Ccccccityyyyyy

[Twan]

"Man City are clearly demonstrating that the mentality needed to win Championships cannot be taught... or bought, for that matter."

"Man City are well and truly bottling it. It's disgusting that a poor United team (by their standards) is going to win the league again."

"Manchester City have discovered mineral water under the Etihad. They're bottling it."

"Man City are well and truly bottling it. It's disgusting that a poor United team (by their standards) is going to win the league again."

[GazX]

"Man City are clearly demonstrating that the mentality needed to win Championships cannot be taught... or bought, for that matter."

"Man City are well and truly bottling it. It's disgusting that a poor United team (by their standards) is going to win the league again."

"Manchester City have discovered mineral water under the Etihad. They're bottling it."

"Man City are well and truly bottling it. It's disgusting that a poor United team (by their standards) is going to win the league again."

Agree with that and it show how the standard of the premiership has dropped in the last two seasons.

[Bricktop]

Look like a fool chat too soon....ahahahahahaha...good comeback City...murder a b@ttyman side QPR...

[Paul Marin]

Agree with that and it show how the standard of the premiership has dropped in the last two seasons.

Very very true about the standard dropping...the UCL showing with only Chelsea left in the Q final round is another example.

[Muadib]

Yuh ah guh get Lazie bringle now !

[Jangle]

I disagree. I think the other teams have improved. What has happened is that the "big" teams have not performed up to their fans expectations.

[Dunny]

It's all falling apart!!

City take title fight too far as Balotelli and Toure are pulled apart in half-time bust-up against Sunderland




By Sportsmail Reporter
PUBLISHED: 07:32, 2 April 2012 | UPDATED: 11:52, 2 April 2012

• Comments (74)
• Share

Mario Balotelli and Yaya Toure almost came to blows in a dressing-room clash as Manchester City's season threatened to implode.

The pair had to be pulled apart at half-time as they trailed Sunderland 2-1 at home before a late rally secured a 3-3 draw.

They now trail arch rivals Manchester United by two points, although that gap will become five if United win their game in hand at Blackburn on Monday night.


Tension: Yaya Toure (left) and Mario Balotelli (centre) had an angry exchange



Balotelli and Toure had to be separated by Yaya's brother Kolo as they squared up in front of stunned team-mates at the Etihad Stadium.

It is believed Balotelli took exception to the midfielder's criticism about his behaviour during the match.

It is just the latest in a long line of rows between City stars this season as they head towards finishing the campaign without a trophy - despite massive investment by their Abu Dhabi owners.


Knockout night: Balotelli, with Man City boxing gloves hanging from his rearview mirror, was out to see Drake play a gig in Manchester on Sunday night



The better half: Balotelli's girlfriend Raffaella was with the striker on Sunday

Fiery Balotelli - who scored twice on Saturday but was later criticised by boss Roberto Mancini - has already clashed with Micah Richards and former team-mate Jerome Boateng, while he was also involved in an on-pitch row with Aleksandar Kolarov over a free-kick.

On Balotelli's performance, Mancini said: 'Mario played like I said about him before the game, He can do nothing, like he did today for 70 minutes, but then score two goals.

'I don't like it when he plays like this. Mario has everything to do his job well but he doesn't understand very well his situation. In a game like this, the striker should be the difference. Not in the last two or three minutes, but before.


The good: Balotelli scored twice for Manchester City against Sunderland


'Mario and Edin Dzeko should have scored two or three goals in a game like this.'

Match of the Day's Alan Hansen reckons Balotelli is much more hassle than he's worth and that City should get rid of him.
The former Liverpool and Scotland defender, in his column for the Telegraph, said: 'If Manchester City really are prepared to sell Mario Balotelli this summer, then it would absolutely be the right thing to do.

'He has become a damaging distraction at the Etihad Stadium and Roberto Mancini must shoulder the blame for allowing the situation to develop to the point where the player is beginning to affect the unity of the dressing room.

The bad: Balotelli was also involved in an argument with Alexander Kolarov

'When you are going for a title, Balotelli and everything that he brings with him goes against everything that you want down the final straight.

'If he performed like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo or even Wayne Rooney, then the players would hold up their hands and let him get away with it. But Balotelli is not a world-beater, he is certainly not playing well at the moment and he is a huge distraction.'

Meanwhile, Mancini believes United will win the Barclays Premier League title if they beat Blackburn and QPR in their next two games.

City do not play again until Sunday night when they visit Arsenal, and manager Mancini said: 'I think United will draw with Blackburn. That's my opinion. But if they are eight ahead then I think it is finished.


Having a word: City skipper Vincent Kompany had to speak to Balotelli



'We will fight to the end. We should believe in ourselves. We are disappointed. We have made some mistakes. But football can change in two or three games.'

City hope to have striker Sergio Aguero back for the Arsenal game after one of the club's medical staff blistered his foot by administering a spray he was allergic to.

When asked if he had confidence in the medical staff, Mancini said: 'I only trust my personal doctor.'



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...#ixzz1qtceRhIF

[GazX]

I disagree. I think the other teams have improved. What has happened is that the "big" teams have not performed up to their fans expectations.

Is thats just another way of saying the big prem teams standards have dropped.
This current Utd team wouldnt have stood a chance of winning the title 5 years ago.

[Lazie]

Is thats just another way of saying the big prem teams standards have dropped.
This current Utd team wouldnt have stood a chance of winning the title 5 years ago.

Standard drop? When Man City was leading the league I didn't hear anyone complaining that the standard drop?

UCL and Seria A winner Balotelli joined the league. La Liga and UCL winner Yaya joined the league. World Cup winners David Silva and Juan Mata joined the league ... etc ... etc ... etc.

As for the 5 years ago argument ... the team then had Ronaldo .. only MU can beat MU ... but people need to look at the facts.

[GazX]

Standard drop? When Man City was leading the league I didn't hear anyone complaining that the standard drop?

UCL and Seria A winner Balotelli joined the league. La Liga and UCL winner Yaya joined the league. World Cup winners David Silva and Juan Mata joined the league ... etc ... etc ... etc.

As for the 5 years ago argument ... the team then had Ronaldo .. only MU can beat MU ... but people need to look at the facts.

You seriously trying to say that the standard in the prem is the same as even 5 years ago?
Look at the facts outside of the premiership bubble. Five years ago yr team would not have sufferred the loses or unsatisfactory results, that they've suffered in Europe this season. And the other prem teams in CL would have put up a much better showing. Arsenal were absolutely humiliated in Milan, Man City went out with a wimper etc etc.
As for Ronaldo, you misunderstand what i said. I said that THIS CURRENT Utd team wouldnt stand a chance of even finishing -up as runners up in the Prem League five years ago.

[Lazie]

You seriously trying to say that the standard in the prem is the same as even 5 years ago?
Look at the facts outside of the premiership bubble. Five years ago yr team would not have sufferred the loses or unsatisfactory results, that they've suffered in Europe this season. And the other prem teams in CL would have put up a much better showing. Arsenal were absolutely humiliated in Milan, Man City went out with a wimper etc etc.
As for Ronaldo, you misunderstand what i said. I said that THIS CURRENT Utd team wouldnt stand a chance of even finishing -up as runners up in the Prem League five years ago.

Are you basing it on the European performance? Is that fair? MU was either over confident or unfortunate in the UCL. 2-0 up on Basel. Went to sleep then had to fight back to draw 3-3. The 2-2 draw with Benfica was another story. Just didn't go their way.

LAst season ppl were also saying the standard dropped, that it was the worst MU side Fergie ever managed .... yet they won the league and reached the UCL final.

They wouldn't finish as runner up ... they'd have won the league. How many starters yesterday won the league 5 years ago?

How can it be said the standard dropped when Man City brought in so many top quality players and are/were playing better football? Look at Spurs who are playing better football? Look at all the midtable teams how they've surpassed Liverpool ... a team many were touting to be in the running this season?

[Jangle]

GazX would you say that the Spurs team improved this year? What about Newcastle? Swansea? Stokes or even Bolton (even though they near the foot of the table)? The league itself has become more competitive because many teams have improved. The Empire's side has looked a shadow of itself because we the fans are comparing the team to past Empire teams. The Empire has set such a high standard that it is held to a higher bar than the rest. The advantage that the Empire has over the other EPL teams is Sir Alex Ferguson and his genius.

[GazX]

Are you basing it on the European performance? Is that fair? MU was either over confident or unfortunate in the UCL. 2-0 up on Basel. Went to sleep then had to fight back to draw 3-3. The 2-2 draw with Benfica was another story. Just didn't go their way.

LAst season ppl were also saying the standard dropped, that it was the worst MU side Fergie ever managed .... yet they won the league and reached the UCL final.

They wouldn't finish as runner up ... they'd have won the league. How many starters yesterday won the league 5 years ago?

How can it be said the standard dropped when Man City brought in so many top quality players and are/were playing better football? Look at Spurs who are playing better football? Look at all the midtable teams how they've surpassed Liverpool ... a team many were touting to be in the running this season?

OKay then explain the Athletico result, and would the Utd team of five years ago have lost to them ? As for City; maybe good team of individuals, but after watching them on Saturday especilly the free kick argument, and then Tevez, they're not a good tight together team.

[Jangle]

Preparing and playing matches on a Thursday night is totally new to Fergie. He gambled with his team selections and lost. He admitted to his failures and gave credit to Bilboa.

[GazX]

GazX would you say that the Spurs team improved this year? What about Newcastle? Swansea? Stokes or even Bolton (even though they near the foot of the table)? The league itself has become more competitive because many teams have improved. The Empire's side has looked a shadow of itself because we the fans are comparing the team to past Empire teams. The Empire has set such a high standard that it is held to a higher bar than the rest. The advantage that the Empire has over the other EPL teams is Sir Alex Ferguson and his genius.

Spurs, sure they've got better but that IMO correlates with the demise of chelsea's and Arsenal's league fortunes this season. Liverpool are more or less the same as last year inspite of the moni spent/wasted by KD. Swansea remind me of Blackpool except with a bit more defensive steel. Next season will tbe interesting to see where they finish. Stoke are more or less the same as last year. Newcastle & Sunderland are the only teams off the top of my head that i would say have significantly improved on last season.