I love a good conspiracy theory.
Billy is right on one score.
ADUG gave Hughes carte blanch. I have a sneaking suspicion that he glossed over the full extent of the injury problems that Lescott, RSC and Bellamy face (plus Toure's medical history, although that was in the public domain). Anyone remember the story that RSC failed a medical in January? The unceremonious dumping of the medical team in the summer, oooh, about a week before RSC joined? That big delay before the third bid for Lescott?
Not to mention a half-fit Kompany (there was at least one other, can't remember who) playing at Arsenal, and injuring himself for the biggest 3 games of the season last year. I vaguely remember the noises coming from the management team that they had been given 'incorrect medical information'.
and on the day Hughes is fired, Lescott's pre-existing condition is suddenly bad enough to keep him out of the team for 2 months? RSC has hardly been fit. Barry is revealed to need a hernia op... in fact all of a sudden a host of injuries are revealed and we are down to the bare bones.
So I find it easy to believe that 'ADUG' have decided they want a bigger say in how 'their' money is spent. Marwood is the best placed person to make these judgements, but that doesn't mean he will pursuing his own targets and the manager likes it or lumps it. Marwood holds the chips right now, but even tho Moses will be a Marwood signing, Viera is clearly a Mancini signing. It's a matter of consensus and compromise. If Mancini does well, then the pendulum will swing his way. still, 'ADUG' will always have the last word, and Marwood and (to a lesser extent) Cook will still have their say. Whatever happens, there is no evidence so far that 'ADUG' are intent on pursuing 'their' own targets. No sign of a Kaka or Robinho.
'Marwood against the Adebayor signing' is interesting, tho. I had it down as Cook wanting a huge african star before the S.A tour.... and Ade just didn't seem like a typical Hughes 'character'. but on the friday before hughes was sacked, in a memorable appearance on R5 live, in defending Hughes' record to the hilt, Robbie Savage made a very big deal out of Adebayor being a Hughes signing. but looking at the speed with which the deal was completed, and the fairly extensive accounts of what happened, I can't see anything that would lead me to believe Hughes faced any serious opposition from anyone at city.
and with regard to the bigger picture, Mancini is Khaldoun's appointment. They are friends, and the times said that Khaldoun would carry the can if it didn't work out.... a day or two after running (apparently) extremely well informed pieces regarding the thoughts of 'senior figures' predicting Hughes' demise.
6 months looks like a probationary period, not a smokescreen. There were no guarantees that Mancini would fit in, and he was not in a position to demand a long contract. a triple A candidate might be available in the summer. City keep their options open.
