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A quote from Micah Richards on the BBC website. If he reckons it will take Man City 4 years to reach their potential under their new owners, then Flabio needs to rethink our project timescales. I think we will need 40 years !--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Micah Richards says it could be up to four years before Manchester City reach their potential under their new owners.
The Abu Dhabi United Group took over in September 2008, spending a British record £32.5m on Robinho, but City have since endured an inconsistent season.
"There is pressure with the new owners coming in - people expect us to win every game," said defender Richards.
"We need room to build, maybe three or four years. That will be the time to judge us," added the 20-year-old.
Manager Mark Hughes used January's transfer window to sign England defender Wayne Bridge, Netherlands midfielder Nigel de Jong and Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given in an effort to haul City away from the relegation zone.
Although City are currently 10th in the Premier League with 38 points, their terrible away form - they have won just one game in 16 outside of Eastlands - has frustrated the club's billionaire owners.
The club are still in contention for European honours and travel to Bundesliga leaders Hamburg, managed by former Tottenham boss Martin Jol, for the first leg of their Uefa Cup quarter-final on Thursday.
Richards believes City have the potential to reach the final of the competition, in Istanbul on 20 May.
"The team has changed a lot since pre-season. It was a case of people getting to know each other and we were trying out new things," said the 20-year-old.
"We are more stable now and I do not think the pressure affects the players. We just give 100% every game.
"Hopefully we can take our home form into this game and get the result we need. This is a crucial match for us as we need a good result here. It is important to keep a clean sheet and if we could nick a goal that would be great.
"The UEFA Cup means a hell of a lot to the players. We have come this far and don't want to give it up."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/foot...ty/7991248.stm
Micah Richards says it could be up to four years before Manchester City reach their potential under their new owners.
The Abu Dhabi United Group took over in September 2008, spending a British record £32.5m on Robinho, but City have since endured an inconsistent season.
"There is pressure with the new owners coming in - people expect us to win every game," said defender Richards.
"We need room to build, maybe three or four years. That will be the time to judge us," added the 20-year-old.
Manager Mark Hughes used January's transfer window to sign England defender Wayne Bridge, Netherlands midfielder Nigel de Jong and Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given in an effort to haul City away from the relegation zone.
Although City are currently 10th in the Premier League with 38 points, their terrible away form - they have won just one game in 16 outside of Eastlands - has frustrated the club's billionaire owners.
The club are still in contention for European honours and travel to Bundesliga leaders Hamburg, managed by former Tottenham boss Martin Jol, for the first leg of their Uefa Cup quarter-final on Thursday.
Richards believes City have the potential to reach the final of the competition, in Istanbul on 20 May.
"The team has changed a lot since pre-season. It was a case of people getting to know each other and we were trying out new things," said the 20-year-old.
"We are more stable now and I do not think the pressure affects the players. We just give 100% every game.
"Hopefully we can take our home form into this game and get the result we need. This is a crucial match for us as we need a good result here. It is important to keep a clean sheet and if we could nick a goal that would be great.
"The UEFA Cup means a hell of a lot to the players. We have come this far and don't want to give it up."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/foot...ty/7991248.stm
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