I've got a confession..

[Ted Hughes]

Luckily our owners are long termist and not panicking kneejerk reactionaries like people on here. Never any question that Mancini had their full backing and that, in many ways, has reduced the pressure enough to let us battle our way back in it. This is the second season that we have finished very strongly and we will maybe have more faith in the future rather than whining on about that game with Spurs two years ago or that the management had the temerity to think Arsenal is a difficult place to go where we need to keep things tight?

He made a right fucking mess of the Arsenal game both this season & home & away last season & most years it would have cost us the league . It wasn't however a sackable offence as we weren't supposed to win the league this season anyway, so even if we'd come 2nd his job was done.

It seems to be a weak spot in Bob though; whether out of respect for Wenger or fear of Arsenal's passing game. Either way, his worst moments as a manager have come v them.

Yes, of course Arsenal away should be an easy win, as should have been all the 9 away games we failed in especially Fulham, and we should be on 111 points now. You do know we beat Arsenal at home do you? Just checking...

Nobody has said Arsenal should be an easy win.

[Socrates]

Luckily our owners are long termist and not panicking kneejerk reactionaries like people on here. Never any question that Mancini had their full backing and that, in many ways, has reduced the pressure enough to let us battle our way back in it. This is the second season that we have finished very strongly and we will maybe have more faith in the future rather than whining on about that game with Spurs two years ago or that the management had the temerity to think Arsenal is a difficult place to go where we need to keep things tight?

He made a right fucking mess of the Arsenal game both this season & home & away last season & most years it would have cost us the league . It wasn't however a sackable offence as we weren't supposed to win the league this season anyway, so even if we'd come 2nd his job was done.

It seems to be a weak spot in Bob though; whether out of respect for Wenger or fear of Arsenal's passing game. Either way, his worst moments as a manager have come v them.

Yes, of course Arsenal away should be an easy win, as should have been all the 9 away games we failed in especially Fulham, and we should be on 111 points now. You do know we beat Arsenal at home do you? Just checking...

Nobody has said Arsenal should be an easy win.

You inferred it. Every single defeat or draw you are the same, it is ridiculous.

[Ted Hughes]

Luckily our owners are long termist and not panicking kneejerk reactionaries like people on here. Never any question that Mancini had their full backing and that, in many ways, has reduced the pressure enough to let us battle our way back in it. This is the second season that we have finished very strongly and we will maybe have more faith in the future rather than whining on about that game with Spurs two years ago or that the management had the temerity to think Arsenal is a difficult place to go where we need to keep things tight?

He made a right fucking mess of the Arsenal game both this season & home & away last season & most years it would have cost us the league . It wasn't however a sackable offence as we weren't supposed to win the league this season anyway, so even if we'd come 2nd his job was done.

It seems to be a weak spot in Bob though; whether out of respect for Wenger or fear of Arsenal's passing game. Either way, his worst moments as a manager have come v them.

Yes, of course Arsenal away should be an easy win, as should have been all the 9 away games we failed in especially Fulham, and we should be on 111 points now. You do know we beat Arsenal at home do you? Just checking...

Nobody has said Arsenal should be an easy win.

You inferred it. Every single defeat or draw you are the same, it is ridiculous.

That's not actually true. At all.

Sometimes I'm unimpressed when we win & philosophical when we lose or draw. I just don't believe in blindly cheerleading or blindly criticising. Both are as bad as each other.

I'm right about the Arsenal game & I was right about it when he picked Boyata & Boateng together last season & chucked the game away. He wouldn't do it again now.

Blindly kissing Bob's arse even when he gets it wrong is ridiculous imo. It means that the praise he deservedly gets for getting it right, as with his brilliant substitution yesterday, becomes worthless, because some people would still cheer if he'd put Savic on.

[Alioune DVToure]

You inferred it. Every single defeat or draw you are the same, it is ridiculous.

You inferred it. He may or may not have implied it.

[Socrates]

You inferred it. Every single defeat or draw you are the same, it is ridiculous.

You inferred it. He may or may not have implied it.

It's still ridiculous.

[Alioune DVToure]

It's still ridiculous.

What worries me is how Ted never, ever seems to sleep.

I've been solidly behind both this manager and the last (as I think you have), so I think I've got a bit of room for maneuver here. Whilst the reaction to the odd bad game from some has been ridiculous, there are things that have left me scratching my head this season. For instance, why knacker out our best players by using them on runs in the EL and LC, only to meekly surrender at an advanced stage in both comps (i.e., Liverpool at home and Lisbon away). The way he's kept the players motivated to claw back the eight-point deficit has been phenomenal, but we still needed them to fuck up to crank the door back open in the first place.

Still, you live and learn, and I'm sure Mancini will. I hope we begin next season with trophies listed in order of priority (1.PL, 2.CL, 3. FAC, 4.LC) and use our players accordingly. Had this season just drifted away after the Stoke and Swansea matches, it would've been very disappointing. But full credit to RM and the boys to getting us back on top.

Finally, I also think that some of those on here who were most vitriolic towards Hughes feel as though they have to defend Mancini to the hilt as a consequence, without ever entertaining a word said against him. I also can't understand the mindset of those who've called for both of their heads, as we've made constant and steady progress ever since the summer of 2008. I'd much rather they got behind whoever the manager is. Unity has played a big part in our success over the last 18 months.

[Grob]

Finally, I also think that some of those on here who were most vitriolic towards Hughes feel as though they have to defend Mancini to the hilt as a consequence, without ever entertaining a word said against him. I also can't understand the mindset of those who've called for both of their heads, as we've made constant and steady progress ever since the summer of 2008. I'd much rather they got behind whoever the manager is. Unity has played a big part in our success over the last 18 months.

Not sure of the above. I think the culture is to pick a viewpoint, stick to it, go quiet when its going against your viewpoint, then as soon as it turns around, come back on and call all the people who post an opposite viewpoint, and proclaim superior knowledge to them with 'I told you so' posts.

[Blue Jam]

Luckily our owners are long termist and not panicking kneejerk reactionaries like people on here. Never any question that Mancini had their full backing and that, in many ways, has reduced the pressure enough to let us battle our way back in it. This is the second season that we have finished very strongly and we will maybe have more faith in the future rather than whining on about that game with Spurs two years ago or that the management had the temerity to think Arsenal is a difficult place to go where we need to keep things tight?

I think your twitter campaign saved Mancini. Saved the season. Effectively restabilised the management of the club.

[sheiks and camels]

My confession is I never wanted Platt anywhere near our team , watching him as a pundit slag us off
However , seeing him celebrate on the touch line especially up in newcastle ,has made me warm to him
My apologises Mr Platt

[london blue 2]

Finally, I also think that some of those on here who were most vitriolic towards Hughes feel as though they have to defend Mancini to the hilt as a consequence, without ever entertaining a word said against him. I also can't understand the mindset of those who've called for both of their heads, as we've made constant and steady progress ever since the summer of 2008. I'd much rather they got behind whoever the manager is. Unity has played a big part in our success over the last 18 months.

Not sure of the above. I think the culture is to pick a viewpoint, stick to it, go quiet when its going against your viewpoint, then as soon as it turns around, come back on and call all the people who post an opposite viewpoint, and proclaim superior knowledge to them with 'I told you so' posts.

Spot on.

[Grob]

Luckily our owners are long termist and not panicking kneejerk reactionaries like people on here. Never any question that Mancini had their full backing and that, in many ways, has reduced the pressure enough to let us battle our way back in it. This is the second season that we have finished very strongly and we will maybe have more faith in the future rather than whining on about that game with Spurs two years ago or that the management had the temerity to think Arsenal is a difficult place to go where we need to keep things tight?

I think your twitter campaign saved Mancini. Saved the season. Effectively restabilised the management of the club.

Ha!

[Socrates]

Luckily our owners are long termist and not panicking kneejerk reactionaries like people on here. Never any question that Mancini had their full backing and that, in many ways, has reduced the pressure enough to let us battle our way back in it. This is the second season that we have finished very strongly and we will maybe have more faith in the future rather than whining on about that game with Spurs two years ago or that the management had the temerity to think Arsenal is a difficult place to go where we need to keep things tight?

I think your twitter campaign saved Mancini. Saved the season. Effectively restabilised the management of the club.

You must know I don't do twitter, 168 characters or less? moi?

[blues2win]

Ted was complaining about the manner of the defeat at Arsenal rather than the result and he was dead right. Apart from Hart and the central defenders we pretty well gave up from first to last. It was abject. If we'd had a decent go for the last 20 and lost 2-0 getting caught at the back it would have been different. I freely accept that I thought the team we all saw that day had no chance of winning the title. Full marks to Mancini for turning things round and getting them playing so well in the last five games.

Sorry Bob but I reserve the right to change my mind. I'm a football fan. We will win next Sunday but I just pray for an early brace to make it a really wonderful afternoon rather than a goalless first half and a bumsqueaker of a second. Cheers.