Hughes Psychological Master

Manchester City fan, blogger and VMC member, Lando78 sent us the following article. His blog can be found at 5-1blogspot.com

Transfer rumour time is now upon us, especially now we've entered the international break.

The Daily Mail's Ian Ladyman has come up with the strangest case of urinating in the wind so far. Not because of the three names mentioned, more so for the timing of the revelations.

He states that Hughes wants to replace Micah Richards, Paulo Zabaleta and Wayne Bridge in the January transfer window.

Now lets think about this for a minute. First of all, Hughes is supposedly upset with right back Richard's training application and inability to learn his position. So maybe there is some truth in the matter there.

Secondly, he does rate Zabaleta, just not as a first choice right back or defensive midfielder. He sees him as Mr Versatility (Our John O'Shea or Phil Neville).

Not content with destroying the confidence of the whole right side of the defence, Sparky has decided to have a go at dismantling the left as well, or so Mr Ladyman would have us believe.

'Ahh Javier Garrido!' I hear you say. Even the a blind man can see he's not made the grade as a Premier League full back, lets ship him out. Well no actually, Ladyman goes on to say that Hughes is not happy with Wayne Bridge's performances recently.

The Ladyman continues to single Bridge out for his weak derby performance and defensive frailties at set pieces (hardly the rest of the defence's greatest game or forte). Forgetting conveniently that Bridge was close to being man of the match against Villa and has been what Steven Ireland was to last season our most improved player by a mile.

Nearer to the truth, may be the fact that Mr Ladyman hasn't actually watched the Blues this season apart from in the derby. For who in their right mind would want their three senior fullbacks to know that they were not wanted after only games of the season?

Any Blue knows Hughes is very discreet at the bet of times, always supporting his players (Robinho - rape accusations/ Dunne - Captain until he decides to leave/ Petrov - consummate professional) in public at least.

For all of last season, every Blue and his dog knew of the friction between him and Elano, but not once did he condemn him in the press. As soon as the season was over however, it was a different story with 'Ela' being shipped out to the furthest possible European outpost he could find (Turkey and Galatasaray). The same is happening at the moment with Petrov and maybe to a lesser extent Richards.

Back to the story now, not forgetting we have Silvinho on our books as well from Barca, what does Lazyman (the man in the know) suggest our Gaffer has in mind to solve this defensive crisis? One that has put us in the precarious position of fourth in the Premier League with a game in hand over our rivals.

That's right you've guessed it...Daniel Alves and Christian Chivu are on the verge of signing on the dotted line (two world class full backs at the peak of powers). Well no actually, The Ladymeister thinks Hughes has a better strategy.

To offload over 25 million pounds worth of talent and replace it with Eric Abidal and Carlos Puyol, 30 and 31 respectively, with no Premier League experience and not wanted by Barcelona for the same reason Richard Dunne wasn't wanted by City - for being past their peak! Champion just champion.

Now I would love to finish on a quote from our Commander in Chief, but of course there aren't any, are there Ian?

So instead I'll finish with a quote of some sorts. Jog on please Mr Ladyman and in the famous words of a certain Mr Royle (not that one), 'My Arse!'

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