Transfer flops - Chris Sutton

Sutton being presented as a Chelsea player

You wouldn't think that someone who has over 150 career goals could be thought of as a transfer flop, but after a big money move to Chelsea the striker spectacularly failed to live up to the price tag and expectations.  However that is what happened to Chris Sutton when he headed to London, after earning many plaudits in previous spells with Norwich City and Blackburn Rovers.

It was with the Canaries where he began his career, making over a century of appearances and averaging around a goal every three games.  In three years at Carrow Road his reputation was suitably enhanced and it wasn't long before links with big money moves away started to be touted.

Ewood Park was Sutton's next destination, when Blackburn Rovers made him the most expensive player in English football at £5m in 1994.  It was here that the infamous SAS partnership was formed with Alan Shearer, with the pair spearheading the Rovers attack and leading the side to it's maiden, and still only, Premier League title.

However following this success the squad started to break up, and relegation mire ensued.  In 1999 following inevitable relegation Sutton departed, heading to Stamford Bridge where it was hoped an Englishman could succeed amongst the plethora of nationalities.

During his Villa stint

This proved not to be the case.  Following the £10m move he immediately started to struggle, a problem that stretched the whole season and has been adapted by big money strikers that have since made the move to Chelsea.  One season, including an FA Cup final where he didn't even make the squad, and one league goal later his bags were packed again.

This time the Scottish Premier League (SPL) was the destination, where he averaged nearly a goal every two games in a five and a half year stint at Celtic.  Following his successes in Scotland Sutton returned south to try his luck in the Premiership, but again it didn't really work out.  Half a season at Birmingham City was followed by a year at Aston Villa, before an attempt at management was undertaken.

Sutton also only managed one cap for the national side, after representing England at under-21, B and senior level.

Manchester City

The new side on the end of every supporters hatred? Perhaps. Jealousy? Probably. But everyone concerned with this club can't afford to be too bothered with those outside looking in, they need to improve, or at least consolidate, on last seasons achievements. The whole country wants them to fail, but the reality is that they have now turned the Premier League into a three horse race.

Goalkeeper

Joe Hart has well and truly consolidated himself at number one, with Shay Given now sold to Aston Villa to stave off the splinters from that City bench. He is prone to the odd mistake, but nobodies perfect, and fans worldwide will have to get used to him because he surely has over a decade of being not just his club's first choice but England's too. Stuart Taylor provides decent enough back up.

Defence

Despite already being strong in this area, two more bodies have arrived to bolster a stern defence further. Youngster Stefan Savic, coveted by many of the top European sides, is now at Eastlands along side Gael Clichy, who snubbed Liverpool to join Roberto Mancini's men. In reality they could probably field two very strong back fours, so competition for places should ensure that level of performance stays high.

Midfield


Adam Johnson, lauded as one of the new breed for the national side, can't even get into the starting eleven at his club. That shows the level that this side are now competing. James Milner is expected to have a more prominent role this time round, where Nigel De Jong and Yaya Toure continue to endear themselves to the city faithful.

Forwards

New record signing Sergio Aguero has arrived from Atletico Madrid, raised expectations further still. Edin Dzeko, a £27m arrival from Wolfsburg in January, should also have s heavy role this year despite his poor performances so far. Mario Balotelli, an undoubted talent, should also stay even after his 'I don't like Manchester' moan recently. Carlos Tevez is still seeking a way out, as are Roque Santa Cruz, Craig Bellamy and Emmanuel Adebayor who were all left behind when the first team jetted out to the States.

Manager

Roberto Mancini seems to have the confidence of everyone concerned with the club, and has built a side which should compete on all levels. The FA Cup win last year ended the long wait for silverware, whilst also ridding Old Trafford of the banner that has taunted them all these years. A first Champions League outing could be the real test, but with the calibre of player at his disposal it wouldn't be surprising to see them reach the latter stages.

Areas to Strengthen

No where in this side really needs any more strength. They have strength in depth at all levels, however if a truly world class player came up they would no doubt try their hardest to clinch the signature. Especially if that person is Wesley Sneijder and bitter rivals Manchester United also want him.

Expectations

They are no doubt very very high. Consolidation on last years league position will be the minimum that will be expected, while more silverware would be desired. However if a real push for the title is made that will show great progression, and you would think would keep the majority of the fans and board room happy.
Odds

4/1 (Sky Bet)

Players in

Sergio Aguero £36m (Atletico Madrid) Stefan Savic £6m (Partizan) Gael Clichy £7m (Arsenal) Costel Pantilimon undisclosed (Poli Timisoara) Samir Nasri £24m (Arsenal) Owen Hargreaves free

Players out

Felipe Caicedo £1m (Levante) Jerome Boateng £12m (Bayern Munich) Jo Undisclosed (Internacional) Craig Bellamy free (Liverpoool) Shaun Wright-Phillips undisclosed (Queens Park Rangers) Shay Given £3.5m (Aston Villa) Scott Kay free (Macclesfield Town) Shaleun Logan free (Brentford) Andrew Tutte free (Rochdale) Donal McDermott free (Huddersfield Town)  Javier Garrido, James Poole, Javan Vidal, Patrick Vieira, James Wood (all released) Ryan McGivern loan (Crystal Palace) Michael Johnson loan (Leicester City) Kieran Tripper loan (Burnley) Ben Mee loan (Burnley) David Gonzalez loan (Aberdeen) Dedryck Boyata loan (Bolton Wanderers) Roque Santa Cruz loan (Real Betis) John Guidetti loan (Feyenoord) Ryan McGivern loan (Bristol City) Ahmed Benali loan (Rochdale)

Big week for Manchester City and Mancini

Manchester City face one of the biggest weeks of their season, with an away trip to Liverpool followed by the FA Cup semi-final. Although an away Premier League tie might not seem all too important, especially in semis week, just take a look at the Premiership table and you'll soon see why it is.

At this time Tottenham lie three points behind City in the battle for a Champions League spot. This time round it is the northerners who look in pole position, with Harry Redknapps men beating the blues to fourth last year with victory on their own Eastlands pitch.

It would of course be very tempting for Roberto Mancini to rest players tonight, considering the injury crisis facing Kenny Daglish and his defeat last time out at West Bromwich Albion. In addition to the fixture list which seems in City's favour, they have to play Liverpool while Redknapps men have both Arsenal and Chelsea coming up before they travel to Eastlands in May.

Resting players though would be a grave mistake, a victory at Anfield could breathe huge confidence through the squad before Saturday. City players shouldn't need a pick me up for a Wembley date with rivals Manchester United, but there's nothing wrong with added confidence. A win tonight would also give them a six point cushion, with Spurs having a game in hand against their bitter North London rivals Arsenal.

City fans though are quite rightfully looking past tonight and ahead to Saturday, to a game that could be huge for both clubs. United fans take pride in informing City how long it's been since they last laid their hands on silverware, while the Red Devils are in the hunt for a treble.

After the huge amounts lavished to Mancini a trophy coupled with Champions League qualification must be the least expected. And in all honesty, no disrespect to Stoke or Bolton, but whoever comes out on top on between Mancini and Sir Alex Ferguson will see their sides installed as huge favourites for the final.

We are very near the curtain call of the 2010/11 season, and this week could ensure it is a memorable one for the blue half of Manchester.

National Cups Devalued

As the League Cup gets underway once again this week, it is clear that year on year not just this but now the FA Cup are increasingly getting devalued.

For a number of years now the League Cup has been seen as the competition for the lower sides, with the bigger ones instead deciding to give their younger stars a run out.

And although over recent years we have seen the likes of Manchester United put out a first team in the business end of the tournament, they have still relied on the future stars to get them to that stage.

It was only in the second leg of the Manchester derby semi-final that Sir Alex Ferguson called upon his senior stars.

Now though we are also seeing the FA Cup follow down the very same road, with the FA selling out this great tradition for the Champions League.

It is known that the more respected of our national cups takes place one week before the finale of Europe's premier competition.

However with the Champions League heading to Wembley for this years final, the FA find themselves in hot water with a Fifa ruling.

That ruling is that no play can commence of the pitch where the Champions League will take place for two full weeks before the Showpiece.

That means the FA have no choice but to move the final of the tournament that encapsulates the heart of a nation, to a week earlier on the final day on the regular Premier League season.

Meaning it will become nothing but another fixture, just like the League Cup final has become over the last decade or so.

The days of the old romance of the cup, and England's footballing world coming to a stand still on final day could be coming to an end.

If this is the case it would be such a shame, let's just hope next season the cup recovers and the FAs sell out doesn't have any major impact.