Robinho still a couple of weeks away

In the Fulham pre-match press conference, Mark Hughes said Robinho’s stress fracture has still not healed sufficiently and he wouldn’t be ready for 10-14 days. Transfer speculation surrounding the Brazilian was once again rebuffed, along with that around Michah Richards, who “has a big future here”.

Hughes on Robinho:

“Robi is 10-14 days away because his stress fracture has not healed as anticipated.

“Any rumours linking him with a move away are a non-story. He will be back soon and I expect him to have a big part to play.”

Hughes would hardly announce plans to sell anyone in the environment of a pre-match press conference so this is unsurprising. News that Emmanuel Adebayor, Craig Bellamy and Carlos Tevez weren’t training with the main group today was more of a concern. However Hughes expects all three to be back tomorrow, and hopefully available for Sunday.

Kolo Toure is set to return, and Vincent Kompany will be in the squad again. This is excellent news regarding Kompany as his height and physical presence can give us something we lack on occasions. With his new contract signed, the Belgian international should be looking to force his way back into the starting 11.

Hughes also acknowledged that he would be keeping an eye on Liverpool v United this weekend to see who drops points. It would have been interesting to know who he wanted to win. Liverpool are looking the most vulnerable of the ‘big four’ so if he wants them to lose, it would mean we are chasing a place in the top four. If he wants United to lose, maybe he has got an eye on the title itself!

Blue Days 22 October 2009

Fulham / Robinho /

Balague: Barca have not contacted City over Robinho

Whilst Spanish papers have been full of reports claiming Robinho is on his way to Barcelona, a piece on Guillem Balague’s web site says the Catalan club have made no contact with City since the Summer regarding Robinho.

Balague is more reliable than most when it comes to possible transfers between Spanish clubs and City. He points out that Barca don’t have the £30+ million it would take to sign Robinho in January. Barca’s debts are often overlooked as many tend to focus on the spending bby Madrid, but some estimates claim it is over 400 million euros (which is not a figure the Barca bean counters are prone to confirm in public).

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Blue Days 20 October 2009

Barcelona / Guillem Balague / Robinho /

Player ratings: Wigan Athletic v City

Given – A spectacular diving save in the first half, and a crucial deflected one at the end were the highlights. He’ll be disappointed not to have kept a clean-sheet on his first outing as captain. 7

Zabaleta – His tackling can be his strength, but a degree of recklessness can also be Pablo’s downfall and so it proved with the needless challenge that saw him sent off. Was also caught out of position for Wigan’s goal, when Richards was left two against one. 4

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Blue Days 19 October 2009

Wigan Athletic /

Verdict: Wigan Athletic v City

Martin Petrov struck as City came from behind to gain a point with a mixed performance that was divided by Pablo Zabaleta’s sending off. Prior to the Argentine’s dismissal, there was a disjointed look to Mark Hughes’ side with stray passes and a lack of cohesion in our attacks. Reduced to ten men, City found their focus, looked compact and could even have snatched a win.

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Blue Days 19 October 2009

Wigan Athletic /

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