This. Got a lot of respect for the bloke.

The signing of Hargreaves shoes Mancini up to be a bit of a bullshitter imo - he made it quite plain that he wasn't prepared to have anyone in his 25 man squad who he couldn't be sure would train twice a day, that was his (lame) excuse for not using Bellamy. How exactly does the signing of Hargreaves fit in with that statement?

Manini should have just come out and told the truth. The snide shit-house.

Nah...as a manager he could have gone two ways, when Bellamy said at first training session 'Ah'm no' doen tha' boss, no whey like.'. He could either have swallowed it and put up and other players realised they can do it their way if they want OR he makes a point out of a 32yr old player in front of the others that there is only one boss. Only going to be one winner there. And interestingly enough for a person who is never backward in saying how he feels Bellamy has always been very diplomatic and respectful of Roberto since.

Then Hargreaves comes along at a time that City need more players, presents virtually no logistical headaches (visas, accommodation etc), as a free transfer and an enormously talented and experienced player. No brainer for me.

Timps, in a tussle between a 20yr old hotty v 30/40yr old pissed up horny bloke, who do you think should win?

I do wonder whether this is true though - especially of Bellamy. The impression I've always had was that he's a good character in the dressing room and was the first to get stuck into Robinho & Jo when they weren't pulling their weight.

I remember a scene from Blue Moon Rising in the dressing room. I think it was the second leg of the carling cup semi.

Bellemy was making a lot of noise, shouting, banging his fist in his palm and that sort of thing. His intentions seemed to be to fire everyone up for the coming game but Mancini seemed to be unable to get a word in.

It struck me as a time when Mancini might have wanted to encourage his players to focus and concentrate on tactics, and maybe have particular things to say to particular players.

I remember thinking wanting to do things in a particular way would be difficult with a shouty scrote like bellers running around.

I love Bellemy though, just think it's probably better for the team as a whole that he left.

loved bellamy as a player, i was one of the haters when he signed

however, in a player v manager match up, the manager has to win, every time

Great player. Should still be in Citys squad now. Puts Liverpool back in the mixer.... mancini bruv you've had a fucking stinker

Can't shake the feeling this will come back to haunt us. I suspect whether it's Richards or Zabs at RB against him he'll be more than confident of tearing them a new one for 90 minutes. He's probably done it hundreds of times in training.

Only saving grace is that he's probably going to be just as fired up playing against the Munichs as he is playing against us.

Gave me goose bumps that bit. Telling everyone that this was a time to stand up and be counted, a moment they'll look back on after their careers were over. Ade sat next to him with his head in his hands like he'd just been given 30 seconds to live... Before the match this is, not a good sign.

whooo, slow down there partner......
May i refer to a certain somebodys sig 'bellers got lucky'.....