President wards Eastlands side off striker

Valencia president Vicente Soriano has said that Manchester City would have to pay £121million in order to land David Villa's signature.


Villa had been persistently linked with a transfer away from the Mestalla following his impressive showing for Spain at Euro 2008.


A move during the summer failed to materialise, however reports on the final day of the transfer window suggested Premier League club City had attempted to secure his services.


The new owner of City, Dr Sulaiman Al-Fahim, has intimated that Abu Dhabi United Group for Development and Investment (ADUG) could back a major overhaul at the club in January with Villa thought to be high on their list of targets.


No desire to move

But Soriano has warned the Eastlands outfit off Villa, insisting only a world record offer would see the 26-year-old depart Los Che.


He said in the Daily Star: "They would have to pay his release cause - £121million."


Villa's agent, Jose Luis Tamargo, added: "Villa has said he intends to remain in Valencia, where they want to keep him for a long while.


"He has never wanted to play in English football."

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[screamer]

I think this season will see Man city having some high and low,
$$ is not a issue now but the manager is. They need a high profile manage to handle the stars, and star to come.

[screamer]

Hope more will start to look at man city now

[screamer]

After the weekday lost, this is a match Man City badly need to show what they can do.

My money on Man city, will also jalan this match!!

good luck to all Man City supporter

[freegirl]

hi guys,

i am a man city fan too... stay forever in the eastlands... although i dunno so much abt soccer than u guys..

[screamer]

Man City vs Liverpool... first half leading 2-0.

[screamer]

Originally Posted by screamer

Man City vs Liverpool... first half leading 2-0.

very disappointment match.. from 2-0 .. to 2-1, then a silly red-card and.. 2-2, in the final min.. 2-3.

Man City seriously need a better Goal keeper, hope the owner can replace mark huges and get a big name manager then can start to bring in some mega star

[D@rk Force]

Originally Posted by screamer

very disappointment match.. from 2-0 .. to 2-1, then a silly red-card and.. 2-2, in the final min.. 2-3.

Man City seriously need a better Goal keeper, hope the owner can replace mark huges and get a big name manager then can start to bring in some mega star

Guess they need a world class gk like buffon.

[chelsea4me]

Originally Posted by screamer

very disappointment match.. from 2-0 .. to 2-1, then a silly red-card and.. 2-2, in the final min.. 2-3.

Man City seriously need a better Goal keeper, hope the owner can replace mark huges and get a big name manager then can start to bring in some mega star

Agreed. They should collect the 3 points during 2nd half if mark huges make the right call....
Man city should change the formation to 5 4 1 during half time. And bring out either jol or robinho and put in a midfielder. Yet mark huges naively thought they can thrashed pools, and stay put with their intial formation.