While Steven Ireland is a conundrum to all the people who dont know him personally.. i still find it amazing that an article in the Mirror can have the effect it does on everyone.
Personally the only real problem that we have at City is just too much change in too short a space of time.
We have a glorious history of instability and shooting ourselves in the foot.. and that has to stop once and for all.
The great thing is, that it now can. These things come from the top, the overall culture is set by the decision makers.. and for once we have a serious bloke setting the tone for our club. We couldn't ask for a better person than Khaldoon, we have now got a manager who has the right attributes and experience with a remit for 3 years of progress. The club has sorted itself out with a model for stability for the future with an acquisition policy from the Academy to the first team.
That in itself is a culture change.. that basically puts the idea of ambition and success on a firm footing to be confident about. for me it is no surprise that the players who are struggling with that change are the old guard. What they have grown up with is the security of being at a club that desperately needed them.. in some ways it was the players that provided the continuity at City not the management. That has reversed and the old guard need to get their heads around that.
What they need to do is very simple, because they should realise is that now City have the culture for stability in place there is only one way this club is going. This old guard have to realise that they are now part of the dream that they have always wanted.. yesterday needs to be forgotten, fast.
For the clubs part i am 100% convinced they will do all they can to help the old school players rejig their thinking and get their heads down to work and be a part of what is going to happen.. but part of that help is not pandering to lingering thoughts of the past. Steven Ireland we know has the ability to be one of the best players in the Prem and a a key part of City's future.. Micah, SWP and Johnno are all players who can perform to the level they will need to.
They all need to see that City is now where they would want it to be in order to realise their dreams, they should all be given the chance to show they can make the mental shift and forge a place in that future, i am sure that the club hierarchy want this as long as the players show that they do also.
The shift from being the centre of attention is not an easy one for established City stars with what has gone on over the last few seasons and as in all things it may take a tantrum or two to bring about some home truths and realisations.. but imo that is worth it. There needs to be a recognition that it is not easy for the old school.. there will be some serious doubts and concerns going through their heads, and as fans i think the message should be an overwhelming shout of support that we have reason to be faithful in the belief that these lads can do it.
Since Mancini arrived, he has been under severe pressure and the situation demanded that he didnt take to many risks. But now with a 'normal' situation of pre-season and a whole set of competitions to tuck into, he has more space to address things that would have had to go by the wayside so far. In addition the Club has a vested interest in its own homegrown players, my view is that they will be fully aware of the above and have the patience and desire to get the best out of them before giving up.. i would even go as far as to think they will accept a few tantrums as part of that process.
Finally though i wouldn't believe anything i read in the Mirror or any other so called news rag.
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