Robbie In For The Long Haul At MCFC

Before The Blues get on the mini-bus to Bolton tomorrow morning, there's encouraging news from City's quicksilver Brazilian superstar, Robinho. He likes it in town...

Whatever anybody says about his impact on the field of play, Robinho is the talisman, the statement, the symbol, call it what you will of His Highness Sheikh Mansour's breathtaking transformation of Manchester City and there'll be a big thumbs up across Planet Blue at the perma-grinning striker's interview with the BBC's Football Focus:

'I am very happy at Manchester City and I intend to continue playing here for a long time. My focus is with Manchester City. There will always be speculation but I am very happy and so are my family. I hope to continue playing here. I think I will stay five years, 10 years - I don't know. I love it here and love the fans.'

There's talk around Carrington that the longer Robbie stays in England, the stronger his adaptability to the pace of the English game is becoming. He agrees:

'I am enjoying playing English football. It is very beautiful. With every game I play, I feel more comfortable. I hope to continue playing football in England for a long time.'

Of this immediate season, ever one for the odd dramatic soundbite, Robbie said:

'I want to be champion. I've been lucky that every team in which I have played, I have been able to be a champion. My frame of mind has not changed playing for Manchester City. To finish in the top four would not be bad but we are going to fight for the title until the end.'

We've endured a lot of mischief making tripe from hacks desperate to see a City downfall in the absence of any defeats to report and Robinho has been centre stage in their bid to destabilise the club's revolution. It's heartwarming to hear the player talk of his admiration of for one big personality, Mark Hughes:

'We have a great manager in Mark Hughes. He has proved this in all the teams he has managed and is showing that now with Manchester City. He has a great relationship with all the players, including me, and I hope that this year we can be champions together; that is our goal...I think the morale of the team is improving. It is a winning spirit and our mentality has to be that of the team that wants to win and that wants to be champions.'

City's stock has risen dramatically across Europe this week. Robinho's glowing interview is perfectly timed to take the belief that's driving the resurgent club up a degree or two.

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