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After the hungover started going away and realising what we have done, my first questions was, how the hell did we do it?!? What was the reason for our comeback from that game with Arsenal.

1) The comeback of the jackal Herman?
2) Bobby's mind games?
3) The absence of Mario?
4) Filth became complacent?
5) No more bent refs?
6) Or Bobby using the same eleven?

LE : 7) Lahad's voodoo?

What do you think?

It started after i said we lost it in Wales.

Tevez coming back along with balo being forced out. Silva and aguero started getting more space and the goal machine is back!

PeterParker wrote:6) Or Bobby using the same eleven?

Lot of it had to do with fact there was no need to save players anymore. Being out of the cup competitions etc. Rags had the same advantage mind.

I noticed we had lot of players running with fumes around february and march. Having just one game a week helped with that.

tevez getting fitter was extremely important
he clicked really well with aguero and silva could benefit from that also
nasri found his better form after an adjusting period and when those 4 can play in good circumstances you're always gonna score goals
and when that didnt work yaya could play more offensive, so a lot of options

balo being out probably had something to do with it, altho you cant look past his contribution for that 94th minute goal

pressure being off after the arsenal game definitely helped also, especially in the games vs WBA and Norwich

Turning point for me was Mario getting sent off at the Arse. We never seemed to look back after that and reverted back to how we were at the start of the season. But maybe the pressure was just off at that game and the lads relaxed and played with a bit of freedom.

Chairman said that him and Bobby agreed (behind closed doors) after Arsenal to take as much pressure off the players as possible... IMO that WAS Bobbys mind games and it contributed massively to the excellent run in we experienced.

london blue 2 wrote:Chairman said that him and Bobby agreed (behind closed doors) after Arsenal to take as much pressure off the players as possible... IMO that WAS Bobbys mind games and it contributed massively to the excellent run in we experienced.

I agree. I thought it was masterstroke to "concede losing the title". I didn't think for a second that fierce competitor like Mancini would think like that but clearly it was needed for the players sake. Also that's page off Mourinho's book. He always does that. When the pressure is mounting he directs the attention away from his players.

I sort to agree with NQDP on the importance of refreshed legs but, it's 2), 1) & 5) to me.
as confirmed by the heart-breaking final game, the pressure on/off/on was the key/defining point of the second half of the season, imho

2, 5, 6 of that list.

I would also add:

8) the mental strength/desire of the players themselves

I still find it hard to wrap my head around Everton's result at the Swamp when the script was written for them to roll over and die. We had been playiing well again for a couple of weeks, but that was the singular result that made everyone believe again that it could happen.

I will never like Moyes but I'll always respect him now after that game. Everton were gladiators that day at a place where they historically capitulate, and I'm delighted for them that they finished ahead of Dalglish's mob.

We have a team of winners, mental strength was key here. This is why the rags have always done so well. We took a page out of their book.
Mancini directing tension elsewhere was also helpful, it took players away from pressure and they simply had to concentrate on their football.

Key though, Tevez returning. When he came back, things started turning around and, to be quite honest, he did what he said he was going to do: help City win the title.

EL KUN AUERO!!