Micah the survivor: 13 months after Hughes took over, Richards is the last man standing

19 September 2009 22:32
Micah Richards remembers his lowest point. Beaten 3-0 in the FA Cup by Championship strugglers Nottingham Forest last January, he sat slumped in the dressing room and buried his face in his hands, his career flashing in front of him.[LNB]Two years after breaking into the England team at 18, he was terrified he might be ditched by Manchester City, let alone his country. [LNB]Big smiler: Richards celebrates with Stephen Ireland after his goal against Arsenal[LNB] Poor form had destroyed his confidence and he was said to be enjoying himself too much off the pitch, a victim of the 'bling generation'; a young player's head having been turned by having too much, too soon.[LNB]He admits he was turned by being in the limelight, the invitations to premieres and parties. Being quizzed by police on Christmas Eve over an alleged assault did not help, even though he vigorously denied any involvement and did not face any charges.[LNB]Richards still shudders at the memory of a time when his talent seemed destined to burn out before it had even caught fire, particularly as City's new Middle East owners gave manager Mark Hughes the financial clout to replace him with any defender in the world.[LNB]Yet today, as he prepares to take on champions Manchester United in the most eagerly anticipated derby for years, Richards is quick to thank Hughes for having the patience to listen to his problems rather than send him packing, like others.[LNB]'I was definitely scared the club might not want me to stay,' he said. 'I wasn't playing to form and, if I'm being perfectly honest, I thought they might bring someone in during the summer. [LNB]'I hit rock bottom against Forest. The newspapers had pages that week about how I wasn't up to scratch.[LNB]'Overnight, everyone had seen me as some sort of figurehead. All these invitations to premieres and things like that came flooding in. At that age, you want to do everything you can. People say you are the new big thing and you want to be seen.[LNB] Given the nod: Richards has scored some vital goals during his City career[LNB] 'Only as time goes on, you realise there are things you can't do. I still find it weird to be the centre of attention. People think I'm arrogant but I am shy and sometimes don't know how to act. [LNB]'It's difficult if someone 30 or 40 years old comes to you for advice or to ask your opinion. I'm young, so why should I know better than them.[LNB]'Things were hard and I went to speak to the manager. I told him I felt I was better suited to playing at right-back, where I'd done well earlier for City and England, rather than at centre-half or left-back where I'd been playing. [LNB] 'To be fair to the manager, he actually listened to me and changed things around to lift my confidence. I'll never forget that.'[LNB]Richards has repaid his manager's faith by helping City make a 100 per cent start to the season, even if his two assists in last week's 4-2 win against Arsenal were overshadowed by the antics of Emmanuel Adebayor.[LNB] Roaring success: Richards has also enjoyed happy times wearing the under-21 three lions badge[LNB] Incredibly, he was the only player last weekend who also started City's first game under Hughes 13 months ago. [LNB]'I am the survivor and long may  it continue,' he said with a chuckle.[LNB]'There were arguments between me and Mark last season because things weren't going the best and we are both winners.[LNB]'This season, with the new players who have come in, I know if I'm not playing up to scratch or if I have a bad attitude, I am out. In January they can buy someone twice as experienced, or one of the best in the world. [LNB]'The good thing is Mark knows my ability, that I'm as good as anyone when I'm at the top of my game. So I thank him for believing in me.[LNB]'My difficulty at centre-half was not having anything to do, then (he snaps his fingers) losing concentration. You always have to be switched on at right-back and that helps me.'[LNB] Not so happy times: Richards suffered a severe dip in form last season[LNB] Richards turned 21 in the summer but has already played 131 games for City, won 11 England caps and helped the Under-21s reach the European Championship final.[LNB]He still harbours hopes of a World Cup place next summer, though Fabio Capello has not picked him yet.[LNB]'There's no reason I can't get into the picture if I'm keeping clean sheets for City,' he said. 'I certainly wish I was a part of it.'[LNB]Richards would also love to emulate Ryan Giggs by staying at the top for years. Giggs burst on to the scene at 17 and is still going strong at 35.[LNB]Richards admits he envies Giggs in having a strong manager like Sir Alex Ferguson, who clamped down on him as an impressionable teen.[LNB]'Ryan has had an exceptional career and I think Fergie has played a big part,' he said. 'Giggsy always had the ability be a top player but he's shown the right mentality, too.[LNB]'Fergie is such a powerful figure. If you cross him, you know you're not going to be in the team.[LNB] Leading the way: The City new boys have a 100 per cent league record so far[LNB] 'Maybe things have been too easy for me at times at City. When you are young, there are some decisions that get the better of you, like going out and partying. But I have learned from watching players like Giggs that you have to be focused.[LNB]'I know if I want to get to where I want to be and where I can be, 100 per cent dedication is key. A lot of players come on to the scene very young and are forgotten men by the time they're 24 or 25.'[LNB]Having survived his baptism, Richards whose preparations for the season were dogged by swine flu can now concentrate on helping City win their first trophy since 1976.[LNB]Loyalty: Hughes has stuck by Richards[LNB] Under their new cash-rich Abu Dhabi owners, City have spent £200million in the last three transfer windows.[LNB]Winning their first four games this season has their usually sceptical fans dreaming of the Champions League next season.[LNB]The more optimistic will also fancy repeating their 2008 win at Old Trafford, even though Robinho, Adebayor and Roque Santa Cruz are all missing for different reasons, while Carlos Tevez has a chance of facing his former side after injury.[LNB]Richards points out that Ferguson's men will miss the superstar who scored their opening goal in a 2-0 win over City in May. [LNB]'Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the best players in the world, if not the best. So him not being in the United team is good for us,' he said.[LNB]'Ronaldo was always the first name our manager would warn us about. We studied videos of him for two days. He would half-cheat by staying on the halfway line and never backtrack.[LNB]He wouldn't defend at all, so every time he got the ball, he would go at the defence all fresh and the bloke chasing him would be shattered.[LNB]He was a lethal finisher, so you had to watch him very, very closely.[LNB]'We have the individuals to match United now but I still don't think you can call us favourites because this is our first season together and they have been a strong unit for years.[LNB]'They might not score as many goals without Ronaldo but they are still hard to beat. It's hard to know the outcome but whatever is thrown at us, we will try to deal with it.[LNB]'We have the squad to be in there fighting to be in the top four. And if we're up there in January, we can always buy more players to help us out.'[LNB] MANCHESTER CITY

Source: Daily_Mail