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Wolves' season so far, a fan's view: 'Only four wins so far is just not good enough from Mick'

By Mirror Football in Mirror Football Blog
Published 23:00 25/12/10

By Mark Platt
1) How has your club's season gone so far?
Disappointing, really – only four wins so far is just not good enough from Mick. In fairness, we have played well in the majority of games but not taken our chances.
2) What would be a good finish for your side in the league? Do you fancy your chances in the FA Cup?

If we managed to finish 15th again, I'd be delighted.
3) Where would you like to strengthen your team in the January window and will it happen? Any particular players you'd like to see at your club?
MM has cash available for the right player, but not sure if he will go for a big-name star.
4) Are you bothered that England failed to land the 2018 World Cup bid?
Pretty gutted that it will be a very long time *before it comes here.
5) Is there one big decision your club has to take or has taken? Will it make or break your season?
I'd take Tevez on loan!

Birmingham's season so far, a fan's view: 'We have to make sure we don't lose Seb Larsson'

By Mirror Football in Mirror Football Blog
Published 23:00 25/12/10

By Jim Noyce
1) How has your club's season gone so far?
Not bad. Semi-final of the Carling Cup, but we need to push on in the *league.
2) What would be a good finish for your side in the league? Do you fancy your chances in the FA Cup? Or League Cup?

To finish 10th in the league. I think we might have a good run in the FA Cup. We're in the semi of the League Cup and should reach the final, but I think Arsenal will win the cup.
3) Where would you like to strengthen your team in the January window and will it happen? Any particular players you'd like to see at your club?
I would like them to buy a striker – *Robbie Keane would be a good buy.
4) Are you bothered that England failed to land the 2018 World Cup bid?
Yes, because it wasn't done fairly, I believe.
5) Is there one big *decision your club has to take or has taken? Will it make or break your season?
We have to make sure we don't lose Seb Larsson.

Blackpool's season so far, a fan's view: 'I hope Ollie isn't tempted by the job at Blackburn'

By Mirror Football in Mirror Football Blog
Published 23:00 25/12/10

By Andy Burbidge, Blackpool supporters association
1) How has your club's season gone so far?
Much better than any of us could have dreamed of last August – it has exceeded all my expectations.
2) What would be a good finish for your side in the league? Do you fancy your *chances in the FA Cup?

I'd be happy with 17th – our priority is Premier League survival, so the FA Cup isn't important.
3) Where would you like to strengthen your team in the January window and will it happen? Any particular players you'd like to see at your club?
Joe Hart please, but maybe we could do a BOGOF deal to include Tevez too.
4) Are you bothered that England failed to land the 2018 World Cup bid?
No, especially with Sepp Blatter in charge.
5) Is there one big decision your club has to take or has taken? Will it make or break your season?
Undersoil heating – and I hope Ollie isn't tempted by the job at Blackburn.

Arsenal's season so far, a fan's view: 'We need to decide to take team defending and tactical discipline seriously'

By Mirror Football in Mirror Football Blog
Published 23:00 25/12/10

By Vic Crescit of arsenalfanshare.com
1) How do you think your club's season has gone so far?
A little disappointing. We've improved marginally on last season, but still don't defend consistently well as a team. Our goalkeeping still isn't up to it either, although Wojciech Szczesny may be the answer.
2) What would be a good finish for your side in the league? Do you fancy your chances in the FA Cup? Or League Cup?
Top three in the league, I feel lucky in the Carling Cup and can see a run in the FA Cup.
3) Where would you like to strengthen your team in the January window? Any particular players you'd like to see at your club?
An experienced goalie like Brad Freidel to give Wojciech Szczesny a chance to bloom without pressure and a young Uruguayan centre-back called Sebastian Coates, who I think will be world-class. I don't think we'll sign anybody, but Manuel Almunia may go.

4) Are you bothered that England failed to land the 2018 World Cup bid?
Yes, but I thought the bid was completely bungled. It wasted millions that could have much been spent on developing our youth coaching and facilities, which are woeful compared to Spain and Germany. FIFA is venal and opaque, but the FA's bid was arrogant and incompetent.
5) Is there one big decision your club has to take or has taken? Will it make or break your season?
Yes, we need to decide to take team defending and tactical discipline seriously, especially when not in possession of the football.

Arsenal's season so far, a fan's view: 'We need to decide to take team defending and tactical discipline seriously'

By Mirror Football in Mirror Football Blog
Published 23:00 25/12/10

By Vic Crescit of arsenalfanshare.com
1) How do you think your club’s season has gone so far?
A little disappointing. We’ve improved marginally on last season, but still don’t defend consistently well as a team. Our goalkeeping still isn’t up to it either, although Wojciech Szczesny may be the answer.
2) What would be a good finish for your side in the league? Do you fancy your chances in the FA Cup? Or League Cup?
Top three in the league, I feel lucky in the Carling Cup and can see a run in the FA Cup.
3) Where would you like to strengthen your team in the January window? Any particular players you’d like to see at your club?
An experienced goalie like Brad Freidel to give Wojciech Szczesny a chance to bloom without pressure and a young Uruguayan centre-back called Sebastian Coates, who I think will be world-class. I don’t think we’ll sign anybody, but Manuel Almunia may go.

4) Are you bothered that England failed to land the 2018 World Cup bid?
Yes, but I thought the bid was completely bungled. It wasted millions that could have much been spent on developing our youth coaching and facilities, which are woeful compared to Spain and Germany. FIFA is venal and opaque, but the FA’s bid was arrogant and incompetent.
5) Is there one big decision your club has to take or has taken? Will it make or break your season?
Yes, we need to decide to take team defending and tactical discipline seriously, especially when not in possession of the football.

Chelsea's season so far, a fan's view: Wilkins sacking was a disaster

By Mirror Football in Mirror Football Blog
Published 23:00 25/12/10

By David Johnstone
1) How has your club's season gone so far?
After a brilliant start, *Chelsea have been through a bad patch, the severity of which could never have been predicted but, after a great performance at Three Point L*ne against Sp*rs, I think it's safe to say Chelsea are back!
2) What would be a good *finish for your side in the league? Do you fancy your chances in the FA Cup?
I thought that Chelsea would finish second, but now I feel the players can regain the initiative and they will win the league. As for the FA Cup, three in a row would be fantastic!
3) Where would you like to strengthen your team in the January window and will it happen? Any particular *players you'd like to see at your club?
After the injuries Chelsea have suffered, there is something in José Mourinho's philosophy of have two "world-class" players for every position. I wouldn't have minded Carlos Tevez joining, but he comes with baggage.

4) Are you bothered that *England failed to land the 2018 World Cup bid?
Not so much in the fact that it went to Russia, but more in the way that it was rigged to ensure that England 2018 didn't have a hope.
Also, Platini said that if the 2022 Qatar "event" is scheduled for January (to avoid the matches being played in temperatures of 50 degrees), "the Champions League could work around it".
No mention of how it might affect the *domestic leagues.
5) Is there one big decision your club has to take or has taken? Will it make or break your season?
The way that the Ray Wilkins situation was *handled was a disaster and should have been conducted behind the scenes.

Wenger set to turn to Diaby to win London derby - Exclusive

Published 23:00 25/12/10 By Steve Stammers

Arsene Wenger is set to use the power of Abou Diaby in a bid to add muscle to his title contenders.
The French international has been out nine weeks with an ankle injury but is now ready to start as Wenger looks to improve Arsenal's recent dismal record against Chelsea and Manchester United.
They have lost to both this season – and Wenger has seen his team fall short in the physical battle in the clashes rather than be outplayed.
Chelsea come to The Emirates tomorrow night in a match where victory will give Wenger's men a significant psychological boost as they face up to the second half of the season.

He also acknowledges that Chelsea have immense strength in midfield with the likes of Michael Essien, John Obi Mikel and the fit-again Frank Lampard.
And he is giving serious thought to an immediate recall for Diaby who trained flat out in the last week with no ill-affects.
"I personally rate Diaby very highly," said Wenger. "He has a very important part to play in our season now. "
But Wenger also made it clear that Arsenal will not abandon his principles about how the game should be played. The quick, passing football which has been so easy on the eye will stay.
"We have to stay true to our game," said Wenger. "What we need to do in these big games is add some defensive stability. We need to play with more belief and dynamic. In the games against Chelsea and Manchester United this season we played with a restricted attitude and we want to add more."
If there is one opposition player who would have given the Arsenal central defence a restless Christmas it is Didier Drogba. Successive Arsenal rearguards have failed to stifle the Ivory Coast star – and Wenger is aware of the threat he will pose to whatever combination he opts for tomorrow. He has truly become Arsenal's Nemesis.
"He is always efficient against us," said Wenger. "He is a big game player. They other day when Chelsea were in trouble against Tottenham, it was Drogba who turned up in the big game. When you play against Chelsea, he is the one guy you need to keep quiet If you look at the statistics, that is one of the big keys – if not the biggest – of the game."
And Wenger is wary of the threat posed by the telepathic bond between Drogba and Lampard.
"Chelsea have a good tandem with Lampard and Drogba," he said. "Lampard always finds Drogba when he plays so we have to stop that.."
Wenger labelled the need to beat Chelsea as " a hurdle for us to get over". "It is a mental thing because the quality in our squad is there. We need to deliver and respond to the demands that people have."
The Arsenal manager is also confident that Marouane Chamakh will emerge from his quiet spell of late – " he will come back very quickly," he insisted – while he stressed he has no problems with the assertion from Cesc Fabregas last week that Arsenal must be tougher against the high profile opposition.
"Cesc is a winner – he wants to win," said Wenger. "The most important thing for top-level players is to have an honest and fair assessment of what happened with your performance. If you hide in front of the truth, you can never correct it."

Your indispensable Christmas football TV guide: don't miss a kick over the festive period!

By Mirror Football in Mirror Football Blog
Published 12:14 22/12/10

There's so much football on the box over the next fortnight that you'll need some serious planning to make sure you see it all. Luckily the Daily Mirror's Alan McKinlay has all the details...
Ah, the collision of the festive and football seasons – the best mixture of ingredients since Kellogs put sugar on Rice Krispies and called them Ricicles.
The Italians may take Christmas off in Serie A (and Rafa Benitez will be getting get a few extra days in the New Year as well), but we are made of sterner stuff.
And while you're waiting for all the live games, those cheeky chaps from Gillette Soccer Saturday kick off the Christmas festivities on Christmas Eve with their Soccer Special (Sky Sports 1, Fri Dec 24, 8pm) .

Eight of the regulars are paired into four teams to manage under-14 teams in a knockout competition.
Host Jeff Stelling makes his Saturday role as referee official this time as he tries to keep control of the mayhem.
The management teams are: Iain Dowie/Allan McInally, Paul Jewell/Kris Kamara, Matt Le Tissier/Paul Merson, Charlie Nicholas/Phil Thompson. The Le Tiss/Merse team will certainly be worth watching.
If you haven't had your fill of football-based banter by 10pm, stay tuned for the Take it Like a Fan Christmas Special (Sky Sports 1, Fri Dec 24, 10pm) , when Fenners and Charlotte Jackson put the cream of Sky Sports talent to the test.
If, like me, you're an admirer of Owen Coyle's managerial skills but were always curious about his ability to find Treble 20 at will, then the Soccer AM Christmas Special (Sky Sports 1, Sat Dec 25, 10am) is worth having on in the background while you unwrap your presents on Christmas morning.
After the japery, though, it's time to get serious, and it doesn't get more serious than Avram Grant's facial expression, which can be seen in all it's HD glory when Fulham take on West Ham (Sky Sports 1, Sun Dec 26, 11.30am) in the first of the festive season's live games.
As Manchester City are not featured in the holiday season's live games, it will probably be down to Aston Villa v Tottenham (Sky Sports 1, Sun Dec 26, 5.30pm)to provide the greatest number of snoods and gloves this Christmas. Spurs may not have a realistic chance of winning the Premier League, despite what Harry says, but they are the entertainment champions-elect.
The Christmas Match of the Day (BBC1, Sun Dec 26, 10.15pm) is a must, although these days you'll probably have to wait until the Football League Show (BBC1, Sun Dec 26, 11.45pm) to be rewarded with the heart-warming and once-familiar sight at this time of year of an orange football or two.
Arsenal and Chelsea (Sky Sports 1, Mon Dec 27, 7pm)battle it out the day after in arguably the pick of the Christmas fixtures, but who would have thought a month ago that this would be a clash between two of the most dispirited teams in the league?
December 28 offers up a triple bill of live football, kicking off with suddenly-shaky QPR's trip to Coventry (Sky Sports 1, Tues Dec 28, 12.00pm). Whether they win or not will determine whether the magnificent Neil Warnock comes over as Scrooge or Santa in the post-game interview.
West Ham v Everton (Sky Sports 1, Tues Dec 28, 5.30pm)is the teatime offering. This is the third game of the three Avram Grant was allegedly told he had to find a win amongst – and is arguably the toughest.
The 8.00pm kick-off for Birmingham v Manchester United (Sky Sports 1, Tues Dec 28, 7.30pm)ensures two things at St Andrews - a great atmosphere and an even-redder-than-usual nose in the bitter cold for Fergie as he battles his one-time Aberdonian pupil Alex McLeish.
And given the cold weather, is it too much to hope that Roy Hodgson goes in for another spot of face-rubbing when Liverpool take on Wolves (Sky Sports 1, Weds Dec 29, 7.30pm)at Anfield? You could certainly forgive him a bit of head-scratching at Fernando Torres' transformation into a very ordinary-looking player Later that night, Match of the Day (BBC1, Weds Dec 29, 10.35pm) wraps up the action of the past two days.
It seems a forlorn hope that post-Hogmanay Edinburgh will be in any fit state to stage the city's derby between Hearts and Hibernian (ESPN, Sat Jan 1, 12.00pm) . Because of the weather, of course, what did you think I meant?
Sky counters with another trip to the West Midlands for Manchester United, who face West Bromwich Albion (Sky Sports 1, Sat Jan 1, 12.30pm).
Festive is perhaps not the description most Birmingham fans would attribute to this time of year as the Blues follow up the visit of Manchester United by hosting Arsenal (ESPN, Sat Jan 1, 4.45pm) .
Hardcore armchair addicts - or just those who can't get off the sofa – are rewarded with Watford v Portsmouth (Sky Sports 1, Sat Jan 1, 5.15pm) , and there's always the double helping of live La Liga action (Sky Sports 3, Sat Jan 1, 7-11pm) if you have to watch all day to win a bet.
Match of the Day (BBC 1, Sat Jan 1, 10.30pm) and the Football League Show (BBC 1, Sat Jan 1, 11.50pm) provide the highlights of all the New Year's Day action in England on terrestrial telly.
Rangers v Celtic (Sky Sports 4, Sun Jan 2, 12.00pm)is a must-see because the atmosphere is sensational, goals are guaranteed, and the sheer physicality of the game means that no one ever complains that "you just can't tackle any more" afterwards.
Watch the first half at least and then turn over to Chelsea v Aston Villa (Sky Sports 1, Sun Jan 2, 1.00pm) and I guarantee it will seem tame by comparison.
The final British live game of the holiday season is Wigan v Newcastle (Sky Sports 1, Sun Jan 2, 3.30pm) , but you can get your double helping of La Liga ((Sky Sports 2, Sun Jan 2, 6-10pm) before Match of the Day 2 (BBC2, Sun Jan 2, 10pm) wraps things up with the day's highlights.
*All live games also available in HD.

Wilshere will be too good for U21's - says Arsenal boss

Published 23:00 23/12/10 By John Cross

Arsene Wenger has put himself on collision course with England over Jack Wilshere.
Wenger insists 18-year-old Wilshere should not be called up for next summer's under-21 Championships in Denmark.
Arsenal boss Wenger believes Wilshere will have played too many games, will need a rest and is already on his way to establishing himself in the senior England set-up.
It means Wenger is set for another club versus country because the Football Association insist Wilshere should go as part of their wider plan to get more players used to tournament football.

Wilshere, who has already won a senior cap and is tipped to be a star of England's Euro 2012 campaign, has also admitted publicly he wants to play in the under-21s tournament.
The potential row mirrors Wenger's fall-out with the FA over Theo Walcott 18 months ago when the England winger was called up for the under-21 championships in Sweden - only for boss Stuart Pearce to leave him on the bench.
Wenger said: "The problem is, what the English FA have to decide, is the player in the first-team or in the U-21?
"Personally, I don't believe ever a player performs when he has been in a top team and comes back down to the U-21. I've never seen it work, so, it is always a bad decision.
"The second thing, we have to sit down at the end of the season and see how many games Wilshere has played, before considering that he plays in the U-21s.
"That the boy wants to play, I find that positive. But that he is now playing with the first-team until June and then playing in the U-21, that will not work.
"If you step down you feel you go down. When a player plays under his normal real level he is never good, it's a low in our game.
"If you take any player who plays at Arsenal in the Premier League, put him down to Division One, you would be disappointed by him because it is a mental low and, for him, he has to adapt to a different game, and he will be lost.
"The problem for Walcott was that they put him down, and after, they didn't play him!
"If Wilshere has played over 40 games and still, at 18 years of age, you have to be conscious as well, that every time he plays when he goes in the fight he has to put 200 per cent in to win the ball.
"So, when a guy like him has played 40 games, in the season, he needs a rest. He's played 21 already. By the end of the season, he will have played 40."
Wenger's comments are likely to be frustrating reading for Sir Trevor Brooking, the FA's director of youth development, and he admitted this week that they are considering enforcing call-ups like Spain do for their young players in tournaments.
But Wenger has already lost Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen to an Achilles injury suffered while on international duty this season.
Robin van Persie missed most of last season after rupturing ankle ligaments while on duty with Holland. Cesc Fabregas has also missed large chunks of this campaign after playing at the World Cup last summer.
The more pressing example was Walcott who went with the senior England squad to Kazakhstan for a qualifier in June 2009 - and then doubled up with the under-21s that summer.
Walcott missed much of last season through injury and struggled to recapture his best form which ultimately cost him a World Cup place.
It is clear Wenger is particularly sensitive to the issue and will be even more protective over Wilshere because he is such a talent and does not want a repeat of the Walcott flare-up.

Would West Ham fans really prefer relegation to Big Sam?

By Darren Lewis
Published 12:22 22/12/10

My mate Stuart is quite clear about one thing.
While he has the utmost respect for the job Sam Allardyce has done at Blackburn and Bolton, he'd rather his beloved West Ham go down than welcome the out-of-work boss to Upton Park.
It was a view that stunned me, I have to say. Allardyce has a track record of stabilising clubs and getting the job done. It might not be pretty, but then Premier League safety is surely all-important - or so I thought.
I asked a few more West Ham fans inside the office and they were with Stu. They too would rather go down than see Big Sam betray the traditions of the club by bringing his long ball game to the Boleyn.

I went to a do last night, asked a few more Hammers fans and they too agreed. They concurred completely with Stu's view that they'd refuse to pay to watch the Allardyce style of football which, in their eyes, is the complete opposite of everything West Ham stand for.
And I have to say it was an introduction to a harsh reality for me. I proffered the view the other day that the new owners of Blackburn must surely have been crazy to sack a man who would pretty much guarantee Premier League football every year.
I stand by that view. I am not a Big Sam cheerleader but the Premier League is a hard enough league to stay in without cutting adrift one of the managers who knows the division - and what is needed to cope in it - like the back of his hand.
The view from quite a few West Ham fans is that - rightly or wrongly - there is a marked difference between the expectation level at Ewood Park and Upton Park.
The feeling in London seems to be that West Ham, with their long history of keeping the ball on the ground, are loath - much as the fans want to be rid of Avram Grant - to trade that in for the rough-house, long-ball tactics that were so commonplace under Allardyce at Rovers and Bolton.
Indeed, in an example of how savage this game can be, widespread vilification of Allardyce went hand in hand with the incredulity at his sacking by Blackburn last week.
His detractors believe he is a dinosaur. That, as relatively successful as his teams are, they are from the dark ages. They are just not enjoyable to watch.
Never mind the fact that he transformed the career of Kevin Davies, honed the talents of Kevin Nolan and for so long was a past master at getting an extra few miles out of so-called past-it players such as Jay-Jay Okocha, now a legend at the Reebok Stadium.
Big Sam was a keen advocate of the scientific approach which is now de rigueur within the game. After Colin Todd's failed attempt to get Bolton back into the Premier League 11 years ago, Allardyce got them up and kept them just two seasons later.
In fact, in his final four seasons at Bolton, Allardyce had recorded consecutive top ten finishes, a record of consistency bettered only by the big four of Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal.
Of his successors at the Reebok, Sammy Lee could manage only one win in 11 matches, Gary Megson sold star striker Nicolas Anelka to Chelsea and although Owen Coyle has made the team more attractive to watch, you could argue that the groundwork for his success was laid well and truly by Allardyce.
After saving Blackburn from relegation two years ago, Big Sam took the club into the League Cup semi-final last season. And, listen to this - Rovers' impressive home record contributed to Rovers going unbeaten against the so-called Big Four at Ewood Park for the first time in 14 years.
For the record, Blackburn drew 0–0 with Liverpool and Manchester United, 1–1 with Chelsea and beat Arsenal 2–1.
I'm not going to lie, I'd still much rather go to IKEA than watch his teams. But I maintain that, if West Ham fans really do want to stay up, then they should realise that Allardyce can contribute far more to their short-term future than they think

Birmingham open discussions over Keane loan move

Published 23:00 26/12/10 By James Nursey

Birmingham have held initial discussions with Spurs about taking Robbie Keane on loan.
Brum boss Alex McLeish has admitted he is after a forward with guile to help his struggling side.
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp wants to move on Irish striker Keane,30, who earns £65,000-a-week.
And Mirrorsport understands Keane was one of three Spurs' outcasts offered to City earlier this month.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy attended their 1-1 draw at Birmingham on December 4.
Levy used the opportunity to give Birmingham a choice from Keane, winger David Bentley or Mexican youngster Giovani dos Santos.
A loan move for any of the trio remains most likely as Birmingham claim McLeish spent £24million in the summer.
McLeish has been a long-term admirer of Keane after Mirrorsport revealed his interest in the star on June 18.

Chelsea poised to plug defensive gap with £15m Cahill

Published 23:00 26/12/10 By Martin Lipton

Chelsea are poised to make a move for Bolton defender Gary Cahill next month as Carlo Ancelotti eyes one transfer window signing.
Blues boss Ancelotti is concerned about his lack of defensive depth with the return date for Brazilian Alex after knee surgery still uncertain.
And after watching Ramires struggle to settle into English football following his £18million move from Benfica, Ancelotti admitted he is more likely to look to the domestic market for the reinforcement he accepts is necessary.
Ancelotti, who has been given the go ahead by Roman Abramovich to spend, said: "We have big question marks.

"We have an injured player at this moment in Alex, with a problem on his knee.
"By January 31, if we are sure that Alex will have resolved his problem, we won't need another defender. We have to wait and see his condition.
"But we can think about things, a new defender, towards the end of January. That would be the only position.'
"And obviously, if you take an English player, you don't have a problem to adapt to things here.
"They know the culture, the language and don't have problems. Maybe English players have advantages for this reason."
Last Christmas Ancelotti famously vowed to run naked round Chelsea's Cobham training headquarters if he bought a player in January but this time the message was not the same, with no bet on offer.
Bolton, with debts of £39million, could wipe out nearly half of that figure with Cahill valued at £15m and Ancelotti added: "It could be different this year. I don't want to bet but if I did have to then maybe I can bet the opposite."

Mancini hails a "fantastic" first year as City boss

Published 23:00 26/12/10 By Simon Bird

Roberto Mancini celebrated a turbulent 12 months in charge with a win that sends City into second, and said: "It's been fantastic."
The Italian boss says he is growing more convinced that his side will lift a trophy this season, as they stayed on the tail of rivals Manchester United with a Carlos Tevez inspired win at St James's Park.
Mancini, who took charge of his first City game on Boxing Day last year said: "I like Boxing Day! Last year we won, this year we win.
"It has been enjoyable but we need to improve again. If we can do this we can arrive at the top, we can win something at the end of the season. I knew it would be difficult.

"One word to describe the year? Fantastic. I think that at this moment this league is the best in Europe. It has been a strange season because at this moment there is not one team ten points ahead. Title race? I think it is the strangest season. I am happy where we are at this stage of the season, but it is a long season."
City grabbed their sixth away win thanks to two Tevez goals and a Gareth Barry strike, with Andy Carroll replying for United, who conjured a decent second half revival.
Tevez celebrated his goal by sucking a child's dummy - a Christmas message to daughter Katie, currently in Argentina, that he is thinking of her.
Mancini says Tevez is fully focused on the season after withdrawing his transfer request and added: "I am happy that Carlos scored two goals but I am happy for all my players. Mentally Carlos is fine. He scored two goals and played well.
"Everything is finished with Carlos. We are all just focusing on the season and he is as focused as all of us. I was impressed with his performance today, but I like the way all the team played. It was very important after the Everton defeat.
"The celebration? It was important that he scored the goal."
Mancini denied there was a bust up before the game with Mario Balotelli who only appeared for the briefest of warm ups after being left on the bench.
The pair also had words on the final whistle, when Mancini had to instruct the striker to applaud the City fans.
Mancini added: "Now we must improve at home because we have lost too many points. Away we play well and that is good. Against Everton I think it was an injustice. We had 33 shots to score but this is football. We could have played for hours and it would have stayed 2-1 to Everton.
"At home we have lost points against Blackburn and Birmingham. It is these games when teams put so many behind the ball that is a problem we have to solve when we can't find the space.
"It was the perfect start for us, we scored twice and had chances to score more goals. We always knew it would be difficult because Newcastle are a tough team to play. They defended very well."

Homa ya Jahazi yazidi Dodoma


na Abdallah Menssah

HOMA ya onyesho maalum la Jahazi Modern Taarab kuwapongeza wabunge wapya wa Bunge la Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania litakalorindima Januari Mosi, 2011, kwenye ukumbi wa Royal Village, Dodoma, imezidi kupamba moto. Baadhi ya mashabiki waliozungumza na mwandishi wa habari hizi mjini Dodoma hivi karibuni, walisema kuwa wanalisubiri kwa hamu onyesho hilo ili kukata kiu waliyokuwa nayo kwa muda mrefu sasa.
Walisema, wanaamini huu utakuwa wakati wao muafaka wa kukonga nyoyo zao, kwani ni kipindi kirefu wamekuwa wakiomba kupelekewa burudani ya mipasho, hususan kutoka kwa kundi la Jahazi Modern.
"Unajua, pamoja na kuwapongeza wabunge, pia tunalisubiri kwa hamu onyesho hilo ili kujiburudisha nalo wakati tukiukaribisha mwaka mpya," alisema shabiki mmoja aliyejitambulisha kwa jina la Juma Ramadhan.
Shabiki mwingine aliyefahamika kwa jina la Husna Shomari alieleza kuwa, presha waliyonayo wakazi wa mjini Dodoma juu ya onyesho hilo , ni kutokana na kwamba, mipasho ni muziki ulioko juu kwa sasa.
Kwa mujibu wa Mkurugenzi Mkuu wa Jahazi Modern, Mzee Yussuf ‘Mfalme', onyesho hilo litapambwa kwa vibao vyao kadhaa vipya vikiwamo vile viwili vya ‘Wagombanao' na ‘Nilijua Mtasema'.