Bellamy: Robinho must perform every week

By Gregg Davies
published

Off-colour Manchester City forward Robinho has come under further fire – this time from outspoken team-mate Craig Bellamy. The Brazilian international is still without a goal in 2009, and left the field to a chorus of boo following Saturday’s defeat against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

And after facing recent criticism from manager Mark Hughes, Robinho is now feeling the heat from colleague Bellamy.

“Robinho is our best player. He needs to perform at his best every week,” he said as reported by The Sun. “We have to make sure that when we have not got the ball we work hard to get it back.”

The 29-year-old has also had an indifferent time since arriving at the club from West Ham in January, netting just twice in eight league games. But with Robinho’s workrate under attack, he spoke of the need for everyone to contribute to the cause.

“It’s not just the responsibility of Vincent Kompany, Nigel De Jong, Pablo Zabaleta or the back four to get the ball back,” he insisted.

The club’s away form has been of particular concern to Hughes this campaign, and Robinho has only managed to find the back of the net on two occasions away from Eastlands all season.

City now face a tricky trip to Hamburg this Thursday for the first leg of their UEFA Cup quarter-final, before returning home to host Fulham at the weekend.

CITY FANS! Check FourFourTwo.com’s ever-expandinginterviews archivefor more stuff to read:
One on One Sven Goran Eriksson
Web Exclusives Joe Corrigan
Q&A Robinho
Boy's A Bit Special Michael Johnson
Ask A Silly Question Peter Reid, Alan Ball
What Happened Next? Jim Whitley, Tony Cunningham
Sing When You’re Winning David Threlfall

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Gregg Davies
Gregg Davies

Gregg Davies is the Chief Sub Editor of FourFourTwo magazine, joining the team in January 2008 and spending seven years working on the website. He supports non-league behemoths Hereford and commentates on Bulls matches for Radio Hereford FC. His passions include chocolate hobnobs and attempting to shoehorn Ronnie Radford into any office conversation.