Source: Team_Talk
Mancini: I want to keep Given at City
Roberto Mancini will fight to keep Shay Given at Manchester City despite starting with Joe Hart in Saturday's 0-0 draw at Tottenham.[LNB] Hart fully justified his selection at White Hart Lane as big-spending City somehow survived a first-half onslaught to head back to the North-West with a hard-earned point.[LNB]But that will be no consolation to Republic of Ireland star Given, who revealed last week he would consider quitting the club if he lost his place in goal.[LNB]New England number one Hart made a similar threat, meaning City boss Mancini is under real pressure to let one of his internationals leave.[LNB]The Italian refused to reveal what he would do were a rival club to bid for Given before the transfer window closes.[LNB]"I hope it doesn't arrive. I hope that Shay can stay here with us," said the Italian, who confirmed Hart would be his number one "for now".[LNB]"We have time, another 20 days, until the end of the market. I respect every decision but I hope that Shay stays here."[LNB]He added: "At this moment, Joe plays. Because we have four competitions, we need Shay. I'm sorry for one goalkeeper but today I chose Joe and I'm very happy to have Shay Given.[LNB]"I spoke to him. He's a big name, he's a big goalkeeper, he respects my decision."[LNB]The keeper controversy perhaps prevented Mancini from giving Hart due credit for what was a world-class performance.[LNB]The 23-year-old produced a string of wonder-saves from Jermain Defoe, Tom Huddlestone and Benoit Assou-Ekotto to keep Spurs at bay as his multi-million-pound team-mates went AWOL.[LNB]City, who handed debuts to three of their summer signings, improved immeasurably after the break, allowing Mancini to shrug off their first-half malaise.[LNB]"I think that this point here, after the first half, is a good signal for us," he said.[LNB]"I think that we must improve but we're missing four, five players. I think that we need three or four weeks together."[LNB]He added: "Tottenham played with the same team they played last year.[LNB]"For us, it's different, and Tottenham is a good team.[LNB]"I think in the second half we improved our play."[LNB]Mancini is hoping to wrap up the signing of James Milner on Monday, while Mario Balotelli did not feature after completing his move from Inter Milan.[LNB]Carlos Tevez was named captain ahead of Kolo Toure, with Mancini stating he felt it would be good for the striker to lead the side.[LNB]The City boss was also hopeful Aleksandar Kolarov would be fit for Thursday's Europa League play-off first leg at FC Timisoara.[LNB]Harry Redknapp was left to rue Hart's inspired display.[LNB]"I couldn't have asked any more from the players," said the Spurs boss, before aiming another dig at the timing of this week's friendly internationals.[LNB]"We came out, did everything we worked on yesterday morning - in the hour that we had with the players this week.[LNB]"We were determined to press all over the park and that's what we did.[LNB]"When we won possession, I thought we moved the ball about with great style and created lots of chances.[LNB]"Their keeper was fantastic and some days it goes like that."[LNB]Fabio Capello was at White Hart Lane and Redknapp added: "It was good for the England manager to see that today and it was good for English football."[LNB]Redknapp was equally effusive about the performance of Gareth Bale, who gave Micah Richards a torrid time.[LNB]"He's an amazing left-sided player," he said.[LNB]"Gareth is almost unplayable at the moment."[LNB]Redknapp was not buying any suggestion City played badly because of a lack of familiarity with each other.[LNB]"Good players can play together. I don't think it's such a big problem," he said.[LNB]Redknapp was hopeful Aaron Lennon would be okay for Tuesday's Champions League play-off round first leg at Young Boys after the winger asked to be substituted today.[LNB]He also revealed he had failed in an audacious bid to sign a "top, top" player, refusing to divulge the identity of the man or his club.[LNB]He said: "They don't want to let him go now. It would've been an amazing signing for this club."[LNB]Redknapp described a move for free agent William Gallas as "doubtful", although he appeared to have knowledge of the defender's wage demands.[LNB]"He's not asking for massive wages," he said.[LNB]"We'll have to see whether we can do something there."
