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Tevez, Moyes and Stamford Bridge finger food

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Dan Walker | 16:35 UK time, Thursday, 29 September 2011

I was at a charity do on Tuesday night and turned on my phone afterwards to see if anything interesting had happened in the world of sport.

The first thing that caught my eye was the over who would take a penalty kick. I thought that was going to be the big talking point of the night but then I saw .

´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 5 Live was full of Tevez talk while, after I got home, the news channels were running pictures of a gesticulating Mancini and a confused Tevez talking to Pablo Zabaleta. None of us know the exact way things developed in Munich - whether Tevez flatly refused to go on or from the boss - but it doesn't really matter.

He is paid by the club to play football. If the club ask him to play football - even in a way he's not keen on - he must do it. He has to do it for himself, his manager, his team-mates and for the thousands of people many footballers don't seem to care about - the fans.

Carlos Tevez on the bench for Manchester City

Carlos Tevez has let himself, his manager, his team-mates and the fans down. Photo: Getty

My intention this week was to talk about at last Saturday with guests and .

On our stroll into , both Martin and Dennis were stopped for autographs and photos while, inside, Mr Wise was barely able to move five yards without meeting someone he either used to work with, went to school with or was related to. It is safe to say he is a lot more popular at Stamford Bridge than he is at .

The amicable nature of things didn't end once the Chelsea first team started arriving for their lunch at around 1115. Five minutes later, Keown and Wise were attracting a staggering amount of attention. John Terry, Nicolas Anelka, Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard all stopped for a . Such was the interest in our duo at the top of the tunnel that even players who had never met them before were .

Chelsea were very helpful in the build-up to the show but understandably denied our request for an interview with .

Once Wise and Keown finished their greeting line, we rattled through the show with the only controversial moment being my choice to wear a surprisingly thick coat in the full glare of the sun. It seemed like a good idea at six in the morning when it was a little chilly on my way to ´óÏó´«Ã½ Television Centre to talk to on - but I was feeling the burn by midday.

When we take the show on the road we normally stay on to watch the game but last Saturday I was making my way to a wedding in west London. Being able to make the reception was great but it did mean I had to forfeit one of the great pre-match meals of our time.

Regular readers know I like my food so let me describe the spread in the press room at Stamford Bridge. As you look at the food area, which is big, the right-hand side has hot food, with a selection of curry and stew plus various rice or potato choices.

The middle section brings together cold meat and salad - but nothing run-of-the-mill. There is cured and rare beef beautifully folded and surrounded by green stuff that even my father-in-law, a massive anti-salad campaigner, would consider edible.

As we sweep left there is fresh fish and quiches before the far end of the table brings you to the cheese, biscuit and grape centre. All-in-all it is a culinary masterpiece and I don't think I've ever been to Stamford Bridge without having to go down a few holes on the belt.

It's easy to forget there's a game going on.

Everton manager David Moyes

Please send your questions for Everton manager David Moyes to @danwalkerbbc. Photo: Getty

This weekend we are back in the Salford studio and have an interview with lined up. Feel free to fire some questions over for the Everton boss. Personally I'm intrigued to see what he has to say after a frugal summer - especially with the Merseyside derby this weekend.

Talking derbies, we will reflect on Arsene Wenger's 15 years at Arsenal and ask if the balance of power is switching in north London.

, Nigel Adkins will give us an insight into life at Southampton and we will celebrate John Motson's time as a football commentator.

You will hear a bit from Sir Alex Ferguson, we will remember one of the great football films of all time and Robbie Savage, plus his , will take on Lawro in Premier League predictions.

I'll see you for all that at 1215 BST on ´óÏó´«Ã½ One.

Fire away with any comments or questions - for David Moyes in particular. You can find me on twitter at www.twitter.com/danwalkerbbc

Comments

  • Comment number 1.

    Dan, first off let me tell you the rebuilding process has been a complete success you would never know stan used to be a gnu.

    Secondly can I also thank you for not drawing attention to all that nastiness in the park, not one of my prouder moments I must say.

    Also can you ask mr moyes if I can have my whisk back, I don't mean to peter but it has been a while!

    Hugs and kisses

    Arnold strong

  • Comment number 2.

    Your eyes must have been on stalks with all that food on offer!

    It seems that Everton are being forced to rely on what you might call something of an Arsenal model, i.e. having to rely on bring up youngsters such as Rodwell amongst others, and then having to fend off the vultures hoping to pick up the talent. The unfortunate thing for Everton of course is that they don't have a ground the size of the Emirates and the larger budget that Arsenal have, albeit not the size of the really big boys.

    It would be interesting to hear what David Moyes has to say about the UEFA financial fair play that Arsene Wenger has commented about. Does he think it will give him more of a chance, or, like Arsene, is he less optimistic about it coming in at all, and therefore continuing the dominance of the billionaire backed clubs?

    I think it might be a bit premature to think Arsenal are on the slide compared to Tottenham. Although the League has not been kind to Arsenal, they have done well in Europe so far and were the only English team to win this week. There haven't actually been that many League games so far and Tottenham have not been winning non-stop. If truth be told, both clubs are under pressure and Tottenham may be potentially at even more of a disadvantage in the medium-long term because they don't even have their new stadium built. I'd have thought when it finally happens that their budget will be constrained further because of the demands on paying for the new ground.

    Good to see the blog back again - hopefully it will attract some good banter! Hopefully Mr Andy Connor will see his post remain intact this time around.

    Mrs Slocombe

  • Comment number 3.

    Dan,
    Good to read your blog again. Are we moving to a once every two weeks pattern?

    Topical question for Moyes, which he is well positioned to answer, though some others are not: " In the increasingly mercenary environ. of professional football what does the word 'Duty' mean?"
    My two pence for what it is worth:- "Duty is the most sublime word in the English language" (Quoted from R.E. Lee 1807 - 1870)
    It is the fusion of integrity and diligence. (JH quoting self)


    Mollie Sugden
    (more reliable at her job than some others at there's even though she got paid 1/5th of what they did- but she had the advantage of one liners that no football star could ever utter on FF)

  • Comment number 4.

    OK just spotted typos and lousy spelling ... sorry I blame the meds- bad throat infection. And then had to wait 180 seconds before posting this apology....

  • Comment number 5.

    Dan,
    Quick after thought before I get back down to work.
    In your extensive inter continental footballing experience, which club provided the best food? You praised up Barcelona when you went there, you praised up Los Angeles when you went there (well u actually said the burgers were fat and so were the people) and now high praise for Chelsea, but at what club do you think you have had the best?

    And yes good to see Andy Connor not being censored out.

  • Comment number 6.

    Question for Mr Moyes:

    What is there in Merseyside pasta that produces Rooney, Baines, Rodwell, Barkley and who knows what's more in the pipeline?

    Has your head of youth development been appropriately recognised by the powers that be and, if not, why not?

  • Comment number 7.

    Er I think it does matter what exactly happened in the Tevez incident. So far I've only heard Mancini giving his side of the events. Why did he blast it all over the place and not just keep his own council and deal with it. Because City were awful and a lot of that is down to him! I have no sympathy with Tevez however there are two sides to every story so yes it does matter what exactly happened.

  • Comment number 8.

    Power switching in North London? Arsenal, perennial Champions League participants: Tottenham, what? What?

  • Comment number 9.

    Dan,

    Couldn't the Stamford Bridge chefs rustle you up a doggy bag for your trip..it might not have gone down too well at the wedding reception but would have done in the taxi ;)

    It's interesting all the sympathy Everton seem to be getting having to manage their club frugally whilst the Gunners get constant stick when they do it as a matter of policy?

  • Comment number 10.

    "...He is paid by the club to play football. If the club ask him to play football - even in a way he's not keen on - he must do it. He has to do it for himself, his manager, his team-mates and for the thousands of people many footballers don't seem to care about - the fans..." Spot on Dan!
    City now have an opportunity to show they really are a 'big club' and do the right thing, support the manager and get shut of Tevez ... Taxi for the Airport for Carlos!!!
    To keep Tevez now would undermine Manchini and put the latest phase of 'the Project' at risk. City's owners have been prepared to spend millions to make a realistic challenge, to get the men they want; are they also prepared to spend millions to protect that challenge, to get rid of of a man their manager (at least) doesn't want?
    We await the most important decision in City's recent history!!

  • Comment number 11.

    Tevez says he was confused? So, you are sat on the bench (not for the first time) and the manager points at you - it must be a conundrum. "I wonder what he wants?", "does he want me to go and fetch a cup of tea?", "has he spotted my new dapper haircut?", "I am in his seat?", "Hmm, the guy next to me doesn't know either", "tell you what, I'll just sit here and pretend I didn't notice him pointing at me"....."wonder if its raining in Argentina....."


    Glad to se you have Nige on the show on Saturday. Please tell him his loan period has ended at Southampton and he's to report back at Glanford Park on Monday. We'll forget he's a month or so late...

  • Comment number 12.

    Alright Dan,

    Hope you and the family are well. Enjoyed football focus last week. Nice to hear the players of the current team at Chelsea were paying their respects to the masters. Both Martin and Denis are good guys.

    On Tevez, I guess it's all a bit you-word-against-mine. But I believe Zabaletta is quoted as saying "Carlos just didn't want to play". If that quote is accurate then we can rely on his judgement. He is his friend and countryman, and there is no way Zabba could have misunderstood him.

    I don't get it anyway, most people are aware that, English aside, Itallian and Spanish speakers can understand one another very well.

    I think he's let himself down. I was angry before, but now I'm just sad. He's such a fantastic player. The kids all want to be able to play like him for the club they love. But with the attitude he seems to have, however much we want to, we just can't overlook it or make excuses. Maybe a few days helping out voluntarily in a childrens hospice will bring home to him how lucky he is. If he sees people giving of their time for free, helping the kids, maybe it would spark something in him. But I'm not so sure...

    Fernando Torres will be back I'm sure. Felt sorry for him getting sent off, he was naive to throw two feet in, but there was no contact and there was no malice. Can't blame the ref though, rules are rules. Felt even more sorry for him on Wednesday too. Did everything right against Valencia, and deserved to get a goal.

    Regards
    Kermit the Frog

  • Comment number 13.

    All this user's posts have been removed.Why?

  • Comment number 14.

    #13 I'd rather stick to Dan's blog thanks... the reason why we're here surely? Surely you could have managed more than self-promotion?

    I think Torres might actually start to really prosper again this season if he can continue getting the games. If he can get people off his back with consistent performances then I can see him getting plenty of goals again. Boas will need to engage some excellent man-management!

    Jerry Maguire

  • Comment number 15.

    There should be zero tolerance for Tevez. He is paid handsomely to do as his manager requires. He has let everyone down; directors, the manager, players and supporters and not least, football generally. Refusal to play is failing to honour his contract to play when asked. This act could cost the club dearly if they do not progress in the European Cup. He should be sacked, pursued financially for breaking his contract and should not be allowed to play professional football anywhere again.
    There are just no excuses which can condone his selfish and petulant behaviour.

  • Comment number 16.

    ... In other News, Shamrock Rovers are leading Spurs by 1 goal to 0. I like a good underdog, but I've no doubt that it'll still finish 4-1 to Spurs (could have been 3-0 by half time).

  • Comment number 17.

    I have a strong suspicion that the Tevez lynching is slightly unjust. The story that has emerged is of the following series of events: Mancini tells Tevez to warm up at the beginning of the second half, apparently intending to bring him on, before changing his mind and bringing on de Jong for Dzeko. Tevez returns to his seat on the bench, thinking he's not going to go on. Ten minutes later, Mancini tells him to warm up again. Tevez, having already warmed up, refuses, but is still willing to come on. Mancini interprets this as a refusal to play. Fiasco ensues. This seems to me to be a wild overreaction to a player simply refusing (probably understandably) to warm up twice in twenty minutes.

  • Comment number 18.

    Tevez was great at WHU... we stayed up... but on £200k per week at MC & after a reported £45 million transfer fee, he has totally let down the owner of MC, the manager & MORE THAN IMPORTANT... THE FANS.... many of whom travelled to Germany. By refusing not to play he must have broken his contract so Man City should now be able to not pay him his weekly salary & sue him for his transfer fee? Although not happy to see rich owners buying success the players who play for these clubs HAVE TO HONOUR THEIR CONTRACTS. Tevez... you have let down the owners, yourself & YOUR FANS.... YOU ARE SELFISH....

  • Comment number 19.

    Even though the whole of footballs went mad, Carlos Tevez, even before the other night, is the one footballer who does my nut in. talented (but not as talented as he or a lot of folk seem to think), he should appreciate what a good position he finds himself in. i can take these guys earning mega-bucks, as it aint them handing out the deals, but i need a bit of humility if possible, and appreciation that money is tight around the world at the minute. imagine if your a man city season ticket holder, your basically paying for tevez each week. and hes said "thanks fans, ill take your money, but im gonna sit here for it". total disgrace

  • Comment number 20.

    "Talking derbies, we will reflect on Arsene Wenger's 15 years at Arsenal and ask if the balance of power is switching in north London."

    Balance of power switching to tottenham?

    Only when they have reached 15 straight champions leagues tournaments;
    Have finished in the top 4 for 15 years in a row;
    Have won more fa cups (10 vs 8);
    More league titles (13 vs 2);
    Have gone the season unbeaten.
    Tottenham's net spend since 1992 is £178m, arsenal's is 21m. I can just go on.

    Arsenal are far far superior to tottenham and will be for a long time to come. In the last 20 games (since 2004 - I don't have previous years data), tottenham have won 3 and arsenal 9 and the rest 8 are draws. Tottenham's last two wins came last season.

  • Comment number 21.

    " None of us know the exact way things developed in Munich - whether Tevez flatly refused to go on or simply misunderstood instructions from the boss - but it doesn't really matter."

    Can' t understand the above words at all and I agree with poster # 7. It makes all the difference in the world. If he refused to play- which I personally totally believe he did - then he deserves every bit of condemnation he has thus far received. If he simply misunderstood then City are guility of some very poor communication skills. All those people on the bench and they couldn' t find a way to make it clear what was expected of Tevez ? Hardly likely, but, if true, then it is a very different situation.

  • Comment number 22.

    If anyone fancies a laugh check out Ola Jordans predictions on 'Lawros Predictions'. Funny thing is, football is one of those sports where I could see her coming out with more points than Lawro or Savage. One hell of a good looking girl too.

  • Comment number 23.

    I don't know how can anyone defend Carlos Tevez for his bad behaviour. Any player sitting on the bench should definitely know when you are needed by your manager to introduce you in. It is not a question of Language whether you can speak it not but the movement on the bench tells who is about to be introduce. City have just seen the smoke

  • Comment number 24.

    echo-me.................you don't seem to get the point of 'balance of power shifting' do you. It's not about what happened in the past it is about what is happening now....so Tottenham last two wins coming last season is EXACTLY what power shifting is about.

  • Comment number 25.

    Evening all. Thanks for your comments so far. Keep those bad boys coming and don't forget your questions for David Moyes.

    See you soon.

    Martin Allen

  • Comment number 26.

    I'd like to ask David Moyes what he expects from this season. Is he just trying to grind out results playing 4-5-1?

    Also, whilst it is fair enough to man mark another teams star player, and even double team him, but does he think it is fair to keep fouling him?

  • Comment number 27.

    Hi Bluetintedspecs.

    I fail to see your logic. You say what happened was in the past. Isn't the two wins by tottenham last season? i.e. in the past? If you want to see what is happening now, then let's wait for the match to end on Sunday.

    Anyway, Mark Lawro has predicted Tottenham to win on Saturday by 2-0.... No further comments from me until Sunday 6pm.

  • Comment number 28.

    Davie Moyes. If anybody actually pays attention, you are actually the best manager in the EPL over the past 10 years. Why do you think you get overlooked for the big jobs ???

  • Comment number 29.

    David Moyes - how difficult is it to keep hold of your star players when the likes of Arsenal come knocking offering champions league football?

  • Comment number 30.

    Quiches at the 'Bridge!?! not really surprising tho' 'specially after the prawn sarnies at the Emirates.

    Nice to hear about Dennis Wise. Bringing up memories of his playing makes me wonder how his style would go down in todays game......

  • Comment number 31.

    All this user's posts have been removed.Why?

  • Comment number 32.

    Tevez is now using the excuse that the bench was closer to his kids !!

    Jimmy Clitheroe

  • Comment number 33.

    26.At 23:12 29th Sep 2011, kingdhoni wrote:
    I'd like to ask David Moyes what he expects from this season. Is he just trying to grind out results playing 4-5-1?

    Also, whilst it is fair enough to man mark another teams star player, and even double team him, but does he think it is fair to keep fouling him?

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

    I hope you're not talking about the City Everton game?? Silva was pathetic in the first half, how on earth Neville got booked is beyond me. Please don't play the 'stop hacking Silva down' card as you got well and truly more share of the 50-50 decisions.

    I thought it was a great tactic and i think one thing it showed was without Silva City's attacking threat is greatly undermined. It even seemed at times that without the option to give the ball to Silva the rest of the midfield didn't really know what to do. Can see this happening a lot throuhout the rest of the season

  • Comment number 34.

    Question for Moyes: What would he consider a good season for Everton football club?

    Questions i'd love you to ask but never would: Any thoughts of moving on? England job is coming up in the summer??

  • Comment number 35.

    Dennis Wise is a Chelsea legend along with Kerry Dixon, the late Peter Osgood, Ray Wilkins, Bobby Tambling and Peter Bonetti. They are seated at the top table for the Chelsea buffet. In time Terry and Lampard will join them and honorary guests Guus Hiddink and Jose Mourinho. Chelsea in common with all football clubs honour their favourite and longest-serving players and managers. They are not exceptional in that at all. In fact Dennis Wise has a role to play in the club still but that is up for debate as of course is the role that Ray Wilkins could still play. Villas-Boas is some way short of the real deal yet. Di Matteo is there to mentor him but arguably he needs assistance too.
    As to Tevez he is merely an animal and a very ugly one at that.

  • Comment number 36.

    @ Echo-me look where a net spend of 21 million has got you. Lost your captain and 1 of your star players and now current captain refusing to discuss a new deal and you qualified for 15 consecutive champions league but of how many did u qualify for as champions and the champions league money is what kept your net spend down compared to our apparant 178 million net spend. As much as Modric head was turned by chelski since window closed he's got over it and performing back to the quality we used to @ WHL. I feel Dan is spot on with the power shifting to white side of North London as Fabregas and Nasri weren't the 1st big names to want to leave Emirates i.e Adebayor Gallas and come sunday Adebayor will carry on his record of scoring in NL derbies except this time in the Lilywhite of SPURS. I eagerly await your comments come 6pm sunday after Arry's men teach Arsene's boys a lesson

  • Comment number 37.

    Could you ask David Moyes does he consciously value loyalty to Everton above his own career? If one of the 'big' clubs came in for him, would he go?

    Colin Pates

  • Comment number 38.

    Mornin Dan.

    Not a big fan of the food you mentioned.
    I'm a meat-pie-chips-n-gravy man myself!
    Plenty of vinegar, easy on the salt please.
    (or 'heart attack food' as my wife likes to call it!)

    Question for DMoyes- Would you fancy a crack at the Scotland job after the Euros if it was offered?

    Also Dan, any tips for my FF team for this weekend?
    Im struggling big time!

    Wayne Routledge and Mat Jarvis have let me down big time!!


    John Boy Walton

  • Comment number 39.

    Dan, can you politely point out to David Moyes that he looks like Wendell from the Simpsons?

    I am sure he would appreciate it.

  • Comment number 40.

    #39 GoldenCock

    He's actually closer to Moe Szyslack, rather than Wendel.

    C M Burns

  • Comment number 41.

    On Tevez.

    Interesting to see over the last couple of days two "great pros" both admit to refusing to play - Scholes for Sir Red Nose and M O'Neill for Even Redder Nose. Seriously though, two of the greatest managers ever who both reacted by putting them straight back in the team! What this shows (on the players side) is that anyone can make a mistake.
    Tevez has form for bad behaviour I hear everyone shouting but he was well loved by the fans at WHU and ManU and I didn't hear many City fans complaining last season. This is a different situation of course and Tevez clearly wants out (or at least to be loved). I'm not defending his actions but he's not the devil!

    What City should do is a tough question. Sack him and they take the financial hit plus the added gall of him getting a fat signing on fee somewhere else. Chelsea are still waiting to get a penny from Mutu despite winning in court. They could stick him with the stiffs or kids, pay him £4m in wages till January and take what they can get (which won't be all that much) as a fee then, but this runs the risk of him spreading "bad vibes" around the club. Alternatively they could forgive and forget (like Sir Alex and Cloughie) and let him stay with the first team - oops Mancini messed up that option! Shoulda kept it in house Roberto (rule 1 of man-management I believe). So basically City have left themselves with no good options, all together now ... shame!!

    Question for Moyes

    Have you ever had a go at your players through the media? If he answers no give him the City job - not in your gift unfortunately but wouldn't it be nice?

    Johannes Keppler ... I can see for miles and miles.

  • Comment number 42.

    #41 mattlehagi

    It's interesting that Scholes has made those comments. Scholes is virtual mute when it comes to getting involved in the media and he is a self confessed friend of Tevez. From that, I would simply conclude that he is doing Tevez's bidding for him rather than necessarily confessing or putting the other side of an argument into the public arena. Yes, I am cynical about motives, but, I think with good reason.

  • Comment number 43.

    @42 Yes but I'm fairly sure I've heard this story before, Scholes isn't making it up ... just reminding everyone that his friend Tevez is not the first player to make a mistake. Has Mancini made a bigger one?

  • Comment number 44.

    #44 mattlehagi

    Who knows how this will pan out? Frankly, I don't think it looks good on anyone but I'm surprised that others (such as Scholes and O'Neill) are throwing their hats into the ring.

    Overall, I shall watch with sort of interest and just be glad it's not my club!

  • Comment number 45.

    Dan, was this charity do on Tuesday in Sheffield by any chance?

    Spotted in Green's gym on Monday lunchtime... your sit-up technique could do with some fine-tuning ;)

  • Comment number 46.

    I do think it's telling that Mancini jumped straight in and attacked the player. Bad management and it shows he's feeling the pressure. It's not just Tevez, the rest of the squad will now know he can't be trusted to keep things "in house". Arguably worse for team spirit than what Tevez did. Agree?

  • Comment number 47.

    I see Fergie's praising Mancini ... lol. That just about seals it. A sure sign he thinks Mancini's dropped a huge clanger.

  • Comment number 48.

    Last season, Tevez's mate Mascherano 'went on strike' to frce an exit to Barca. Now tevez 'refuses to play'. There is one key person in common between these two, but seldom is his name mentioned despite his undoubted influence. Masch and Tevez were brought to England to make big money both for themselves and their then owner. The rules may have changed but the approach hasn't.

  • Comment number 49.

    42 Scholes was asked the question about Tevez while fielding questions at the launch of his new book. hope this helps.

  • Comment number 50.

    Dan, it's a very pretty picture you paint of how incredibly popular Wise and Keown were at The Bridge on Sarturday, but I seriously doubt that any of those people were even vaguely interested in Keown.

  • Comment number 51.

    Said it before but I'lll repeat, Tevez cares about only one thing, his monthly wage packet. He has no loyalty to any club, manager or team mates & he will be shown the door by City in January. Man Utd did the right thing showing him the exit sign & I bet City wished he'd never left there now.

  • Comment number 52.

    #46 mattlehagi

    It's partly a problem of the all pervasive media though. Mancini could have shut up shop of the subject, and legally perhaps he might have been best advised to, but, I do sympathise with his reaction given the position he was in when he was pressed by interviewers that had been there and seen the television pictures.

    #47 mattlehagi

    :-)

    #49 TheTrawler

    Thanks. It did seem unusual that Scholes would raise his head above the parapets for no reason.

  • Comment number 53.

    #51 Afraid not. He's still the highest scorer over the last two seasons, so muppet of no-muppet we are still very glad indeed that he left Old Trafford.

  • Comment number 54.

    prophet Sam,
    Which club do you shout for?

  • Comment number 55.

    Dan,

    Fair comment on the switch between the Arsenal/Spurs in terms of placings in the league. There have been a lot of people writing the Gooners off this season and that we will not be a top 4 team and that our defence is dodgy (which is absolutely true). The thing is with Arsenal is that whle we struggle to close out titles and cup wins (last season is a perfect example). We do know how to close out a top 4 finish and to qualify for Europe. Spurs on the other hand have only done this once (and bottled it famously a few years ago).

    The season will start to take shape for Arsenal in the next few weeks when we start to get the injured boys back in the squad. We will also see the ongoing emergence of the Ox, I seriously questioned £15 million for a teenager but he looks like he could make a Rooneyesc impact on Arsenal. We will also see Wenger make the additions needed in January, as long as we are within 10 points of 4th by then, we will qualify for Europe and be above Spurs.

    All that being said, I think we could get spanked on Sunday :-(

  • Comment number 56.

    #11 - Jedra, brilliant.

  • Comment number 57.

    I dont think the scholes thing is quite the same - he refused to play at all so the manager could pick someone else, didnt make him look stupid when the match was on and he apologsied afterwards.
    tevez is pretending he didnt understanded now, he wont even tell the truth!
    Mancini did the only thing he could - city dont really need tevez now, aguero and silva are better, and tevez doesnt really fit with the nasri/aguero/silva style now, he is a head down solo player.

    as has been said tevez really does embody all that is wrong with the modern footballer.

  • Comment number 58.

    As a NUFC looking in on the Spurs/Arsenal thing I would say this - Arsenal are probably a bigger club than Spurs currently due to (a) recent history (you can't deny my Spurs friends that Wenger's record, even the trophyless seasons recently, is better than Spurs) and the fact that I think should Spurs again find themselves outside the top-4 this season and maybe as low as 6th, possibly 7th without winning anything then I'm not sure if the magic would quickly disapear and be poured upon another club e.g. Aston Villa, Everton (with a new buyer) or Newcastle (again with a new buyer when someone realises they could buy out Ashley and have a good club ready and waiting e.g. a 52k seater stadium, captive market). For clubs chasing the 4th place to 6th place then it's very cyclical e.g Everton and Villa. Would the board back another 12-24 months of Redknapp not making it to CL if Dagleish unlocks Liverpool's potential and another club threatens regularly to make the top-4 i.e. 4th, a 4 way fight down to 7th (supposing MUFC, MCFC, CFC finish 1st to 3rd), AFC, THFC, LFC + A.N.Other......

  • Comment number 59.

    Question to David Moyes - Is Man City managers job now a poisoned chalice with all the riches available, both to Mancini and the players and does he consider the financial constraints at Everton are actually a blessing in some ways?

  • Comment number 60.

    36.At 10:16 30th Sep 2011, Camp-SteveTHFC4LIFE wrote:

    As soon as Harry leaves (as soon as a better offer comes along) you'll be back in mid table mediocrity as usual.

    Arsenal are a long standing successful club, Tottenham are fashionable at present and (as usual) Harry struggles when not being given millions to spend in every transfer window. (What happened to Pompy?)

    Arsenal make players, Spurs buys them and then watches them slowly get worse.

    £21m net spend gave us yet another Champions League spot and not a near embarrasment to some Irish plumbers.

  • Comment number 61.

    I also think we might lose to Tottenham on Sunday but (like last season)still finish above them and with something to shout about other than a relatively meaningless derby win.....

    Adebayor will score, i've got no doubt about that!!!

  • Comment number 62.

    48.At 13:03 30th Sep 2011, dawkins1892 wrote:

    Agreed, Kia "i love money" joorabichian is an idiot, the bloke somehow managed to persuade Mark Hughes (also on his books) to leave Fulham for a job, erm nowhere.

    I notice Mark Hughes didn't want to criticise Tevez recently either and i wonder why, this agent is a parasite and one of many......

  • Comment number 63.

    #54

    I'm a man city fan mate. I don't take it too seriously though. Beginning to wonder if anyone can take modern football seriously these days. Very entertaining though.

  • Comment number 64.

    Yeah I've got to agree with post #7 Dan. I totally get that there is a principle here and the footballing world is rallying round it - and that principle is that if you're paid by the club you cannot refuse to play.

    However, the point people keep bringing up and then completely ignoring, is that Tevez claims he didn't refuse to play, and that he didn't think he was being asked to play. As such, until we know both sides of the story, all these blogs and stories and comments condemning him and talking about his disgusting attitude are simply stirring a story.

    Yes, if it's true, then he deserves his punishment. But establishing it is true should be the priority, and no one has really bothered to do it.

  • Comment number 65.

    A couple of questions for David Moyes:
    1) How does he think managing has changed generally since his early managing days at Preston?
    2) Did he always feel he wanted to go into coaching & management or was it something he fell into?
    3) How is his racehorse, Desert Cry getting on, and has it won anything yet?! Michael Owen seems to know how it's done, but I'm sure he won't be going to the (ex-) red half of Merseyside to get advice!!!

  • Comment number 66.

    And btw, glad to hear my team's (Chelsea) food was tops! If only I could afford a hospitality ticket these days and I might sample it myself [sigh] Must admit, if I did manage to get a free Chelsea meal, I'd offer it to Torres so he could summon the energy for a hat trick against Bolton on the weekend, bless 'im!

    Mr Creosote

  • Comment number 67.

    #66 the biggest pie in the world wouldn't help Torres get a hat trick against Bolton as he's banned, which is a shame becasue he has hit a bit of top form recently and is always good to watch. In my view he'll always be class.

  • Comment number 68.

    Question for Moyes - does he think that given Mr K has said in effect new new cash and no new ground that Liverpool and Everton should finally bite the bullet and do what Milan/Inter and Lazio/Roma have done and ground share?

  • Comment number 69.

    Wonder how long it will be before the Warnock - Tevez- West Ham stuff is regurgitated on the ´óÏó´«Ã½ pages. Its easy to forget that Neil warnock picked the Sheffield United teams that performed so badly at the end of that season and any kind of performance in their last few matches would have kept them up. Stop blaming WHU.

  • Comment number 70.

    @nicknack1 when Arry leaves next summer as he will do to take on the national side he will leave us in a position that we will employ a top manager like ancellotti to keep us up where we belong challenging the likes of Arsenal for champions league place. I wont dispute that they been up there every year but as Dan has pointed out the power is possibly shifting to the white side of North London.

  • Comment number 71.

    also you mentioned you make players not sure how you figure that as the bulk of your academy have been BOUGHT from foreign clubs for peanuts as they only 16 but hey you then teach them to play attractive football but also cry and bottle it when you come up against the physical teams like Stoke sorry i know that word is a swear word to Arsenal as apparantly they got it in for your players and seem to hurt them

  • Comment number 72.

    You say we don't know if Tevez refused instructions or misunderstood the request to do his job but we do. In a post match interview Tevez said; "I didn't feel right to play so I didn't play". Q.E.D. He owes City £50million. Etihad ought to sue him as well.

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