Let’s start with Ilkay Gundogan who, although he is currently out with a long term injury, has remained extremely positive.
As reported by Goal.com, he said: “Before the season had really started for me, it was already over again. That was terribly disappointing.
“I know I have to work really hard on my comeback. Intensive work and pain are part of everyday life.”
Elsewhere, the National have pointed out just how much domestic cup competitions seem to mean to Pep Guardiola.
Rich Jolly writes: “Guardiola may be defined by Uefa Champions League triumphs, distinguished by a remarkable record of winning domestic leagues — six in seven previous seasons of top-flight management — but his relentless determination to succeed is apparent in other tournaments.
“While managers far more accustomed to the FA Cup, some reared in its traditions, are accused of showing the world’s oldest cup competition a lack of respect, no such charge can be levelled at the Catalan.
“A newcomer has named arguably the strongest sides in both rounds to date. Manchester City have been rewarded with 5-0 and 3-0 away wins at West Ham United and Crystal Palace.
“”The FA Cup is complicated, but we are always fighting,” Guardiola said.”
For anyone looking for the lowdown on Guardiola’ s opposite number in the dugout this morning, ESPN’s Mark Ogden has revealed some of the story behind the interesting character.
He scribes: “Wagner has guided Huddersfield to third place in the Championship, raising hope of the Terriers returning to the top division for the first time since relegation in 1972, and having built a young, vibrant squad in West Yorkshire, the man who worked alongside Jurgen Klopp at Borussia Dortmund admits much of the team’s progress can be traced back to a preseason bonding trip to Sweden.
“But it was not any old preseason trip.
“There were no footballs, just tents, canoes, food rations and fishing trips to ensure his players had enough to eat during their stay on a remote Swedish island.
“”When you are in the wild for four days without electricity, without mobile phones, without internet, even without food really, you have to speak to each other and come into contact with people,” Wagner said. “It makes no sense to sit alone in the corner, even if you are new.”
Finally, club legend Shaun Goater gave his first interview as boss of City fans’ potential new favourite non-league side Ilkeston yesterday.
Speaking to Bermuda’s Royal Gazette, he said: “The team is a very small team and the league is very physical.”
“When I had the opportunity I was going and looking at lower league games.
“The odds are really against us, 17 games left and needing 10 or 11 wins. The one thing you have with youngsters is they give you energy and endeavour.”
That’s your lot for now but stick with mancity.com for full coverage of Huddersfield v Manchester City!
