The release of the official accounts for the year to 31 May 2009 showed Sheikh Mansour has invested £395m in the club with £305m of loans now turned into shares. The £92.6m loss was the talk of the papers, but the real concern for the City project lies in UEFA’s upcoming financial rules.
Is Mark Hughes the man to make City a top four team and win trophies? (part three)
17th November 2009
Where has Mark Hughes and the best part of a couple of hundred million in transfers got us? Currently we have 20 points after 11 matches. At the same stage two seasons ago under Sven we had 22 points. Ouch!
Is Mark Hughes the man to make City a top four team and win trophies? (part two)
17th November 2009
oncerns about Mark Hughes:
Man management – One thing we quickly learnt last year was Hughes didn’t have the samba style to win over our Brazilian contingent. A pre-season boot camp (which was noticably less rigorously enforced this year) is his preferred method for bonding. In fairness, he does inspire loyalty from some, notably Ireland and Bellamy, and respect from others. Bellamy in particular has always played his best football under his fellow Welshman.
Can City put the pressure on Liverpool for a top four spot?
16th October 2009
City have edged ahead of Liverpool in the Premier League, and have a game in hand. With some difficult fixtures coming up for Rafa’s men, could this be the time for Mark Hughes’ side to pile the pressure on?
On current form City are looking good for a Champions League place with 16 points from 7 games. No team has ever finished outside the top four when averaging two points per game. City could lose their next fixture and still be on track.
To boo or not to boo: How former players can earn cheers or jeers
7th October 2009
As everybody pointed out, the receptions afforded Richard Dunne and Gareth Barry by their former fans contrasted markedly on Monday night at Villa Park. City fans were commended, while Villa fans felt justified. Let’s consider the unwritten rules for players hoping to ensure a happy return after moving to a rival club.
Santa Cruz raises prospect of twin towers for City
2nd October 2009
Following his long awaited debut on Monday night, Roque Santa Cruz has been quick to point out that there’s no reason why both himself and Emmanuel Adebayor cannot feature in the same team.
Adebayor appears to have made himself the first choice striker to lead the attack following his explosive start for the Blues. A brilliant debut goal after three minutes against Blackburn has been followed by a strike in every league game he’s played.
It’s ok to Google Craig Bellamy afterall
27th September 2009
Man of the moment, Craig Bellamy, is getting some positive press in The Observer and Daily Mail this weekend. With a fixture against one of his many previous clubs tomorrow night, he’s likely to be the centre of attention once again.
I felt like I was one of the minority City fans who was happy when he signed back in January. We needed players who gave their all in the less glamorous fixtures, and Bellers could always be relied on for …
Platini pushing ahead with ‘financial fair play’ rules
17th September 2009
This week has seen Michel Platini’s plans for ‘financial fair play’ accepted in principle by Uefa. Exactly how this will work is yet to be agreed and negotiations are set to continue for the rest of the season. Only then can any new rules be ratified.
Platini hasn’t denied that plans to stop clubs from spending more than they make from revenues is intended to prevent ‘sugar daddies’ like Sheikh Mansour and Roman Abramovich coming into the game and transforming …
