I don't see this as a potential moment when the squad come together, because that usually means people coming together against all outsiders (them all on the inside being the thing they have in common). Right now, I'm sure that inside the squad there are varying degrees of disbelief, anger at what Tevez did, personal and professional concern... maybe different views on what he did and didn't do. How is any of this bringing them closer together?
I say that firmly believing that the club coming down on him like a tonne of bricks is going to be good for us. Maybe the only thing they all have in common is that they are looking to see how the club handles this. There have been too many little indiscretions, not to mention people openly taking the piss, from fathers briefing the press, to general lackadaisical attitudes on the pitch.
This is a chance for the club to show that its teeth, and prove itself more than a rich man's plaything, a playground for superstars, or a cash cow.
We've seen our players stamping their names all across Europe this week. Nasri and Silva coming close to defiance of their managers (I'd say lucky for them they came good, but luck has nothing to do with it). Fine. You are superstars. But City are bigger and uglier than all of you. Regardless of who is in charge. And don't think it's coincidence that you've become bigger stars, better goalscorers since joining us. Once upon a time we were riding on the backs of one or two players. Those days are long gone. Now we are offering the best a unique challenge, and a perfect platform on which to shine.
If it means an end to Dzeko's strops or 'just think I'll ghost through this one cos the bigger game's next week', an end to the negative side of Balotelli's too-cool-to-care shtick, an end to every player who drops out of the team going to war with the club via the press, an end to the likes of Tevez and Robinho causing shit then making doe-eyes at the owner....then all my prayers will have been answered.
