Ireland goalkeeper explains that the City players got many things out in the open in immediate aftermath of seventh consecutive draw Shay Given, the Manchester City goalkeeper, has revealed how a heated exchange in the dressing room served as the inspiration behind the club’s impressive wins at home to Arsenal and Chelsea last week.
City set up a Carling Cup semi-final against Manchester United by beating Arsenal 3-0 on Wednesday before coming from behind to defeat Chelsea, the Barclays Premier League leaders, 2-1 three days later to complete a memorable week that put the club’s season back on track. Given said the players were at each other’s throats in the dressing room after the 1-1 draw at home to Hull City set an unwanted club record of seven successive draws that piled pressure on Mark Hughes, the manager.
But the Ireland goalkeeper believes the angry exchanges, with some players accused by others of not pulling their weight, have already worked and hopes that the team will not let their standards slip again as they go in search of Champions League football.
“The odd rollicking never did anyone any harm if you take it in the right way,” Given said. “We’re all grown men and you have to take criticism when it comes along. I think Wednesday’s win over Arsenal was a really big effort from everyone. It was a platform for the Chelsea performance. “We’ve fought tooth and nail for every ball. Maybe during a couple of the draws we had, we just weren’t all at it. We had to address that and we did. We’ve set the bar now and we can’t drop below it.”
Hughes has made it clear to his players that all their hard work will count for little if they fail to beat Bolton Wanderers, who are nineteenth in the table, at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday. “We can’t take liberties with anybody,” he said. “We understand now what it takes to win Premier League games. Irrespective of whether it’s Chelsea or a team at the bottom, you have to put in a level of performance that allows you to win.”
MANCHESTER CITY are plotting a £12million January swoop for Germany defender Philipp Lahm.
Boss Mark Hughes watched the left back in action for Bayern Munich last month, as part of a trip to watch his dream target Franck Ribery. Both men are at odds with the Bayern hierarchy, but it is Lahm who is ready to jump first. Wayne Bridge, the Blues' £12m January buy from Chelsea, has not enjoyed the best start at Eastlands. And now Hughes has been alerted to the fact Lahm, 26, could be available in the transfer window, he is considering a raid next month.Lahm is still rated as one of the best defenders in the game.
OTHER TRANSFER BOLLOX
Aston Villa striker John Carew is a £5m target for Turkish giants Fenerbahce.Daily Mirror
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola is planning to make a move for former Inter Milan striker Adriano, who is available on a free transfer from Brazilian side Flamengo.The Sun
Tottenham's out-of-favour striker Robbie Keane is a loan target for Celtic.Daily Mirror
Portsmouth's Algerian midfielder Nadir Belhadj is frustrated at being on the bench and is willing to quit the club in January in order to make sure of a place at the World Cup.The Sun
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has arranged a behind-closed-doors match in order to take a look at Angola defender Francisco Zuela, who plays for Russian side FC Kuban. (Daily Mirror)
Liverpool will complete the signing of highly-rated 16-year-old Kristján Gauti Emilsson later this week. Emilsson, who plays for Icelandic champions FH, has also had trials with Manchester United and Rangers. Daily Mail
Barcelona winger Jeffren Suarez, who was once a target for Arsenal, has been offered to Wigan, Blackburn and Everton. (Daily Mirror)
Nottingham Forest are to make a £2m offer for Plymouth striker Jamie Mackie. (The Sun)
OTHER BOLLOX
England manager Fabio Capello will not allow David Beckham to act as an ambassador for the country's 2018 World Cup bid during next year's tournament in South Africa.The Sun
Stoke manager Tony Pulis has apologised to his squad following reports of a bust-up with striker James Beattie after the 2-0 defeat by Arsenal.Daily Mail
WAG OF THE DAY
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FINAL BOLLOX
Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas admits his side are facing an uphill battle this season, because they are too small. The side that took to the field against Stoke on Saturday had the shortest average height of any of the Premier League clubs.
The Sun
