Mancini

[Ted Hughes]

Europe is what will get Bobby sacked in the future if he doesnt work out the code to crack it.

don't be silly.

Silly in what way?
Not this season or maybe even the next but if he doesnt crack it the owners will eventually show him the door Europe is the next target in mind.

Fully agree with this. It's not matter of opinion, I'm a massive Mancini licker, but a fact. Owners are guaranteed to want to see success in Europe sooner or later. Whether that is in two or five years is different matter.

They will give him time first though.

Let's face it, if he's still putting up people like Maicon v Ronaldo in several years time then he'll deserve sacking.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Europe is what will get Bobby sacked in the future if he doesnt work out the code to crack it.

don't be silly.

Silly in what way?
Not this season or maybe even the next but if he doesnt crack it the owners will eventually show him the door Europe is the next target in mind.

Fully agree with this. It's not matter of opinion, I'm a massive Mancini licker, but a fact. Owners are guaranteed to want to see success in Europe sooner or later. Whether that is in two or five years is different matter.

They will give him time first though.
Let's face it, if he's still putting up people like Maicon v Ronaldo in several years time then he'll deserve sacking.

Absolutely.
Owners have proven to be patient people who will give time to Mancini to do his thing. But fact is that if in three or four years we aren't making serious runs for the Big One, he will probably be gone.

[Swales4ever]

As I saw it, the set up of the game was spot on: try and control the game (which we didn't) for the 1st hour, then, eventually, going for it in the awareness that 2 results would have played in our favour. Almost the opposite of the naive approach we had last season in Munich.

It almost worked perfectly until we granted them the free territorial advantage in the middle of the park and let them put massive pressure on the back: ok Vinnie could have done much better, etc., but we all know that football is a team game and I very much doubt that we'd had conceded 2 goals in so few time if the whole pack had played dirty hardball (Stoke/Everton like) as soon as Kolarov put them in front with 4+3 minutes to play.
Whether this was mainly due to the manager inability to prompt them timely or due to the players mental fatigue and consequent lack of focus in the last minutes of a very demanding game is hard to guess, at least for me.

I definitely blame Mancini for one main, huge original mistake: not starting Edin Dzeko in a game where was easily predictable to have the back under intense pressure and, subsequent need to offload the ball often to the "famous" ball distribution of our otherwise superb Joe Hart. We all had moaned for all the first half, seeing possession freely despatched to Real, dozen of times: if Dzeko had been upfront, I suspect that half of those long balls by Joe would have ended onto Silva,Nasri or Yaya feet, resulting in possession and control of the game.
Same applied to the Stoke game, irrespectively of the good effort by Balo and consideration on the current spell of form by Edin. I am wondering since long what disrupted the Mancini/Dzeko relationship, I do consider that the general opinion by Ted on the issue is an important point of the issue, but there must be something more, because I have always been convinced that Edin was/is a very important player in Mancini set up of certain games, the present City alter-ego of Ibra at Inter, a player (Edin) that Mancini strongly wanted and rated, but the use of him made by the manager in the last 6 months, sometimes close to disrespect, seems to contraddict my opinion...

[Beefymcfc]

Silly thread Bovril boy...

Why is it mate? There's been a few comments like this yet the thread has had nearly 800 views and 60 odd posts, isn't this why we log in or are we now saying that it's OK to debate Vince, Nasti, Mason et al but not debate the person who selects them and put the tactics in place.

For me, Mancini made quite a few errors last night starting with the selection. Mason alone against Tranny was just strange whilst choosing to throw a youngster into the fray when he's never played a game for us, or with Vinny, was just bemusing. What about Tevez, a lone forward who didn't see the ball in the first half.

I thought we did really well holding them out but without Joe's saves, and that's what he's there for so I won't mention 'luck', we could've been well behind before the half. We went on though and forced the play nearing the end which left us near to beating one of the best teams in the world in their back yard. Was this the plan, let them wear themselves out before picking them off? Well, it nearly worked.

I've no problems seeing the good or bad, but to not debate Mancini's part in this seems a little blinkered, as if he's everyones messiah that one can only worship.

[Hazy2]

Having just got back, It was a great last 45mins from us, we lacked a little leadership, and the cuteness needed to kill a game for me. Joe shouls be taking a yellow for killing time, sad to say I know, I thought we had survied and great to go in 0-0 The worry was for me anyway how tired we looked last 5, almost out on our feet, Madrid are a very good side, but beatable and that was a great time to play them. Like in Munich it seemed to become harder for us as it went on, No complaints all teams lose there and I do not see them taking anything but 9 points, we might need an away win to make sure now for me.

[Dubaimancityfan]

I do blame Mancini for his team selection which has been well covered in this thread and there is no need to repeat the same points. I just watched the match again from the point when Kolarov scores. It is incredible how our team looked shaken and could not hold the ball for more than seconds before giving it back to Real.
Players who got the ball and were in a position to play it out chose just to kick the ball anywhere forward (I saw Clichy and Zabba do it)
which went straight to a Real player and back they came at us.
For the 3rd goal I noticed Tevez and bit farther up field Dzeko, walking back while Tranny was skinning Zabba. Why were they not back in our penalty area at that stage of the game. That at least is not Mancini's fault as all our players are experienced Internationals and should know how to close a game in the dying minutes but they didn't and I can understand why Joe was steaming mad after the final whistle.
It was deja vu as exactly the same thing happened in that infamous 3-2 loss at the swamp where we again lost in the dying minutes when Owen was left free to do what he likes in our penalty area.

[Beefymcfc]

From a tactial point of view I think the change in the game happened when we brought Silva off. Immediately, Mourinho hooked Essien off for Ozil, opening their middle whilst improving them in an attacking sense. Then the introduction of Modric and Benzema really gave them an attacking threat (if they didn't already have one) and without shoring the defence up (especially on the right-hand side) it left us deeply exposed.

I suppose it's alright to say it after the fact, in real time it's a little different. I'm sure we'll learn.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

From a tactial point of view I think the change in the game happened when we brought Silva off. Immediately, Mourinho hooked Essien off for Ozil, opening their middle whilst improving them in an attacking sense. Then the introduction of Modric and Benzema really gave them an attacking threat (if they didn't already have one) and without shoring the defence up (especially on the right-hand side) it left us deeply exposed.

I suppose it's alright to say it after the fact, in real time it's a little different. I'm sure we'll learn.

I would bet your money that Ozil and Modric were guaranteed to come on around the time they did if the scoreline was not good for RM.Silva was having a poor game anyway so I don't think he was key to anything

[carl_feedthegoat]

Silly thread Bovril boy...

Why is it mate? There's been a few comments like this yet the thread has had nearly 800 views and 60 odd posts, isn't this why we log in or are we now saying that it's OK to debate Vince, Nasti, Mason et al but not debate the person who selects them and put the tactics in place.

For me, Mancini made quite a few errors last night starting with the selection. Mason alone against Tranny was just strange whilst choosing to throw a youngster into the fray when he's never played a game for us, or with Vinny, was just bemusing. What about Tevez, a lone forward who didn't see the ball in the first half.

I thought we did really well holding them out but without Joe's saves, and that's what he's there for so I won't mention 'luck', we could've been well behind before the half. We went on though and forced the play nearing the end which left us near to beating one of the best teams in the world in their back yard. Was this the plan, let them wear themselves out before picking them off? Well, it nearly worked.

I've no problems seeing the good or bad, but to not debate Mancini's part in this seems a little blinkered, as if he's everyones messiah that one can only worship.

Quite right Beefy....the problem with JF is that anything that doesnt suit HIS agenda is deemed "silly"..thank fuck the cunt isnt a MOD anymore as he was like Pol Pot when he was in charge....basically hes a twat..fuck him.

This thread is well worthy...I am still happy he dropped Lescott as it might now mean the cunt has to up his game or he will be dropped again....as far as other decisions that Mancini makes, then yes ,I agree with the majority that some of them are fucking strange to say the least and at first hand not too clever. There again hes the manager that won us the prem and FA cup so what the fuck do we know !

[Beefymcfc]

From a tactial point of view I think the change in the game happened when we brought Silva off. Immediately, Mourinho hooked Essien off for Ozil, opening their middle whilst improving them in an attacking sense. Then the introduction of Modric and Benzema really gave them an attacking threat (if they didn't already have one) and without shoring the defence up (especially on the right-hand side) it left us deeply exposed.

I suppose it's alright to say it after the fact, in real time it's a little different. I'm sure we'll learn.

I would bet your money that Ozil and Modric were guaranteed to come on around the time they did if the scoreline was not good for RM.Silva was having a poor game anyway so I don't think he was key to anything

Good point Doug and he would've surely done that. However, they had a centre 3 of Alonso, Khedira and Essien, none of whom are blessed with real attacking flare. They were there to shore up that midfield against the likes of Silva and Nasri. When Dave went off, so did Essien, and that's when our fun and games, at least, started.

[Mase]

I don't think Silva was having a poor game. He was just getting booted in the air every time he got the ball.

[Beefymcfc]

I don't think Silva was having a poor game. He was just getting booted in the air every time he got the ball.

That was my impression aswell which made him look as though he was having a poor game; I think that was Mourinho's plan. It's telling that as soon as we subbed Dave, they subbed Essien for a far more attacking player. Essien had done the job and it opened up the game for them and us.

Also, doing a straight swap for Maicon with Zab's with no change to back him up seemed to be very naive. Tranny flew out of the blocks but then seemed to be squeezed out only to come back into it once we introduced Zab's. Getting up to speed takes 10-15 minutes at the best of times but to then be faced by Tranny, will just rip your heart out.

[Manx Blue]

Europe is what will get Bobby sacked in the future if he doesnt work out the code to crack it.

Bobby has the code to crack it....just like he had the code to crack winning the Prem.

Breathe.

[Manx Blue]

Europe is what will get Bobby sacked in the future if he doesnt work out the code to crack it.

Bobby has the code to crack it....just like he had the code to crack winning the Prem.

Breathe.

Oh...and BELIEVE.

[Beefymcfc]

Europe is what will get Bobby sacked in the future if he doesnt work out the code to crack it.

Bobby has the code to crack it....just like he had the code to crack winning the Prem.

Breathe.

He just needs to get out of the groups, that's a step in the right direction.

What bemuses me is how he changes the defence for CL games. I may be wrong but I don't think either Micah or Cliche played in last years games, this year we've dropped 2 PL winning defenders.

Like I say, I could be wrong but it seems crazy to me that we'd change a critical part of our team when playing in Europe.

[carl_feedthegoat]

I don't think Silva was having a poor game. He was just getting booted in the air every time he got the ball.

That was my impression aswell which made him look as though he was having a poor game; I think that was Mourinho's plan. It's telling that as soon as we subbed Dave, they subbed Essien for a far more attacking player. Essien had done the job and it opened up the game for them and us.

Also, doing a straight swap for Maicon with Zab's with no change to back him up seemed to be very naive. Tranny flew out of the blocks but then seemed to be squeezed out only to come back into it once we introduced Zab's. Getting up to speed takes 10-15 minutes at the best of times but to then be faced by Tranny, will just rip your heart out.

innie was.

Dont agree mate , Zabba was watching the whole match and knew how RM was playing , he should have been spot on as soon as he came on.
He was as much to blame for that goal as Vinnie was.

[Peter Doherty (AGAIG)]

Madrid played like a team possessed on Tuesday. I doubt they'll reach that level of intensity again this season. We rode it out and nearly got an unlikely victory. I hope there's something riding on the return leg for them as I reckon it'll be a whole different kettle of fish when that game comes around.

[Manx Blue]

Europe is what will get Bobby sacked in the future if he doesnt work out the code to crack it.

Bobby has the code to crack it....just like he had the code to crack winning the Prem.

Breathe.

He just needs to get out of the groups, that's a step in the right direction.

What bemuses me is how he changes the defence for CL games. I may be wrong but I don't think either Micah or Cliche played in last years games, this year we've dropped 2 PL winning defenders.

Like I say, I could be wrong but it seems crazy to me that we'd change a critical part of our team when playing in Europe.

Peoples misconceptions are that we have a big squad....because we're city. For all we know, our defence could have a few knocks, one of them being Lescott? Maybe Bobby has thought that he wasn't going to get a result in Madrid and decided to rest Lescott, because he was announced in the initial line up? Maybe he thinks a frenzied game against Arsenal isnt what Nastisic needs at present, but its the card dealt in the second half in Madrid (with which he did well IMO)

Of the two games this week Arsenal is the most important (IMO) because we need the three points, and anything less at home will be seen as a poor result.

Whilst the manner of the result in Madrid was disappointing, I would have taken anything of awin, draw or at worst one goal defeat going into the game. We CAN beat them by two goals against them at home so all is not lost. (Yes it could have been much worse!)

[Beefymcfc]

I don't think Silva was having a poor game. He was just getting booted in the air every time he got the ball.

That was my impression aswell which made him look as though he was having a poor game; I think that was Mourinho's plan. It's telling that as soon as we subbed Dave, they subbed Essien for a far more attacking player. Essien had done the job and it opened up the game for them and us.

Also, doing a straight swap for Maicon with Zab's with no change to back him up seemed to be very naive. Tranny flew out of the blocks but then seemed to be squeezed out only to come back into it once we introduced Zab's. Getting up to speed takes 10-15 minutes at the best of times but to then be faced by Tranny, will just rip your heart out.

Dont agree mate , Zabba was watching the whole match and knew how RM was playing , he should have been spot on as soon as he came on.
He was as much to blame for that goal as Vinnie was.

I agree mate, more so because he let him in. However, you know as someone who's played football that it's not as simple as watching a players movement. Tranny will turn you inside out with the drop of an eyebrow, never mind a shoulder, and he was allowed to hammer Zab's from the very second he came on without any back-up.

Vinnie's attempted header/leave was just strange, unless that is, that ball did the trademark Tranny dip that we've seen him do so many times.

[CHOPPERmcfc]

Yes, Bobby Manc and his persistant fannying about with the formation lost us the game, and gave us a lack lustre start to the league campaign. Last season with the 4-2-3-1 formation we won the championship by scoring the most goals and conceding the least in the league, so why he would alter such a successful formula is beyond me.

Having said that, it seems to have finally sunk in that pushing Yaya into a more attacking role from the outset is the way forward which is encouraging. I just don't see why he has so much faith in Gareth Barry???? I've never rated him. He's clumsy in possession and even worse when trying to win the ball back.