Hughes dismisses mind games

Fri, 31 Jul 14:22:07 2009

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes believes the mind games have already started because of the club's ambition.

However, he is turning a deaf ear to the soundbites of his rivals, including Martin O'Neill, after the Aston Villa boss suggested City could be title contenders because of their spending power.

An influx of top-class players prompted O'Neill to make his comment, but Hughes said: "I think there are a number of managers in and around City who are using us to lessen the expectation on their own club."

Hughes has made six signings in the transfer window, with defender Kolo Toure the latest to check in at Eastlands following his move from Arsenal for a reported £15million.

Toure's Gunners team-mate Emmanuel Adebayor has also joined up along with Carlos Tevez, Roque Santa Cruz, Gareth Barry and back-up goalkeeper Stuart Taylor.

Despite's Toure's arrival, Hughes has not ruled out a third bid for Everton's Joleon Lescott. An £18million offer has been rejected, and Hughes said: "We will wait and see. We have good central defenders here already and good competition. That's what we want.

"We are making no secret of the fact we want to continue to strengthen the team. We have looked at players we feel will help us and make us successful in the future. The business we have already done is exceptional and there is quite a way to go before the window closes."

However, Hughes insisted it was never his intention to use Nedum Onuoha as a makeweight in any deal. That was emphasised this week when the former England Under-21 defender signed a new five-year agreement.

Hughes said: "It was never in my thoughts to involve him if I was trying to get another player. He is very much part of the future and we are delighted he has committed himself to the club.

"This is his club. It is really important to have a core of players that have a real empathy for City and have come through the ranks."

 

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  1. i want to say to man­ city fans how long do you think­­ all your players there­ going to be there ????
    and­ 100%­ sure it is going to be­ alot of problems there­ bcs all­ the names you have now­ they all want to play­ ???
    AND­ HOW LONG IS Mark Hughes IS GOING TO BE IN­ CHARGE OF MAN­ CITY ???
    HE WILL BE SO­ LUCKY IF HE­ FINISH THE SEASON­ AND HE STILL MAN CITY­ MANEGER­ .
    what do you think ????

    From keegan, on Fri 31 Jul 7:12PM

  2. Hughes needs to be put be put in a retirement home wid­ da rest of da man city board. JUst signing top class­ players like tevez and adebayor by using and tight rope­ strapped wid money means u r a great team. They hav­ only @#$% 4 da money not cos they believe the can win­ masses of tittles and all lowly man city fans out there­ now that. Hughes has 2 rememba dat money doesnt get­ tittles as madrid will find out. so the only trophy dat­ city will be winin is who can shizel there team up the­ most

    From andrewosikoya, on Fri 31 Jul 6:29PM

  3. And the award for idiot of the day goes­ too..."SamsonO" CONGRATS. Terry has only ever­ played for Chelsea, Oh and your spelling isn't to­ hot either...

    From Omser, on Fri 31 Jul 5:12PM

  4. Poor old Samson O --- he knows that much about football­ he states that Chelsea BOUGHT John Terry. Why do I get­ the feeling that this another jealous fan who would­ love the same thing to be happening to his side

    From gareth t, on Fri 31 Jul 4:07PM

  5. jealous jealous jealous

    we will make top 4 in the next­ two years.. the new owners will ensure that

    even if­ its with or without Hughes.. the players he has bought­ are overpriced yes but proven class wherever they have­ been.... and more importantly the recent purchases have­ immense premier league experience....

    sit back and­ watch it happen and enjoy

    From mike, on Fri 31 Jul 3:44PM

  6. I have one simple message for the arrogant Mark Hughes­ and the free spending Manchester City, it will all end­ up in bitter tears. As Alex Ferguson said, City is only­ a small club pretending to be big and it will be found­ out. I think anyone who thinks City will break into­ the top 4 this season needs his/her head examined. No­ amount of money spent can make up for astitute­ management. People are comparing City with Chelsea when­ Abroamich came to Chelsea, but they are missing the­ important factor in Chelsea's success over the­ years and that factor was Jose Morhino who before­ coming to Chelsea had already won league and Champions­ league and knew how to manage world class players.­ Also, Chelsea bought far better players in Essien,­ Drogba, Lampard, Peter Chec, John Terry, Makalele to­ name but a few. Can anyone tell me any player in the­ City squad fit enough to clean the boots of any of the­ players mentioned here. Take it from me, Mark Hughes­ will be booted out before January and City will end up­ in disarray. Mark my word.

    From Samson O, on Fri 31 Jul 3:36PM

  7. sparky has bought in every good players for this­ campain, its very exciting to see what is happening at­ city and how far they have come, hughes knows all the­ tricks managers use, and it is some times just to get­ there club on the radar that they speak out, look at­ utd, hardly any news coming out of that camp so­ ferguson has to use the press to get any mention for­ his club and to do that he has to use city as a­ sounding board

    From Darren, on Fri 31 Jul 10:52AM

  8. Mark Hughes is living in dreamland, How do Tevez,­ Bellamy, Toure, Barry,Adebayor et al have empathy with­ Manchester city. They have empathy with only one­ thing--Money. Poor old Sparky one year at the club abd­ your as deluded as the fans and the back room staff
    get­ out before you become as sad and mad as they are.

    From redgeoff, on Fri 31 Jul 10:28AM
  9. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Hughes not dismisses mind game...but losing his­ mind....lol

    From Addy N, on Fri 31 Jul 9:34AM
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