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Samir Nasri has a face people just want to punch. If it wasnt Arsenal fans outside of the Emirates last season it was his manager. "I would like to give him a punch!" said Roberto Mancini after Nasris performance against Newcastle last season. "Because a player like him should play like this always, always, every game. Maybe one game he cant play well, but thats it. "I cant understand why sometimes a player with his quality doesnt play like this every game." Nasri had been sensational that day in late March, as City won 4-0, but it was just his fourth start in the last three months and his manager was beyond frustrated with him. The Italian had already spoken out earlier in the month about Nasris prospects of starting games: "When I was a player I always took responsibility," said Mancini. "When I didnt play well, I said: Sorry I didnt play well and will do my best in the next game and it should be like this. I dont like players that never think its their fault." Mancini continued: "These players cant play with me because this is impossible. I want strong players that are upset with me when they dont play but, after that, show me on the pitch that they deserve to play. Samir knows this because I have spoken about this situation many times with him. He can do better because he has quality, technique and hes strong." Against Newcastle it appeared Nasri got the message. (photo: fourfourtwo.com - Click For Larger Image) Having not started four league games in a row all season, the Frenchman went on to be picked in Citys next seven Premier League games, shining in a win against Manchester United and scoring at Tottenham, before eventually finding his way into Mancinis starting XI for the FA Cup final at Wembley. Citys inconsistent performances in the final few months, highlighted by that loss to Wigan, meant any individual performances were off the radar, but Nasri definitely saved his best games in a City shirt for then. Perhaps, it was a coincidence that these came at a time when many of Citys games lacked importance, but upon reflection, it is also worth noting that Mancini, when fighting to save his job, turned to Nasri when he most needed him. It is similar to what has happened with France. Last Friday, Nasri started his first international game since Euro 2012, in a 6-0 friendly win over Australia, and finally started a key World Cup qualifier for the first time this campaign on Tuesday when France beat Finland in Paris. Both games showed just important Nasri is to his country. In a four band 4-2-3-1 system, Nasri offers French boss Didier Deschamps a number of key traits required to master a wide position inside the 3. Nasri, when he is committed and happy, can be a complete player, capable of dribbling past players, picking a pass into a tight space and even working back to help his right back in defence. Against Finland there was a moment in the first half when he picked the ball up in his own half, played it out wide to right back Mathieu Debuchy, ran alongside him, got the ball back, sprayed it cross field to left back Patrice Evra, ran into the central space ahead of the two central midfielders, played a one-two with Franck Ribery, the wide left player, and got the ball back on the edge of the area to play a ball in behind the defenders for striker Olivier Giroud to run on to. It was the perfect example of what is required of a player in that position, by getting the best out of teammates by keeping an attack going at a good speed. It is the same kind of form Nasri has shown this season for City, blossoming under new manager Manuel Pellegrini, who he admits has made a difference in his game. "I am more confident with this manager," Nasri said recently. "He has given me a lot of freedom. Im a guy who likes to have affection with the manager. I like a manager who likes to talk about whats good and wrong. "Im still young and learning. When you have a manager who will talk its always good for a player." It is clear Nasri is sensitive, something many inside the game, including Mancini, have no time for. Some will ask, how can a man be so sensitive when earning 150K pounds a week? He is only human, after all. Part of being a great leader is knowing what kind of players need an arm around their shoulder rather than a good shouting at. Where Mancini failed, Pellegrini seems to be succeeding. "I talk often with him because I know he can be a big player," said Pellegrini. "I dont talk about what happened in the past; but at this moment Nasri is playing very well. "He has great technical quality. He works the whole game a lot, not just the last 25 minutes. Hes a very creative and classy player." After coming on as a sub in Citys first three games this season, Nasri got his chance to shine for Pellegrini when David Silva got hurt earlier this season. Nasri was excellent in Citys 4-1 demolition of United, using width intelligently, to help overlaps with full backs, and knowing when to cut in to make a midfield three. (photo: fourfourtwo.com - Click For Larger Image) The last point is a crucial one for club, more than country and it was no surprise the most pass combinations in the Manchester derby came from Nasri to Yaya Toure. In a way to fit in Sergio Aguero and one of Edin Dzeko or Alvaro Negredo, City have adopted a 4-4-2 this season but have found themselves overrun in midfield on occasions, particularly when Silva has played. Cardiff and Hull benefited when they attacked through the middle in transitions targeting Toure and Fernandinho, with the Brazilian often being the lone man protecting the centre-backs. When Nasri came into the side, City - aside from five minutes of madness at Villa Park - looked more defensively solid. However, now that Silva is fit it appears the Spanish maestro is Pellegrinis first choice, but there is a tendency for Citys attacks to be more cautious and laboured when he is in the team. One thing that is clear, there doesnt appear a spot for both Nasri and Silva on the field from the start as the pair havent played more than 35 minutes together this season. Not long ago the thought of Nasri being preferred to Silva would have been ludicrous but the Frenchmans impressive form, combined with the issues around the teams shape and style with Silva in it, means there is a legitimate chance Nasri could make some significant starts for City very soon, particularly if he continues to improve. At 26, he remains young but not too young for comebacks. After all, he had to talk about one to the French press this very week. "I have stepped into line, I worked hard, accepted all the decisions to bring what I could bring. I know what it is to not be in the French team anymore. During my absence, I could think about it a lot." He was wearing a different shade of blue but it appears he had similar thoughts while sitting for his club also. Arizona Diamondbacks Jerseys . The Toronto Blue Jays general manager made a series of bold moves that reshaped the club ahead of what would turn out to be a disastrous 2013 campaign. Luis Gonzalez Jersey . 1 status and was unable to prevent a late season collapse, James Reimer said he wants to put the past behind him and is looking forward to spending the next two years in a Maple Leaf uniform. http://www.diamondbackssale.com/diamondbacks-zack-greinke-jersey/ . Or take a relaxing vacation somewhere warm. Brayden Schenn and Scott Hartnell scored, Ray Emery stopped 32 shots and the Flyers beat the Calgary Flames 2-1 on Saturday for their fourth straight victory. Curt Schilling Jersey . -- The NFL Players Association wants to determine if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers leaked information about quarterback Josh Freeman being in the NFLs substance abuse program. Custom Arizona Diamondbacks Jerseys .com) - The Los Angeles Dodgers made it official Tuesday and signed pitcher Brandon McCarthy to a four-year contract. NEW YORK -- Robinson Cano drove in a run and scored another in a most unwelcome return to Yankee Stadium, helping the Seattle Mariners beat New York 6-3 Tuesday night for their fourth win in five games. Amid lusty boos from a modest crowd on a rainy, 46-degree night, Cano began his first game in the Bronx since joining Seattle this winter for $240 million with a wink -- at Yankees starter CC Sabathia (3-3). Cano got a mock cheer when he struck out to end the inning, then was met with chants of "You sold out!" from the Bleacher Creatures when he took his spot at second base. When Cano grounded out to first base in the fourth, first baseman Mark Teixeira gave him a smile after the close play. The five-time All-Star was even booed when he cleanly handled a grounder. Chris Young (1-0) gave up a second-inning homer to Teixeira and not much else in 5 2-3 innings to earn his first win since 2012. Mike Zunino had a career-high four hits, one courtesy of a replay review that sparked a four-run fifth inning. Fernando Rodney gave up an RBI single to Brett Gardner in the ninth before striking out Derek Jeter and Carlos Beltran with two runners on base. Cano really riled up the crowd in the fifth after driving in Seattles first run with a groundball to Teixeira with the bases loaded. Seattles big inning started with Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon winning a challenge on a bang-bang play at first. Zunino, the catcher whose errant throw to second in the third inning on Gardners stolen base gave New York a 2-0 lead, was ruled to have beaten out a grounder to second base. Sabathia gave up a single to Willie Bloomquist and a bunt hit to Abraham Almonte to load the bases. Yankees second baseman Brian Roberts was playing near the bag and did not reach first to cover when Teixeira fielded the bunt. Cano hit a sharp grounder to first for thhe run, Corey Hart followed with a two-run double and Justin Smoak made it 4-2 with a single.dddddddddddd In the seventh, Cano reached on an infield single to second base and stole second. He was greeted there by Jeter, who gave his former double-play partner a friendly tap on the chest. Earlier, Jeter had playfully run his fingers through Canos fuzzy beard. Facial hair was no-no during Canos nine years with New York. Pinch-hitter Dustin Ackley and Zunino had RBI singles in the seventh, more than enough support to give Young his first victory since Sept. 2, 2012, for the New York Mets. He missed last season after having shoulder surgery and was decisionless in four appearances this year. The 6-foot-10 Princetonian held New York to three hits and three walks. Sabathia was chased after putting two on in the sixth, his shortest outing since July 26. He gave up nine hits and four runs in five-plus innings. He struck out six. NOTES: Mariners first base coach Andy Van Slyke was ejected by third base umpire Adam Hamari in the bottom of the eighth. It came shortly after Cano was called out on a check-swing appeal. ... Yankees RHP Ivan Nova had reconstructive elbow surgery Tuesday. Dr. James Andrews performed the operation in Pensacola, Fla. ... Suspended Yankees RHP Michael Pineda cut short a simulated game in Tampa after experiencing tightness in an upper back muscle. He will have an MRI. 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