Source: Man_City
City fever grows
NEARLY 9,000 City fans turned up to get a glimpse of their new blue-shirted heroes as excitement grows to fever pitch at Eastlands. The fans turned out on a sunny Thursday afternoon just to see the first-team squad go through a series of fun training games on an immaculate pitch. And that indicates the Blues could get a bumper crowd for tomorrow's clash with Celtic, giving manager Mark Hughes and his players an insight into the expectation which is mounting among long-suffering Blues. City aim to end their run of just one win in five pre-season friendlies, and send their players away on international duty with smiles on their faces. Hughes is more than happy to be taking on a Celtic side which is fresh from a remarkable win at Dinamo Moscow in a Champions League qualifier, on the same night City were losing 3-2 at arch-rivals Rangers. He said: "It will be another good test. Celtic's confidence will be on a high because they had a fantastic win in midweek. "The game at Rangers was at a better level than those we had before, and that is what you want. "You need a gradual increase in the intensity of games, and in the level of the games, and that is what we are getting. "I am looking forward to tomorrow, but it's a friendly game and what we really want is for the new season to start. "We are getting to the point where we are really looking ahead to a week on Saturday, rather than the match in a couple of days' time. "The excitement is tangible. Everyone connected with the club is feeling the excitement and the anticipation, hoping the season is going to be successful. Efforts "We are at a point now, seven or eight days away, I think everyone just wants it to kick off and get down to real stuff." The manager revealed today's stint at Carrington will concentrate on preparations for Ewood Park. The session will be the last one for six days as the players head off for international friendlies on Sunday. "We have a training session today where we will work on the team shape and review our efforts against Rangers," said Hughes. "What we can't do on the training field we will feed into them in terms of team meetings and individual work, and then you hope you have done enough leading into the first game." With Nigel de Jong and Gareth Barry showing encouraging signs of forging a useful midfield three with Stevie Ireland in the first-half at Rangers, Hughes is happy with his options at the heart of the team. But he acknowledges he will have to change the approach from last season due to the loss of Vincent Kompany, who misses the opening month of the season following surgery on a toe problem. "We will look at what we have got in terms of personnel ahead of Blackburn," said Hughes. "We will still be missing a few players - Vinny was a big player for us last year and he will not be available, so we can't do that strategy. "We have to make sure the balance of the team is correct, which is something I have always really emphasised since I came to the club." Hughes says he and his players are relishing the chance to play on a beautiful Eastlands surface: "It's in superb condition. We have got no excuses in that respect, because the playing surface is going to be absolutely fantastic." What do you think? Send us your comments| EmailWhat's this? Emaildel.icio.usDiggredditFacebookStumbleUponNewsvineGoogle BookmarksNetscapeTechnoratiWindows LiveYahoo! MyWebMa.gnolia Manchester City Fixtures Match reports League tables Fans' opinion Player Profiles Newsletter Sign Up Sign up to the weekly Manchester Cityupdate Popular Stories Most commentsCity 2 Celtic 1Hughes to resist opening gambleLescott transfer request blowCity: Season previewCity's guessing gameLatest storiesLIVE: Lancs v DurhamLions call for KeedyLescott transfer request blowBarry wants net gainSWP eyes titleMost viewedLescott transfer request blowBarry wants net gainCity in clear over BellamySWP eyes titleCity: Season preview Loading poll, please wait... Entertainment Manchester's definitive entertainment guide.
