Richards’ patience pays off

The City kit manager and former Latics star writes every week for Chron Sport
I WAS delighted to see Stuart Pearce select Manchester City defender Micah Richards in the England squad for the game against Holland on Wednesday.

Although it’s only a friendly, it still offers experience of playing on the international stage and the chance to blood new faces.

Micah has been unlucky with England in the past. He didn’t sulk or anything when he wasn’t being picked for the national side. In fact just the opposite: it made him even more determined.

He’s got a terrific attitude and this is a great opportunity for him to nail down a regular place in the England side before the European Championships in the summer.

City are well represented in the game, with Joe Hart and Gareth Barry for England and Nigel De Jong for Holland, as well as Micah, so there is plenty of interest.



CITY were much the better side against Blackburn Rovers. I think at one stage in the second half, we had 88-per-cent of possession. We are playing really well and the team members have so much confidence in each other’s ability. We will be very difficult to beat.



IF you look at the stats, then Liverpool just about shaded the Carling Cup final at Wembley.

A penalty shoot-out is never an ideal way to finish a final, but you’ve got to find a winner on the day.

The last one I was involved in as a player was for Oldham Athletic against St Mirren in the Anglo-Scottish Cup in the late 1970s. I think I scored the winning penalty, but I can assure you it wasn’t in front of 90,000 people.

It doesn’t matter how talented you are as a footballer, there is something about penalties. If Steven Gerrard and Charlie Adams can miss, anybody can.

Those players would score a penalty 99-per-cent of the time in training, but it’s amazing how certain situations affect you.

I was impressed with Cardiff. They look a decent outfit and have aspirations of promotion to the Premier League.