We aren't bullies, says McCarthy

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Mark Hughes's side have been criticised, not least by Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, for adopting bullying tactics in order to beat more technically gifted teams.

Adamant: Benni McCarthy insists Rover's reputation is undeserved

But McCarthy, who has been strongly linked with a move to Chelsea in the past two summers, said: "We are footballers, not bullies. Football is a passing game which involves a lot of skill, technique and quality and we don't try to spoil it.

"We are an aggressive side and you build your body to make yourself stronger to overpower your opposition-It is a contact sport and you have to be strong. You can't just cry, cry, cry. We are aggressive but we don't bully teams or kick people.

"We have got a winning spirit and give everything to win games but we don't go out to break people's legs or injure people."

Meanwhile, Michael Ballack must forfeit £2m a year in wages if he wants a move to Real Madrid in January.

"The door is not closed at Real for Michael," said Madrid coach Bernd Schster, who is asking Ballack to drop his £140,000-a-week wages to less than £100,000-a-week.

"We have been in contact but the initial response was that he didn't want to lose so much money."