Manchester City FC

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Richards to silence doubters

06 Jan 2009 - 13:30:31

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Manchester City defender Micah Richards has vowed to silence the detractors who claim his disappointing form this season can be blamed on weight problems.

Richards is part of a City defence which has conceded 30 goals in just 20 Premier League matches so far this season and came under further fire after losing 3-0 to Nottingham Forest in the third round of the FA Cup last weekend.

The 20-year-old has lost his England place during a difficult past 18 months with injury problems, but the versatile defender vowed to bounce back and recapture his best form.

"People are saying stuff about me looking slower or heavier or whatever but to be honest that's rubbish," he told the club's official magazine.

"If anything I have lost weight and have less body fat than I did last year. We are constantly monitored in both those areas.

"I am working as hard as ever and I don't feel as if I have done anything drastically wrong this season for people to comment on.

"What I don't do is let anything that is thrown at me get in the way of training or learning.

"I take criticism in my stride. All the players have dips and I am staying positive. I know I give 100 per cent in every match.

"Of course I am not the finished article. I have lots to learn and would be a fool to think anything else.

"I believe in my ability and I think City fans know what I am capable of. It is just a matter of finding the form I was in last season."