UEFA Cup Build Up: Hughes Brings Back The Skipper

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City's gaffer is going through his options ready for the big one in Copenhagen. Can City build upon all the hard work done in reaching the Round of 32...?

The Team News:

City skipper Richard Dunne is certain to start according to the manager: 'Four games out is a long period but we expect him to be refreshed and make an impact.'

The question is, at the expense of who? Many Blues are hoping that Nedum Onuoha will continue to get a decent run in the side.

Robinho has been declared fit despite his alledged thigh strain at Pompey and everyone's favourite BlueHeart Shaun Wright-Phillips will be back in action as inconsistent pisspoor FA decisions don't extend to European competitions.

Hughes told the official site:

'...if you look at the game at the weekend, we possibly lacked that ability to drive past people with pace with the ball and get in behind people.

'We struggled, but Shaun will help in that respect - he takes people on in good areas and things happen when you do that.

'In recent away games - Stoke and Portsmouth spring to mind - teams have set up to make sure they get a draw then anything else is a bonus. Teams have sat back and we haven't been able to break them down and make the chances.

'Then we've been caught out by sucker punches. We've got to create more chances. We are playing too much like the home side away from home, if that makes sense. We've had the majority of possession but without real threat or attacking focus.

'It only takes one slip or a couple of consecutive errors and we concede. Trying to get back on terms then is a difficult task. Chasing games away from home is always more difficult.'

PLEASE CONTRIBUTE TO THE CARL RAMSBOTTOM APPEAL:

On 27 November 2008, Carl travelled over to Germany to watch his beloved side play Schalke in the UEFA Cup, however due to a tragic incident at a German train station, Carl suffered life threatening injuries.

Due to this horrendous incident, Carl ended up in a coma for three weeks. He is currently in a rehabilitation unit in Germany while his family remain by his bedside.

The family are hopeful that Carl might be in a position to be repatriated to a rehab unit within the United Kingdom, hopefully sometime in March.

If you would like to make a donation, please make cheques payable to P&W MCFCCSA and send it to Ian Ramsbottom. 12 Plant Hill Road Blackley M96NH.

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Thank you.

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