Manchester City - World Is Taking Note

The Manchester City news machine rolls on. In previous times the printing presses of Wapping would have exploded by now.

And what a diverse week it has been. From resignation of Garry Cook to overseas players seemingly amazed - and thankful- that the world's richest and fastest moving football club rates them.

I'm not 100% certain I agree with what happened to Cook, a man I'd met on several occasions. Certain areas of the red rag media considered him to be a bit of a buffoon, but boy did this guy know what he was doing. Look at the changes he has presided over since he took up tenure at what is now the Etihad Stadium. The club has been professionalised from top to bottom and the supporters are reaping the benefits of this where it matters to them - on the field of play. We have world footballers playing world class club football in a world class environment.

There is a good argument that his position became untenable after sending the e-mail to Dr Onouha and the argument is probably correct. I can't help thinking there are other forces in the background here, maybe similar to the issues which beset Carlos Tevez.

Those of us who have been City fans for decades always love the idea of a home-grown player making the grade at first team level and staing with the club for a playing lifetime. And as such we love Nedum Onuoha, again a man I have met on many occasion and for whom I have enormous respect. I really did want him to make it at City and would love to see him in the squad. Was Jerome Boateng really better than Nedum? For that matter is Kolarov?

Headlong into Saturday and we mauled Wigan Athletic. The win was not as emphatic as it should have been, but as I said in the Ped Report, Wigan were up for it and played some good football albeit with not-so-good players.

And now to Monday. We have Cerci flattered and delighted to be mentioned in the same breath as City, Ribery not really looking forward to playing against us at the end of the month and now we are linked with Busquets, Barcas 'man for all seasons (and positions)' with the price going up in every article like Joorabchian's car deals. Are we up to 50 million Euros yet? If so we can trade Tevez!

Manchester City is big news because it is a Club going places which cannot be ignored.

And we all know our foray into the Champions League will not end like it did in Fenerbahce all those light years ago.

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