Bitter and Blue

The end of Bitter and Blue

February 5, 2010
By Danny Pugsley
The end of Bitter and Blue

Well sort of.

This will be the last post on Bitter and Blue in its current guise as from today the blog has moved to join the team over at SBNation.

It was a tough decision to make and it will be strange to have the blog elsewhere after four and...
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Bridge and Lescott nearing a return

February 4, 2010
By Danny Pugsley
Bridge and Lescott nearing a return

Slowly but surely, the squad is beginning to take on a healthier look - and is set to have a very competitive feel to it. After Patrick Vieira's return to training, defensive pair Joleon Lescott and Wayne Bridge are set to return over the next week:WAY...
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Johnson talks about his move

February 4, 2010
By Danny Pugsley
Johnson talks about his move

A nice interview in the Northern Echo with Adam Johnson in which he discusses his time at Middlesbrough and reasons for the move (and mentions interest from both Wolves and Sunderland), and in which talked a little about looking ahead to his time at the club:

“It’s a big club, where I...
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Robinho’s farewell

February 3, 2010
By Danny Pugsley
Robinho’s farewell

Via the official site:


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Vieira ready to go

February 3, 2010
By Danny Pugsley
Vieira ready to go

It appears as though Patrick Vieira is finally ready to make his debut for the club:

"It has been a frustrating spell with the injury. Thank God it is over and I am ready to start, " he said. I suffered it in the last game for Inter and did...
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New contract for Petrov?

February 3, 2010
By Danny Pugsley
New contract for Petrov?

Tucked away inside this article on plans for a US tour next summer is the news that we have offered a contract to Martin Petrov - with talks by all accounts 'enouraging':
City have offered Martin Petrov a new contract and are encouraged by the way the negotiations have gone with the Bulgaria...
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Club accused over Gago

February 3, 2010
By Danny Pugsley
Club accused over Gago

Judging by these comments, the agent of Fernando Gago and Real's Jorge Valdano are none too pleased with our conduct over the transfer that wasn't:

"City used us," Gago's agent Marcello Lombilla told radio station Onda Cero. "This has never happened to me before. I don't want to talk about the figures...
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Benjani move confirmed

February 2, 2010
By Danny Pugsley
Benjani move confirmed

As expected, the loan transfer of Benjani to Sunderland was confirmed today and it is all but certain that his career with us is now over with his contract set to expire at the end of the season.

It is a good move for Benjani as he remains in the Premier League...
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Robinho keen on Santos stay

February 1, 2010
By Danny Pugsley
Robinho keen on Santos stay

"My goal is to stay for a long-time. If the president wants to extend my contract to four years that would be great."
>>Robinho on his unveiling at Santos.

My view when the loan deal was made was that was the last we will see of Robinho in a City shirt, being that...
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A late, late deal for Benjani?

February 1, 2010
By Danny Pugsley
A late, late deal for Benjani?

So suggests ESPN, based on Steve Bruce's pre-match interview when he discussed the potential move:

Steve Bruce is hopeful Benjani will be joining the club after Sunderland's last-gasp move for the Manchester City striker.

Speaking before Monday night's ESPN game with Stoke Bruce said his club had got all the paperwork off on...
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The lowdown on the Gago ‘non-deal’

February 1, 2010
By Danny Pugsley
The lowdown on the Gago ‘non-deal’

The Guardian's man for all things La Liga, Sid Lowe, brings us some background on the reasons why a deal for Fernando Gago did not ultimately transpire:
Manchester City failed in last-minute efforts to sign the Real Madrid midfielder Fernando Gago in a deal worth a...
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Mariga deal falls through…..and Inter nip in

February 1, 2010
By Danny Pugsley
Mariga deal falls through…..and Inter nip in

One deal that was expected to be a 'sure thing' today ended in frustrastion as McDonald Mariga slipped through our grasp and ended up signing for Inter in a co-ownership agreement with his current club Parma.

It appears as though a deal was agreed in principle, but as I anticipated a couple...
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Johnson signs

February 1, 2010
By Danny Pugsley
Johnson signs

The deal that many expected was finally confirmed just before the transfer deadline this afternoon as we landed Adam Johnson for an undisclosed fee:
The Club is delighted to announce that Adam Johnson has joined us from Middlesbrough for an undisclosed fee after agreeing terms and passing a medical this afternoon.

The former England...
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Kompany injury blow

February 1, 2010
By Danny Pugsley
Kompany injury blow

Some not so positive news following yesterdays victory:
Manchester City have been hit by a fresh injury problem with Vincent Kompany expected to be out for at least two weeks with a groin strain.

The big defender, who has been a revelation at...
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Vidal joins Derby on loan

February 1, 2010
By Danny Pugsley
Vidal joins Derby on loan

Derby County have signed versatile Manchester City youngster Javan Vidal on loan until the end of the season.

The 20-year-old England youth international can operate at right-back or on the right-hand side of midfield.

Vidal is yet to feature for City's first team but had loan spells with Grimsby and Aberdeen last season.

>>BBC...
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Johnson bid ‘increased’

January 31, 2010
By Danny Pugsley
Johnson bid ‘increased’

Sky Sports News understands that Manchester City have made an improved offer for Middlesbrough winger Adam Johnson.

City made a move for the talented 22-year-old earlier in the week, only for Boro boss Gordon Strachan to reject the approach.

Although Johnson is understood to want the chance...
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Toure on the Portsmouth win

January 31, 2010
By Danny Pugsley
Toure on the Portsmouth win

The returning captain - and my man of the match - on today's victory:
"It was an important win for us. If we want to be in the top four then we know that we need to win these kind of games. This League is really tough - it doesn't matter who you...
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Portsmouth ratings

January 31, 2010
By Danny Pugsley
Portsmouth ratings

Given - A couple of anxious moments early on but rarely tested. 6

Zabaleta - Some good attacking forays until forced off through injury - 6.5

Toure - Returned to the line up and a strong presence in the side. My man of the match. 7

Kompany - Continued his form...
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City 2 – 0 Portsmouth

January 31, 2010
By Danny Pugsley
City 2 – 0 Portsmouth

One by product of the raised expectations at the club over the past 12-18 months has been an attitude where far less patience is afforded. Clearly today was not a particularly good performance, yet it was by no means a poor one. Judging by some of the post-match reaction you wouldn't have thought so...
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Portsmouth preview

January 30, 2010
By Danny Pugsley
Portsmouth preview

Whilst a semi-final defeat would be frustrating enough, the manner in which we exited on Wednesday evening will have resulted in a squad of players eager to get back on the pitch and get it out of their systems.

For a choice of opponent, perhaps Portsmouth are exactly what is required. Currently bottom...
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