national newspaper -- calling the relegated outfit "the best pub side I have ever played in''.

The team sacked manager Joe Royle on Monday after chairman David Bernstein said there were "fundamental differences of views regarding future direction'' at the Maine Road club.

Goater himself has not made comment on the situation, calls to his home going unanswered.

However, according to yesterday's Sun newspaper -- the biggest selling tabloid daily in England -- his boss was sacked because of an alleged widespread drinking culture at City.

According to the paper, the player, who did not wish to be named, said: "It was the best pub side I have ever played in.

"I could not believe the extent of the drinking that went on amongst some of the players. It was through the week and at weekends.

"I have played at other clubs and it was nothing like that there.'' There is no suggestion that Goater was among those ranks, if indeed the allegations are true.

He has always been described as a model professional, although the claims suggest that not everyone followed his lead.

A second City player was quoted as saying: "There has been a lot of stuff going on which makes you question the manager's judgement -- and I don't mean on the football field either.

"There are a lot of drinkers here and I don't think the manager has dealt with it correctly. When you see people abusing the system it doesn't make it a particularly happy place to be working.'' City were relegated to Division One after just 12 months in the top flight.

They joined Coventry and Bradford City as the three sides exiting the Premier League.