Hughes warning for City stars

Mike Whalley

October 09, 2009

Mark Hughes

CITY boss Mark Hughes has warned his players that they must be ready to spend time on the sidelines.

Blues' winger Martin Petrov went public with his unhappiness at being dropped after an impressive display against West Ham 12 days ago.

Petrov marked his first start of the season for the Blues with a goal in the 3-1 victory over the Hammers - but found himself back on the bench for last Monday's 1-1 draw at Aston Villa.

The frustration of failing to keep his place was too much for the winger, who reportedly told journalists in his native Bulgaria of his disappointment.

Hughes, though, has had nothing but praise for the way Petrov has conducted himself.

In addition to his sole start against the Hammers, the 30-year-old has made three substitute appearances. The City manager, though, has told Petrov that he has a significant part to play in the Blues' season.

City selection puzzle

With the Blues looking to make an impression in both domestic cup competitions, Hughes is certain that he will need to call on all of his first-teamers at some stage - particularly when injuries and suspensions bite.

For that reason, the City boss has told his players that they may need to be patient for their chance - but that they must be ready to take it when it comes.

Hughes said: "Rotation is a word that puts certain ideas into people's minds. Rotation happens naturally in a long, hard season.

"You get injuries, you get suspensions, as we've had. People come in and play well. When people come back, maybe they go out of the team.

"There's a natural rotation in selection anyway, because of the circumstances of a season."

Petrov's immediate concern is to put in a couple of good performances in Bulgaria's remaining World Cup qualifiers, in Cyprus this evening and against Georgia in Sofia on Wednesday.

But he knows that he may still have to settle for a place on the bench again when City resume their Premier League campaign at Wigan next weekend.

What do you think? Have your say.

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JHB (10/10/2009 at 07:31)

Didnt understand why Hughes didnt bring Petrov on against Villa?

Service to the front was poor, and I think SWP is low on confidence at the moment.

Sid Bkk, Bangkok (10/10/2009 at 07:36)

City cannot afford to have three or four outstanding players in the team to mount a serious challenge. We should have twenty four ready serious committed and not big head players to make this team the beginning of a new era. Then there should be a ready to come in Academy supply to supplement the senior squad. Thirty over years of waiting for us fans and no one game star should go public and cry over not playing enough. You are paid for your stay here.
When you were injuried, nobody was crying out for wasting the money during that period of absence, so shut-up and standby to be called into action.
City Forever.

AvalonBlue, Glossop (10/10/2009 at 07:51)

It would appear that this is the 2nd time that Petrov has spoken out. The bottom line is, who wouldnt be dissapointed sitting on the bench ? If you are always on the team sheet regardless,(apart from the goalkeeper) it would show that your squad is a bit thin,City used to be like that ,but not anymore. A strong squad means your challenging for silverware. However in Martins defence, he has played well when he has been selected, and thats all he can do,and I would expect him to be dissapointed,But the papers as we know are always happy to put ''a spin'' on anything anyone says !
Perhaps if Petrov has an issue, he should speak to the manager and not the press !..On a personal level,I feel that SWP is not at his best, and maybe Bellamy on the right and Petrov on the left, would be worth trying. It sure would scare the hell out of the opposing defenders !

maddogblue, Cheadle (10/10/2009 at 08:31)

Total common sense from the Manager. Anyone in the squad who didn't get this before the season started is a numpty, even worse, any fool who was at the Club then, could see this developing last season, the Club has been building towards this situation since august 2008. However, I suspect that in reality, any comments Petrov has made have at least been twisted and blown up to create the maximum amount of sensationalism. Beyond that, if he really is so miffed, and not prepared to shut up, knuckle down and accept it, then get shut.

dingdongbell, north (10/10/2009 at 08:58)

if a player plays well he deserves to be in the team, that way it keeps everyone on their toes

Mungo in Italia, Italy (10/10/2009 at 09:20)

Hughes knows the way to handle players and he seems big enough to offer them more than one chance (Elano and Petrov's outbursts, Robinho's walk out). Just like the ruthless nature of old baconface, Hughes must follow his example of Elano if Petrov continues to bleet to the press. This time he should get a fine like Elano did and a final warning. Don't get me wrong I think Petrov is a good attacking force but his attitude stinks as much as his defending does. For a man who was out for a season he's got a very short memory about where his loyalties lie. Everyone is replaceable these days with our money and our abundance of talent. Even Robinho needs to toe the lie because luckily we're not a one player team anymore ;o)

Shammers, marton moss (10/10/2009 at 09:57)

he wasnt whingeing when picking up full wages when out injured all last season...funny that

Taggart , Ulverston (10/10/2009 at 10:06)

All of the so called 'big' clubs use a rotation policy. It makes sense and their players accept it. If we are to join the 'big' league then we must adapt accordingly and take rotation as a norm

bluecat (10/10/2009 at 10:09)

Petrov has looked like a man in form and I was surprised he didn't get to play at all against Villa. With Adebayor coming back into the team obviously something had to give but would of thought that Ade would thrive off the kind of delivery Petrov can produce - I reckon he's easily the best crosser the of the ball in our squad. Obviously with Bellamy's form at the moment he isn't one to drop from the side either so, much as I love Sweep, it's him who I would rest. Dropping Sweep to the bench for a couple of games could really rejuvenate his performances as well.

neil youngs left foot (10/10/2009 at 10:19)

don't get me wrong I am a big Mark Hughes fan in everything he is doing at City.So when he says players have to be patient for their chance but they must be ready when it comes.Well I'm sorry but I'm with Petrov on this that is what he did against West Ham.
SWP has not been playing well lately ,and I think against Villa their fullbacks were nothing special and Bellamy should have been on the right ,and Petov on the left. I think Mark Hughes missed a trick last Monday, and two points went a begging especially when he brought on RS Cruz who was nowhere near fit and still left Petrov on the bench.

steve wilson (10/10/2009 at 10:23)

Carlos have you read this?

Ron Jeremy, upper ramsbottom (10/10/2009 at 10:38)

Off topic but why do opposing players feel it necessary to make such stupid statements about our club,this ones quite amusing really as mr Drogba feels it necessary to point out that we will miss out on the big players as these players already earn big money and will not leave for a place they do not really want to be for a little extra cash.I suggest Didier that you look around your own dressing room at 25 blokes and you will see what a silly statement you just made,or did they all just come to be part of a massive club.

MAN-KEY-UNION, MANCHESTER (10/10/2009 at 11:48)

Massive! Massive! Backflip by Fergie. It's started! the brakes are being applied to the rags.

Local lad, outsidethebox (10/10/2009 at 11:56)

This is what happens when you have a team of superstars,they all want to compete with eachother.Its difficult to control so many stars on one team.

david pollard (10/10/2009 at 12:04)

Hughes is right...no player is guaranteed a starting place now matter how much they cost or how big their reputation. You are only as good as your last game.

BLUEMOONER, MIDDLETON (10/10/2009 at 12:08)

Well said Mark

BLUEMOONER, MIDDLETON (10/10/2009 at 12:08)

Keep them all on their toes Mark

garden angel, the hague (10/10/2009 at 13:30)

Happy that Robinho will be gone in January playing in the Champions Leage with a great team
and great players BARCELONA !!!!!!

garden angel, the hague (10/10/2009 at 13:31)

Petrov be quiet Hughes will be on a big holliday soon at Christmas

Peter Beagrie`s beagle (10/10/2009 at 14:34)

This all may be of no matter anyway if Petrov picks up an injury during the two world cup qualifiers, as he seems to do on a lot of occasions.

I hate the international breaks, they may be important in a players career, and to the country involved, but my first and foremost loyalty is to the club that I love - City. CTID

Our superman must be intelligent he wears his underpants inside his shorts., South Africa (10/10/2009 at 14:51)

Sorry to say this but after Bellemy i would have Martin anytime even over Robi..I'm not so sure that Robi is good for City although he is a formidable player. I am not slating him, not at all. But! what I am saying is, he is playing with different players than he was use to in his first season. I am a firm believer in Martin and what he brings to the side. This is one of our strongest positions in the team, as we have a few now staking a claim. I think Robi would be good as a link up player in the center behind the strikers as he can collect the ball on a tuppence and can pass like no other in the team. If Robi comes back from Injury straight into the team then this I feel will cause a problem as Martin has proved he can play and scores too. I mean its unfair on Martin to be benched as much as he has been. Bellers is in Awesome form and I really can not see anyone taking his shirt in the forthcoming games. I can see Martin making more substitutions than actual starts, Martin can play both left or right so why not replace him for 3-5 games with SWP whom has lost his golden self a little? If I remember he did play right sided midfield a few times last season. With him on the right and Robi or Bellers on the left, would make more sense as SWP probably will get some good out of being benched or even left out completely for a few games. Anyway I am not the manager and Mark knows what he is doing, I'm sure of that. Never can I remember having a squad with quality, depth and technique as we have now. Great times ahead I'm sure and if we get Ribery which is what I saw in the papers this morning for 65 million then even more of a dilemma for Martin.

Onwards and upwards...

CTID!!

Duke of Earl, Middleton (10/10/2009 at 15:16)

Petrov should remember this club supported him all last season when he was injured and button his mouth and do what the manager tells him.

once a red, always a blue, Stockport (10/10/2009 at 15:23)

Does petrov really think he deserves a place ahead of 'bellers? I've never been able to understand why being such a brilliant talent he has never developed any ability in his right foot, none, at all.

Bench warmer at best since the new talent has arrived and i wouldn't bet against us seeing the best of robbie' when he gets back.

paul c schofield (10/10/2009 at 15:23)

Learn how to tackle back Martin and you will be an option to start away games.If you aren't happy get gone in January as we cant have disruption in the squad.

It may be 33 yrs but it will never be 37yrs. (10/10/2009 at 15:26)

It's a shame I thought Petrov deserved a start against Villa after playing well against West Ham I don't think SWP is firing on all four pistons at the moment, food for thought Mark?

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