There are many things that tend to induce scorn across this small island nation of ours. Bankers, Harriet Harman, racism from participants of Strictly Come Dancing to name but three. New to that list are Manchester City, or at least Gareth Barry seems to think so. Barry, speaking ahead of England vs Belarus tomorrow evening said:
“The people outside of the club may look on us in a different way but it’s something the players, including myself, can deal with.
A lot of money has been ploughed into the club and people on the outside may enjoy seeing us fail rather than go on and achieve something this season. I’m sure that’s where the views are coming from but as a unit I’m sure that can help us and make us stronger.”
Indeed. But what isn’t to like about ostentatious displays of wealth, illegally unsettling players and a manager who defends slapping spectators, stamping on opposing player’s heads and inciting crowd riots?
Do you hate City like the Pussycat Dolls hate this part right here? Let us know below…
“I’m desperate to play Champions League football and that’s why I have to leave Villa.”
Well September has come and gone, so even Gareth Barry must now realise that Manchester City are not actually in the Champions League this season, and as things stand, are only nestling in a UEFA Cup spot. Which makes his return to Villa Park all the more tricky tonight, in light of the above comments he made before being offered £110,000 per week.
Villa fan forums are split regarding the expected reaction from the Holte End. On the one hand, you have a man who was a great ambassador for the club, left them with 12 years of memories, and perhaps above all, a stellar campaign last season despite clearly wanting to be at Anfield.
The case for the booing is equally compelling. Three transfer requests in his last five years, a plethora of utterly anonymous performances before he needed to impress watching England managers and ultimately leaving Villa purely for cash.
Villa fans - click below the jump to have your say on your former captain.
The 2009 window deals that were absolutely inevitable
As the transfer window creaks shut for once more, Spoiler correspondent Andrew Brook has compiled a team of players who were always destined to change clubs this summer. And look, he’s done it in a 3-5-2 formation! How fun!
GK - Joe Hart (Manchester City to Birmingham)
As soon as Manchester City signed Shay Given in January, Hart was destined to leave. Every season a promoted team seems to get a new goalkeeper (Scott Carson to West Brom in 2008, Craig Gordon to Sunderland in 2007) so this was an obvious match.
DF - Joleon Lescott (Everton to Manchester City)
One of this season’s most painfully long sagas saw David Moyes over take Sir Alex Ferguson as the Premier League’s dourest Scot, and thus by extension its dourest person. Just be thankful that this inevitable deal didn’t drag on all the way to deadline day.
DF - Kyle Naughton (Sheffield United to Tottenham Hotspur)
Even before Sheffield United failed to secure Premier League promotion, everyone knew one of their ranks would be playing in the top flight this season. Harry Redknapp could not remember which of the Blades’ Kyles he wanted, so nabbed Naughton’s teammate Walker as well, but we all knew which one he meant.
A team of fresh faces who represent excellent value for money
Although the transfer window isn’t locked shut until the end of the month, the brand new Premier League season is but a few hours away. With this in mind, Spoiler correspondent Ben Baker has considered the best buys of the summer so far, compiling a team of his favourites…
Joe Hart (Manchester City to Birmingham, Season Long Loan)
A transfer that suits both parties. Joe wants to win more senior England caps, and since he has been edged out of the number one spot at Manchester City by a certain Mr. Given, first team opportunities have been lacking. His search for regular football has led him to the Midlands and Birmingham are surely delighted that this promising young English goalkeeper will be between the sticks for the season. Also, you just have to love him for his mental attitude and abrasive shouting when facing a penalty - he’s like a loopier version of Bruce Grobbelaar.
Glen Johnson (Portsmouth to Liverpool, £17.5m)
Beating off Chelsea and Manchester City and getting one over his rivals would have made this deal extra sweet for the ever-irritated Rafa. Johnson had a superb season last year, both with club and country, epitomised by his man of the match performance against an (albeit woeful) Andorra side that saw him notch up four assists from full back, and will add a whole new dimension to Liverpool’s right side. A high price to pay, but as Rafa said, “Sometimes you have to spend a little bit more.”A sentiment that is particularly true for English players.
Yuri Zhirkov (CSKA Moscow to Chelsea, £18m)
A Russian at Chelsea? How did that happen? This versatile
Netherlands 2/ England 2
Thanks to suicide defending from Rio Ferdinand and Gareth Barry, The Three Lions endured a very uncomfortable first half in Amsterdam. Fabio Capello blamed an abundance of confidence, rather than general crappiness, for the unforced errors. Fortunately, Jermain Defoe saved their graces with his one-man rescue operation.
Spoiler bonus: British licence fee payers were outraged last night as the BBC decided to show Scotland’s woeful attempt to qualify for the World Cup. Lowlights after the jump…
According to The Sun, some of Manchester’s newest residents have been alerted to its availability and are now furiously scrapping it out in order to get their hands on the deeds. Megabucks City signings Emmanuel Adebayor, Gareth Barry and Carlos Tevez have all put bids on the table, along with Man United newbie Antonio Valencia. We imagine the estate agents will pretend they never received Tevez’ fax, considering the state he left his last digs in.
Way out in front though, is Kolo Toure, who has used his petrodollar pocket money to tear off a cheque for £5.5m. The final price may end closer close to £6m once the winning bidder has paid to clear out CR7’s collection of Ricky Martin bootlegs, empty Zovirax boxes and used Spanish models.
Midfielder still won’t stop harping on about his top four dream
Gareth Barry made his Manchester City debut in South Africa last night, but marred the occasion by picking up a yellow card and earning a subsequent substitution in the 64th minute.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, the central midfielder spoke of his desire to play in the Champions League, which is, as we all know, the only reason he left Aston Villa:
“I have signed a five-year contract with City and I believe I will play Champions League football with them.”
Most Spoiler readers believe Manchester City will not finish in the top four in 2009/10, and we agree. However, we feel that the nouveau riche side will almost certainly reach the European promised land within the next five years. In fact, we’re confident they will do it in three.
Do you agree, or is Barry simply trying to justify his newly acquired remuneration package? Let us know your thoughts below…
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