The Daily Fail is at it again. Once more City are being linked with Kaka and other world superstars. Enough already. Stupid papers with stupid rumours showing exactly why it's a failing business. We all know the script. City get linked to a hundred players in the off season, sign a number of quality players that are appropriate to our squad needs and then the club gets ripped in the press for not signing the superstars even though we are "the richest club in the world."

Last game of the season and I didn't watch. Typically City won leaving them agonizingly close to a Europa League spot. And what was I doing? Well I've noted in the past that I grew up in the North East. In many ways Newcastle mirror City. A club with great support, fabulous tradition especially in the 50's. Great players and managers - and I don't find it a coincidence that Keegan has managed both.

The Club has released an official statement saying that despite press reports today City have not placed a bid for Lionel Messi. Bit of a slippery slope in that once you start denying one transfer rumour if you don't deny all of them then the press will see this as confirmation that there must be some substance to the rumour.

That being said, I'm not sure the club could have done anything else as the constant harping by the rag supporting press leaves the impression that City have approached dozens of players all of whom have turned down City.

Funny the way things turn out. Normally for City the Derby is the biggest game of the year. Win it, especially sweep as Sven did, and City fans are a fairly content lot. Completely outplay United as was the case a couple of seasons ago and a warm afterglow permeates the summer off season.

And this year. Doesn't matter.

The club has confirmed that this year's pre season trip will be to South Africa. I must admit to being disappointed in this choice. There remains a tremendous opportunity in the North American market where no one club has achieved any kind of serious penetration.

You have to feel for Mark Hughes. Here City are on a three game winning streak and everything should be focused on the last few games of the season.

Instead the issue of Elano is once more to the fore.