Manchester City manager Mark Hughes believes one of City, Aston
Villa or Tottenham are ready to cash-in on Liverpool's place in the
top four.
After the heady expectation a summer investment of
£120million brought to Eastlands, that was subsequently
fuelled by a blistering start to the season, City fans are now
adopting a more realistic appraisal of their side.
Instead of believing they can win the title, now they are
looking for a trophy, and to smash the Premier League's cosy
top-four cartel.
After half a season of warfare, Hughes has declared Chelsea
and Arsenal - both of whom his side have beaten this season - plus
champions Manchester United as uncatchable.
But Liverpool are a different story. The Merseyside giants
are wobbling badly. And City, Wednesday's opponents Tottenham and
high-flying Aston Villa are ready to take advantage.
"One team is usually deemed as the most vulnerable - and
currently that is Liverpool," said Hughes.
"It is highly unlikely to change now.
"Teams won't be challenging for the top two or three. That is
not going to happen this year.
"It probably means only one club is going to get into the top
four. Maybe it will change in the future. But this season fourth
place is one that is up for grabs."
With just three wins from 15 matches, Liverpool hardly look
well placed to resist.
Indeed, take out injury-plagued star duo Steven Gerrard and
Fernando Torres and it could easily be argued City, Spurs and Villa
have a better group of players than the squad Rafael Benitez has at
his disposal.
Hughes resisted the temptation to heap more verbal insults on
the Reds following the widely-publicised attacks by Jurgen
Klinsmann and Graeme Souness.
However, like a vulture hovering above a dying animal, the
City chief would be happy to profit from someone else's misfortune.
"I am sure Rafael Benitez would argue about it," he
reflected.
"The game is all about opinions.
"But if we benefit from other teams not being able to get
positive results then hopefully we will take the opportunity that
presents itself."
After a run of eight draws in nine games, City could do with
a few victories, even if they have lost fewer games than all their
top flight rivals.
Yet White Hart Lane has not been a particularly happy hunting
ground in recent years.
City have won only one league game at the famous north London
venue since 1991 and Tottenham currently have one of the better
sides of recent times thanks to the recruiting skills of Harry
Redknapp.
"Spurs have a very good squad with plenty of depth," said
Hughes.
"If they are playing to their maximum they will always cause
you problems.
"Harry has invested well. He has spent a lot of money but he
has brought good players to the club."
Amongst his signings was Jermain Defoe, who has been on fire
lately, scoring five times in the nine-goal rout of Wigan alone.
Hughes believes Defoe is performing at a higher level than he
has done in his career before, although it is another couple of
diminutive forward players who are occupying his mind at present.
Shaun Wright-Phillips has already been ruled out with an
ankle injury and the Blues chief fears the damage sustained at
Bolton could keep on the sidelines for the weekend encounter with
Sunderland.
And Craig Bellamy misses the Spurs clash too following his
red card at the Reebok Stadium.
Hughes expressed his displeasure at the time, claiming
referee Mark Clattenburg had informed a member of his coaching
staff that Bellamy was not one of his favourite players prior to
the second-half starting.
That the Welshman was subsequently dismissed in controversial
circumstances only made Clattenburg's comments more suspicious from
a City perspective.
Now the FA have given Hughes until December 22 to explain his
comments.
"I said what I said at the time and I stand by that," said
Hughes.
"Now the FA have asked for my version of events so I can't
really discuss it any further.
"But Craig has been one of our top performers this season. To
miss him for tomorrow's game is a blow."
Hughes targeting struggling Reds
Manchester City manager Mark Hughes believes one of City, Aston
Villa or Tottenham are ready to cash-in on Liverpool's place in the
top four.
After the heady expectation a summer investment of
£120million brought to Eastlands, that was subsequently
fuelled by a blistering start to the season, City fans are now
adopting a more realistic appraisal of their side.
Instead of believing they can win the title, now they are
looking for a trophy, and to smash the Premier League's cosy
top-four cartel.
After half a season of warfare, Hughes has declared Chelsea
and Arsenal - both of whom his side have beaten this season - plus
champions Manchester United as uncatchable.
But Liverpool are a different story. The Merseyside giants
are wobbling badly. And City, Wednesday's opponents Tottenham and
high-flying Aston Villa are ready to take advantage.
"One team is usually deemed as the most vulnerable - and
currently that is Liverpool," said Hughes.
"It is highly unlikely to change now.
"Teams won't be challenging for the top two or three. That is
not going to happen this year.
"It probably means only one club is going to get into the top
four. Maybe it will change in the future. But this season fourth
place is one that is up for grabs."
With just three wins from 15 matches, Liverpool hardly look
well placed to resist.
Indeed, take out injury-plagued star duo Steven Gerrard and
Fernando Torres and it could easily be argued City, Spurs and Villa
have a better group of players than the squad Rafael Benitez has at
his disposal.
Hughes resisted the temptation to heap more verbal insults on
the Reds following the widely-publicised attacks by Jurgen
Klinsmann and Graeme Souness.
However, like a vulture hovering above a dying animal, the
City chief would be happy to profit from someone else's misfortune.
"I am sure Rafael Benitez would argue about it," he
reflected.
"The game is all about opinions.
"But if we benefit from other teams not being able to get
positive results then hopefully we will take the opportunity that
presents itself."
After a run of eight draws in nine games, City could do with
a few victories, even if they have lost fewer games than all their
top flight rivals.
Yet White Hart Lane has not been a particularly happy hunting
ground in recent years.
City have won only one league game at the famous north London
venue since 1991 and Tottenham currently have one of the better
sides of recent times thanks to the recruiting skills of Harry
Redknapp.
"Spurs have a very good squad with plenty of depth," said
Hughes.
"If they are playing to their maximum they will always cause
you problems.
"Harry has invested well. He has spent a lot of money but he
has brought good players to the club."
Amongst his signings was Jermain Defoe, who has been on fire
lately, scoring five times in the nine-goal rout of Wigan alone.
Hughes believes Defoe is performing at a higher level than he
has done in his career before, although it is another couple of
diminutive forward players who are occupying his mind at present.
Shaun Wright-Phillips has already been ruled out with an
ankle injury and the Blues chief fears the damage sustained at
Bolton could keep on the sidelines for the weekend encounter with
Sunderland.
And Craig Bellamy misses the Spurs clash too following his
red card at the Reebok Stadium.
Hughes expressed his displeasure at the time, claiming
referee Mark Clattenburg had informed a member of his coaching
staff that Bellamy was not one of his favourite players prior to
the second-half starting.
That the Welshman was subsequently dismissed in controversial
circumstances only made Clattenburg's comments more suspicious from
a City perspective.
Now the FA have given Hughes until December 22 to explain his
comments.
"I said what I said at the time and I stand by that," said
Hughes.
"Now the FA have asked for my version of events so I can't
really discuss it any further.
"But Craig has been one of our top performers this season. To
miss him for tomorrow's game is a blow."