De Jong - Blame the players

City midfielder attempts to divert supporter unrest away from boss

By Richard Bailey   Last updated: 30th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

De Jong - Blame the players

De Jong: Backs his manager

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Nigel de Jong believes Manchester City fans should leave manager Mark Hughes alone and focus their frustrations on the players.

Hughes came in for criticism from some sections of the City support after another Premier League draw, their seventh in succession, at home to Hull City on Saturday.

The Welshman has always insisted that the club's owners are still on side and understand that their investment is a long-term project.

However, with Jose Mourinho recently hinting he may return to England in the near future, the City boss has seen his position called into question.

"We have to sort it out," De Jong told the Manchester Evening News.

"We are frustrated at the way we played, and the way we have played in the last couple of weeks at home.

"We have to dominate teams here, and that didn't happen. We need to pick ourselves up and look forward to the game against Arsenal (in the Carling Cup)."

Lack of confidence

Despite the poor run of results City are still just three points off fourth spot but it is disappointing performances against the likes of Burnley, Fulham and Hull at Eastlands that has most hurt the supporters.

"I would love to give you a reason - if I could give you the reason, we would win all our games," the midfielder added.

"Maybe there is a lack of confidence in some situations. We try to keep confidence high, especially when we play at home.

"We are frustrated but have to continue to build for the future, and these kinds of games are always hard to play.

"There are a few factors, but we have to give more in every line of our game - midfield, defence and attack. It's a team thing and we have to work harder and harder to get where we want to be.

"It was disappointing to play at home again and to concede in the 80th minute. It was also the seventh draw, so we don't get any closer to the top four. Now it is up to us to take it on the chin and come out fighting on Wednesday."

Comments (5)

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Daniel Ryan (Manchester City fan) says...

That picture says it all. Fist clenched after another point won, or maybe another two lost, even if it was at Anfield, a team that have appeared there for the taking weeks now. De Jong is write though, they were poor against Hull. Tevez is quality, but where does he fit in the game plan, a headless chicken at best, along with De Jong who thinks he has been set a yellow card target for the year. Toure said the same thing a few weeks ago, and he was all over the place on Saturday. Stop saying, start acting!

Posted 15:44 30th November 2009

Daniel Kerry (Manchester City fan) says...

Well i haven't missed a game all season an have seen the form deteriarate in the last few months. At the start of the season Adebayor was scoring for fun and confidance was high. I think or should i say know that the reason we will never compete in the top 4 is, if you watch Arsenal, Chelsea Man Utd etc, when there wingers/midfield have the ball there attackers are doing all what they can to get into the box to get on the end of a pass or cross like Adebayor an tevez were doing at the start, now they seem to want to run out wind to recieve the ball! in my eyes this isn't where a striker should be an its not going to create goals from there! we would have more of a chance if our strikers tried to be in the box once in a while!!

Posted 15:38 30th November 2009

Chris Hrst (Manchester City fan) says...

I agree Mr De Jong the blame is fully on the players. However it is Mr Hughes who picks these players. He really is not picking the right ones.We really do look like a sunday league side at set peices & we are in the prem league. This is not good enough.

Posted 15:18 30th November 2009

Gareth Schofield (Manchester City fan) says...

I completely agreee with de jong. We should leave mark hughes alone. Some city fans need to realise that, yes we havent beaten them sides lower down than us but that the fun of the premier league. Every body can beat every on the day and the city players just havent been good enough. We spent millions on players and they will click eventually and when they do it will be enjoyable to watch. At the moment however there playing as individuals at not as a team. Also realise that even thou we havent won in 7 games we havent lost either and were still picking up points. Lets get behind the players and mark hughes at the next home game. Bring on chelsea.

Posted 15:09 30th November 2009

Scott Larkin (Manchester City fan) says...

Well said Nigel, but you are one of the few player who can keep there head held high, cause you have been outstanding all season.

Posted 14:20 30th November 2009
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