Man City Fan's View On Richard Dunne 'Move'

1) You surprised to see your Captain being linked with an exit and do you think with the new arrivals he will feel the need to move on?

Hand on Blue heart, I'm not surprised based on last season's poor from. Yet Richard Dunne has been immense for Manchester City. Since signing for Big Joe Royle from Everton in October 2000, he's chalked up 346 appearances and 7 goals and in some dark seasons almost single handedly saved us from relegation. As the song goes: 'He's here, he's there, he's every fecking where Richard Dunne, Richard Dunne.'

Last season was absolutely wretched for the big man. He had already shown signs of becoming something of a liability with his record of sendings off for clumsy challenges, although in truth he was often badly stretched covering for others. His form had dipped sharply from the previous four seasons which saw him repeatedly voted City's Player of The Year.

'Dunney Monster' has gone on record this summer as stating he wants to remain a part of the 'Manchester City Revolution' but surely the signings of Lescott, Toure, Sylvinho and the strengthening emergence of Onuoha from the MCFC Academy mean he will be surely considering his position.

The young Dunne went of the rails early in his City career but Mad Kev Keegan guided him back on track. Since then, Dunney has become a legend at City. An absolute ambassador for the club and I for one would miss him. If he does go, my biggest regret will be knowing that he never lifted the trophy for City his barnstorming efforts deserved.

2) Do you really think that a) Lescott was worth that ridiculous money b) he is better than Dunne (no to both for me!)

Even before Sheikh Mansour came in and City signed back Shaun Wright-Phillips then bought Wayne Bridge and that bloke called Gareth Barry we knew that signing current English internationals cost ridiculous amounts of money. On his day, Lescott more than looks the part. He has a couple of years on Dunney which can make all the difference at Premier League centre half.

As for worth, our suave chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak reacted calmly this week to Sir Taggart's latest droaning City criticism by stating that the worth of one player can be viewed differently by different clubs. Here is wisdom and an end of discussion statement if ever there was one.

3) What sort of player will we be getting?

An honest fighter who will always give 110%.

4) I seem to remember him picking up a lot of injuries, am I right or wrong (don't tell me I'm wrong, I have a fragile ego at the best of times) and if so, is he 'over' them all now?

Well, yes Dunney had knocks earlier in his City career, most notably when he was clubbing it, but of late, he's been nothing short of an almost ever present. He didn't win those four consecutive City awards without consistency.

5) Having fun with all the ££££ being thrown around? Interesting times to say the least, I guess you'll have to ride the wave of being 'the new Chelsea' and hence the hatred from other fans for paying so much!

It remains surreal. Yet, slowly, I'm beggining to appreciate that the signings City have brought in have been shrewd. Mainly Premier League experienced and of a winning mentality as Sparky pointed out this week. City have offloaded 26 players by various means since last Christmas and many of those players just didn't have that neccessary edge.

Chelski? We're very different. We opened the season with 5 MCFC Academy lads in the 18 at Blackburn and the City hierarchy's commitment to the youth policy remains absolute, much to the frustration of our bitterest critics.

6) Expectations for the season, do you think you'll now leapfrog Villa, Spurs and Everton or are you thinking top four straight away... if so, replacing who!

So far so good. No targets from me. But there are signs already apparant that we won't be the push overs we were very often last season. We'll have a clearer picture after the games at Palace tonight and Pompey on Sunday.

All eyes on the City team sheet tonight. Will Dunney lead the team out for one last time...?

With thanks to the ever helpful and all round good guy Johnny Baguette of Vital City + article: 80% Think Dunne Will Make Way For Lescott

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