Source: Team_Talk
Ade is buzzing - Richards
Micah Richards has admitted Emmanuel Adebayor could not be in any better state of mind heading into Sunday's showdown with Arsenal.[LNB] As Richards reports, the Manchester City forward has been walking around with his chin on the floor for the last few weeks, having failed to secure a place in Roberto Mancini's first choice line-up and also been unable to score his first goals of the season.[LNB]All that has changed in a matter of days.[LNB]First Mancini placed his faith in Adebayor for last weekend's trip to Blackpool, where he partnered skipper Carlos Tevez.[LNB]Then, the Togo striker scored a hat-trick in the 3-1 victory against Lech Poznan which should prove pivotal in easing City into the knockout stages of the Europa League, and priceless in terms of lifting the 26-year-old's confidence.[LNB]"Emmanuel has been quite down for the last couple of weeks but he is buzzing now," confirmed Richards.[LNB]"He has been hoping for a goal. With a hat-trick he should soon be flying again.[LNB]"I can understand his frustration. He is a quality player and when you don't get in the first XI it is frustrating.[LNB]"But we have a dressing room full of international stars, so when a chance comes along, you need to take it."[LNB]Adebayor could not have picked a better time.[LNB]Few will need reminding of his appearance in the corresponding fixture against the Gunners last season.[LNB]Adebayor scored, was subsequently fined £20,000 and given a suspended two-match ban for his goal celebration, and also had to miss three games for raking a boot down the side of Robin van Persie's face in a stormy affair that City won 4-2.[LNB]City could do without a repeat of the sideshow.[LNB]But an Adebayor hell bent on enjoying more success at Arsene Wenger's expense would be a major advantage as the Blues look to consolidate second spot.[LNB]"I am sure he will play some part," said Richards.[LNB]"Even if he doesn't start, I am sure he will come on.[LNB]"When he played last time it was his best game of the season. Hopefully he can do well for us again."[LNB]Adebayor is not the only one who has found it difficult coming to terms with the sheer size of Mancini's squad, and the competition it provides.[LNB]Richards was one of City's most impressive performers earlier this season, even to the extent of being tipped for an England recall.[LNB]But a couple of niggling hamstring problems coincided with the return from injury of Jerome Boateng, so for the past month, his only first team action had been a 14-minute appearance at Blackpool last weekend, prior to starting against an admirably well-supported Polish team.[LNB]By Richards' own admission, he wasn't quite right. But with chances to impress so important, he did not even tell Mancini what the problem was.[LNB]"I had a dead leg, but there was no way I was going to miss out," he said.[LNB]"The competition here is fierce and you have to maximise every opportunity.[LNB]"I started the season well. Now I have to be patient. There are so many players fighting for the same thing but the spirit amongst us is growing all the time."[LNB]Spirit is often the hardest thing to find in a squad that has been assembled at such cost.[LNB]It is not unknown for complaints to surface about major differences in salary, or perceived preferential treatment, even when things are going well.[LNB]But, having ejected Craig Bellamy and Stephen Ireland during the summer, Mancini appears to be keeping a lid on most issues, even if the prospect of Wayne Rooney arriving might prove somewhat unsettling.[LNB]"We have spent a lot of money and people are quick to have a dig at us for it," said Richards.[LNB]"But it has not been spent just for the sake of it.[LNB]"We have done it to get a good squad. Now we have huge strength in depth. When you consider we have just beaten a decent European team with what some people would regard as a reserve side, it just tells you how things are going.[LNB]"Hopefully this will be the breakthrough season.[LNB]"Big games bring out the best in us. Everyone wants to impress, which is why I am so confident about Sunday.[LNB]"With the players we have, there is no reason why we cannot go on and win something this season."[LNB]
