Monday gossip

Mon 17 Oct 2011, 8:41AM
Posted by Tim Oscroft

What a week we have in store, with a vital Champions League tie followed by the derby, and the potential significance of the next few days has not been lost on one of the biggest hitters in the UK sporting press.



Patrick Barclay is already fully focused on next Sunday's seismic encounter over at Old Trafford, which we will go into ahead of our local rivals, and everyone else for that matter, something not lost on Patrick in his Times column (subscription required online).

"With respect to Chelsea.....the event in Manchester could be the earliest title decider since hype began. Three points for City would put them five in front of the champions with a derby at home to come - and they don't have the air of a side who would let such an advantage slip, whatever the strains in the star-sprinkled dressing room."

And the performances of the enigma that is Mario Balotelli have not gone unnoticed, either.

"Balotelli is looking the exceptionally gifted practitioner we were promised by his Italian admirers. He has the knack of making the game look easy. What he would become should he grow up - and he is only 20 - can only be described as mind-boggling."

Historical context comes over in the Independent from Simon Hart, who says: "Queen Victoria was on the throne when Manchester City last began a league season with seven wins and a draw. As it happens, their Victorian forebears fell short in that 1897-98 campaign, missing promotion to the top flight by one place, and perhaps leading some mutton-chopped Mancunian to mutter "Typical City" for the first time.

"City's prospects of avoiding another anti-climax certainly look rosy after the way they equalled that 114-year record by dismantling a hitherto unbeaten Aston Villa, their 4-1 victory taking them above Manchester United at the Premier League summit – the perfect fillip before a key Champions League meeting with Villarreal, then Sunday's derby at Old Trafford."

But the phrase "don't believe the hype" comes to mind when you see James Milner's typically down-to-earth assessment of both our position and his own excellent form. The versatile Yorkshireman did a spot of post-match press stuff on Saturday which has been spread far and wide - here's the version on The World Game:

"Often a victim of his own versatility, he could be forced to make way for any one of a number of big-name players waiting in the wings, but he insists that team success should always come before personal preference.

"Where the manager asks me to play I will play," he said.

"I've obviously got better positions and places where I feel I can perform to a better standard but I will do the best I can wherever I'm asked to play.

"Manchester City winning matches is the most important thing. It's not about individuals, it's about the team.""