Dave Whelan In Shock City Love In

In a bizarre U-Turn, Wigan Atheltic supremo Dave Whelan has gone pro Manchester City leaving Planet Blue scratching it's head and asking what's all that about, then..?

Ahead of The Blues' crucial clash with The Pie Tasters, the Wigan chairman had some choice words for critics of the powerful Eastlands club. He told The MUEN:

'People who keep saying what City are doing is not good for football would do exactly the same if they were in City's boots. Don't tell me they wouldn't be splashing the cash, buying top players - I know I certainly would...don`t forget it's all City`s money, so they are entitled to spend it how they want and good luck to them, I say.'

There's no time to go for a lie down as Whelan continues:

'Everybody seems to want to have a pop at City. There's so much jealousy around. Those who are knocking City would give anything to be in the same position and have the same kind of opportunities.'

And he doesn't stop there, singling out City's fans and Chief Executive Garry Cook for special praise. No doubt Cookie will have the interview framed!

'I always look forward to welcoming City to Wigan. It's always a good game and they have a great set of supporters who are as good as anyone around. The City fans are tremendously loyal, they deserve to see their team be successful. I remember playing City in the old third division in front of 40,000 fans at Maine Road...City have become a force and they are aiming high and, in Gary Cook, they have a man in charge who can go on to become one of the Premier League's leading administrators...he's a very good operator and I know just how ambitious he is.'

But rewind....to January 2009 when Whelan declared that City will 'ruin the heart and soul of football.'

Lest we forget...

'Money has gone through the window because some Arabian fellas or oil-rich sheikh has come in and said 'Pay £90m for that player.' It is totally barmy and we all know that. The game will suffer in the end.'

All of which begs the question, what exactly are they putting in those pies?

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