Someone's got to say it eventually

[Blue Since 76]

Let's chuck this in the ring then...

In 1966, Mercer and Allison took us to promotion from the old Div 2.
In 1967, Mercer and Allison presided over a team that finished 15th in Div 1
In 1968, after 13 games, their league record was; Won...7, Drawn...1, Lost...5...22pts
In 2010 after 13 games, our present league record is; Won...6, Drawn...4, Lost...3...22pts

Consider that Mercer and Allison were then into their 3rd season of their project of developing their team.
At the same time, their team had also been knocked out of the League Cup.
At thast point in their careers, neither manager nor coach had ever won a major trophy nor had any major success in management.

MERCER...ALLISON...OUT????.....IF NOT WHY NOT.
AT THAT TIME WE HAD NO REASON TO THINK THEY WOULD BE SUCCESSFUL
ps...For those who don't know...we went on to win the League Championship that season.

BUT AT WHAT POINT WOULD SOME OF YOU HAVE BEEN CALLING FOR THEIR HEADS?

Times have changed though. As you say, in 68, we were on the same points and went on to win the league. Our points per game ratio isn't likely to get us 4th at the moment.

[9secondlegend]

I'd fuck him off while we're still in fourth. The way things are going we'll be out of the top six by Christmas and the slide is on.

We can still salvage it now.

Who would you go for?

We're the richest club in world football. We should be able to get pretty much whoever we want. That said, maybe he'll change his style. I like him as a character but its starting to become detrimental to my entertainment and more importantly to the club.

dont you think we have already been embarassed my trying to sign whoever we want? being the richest club in the world hasnt worked in getting the top players so why would it work in getting a manager?

[john68]

Let's chuck this in the ring then...

In 1966, Mercer and Allison took us to promotion from the old Div 2.
In 1967, Mercer and Allison presided over a team that finished 15th in Div 1
In 1968, after 13 games, their league record was; Won...7, Drawn...1, Lost...5...22pts
In 2010 after 13 games, our present league record is; Won...6, Drawn...4, Lost...3...22pts

Consider that Mercer and Allison were then into their 3rd season of their project of developing their team.
At the same time, their team had also been knocked out of the League Cup.
At thast point in their careers, neither manager nor coach had ever won a major trophy nor had any major success in management.

MERCER...ALLISON...OUT????.....IF NOT WHY NOT.
AT THAT TIME WE HAD NO REASON TO THINK THEY WOULD BE SUCCESSFUL
ps...For those who don't know...we went on to win the League Championship that season.

BUT AT WHAT POINT WOULD SOME OF YOU HAVE BEEN CALLING FOR THEIR HEADS?

Times have changed though. As you say, in 68, we were on the same points and went on to win the league. Our points per game ratio isn't likely to get us 4th at the moment.

You seem very certain that it won't...Why?...That same ratio has us in 4th at the moment. What is likely to change?

[Blue Since 76]

Let's chuck this in the ring then...

In 1966, Mercer and Allison took us to promotion from the old Div 2.
In 1967, Mercer and Allison presided over a team that finished 15th in Div 1
In 1968, after 13 games, their league record was; Won...7, Drawn...1, Lost...5...22pts
In 2010 after 13 games, our present league record is; Won...6, Drawn...4, Lost...3...22pts

Consider that Mercer and Allison were then into their 3rd season of their project of developing their team.
At the same time, their team had also been knocked out of the League Cup.
At thast point in their careers, neither manager nor coach had ever won a major trophy nor had any major success in management.

MERCER...ALLISON...OUT????.....IF NOT WHY NOT.
AT THAT TIME WE HAD NO REASON TO THINK THEY WOULD BE SUCCESSFUL
ps...For those who don't know...we went on to win the League Championship that season.

BUT AT WHAT POINT WOULD SOME OF YOU HAVE BEEN CALLING FOR THEIR HEADS?

Times have changed though. As you say, in 68, we were on the same points and went on to win the league. Our points per game ratio isn't likely to get us 4th at the moment.

You seem very certain that it won't...Why?...That same ratio has us in 4th at the moment. What is likely to change?

2009-10 - 70 points
2008-09 - 72
2007-08 - 76
2006-07 - 68 (3rd was 68 as well)
2005-06 - 67

We're on target for 64.3 points, so currently and looking at recent history, we won't make it. Margins are tight at the moment though due to the low number of games played - if we'd won today, we'd be on target for 70.1 points, which may be enough. However, that win ratio wouldn't be enough to win the league these days. I think the difference is that back in 68, a draw didn't matter as much as now, so even taking into account 3 points for a win, the number of wins required was much lower.

My reason for bringing it up was that it was used as the reason for Hughes' sacking about the same time last season, and I suspect we were on about the same points.

[Florida Blue]

Getting rid of another manager ain't going to help however shit the football is, always make me laugh people calling for his head after each 'performance', to be expected I suppose, pub time me thinks.

Chinners, that's the rub mate. The talent is there, the tactic is not, so it tells me the manager may be the problem. Frankly, I think we would have been better served with RSC/Jo/a man on stilts in place of Milner as we needed the size against that back line. Trevor Francis was spot on saying, we can cross all we want, nothing is going to happen, and teams are just pulling in the bus so Tevez, Silva and Johnson can make 5 brilliant moves, but there is still a 6th foot in the way as there is no point to put the ball into the air. This is a man who twice has taking off an attacking threat late in a match for a less attacking player. At least today it was not when we were behind.

I am sorry, this mindset is so negative, so dysfunctional, it belies the squad we have. The players look uninspired, the tactic shows nothing but hope and pray a defender falls or concedes a penalty. I agree changing the manager is knee jerk, but I point all this futility at the hands of the manager. I am/was a fan of his, now I frankly wish I spent my Wednesday and Saturday doing something else.

My U9 girls team today had a 0-0 draw and it was more exciting to watch them swarm the ball then watch City the last 180 minutes. I'll say it again Fuck off Roberto (and I will add, if not, get a clue).

[King Kev]

Let's chuck this in the ring then...

In 1966, Mercer and Allison took us to promotion from the old Div 2.
In 1967, Mercer and Allison presided over a team that finished 15th in Div 1
In 1968, after 13 games, their league record was; Won...7, Drawn...1, Lost...5...22pts
In 2010 after 13 games, our present league record is; Won...6, Drawn...4, Lost...3...22pts

Consider that Mercer and Allison were then into their 3rd season of their project of developing their team.
At the same time, their team had also been knocked out of the League Cup.
At thast point in their careers, neither manager nor coach had ever won a major trophy nor had any major success in management.

MERCER...ALLISON...OUT????.....IF NOT WHY NOT.
AT THAT TIME WE HAD NO REASON TO THINK THEY WOULD BE SUCCESSFUL
ps...For those who don't know...we went on to win the League Championship that season.

BUT AT WHAT POINT WOULD SOME OF YOU HAVE BEEN CALLING FOR THEIR HEADS?

John, what was the feeling amongst the fans and the media in '68 after 13 games? Did the press have their knives out? Were the fans quastioning the tactics and calling for change?

[aaron bond]

I'm probably in the minority but I'm enjoying this season FAR more than last season.

OK...the football isn't always great and we're not Barcelona. But when we played under Hughes I KNEW that we would ALWAYS blow the lead. We would pretty much always give up the lead in any performance and I had absolutely NO confidence in the team.

Now, I'm not saying Mancini is the best manager in the world. But at least I know with him in charge we are less likely to blow a lead. I believe we will get better in time, and it'll take a year or two for us to establish ourselves amongst the elite.

It's quite embarrassing how many people on here believe we had a divine right to beat United on Weds because their team 'isn't as good as it used to be'. Well, the reality is they are still, at least, the 2nd best, team in the county, and one of the best in Europe. They might not have the star names, but they have a good manager, and are able to pull out results when they need to. They developed that over many years.

That will happen to us in due course, but the overreactions on here are, quite frankly, embarrassing. Two years ago we were just worried about staying up, now our main concern is staying in the top four. It won't be easy (it never is with City). But we actually are progressing, and we are only going to get better and better.

My personal opinion is that Mancini is doing a pretty good job. I definitely believe there is room for improvement, but it is far better than the spineless shit Hughes served up pretty much every week.

(There is a reason he has managed only Blackburn, Wales and Fulham, other than us!).

[Wonderwall]

ahh Mr Bond, you are enjoying this season more than last season are you? Well here are the results from last season up to now


15 August 2009 15:00 A Blackburn Rovers Barclays Premier League Won 0 - 2
19 August 2009 21:15 A FC Barcelona Pre-Season Friendly Won 0 - 1
22 August 2009 15:00 H Wolves Barclays Premier League Won 1 - 0
27 August 2009 20:00 A Crystal Palace Carling Cup Won 0 - 2
30 August 2009 13:30 A Portsmouth Barclays Premier League Won 0 - 1
12 September 2009 15:00 H Arsenal Barclays Premier League Won 4 - 2
20 September 2009 13:30 A Manchester United Barclays Premier League Lost 4 - 3
23 September 2009 20:00 H Fulham Carling Cup Won 2 - 1
28 September 2009 20:00 H West Ham United Barclays Premier League Won 3 - 1
05 October 2009 20:00 A Aston Villa Barclays Premier League Drew 1 - 1
18 October 2009 16:00 A Wigan Athletic Barclays Premier League Drew 1 - 1
25 October 2009 15:00 H Fulham Barclays Premier League Drew 2 - 2
28 October 2009 19:45 H Scunthorpe United Carling Cup Won 5 - 1
01 November 2009 16:00 A Birmingham City Barclays Premier League Drew 0 - 0
07 November 2009 15:00 H Burnley Barclays Premier League Drew 3 - 3

I think your memory is very hazy indeed Mr Bond

[edge275]

ahh Mr Bond, you are enjoying this season more than last season are you? Well here are the results from last season up to now


15 August 2009 15:00 A Blackburn Rovers Barclays Premier League Won 0 - 2
19 August 2009 21:15 A FC Barcelona Pre-Season Friendly Won 0 - 1
22 August 2009 15:00 H Wolves Barclays Premier League Won 1 - 0
27 August 2009 20:00 A Crystal Palace Carling Cup Won 0 - 2
30 August 2009 13:30 A Portsmouth Barclays Premier League Won 0 - 1
12 September 2009 15:00 H Arsenal Barclays Premier League Won 4 - 2
20 September 2009 13:30 A Manchester United Barclays Premier League Lost 4 - 3
23 September 2009 20:00 H Fulham Carling Cup Won 2 - 1
28 September 2009 20:00 H West Ham United Barclays Premier League Won 3 - 1
05 October 2009 20:00 A Aston Villa Barclays Premier League Drew 1 - 1
18 October 2009 16:00 A Wigan Athletic Barclays Premier League Drew 1 - 1
25 October 2009 15:00 H Fulham Barclays Premier League Drew 2 - 2
28 October 2009 19:45 H Scunthorpe United Carling Cup Won 5 - 1
01 November 2009 16:00 A Birmingham City Barclays Premier League Drew 0 - 0
07 November 2009 15:00 H Burnley Barclays Premier League Drew 3 - 3

I think your memory is very hazy indeed Mr Bond

We know that the next 5 results are all draws, so lets see how we are doing in 5 games and compare then.

Having said that though, Mancini has a better team than what Hughes had.

[Beefymcfc]

[center]1936-37...Pl 13 - W 3 - D 5 - L 5 - F 24 - A 21 - Pts 11
1967-68...Pl 13 - W 7 - D 1 - L 5 - F 25 - A 16 - Pts 15
2010-11...Pl 13 - W 6 - D 4 - L 3 - F 15 - A 10 - Pts 16
(Totals converted to 2pts for a win)
(updated after Brum)[/center]

[aaron bond]

ahh Mr Bond, you are enjoying this season more than last season are you? Well here are the results from last season up to now


15 August 2009 15:00 A Blackburn Rovers Barclays Premier League Won 0 - 2
19 August 2009 21:15 A FC Barcelona Pre-Season Friendly Won 0 - 1
22 August 2009 15:00 H Wolves Barclays Premier League Won 1 - 0
27 August 2009 20:00 A Crystal Palace Carling Cup Won 0 - 2
30 August 2009 13:30 A Portsmouth Barclays Premier League Won 0 - 1
12 September 2009 15:00 H Arsenal Barclays Premier League Won 4 - 2
20 September 2009 13:30 A Manchester United Barclays Premier League Lost 4 - 3
23 September 2009 20:00 H Fulham Carling Cup Won 2 - 1
28 September 2009 20:00 H West Ham United Barclays Premier League Won 3 - 1
05 October 2009 20:00 A Aston Villa Barclays Premier League Drew 1 - 1
18 October 2009 16:00 A Wigan Athletic Barclays Premier League Drew 1 - 1
25 October 2009 15:00 H Fulham Barclays Premier League Drew 2 - 2
28 October 2009 19:45 H Scunthorpe United Carling Cup Won 5 - 1
01 November 2009 16:00 A Birmingham City Barclays Premier League Drew 0 - 0
07 November 2009 15:00 H Burnley Barclays Premier League Drew 3 - 3

I think your memory is very hazy indeed Mr Bond

Not hazy at all, but thanks for reinforcing my point :-)

The Fulham home draw was great fun, but not nearly as much fun as the Burnley home game. But as most people on here want entertainment, and appear to care about what the neutral wants, I suppose those games could be seen as 'entertaining'.

[bernabias_right_boot]

Let's chuck this in the ring then...

In 1966, Mercer and Allison took us to promotion from the old Div 2.
In 1967, Mercer and Allison presided over a team that finished 15th in Div 1
In 1968, after 13 games, their league record was; Won...7, Drawn...1, Lost...5...22pts
In 2010 after 13 games, our present league record is; Won...6, Drawn...4, Lost...3...22pts

Consider that Mercer and Allison were then into their 3rd season of their project of developing their team.
At the same time, their team had also been knocked out of the League Cup.
At thast point in their careers, neither manager nor coach had ever won a major trophy nor had any major success in management.

MERCER...ALLISON...OUT????.....IF NOT WHY NOT.
AT THAT TIME WE HAD NO REASON TO THINK THEY WOULD BE SUCCESSFUL
ps...For those who don't know...we went on to win the League Championship that season.

BUT AT WHAT POINT WOULD SOME OF YOU HAVE BEEN CALLING FOR THEIR HEADS?

Sorry to be pedantic here, but how does 7 wins at 2pts for a win, plus one draw add up to 22 points?

[Wonderwall]

ahh Mr Bond, you are enjoying this season more than last season are you? Well here are the results from last season up to now


15 August 2009 15:00 A Blackburn Rovers Barclays Premier League Won 0 - 2
19 August 2009 21:15 A FC Barcelona Pre-Season Friendly Won 0 - 1
22 August 2009 15:00 H Wolves Barclays Premier League Won 1 - 0
27 August 2009 20:00 A Crystal Palace Carling Cup Won 0 - 2
30 August 2009 13:30 A Portsmouth Barclays Premier League Won 0 - 1
12 September 2009 15:00 H Arsenal Barclays Premier League Won 4 - 2
20 September 2009 13:30 A Manchester United Barclays Premier League Lost 4 - 3
23 September 2009 20:00 H Fulham Carling Cup Won 2 - 1
28 September 2009 20:00 H West Ham United Barclays Premier League Won 3 - 1
05 October 2009 20:00 A Aston Villa Barclays Premier League Drew 1 - 1
18 October 2009 16:00 A Wigan Athletic Barclays Premier League Drew 1 - 1
25 October 2009 15:00 H Fulham Barclays Premier League Drew 2 - 2
28 October 2009 19:45 H Scunthorpe United Carling Cup Won 5 - 1
01 November 2009 16:00 A Birmingham City Barclays Premier League Drew 0 - 0
07 November 2009 15:00 H Burnley Barclays Premier League Drew 3 - 3

I think your memory is very hazy indeed Mr Bond

Not hazy at all, but thanks for reinforcing my point :-)

The Fulham home draw was great fun, but not nearly as much fun as the Burnley home game. But as most people on here want entertainment, and appear to care about what the neutral wants, I suppose those games could be seen as 'entertaining'.

I'm probably in the minority but I'm enjoying this season FAR more than last season.

OK...the football isn't always great and we're not Barcelona. But when we played under Hughes I KNEW that we would ALWAYS blow the lead. We would pretty much always give up the lead in any performance and I had absolutely NO confidence in the team.

hmmm I think you are wearing italian rose coloured specs, the football is gash

[aaron bond]

ahh Mr Bond, you are enjoying this season more than last season are you? Well here are the results from last season up to now


15 August 2009 15:00 A Blackburn Rovers Barclays Premier League Won 0 - 2
19 August 2009 21:15 A FC Barcelona Pre-Season Friendly Won 0 - 1
22 August 2009 15:00 H Wolves Barclays Premier League Won 1 - 0
27 August 2009 20:00 A Crystal Palace Carling Cup Won 0 - 2
30 August 2009 13:30 A Portsmouth Barclays Premier League Won 0 - 1
12 September 2009 15:00 H Arsenal Barclays Premier League Won 4 - 2
20 September 2009 13:30 A Manchester United Barclays Premier League Lost 4 - 3
23 September 2009 20:00 H Fulham Carling Cup Won 2 - 1
28 September 2009 20:00 H West Ham United Barclays Premier League Won 3 - 1
05 October 2009 20:00 A Aston Villa Barclays Premier League Drew 1 - 1
18 October 2009 16:00 A Wigan Athletic Barclays Premier League Drew 1 - 1
25 October 2009 15:00 H Fulham Barclays Premier League Drew 2 - 2
28 October 2009 19:45 H Scunthorpe United Carling Cup Won 5 - 1
01 November 2009 16:00 A Birmingham City Barclays Premier League Drew 0 - 0
07 November 2009 15:00 H Burnley Barclays Premier League Drew 3 - 3

I think your memory is very hazy indeed Mr Bond

Not hazy at all, but thanks for reinforcing my point :-)

The Fulham home draw was great fun, but not nearly as much fun as the Burnley home game. But as most people on here want entertainment, and appear to care about what the neutral wants, I suppose those games could be seen as 'entertaining'.

I'm probably in the minority but I'm enjoying this season FAR more than last season.

OK...the football isn't always great and we're not Barcelona. But when we played under Hughes I KNEW that we would ALWAYS blow the lead. We would pretty much always give up the lead in any performance and I had absolutely NO confidence in the team.

hmmm I think you are wearing italian rose coloured specs, the football is gash

This time last year we had Liverpool away next.
We had a 2-1 lead.
Oh dear...what happened next???

Listen...I'm not saying I am loving the football this season. But my preference is that we build a stable back line and then develop the attack. We've seen under Keegan and Hughes that doing it the other way round doesn't work. I no longer worry about us blowing a lead anymore, or even conceding at 0-0. Obviously, it will happen occasionally, but in the past it was pretty much guaranteed to happen. Now it is no longer the case.

My dream is for us to win regularly and play amazing football but unfortunately, very few teams pull that off. In recent weeks, many posters on here having been sucking Spurs and Redknapp's dicks yet we sit above them in the league. Arsenal may play great football but they've won fuck all in 5 years, and we're in a similar league position.

We are far from perfect, but we must be doing something right if we're in the top 4 and pretty much every team fears playing us. We're doing well and we're not even that great, so it can only get better. I just think many people expect miracles, and the reality is, that it doesnt work like that.

[Kladze]

Let's chuck this in the ring then...

In 1966, Mercer and Allison took us to promotion from the old Div 2.
In 1967, Mercer and Allison presided over a team that finished 15th in Div 1
In 1968, after 13 games, their league record was; Won...7, Drawn...1, Lost...5...22pts
In 2010 after 13 games, our present league record is; Won...6, Drawn...4, Lost...3...22pts

Consider that Mercer and Allison were then into their 3rd season of their project of developing their team.
At the same time, their team had also been knocked out of the League Cup.
At thast point in their careers, neither manager nor coach had ever won a major trophy nor had any major success in management.

MERCER...ALLISON...OUT????.....IF NOT WHY NOT.
AT THAT TIME WE HAD NO REASON TO THINK THEY WOULD BE SUCCESSFUL
ps...For those who don't know...we went on to win the League Championship that season.

BUT AT WHAT POINT WOULD SOME OF YOU HAVE BEEN CALLING FOR THEIR HEADS?

That's all fucking irrelevant John.
At the moment we're scratching results with no style whatsoever - you could never, by any stretch, accuse Mercer/Allison teams of being dull to watch.

Go on, tell me - when was the last time City took your breath away for a whole game? Please don't say Liverpool at home this season.

[Blue Since 76]

Let's chuck this in the ring then...

In 1966, Mercer and Allison took us to promotion from the old Div 2.
In 1967, Mercer and Allison presided over a team that finished 15th in Div 1
In 1968, after 13 games, their league record was; Won...7, Drawn...1, Lost...5...22pts
In 2010 after 13 games, our present league record is; Won...6, Drawn...4, Lost...3...22pts

Consider that Mercer and Allison were then into their 3rd season of their project of developing their team.
At the same time, their team had also been knocked out of the League Cup.
At thast point in their careers, neither manager nor coach had ever won a major trophy nor had any major success in management.

MERCER...ALLISON...OUT????.....IF NOT WHY NOT.
AT THAT TIME WE HAD NO REASON TO THINK THEY WOULD BE SUCCESSFUL
ps...For those who don't know...we went on to win the League Championship that season.

BUT AT WHAT POINT WOULD SOME OF YOU HAVE BEEN CALLING FOR THEIR HEADS?

Sorry to be pedantic here, but how does 7 wins at 2pts for a win, plus one draw add up to 22 points?

It's updated to3 points for a win, to compare them. However, it doesn't quite work, as the reason for the change was to make teams want to win more, so we need to be ahead of the 68 total just to make the top 4.

Look at this week - played defensively and then with no obvious pattern and got 2 points. One good performance and a shocker and we'd have an extra point

[CitizenYank]

NO. NONE OF YOU ARE GOING TO SAY IT. GOD DAMNIT. I DON'T CARE IF I HAVE TO GET UP ON TOP OF EASTLANDS
WITH A BULLHORN


And we are going to stay with this manager till the end of the season!!!

1) I don't care if Mourinho defects from Real and offers his services for free!!
2.) Or that someone gives Brian Clough corpse smelling salts and 'Ol Bighead decides
to reanimate!!

Question: How is firing another manager before Christmas and bringing in another high
priced international scarf model going to get us closer to the promised land!!

This is exactly what the media are hoping to club does and that will just give them more fodder for
our grave.

Mancini isn't going anywhere 'till Sunday, May 11th: And then, because of our dashed hopes
10 Downing Street can release a statement that 'La Speciale' is now an enemy of the British people. Then
Special Branch can work him over all they want.

But if Cook goes anywhere near that phone to Dubai, I'm going to find where he lives and shoot his
hubcaps off.

Note: The following was a semi-drunken rant. I am really a nice Methodist boy who was raised non-violent.

[King Kev]

[center]1936-37...Pl 13 - W 3 - D 5 - L 5 - F 24 - A 21 - Pts 11
1967-68...Pl 13 - W 7 - D 1 - L 5 - F 25 - A 16 - Pts 15
2010-11...Pl 13 - W 6 - D 4 - L 3 - F 15 - A 10 - Pts 16
(Totals converted to 2pts for a win)
(updated after Brum)[/center]

It's looking good then!

[Pretty Boy Lee]

/quote]

This time last year we had Liverpool away next.
We had a 2-1 lead.
Oh dear...what happened next???

Listen...I'm not saying I am loving the football this season. But my preference is that we build a stable back line and then develop the attack. We've seen under Keegan and Hughes that doing it the other way round doesn't work. or I no longer worry about us blowing a lead anymore,even conceding at 0-0. Obviously, it will happen occasionally, but in the past it was pretty much guaranteed to happen. Now it is no longer the case.

My dream is for us to win regularly and play amazing football but unfortunately, very few teams pull that off. In recent weeks, many posters on here having been sucking Spurs and Redknapp's dicks yet we sit above them in the league. Arsenal may play great football but they've won fuck all in 5 years, and we're in a similar league position.

We are far from perfect, but we must be doing something right if we're in the top 4 and pretty much every team fears playing us. We're doing well and we're not even that great, so it can only get better. I just think many people expect miracles, and the reality is, that it doesnt work like that.[/quote]


We agree on something, because I don't worry about us blowing a lead anymore either. That would imply we scored a goal.

[john68]

Blue Since 76,
Thanks for explaining the uprating of points in the list to Benarbia, appreciated. Apologies for not making it more clear but as I has used similar as a sig since last season, I took for granted that everyone would know...my bad.

With regard to you reply on the 3pt comparison, Beefy kindly downrated the stats to 2pts and your argument fails. In fact the downrating makes this season even better in comparison.

I'm not trying to make a definitive statistical point, I am just pointing out that this season's record is reasonably on a par with the 2 seasons we became Champions. Arguably the 2 best seasons we have ever had as a club, yet this season, some want to sack the manager. For the record, I used a similar argument last season in defence of Hughes.

I think I have previously covered your point about being blown away by the quality this season and have already stated quite clearly several times that like many, I am certainly not happy with the percieved negative tactics of Mancini. Where I differ from some is that I am taking on board the added info that we actively attempted to buy several World class strikers to improve our attacking strength. To me that tells me Mancini, the club or Marwood are aware of the problem and actively taking steps to sort it out.

I see this present situation as being a temporary one that will hopefully be changed for the better in the near future. Possibly even as early as the Jan transfer window.