Let's give Mancini 11 Games

[Ted Hughes]

We'll never know what Hughes would've done but it's unimportant now. Mancini has a defence which is desperately weak in the air so he may need a bit of luck against teams like Stoke & Everton. Boro have Wheater who's very good at set pieces & just the sort of bloke who used to massacre Dunney & co in previous years cup debacles. We've already let the rags piss on us in the air once so none of these games are forgone conclusions in my book.

Don't agree with that - Mica, Ned, Kolo and Bridge are all decent in the air and on the floor - their inability to play together under the previous regime was the problem - hence the title and main content of the post - fair point about Hughes but it wasn't what I wanted to stress in the OP.

Imo Ned Kolo & Bridge are useless in the air. Also none will be playing.

I agree with that.

Crossie - typicalcity said 11 games because they should all be winnable looking at the oppo. But the easy answer to this thread is that Hughes seemed to draw all the winnable games home or away, which is why he is now enjoying a relaxing Xmas with a glass of wine or 2.

Expect some defensive reinforcements next week. Personally I believe Upson CAN do a better job than the current crop, and both he and Cahill will be sold if their clubs see the lure of £££££££££££s.

Upson's a pretty good battler in the air but lacks mobility & he'd be a very short term signing plus a big injury risk. Not against signing him but if we do sign him I hope we sign someone else as well. I argued against selling Dunne, not because I rate him but because Ned is never fit. Upson has a similar record these days.

[BobKowalski]

Just been looking at the fixtures and the first thing that jumps out is how unlucky Hughes actually was. RM will have the two legged semi which is ultimately winable especially given the rumoured team U***d will put out. A cup tie against struggling lower league oposition, which should be a gimme and league fixtures against Stoke, Wolves, Blackburn, Everton, Stoke, Portsmouth, Hull and Bolton. Looking at that run of fixtures there is a real possibility we can win them all - leaving us in a position of a major final, passage into the next round of the FA and easily top 4. I think even Hughes would have had a lot of wins out of those fixtures but lets see what RM does with them and how he shapes the team before we make our judgement. By then we will have an idea where he is taking us with regard tactics, selection and desire (also a window of signings) and his ability to win these 'lesser' matches that many of MH could only draw.

Yeah after 18 months in charge Hughes was dead unucky to miss out on a run of games he could finally win. I agree though that we should judge Mancini after a piffling 11 games after all we had to give Hughes at least 1 season/until he got his own players/exorcised the ghost of Sven/5 transfer windows, 4 full seasons, 3 marque sigings, 2 Welsh choirs and f**king sackful of lame excuses.

[Rag_hater]

11 games sounds fine to me.
I think we will be able to make a judgement as to what type of manager he is by then.
However the fact that 18 months (that seemed like 11 seconds to some) was not enough to judge clueless but 11 games will be enough for RM seems a little ironic.

[Bluez]

Just been looking at the fixtures and the first thing that jumps out is how unlucky Hughes actually was. RM will have the two legged semi which is ultimately winable especially given the rumoured team U***d will put out. A cup tie against struggling lower league oposition, which should be a gimme and league fixtures against Stoke, Wolves, Blackburn, Everton, Stoke, Portsmouth, Hull and Bolton. Looking at that run of fixtures there is a real possibility we can win them all - leaving us in a position of a major final, passage into the next round of the FA and easily top 4. I think even Hughes would have had a lot of wins out of those fixtures but lets see what RM does with them and how he shapes the team before we make our judgement. By then we will have an idea where he is taking us with regard tactics, selection and desire (also a window of signings) and his ability to win these 'lesser' matches that many of MH could only draw.

I don't think its a case of Hughes being unlucky, I think it was the major influence on when he was fired. The owners wanted to give Mancini the easiest run as possible. Firing Hughes directly after Spurs woudl have given RM just a couple of days to get ready fro Sunderland. This way he gets a week, followed by a long run of easily winnable games.
Shows they gave it a lot of thought.

At a minimum he should be given till the end of the season, with the full support of all the fans. That was a luxury Hughes never had, but that time is over and its time we all got behind the whole club.

[Chinners]

I question the statement that Hughes wasn't their pick for manager. When they took over, they had a choice and THEY madeTHEIR decision to have Hughes as THEIR manager. AT THAT POINT, HE WAS THEIR CHOICE.

I'll go along with that. Upon buying City, they were saying Leslie's vision was one on the main reasons they bought the club!

[Rag_hater]

I question the statement that Hughes wasn't their pick for manager. When they took over, they had a choice and THEY madeTHEIR decision to have Hughes as THEIR manager. AT THAT POINT, HE WAS THEIR CHOICE.

I'll go along with that. Upon buying City, they were saying Leslie's vision was one on the main reasons they bought the club!

Which was all good PR that seemed to win over a lot of Blues and the media straight away.
As to whether it was the right decision is a matter for the Sheikh to consider.If he was happy last year with the 10th place finish and all the other things that went on that season it was.
So if Clueless was their Manager surley they are entitled to sack him and terminate his contract if they see fit.If they feel they have made a mistake its niether here nor there what we think.Its the Sheiks money.

[Socrates]

I question the statement that Hughes wasn't their pick for manager. When they took over, they had a choice and THEY madeTHEIR decision to have Hughes as THEIR manager. AT THAT POINT, HE WAS THEIR CHOICE.

I'll go along with that. Upon buying City, they were saying Leslie's vision was one on the main reasons they bought the club!

I must have missed that, have you a link?

I think the 2 of you are being a little bit mischevious here, they could hardly say in public that they weren't sure about him and would have been massacred if they hadn't given him a chance when he'd just been appointed weeks before the takeover.

[Ted Hughes]

I question the statement that Hughes wasn't their pick for manager. When they took over, they had a choice and THEY madeTHEIR decision to have Hughes as THEIR manager. AT THAT POINT, HE WAS THEIR CHOICE.

I'll go along with that. Upon buying City, they were saying Leslie's vision was one on the main reasons they bought the club!

I must have missed that, have you a link?

I think the 2 of you are being a little bit mischevious here, they could hardly say in public that they weren't sure about him and would have been massacred if they hadn't given him a chance when he'd just been appointed weeks before the takeover.

They didn't have to make a point of wining & dining reporters, telling them Hughes was the best young manager in football, how they 'never leave their men behind' believe in loyalty & stability, then sack him a couple of months later after beating Arsenal & Chelsea though.

[Lev Bronstein]

It's just speculation (but, let's be honest it would be a dull board without it), however, imagine the following scenario.

Bob sort of does OK. He charms the media. The defence is a bit meaner, we beat Utds kids in the Carling but lose to Villa in the final, we get to the 6th round in the Cup losing do a dodgy goal at the Emirates and end up 6th on 68 points.

The targets haven't been met, but nearly there. We've got a better idea about which players are cutting the mustard and who needs replacing.

Maybe Morinho is available, maybe he's got his eyes on Fergie's job.

Anyway, given the crap that Cook and co had to put up with over the sacking of Hughes, does Bob get the bullet?

[ant london]

I think the owners have clearly given him (at least) 6 months.

I don't see any reason why we shouldn't all be 100% behind him for that period if not longer

[Ted Hughes]

It's just speculation (but, let's be honest it would be a dull board without it), however, imagine the following scenario.

Bob sort of does OK. He charms the media. The defence is a bit meaner, we beat Utds kids in the Carling but lose to Villa in the final, we get to the 6th round in the Cup losing do a dodgy goal at the Emirates and end up 6th on 68 points.

The targets haven't been met, but nearly there. We've got a better idea about which players are cutting the mustard and who needs replacing.

Maybe Morinho is available, maybe he's got his eyes on Fergie's job.

Anyway, given the crap that Cook and co had to put up with over the sacking of Hughes, does Bob get the bullet?

I recon they'll sack him & bring in Mourinho if that happens. I'd be very very happy to be wrong.

[Bianchi on Ice]

The good thing is Mancini has confidence in his own ability. He backs himself. Did Hughes?. If its a 6 month trial job hes signed up for it, no one forced him and he knows its a different scenario than 99% of other jobs out there in football. He believes he can get more out of the team and good for him. No way would Hiddink or Mourinho go for this scenario, not with us anyway, they'd think we are taking the piss. To land Hiddink we'd have had to stick with Hughes and prepare for more tit for tat on here!. Mancini's lack of experience managing in England might work in his favour. He might just find the correct wavelength with Robinho. Lets see. How can you damage a reputation that over here(in the minds of the press) doesn't really warrent respect?

[Socrates]

I question the statement that Hughes wasn't their pick for manager. When they took over, they had a choice and THEY madeTHEIR decision to have Hughes as THEIR manager. AT THAT POINT, HE WAS THEIR CHOICE.

I'll go along with that. Upon buying City, they were saying Leslie's vision was one on the main reasons they bought the club!

I must have missed that, have you a link?

I think the 2 of you are being a little bit mischevious here, they could hardly say in public that they weren't sure about him and would have been massacred if they hadn't given him a chance when he'd just been appointed weeks before the takeover.

They didn't have to make a point of wining & dining reporters, telling them Hughes was the best young manager in football, how they 'never leave their men behind' believe in loyalty & stability, then sack him a couple of months later after beating Arsenal & Chelsea though.

...and nobody else in over 3 months! FFS the spin from you people would put Mandelson and Campbell to shame!

[Ted Hughes]

I question the statement that Hughes wasn't their pick for manager. When they took over, they had a choice and THEY madeTHEIR decision to have Hughes as THEIR manager. AT THAT POINT, HE WAS THEIR CHOICE.

I'll go along with that. Upon buying City, they were saying Leslie's vision was one on the main reasons they bought the club!

I must have missed that, have you a link?

I think the 2 of you are being a little bit mischevious here, they could hardly say in public that they weren't sure about him and would have been massacred if they hadn't given him a chance when he'd just been appointed weeks before the takeover.

They didn't have to make a point of wining & dining reporters, telling them Hughes was the best young manager in football, how they 'never leave their men behind' believe in loyalty & stability, then sack him a couple of months later after beating Arsenal & Chelsea though.

...and nobody else in over 3 months! FFS the spin from you people would put Mandelson and Campbell to shame!

We've just won 3 out of 4 games . How the fuck is that spin?! Anyway I'm not talking about how I view it I'm talking about how everyone in the world of football & the press view it. It's been terrible publicity for our club & we invited it by feeding these people stories. We shouldn't have fed them those stories if it wasn't true.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Generous,Hughes got 11 seconds.

;-)

really? It sometimes seemed that some people were going to give him 11 years to make any progress.

All i wanted was another 11 weeks.

Just see after xmas and the Cup final if we got there.

Fair enough. I was actually expecting that to happen and wasn't even calling for his head for a while.

[Original Dub]

Generous,Hughes got 11 seconds.

;-)

really? It sometimes seemed that some people were going to give him 11 years to make any progress.

Well the new guy has 6 months.

Don't forget hughes was on target for 70 points. Its important during these debates to note that as a fact.

I hope to god Mancini hits his target.

[mcfc1632]

Lets stop playing fantasy football and do our bit by supporting the club and its owners - exactly what we used to do before some got inflated ideas

The owners will get us there - it was their call on Hughes - it is their call on Mancini - they absolutely deserve(d) our respect in

a) backing their previous choice (Hughes) whilst he was at the helm
b) backing their decision to act
c) backing their current choice

People just seem to forget the basics - the crowd can be the 12th man - the internet fans can help to generate a positive environment around the club - why do we (some of us) just want to find fault?

Given the attack by the press on us we need everyone batting for the club

For the rest of the season the motto for CITY fans should be - lets all just shut the fuck up and get behind the team

(fuck me some on here seem to be still wanting to knife Hughes - how sad)

[Florida Blue]

I question the statement that Hughes wasn't their pick for manager. When they took over, they had a choice and THEY madeTHEIR decision to have Hughes as THEIR manager. AT THAT POINT, HE WAS THEIR CHOICE.

Ahh the old "if you choose not to decided you still have made a choice" decision.

[Beefymcfc]

I question the statement that Hughes wasn't their pick for manager. When they took over, they had a choice and THEY madeTHEIR decision to have Hughes as THEIR manager. AT THAT POINT, HE WAS THEIR CHOICE.

I'll go along with that. Upon buying City, they were saying Leslie's vision was one on the main reasons they bought the club!

Both statements are very true, but I'd suggest that 'Vision' is not reality and that's why he is no longer our manager and Mancio is.

I think I'll give Mancio until the end of the season to give a full and frank opinion on his performance as 11 games are not going to give us the full picture. Those 11 games do not see us face any of the top teams (unless the scum play their first team in the cup), and it will be against the top teams where we will see if Mancio's teams and tactics are taking us forward.

[zuricity]

I said I wouldn't comment about whether our manager was good enough until the end of the season. The owners gave him a target for the end of the season and I felt that it was pointless to discuss whether he should be manager or not. It's futile because he's got targets to achieve by the end of the season .

Hang on a minute.. I said that about Hughes......

Still applies to Man Cini though.

Truth is , I could not stand Hughes at all. His communication, his mannerisms, his bad tactics, his absolutely way over the top (pricewise) purchases. His jobs for the boyos ( amd missus and son to boot). His hypocrisy before and after matches. HE's gone now.

Long live King Man Cini.