Heroes, villains and the end of the phoney war - Manchester City MCFC Fans

Blog » Heroes, villains and the end of the phoney war

Back to Blog Written on 13-Aug-2010 by malcylon

Despite spending £77million on four world-level talents and the prospect of two more huge signings arriving at Carrington in the coming days, an awful lot of the talk ahead of City's keenly anticipated season opener at Tottenham has centred around a man who is unlikely to play any part in proceedings. Eyes have been rolled with familiar murmurs of "typical City" once again seeing the light of day.

The persistent rumours about Craig Bellamy's future were easy to brush off earlier in the summer. It was just lazy journalism linking a player with more clubs than Tom Watson and a reputation for starting arguments in an empty room with a move away from Eastlands. Sure, he was Mark Hughes' man, but he was also a mainstay of Roberto Mancini's City line-up after his arrival in December. The Wales captain was generally thought to have displayed the form of his career last term.

But as pre-season wore on, a lack of game-time for Bellamy became a growing concern and whispers that he would not make Mancini’s 25-man Premier League squad. Still, maybe it was his famously dodgy knees? Apparently not, and the fears of many City fans were confirmed this week.

"I sort of feel I am not going to be part of it (at Manchester City). I can see it from a distance," Bellamy told a press conference ahead of Wales' friendly with Luxembourg, a game he subsequently scored one goal in and set up three. "I find that very difficult to take because I really enjoy playing for Manchester City. I think I have shown that with my commitment this year."

Bellamy also bizarrely claimed Mancini has not spoken to him for six months - a highly unlikely accusation - and has reportedly been docked two weeks' wages. On Thursday he was left out of City's Europa League squad for the tie with FC Timisoara, a group featuring Roque Santa Cruz, Robinho, Shaleum Logan and Michael Johnson.

Then on Friday morning, after discussing the imminent signings of Mario Balotelli and James Milner, Mancini effectively ended Bellamy’s 18-month stay in Manchester.

"I have to choose 25,” he said. “The rest must find another team. Craig is out of the list.” “What he has said is not important because it is false. I speak with the players every day and Craig always played for me last year. This year I choose other players. I am the manager and it is my choice.”

Since he arrived at City, Mancini has correctly made discipline a priority. Robinho was unceremoniously shipped out on loan to Santos after questioning the former Inter Milan bosses' capabilities. Carlos Tevez was called out after questioning the logic of double training sessions and duly feel into line.

Stephen Ireland's prodigious ability has not been allowed to hide his continual flakiness and - ridiculous golden handshake demands apart - he appears to be following fellow Academy graduate Nedum Onouha towards the exit door. Big Ned, a man of well-documented intelligence, chose the renowned forum of Soccer AM to air his grievances with Mancini's selection policy. A season at Sunderland awaits.

Nevertheless, it is hard to shake the feeling that the one-time Sampdoria stalwart has got the Bellamy situation badly wrong. As a player he possesses a combination of pace, aggression and directness that no player in the City squad can easily replace on their own. There is little doubt that he can be a difficult character behind the scenes, but on the pitch both Hughes and Mancini never received anything less than complete commitment and application.

His virtuoso display at Old Trafford last September made Bellamy a hero to City fans as they choked down the bitter pill of defeat. He is now set to leave cast by some as the villain he has been for his whole career.

At White Hart Lane on Saturday, City face a difficult opening to a season that could well end in overdue glory. The transformation at the club over the past two years has been astounding. When the tide of excitement and ambition finally brings silverware, Craig Bellamy’s contribution to this remarkable period in Manchester City’s history should not be forgotten.

Enjoy the game!

Rob Manford, MCFCfans

Send to a friend

Tags: manchester,city,tottenham,spurs,mcfc,bellamy,mancini

Comments

written on 13-Aug-2010
philipau says:
Blues can we keep things in perspective? Bellamy was outstanding last year but can we claim his overall contribution to the team was flawless? NO! His and other footballers public outburst are an embrassment, why they choose to settle grievances in public? its just childish. If they don't have the sense to realise this for the good of the club then we can do without it fullstop!
He's 31, prone to injury, performed above par last year and we have a wealth of talent to replace him. We knew exactly what we were getting when he signed him (7? clubs) and that's excectly what we've had and need no more of. Up the blues!!!!!!!!!!!
written on 13-Aug-2010
Adam says:
Whilst we all obviously saw the great application he put in on the pitch, there MUST be a reason why Mancini is taking this line. The high 5 with Rednapp, the rumours of the tunnel incident after the Everton game, who knows what else?
written on 13-Aug-2010
scribbs says:
Philipau sit down and relax. Every team needs a Bellamy!!!! We might haver a great deal of talent to replace him, but as we have seen by others in the City side, do we have his commitment and desire. Okay he may have a big mouth and upset people from time to time, but hey this is the real world.....we get this all the time in our daily lives.
The trouble with being a City fan we tend to want a quick fix, and with a never-ending cash flow, seem to think we can just buy everyone and this will guarrantee success. Think of last years side, the best players were those with an attitude, and I've a feeling that might be missing in this seasons side. A whole lot of name players doesn't always make a great side.
As much as I want City to be successful, and I've supported them over 40 years, I don't want them to do a Leeds, which I can see happening if we are not too careful, players on big salaries not been able to be moved on to another club
Just remember with the debacle of the World Cup, there's not that many players too choose from, with all the foreign players plying their trade in the Premiership, is it beneficial to English football in general, or are just concerned with our little corner of the world.
Mancini moving Bellamy on is all about egos, maybe Mancini has a bigger one than Bellamy, I know who I'd rather see at the club.
written on 14-Aug-2010
scribbs says:
It's all about egos. Mancini has a bigger one than Bellars!!!!!
Gee everyone has outbursts, it's part of the game - shows the boy has emotion, and that transfered onto the pitch. The better players last year had that and attitude.
Too many players this season have too big a salary, some only come for a free ride, abet a expensive free ride.
We may have plenty of talent, but sometimes that doesn't fit together on the park. A champion side will always beat a team of champions.
I for one don't think it will be an easy ride this season and lets face it, apart from the top five or six clubs, maybe Fulham, there's not much left. The usual suspects will battle relegation, ther usual suspects will be mid table.
\
written on 16-Aug-2010
malcylon says:
thanks for the comments chaps. it's good to have the banter returning. just so you know why your posts dont hit straight away, I have turned on the "Approval" function for comments in order to rid the site of the barrage of spam that was infecting us. so if your comment takes a wee while to hit the site apologies its just because i need to approve it first.

I thought Saturday's game had a lot of positives. we didnt lose. we can build on that. expect a much more attacking line up against Liverpool at home.

Blog

Page navigation

Blog » Heroes, villains and the end of the phoney war

Comments

Leave a Comment