1st genuine big game win for years?

[Ted Hughes]

I can't remember us winning a really big, one off, 'must win' game where we have a chance of actually winning a trophy or qualifying for Europe etc for many many many years before yesterday.

I can remember us winning important games in the lower leagues under Joe Royle, but before or after that the only big games I can remember us winning is the odd derby, mid tournament cup tie, or game v the 'big 4' when all we gain from it is bragging rights. Every time we had a game where we have a possibility to better ourselves, we've cocked it up. I don't count the 2 legged games v Hamburg & rags as wins because we lost the ties so they're only 'half' games ending in failure.

Yesterday we started really well, let in the usual crap, against the run of play goal, setting ourselves up to lose as we always do &...WON. Credit to Mancini & the players for getting the job done & also the crowd for not panicking. It was different than the usual City, gallant loser, type performance.

Could this lead to the change in mentality everyone has been asking for? I suppose we'll see on Wed but I think it can. Certainly if we beat Spurs, the 'typical City' crap may finally be buried & we might start expecting to win these games rather than fearing defeat.

[Beefymcfc]

I think quite a few of us are still a little dumb-founded mate, still not really getting in touch with our position. Yesterday we went out and comprehensively beat a top 6 side with one eye on that 4th spot. Even when O'Neill went 3 up front, I didn't feel that they would get anything.

Moving onto Wednesday, well it is the biggest game since the play-off final and it is jsut that, a play-off final. It's going to be a very nervy affair for us as we all know that the Spuds have a decent record at our place, but at the same time, this isn't the team that has played those games. Redknapp looked totally drained in yesterdays interview and didn't look at all confident about the fourth spot. Instead of talking is usual 'They are favourites' hype and taking pressure off them, he decided to have a sly dig about the goalkeeper situation - that spells pressure to me.

And when you look at the players and management, you'd have to say that ours have far more experience of these situations with the likes of Toure, Ade, Carlos and Vieira as the spine who have been at the top level and winning things for a few years. I know it's not as simple as that, but it does help when it comes to real crunch games like this and with the advantage of a home tie, I'm quite looking forward to it and believe we can run-out easy winners. Or is it just hope I'm getting mixed up with.

[Vhero]

I can't believe we are still here going for 4th spurs know they only need a draw but I reckon they will still go for the win and that's what we will need to get goals. We all thought the highlight of the season was going to be the Carling cup especially when we went up against the rags in the first game but then we blew it at the swamp. This tops that game by a mile and I hope the pressure doesn't kill us like it did that day.

[Crossie]

It needs to be Hamburg x 2 in the atmosphere realms. The fans behind the players will help with nerves, and any player feeling nervous or not showing enough passion will get encouraged by an atmosphere that means no player dare hide.

If we beat spurs its still not over, it does mean we can draw at Westham, and pray Spurs don't hit 4 or 5 past Burnley. Which wouldn't be to hard would it????

[brite blu sky]

one of the key things that City have as an advantage is we still learning and we are improving

the seeds of our current attitude were sown in the muddle that we were against Everton..

the team and the manager have battled not to put that in the past but to learn from it.
And we are now seeing that work paying off as the team starts to look like a team..
a team that is very difficult to beat and is getting better. There is still plenty more to come
and they and we know it.

We are going to try and show Spurs that we are better than them, and i would not bet on this lot not doing exactly that
in imperious style.. just to rub the fact in.

[mr_nool]

I'm sorry to have to make this point, but with City being City, I clearly see us bag the 4-3 goal in the 96th minute, just to go on and lose against West Ham ...

[Lee_R]

Well.. we are due to win one of these 'Big must win' games and we are due a win against Tottenham also. For those reasons I am confident. Still though I think the West Ham game is equally as important due to us often shooting ourselves in the foot and following up a great performance with a pile of shit. It's 50/50 for 4th for me but we have come closer than I thought we would have at the start of the season. The only reason I will be disapointed if we come 5th/6th is because I hoped for a cup final this season. I'm happy with Mancinis work though and very optimistic for next season whatever the case.

[DoomMerchant]

I'm sorry to have to make this point, but with City being City, I clearly see us bag the 4-3 goal in the 96th minute, just to go on and lose against West Ham ...

walmai...is this possible? i'll take whatever counsel you can provide here.

Nools, didn't you make some fucked up crazy prediction earlier in the season which came true? maybe stop all your bullshit daydreaming and internet browsing and take your missus for a picnic or something? bring some wine along.

cheers

[lythamblue]

I can't remember us winning a really big, one off, 'must win' game where we have a chance of actually winning a trophy or qualifying for Europe etc for many many many years before yesterday.

I can remember us winning important games in the lower leagues under Joe Royle, but before or after that the only big games I can remember us winning is the odd derby, mid tournament cup tie, or game v the 'big 4' when all we gain from it is bragging rights. Every time we had a game where we have a possibility to better ourselves, we've cocked it up. I don't count the 2 legged games v Hamburg & rags as wins because we lost the ties so they're only 'half' games ending in failure.

Yesterday we started really well, let in the usual crap, against the run of play goal, setting ourselves up to lose as we always do &...WON. Credit to Mancini & the players for getting the job done & also the crowd for not panicking. It was different than the usual City, gallant loser, type performance.

Could this lead to the change in mentality everyone has been asking for? I suppose we'll see on Wed but I think it can. Certainly if we beat Spurs, the 'typical City' crap may finally be buried & we might start expecting to win these games rather than fearing defeat.

As fans, we don't panic when we go a goal behind any more because we have top attacking talent that we know are quite capable of scoring at any time. It was a bit different when we were looking towards the likes of Carradi, Samaras and Bianchi to get us back in the game.

Our mentality will change together with the experiences. Winning is a habit but infortunately you have to lose a few before you can work out how you win. By this, I am not referring to odd games, but to league run ins, cup finals etc.

Top teams always expect to triumph and never know when they are beaten. Maybe we are on the way to developing that psyche.

[lets all have a disco]

About fucking time.

Ive been fuming.

[DoomMerchant]

As fans, we don't panic when we go a goal behind any more

Speak for yourself. I was bricking it even after we pulled one back and then went ahead.

that was a pretty fuclin nervy match where i really expected everything to go tits up EVEN after Bellamy hit the 3rd. There was one possession at about the 91 minute mark where they essentially walked into the box and i thought "well here we fuclin go, why not give them one back and then get battered for 2 more minutes and concede for a 3-3 draw on a last second goal"...and i wasn't really kidding myself.

cheers