Even if we don't manage

[ant london]

to get to the Champions League places this season.....(and I think we still have a really good chance)....(and at first I still will be gutted if we don't)....it looks like....with 10 games remaining we are odds on to qualify for some kind of European football next seaon

That means that we, Manchester (massive) (shitteh) (Citeh) City are looking like we are nailed on to play in Europe with less than 75% of the season gone.

As frustrating and amazing as the last season and two thirds have been, that; my friends, is definite progress....massive fucking progress.

If we lose a couple of the next ten I might bitch and moan like many others but fuck me it is already miles better to be a City fan than I honestly ever dreamt it might be.

Cmon City tomorrow but even if we end up falling short....you, the Owner, Roberto, the coaching staff and MH and his boys have done us proud.

CTID

[The Man In Blue]

aye lad its pretty mad to think we will all be gutted if we finish fifth.

if you would have told me that during, say, the 0-0 home game with watford in 06/07 to pull one out at random, i'd have stared at you in utter disbelief.

[Im_Spartacus]

I agree, it is a nice position to be in. I just hope the players dont look at it like that.

[Beefymcfc]

And after todays result at Pompey, it is a mathematical certainty that we cannot be relegated!

Hoo Rah ;-)

[Bear60]

Agreed Ant. Was thinking exactly the same thing myself today, it is a great position to be in after what we have endured over the years. We are still in with a good chance of the coveted champs leugue spot, although those f-----g yids are worrying me.

[Chewbacca]

what will be will be - we have the future to look forward to - things can and will get better ..buzzing my tits off :)

[Beefymcfc]

what will be will be - we have the future to look forward to - things can and will get better ..buzzing my tits off :)

Well said mate, the Future's Bright, and obviously Blue ;-)

[Fish111]

It may be progress to us mere mortals but to the owners i think a place in the Europa league will be classed as failure after what they have invested. Don't think certain players will be too impressed with it either.

[Biamp]

I wouldn't mind us finishing 5th, as long as we get Mourinho in the summer.

[DoomMerchant]

I wouldn't mind us finishing 5th, as long as we get Mourinho in the summer.

post more often please...it's rare that someone really truly irritates me on here anymore. Well done.

cheers

[mcfc1632]

I know that this will not sit well with most but I have no interest in being in the totally devalued Europa Cup

[carl_feedthegoat]

I know that this will not sit well with most but I have no interest in being in the totally devalued Europa Cup

Me too....it,s top 4 or Ill start negative threads.

[Burt]

This is the time for Blues to stand firm and get behind the lads. Make our place a hub of noise whoever visits us. We have this chance within our grasp and we shouldn't give it up lightly. Make all the fuclers that visit our ground be edgy and afraid. We as fans need to show the media, the opposition and most of all our team that we mean fuclin business. Let's ave the lot of em.

[john68]

Sorry lads but the whole of the project has been set up for us to finish in a CL place and 4th is the lowest that gives us that.
If we finish 5th, I will be gutted and consider it a failure.
We need CL competition to attract the higher class of player here and they'll not be impressed by us in the Europa League.

The reason Hughes was sacked and Mancini was employed was because our owners felt Hughes wasn't going to make it. After all the screaming and shouting about Hughes possibly failing, I can't understand why the same outcry isn't being visited on mancini.

[ant london]

I know where John68, Carl and 1632 are coming from and I'm not saying that I wouldn't be disappointed but I'd been thinking this over yesterday and I think:

a) players who might ordinarily have demanded guaranteed CL football would be pretty easy to convince that we were very well set to ensure that we got in the following year (after all....despite his indifferent form since the move....Juventus signed Diego despite only being in the Europa)

b) whilst I would love to be in the Champions League next season I would still enjoy a Europa league run

c) it might do us good as a team/squad to have a season cutting our teeth in the Europa (I know we've been in it recently before but not with this squad)

Now I do understand the "Mancini's target was 4th, Hughes got sacked for looking like he'd fail to get that, so should he" argument but....as with the Hughes sacking.....I think the risks involved in sacking him could slow our progress enough to mean that we'd have ANOTHER season without qualifying for the CL.

Anyway, none of the above is really my point. Even if we come 5th.....I would still be pleased with progress. If I were in charge I wouldn't be pulling the ejector switch on Roberto, nor would I call for this as a supporter.

[JonnyAsh]

Anything less than 4th is failure and all the points lost against the so called lower teams will be the reason. The bitterist pill would be if Spuds get the 4th spot.
if it had been a case of the 'old 4' remaining there, that's one thing, but to be upstaged by Spuds would be too much to take, and with good reason. They will then be seen as the team who succeeded in breaking through, spending far less. Even looking at the table now makes me feel uncomfortable, but as has been said, a win at Fulham and then in midweek will again steady the ship.

Still, I have a feeling there will be more twists and turns,

[ant london]

if it had been a case of the 'old 4' remaining there, that's one thing, but to be upstaged by Spuds would be too much to take, and with good reason.

Yep that is the only thing that would potentially infuriate me beyond belief...I HATE THEM

[BobKowalski]

When you consider this is ADUG's first full season in charge and the amount of change both on and off the pitch that has taken place I would agree that finishing 5th is definite progress. The fact that finishing 5th would be a disappointment to ADUG and to the supporters is an even bigger indication of how far we have come in 18 months.

[john@staustell]

Ant is quite right. but it's the 'might have been' factor isn't it? Could've been Carling Cup, FA Cup and 4th.

But progress as you say.

[Swales4ever]

to get to the Champions League places this season.....(and I think we still have a really good chance)....(and at first I still will be gutted if we don't)....it looks like....with 10 games remaining we are odds on to qualify for some kind of European football next seaon

That means that we, Manchester (massive) (shitteh) (Citeh) City are looking like we are nailed on to play in Europe with less than 75% of the season gone.

As frustrating and amazing as the last season and two thirds have been, that; my friends, is definite progress....massive fucking progress.

If we lose a couple of the next ten I might bitch and moan like many others but fuck me it is already miles better to be a City fan than I honestly ever dreamt it might be.

Cmon City tomorrow but even if we end up falling short....you, the Owner, Roberto, the coaching staff and MH and his boys have done us proud.

CTID

Yes, Ant. It is all very true and sensible.
Nontheless I think that, from where we are now, the Team we have in comparison to opponents, deciders at home and the all, not getting CL will be a failure for everyone involved.
It is fair to assess about progress and pride, that should involve everybody (just to say MH bought Tevez, Barry and Kompany) but when You are that close to such a huge turning point, with so many good cards in hands.... I mean we must get because we are already a superior Team, in progress, but already enough.
I just cross fingers about enjuries and bans!
As You said Cmon City tomorrow and forever (of course) but I think the stressfull run in will last head to head at least up the Villa game and - btw - I fully expect U***d will perform efficently today for both's sake... :-)