Midfield Madness and the new regime

[Patrick]

We seem to be making approaches for another 42 midfielders at the moment

Is this the end of the road for superman and gazbaz?

It got me thinking that if he meets his targets it is likely that there will be wholesale changes before next season starts as Mancini stamps his mark on the team

So looking at the regulars who do you think is out of favour with Scarfface

I have left the youth, most loanees and Paddy V out to keep things more simple

[Wooders]

I've put my votes in, toure, robinho and Benjani are gonna be the victims of it, was tempted with Ireland and Johnson as I am still unsure about those 2 - Johnno with his injuries and Ireland looking like one of those players who needs to change clubs to reignite their career

[13021J]

I don't think anyone is out of favour. There have been injuries/ACN, everybody else has had there chance or been thrut into the action. Perhaps Robinho may feel he is out of favour after being told he is not automatic first choice but injury had perversely made things easier for Mancini on this front.

[Bingo Lewis]

I would say only Benjani and Santa don't have a future with us. The rest are all capable and are the reason we are still where we are in the league with over half our first 11 out injured/in Africa. If we can ship out Benji and Santa, buy Villa, get Boj back for cover, thats forwards sorted. Then its a case of upgrading the rest when available, and letting the player in that upgraded position with the least ability go elsewhere.

[Blue Blood]

I think Robbie and Benji will leave us this window, RSC will stay.

Garrido long term doesn't have a future but atm with our lack of left side options, he'll be staying.

Everyone else has a future in my opinion.

[CityFanFromRome]

I voted for Benji, Santa and Garrido, even if he will probably have a role till the end of the season, but after that he will be shipped out imho. Maybe Zabba could be at risk too, if we buy another midfielder and then a right back in the summer.

The others will all have a role. Well, Robinho will if he bothers working hard, that is, but I liked him yesterday, so hopefully if he stays with time he will go back to the level he was on at home last season, but doing it away too, if not always at least most of the time.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Benjani, Robinho and Johnson.

I reckon Robbie Manc wanted to see what Benjani has to offer and has seen it now.

Robinho is gone and will never come back as long as Mancini is manager. Mancini, despite coming through as nice feller, can actually be hard disciplinarian when needs be and I think he has grown tired of Robinho in short time he has been there. And who can blame him really?

Jonno, well I think it's over for him at this level. I feel sorry to say it but he is extremely injury prone and has off field problems. I hope he doesn't read this or if he does feels determined to prove me wrong but I'm not sure whether he will ever play professional football at top level again.

[Ted Hughes]

Deffo Benjani, not sure about any of the others.

Re Robinho; he says City don't want to let him go on loan for longer than 6 months. Once again the 6 month thing coming up.

Obviously Mancini's on trial so if he fails & gets fired, chances are Robinho will come back (if indeed he does go in the 1st place) & a new manager will try to fit him into a team. It could even be that Mancini himself will give him another shot after the World Cup. He may not complain about playing 1 game in 2/3 if it's not jeapordising his World Cup place.

[blues-clues]

Dead worried about Ireland.

Definitely played his best football when Robinho was on form last year. Since then pretty much zip. Can see him going to Villa or Everton and doing well but not sure his style of play fits the Mancini patterns - any of them.

I hope I am wrong - mostly plays with his heart on his sleeve and a smile on his face.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Dead worried about Ireland.

Definitely played his best football when Robinho was on form last year. Since then pretty much zip. Can see him going to Villa or Everton and doing well but not sure his style of play fits the Mancini patterns - any of them.

I hope I am wrong - mostly plays with his heart on his sleeve and a smile on his face.

Well his assist on sunday was pretty damn impressive again. Ireland is brilliant player and will hit form again.

[Ted Hughes]

People forget sometimes that Ireland is only 23. Not many players that age are consistantly brilliant every week, especially in the PL & especially with niggling injuries.

[ruralblue]

Benji, Santa and I don't think Mancini will carry Johnson any longer, I would have liked to see Johnson get time to prove his potential but too crocked I think.

[Crossie]

Irelands been injured.

When Hughes was in charge I didnt use to think we could win without Ireland on the pitch. Theres no doubt he needs to stay here, there will be plenty of games for him no matter who the manager is. I bet you Ireland and Bellamy top the stat sheets for running, tackles, interceptions, passes, dribbles, runs etc. Ireland just needs to be THAT good in centre mid/holding, rather than luxory attacking midfielder, so that he can suit more formations and tactics.

I think once he is fit again, Mancini will give him a good long run in the side and Ireland will come back to his best.

[Goataldo]

Just checked and we're actually after 3 4 midfielders at the moment, which is weird.

Thoughts on who's most likely to go imo:

Spanish Gaz - not tight enough defensively, especially for an Italian manager.

I've heard rumours that Macnini isn't too keen on Kompany; always yelling at him in games, on his case. I rate him, would hate to see him go.

Johnson - too early to say, but he'll be a while getting fit and who knows what our situation will be then re playing staff.

Benjani - seems bound to go.

Robinho - was so keen for him to prove everyone wrong, but apparently he's all but gone to Santos. Can't say I'm too arsed. Fleeting signs of form are much too little, far too late.

I think we'd be nuts to offload Ned or Ireland.

Roque - entirely down to fitness. So far not encouraging, whether the lastest one was the cub's fault or not.

'Midfield Madness and The New Regime' - best band name I've heard in ages btw.

[Patrick]

Dead worried about Ireland.

Definitely played his best football when Robinho was on form last year. Since then pretty much zip. Can see him going to Villa or Everton and doing well but not sure his style of play fits the Mancini patterns - any of them.

I hope I am wrong - mostly plays with his heart on his sleeve and a smile on his face.

Well his assist on sunday was pretty damn impressive again. Ireland is brilliant player and will hit form again.

I love Ireland - his dedication and ambition seem endless - but he doesnt seem to fit with mancinis plans

early days perhaps and maybe the next ten games will see him become a regular but I fear he is not on Mancinis wish list

The man can be decisive in games - i truly hope but dont believe he will become a legend at city

[DoomMerchant]

Dead worried about Ireland.

Definitely played his best football when Robinho was on form last year. Since then pretty much zip. Can see him going to Villa or Everton and doing well but not sure his style of play fits the Mancini patterns - any of them.

I hope I am wrong - mostly plays with his heart on his sleeve and a smile on his face.

Well his assist on sunday was pretty damn impressive again. Ireland is brilliant player and will hit form again.

I love Ireland - his dedication and ambition seem endless - but he doesnt seem to fit with mancinis plans

early days perhaps and maybe the next ten games will see him become a regular but I fear he is not on Mancinis wish list

The man can be decisive in games - i truly hope but dont believe he will become a legend at city

what makes you say he doesn't fit Patrick? has Ireland been fit for more than 2 games under Mancini? maybe i missed something.

cheers

[Mr Miyagi]

Keegan called it right on TV yesterday when he said "Mancini won't know his best 11 yet".... a good insight from another manager. Mancini is still at that stage I think, despite achieving good results.

[Patrick]

Dead worried about Ireland.

Definitely played his best football when Robinho was on form last year. Since then pretty much zip. Can see him going to Villa or Everton and doing well but not sure his style of play fits the Mancini patterns - any of them.

I hope I am wrong - mostly plays with his heart on his sleeve and a smile on his face.

Well his assist on sunday was pretty damn impressive again. Ireland is brilliant player and will hit form again.

I love Ireland - his dedication and ambition seem endless - but he doesnt seem to fit with mancinis plans

early days perhaps and maybe the next ten games will see him become a regular but I fear he is not on Mancinis wish list

The man can be decisive in games - i truly hope but dont believe he will become a legend at city

what makes you say he doesn't fit Patrick? has Ireland been fit for more than 2 games under Mancini? maybe i missed something.

cheers

Saturday I axe that you is right my black brother