Samir Nasri has a face people just want to punch. Wayne Rooney White Jersey . 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. Nani Womens Jersey .C. -- The Bobcats have announced that backup centre Brendan Haywood will miss at least 12 weeks with a stress fracture in his left foot. Tom Cleverley shirts . -- One thing quarterback AJ McCarron and No.SAN DIEGO -- Kevin Correia scattered three runs and four hits over six innings, Kurt Suzuki hit an inside-the-park home run and the Minnesota Twins defeated the San Diego Padres 5-3 on Tuesday night. Correia (2-5), a San Diego native, struck out six and walked a batter in winning for only the second time in his last six starts. Glen Perkins pitched the ninth for his 13th save in 15 chances. Ian Kennedy (2-6) worked into the seventh for San Diego, giving up four runs as he lost for the seventh time in eight starts against American League teams. It was the second of Kennedys two wild pitches that helped the Twins score the go-ahead run in the seventh. His first wild pitch in the sixth let the Twins tie the game. Suzukis inside-the-park home run, the first by a Twin since Joe Mauers on July 21, 2007 against the Angels, made it 5-3 in the eighth inning. Eduardo Escobar walked to begin the Twins seventh, took second on Aaron Hicks sacrifice bunt and moved to third on a wild pitch. Pinch-hitter Josmil Pintos fly to right scored Escobar for the 4-3 lead. Correia, who pitched for the Padres from 2009-10, retired the first 12 batters before Chase Headley doubled to right in the fifth. During that stretch Correia struck out four, with only four balls hit out of the infield. Will Venable followed Headleys double with a single and Headley scored on Jedd Gyorkos grounder through the left side. After the runners advanced on Yonder Alonsos fly to right, Yasmani Grandals sacrifice fly scored Venable to tie the score at 2-2. Kennedys single gave the Padres the advantage as Gyorko scored the innings third run. The Twins tied the game in the sixth when Trrevor Plouffe scored on a wild pitch after reaching on a double and going to third on Chris Parmelees groundout. Tom Lawrence manchester united jersey. In the third, Plouffe had extended the Twins lead to 2-0 when he singled in Brian Dozier. Dozier led off with a single, which extended his hitting streak to 10 games, tying a career-high. His 41 runs lead the AL. The Twins, who beat the Padres for the seventh straight time, took the early lead when Parmelee opened the second with 417-foot homer to centre, his third of the season. NOTES: Padres P Andrew Cashner, who is on the DL with right elbow soreness, isnt too concerned. An MRI on Monday didnt reveal significant damage. "I dont think it is anything serious," Cashner said. "Im going to rest for a week and well see where we are." RHP Donn Roach will make his second start in place of Cashner on Saturday against the Cubs. . OF Carlos Quentin is day-to-day with a groin injury he suffered on Sunday at Colorado. "Were trying to keep him off the DL," manager Bud Black said. Quentin was activated May 13 after hurting his left knee in camp. . With the first of five interleague games on Tuesday, the Twins recalled C/OF Chris Herrmann after Sundays game. "Its nice because hes able to catch a little for us and I can use him or (Josmil) Pinto in a pinch-hitting role," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "You have that extra guy and you need that in this league.".. Mauer extended his interleague hitting streak to 14 games, the second-longest active streak to the Angels Mike Trout (15). . Twins RHP Phil Hughes (4-1, 3.61) faces Padres RHP Tyson Ross (5-3, 2.81) in Wednesdays series finale. ' ' '
