Mancini

[Tokyo Blue]

I feel the press are imposing expectations upon the club that are not generated by us, the high ups or Bobby. "He must win the league this year", or else be considered a failure.

Coping with the CL, doing well in the cups and trying to maintain a top 3 position (ie, getting in the CL next year) won't be easy. We should have the players to do it, but, events have a nasty habit of biting you in the arse. Lots of things could derail our progress: crap referees, injuries, badly timed suspensions, tiredness, loss of form etc.

Now, I believe that we'll do well, but I'll be buggered if the media do my judging for me as to whether Bobby has been a success or not. I'll make my own mind up thank you.

Absolutely spot on.

I don't know any City fan who expects us to win the league this season and wil be calling for the manager's head if we don't.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

I'll reserve any judgement on this until 3:30pm next Saturday.

Not sure what you will learn by 3.30 next Sat seeing we don't play till Sunday !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good point.

You don't need to judge pal, just what you think at the mo. What you going to do, decide on 1 game rather than what you've seen so far?

We've been title winners class so far, no doubt. Been really impressed with the momentum so far.

But I' not getting carried away. I just want to see how we perform against superior opposition. A loss next week and this board will change dramatically.

It's true as well. Momentums can and will change during the season. And we are not going to win every game.

It's different thing though how you personally feel and how this board seems to feel. There has been numerous of occasions over the years when I have been happy with overall results or progress while on this board people have been on suicide watch. And to be fair, the opposite has been the case as well.

The biggest problem is when people start going overboard with their expectations. I know from experience that when we play well people forget all reality and start talking about "winning treble and let the Academy team take us to League Cup final". These people will actually be disappointed if we "only win league".

But you can't let this board mould your opinions and expectations. If you are happy with something, just be happy about it regardless of what people say here.

[john@staustell]

I still dont see anything fundamentally different. We totally outplayed Bolton and restricted them to a couple of chances, in both of which the player was tightly marked defensively by Jolene. One went through his legs in the tackle and one he was outjumped, but that's another story.

We will keep it tight and then score whenever possible, as usual.

Bolton will trouble a few this year.

[Piccsnumberoneblue]

Breath of fresh air yesterday.
But we've played scintillating football under Mancini before but then gone back in our shell. Fulham away last season for instance was breathtaking. Equally the games against Filth at home and away at Arse, Scouse and Chelsea were utterly gutless and cowardly.
Seeing how we can play makes it all the more frustrating when we play like we're scared. I hate it.
Keep it coming Bob as there is not a team we can't outplay.

[Beefymcfc]

The biggest problem is when people start going overboard with their expectations. I know from experience that when we play well people forget all reality and start talking about "winning treble and let the Academy team take us to League Cup final". These people will actually be disappointed if we "only win league".

But you can't let this board mould your opinions and expectations. If you are happy with something, just be happy about it regardless of what people say here.

I think that's a bit unfair on this board mate, I don't think I've ever seen the attitude that we can win everything and I'm not sure I've seen people who expect to win anything, that's why a lot of people return day-after-day. Maybe you'll find a poster jokingly saying we can win this or win that, but not to the extent you state.

As for the EDS playing in the League Cup then I'm a subscriber to that ethos, not that I expect them to win it but they'll give it a damn good go. I was the first to slate Mancini last year when we went out against Brom and that was due to the fact he seemed to throw the lads out with no real back-up on the pitch. The only person of note was Vieira whereas Brom at least had a seasoned pro at every level of play. For me though, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise with all the games we had, and that goes too for the Kiev game. Alhtough it would've been great to see us proceed, I think it would've been to the detriment of our League and FA Cup form.

In hindsight, I can't say I blame Mancini as everything turned out right in the end, but during the season people will have a different preception according to how we are doing at the time (remember the 'Mancini Out' threads), and that's why people come on message boards such as this, at the time, and have their say. Imagine if we all waited until the season was done to post what we think? It'd make for a very, very quiet board.

[avoidconfusion]

I hope he continues this against the top 6 sides too...

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

The biggest problem is when people start going overboard with their expectations. I know from experience that when we play well people forget all reality and start talking about "winning treble and let the Academy team take us to League Cup final". These people will actually be disappointed if we "only win league".

But you can't let this board mould your opinions and expectations. If you are happy with something, just be happy about it regardless of what people say here.

I think that's a bit unfair on this board mate, I don't think I've ever seen the attitude that we can win everything and I'm not sure I've seen people who expect to win anything, that's why a lot of people return day-after-day. Maybe you'll find a poster jokingly saying we can win this or win that, but not to the extent you state.

I still remember Sven era vivdly and how some people reacted to it. Before the season people were saying that they'd be pleased with solid lower mid-table finish and avoiding relegation battle. After christmas some people went completely overboard talking about breaking into top 4 when we had no business being there. Then when we finished extremely respectable 9th, many people were moaning what a let down the whole season had been and how Sven failed.

That's why I myself look at where we are in the beginning of the season and set targets I'd be happy with accordingly. And I stand by those targets throughout the season. There are ALWAYS ups and downs during the season. ALWAYS.

[Mike J]

a couple of fantastic performances. so well done bobby manc. i still think he will go ultra defensive against the tougher opponents. a shame really if it does happen because we have the tools to destroy any team in this league now. but im a happy man right now.

[Ted Hughes]

The biggest problem is when people start going overboard with their expectations. I know from experience that when we play well people forget all reality and start talking about "winning treble and let the Academy team take us to League Cup final". These people will actually be disappointed if we "only win league".

But you can't let this board mould your opinions and expectations. If you are happy with something, just be happy about it regardless of what people say here.

I think that's a bit unfair on this board mate, I don't think I've ever seen the attitude that we can win everything and I'm not sure I've seen people who expect to win anything, that's why a lot of people return day-after-day. Maybe you'll find a poster jokingly saying we can win this or win that, but not to the extent you state.

I still remember Sven era vivdly and how some people reacted to it. Before the season people were saying that they'd be pleased with solid lower mid-table finish and avoiding relegation battle. After christmas some people went completely overboard talking about breaking into top 4 when we had no business being there. Then when we finished extremely respectable 9th, many people were moaning what a let down the whole season had been and how Sven failed.

That's why I myself look at where we are in the beginning of the season and set targets I'd be happy with accordingly. And I stand by those targets throughout the season. There are ALWAYS ups and downs during the season. ALWAYS.

Sometimes you're presented by opportunities though. It's a good point that Andy Gray made last season; that sometimes things appear in front of you & you have to realise it & go & grab them. We did that in the end, with 3rd place but we weren't trying to do that earlier in the season & I think we maybe could have been even better if we had done. I think City Chelsea & Arsenal could have given the rags a harder time last season but all were fighting to come 2nd, 3rd or 4th.

I think this season we'll go hard for whatever presents itself though.

[Beefymcfc]

The biggest problem is when people start going overboard with their expectations. I know from experience that when we play well people forget all reality and start talking about "winning treble and let the Academy team take us to League Cup final". These people will actually be disappointed if we "only win league".

But you can't let this board mould your opinions and expectations. If you are happy with something, just be happy about it regardless of what people say here.

I think that's a bit unfair on this board mate, I don't think I've ever seen the attitude that we can win everything and I'm not sure I've seen people who expect to win anything, that's why a lot of people return day-after-day. Maybe you'll find a poster jokingly saying we can win this or win that, but not to the extent you state.

I still remember Sven era vivdly and how some people reacted to it. Before the season people were saying that they'd be pleased with solid lower mid-table finish and avoiding relegation battle. After christmas some people went completely overboard talking about breaking into top 4 when we had no business being there. Then when we finished extremely respectable 9th, many people were moaning what a let down the whole season had been and how Sven failed.

That's why I myself look at where we are in the beginning of the season and set targets I'd be happy with accordingly. And I stand by those targets throughout the season. There are ALWAYS ups and downs during the season. ALWAYS.

It's a fair point mate but at the time we were flying high and were looking at the time to be pushing for at least a top 6 spot. When the wheels came off it was a big shock for people and when you factored in the behind the scenes stuff that came out later then it's understandable when people were disappointed, but they understood.

Out of interest, what were your views when Hughes was in charge in his 1st year and second year, was it top 10, top 6 or top 4; and what about the cup runs?

[brite blu sky]

Lets face it, Mancini's true character as a manager is still to come out in the wash.. It is safe to say that he has been busy 'doing a job' on the team and squad, moving it towards what he wants to see.. while trying to ensure he hit the targets set. So in that sense if he decided that a point at the Emirates was better psychologically for the development of the team and played it safe as a result, then imo he is 100% entitled to do that.
We have seen this squad go from able to turn it on but not really know when - to a definite confidence they can up the tempo and they can shut things down, they can dictate the tempo of games almost all the time give or take. Now that is a massive massive difference from what we had back with Hughes. So imo whatever the method and strategy that Bob felt was necessary to adopt to achieve that it has worked. We are starting to have the poise that the Liverpool team of old that dominated Europe had and the rags best teams had.

Mancini earnt himself the right and respect to do what he wants this season and my take is that he is fully aware of that and will now play the football strategies he wants to, including experimenting against different opposition. He is safe in the knowledge that we only have to improve we dont have to win the title or the CL to continue the process.

Finally.. if you look that Silva was his choice of player, so i think was Agüero, both those players thrive on making it up as they go along and trying things out spontaneously. Mancini has built a framework with the discipline of the squad to get the best out of those type of players.
All this doesn't just come by chance.
In answer to the OP, it is only this season that we will even begin to see what Roberto Mancini is about.

[Ted Hughes]

Tbf, the above only becomes true when we do it against the better teams. We played v most of them away from home like Port Vale would in an FA Cup tie last season. The only real games where we looked the part were the two late Derbies at OT & Wembley.

For the Charity Shield, we were Port Vale again.

Let's wait & see before we declare ourselves 5 times European Champs eh ?

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

The biggest problem is when people start going overboard with their expectations. I know from experience that when we play well people forget all reality and start talking about "winning treble and let the Academy team take us to League Cup final". These people will actually be disappointed if we "only win league".

But you can't let this board mould your opinions and expectations. If you are happy with something, just be happy about it regardless of what people say here.

I think that's a bit unfair on this board mate, I don't think I've ever seen the attitude that we can win everything and I'm not sure I've seen people who expect to win anything, that's why a lot of people return day-after-day. Maybe you'll find a poster jokingly saying we can win this or win that, but not to the extent you state.

I still remember Sven era vivdly and how some people reacted to it. Before the season people were saying that they'd be pleased with solid lower mid-table finish and avoiding relegation battle. After christmas some people went completely overboard talking about breaking into top 4 when we had no business being there. Then when we finished extremely respectable 9th, many people were moaning what a let down the whole season had been and how Sven failed.

That's why I myself look at where we are in the beginning of the season and set targets I'd be happy with accordingly. And I stand by those targets throughout the season. There are ALWAYS ups and downs during the season. ALWAYS.

It's a fair point mate but at the time we were flying high and were looking at the time to be pushing for at least a top 6 spot. When the wheels came off it was a big shock for people and when you factored in the behind the scenes stuff that came out later then it's understandable when people were disappointed, but they understood.

Out of interest, what were your views when Hughes was in charge in his 1st year and second year, was it top 10, top 6 or top 4; and what about the cup runs?

That's a brilliant question that last one. Some people gave me shit for "blindly hating Hughes", which was only partially true. For Hughes first season target was clear, I said it then and stood firm about it throughout the season. I expected clear improvement on our league position. I even left it in the air how much improvement was expected as say two positions to 7th and steady improvement on how we play and how we are set up would've been alright. He didn't get even close to that. In second season I expected top6 finish and steady cup run. What some people don't remember though is that just before Hughes was sacked I said that as far as I'm concerned he can stay til the end of the season. Don't get me wrong though, I was delighted that we replaced him with Mancini as I knew Mancini is simply on different level to Hughes as far as football management goes.

[brite blu sky]

Tbf, the above only becomes true when we do it against the better teams. We played v most of them away from home like Port Vale would in an FA Cup tie last season. The only real games where we looked the part were the two late Derbies at OT & Wembley.

For the Charity Shield, we were Port Vale again.

Let's wait & see before we declare ourselves 5 times European Champs eh ?

Well the opertative word was 'starting' to have the poise.

I would though disagree completely with the idea that we looked like Port Vale in the big games early on. The key in those games imo was Bob setting up a base to improve upon. We had big debates on here about going gung ho to try and win games. The point being that yes we could have well won some games by going gung-ho v the Arse or whoever, but that is exactly what Mancini was probably trying to get rid off.. the hit and miss of going gung-ho, sometimes working sometimes going wrong.
He has steadily built a foundation of the way we are set up and play, it looked to me like it was towards the very end of the season that it started to show through and pay off. The result imo was that for the first time since promotion we actually achieved something. Further than that City now look like a team that can continue to achieve things, there is a solidity ( when the holiday rust falls off ) to City and the pundits have all seen that and changed their tune accordingly.

[Beefymcfc]

The biggest problem is when people start going overboard with their expectations. I know from experience that when we play well people forget all reality and start talking about "winning treble and let the Academy team take us to League Cup final". These people will actually be disappointed if we "only win league".

But you can't let this board mould your opinions and expectations. If you are happy with something, just be happy about it regardless of what people say here.

I think that's a bit unfair on this board mate, I don't think I've ever seen the attitude that we can win everything and I'm not sure I've seen people who expect to win anything, that's why a lot of people return day-after-day. Maybe you'll find a poster jokingly saying we can win this or win that, but not to the extent you state.

I still remember Sven era vivdly and how some people reacted to it. Before the season people were saying that they'd be pleased with solid lower mid-table finish and avoiding relegation battle. After christmas some people went completely overboard talking about breaking into top 4 when we had no business being there. Then when we finished extremely respectable 9th, many people were moaning what a let down the whole season had been and how Sven failed.

That's why I myself look at where we are in the beginning of the season and set targets I'd be happy with accordingly. And I stand by those targets throughout the season. There are ALWAYS ups and downs during the season. ALWAYS.

It's a fair point mate but at the time we were flying high and were looking at the time to be pushing for at least a top 6 spot. When the wheels came off it was a big shock for people and when you factored in the behind the scenes stuff that came out later then it's understandable when people were disappointed, but they understood.

Out of interest, what were your views when Hughes was in charge in his 1st year and second year, was it top 10, top 6 or top 4; and what about the cup runs?

That's a brilliant question that last one. Some people gave me shit for "blindly hating Hughes", which was only partially true. For Hughes first season target was clear, I said it then and stood firm about it throughout the season. I expected clear improvement on our league position. I even left it in the air how much improvement was expected as say two positions to 7th and steady improvement on how we play and how we are set up would've been alright. He didn't get even close to that. In second season I expected top6 finish and steady cup run. What some people don't remember though is that just before Hughes was sacked I said that as far as I'm concerned he can stay til the end of the season. Don't get me wrong though, I was delighted that we replaced him with Mancini as I knew Mancini is simply on different level to Hughes as far as football management goes.

Cheers mate, that's what I thought, and there's the difference in peoples outlooks. That first season for me was one of those transitional seasons again, making it hard to determine how good we'd do. My opinion at the time was that I hoped we'd click quick and make it in the top 6 or so but understanding, as you did with Sven the season before, that we would do well to sit still and finish in the Top 10. The reality that season didn't meet the expectations of what had happened at the club, but everyone seen it in a different light.

Would Hughes have made it into the CL if he had stayed; who knows, and to be truthful, who really cares now. Mancini came in, changed the set-up and went onto to get that illustrious first cup in an eon and CL to boot. You would think he now has the time but many are now expecting a push for the title, finishing at least 2nd, a decent showing in the CL and a possible defence of the FA Cup which could leave Mancini in a whole lot of hurt if a few games go wrong.

I just wonder what Mancini's priorities are though, Champions League or Premier League?

[Ted Hughes]

Well the opertative word was 'starting' to have the poise.

I would though disagree completely with the idea that we looked like Port Vale in the big games early on. The key in those games imo was Bob setting up a base to improve upon. We had big debates on here about going gung ho to try and win games. The point being that yes we could have well won some games by going gung-ho v the Arse or whoever, but that is exactly what Mancini was probably trying to get rid off.. the hit and miss of going gung-ho, sometimes working sometimes going wrong.
He has steadily built a foundation of the way we are set up and play, it looked to me like it was towards the very end of the season that it started to show through and pay off. The result imo was that for the first time since promotion we actually achieved something. Further than that City now look like a team that can continue to achieve things, there is a solidity ( when the holiday rust falls off ) to City and the pundits have all seen that and changed their tune accordingly.

That's all fine but we have to actually do it first. Our away performances last season: ok at OT, football wise; twatted at Spurs, twatted at Chelsea, twatted at Arsenal, twatted at Liverpool, result wise ; beaten at Everton, beaten at Villa. Doubt many of the top 4 had worse away results v their rivals than us.

Lets see if we can beat one or two this time.

[Rag_hater]

I think Bobby knows and also teams have begun to fear us.
We are starting to devolop the ability to have the match won like a big team before a ball is kicked.
Most of the teams we now face know that on paper we have much better players than them and we have beaten them in their heads and this kind of fear is enabling our team and Bobby to give it the big one.

[roblues]

I think Bobby knows and also teams have begun to fear us.
We are starting to devolop the ability to have the match won like a big team before a ball is kicked.
Most of the teams we now face know that on paper we have much better players than them and we have beaten them in their heads and this kind of fear is enabling our team and Bobby to give it the big one.

I'm not sure how yesterday's game backs this up. Davies tried to eliminate our 'best' player (most expensive) by kicking him - you just don't see players from lower teams do that to the rags. Bolton also had the character to cut our two goal lead twice.

[Rag_hater]

I think Bobby knows and also teams have begun to fear us.
We are starting to devolop the ability to have the match won like a big team before a ball is kicked.
Most of the teams we now face know that on paper we have much better players than them and we have beaten them in their heads and this kind of fear is enabling our team and Bobby to give it the big one.

I'm not sure how yesterday's game backs this up. Davies tried to eliminate our 'best' player (most expensive) by kicking him - you just don't see players from lower teams do that to the rags. Bolton also had the character to cut our two goal lead twice.

Your'e probably right but I think we are at the begining of a process and it allows us to be more expansive.
Most games we are now the favourite for a reason.Half the battle is psychologial and that part we have won.
Its taken Bobby a year to convey this personna but now it is paying dividends,I think this has also allowed him to tactically tweek a few things but for me the fact that we have the results and we are a team of winners it gives us a bit of an advantage.

[blues2win]

There could be a lot of trouble between Mancini and Cook/ Marwood if the Nasri deal falls through. Bob obviously feels he needs three more players; he keeps saying he's only got a squad of 22. That means Nasri, a winger and a centre back. If he's only allowed loans for the other two could Albiol be in his sights?