RealMancsAreBlue
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 24 Jan 2009
- Messages
- 1,241
Mark seems to think the world isnt showing him enough credit for his sterling work at getting us to 10th thus far in the premier league having only spent a mere £100 MILLION pounds (or there abouts), one thing Ill say for him regardless of whether he stays or goes, hes the best and he never makes mistakes ! (IHO)
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The Blues head to Tottenham on Saturday needing a victory to maintain their hopes of qualifying for next year's Europa League.
Spurs are also in the same position, despite a tepid start to the campaign under Juande Ramos, Harry Redknapp eventually being called in to sort the mess out.
Redknapp has been credited with Spurs' revival, further enhancing a reputation that blossomed at Bournemouth and West Ham before he added the FA Cup to his CV at Portsmouth last season.
Hughes notes no such accolades coming his way, even though he felt the team he inherited from Sven-Goran Eriksson not only lacked quality but also sufficient strength in certain areas to challenge for major honours.
"If you look at all the managers in a similar position in the league to us, they seem to get a lot of plaudits," observed Hughes.
"I don't get many. That is predictable and understandable I suppose.
"Harry Redknapp has done a good job at Spurs. But I feel it is very similar to myself, it's just that he gets a bit more credit than I do."
Hughes recognises analysis of his own work tends to be more critical because of the vast wealth he has been afforded.
It means City are linked with all the top stars in Europe, Real Madrid legend Raul the latest big name the Eastlands outfit have been forced to distance themselves from as potential deal makers spring up claiming to act on behalf of the club.
"That is the world we live in," he shrugged.
"What we have to do is make sure people understand the process we go through when we want to acquire players. We have worked really hard to send that message out.
"At the moment a lot of people are flying around professing to have mandates to do deals for Manchester City. It was always going to happen I suppose."
It is perhaps significant that while City were quick on the draw to reject rumours about Raul, they are choosing to remain silent when it comes to Carlos Tevez.
Increasingly it seems, the South American will be leaving Old Trafford this summer and after declaring the absence of Champions League combat would not be a barrier towards his joining a Premier League revival, Tevez seemed to be expressing an interest in City.
"I am not going to talk about individual players," grumbled Hughes.
"That player is contracted to another club and I am not prepared to discuss that.
"If we make a bid for a player it will be in the public domain very quickly."
Undoubtedly Tevez possesses the quality Hughes will spend the summer looking for, while City also have the finance to make it worth Kia Joorabchian's while to release the forward's registration, as would need to be the case if he remained here.
For now though, City must focus on the present and the win at White Hart Lane that is required to seal a top-seven berth, which in itself would represent City's best finish in the Premier League era.
Record signing Robinho has been ruled out after failing to recover from a groin injury, although Shaun Wright-Phillips could be on the bench after finally returning to training following a frustrating battle to overcome a knee problem.
"There has been some bruising on the bone which has taken longer to recover from than we thought," said Hughes.
"But he's back training again from today and we think he will be fine for the weekend."
Hughes also allayed fears over the future of Michael Johnson.
The England Under-21 star has missed virtually the entire season with muscular problems in his groin area.
There was some speculation earlier this week that Johnson's career might even be in jeopardy such is the trouble he has had trying to get back to full fitness.
However, Hughes does not feel the damage is so bad and Johnson might well be available for the start of next season.
"Michael is seeing another specialist this week," said Hughes.
"The good news is that he doesn't need surgery.
"What he needs is more rehabilitation on the medical side. It is a little bit complicated but we're hoping he will be back playing for the start of next season."
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