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. 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.All that has changed in a matter of days.First Mancini placed his faith in Adebayor for last weekend's trip to Blackpool, where he partnered skipper Carlos Tevez.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."Emmanuel has been quite down for the last couple of weeks but he is buzzing now," confirmed Richards."He has been hoping for a goal. With a hat-trick he should soon be flying again."I can understand his frustration. He is a quality player and when you don't get in the first XI it is frustrating."But we have a dressing room full of international stars, so when a chance comes along, you need to take it."Adebayor could not have picked a better time.Few will need reminding of his appearance in the corresponding fixture against the Gunners last season.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.City could do without a repeat of the sideshow.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."I am sure he will play some part," said Richards."Even if he doesn't start, I am sure he will come on."When he played last time it was his best game of the season. Hopefully he can do well for us again."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.Richards was one of City's most impressive performers earlier this season, even to the extent of being tipped for an England recall.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.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."I had a dead leg, but there was no way I was going to miss out," he said."The competition here is fierce and you have to maximise every opportunity."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."Spirit is often the hardest thing to find in a squad that has been assembled at such cost.It is not unknown for complaints to surface about major differences in salary, or perceived preferential treatment, even when things are going well.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."We have spent a lot of money and people are quick to have a dig at us for it," said Richards."But it has not been spent just for the sake of it."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."Hopefully this will be the breakthrough season."Big games bring out the best in us. Everyone wants to impress, which is why I am so confident about Sunday."With the players we have, there is no reason why we cannot go on and win something this season."