Mancini's Selection Messages

[Beefymcfc]

And with 2 games in a new league with new teammates.

So a policy for new signings is to play them against the lesser sides but when the big boys come into town we replace them with infeiror players because they are used to the place?

Yes it was. Particularly against United where he played ok but we ultaimtely lost so the gamble didn't pay off. Against Chelsea he was used at right back where he won't be tested as much as at centre back and he was playing alongside 3 experienced defenders who have played together on a regular basis..

Wasn't tested as much against Chelsea? He had Ashley Cole and Malouda to contend with and kept them both quiet aswell as having to deal with Anelka and Drogba. The hardest test in world football at this moment.

As Ted says, to play him at centre half against a team like Arsenal and alongside a player who is getting used to a new league and team was an unnecessary risk given that we had Lescott on the bench. Hopefully both Boyata and Mancini will learn from it.

Mancini has nothing (spell-checked) to learn from. He played the better player, no matter if he is 8 years younger than the one on the bench. He is a manager who plays players if they are good enough, not if they are experienced enough. If that was the case then Bridge would of been torn 7 new arse holes on Sunday and the scoreline would of been alot more than 0-3.

I've got to ask, again, is it the thought that the player is being questioned, or the manager?

[Slim]

Your mum is shit at sayings. It's "don't argue with idiots, they'll drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience".

And Boateng has 88 first team domestic games.

Does it matter? It's still the same thing.

and don't get your stats from wikipedia slimmy boy!! It's over 100.

Well, I have him as 10 league games for Hertha BSC.

61 league games, 1 cup game and 11 European matches for HSV.

4 league games and 1 European match for us.

88.

Well them stats are wrong, he has over 100 games in domestic and european football.

Fair enough, guess you beat me with experience, I should have known better.

[the_georgian_genius]

And with 2 games in a new league with new teammates.

So a policy for new signings is to play them against the lesser sides but when the big boys come into town we replace them with infeiror players because they are used to the place?

Yes it was. Particularly against United where he played ok but we ultaimtely lost so the gamble didn't pay off. Against Chelsea he was used at right back where he won't be tested as much as at centre back and he was playing alongside 3 experienced defenders who have played together on a regular basis..

Wasn't tested as much against Chelsea? He had Ashley Cole and Malouda to contend with and kept them both quiet aswell as having to deal with Anelka and Drogba. The hardest test in world football at this moment.

As Ted says, to play him at centre half against a team like Arsenal and alongside a player who is getting used to a new league and team was an unnecessary risk given that we had Lescott on the bench. Hopefully both Boyata and Mancini will learn from it.

Mancini has nothing (spell-checked) to learn from. He played the better player, no matter if he is 8 years younger than the one on the bench. He is a manager who plays players if they are good enough, not if they are experienced enough. If that was the case then Bridge would of been torn 7 new arse holes on Sunday and the scoreline would of been alot more than 0-3.

I've got to ask, again, is it the thought that the player is being questioned, or the manager?

I've read that back and back again and i cannot understand the question, sorry, make it abit simpleton for the simpleton please beefy!!

[Beefymcfc]

But Lescott, a guy with lots of experience could of given away two penalties in the last few games when he didn't need to so that's not to say he wouldn't of done the same as Boyata. It was a mistimed tackle that anyone could of done, even our best defender did it 20 mins later and gave away a pen.

Again i don't think playing Boyata was a gamble, he has enough games under his belt and has shown us that he is not fazed by any game. He is part of a 4 man central defensive squad and is currently IMO the 3rd best centre back we have so with our 2nd best centre back out it was hardly a gamble to play our 3rd best instead of our 4th best.

You may feel that they are better individual players, but did you feel that 2 new players who have not played in those positions was the right choice?

And why move Vinnie, he usually plays on the L-side so why not leave him be giving the 3 relative new-comers at least some experience either side?

Edit: Are you defending the managers player selection, the players, or both (and I'm sure you understood ;-))

[the_georgian_genius]

But Lescott, a guy with lots of experience could of given away two penalties in the last few games when he didn't need to so that's not to say he wouldn't of done the same as Boyata. It was a mistimed tackle that anyone could of done, even our best defender did it 20 mins later and gave away a pen.

Again i don't think playing Boyata was a gamble, he has enough games under his belt and has shown us that he is not fazed by any game. He is part of a 4 man central defensive squad and is currently IMO the 3rd best centre back we have so with our 2nd best centre back out it was hardly a gamble to play our 3rd best instead of our 4th best.

You may feel that they are better individual players, but did you feel that 2 new players who have not played in those positions was the right choice?

And why move Vinnie, he usually plays on the L-side so why not leave him be giving the 3 relative new-comers at least some experience either side?

Edit: Are you defending the managers player selection, the players, or both (and I'm sure you understood ;-))

I suppose i am defending both as i think it is easy with hindsight to criticise the decision. For all we know, we could have gone on to win the game with a clean sheet and no one would of made anything out of Boateng and Boyata playing. Also i doubt anyone on here or at the ground had a grumble with the team at the start. All this criticising and blaming people is all happening because of one mis timed tackle by the youngest player, the same mistimed tackle made by our best defender 20 mins later. People are looking for excuses and scapegoats IMO, at the game it was the ref and when we've got home and saw that he was right it is now the fault of the manager for playing Boyata over Lescott and Boateng at left back. The simple fact is, we lost the game because of a sending off in the first 5 mins, not because of Mancini, or Boateng or Boyata. United could of lost the final against Villa this year when Vidic should of been sent off in the first 5 mins. If the correct call was made then and Vidic was sent off, i doubt any United fan or any other football fan would of blamed Ferguson for playing Vidic. It was a mistimed tackle that happens in football to the best and experienced players and the worst and rookie players.

[Beefymcfc]

But Lescott, a guy with lots of experience could of given away two penalties in the last few games when he didn't need to so that's not to say he wouldn't of done the same as Boyata. It was a mistimed tackle that anyone could of done, even our best defender did it 20 mins later and gave away a pen.

Again i don't think playing Boyata was a gamble, he has enough games under his belt and has shown us that he is not fazed by any game. He is part of a 4 man central defensive squad and is currently IMO the 3rd best centre back we have so with our 2nd best centre back out it was hardly a gamble to play our 3rd best instead of our 4th best.

You may feel that they are better individual players, but did you feel that 2 new players who have not played in those positions was the right choice?

And why move Vinnie, he usually plays on the L-side so why not leave him be giving the 3 relative new-comers at least some experience either side?

Edit: Are you defending the managers player selection, the players, or both (and I'm sure you understood ;-))

I suppose i am defending both as i think it is easy with hindsight to criticise the decision. For all we know, we could have gone on to win the game with a clean sheet and no one would of made anything out of Boateng and Boyata playing. Also i doubt anyone on here or at the ground had a grumble with the team at the start. All this criticising and blaming people is all happening because of one mis timed tackle by the youngest player, the same mistimed tackle made by our best defender 20 mins later. People are looking for excuses and scapegoats IMO, at the game it was the ref and when we've got home and saw that he was right it is now the fault of the manager for playing Boyata over Lescott and Boateng at left back. The simple fact is, we lost the game because of a sending off in the first 5 mins, not because of Mancini, or Boateng or Boyata. United could of lost the final against Villa this year when Vidic should of been sent off in the first 5 mins. If the correct call was made then and Vidic was sent off, i doubt any United fan or any other football fan would of blamed Ferguson for playing Vidic. It was a mistimed tackle that happens in football to the best and experienced players and the worst and rookie players.

I actually think Mancio got it wrong and hopefully he will learn and bring Dedryk on in due course. And no-one seems to have tried to scapegoat anyone on here, just trying to have a balanced discussion rather than 'The Poor Lad' or 'Mancini Can Do No Wrong'. For me, it wasn't just the team selection (I know, I know - what the fuck do we know) it was most of the decisions after he went off.

The truth is, it didn't work regardless of how we think we did; we lost 3 - 0 at home to Arsenal who we have dicked in the last few years. OK, not a disgrace by all means, but I don't put it down to just one of them days - the decisions dictated the outcome and that's what has got to be looked at.

Wolves next, let's hope that we aren't having the same conversation; which I'm sure we won't.

[Buffalo Soldier]

So a policy for new signings is to play them against the lesser sides but when the big boys come into town we replace them with infeiror players because they are used to the place?

Not at all, you were pointing out that he has played over 100 domestic games (debatable) and I was offering the counterargument that he still lacks any sort of experience in this team and in this league.

Wasn't tested as much against Chelsea? He had Ashley Cole and Malouda to contend with and kept them both quiet aswell as having to deal with Anelka and Drogba. The hardest test in world football at this moment.

I meant more the position rather than the opponents. It's easier to play an inexperienced player at full back as individual errors/lack of positioning aren't exposed as much as at centre half.

Mancini has nothign to learn from. He played the better player, no matter if he is 8 years younger than the one on the bench.

Of course he's got something to learn, I would hope that any decent manager would be learning each and every game. Boyata has looked very good and has a very bright future, but him and Boateng have played in 5 premiership games between them. To play them both next to each other in a game against one of our closest rivals this season is a massive gamble when there is a 29 year old premiership veteran warming the bench. If it comes off then fine, but it didn't and Mancini has to take some of the responsibility. I don't see anyone screaming for his head or slating him unnecessarily.

He is a manager who plays players if they are good enough, not if they are experienced enough. If that was the case then Bridge would of been torn 7 new arse holes on Sunday and the scoreline would of been alot more than 0-3

So how come Johnson isn't playing more games than he has then?

He clearly has the ability but is sometimes still a little raw in his decision making so Mancini is quite rightly picking and choosing the games he plays in, just as he should have done with Boyata.

[Ted Hughes]

I'ev heard and read some real shite in my time put every time i see a post from Ted Hughes on here it takes it to a new level. I shouldn't be responding to this thread as my mother always said to me "don't get involved with idiots as soon enough people might not be able to tell the difference as you will get dragged down to their level" but i felt i had to respond to this beauty.

Putting two kids next to each other on the left side of the defence v Arsenal is a fucking joke. It's a stupid gamble that went predictably wrong & yet another example that Mancini is tinkering with team selections for God knows what reason.

First of all Boateng is no kid he is a experienced international with over 100 games in top flight domestic football.

Secondly it wasn't a gamble to ut Boyata in defence against Arsena. He is better than Lescott and it wasn't a gamble when he played against Chelsea and the rags twice last season was it.

But you know, we lost to a sending off in the first 5 mins and had to play against an arsenal side with 10 men for 85 mins and actually did very very well but i understand that you had to get a snipe in at that stupid italian twat in the silly scarf in the dugout as there hasn't been much oppourtunity to do that this season and there won't be many more chances for the rest of the season. Isn't that right Ted?

I don't think Mancini is a stupid Italin twat, I think he's one of the best managers in the Prem who is getting a bit carried away & making life harder for himself & us, than it needs to be. I think he's built a potentially great side which can win the premier league this season but it needs to be at its maximum & his selections are undermining some of the good work he's done & threatening to be a deciding factor in us missing that & possibly the cups too if he keeps it up. I think Mancini will win those trophies with City sooner or later but I think he can do it NOW if he doesn't fuck about quite so much, so it frustrates the hell out of me.

I also think you have got his cock so far down your throat, that you'll defend absolutely anything he does even if you know it's wrong & take it personally every time anyone says anything against him.

[Blue Since 76]

Personally thinkhe picked the right back 4 considering who was available, but agree the placing possibly wasn't the best. Boateng had to play left back, so it may have made more sense to leave Kompany as left cb, then Boyata next to Richards, either way round. However, part of that problem is still too many centre halves/ converted centre galves at full back. Great if playing a team who are launching balls, but with Arsenal's movement, it's always dangerous.

I was pleased with Mancini's approach after the sending off though. The obvious thing was to sacrifice Silva for Lescott/Bridge and go ultra defensive, but he stayed positive, as many on here have wanted. He was then hampered by injuries to Tevez and Yaya (at least I hope he was injured, as otherwise he was shite). One of those days when nothing went right that we need to put behind us and take 6 points from the next two away games before the next big home test. Arsenal lost to West Brom at home, a much worse result than what we just suffered.

[getdressedmctavish]

One thing for sure, Mancini doesn't mind who he upsets. Four English internationals plus Given and Ade. Deliver or feckin watch. Can't knock it imo.Be interesting to see if he applies the law to Barry and Milner. I reckon he's got a soft spot for them both (by his standards) but what I like about him is that he sees what everyone else sees and tends to select accordingly.Gonna be interesting.

[Ted Hughes]

Personally thinkhe picked the right back 4 considering who was available, but agree the placing possibly wasn't the best. Boateng had to play left back, so it may have made more sense to leave Kompany as left cb, then Boyata next to Richards, either way round. However, part of that problem is still too many centre halves/ converted centre galves at full back. Great if playing a team who are launching balls, but with Arsenal's movement, it's always dangerous.

I was pleased with Mancini's approach after the sending off though. The obvious thing was to sacrifice Silva for Lescott/Bridge and go ultra defensive, but he stayed positive, as many on here have wanted. He was then hampered by injuries to Tevez and Yaya (at least I hope he was injured, as otherwise he was shite). One of those days when nothing went right that we need to put behind us and take 6 points from the next two away games before the next big home test. Arsenal lost to West Brom at home, a much worse result than what we just suffered.

I thought we were very positive after the sending off & did ourselves proud. Danny Kelly on Talkshite started his programme by saying they were going to discuss how negative we'd been. If ever there was a definite clear example of blatant unjustified City slagging, that would be it. Ironically his beloved Spurs guru David Pleat, did a piece praising our positive approach only today.

Just switched the twat off without even hearing the 1st call. Sick of it. If criticism is fair then I can take it but these people are just declaring war on us.

[Swales4ever]

Do You, Roberto, expect/foreseen how long the TEAM evolution will take before You will allow Yourself to line up the finel product?

which will be:

------------------------------------ 4 Backs ----------------------------------
------------------ 2 holding MF outta YT/NDJ/JM/GB --------------------
-------------- 3 roaming plays: AJ --- Carlos ---- DS ----------------------
-------------- 1 target striker (Balo, Ade and/or Dzeko if...) ------------

[Piccsnumberoneblue]

I wasn't happy with the selection of Boyata. I have no doubt that he will be a great player for us, he has done very well for one of such tender years. But Lescott is a proven player, he has been excellent for us at centre half last season. In fact i know I'm not alone in thinking Kompany/Lescott would be the preferred pairing. Also the challenge from Boyata was made with the 'wrong foot'. He needed to challenge with his left and I'm pretty sure he'd have made it. Strange decision from Mancini and one that whether you like it or not, proved to be wrong.