I would like to have more time to post a more decently spelled consideration, but I cannot renounce to say something after that second half on such a pivotal game for our bevoled Club.
First and foremost only one thing must never be forgotten: managers come and go, players too, only MCFC counts!
I am a huge fan of Roberto Mancini but I am disappointed with him for the start of this season.
Many points have been risen to discuss the argument and several to justify such a patchy beginning: Euro's fatigue, late arrival of top players, no preaseason all together, last ditch arrival of new enrolleds, tempative introduction of a contingency system of play (3-5-2).
Now, it's all good, some of this arguments have serious ground and frankly I do not buy the "Mancini is not good for european games" crap: having been grown on the most tactical and speculative league, I think is fair to assess that one could opine his ability to cope with the English game, which is different from everyone else and is the most challenging and demanding, not the europen football that is almost similar to the tactical and refereeing environment where he's been nurtured.
Still, there is no doubt in my mind that when You happened to witness such a let down like that wednesday's second half there's only ground for a huge blame of the manager, first and foremost!
I have my little, personal, issues on the game:
GazBaz and his influential presence not even optional on the bench (did he get a last moment injury or just ruled not fit enough to play 2 game in short time?);
a youngster, with potential but yet unprepared to face dire moments, thrown in the mix either at Bernabeu and on wednesday, ahead of the Europe's best center back of last season. if You are looking at improving the circulation from the back just start Nasty in 10 Wigan-like games, build his confidence with progress and You'll hopefully have a finished article for the next CL campaign. then You might be able to assess if he has something better to offer than the Klingon!
last, but most weird: another very unfinished article thrown in the battle of a very tricky pressing game ahead of the PROVEN professionalism of Jimmy Milner: I know You don't fancy him in the middle, as much as I do, but certainly he would have provided a more reliable option than a youngster still shocked by the previous mistake!
There is a common point that links me with the Mancini's doubter: the acknowledgement that his stubbornness, can sometimes become his major weakness along with being a clear trait of his talent and winning attitude: this season it has surfaced too much in excess, starting with the intention to persist in applying a system which has resulted a failure, not because it cannot be usueful, nor because we don't have the right personnel (another massive bullox: players at this level of quality, class and desire for victory, must be able to play different styles), but simply because this season the international schedule prevented us to have a normal preseason: the only moment where a major implementation can be settled!
Last but not least, almost opposite my nr.1 issue: the second half versus Dortmund resulted in a shameful display by 10 men (and thanks Joe who saved our pride, and CL hopes) who are, not supposed, just are some of the best footballers of the world, all committed to personal and Club's success. But what we saw in that 45 minutes, that lack of fighting spirit, that massive failure to impose the rights of their class - if it wasn't for Joe Hart - could have scraped the almost established brand of a world dominant Club, with all the relevant fallout on our marketing towards all the gloryhunters of the world.
NOW, I do not know why Yaya (suffocated by their excellent pressing game or not) never attemped to start one of his imperious coast-to-coast and stroled about like a fat pensioner, and even worser I do not know, nor understand, why on the fucking bastard hell, despite we enjoy in our team 4 of the VERY BEST STRIKERS in the world, who I won't swap with none other than Messi, we keep going with the need to create in excess of 10 glorious scoring opportunities to have 2 or 3 despatched home and until this trend shall continue we hardly will go places against the German or Spanish Champs: what I know is that when those things happen there is only one and one only responsible: THE MANAGER!
I am the opposite of a gloryhunter but, for many reasons, I am desperate to see out MCFC established as the Greatest Club ever seen in the History of Football and this can only happen by having the VERY BEST in each and every key roles. It's up to You, Bob, to maintain my opinion that You fit that bill for the MCFC's MANAGER job.
YOU BETTER SORT THIS CRAP OUT and end the season with clear signs of further improvements!
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