Trillion-dollar man

Kiss of life: new City owner Sheikh Mansour

Speaking of offence, I was very upset when, pre-match, somebody mistook me for Steve Bruce! Thankfully it was from behind so they couldn't see either my nose or stomach.

Geoff Shreeves
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Despite seeing Manchester City lose to Wigan yesterday, I can't help but thinking that the Blues now have the ideal combination of owner and manager.

When I went to interview Sparky before the game he spoke excitedly about the times ahead but used the term "apparently" whenever he referred to the funds that are said to be at his disposal.

Hughes is articulate and engaging company but crucially never allows himself to be carried away by hype which is perhaps why he is cautious, not sceptical, about the club's new-found wealth.

Having said that, I can't get my head around how much money Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan is reportedly worth: a trillion dollars.

Do you know how much a trillion is? Neither did I until I looked it up and found out it's one million million million. I'm still none the wiser...

Steve Bruce on the other hand, does have to count the pennies and in Amr Zaki (Zaki Top Goal Scorer 20/1) looks to have a real bargain.

His six goals so far is a fantastic return and he was deservedly our man-of-the-match yesterday but he didn't get the bubbly.

Not because he doesn't speak English but because he is a Muslim and it is currently Ramadan and we did not want to cause offence by offering him alcohol.

'Pool's gold?

Speaking of offence, I was very upset when pre-match I was in the Wigan manager's office and somebody mistook me for Steve Bruce! Thankfully it was from behind so they couldn't see either my nose or stomach.

From offence to defence: since Brucie took over, the Latics have kept as many clean sheets in the league and cup as Arsenal. Surely they are a good bet for a top-half finish?

On Saturday we were at the Merseyside derby and while it is plain for all to see Everton's problems, we shouldn't overlook just how good Liverpool were.

Jamie Redknapp has voiced his doubts previously about Rafa Benitez being able to win the Premier League but he was the first to say just how convincing the Reds looked.

With Robbie Keane still yet to click completely and man-of-the-match Fernando Torres vowing to better last season's total of 23 goals, maybe they are worth a punt to land the title. (Liverpool to win the League 7/1) Don't forget they have beaten United and Arsenal have already lost twice.

The slogan for the 2008 European City of Culture is: 'Liverpool - it's our year'. There just might be more to celebrate in 2009.

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