Friday's B*ll*x

[Chinners]

DOUGLAS HIGGINBOTTON BOLLOX
Manchester City's fight club left exposed to prying eyes thanks to Carrington's easy access
There have been some astonishingly close-up pictures of the 'fight club’ that is, at times, Manchester City, with Mario Balotelli and Jérôme Boateng involved in a bit of half-hearted fisticuffs on the training ground.
Such incidents take place at clubs all over the country, although perhaps not with the frequency that has appeared to afflict City of late.
But there is one other reason why the shenanigans at the world’s richest — and now one of the most scrutinised — clubs are constantly exposed. And it is not just to do with the fact that a number of the players are disenchanted with life under their aloof Italian manager, Roberto Mancini.
Instead it is the location of the club’s training ground in Carrington. Much of the perimeter is simply a public footpath, while the club have been thwarted in their attempts to erect large fences around the pitches to stop prying fans and even more intrusive lens. Anyone familiar with the geography of a number of other training grounds, such as Manchester United and Arsenal, will know how securely they are patrolled. At Chelsea, screens have been erected and even a multi-storey construction close to the local railway station to block the view.
However, even if City move to the furthest away pitches from the footpath they can still be spied upon while the club is powerless to stop photographers from snapping away. Apparently part of the council’s opposition was caused by City building a media centre and gatehouse without the necessary planning permission. So their fence plan was vetoed.
The openness must be maddening for a manager such as Mancini who is used to working with players in seclusion at his previous club, Inter Milan.
The spying on training has even extended to a fan’s website which posts regular updates. Thursday’s post included the observations that Kolo Touré was in full training but there was no Emmanuel Adebayor or Nigel de Jong, with the players breaking into two groups one of which “looked distinctly like the team for Saturday”.
More worryingly, perhaps, that team was then beaten 5-0 in a practice match with a hat-trick from Roque Santa Cruz and two goals from Carlos Tévez, who is suspended for the fixture away to his former club, West Ham United.

Sunderland's Asamoah Gyan joins Edin Dzeko and Emmanuel Adebayor on Real Madrid wanted list
Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan has emerged as a surprise target for Real Madrid.
The Ghana striker, signed for £13million from Rennes last summer, has become a cult figure at the Stadium of Light after a string of impressive performances including a goal in their 3-0 win over Chelsea.
Hot property: Gyan is interesting Real Madrid
Real want a new striker and have drawn up a list that is topped by Werder Bremen's Hugo Almeida, and followed by Emmanuel Adebayor and Edin Dzeko, but sources at the Bernabeu say Gyan is also under consideration.

OTHER BOLLOX
Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan is a shock transfer target for Real Madrid. The Ghana international, a £13m club record buy from Rennes last summer, has hit six goals for the Black Cats. Daily Mirror

Bottom-of-the-table West Ham hope to sign Joey Barton from Newcastle in a £5m deal in January, with the controversial midfielder's future at St James' Park in doubt following the sacking of his manager and mentor Chris Hughton. Daily Mirror

Out-of-favour Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia is wanted by Spanish outfit Malaga. Daily Mail

Tottenham misfit David Bentley is wanted by his former club Blackburn, with a £1m loan switch likely for the winger. Daily Mail

Fulham are on the brink of signing £8m-rated goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, who plays for Club America in Mexico. The Sun

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson may be forced to reverse his decision not to speak to the BBC as the Premier League plans to introduce rules that will require managers and players to talk to the press after every match or face a fine. The Guardian

Fabio Capello believes Tottenham's Harry Redknapp and Blackburn's Sam Allardyce top the list of potential candidates to replace him when he steps down as England manager in 2012. Daily Mail

Capello, meanwhile, has insisted his England side are improving under his leadership, and put down last month's dire showing in the 2-1 friendly defeat to France down to too many young, inexperienced players being selected. Daily Telegraph

England are close to agreeing to play the Republic of Ireland in a friendly in Dublin - on the same day they were due to take on Thailand in Bangkok. Daily Star

Fifa president Sepp Blatter has compounded England's crushing disappointment at losing the 2018 World Cup bid by branding the English 'bad losers'.Daily Mail

Aston Villa defender James Collins has been disciplined by his manager Gerard Houllier for visiting a nightclub in the early hours of Sunday morning, just hours before the team travelled to Liverpool for Monday's 3-0 Premier League defeat. Daily Telegraph

Manchester United winger Nani has taunted Chelsea by insisting that his club's next opponents Arsenal, and not the Blues, are their main challengers for the Premier League title. Daily Star

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has banned his players from wearing snoods during matches, instructing his squad to brave the cold without the circular scarfs which are popular with players such as Manchester City's Carlos Tevez. The Sun

Around 1,000 Spartak Moscow supporters have blocked one of the Russian capital's main roads in protest at the fatal shooting of one of the club's fans on Sunday night. The Independent