what the papers say

Corrigan sees bright future

Daily Mail

"Corrigan thinks Man City have it spot on with Hughes"

Joe Corrigan believes Mark Hughes is the right man to dictate how Manchester City spend their vast new wealth.

Hughes is expected to strengthen his squad in the January transfer window following the takeover by the Abu Dhabi United Group, headed by Prince Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Corrigan expects the former Blackburn and Wales boss to act wisely and not panic-buy.

'Mark knows what players he wants, and I don't think he is the type who will spend money recklessly,' said the former England goalkeeper, who spent 17 seasons at the club.

'Today's football is all about 20-24 players. He will be looking to strengthen the squad in depth, not just in one area.

'The people in charge seem to be going about things in the right way.

'It is very exciting for City, having the backing of one of the richest families in the world. Everything looks positive.

'Mark is a good manager and someone who has club and international experience. Under his guidance, I am sure City can forge ahead.'

Corrigan - now goalkeeping coach at West Brom - admits to one nagging doubt, however.

'I just hope that it is not one of those situations where everything is expected, and instead City end up shooting themselves in the foot,' he said.

'When you are a fan, you brace yourself for a roller-coaster ride.

'Expectations are rising with all the money that is now available, and I hope that continues and City do not fall back down the slope.'

Corrigan, whose autobiography 'Big Joe' has been released, would like to see some extra finance generated into the club's youth system.

He said: 'City have a history of bringing players through, even when I first started (in 1966.) It has been an on-going situation.

'The Academy set-up is one of the best in the country. Maybe with this money that is available, they can make it even better.

'The fans do want to see local players. But in saying that, they also want to see good football - they want to be entertained.

'I am sure they are looking forward to a few rewarding years to come.'

Singing in the rain

On a quiet day, two mcfc.co.uk stories get lifted and sandwiched together.

Daily Telegraph

"Manchester City's Robinho upbeat about life at Eastlands"

City manager Mark Hughes claims that even the Manchester rain has been unable to dampen Robinho's mood.

The £32.5 million British record buy has made an impressive start at Eastlands since his shock deadline day arrival from Real Madrid.

And despite being billed as a difficult personality in Spain, Hughes insists that the Brazilian forward has already found his feet among his new team-mates at City – despite the weather!

Hughes said: "The weather is something I don't enjoy either and I have lived here for many, many years! But Robinho has settled in very well and it has obviously helped that he has some of his Brazilian friends around him.

"He is very positive and it shows that he is happy with his football and in himself at the moment. That is a big part of what we have been able to give him.

"He is playing week-in, week-out, in front of a crowd that absolutely adores him. You can see the joy in his play and I hope we reap the benefits.

"It's so important that when you bring in top players that they settle as soon as possible and Robinho has certainly done that."

Michael Johnson, City's England Under-21 midfielder, is targeting a return to the first-team following the international break after being sidelined for the past three weeks with a recurrence of a long-standing groin injury.

The 20-year-old has been forced to sit out six games already this season due to the problem, but he is now hopeful that a period of rest will have resolved the injury sufficiently to enable him to secure a first-team spot.

Johnson said: "I've been running and I've come through that without much of a problem, so hopefully I'll be back anytime after this international break.

"The most important thing now is to stay injury-free because of all the things that are happening with the club. If you're not going to be playing and fit, then they are going to look somewhere else for someone who can do it."