Tuesday, August 24, 2004
Man City fear Wright-Phillips exit
Manchester City fear Shaun Wright-Phillips has become a marked man overnight because of his goalscoring exploits for England.
Wright-Phillips was heavily marked in City's 2-1 defeat at Liverpool on Saturday and can expect similar treatment tonight at Birmingham.
City will be without Irish defender Richard Dunne at St Andrews as he serves a one-match ban after his sending-off at Anfield for two yellow cards.
Dunne, who described that decision as a 'joke', spoke up for his team-mate.
He said: 'It is going to be hard for Shaun. Last season he was a bit of an unknown but this time around he is already an England international and he is our main danger man.
'Clubs will look to close him down. We have got to work out a way to get him more involved when they do that. One-on-one he can beat anyone but when teams double up on him it is going to be hard for him.'
Dunne, meanwhile, will miss the game after cards for fouls on Milan Baros and a second for a tangle with Djibril Cisse.
He said: 'I thought it was a joke really, the referee was five to 10 yards away and waved play on but the linesman was 25 yards away and he has given it.
'I think the linesman just wanted to get himself noticed. At 2-1 down that decision ended the game.'
Midfielder Claudio Reyna also defended Dunne, saying: 'He is a rock for us, but he is no cheat. We all thought the decision was harsh.'
But City will have to face Birmingham without Dunne, and Danish youngster Mikkel Bischoff stands by for only his second game in three seasons.
City's other alternative is to switch Danny Mills to centre back and recall Sun Jihai to the right of defence.
Boss Kevin Keegan insists Wright-Phillips can cope with his new-found status, saying: 'There will be no worries about him handling things now.'
Liverpool doubled up on Wright-Phillips with Harry Kewell dropping deep to assist full-back John Arne Riise in keeping the youngster quiet, and Steven Gerrard was not slow to chip in with a couple of thunderous tackles.
Wright-Phillips had a quiet game, with no chance to set off on one of his trademark 60-yard runs. He can expect Birmingham to give him the same respect and treatment.
But Keegan believes Wright-Phillips can cope with the extra pressures on and off the park. He said: 'It is another stage and that will not bother Shaun. He is a good, down-to-earth lad and he will cope okay.
'As for the supposed instant stardom, that is not a problem either. He has been a big star here for a few years now.
'I don't think it really has been instant stardom. He has had three young player-of-the-year awards and then the senior award at City in the last four years.
'It has not all just happened for him even if he did play and score a fine goal for England.'
(www.soccernet.com)
Man City fear Wright-Phillips exit
Manchester City fear Shaun Wright-Phillips has become a marked man overnight because of his goalscoring exploits for England.
Wright-Phillips was heavily marked in City's 2-1 defeat at Liverpool on Saturday and can expect similar treatment tonight at Birmingham.
City will be without Irish defender Richard Dunne at St Andrews as he serves a one-match ban after his sending-off at Anfield for two yellow cards.
Dunne, who described that decision as a 'joke', spoke up for his team-mate.
He said: 'It is going to be hard for Shaun. Last season he was a bit of an unknown but this time around he is already an England international and he is our main danger man.
'Clubs will look to close him down. We have got to work out a way to get him more involved when they do that. One-on-one he can beat anyone but when teams double up on him it is going to be hard for him.'
Dunne, meanwhile, will miss the game after cards for fouls on Milan Baros and a second for a tangle with Djibril Cisse.
He said: 'I thought it was a joke really, the referee was five to 10 yards away and waved play on but the linesman was 25 yards away and he has given it.
'I think the linesman just wanted to get himself noticed. At 2-1 down that decision ended the game.'
Midfielder Claudio Reyna also defended Dunne, saying: 'He is a rock for us, but he is no cheat. We all thought the decision was harsh.'
But City will have to face Birmingham without Dunne, and Danish youngster Mikkel Bischoff stands by for only his second game in three seasons.
City's other alternative is to switch Danny Mills to centre back and recall Sun Jihai to the right of defence.
Boss Kevin Keegan insists Wright-Phillips can cope with his new-found status, saying: 'There will be no worries about him handling things now.'
Liverpool doubled up on Wright-Phillips with Harry Kewell dropping deep to assist full-back John Arne Riise in keeping the youngster quiet, and Steven Gerrard was not slow to chip in with a couple of thunderous tackles.
Wright-Phillips had a quiet game, with no chance to set off on one of his trademark 60-yard runs. He can expect Birmingham to give him the same respect and treatment.
But Keegan believes Wright-Phillips can cope with the extra pressures on and off the park. He said: 'It is another stage and that will not bother Shaun. He is a good, down-to-earth lad and he will cope okay.
'As for the supposed instant stardom, that is not a problem either. He has been a big star here for a few years now.
'I don't think it really has been instant stardom. He has had three young player-of-the-year awards and then the senior award at City in the last four years.
'It has not all just happened for him even if he did play and score a fine goal for England.'
(www.soccernet.com)
