Roberto Mancini says Manchester City’s home form must improve if they want to win the Premier League
Italian thinks City drop too many points at Eastlands
More Betting Odds » Manchester City currently lie second in the Premier League after a 3-1 win against Newcastle United at St. James’ Park, but Roberto Mancini believes the key to winning the Premier League will be dropping fewer points at home.
“I’m happy but I think we must improve at home because we’ve lost a lot of points this season. Today we played well,” Mancini said in his post match press conference.
“I like Boxing Day, we won this year, we won last year. It was very important after Everton [a game they lost, 2-1, at Eastlands on Monday] to start again.”
Mancini then praised his defenders for standing up to the challenge posed by Newcastle forward Andy Carroll.
“It was a difficult game, Newcastle played very well,” he continued.
“It was difficult, they defended very well and they kick the long ball to [Andy] Carroll and it was difficult because he is a good player. I’m happy for all the players because they’re defending well.”
Mancini was asked about how Carlos Tevez was doing mentally after submitting a transfer request, and the Manchester City boss gave a simple response: “Mentality Carlos [Tevez] is OK. He scored two goals.”
Manchester City have been linked with Carroll in the January transfer market and Mancini admitted he admires the Englishman.
“He is a young player, he is a strong player,” surmised Mancini. “He played very well.”
The Manchester City boss has been in charge at the club since last December and professed to have enjoyed every minute.
“Fantastic. Fantastic because I think the Premier League is the best league, at this moment, in Europe,” he added.
“It’s been a wonderful experience.”
Pressed on whether he felt his team could go on to win the Premier League, Mancini said he preferred to focus on each game as it comes.
“Every game is difficult for each team. We must continue to improve,” he noted.
Roberto Mancini makes overtures to Newcastle's Andy Carroll whilst Wolfsburg lower asking price for Edin Dzeko
Roberto Mancini has indicated he would like to sign Andy Carroll but Manchester City's manager does not believe Newcastle United will sell their prize asset next month. Shortly after seeing his side secure an impressive, if deceptively hard-fought, 3-1 win at St James' Park, which moves City up to second in the Premier League, Mancini was at pains to praise Newcastle's England centre-forward.
"Carroll is a good player," said the Italian, more than once. "He's young, he's strong, he's very good. But I don't think that Newcastle want to sell." On an afternoon when Carlos Tevez scored twice for City, Carroll claimed his team's consolation goal and was virtually unplayable.
Mancini, marking the first anniversary of his City career, seemed suitably relieved that his players had seized on two defensive lapses to go two up within six minutes. "We started very well," said City's manager, doubtless aware that the German newspaper Bild is reporting that Wolfsburg has softened its stance on selling Edin Dzeko and may now release the coveted striker for a lesser figure of around ¤30m (£25.5m). "But it was a difficult game against a strong Newcastle team."
Meanwhile Tevez emphasised a recent reconciliation with both his Eastlands paymasters and Mancini by making things extremely hard for Alan Pardew's defence before exchanging smiles and an embrace with his manager after being withdrawn. "Carlos played very well, he has a real focus," said Mancini, whose team boast the league's best away record. "I am happy."
Asked to describe his year at Eastlands, Mancini gave a one word answer: "Fantastic." A little qualification followed. "We must improve at home, though. Away we are very good but we've lost a lot of points at home. If we do improve I hope we can arrive on top and that we can win something."
Pardew remains circumspect about City's prospects. "They've certainly got enough quality," said Newcastle's new manager, who hailed a "strong performance" from his players. "But winning titles is not just about quality, it's about team spirit, luck with injuries and general good fortune. City have still got a lot to do, especially as they're looking to win the Premier League for the first time."
At least Mancini's defence can expect few tougher assignments than today's. "Andy Carroll was a constant menace," said Pardew. "If you put balls into the right areas not many centre-halves can deal with Andy."
Sven wants Shay or DJ
Sven Goran Eriksson will launch an audacious bid next month to land goalkeeper Shay Given or David James.
Although the former England coach has taken Chris Kirkland on loan from Wigan, his injury problems have left the Leicester boss with doubts
Eriksson wants to land either keeper on a permanent deal or take them on loan with an option to buy.
While Manchester City are prepared to subsidise a loan agreement for Given, it seems unlikely he will be prepared to drop down a league when bigger clubs are chasing him.
City and Chelsea told to cough up £35m for Brazilian defender
Manchester City and Chelsea will have to pay a staggering £35million to sign Benfica’s Brazilian centre-half David Luiz in the window.
Bosses Roberto Mancini and Carlo Ancelotti are keen on the South American and approaches have been made with both prepared to go as high as £25m.
But Benfica president Luis Filipe Vieira has told the agents acting for them he wants a further £10m before he will sell.
City have been keen on Luiz for months, but they will not pay that much and are backing off – although they could reignite their interest if a rival goes anywhere near that valuation.
Chelsea’s need for Luiz is greater, but owner Roman Abramovich will not sanction the extra cash and is also holding back to see if hard-bargaining Vieira will drop his valuation.
Tall Luiz, just 23, is rated the best young Brazilian defender coming through their ranks.
However, his price-tag is inflated in the eyes of the Premier League’s biggest spenders.
Chelsea will give boss Ancelotti money for a defender and are in a tight spot.
They liked Blackburn’s Phil Jones but his knee injury has taken him off their January hit-list.
OTHER BOLLOX
Real Madrid anchorman Lassana Diarra is an £11m target for Manchester United after falling out of favour at the Bernabeu.IMScouting
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is expected to be given at least £50m to spend in January and has again turned his attention to Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina. Daily Mail
Although a possible alternative goalkeeper for Ferguson is Bayer Leverkusen's Rene Adler, who has an escape clause in his contract allowing him to join United if they meet the German club's valuation, thought to be nearly £20m. Daily Mail
Manchester United could also be close to a £13m deal for Aston Villa winger Ashley Young. caughtoffside.com
Young may alternatively move to Tottenham with Spurs boss Harry Redknapp ready to offer Villa their pick of striker Robbie Keane, and midfielders David Bentley, Nico Kranjcar and Jamie O'Hara as part of a £15m deal. the Sun
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti will instead turn his attention to £15m-rated Bolton centre-back Gary Cahill. Daily Mirror
Arsenal are also looking at defensive reinforcements with Werder Bremen's Per Mertesacker interesting manager Arsene Wenger. caughtoffside.com
Premier League rivals West Brom and Wigan are keeping tabs on Leeds midfielder Max Gradel. Daily Mail
New Blackburn Rovers boss Steve Kean has revealed he is interested in signing LA Galaxy midfielder David Beckham in January. talkSPORT
West Ham manager Avram Grant is hopeful of completing the signing of Aston Villa's Steve Sidwell after hinting the midfielder passed his medical on Wednesday. talkSPORT
Sidwell's Villa team-mate John Carew snubs Birmingham and Fulham to set up a move across the Midlands to West Brom. Daily Mail
Out-of-form Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole has emerged as a surprise target for West Ham. caughtoffside.com
Birmingham have held initial discussions with Tottenham over the possibility of signing striker Robbie Keane on loan. Daily Mirror
Wolves and Aston Villa are braced to battle each other for Middlesbrough pair Gary O'Neil and David Wheater. Daily Mirror
But Eriksson could face competition from Gerard Houllier, who wants to bring the out-of-favour keeper to Villa Park. Daily Mail
Fulham midfielder Bjorn Helge Riise has demanded talks with manager Mark Hughes about his lack of first-team appearances. Daily Mail
Chelsea are the favourites to sign highly rated Southampton youngster Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.Daily Mail
Celtic boss Neil Lennon believes that former Arsenal and West Ham midfielder Freddie Ljungberg could take the Bhoys to the Scottish Premier League title if he can agree a deal with the Swedish free agent. (Daily Record)
Reports in the Turkish media suggest that Rangers striker Kenny Miller has agreed in principle to sign for Bursaspor next season. (the Herald)
Algeria defender Madjid Bougherra, linked with a move from Ibrox in January, says he hopes to help Rangers to the Europa League final this season but eventually wants to play in the Premier League in England. (Daily Express)
Scotland winger Kris Commons is ready to sign a new contract with Derby County despite interest from Celtic. (Daily Record)
Hibernian manager Colin Calderwood could return to his former club, Newcastle United, to sign striker Ryan Donaldson on loan. (the Herald)
Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey will be picked by the Great Britain Olympic team for the 2012 Games. Daily Mail
Former England captain Bryan Robson is fighting for his job as manager of Thailand. Daily Mirror
Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has warned Liverpool fans he has no magic wand to turn his mid-table team into world-beaters. Daily Mirror
Indeed Hodgson has gone further and blasted the wages at Anfield that have left him unable to offload players. Daily Mirror
Neil McDonald, who was assistant to sacked Sam Allardyce at Blackburn Rovers, is in pole position to become Motherwell manager and watched Sunday's defeat by Rangers. (Daily Record)
West Ham owner David Sullivan admits he can't sleep at night and that his time at West Ham has been a disaster so far. Daily Mirror
Former England manager Graham Taylor was so annoyed by the sacking of Sam Allardyce at Blackburn that he refused to eat chicken or turkey for Christmas dinner in protest at the decision by the club's Indian owners, and chicken processing company, the Venky's Group. (Daily Express)
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