MR MANCINI?????

[Kladze]

The thing is, there are lots of good managers in world football, but most just don't get the time they deserve. Fortunately for us we have an excellent chairman who is willing to back Mancini and understand that these things don't happen in a heartbeat. This team is growing with every passing month, and it's actually startling when you think of the level of football we play now compared to a couple of years ago. I love it - its almost Barca-esque in its probing manner. Very continental, but when its done well its unplayable.

See while I agree that when you have right man in charge you need to show patience, I disagree with people who say that we need to give time for any old fool.

It's a well known fact that I was one of the people who campaigned for Mancini for few years before we appointed him(yes, I do feel certain degree of smugness about it now.....deal with it). I've also been one of his biggest supporters here. I thought he was THE man for us. But Mancini had excellent resumé having been success and winning stuff in many clubs before us. He had done it all before and was still relatively young + he lacks CL which I think will be his motivation. BUT if you don't buy into him being the man then I don't see why people should just go and say "time will make him good".

One of the most important things what Mancini has done, what has saved his job and made him cemented for the job for a good while, he DELIVERED. Owners put targets in front of him and he reached them. Both in his first half a season and then in his first full season. But if he wasn't giving owners any return or showing supporters that he can do it then why just hang on to him in desperate hope it will all turn out well.

When compared to a lot of the divisive stuff which has been thrown around here in our days of celebration - dredging up old threads etc - that is a very fair minded post of yours.

Thanks Antii

And you're entitled to feel smug (but only a little bit) ;-)

[john@staustell]

I thought Antii was wavering a bit in the winter!!

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

I thought Antii was wavering a bit in the winter!!

I wasn't happy with the way things were going at one stage but I hardly have nerves of steel anyway. We weren't playing good football and what's most important we weren't getting results. Some people have moaned about the quality of football throughout Mancini era and there are lot of people for whom quality of football in offer is more important than actual results. I myself live and die by "you can't argue with results".

However, in couple of months Mancini has turned it all around and delivered. Which makes me even more impressed of him than I was when we appointed him.

AND I never asked for his head, ever. But I did say that he needs to reach his target or I would have to re-evaluate in summer. But he DID reach his targets and more.

Also, as much as I like to kid around being right all the time, for a moment I had flashbacks from Pearce era where I backed Pearce for a long time despite everything in front of me pointing out that I was dead wrong. Eventually I had to give up on Pearce and realise that as far as football tactics goes he is one of the most clueless clowns around. Still great chap though.

[david yearsley]

Even with the reservations I have had and maybe still harbour you have to say he is untouchable for thr foreseeable future

[dazby]

I thought Antii was wavering a bit in the winter!!

I wasn't happy with the way things were going at one stage but I hardly have nerves of steel anyway. We weren't playing good football and what's most important we weren't getting results. Some people have moaned about the quality of football throughout Mancini era and there are lot of people for whom quality of football in offer is more important than actual results. I myself live and die by "you can't argue with results".

However, in couple of months Mancini has turned it all around and delivered. Which makes me even more impressed of him than I was when we appointed him.

AND I never asked for his head, ever. But I did say that he needs to reach his target or I would have to re-evaluate in summer. But he DID reach his targets and more.

Also, as much as I like to kid around being right all the time, for a moment I had flashbacks from Pearce era where I backed Pearce for a long time despite everything in front of me pointing out that I was dead wrong. Eventually I had to give up on Pearce and realise that as far as football tactics goes he is one of the most clueless clowns around. Still great chap though.

Funnily, I look back on SP's time with much more sympathetic eyes than I did at the time. His brief, keep us up as cheaply as possible. Job done.

[Original Dub]

People don't like admitting they were stupid and wrong.

If this was the 1990's, everyone would be saying in the pub how they were behind him all the time and never doubted him, post millenium and with internet football forums it is all recorded so instead of them lieing they now tell you that all they ever wanted was the best for the club and are adamant they were right at the time.

Isn't that right lads ;-)

How the fuck were people wrong for pointing out that shit, defensive football was boring? You disappeared everytime we failed against another top 7 team. Personally, I think you are a homosexual and you like Roberto's bum. You want it on your shaft. Then you want to lick it. Then you want him to go all ATM on you. Because you are in love with him.

And that's just fine, but the fact that you come on here trying to wind fellow blues up on the happiest week of our lives is worse than rag-like.

Now go and start your blog and please don't come on here again. We're trying to enjoy ourselves however long that lasts. This is because there was plenty of times in the season when we couldn't enjoy ourselves due to the style of football and the the results we were being presented with.

If you don't remember those times, then you are just blinded in homosexual love.

Ooooh argh...

[ant london]

Bingo won't be happy with you Ronan...what he and the GG get up to in their own time is their own business, no shame in some man on man love

[Original Dub]

Bingo won't be happy with you Ronan...what he and the GG get up to in their own time is their own business, no shame in some man on man love

Nothing wrong with it at all, but its easier to understand when its confirmed :)

[Chinners]

OD - I think that is a terrible and classless thing to say/insinuate about someone, especially a blue*











* how do you know Mancini is that way inclined anyway ....

[Piccsnumberoneblue]

Mancini still has a lot to do.
For a start we need to see that we are going to turn up at Anfield, Stamford Bridge etc and play football rather than cling on from the start. It is only a few weeks ago we put in non performances at those places.I also think we should have competed for the top spot for longer. We were top for a while and then faltered pretty spectacularly.
When you see the way they can perform, like taking the filth on in the second half of the semi, and dominating Stoke so completely, it does serve to increase my frustration at why we didn't do it more often.
And yes, I expect him to stay, but if he did sod off to Juventus, (which I doubt very much) I wouldn't be upset still.

On the plus side, we stepped up eventually, and he does seem to give a shit about it and us. But I want to see more of the same to convince me entirely. And I do like him and thinks he comes across well.

[ronk]

I thought Antii was wavering a bit in the winter!!

I wasn't happy with the way things were going at one stage but I hardly have nerves of steel anyway. We weren't playing good football and what's most important we weren't getting results. Some people have moaned about the quality of football throughout Mancini era and there are lot of people for whom quality of football in offer is more important than actual results. I myself live and die by "you can't argue with results".

However, in couple of months Mancini has turned it all around and delivered. Which makes me even more impressed of him than I was when we appointed him.

AND I never asked for his head, ever. But I did say that he needs to reach his target or I would have to re-evaluate in summer. But he DID reach his targets and more.

Also, as much as I like to kid around being right all the time, for a moment I had flashbacks from Pearce era where I backed Pearce for a long time despite everything in front of me pointing out that I was dead wrong. Eventually I had to give up on Pearce and realise that as far as football tactics goes he is one of the most clueless clowns around. Still great chap though.

Pearce had a target and he attained it, just. He got us on a run of form that almost got us into Europe and he held together a failing squad enough to stay up. He did damage, but it could have been a lot worse.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

I thought Antii was wavering a bit in the winter!!

I wasn't happy with the way things were going at one stage but I hardly have nerves of steel anyway. We weren't playing good football and what's most important we weren't getting results. Some people have moaned about the quality of football throughout Mancini era and there are lot of people for whom quality of football in offer is more important than actual results. I myself live and die by "you can't argue with results".

However, in couple of months Mancini has turned it all around and delivered. Which makes me even more impressed of him than I was when we appointed him.

AND I never asked for his head, ever. But I did say that he needs to reach his target or I would have to re-evaluate in summer. But he DID reach his targets and more.

Also, as much as I like to kid around being right all the time, for a moment I had flashbacks from Pearce era where I backed Pearce for a long time despite everything in front of me pointing out that I was dead wrong. Eventually I had to give up on Pearce and realise that as far as football tactics goes he is one of the most clueless clowns around. Still great chap though.

Funnily, I look back on SP's time with much more sympathetic eyes than I did at the time. His brief, keep us up as cheaply as possible. Job done.

Mate, while back I went and watched the season vid of his last season in charge. We were really fucking horrible. Tactically all over the place, football was fucking rubbish and we were just generally shite. And that was season video!

[Rag_hater]

I think he has done what he was employed to do.For that he has my congratulations and for me has bought himself another six to seven months.If we start dropping out of cups and are not challenging for the league from the begining his position should be in danger.For me with the backing he has there are no excuses.
Mr.Mancini as long as he keeps delivering wins is safe but if we do not progress to at least 2nd next year or win two cups should be sacked IMO.
If we are not where we are supposed to be at christmas I would sack him.
I think the reason why we have won stuff this year is because of the players we are now in a position to buy keeping Roberto has had nothing to do with it.Any half decent manager would have been able to do what he has done this year and I am still open to the idea that change won't do us any harm.Not with the squad we have.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

I think he has done what he was employed to do.For that he has my congratulations and for me has bought himself another six to seven months.If we start dropping out of cups and are not challenging for the league from the begining his position should be in danger.For me with the backing he has there are no excuses.
Mr.Mancini as long as he keeps delivering wins is safe but if we do not progress to at least 2nd next year or win two cups should be sacked IMO.
If we are not where we are supposed to be at christmas I would sack him.
I think the reason why we have won stuff this year is because of the players we are now in a position to buy keeping Roberto has had nothing to do with it.Any half decent manager would have been able to do what he has done this year and I am still open to the idea that change won't do us any harm.Not with the squad we have.

He bought himself until november? How very gracious of you.

[Bridge'srightfoot]

No i don't. I defend criticizing him at the time because the football was negative and boring. The way we played in the home derby vs United was one of the most pathetic displays considering the caliber of players we have.
I still disagree with playing more than one defensive midfielder in a game.
However he has turned it round fantastically and won me over so fair play to him.

[Rag_hater]

I think he has done what he was employed to do.For that he has my congratulations and for me has bought himself another six to seven months.If we start dropping out of cups and are not challenging for the league from the begining his position should be in danger.For me with the backing he has there are no excuses.
Mr.Mancini as long as he keeps delivering wins is safe but if we do not progress to at least 2nd next year or win two cups should be sacked IMO.
If we are not where we are supposed to be at christmas I would sack him.
I think the reason why we have won stuff this year is because of the players we are now in a position to buy keeping Roberto has had nothing to do with it.Any half decent manager would have been able to do what he has done this year and I am still open to the idea that change won't do us any harm.Not with the squad we have.

He bought himself until november? How very gracious of you.

Tell me something I don't know

[BobKowalski]

I think he has done what he was employed to do.For that he has my congratulations and for me has bought himself another six to seven months.If we start dropping out of cups and are not challenging for the league from the begining his position should be in danger.For me with the backing he has there are no excuses.
Mr.Mancini as long as he keeps delivering wins is safe but if we do not progress to at least 2nd next year or win two cups should be sacked IMO.
If we are not where we are supposed to be at christmas I would sack him.
I think the reason why we have won stuff this year is because of the players we are now in a position to buy keeping Roberto has had nothing to do with it.Any half decent manager would have been able to do what he has done this year and I am still open to the idea that change won't do us any harm.Not with the squad we have.

He bought himself until november? How very gracious of you.

Not to mention he has to win 2 cups. I'd settle for the PL title personally :)

Truth is Mancini, or any manager, will only be retained if the seasons targets are met and there is demonstrable improvement on the pitch. Sacking Mancini if we go a close 2nd in the PL and lose an FA Cup final may be pointless especially if we are playing well and have momentum. Equally if we fall back to 4th (assuming we finish 3rd this year) with inconsistent performances but bag a lucky Carling Cup win then the board may be more inclined to sack Mancini even with another trophy in the bag. Giving it our best shot and just falling short is not the crime but failing to maximise our potential is.

And no 'any half decent manager' could not do it. You need a leader with relentless drive and ambition to keep pushing the team and the squad. My take on Spurs is that they and Redknapp almost treated qualification to the CL as an end initself rather than a means to an end which is ultimately to challenge and win the CL. Qualification was Spurs ultimate goal whereas for us and Mancini it most certainly isn't. Qualification and even FA Cup wins are just stepping stones albeit very satisfying ones! Mancini will deliver bigger and better prizes because a) he is never satisfied and b) he has a palpable hunger for them as indeed do most of the very top managers. Add in the fact he has iron clad self belief and knows more than a thing or two about football then bob's your uncle so to speak.

[Rag_hater]

I think he has done what he was employed to do.For that he has my congratulations and for me has bought himself another six to seven months.If we start dropping out of cups and are not challenging for the league from the begining his position should be in danger.For me with the backing he has there are no excuses.
Mr.Mancini as long as he keeps delivering wins is safe but if we do not progress to at least 2nd next year or win two cups should be sacked IMO.
If we are not where we are supposed to be at christmas I would sack him.
I think the reason why we have won stuff this year is because of the players we are now in a position to buy keeping Roberto has had nothing to do with it.Any half decent manager would have been able to do what he has done this year and I am still open to the idea that change won't do us any harm.Not with the squad we have.

He bought himself until november? How very gracious of you.

Not to mention he has to win 2 cups. I'd settle for the PL title personally :)

Truth is Mancini, or any manager, will only be retained if the seasons targets are met and there is demonstrable improvement on the pitch. Sacking Mancini if we go a close 2nd in the PL and lose an FA Cup final may be pointless especially if we are playing well and have momentum. Equally if we fall back to 4th (assuming we finish 3rd this year) with inconsistent performances but bag a lucky Carling Cup win then the board may be more inclined to sack Mancini even with another trophy in the bag. Giving it our best shot and just falling short is not the crime but failing to maximise our potential is.

And no 'any half decent manager' could not do it. You need a leader with relentless drive and ambition to keep pushing the team and the squad. My take on Spurs is that they and Redknapp almost treated qualification to the CL as an end initself rather than a means to an end which is ultimately to challenge and win the CL. Qualification was Spurs ultimate goal whereas for us and Mancini it most certainly isn't. Qualification and even FA Cup wins are just stepping stones albeit very satisfying ones! Mancini will deliver bigger and better prizes because a) he is never satisfied and b) he has a palpable hunger for them as indeed do most of the very top managers. Add in the fact he has iron clad self belief and knows more than a thing or two about football then bob's your uncle so to speak.

The stuff you talk about happening on the pitch I feel is irrelevant to the board.Its the results at the end of the day that affect any money that has to be spent.The team can look to be moving in the right direction and putting in scintillating performances but if the results are not there then I think the board won't really care.If giving it our best shot makes us fall short leads us to failing it is a crime.
The drive you say Bobby has is a part of the character of all winners and Bobby is not the only one.
Mancini has to start delivering from the first game of next season for me.
Spurs are a totally different to us so their reasons for the CL are not the same as ours.
Demonstrating improvment on the pitch is for the fans and the people who watch.
Demonstrating improvment in the table and trophy cabinet is what is important to the board.

[Dameerto]

Tell me something I don't know

Contravariant and covariant numbers are equivalent in Euclidean space.

[Ted Hughes]

Tell me something I don't know

Contravariant and covariant numbers are equivalent in Euclidean space.

I never knew that.