Bellamy: 'It's so professional here'

Craig Bellamy was in the papers this week, saying that with the state of his knees he may only have two years left in the game. Worrying news, to be sure, but not a surprise, and not requiring much more comment. What was more interesting was what he said about the atmosphere at City since his arrival:

“Everything at Manchester City has gone well for me from start to finish,” Bellamy said. “It is so professional here. The manager is clever — he doesn’t want to give any of the players reason to moan. He makes sure the only thing you have to concentrate on is football. The last few months have given me a huge sense of pride. I think people have seen what I am as a player now.

“I’ve always got goals, but am I a one goal in two games player? No, I’m not, but my career has been one in three, which isn’t too bad.”

The success of Craig Bellamy at City - our top scorer this season, if you haven't been following - is probably Mark Hughes' greatest achievement as manager so far. Given the opposition to his arrival, given his injury record, given the number of other strikers we signed this summer (three at a total cost of £89m), Bellamy's record is very impressive. Five goals in seven games on arrival, before spending the rest of 2008/09 out injured. And then five goals and three assists so far this season, with all the competition in the squad.

He is quite clearly revelling in the atmosphere of Mark Hughes' Manchester City. This is itself a triumph for the management. Hughes and Bowen's turning the fecklesness and unprofessionalism of the Thaksin/Eriksson era into something a lot more focussed, driven and serious over the last 18 months has been a central narrative in City's recent history, inseparable from the injection of Arab money. And Bellamy's comments are a testament to its success.