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Manchester City splashing out on Second Rate Striker from West Ham

We all know that Mark Hughes is in a hurry to build the squad and certainly avoid relegation. Buying Wayne Bridge from Chelsea made sense although one could argue the price was on the high side and a bit on the old side. Now Hughes might be targeting Scott Parker and Craig Bellamy from West Ham. The only common denominator with these three players is that they are all nearly 29 years old. I thought Manchester Citywere going to build a side that was the envy of the league and one that would certainly be talented enough to challenge for the league title.

Sorry I just don’t see it. The master stroke of signing Robinho from Real Madrid for £32.5M set the football world alight. Now it looks like it is all down hill from there. If Manchester City wants to rub shoulders with the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United
, Liverpool and Arsenal
they are going to have to find players that will draw in the crowds and give the fans something to shout about.

Look at Bellamy’s record: 2008/9 played 12games ( a sub 3) scored 4 goals. And this is a world class player that will take Man City to the top. On a free transfer he would be a great addition but to pay real money for him is absurd.

City fans: Do you think Mark Hughes is doing the right think bringing in these guys nearing the end on their careers? Or do you think his only concern is to give a boost to the side so that City can live to see another year in the Premier League?

by 4sportsake Editor | Monday 5 January 2009 9:47am
Football, Editor | 23 comments

Comments

A burden of one's choice is not felt

by wow power leveling on 2009-02-04 03:38:53

An hour in the morning is worth two in the evening

by wow gold on 2009-02-04 03:38:40

Considering the above piece is about Man City and potentially lowering themselves to purchase has-beens from the Big Four's feeder-clubs, I will return to the main issue here, ie clubs that will grow in the future, not the likes of Bolton, West Ham, Preston North End and Blackpool who obcviously still live in the distant past, and add another piece to the main article regarding the growing City wealth and where it would be better apportioned .
I have heard today at least a DOZEN players who are supposedly signing for City this week! LMAO From Adriano to Eto, from Parker to Given, from Upson to Teves. We all know it is freelance media-madness, getting their wee pens scribbling, inventing articles to sell to the gullible broadsheets and beyond. The ONLY story concerning me is the fact that Michael Johnson could move on! Now THAT would be a tragedy for City if they allowed THAT to happen. Please Cookie, Abi Dhabis etc...DONT LET THAT HAPPEN! He is a superb young and ENGLISH midfield player, who we have sorely missed, and who we will probably end up buying back someday for £20m!!!!! By all means off-load the Vassells, Balls, Hammans and Ben Haim's to keep the likes of West Ham afloat, but PLEASE do NOT lose Johnson. For me?? Please please?? PRETTY PLEASE??

by City365 on 2009-01-06 10:25:58

City365, you are obviously one deranged manc fool! Man City are supposed to be the richest club in the world and look where you are! It won't be long beofre the Dubai guys offload you! They are already reported to be "extremely regretting" their decision to buy the pile of crap that is city! West Ham are, always have been and always will be a far superior club to city! Remind me, how many FA cups and European cups have you won??? Wasn't it City that was in the FA cup final against Liverpool a few years back??? Oh no, wait! That was West Ham and we beat City along the way! hahahahaha! Face it deranged manc, you will be the richest club in the world next season, but you will be playing the likes of Notts Forest in the Championship! Oh, sorry did that just bring back bad memories for you??? Hahahahahaha!!! Losers!

by Matt Ryan on 2009-01-06 08:42:09

Previous comment is obviously a frustrated West Ham fan, convinced his club is NOT SIMPLY a 'feeder club' for neighbours Chelsea! Get real mate. Thats ALL you are! Even your new manager has been set in place to continue this flow!! Man City will ALWAYS be a far bigger club than your mediocre club. At least we have major plans. We have no room for Bellamy. We need leaders and quality. If we wanted someone who would run all day we would buy simply Paula Radcliffe! Lets look in 3 years time and see where the 2 clubs are, lol ffs!!!!! West Ham getting a spiffing new sponsor for wait for it.... a cool £3 MILLION"!! Whoopy doopy doo!! LMAO!! We eagerly await the new £60 million City deal....

by City365 on 2009-01-06 07:21:37

The truth, get a life mate! Man City are NOT a big club and all the money in Dubai will not change that! Bellamy and Parker are WAY too good to play at city! And why would they even want to play for a team that will get relegated this season???? Even Carlton Cole is too good for you lot! But by all means take Fubar (Faubert) you can have him for free :)

by Matt Ryan on 2009-01-05 14:15:21

A balanced article to be honest, and lots of it mostly true. However, the current City side with some exciting players like Richards, Wright-Phillips and Robinho, are certainly worthy of better than what we are seeing just now, so it is obvious there is a major problem, and to me it is in-depth experience of the Premiership. Surely the current team is good enuf NOT to lose at Fulham, Middlesboro, Wigan, and Bolton as we have witnessed recently. So Hughes is absolutely right in trying to recruit a few old heads in preference toa few more bigger names, mainly to steady this ship up? Maybe a few midfield/defensive experienced "old(ish) heads" like Woodgate, Upson, Bridge, etc are CURRENTLY just what we need to steady to stopthe decline, and at the same time help the likes of Richards and Ireland to develop quicker. I would simply LOVE to see Arteta at Eastlands, he is a superb player, one of the best around! Toure would also add steel to that crumbling defence, as would Woodgate. We urgently need to chase Ball, Vassell, Hamann, Ben Haim, Elano, Jo and Benjami,and think positive about what will take us forward. Yes, the Kaka and David Villa dreams are certainly a story for another day, mainly because nobody else in the League can afford them!! Well done Hughesie in not quitting after the Forest disaster. It could just be the making of you at this club!!

by City365 on 2009-01-05 11:39:20

It must suck, having all this "new" money and still be rubbish. Throwing money at a problem doesn't always fix your club. But you probably already know that. City fans talk like they've already won ever thing and they are the biggest club in the world. If that was the case, Nottingham Forest would not have thumped you lot 3-0 at home! Ouch... So well done with all the smoke and mirrors, you have people talking about transfers, not results.
And how does Hughes stay employed?! Try building a club, not buying our club.
WEST HAM TILL I DIE!!!!!

by Rob on 2009-01-05 11:38:41

4 in 12 is a 1 in 3 ratio for a player who has suffered injuries. Bellamy is not a 1 in 2 goalscorer anyway, he's a 1 in 3 player or slightly better so 4 in 12 is no disgrace, and would see him with a dozen or more over a season. He is better value than some other players because he works so hard, has great pace and is a real nuisance who creates space for other player. Even though most City fans don't seem to want him because he can be a troublemaker and some say not City class, I for one hope we do get him because I think a partnership of him and Santa Cruz would work very well with Robinho on the left and Wright Phillips on the right...that would be murder to defend against for opposing teams as there's a bit of everything there, pace, hard work, height, strength, tall striker/short player, the heart and service of Wright Phillips, and that genius that Robinho can provide. Hopefully if City decide to take Bellamy and Parker off West Ham they won't fail like they both did last time they were at a big club. Can they live with the expectation is the question?

by The Truth on 2009-01-05 10:31:36

Bellars a second rate striker, you must be having a laugh. The only thing that is second rate at the moment are Manchester City. Where are they with all their financial backing?

by Burnhammer on 2009-01-05 10:20:17

Who said they are even available !!!
all this crap about who you do and dont want, maybe you should see who is actually avaiable first !

by Peds on 2009-01-05 10:08:18

What?????? Are you having a laugh???? Second rate striker???? shut up! Have you ever seen Bellamy play?? Obviously not! Sure he was injured for a while and struggled to reach form when he returned but the boy is class! Free Transfer? You have NO idea what you are talking about! When he is in form, which he certainly has been of late, he would be an asset to any club! But why he would want to join a second rate club like Man City beats me!

by Matt Ryan on 2009-01-05 10:05:45

I'm sorry, but I stopped reading when I go to "If Manchester City wants to rub shoulders with the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal they are going to have to find players that will draw in the crowds and give the fans something to shout about." The tears of laughter prevented me reading further.

I have plenty of City mates who would shout regardless. City have the weight of expectaton on them becasue of the cash and the media. You only have to look at Villa to see that you don't need Glacticos to rub shoulders with the big boys. You need a good manager good support (both of which you have) and an esprit de cour that you may find hard to create over night with the enourmous egos you believe you require.

I'm a West Ham fan and I've always rated Hughes. I still reckon he'll do a good job for you and if Zola us sticks (I hope not atm), we'll have him please!

by Dr Stax Volt on 2009-01-05 10:03:32