Roberto Mancini's methods, which have brought three wins as well as three clean sheets, have won the approval of Martin Petrov.
The Bulgarian winger has started all three games under the manager, scoring once and setting up Benjani's winner at Middlesbrough.
All three games have also seen Mancini change City's line-up and tactics as he sees fit, and according to Petrov, who has stressed his desire to remain City beyond the end of his contract this summer, the players know their roles exactly and are enjoying what he is asking them to do.
"Before the game against Stoke we did a lot of tactical work," he revealed. "We knew we could play better and we needed to work hard to achieve that.
"I think everyone now knows they must work on the pitch and knows exactly what the manager wants from them. I think because of that the team is getting better and better
"It is very clear what each individual must do under this manager and I think that’s normal, because he comes from Italy. Everyone knows what it is in Italy with the tactical stuff. It's good for the players, if you play with everyone helping each other that has to be good for the team. We know we have a very good squad with big players but if you don’t play like a team on the pitch then you can’t win.
"I think the United game being called off was a good thing for the team because we have too many games, having this week off is maybe good for the body. We have a lot of injured players and now we can concentrate on the game against Blackburn on Monday."
Mancini could be seen directing his players back into defence even at three goals up in stoppage time at Molineux, and Petrov says that this emphasis on keeping it tight is as strong with the forwards as it is with the back four.
"We all have to get back and defend - me, Robinho, Tevez - everyone," he stressed. "You know if you play you have to do that. We know when we go forward we have quality but we also know that we have to get behind the ball at other times because if you’re not strong defensively, you know 100% that you’ll have a problem. We’re working very hard on that."
The news that City's squad has been bolstered by the arrival of Patrick Vieira has also met with Martin's approval, and he added:
"Look, another big name, with his quality, and he has played in the Premier League before. What can I say? Everyone knows what Patrick Vieira can do for the team."
from mcfc.co.uk
Posted: Sun Jan 10, 2010 3:56 pm