Green grass of home cheers Mancini

[Mark (Blue Army)]

Roberto Mancini expects a more familiar performance on their own turf from the City team that survived a cliff-hanger of an FA Cup tie against battling opponents Notts County.

City were less that pitch perfect at Meadow Lane, where a midweek rugby union match had left its mark, and avoided an infamous fourth-round defeat only thanks to Edin Dzeko's first goal since joning the club.

But relieved manager Mancini is sure normal service will be resumed for the replay at the City of Manchester Stadium next month with a plum home tie against Aston Villa at stake in the last 16.

League One Notts took a 58th-minute lead through Neil Bishop from a poorly-defended corner, but City's manager said: "This is football - it seems at the moment that every time our opponents shoot, they score!

"But I'm not frustrated, because I know
it was difficult to play this game"

The pitch was very hard, but it was important to play football. The other team fought, that's normal. If you don't play hard in these games you can lose them.

"The replay will be different. We must play well if we want to win, but it will be a different game - our pitch is different, we can play our football on it."

Mancini, who won the Italian Cup four times as a manager, made six changes to his side and saw recalled England defender Micah Richards play a staring role - though it was his new Bosnia striker who saved the day.

The Blues boss admitted: "Dzeko needs more time to understand English football, but it is important that he scored his goal."

But there was less happy news on the injury front; Carlos Tevez has a back problem that kept him out of the squad for the cup tie, but more serious is Adam Johnson's ankle injury.

"Now we only have big problem, with Adam Johnson," said Roberto. "I think we have lost him for three months, it's a big problem for us and it looks like the same kind of injury that Kolarov had. It's very unlucky, we don't have a player like Adam but I hope that Tevez will be OK, we will see on Monday."

mcfc.co.uk

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Great to know that the boss wasn't frustrated.

[blues2win]

Overheard in the Notts County Press Box: '' I'm not sure Jo would get into the County side''

[john68]

I really hope that that press release was for public consumption only.
I really hope that in private Mancini blew every gasket at that lazy bunsh of pretend prima donnas (Micah excepted).

That Notts County were going to work hard would have been pretty obvious. That we would have to dig in and match them was pretty obvious too. At that point I would then expect a bit of class and skill would have blown County away.
Instead we hang on, have only 2 half decent chances and get of jail.

Please tell me it was not what he told the players at the end of the game.

[Ted Hughes]

Bob got away with fucking murder today. It's a good job we were only up against a 38 year old, ex con centre forward because a big powerful one would have fucked us out of the cup. Milner on the wing after being MOTM playing centrally in the last round? Kiss my arse. Why not just fucking play Kolarov there? He's a miles better crosser of the ball & has a better shot.

[john68]

Bob got away with fucking murder today. It's a good job we were only up against a 38 year old, ex con centre forward because a big powerful one would have fucked us out of the cup. Milner on the wing after being MOTM playing centrally in the last round? Kiss my arse. Why not just fucking play Kolarov there? He's a miles better crosser of the ball & has a better shot.

Ted, After the match there was a very astute guy who phoned Radio Manchester. Impressive analysis of Mancini and his tactics...
Was it you?

[Ted Hughes]

Bob got away with fucking murder today. It's a good job we were only up against a 38 year old, ex con centre forward because a big powerful one would have fucked us out of the cup. Milner on the wing after being MOTM playing centrally in the last round? Kiss my arse. Why not just fucking play Kolarov there? He's a miles better crosser of the ball & has a better shot.

Ted, After the match there was a very astute guy who phoned Radio Manchester. Impressive analysis of Mancini and his tactics...
Was it you?

No, I would swear too much & be cut off.

[john68]

Bob got away with fucking murder today. It's a good job we were only up against a 38 year old, ex con centre forward because a big powerful one would have fucked us out of the cup. Milner on the wing after being MOTM playing centrally in the last round? Kiss my arse. Why not just fucking play Kolarov there? He's a miles better crosser of the ball & has a better shot.

Ted, After the match there was a very astute guy who phoned Radio Manchester. Impressive analysis of Mancini and his tactics...
Was it you?

No, I would swear too much & be cut off.

Possibly a lurker or somone else on here who's read your posts mate.