GOD BLESS YOU NORA
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Joe & Nora Mercer on their wedding day (thanks to G.James - his full tribute can be found: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid= ... c298a117ff )
Summerbee pays tribute to Nora Mercer
Nora Mercer, wife of former Manchester City manager Joe, has died aged 93.
Nora was a familiar face around the club for many years and was strongly associated with the Blues' golden spell in the 60s, as manager Joe and coach Malcolm Allison masterminded league and cup success.
Former City player Mike Summerbee paid tribute to Nora, who turned 93 on Monday, saying: "I met her when I was 16 or 17 and she was a motherly figure for me - always there for me, supporting me. She was very much a family lady.
"It's a very sad day. She was part of a very successful time at City. It's a sad day for me personally and for the football club and players, especially from that era.
"She loved the game very much, I met her when my mother had died and she was a motherly figure to me.
"She was a football lady and a real lady as well. She supported Joe through lots of difficult times, when he was a player and he broke his leg. She was a very strong woman, married to a very successful man.
"She supported all the lads at the club, she loved to come to games and I think she did up until six months ago."
Nora died at 5am on Tuesday morning in Arrowe Park hospital on the Wirral. Her family visited her on her birthday in hospital.
James Robson special report: Derbies are now more than just a case of bragging rights
Back in 2011 it was a rare treat. Two years on and such summit meetings are to be expected. So much so that there was a collective groan (Ed. really??) when United and City were drawn to face each other in the last four of the FA Cup – denying us of a first all- Manchester final.
Alex Ferguson’s team still have to negotiate their way past a quarter-final replay with Chelsea – but should they reach a Wembley semi, it will be the third time they’ve met Roberto Mancini’s men at the national stadium in the space of two years.
It will be the third major semi-final the sides have contested since Mancini’s arrival in December 2009.
And to emphasise the domestic dominance of the clubs over that period – it might not even be the biggest match between the pair that week.
United and City are scheduled to face each other in the Premier League the Monday before the semi-final in what could be Mancini’s last chance to avoid the title making its way from the Etihad Stadium over to Old Trafford.
City face difficult games against Everton and Newcastle before the derby – which at the moment is on April 8 but could be moved to accommodate United’s replay with Chelsea – but if they can reduce the Reds’ 12-point lead before then they will believe there is still the chance to retain their trophy.
As special as a cup final place at the expense of their rivals would be to both clubs, the title remains the priority on either side of the city.
That major trophies, rather than merely bragging rights, are at stake when these sides meet is a measure of the power the Manchester rivalry wields over the national game these days.
These two just don’t do small any more.
For so long a chance for City to thumb their noses at their aristocratic neighbours, these days the derby is invariably a match of real consequence – of significance.
The Carling Cup semi-final in 2010 proved to be an appetiser for what has followed.
Two thrilling legs ended with Wayne Rooney’s last-minute winner at Old Trafford to secure a 4-3 aggregate win for United.
But it was Yaya Toure’s FA Cup semi-final winner in 2011 that was a true sign of City’s arrival as a major force.
A year later and they added the Premier League to that success – again at United’s expense.
A season that was determined by goal difference was ultimately decided by virtue of the two derbies – City’s 6-1 win at Old Trafford and crucial victory at the Etihad in the closing weeks of the campaign that left the title in their hands.
United’s FA Cup success that January at least provided them with the satisfaction of ending City’s run as holders of the trophy. Ferguson may have led his team to a commanding lead in the title race this season, but he will look back to Robin van Persie’s last-gasp winner at City in December as the catalyst to United’s control.
Going into the game United were just three points clear at the top. They left the Etihad with a six-point advantage – and an even bigger psychological one – and haven’t looked back since.
These are the matches that decide seasons and the destinations of trophies. That there is the potential of two derbies in such a short period of time in April adds more intrigue to a rivalry that is only getting bigger.
The title race could be blown wide open by the time Wembley comes around – or effectively be over.
What impact would two wins for City have on United’s confidence in the final weeks of the campaign?
Conversely, would back-to-back wins for United push Mancini closer to the exit?
Ferguson’s men still have to book their place at Wembley. But the potential of another summit meeting with City will be the perfect motivation.
Koeman coy on Manchester City rumours
A number of recent reports suggest that the former Netherlands international is one of the candidates to replace Roberto Mancini this summer
Feyenoord coach Ronald Koeman says that he is unaware of any potential Manchester City interest amid ongoing rumours that the English champions see him as the ideal replacement for current manager Roberto Mancini.
The former Inter boss' future at City is in doubt following their early Champions League elimination and relatively disappointing performances in the Premier League this term, and the Dutchman is supposedly one of the candidates to take his place.
The 49-year-old has played a key role in Feyenoord's re-emergence in the past two seasons, and the Eredivisie side's good results have allegedly not gone unnoticed in Manchester.
"Players who develop into internationals attract the interest of bigger clubs and it's only logical that the coach is mentioned in the press as well at some point if things go well," Koeman was quoted as saying by Voetbal International.
"Aside from that, I cannot say anything else about it, simply because I don't know anything about any interest."
Koeman took charge of Feyenoord in the summer of 2011, and guided them to second place in the Eredivisie last season. They currently sit third in the league table.
Why Manchester City Must Keep Edin Dzeko in Sky Blue
For Edin Dzeko, scoring goals is a way of life. A way to make a living, a way to make an impression and a reflection on how far he has come from the obscure quarters of Bosnian football.
Unfortunately for him, while his goal-scoring exploits almost guarantee him a spot in his country's national team, goals do not always equal more playing time at his club Manchester City.
Rather, the Bosnia & Herzegovina international is left to rue the tag of being a 'super sub', like former Manchester United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. His tendency to score when introduced to the action has earned him the infamous tag, with many condemning him for his lack of effort when handed a starting berth.
With his combination of precise finishing, cool composure and confidence in his own ability, he is a valuable asset to the team. Yet, his contributions are more than often limited to coming from the bench, leaving him frustrated and disillusioned.When Dzeko signed for Manchester City from German Bundesliga outfit Wolfsburg in January 2011, his arrival went almost unnoticed, despite costing a hefty £27 million. He was, however, expected to figurehead the City attack with Carlos Tevez.
His switch to the Citizens was trumped first by Andy Carroll, who moved to Liverpool from Newcastle for £35 million, and then Fernando Torres, joining Chelsea for a British transfer record fee of £50 million from the Merseyside club.
In a way, it was a blessing in disguise. Both Carroll and Torres have received unrivaled amounts of media scrutiny since their big-money switches to their respective clubs, while any noticeable dip in form for Dzeko usually goes by without much more than a mutter.
Nevertheless, it must bother the 26-year-old that his striking partners Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez and Mario Balotelli have all taken the plaudits for their purple patches during their time at the Etihad Stadium, while the club's leading scorer in the Premier League is left to warm the bench.
Granted, his return of 13 goals in 30 appearances in all competitions this season is respectable but hardly prolific, especially when you consider Fernando Torres has scored 15 goals this campaign.
Sure, his technical ability may not be of the highest quality; his towering frame of 6'4" means he is not as agile or skillful as the likes of David Silva or Samir Nasri.
None of that matters though when you consider how he adds an extra dimension to the Citizens' play when they struggle to produce their best football. Only the likes of Christian Benteke and Rickie Lambert can lay the claim they are better at heading than Dzeko.
His finishing is almost always impeccable, and as a striker, that's an required trait. After all, his job is to put the ball in the back of the net, which—to his credit—he does fairly regularly.
Moreover, in comparison to his teammates Aguero (11 goals in 28 matches) and Tevez (15 in 33) does he really deserve to sit out while the Argentine duo struggle to reproduce their magical form from last season? Can Roberto Mancini justify leaving out one of the most feared strikers in the Premier League?
To answer that question, the intelligent folk over at WhoScored.com have worked out that the former Teplice striker has scored six goals from 15 games on the bench, while netting seven from his 15 starts. Perhaps this can be seen as an indication to how his versatility in scoring, either from starting positions or from the substitutes bench, are key to helping Manchester City to victory.
For any doubters, let's not forget who came on to score the equalizer in that famous 3-2 win over QPR 10 months ago.
In addition to that, critics who continue to choose to patronize Dzeko by dismissing him merely as a 'super sub' may well be surprised to discover that a striker paid in excess of £120,000 per week can score when he is thrown into the starting lineup. Shocker.
With all sarcasm aside, the reality is that being undervalued and unappreciated at the club for far too long has left the hitman with no choice other than to look for another club.
And when he was asked about the speculation surrounding Dzeko's future, Mancini did little to curb talk of a move to Borussia Dortmund, admitting a summer exit was 'possible'.
He did add that he would like to keep the forward if possible, playing the "he's an important player for us" card. It could be a ploy so that if he does indeed decide to leave, Mancini could lead on the fact that he never wanted him to leave. He's a wise man, that Roberto.
Either way, the facts are simple. Edin Dzeko will score a shed-load of goals wherever he goes. Whether that is at Manchester City or at another club is irrelevant.
What is imperative is that if the club are serious about mounting a challenge for the Premier League and Champions League next season, they need players of his caliber in their squad.
Focused Lescott has eyes on prize
City's defender is up for the Cup after thumping win against Barnsley
City’s pre-match TV viewing ensured that they did not go into their FA Cup quarter-final against Barnsley under cooked.
The Blues sat down at their team hotel and watched wide-eyed as another of the favourites, Everton, crashed out 3-0 at home to unfancied Wigan.
They were given a stern lecture by manager Roberto Mancini about the pitfalls of taking anyone lightly in a
competition which has thrown up several shocks this season.
But if another kick up the backside was needed, the sight of David Moyes’ normally ferocious competitors imploding against the relegation-haunted Latics did the trick.
Duly warned, the Blues set about Barnsley with utter commitment, not giving the Tykes a sniff of an upset and ran out 5-0 winners to book a semi-final against either United or Chelsea.
Joleon Lescott had been as surprised as anyone that his former club had thrown away the chance of their first trophy for 18 years with such ease, but was thankful for the gee-up.
“We knew it would be tough against Barnsley, but we had all watched the game earlier,” said the big England defender. “Everyone predicted an Everton win, but Wigan surprised most people.
“We didn’t want that to happen to us so we had to put in a professional performance.
“The manager set our stall out before we even travelled to the stadium, saying that if we were professional and played in the right way it would be hard for Barnsley to create many chances. From the get-go we proved that, and made it hard for them.
“Cup competitions are different to the league. We know every team fights for points in the Premier League but these games are extra-special.
“I have played at a Championship club against big teams, and I know what it means. We were fully aware of the ambition and desire of Barnsley coming to play us, and we just had to be professional.”
That kept up Mancini’s phenomenal record, as a manager, of reaching 12 cup semi-finals in his 12 seasons as a manager, at Fiorentina, Lazio, Inter Milan and City.
He has lost three of the 11 semi-finals so far – including Carling Cup defeats by United and
Liverpool – but won the rest, and has gone on to lift four Coppa Italias and the FA Cup.
If the Blues can shut out their opponents in the Wembley semi-final they will also become the first team since Everton in 1966 to reach the final without conceding a goal, while Bury’s
110-year record as the last team to win it without letting in a goal, is also within sight.
Lescott was not delirious to be reminded of the Blues’
clean-sheet record, saying: “Thanks for reminding us – we weren’t aware of that! We are always delighted to keep clean sheets, and even better if it gets you to a semi-final as well.
“But now we are at the
business end of the competition and it’s not about keeping clean sheets but winning games. We need to win the next two, and we have our name on the cup again.”
With the Premier League title highly unlikely, the Blues are keen to make it three trophies in three years by lifting the FA Cup again. The club’s priority, if the title is beyond them, is to secure Champions League football again, for the financial security and kudos it brings, but Lescott admits the players desperately want to get their hands on silverware.
Lescott, who has started in three of the four ties so far but was left on the bench for the 4-0 win over Leeds, said:
“Progression is the key.
“We’d love to win the league, and if that is not to be, the next best thing for us is the FA Cup, so we are determined to win that.
“If we can win another trophy, then picking up three in the four years I have been here would be delightful.
“It’s great to play in the Champions League, and we have done that in the last couple of years, but to win trophies is what the game is about.
“You don’t look back at your career and say ‘I’ve played three years in the Champions League’. You say ‘I won two FA Cups and a Premier League medal’.
“It’s always nice to get in the Champions League. It’s not a given this season, but with the level of professionalism and
consistency at the club we expect to get there every year.
“So we won’t take our foot off the pedal in the league, but we are determined to win this cup.
“We have put ourselves in a difficult position in the league, but we are confident we can do something if United slip up.
“The FA Cup is still in our hands, but we know if we are professional enough, and go about it the right way, we can win the trophy.”
Lescott’s problem now is to nail down a place in the team for the semi-final, especially as Vincent Kompany is close to a return to action.
In fact, both Lescott and his centre-back partner against Barnsley, Kolo Toure, are likely to have to step down in the next round.
“I played in the first few rounds, apart from Leeds, and it has been very professional from the lads,” said Lescott. “Whoever we get in the semi-final, everyone will be itching to play, and I’m sure Vinny will be back for that as well. It’s stiff competition.
“Any chance to play at Wembley must mean you are doing something well.
“Unfortunately we didn’t get to play at Wembley in the Community Shield this year, so we will take the chance of another"
'Messi' - The 19-year-old ex-Manchester City trialist causing a storm since European arrival
The diminutive Ghanaian Frank Acheampong has been on fire since arriving at Anderlecht on loan from Thai side Buriram United.
Ever heard of Frank Acheampong?
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Well he was touted as Africa’s hottest talent a couple of years ago and is frequently called just ‘Messi’ due to their remarkable similarities in playing style. Acheampong is just 5ft 6ins tall and plays either out wide or as an attacking midfield player and his main asset is his dribbling ability.
For a while now I have followed his Twitter page with interest; waiting to see when he finally got his chance to chine in Europe. His unconventional career so far has seen him start his footballing life in his homeland with stints at King Faisal Blues and Berekum Chelsea before making an odd switch.
In February 2011 he agreed a deal to sign for Buriram United and has spent the last two years playing in the Thailand Premier League with good effect.
Such was his form he even earned a national team call-up; featuring as a starter against China in August 2012. His logistical location in Asia may have made it an easy decision to pick him for the game in Shaanxi Province but still featuring for the Black Stars must have been a privilege.
He has also represented the Under-20 side as captain scoring five goals in his 8 appearances at that level.
In regards to his move to European football it is obviously something that would see his game develop and there have certainly been plenty of enquiries in the past. A move to Serie A side Palermo was on the cards in 2010 but never came about while Celtic also tried to sign him with talks breaking down.
Most tellingly may have been his stint under the watchful eye of Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour in Abu Dhabi. The Premier League champions owner is a personal fan of the talented dribbler and wanted to consider the possibility of bringing him to Manchester; however you imagine work permit issues would certainly hinder such a move.
But finally the 19-year-old is getting the chance to shine in Europe after agreeing a loan-spell with Belgian giants Anderlecht.
He has certainly already made an impact; scoring in the NextGen Series game with Olympiakos last month. He has also fired two goals in a 3-0 win against AC Milan in the clubs triumphant Viareggio Cup Final since arriving and has started to push for a place in the first team squad since Dieumerci Mbokani’s suspension.
The club currently have a buying option and judging by the storm he has already caused in Brussels in a little over a month you can be sure that the Belgian giants will be pursuing that avenue come June.
To Millwall Fans: An Apology by Daisy Cutter
Being a Manchester City supporter I’ve become immune to the barbs and jibes aimed at my club since it became richer than Gazza’s local off license.
Predictably these fanciful digs amount to City being a team full of mercenaries or – in extreme cases of exaggeration – responsible for ruining the modern game as we know it and ninety-nine times out of a hundred these errant remarks are met with a laugh, a shrug of the shoulders, or points calmly made to the contrary.
There was one comment however that I found difficult to brush off or engage with and it came via a social network site from a friend of a friend a couple of years back. Ironically the offending comment arrived during a conciliatory exchange as we both realised that it probably wasn’t fair to clutter up our mutual pal’s timeline with a lengthy heated row.
Offering out an olive branch the lad in question responded to my latest witty, erudite and Stephen Fry-esque retort (if memory serves) with this little nugget of shite – “I don’t resent City per se. They deserve their day in the sun”.
It was such a seemingly innocuous viewpoint yet was laced with all the patronising misguided benevolence that seems to be inbuilt in any fan of a ‘bigger’ club. Awww ickle Citeh, you enjoy your temporary glory then the ‘traditional’ big clubs can return to the status quo of how things should be.
This delusional supposed divine right for success and stature has never failed to rile me particularly as, in this case, it came from a Liverpool fan – they’ve been out of the sunlight for so long they’re in danger of developing rickets.
So on this occasion – the only occasion I can recall from countless discussions on the effect City’s takeover has had on domestic football – there was no shrug of the shoulder, a well-formed counter-argument, and certainly no laughter. I think I called him a c***.
Fast-forward to this weekend and I’m watching Millwall v Blackburn and rooting for the away side to progress. The reason for this is because I want a team from the Championship to experience a fairytale trip to Wembley and hopefully a route to the final and can still vividly remember the Lions doing so in 2004. In short I am being a great big hypocrite and seeing it thus – Millwall fans have already enjoyed such a momentous achievement. They have had their brief spell in the spotlight.
Does a club outside of the big four,five, six, whatever the hell it is these days only deserve a solitary moment of acclaim? Should it be ideally spread out amongst the rest so as many fans can enjoy heading down Wembley way bedecked in a souvenir flag? A Bradford here, a Cardiff there. Of course not, and the reasons for this are just plain insulting to lay out.
I don’t expect any Millwall supporter to give two stuffs as to my thinking on Sunday but they have my sincerest apologies all the same. As for me it’s proven to be an early wake-up call. My club may be in the ascendancy but there is no excuse for such arrogance. Perhaps I’ve spent too long in the sunshine?
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric, 27, wants to move to Manchester United. He scored against the Premier League leaders in the Champions League last week. DSSC
Hamburg will attempt to land Arsenal forward Nicklas Bendtner, 25, at the end of the season. The Dane has been on loan with Italian side Juventus. talkSHIT
Juventus and Atletico Madrid are interested in signing 27-year-old Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski. Sun
Barcelona expect Arsenal to bid for goalkeeper Victor Valdes, 31, in the summer. However, boss Arsene Wenger is still weighing up a move for Liverpool's Pepe Reina as an alternative. DSSC
Chelsea have joined Manchester City in the race to sign Saint-Etienne striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, 23, who has scored 32 league goals this season. Sun
Everton are continuing to monitor FC Twente midfielder Leroy Fer, 23, after scouts watched him against Vitesse Arnhem at the weekend. DSSC
Former Swindon boss Paolo Di Canio is in talks to take over as Reading manager following the sacking of Brian McDermott. Daily Mirror
Meanwhile, the bookmakers have Di Canio and former West Ham and Charlton boss Alan Curbishley as favourites to replace McDermott. Reading Post
Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere, 21, is almost certainly out of Arsenal's Champions League last-16 second-leg tie with Bayern Munich. Daily Mirror
Newcastle defender Steven Taylor, 27, is targeting his first England senior cap later this month. Guardian
Jose Mourinho's long-rumoured return to the Premier League appears a step closer after claims his move away from Real Madrid was officially agreed last year. Metro
Coventry City face a real threat of administration next week with the saga involving rent and matchday revenue at the Ricoh Arena rumbling on. Guardian
Liverpool forward Luis Suarez, 26, should be named PFA Player of the Year, according to ex-Everton striker Andy Gray, who won the award in 1976-77. talkSHIT
Chelsea's fixture pile-up is testing the planners and they may be forced to play three matches in five days. The Times
England boss Roy Hodgson is considering ending the international exile of Rio Ferdinand, 34, for March's international double-header against San Marino and Montenegro. Independent
Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini, 25, has fuelled talk of a summer exit with the cancellation of a autograph session at the club store. Daily Telegraph
Blackburn winger David Bentley, 28, admits he absolutely loves being hated by opposition fans and says they buy the right to have a go at players when they pay for a match ticket. Sun
Jose Mourinho is to leave Real Madrid at the end of the season, after a deal struck with the club's directors in January, according to Portugal's Caden SER. His departure will spark a managerial chain reaction that affects Chelsea, Manchester City and Paris St-Germain. Cadenaser
Levante's former Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins, 28, has secured a move to US Major League Soccer with the Seattle Sounders. Deportes
Juventus have been fined £3,500 for racist chanting by their fans which was directed at AC Milan's Mario Balotelli earlier this year. Tuttosport
A football match where five players were sent off has been described as "not dirty". Metro
SNUB OF THE DAY - JACK BUTLAND
Championship Stopper Admits Snubbing Chelsea and Manchester City
Jack Butland has revealed he had passed on the chance to talk to both Manchester City and Chelsea, as he believes moving to a top club at such an early point in his career will stem his development.
The 20-year-old will move from Birmingham City to Stoke City at the end of the season and should slot straight into the starting eleven, with Potters' current No.1 Asmir Begovic expected to leave for a bigger club.
Butland believes moving to a top four club would restrict his chances of playing regular first team football and having to make do with appearances in Cup competitions. Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City were all understood to be interested in making a move for the stopper.
"I had the chance to speak to Chelsea but I didn't feel like I needed to. It's a fantastic club and it would be a great honour to play for them at some stage. But I've got a chance to join a club where I feel I can better develop my game and take it to the next level, which I didn't feel at some of the other clubs I rejected," the England international said.
Butland also rejected the chance to join City as he felt that it would be difficult for him to usurp Joe Hart from the starting eleven.
"I turned Manchester City down about a year ago. Again I was flattered but Joe Hart is their undisputed No 1 and he was a main factor," the youngster added.
Blackpool chairman Karl Oyston has cut season ticket prices for the next campaign as a thank you to supporters.
He's also marking the 60th anniversary of the club's famous 1953 FA Cup win over Bolton, when football legend Stanley Matthews spurred Blackpool on to success.
Oyston has set the prices for 2013/2014 at £195.30 to mark the year 1953.
