Mancini (The Ted Hughes and BBS thread)

[Bluez]

I have a lot of faith in him. Sacking a manager now would be fucking ridiculous.

I wanted the last fella to get the full season and I'm saying the same here.

I have no faith in him, I don't think he has done anything to warrant faith. When it was tight at teh back it was mainly because we had so many players with defensive players on the pitch. Its one of the most noring teams I have seen in a very long time, which people can put up with when we win but when we lose its no wonder he gets stick.

That said, I assume he has a way he wants things done and so it would be stupid not to give him time to try and get the team how he wants it.

[Beefymcfc]

Redknapp over Mancini
Balotelli is the new Bojinov

Just some of the insane OTT ramblings by modern day football fans on the internet after a defeat.

I'm off for a chinese, watch the X Factor with the family.

See you next week lads!

p.s i thought Zabaleta for Adebayor was a strange and bad decision, doesn't mean i wish we had Redknapp with his solitary league cup win though

What an absolute extreme arse. I knew I'd sussed you as a Roberto Rubber but tonight you've proved it; fuck the team as you say!

Yep course, cookie for you mate, Redknapp is on his way!!

Don't talk shit (EXCUSE MY FRENCH), don't lose any creditibility that you've earnt.

That's not my "idea", it's original dubs.

p.s i'm a football fan not a politican, i don't need credibility.

Apologies, I'm a City fan and the way Mancio turned us into a Div 2 team after the goal showed he asn't got to grips with the needs of the top flight; trying to bring it down to his level.

It won't work!

[Ted Hughes]

I have had my reservations about Bobby since early doors, and only rarely have I seen anything that makes me think that my original assessment was incorrect.

I am not in the slightest surprised about the defeat today because we have been exposed over the last 2 weeks for our over-reliance on one player. I have commented many times that if you stop Tevez or he takes ill, Bobby hasn't a clue what to do about it. Fair enough, we beat a pretty poor Poznan side without him, but last week vs Arsenal, he was marked out of the game/injured, and we struggled. Today, in his absence, we struggled.

We struggle to break down sides at the best of times, but without Tevez, we might as well just pack the 18 yard box with centre halves for all the ideas we have going forwards.

I hope Balotelli has broad shoulders, because we are gonna need that kid to hit the ground running NOW, if we are not to be chasing United, Spurs and Arsenal for the rest of the season.

I think we have to accept after today that we're not so far ahead as we thought from this time last year. BUT apart from the ridiculous loss of Bellamy, we have a stronger squad by far. The only reason we missed top 4 last year was by drawing games ( & by not exploiting a weakened Arsenal). Even last year we weren't shite, we only just missed it. The thing is, not to turn this defeat into a run. Keep our heads & we still get top 4. Lose it now & we risk blowing the season & no new manager can guarantee to solve that.

We can be critical of Bob but for the sake of the club, we need to back him & the team at games not start calling for his head.

Ted, is that really you because that is really a great post and i would say that with any manager after only 10 months.

I have never rated Mancini, but even if this drama turned into a crisis, I would have to agree with Ted. I personally think the players have a lot to do, as there have been too many playing WAY off the pace, and relying on others to win games for us.

I've never any problems with anyone who doesn't rate Mancini or any manager for that matter, it's football, it's all about opinions and everyone has a different one to others. What really does wind me up though is OTT kneejerk reactions when a manager has been here less than a year. Manager should be given 2-3 years before they are judge properly unless there is a dramatic change in form and it is clealy not working out.

The problem with that is we've already set the precedent. Imo Hughes should still be here & then if we're not right at Christmas this seasonTHEN a new manager should've been brought in. In that case Bob or whoever would have the same period of grace & time to make mistakes & put them right. We effectively chucked out the 5 year plan when we sacked Hughes & that puts Bob under twice the pressure he would have been under. I said this at the time; we left ourselves nowhere to go.

If it was up to me, I'd give Bob a couple of years more (provided he didn't fuck up totally of course) & just say we're building for long term, then I'd review it. If players don't like it, fuck them off.

[Beefymcfc]

Question: Did anyone have a clue?

[john68]

Thanks Ted...Your posts make their usual sense...I totally agree Mate. Well in.

[Im_Spartacus]

Question: Did anyone have a clue?

I was about to write about the role of the players in all this before seeing your question, but it is absolutely right to look at everyone involved this season and ask why the fuck we have had to carry "world class" players like Barry & Yaya.

I still think that although we rely so heavily on Tevez, Barry and Yaya have to shoulder most of the blame for that, as they add absolutely nothing to the team's creativity when they decide to not turn up - which unfortunately has been most of the season. Even I accept that De Jong's value in the team defensively means that others should shoulder the burden of his attacking play.

I can't be arsed looking it up, but if anyone can find me a midfield in the premier league who have contributed less goals than our first choice midfield of De Jong, Yaya & Barry I would be extremely surprised.

So although its Mancini who sends the team out to play in a certain way, the midfield 3 have got to do one of the following:
1. defend so well as to make us impregnable and leave the front 3 to attack
2. have a balance between their offensive and defensive responsibilities
3. Not be very good a defensive work, but weigh in with enough goals to nullify the goals we concede as a result

As it happens, they do none of the above and therefore our midfield is actually pretty pointless as it stands. I will cut Mancini some slack on that issue, as Barry/Yaya are clearly not in form (will Barry ever be?). However if it is a question of them being arsed or motivated, then further questions about the manager are inevitable.

[Citeh&Crew]

I have the same opinion of Mancini as the OP: I don't want him fired, especially in the middle of a season, as with Hughes. But, I certainly don't understand or agree with his tactics. What kind of lineup was that today?

No AJ starting?
No SWP going down one wing at some point, to (at least) provide a faster pace?
Keeping Balotelli in, despite the fact he was dreadful today (and conversely removing Ade, who was at least somewhat effective up top)?

Boateng - he's not with it yet. He gives the ball away too easily, and truly right now, is not in synch with reading his teammates movements. To his defense, moving his starting position repeatedly isn't helping.

Where is Zabba? Why is he not starting, considering he is much crisper with his passing than Boateng?

Not starting Lescott? Are you kidding me, Mancini? Based on form this season, Lecott MUST start over Kolo.

Defensively, we are such a mess at points during the game, that some of the goals we bleed are point-blank "gimme's". (My grandma could toe-poke them in) Maybe some of it is due to lack of chemistry from rotating defensive players? Even so, at this point in the season, that shouldn't be a problem.

In the midfield? What the hell? Why not play four D-mids and be done with it? Milner is a hard worker, and I admire his abilities, but he is working so hard defensively that (at least I) haven't seen him do well creating. In fact, our only middies that are creating include AJ, Silva and..maybe SWP when he plays? (Although I would say it's his pace more than footskill)
And this is a direct problem with linking up front, because anyone with eyes can see that for all the money spent, and for having an Italian manager, without Carlos, we are reduced to playing "lob-ball". And quite frankly, other than Ade, I haven't seen anyone up front that is a decent target, nor do I think that playing lob-ball is particularly efficient or effective for a team with our (supposed) talents.

Up top.. gods, I was against Balotelli coming to City, and thought he would be a waste. TO BE FAIR, he needs at least until the end of the season to be properly judged, but from what I saw on the pitch today, he looked uninspired. I hope it was only due to his fitness not being up-to-par.
Unlike many, I think Ade is doing decently. He certainly didn't look "lazy" to me.

[Green & Blue]

People need to face up to the fact that no manager can automatically start spinning results week in week out unless he takes over a top top side with a winning mentality already within the squad.

We can't expect Mancini to have them playing like world beater's in no time.I just wish people could be a bit more patient and give our managers a chance instead of always jumping the gun and calling for his head every time we have a couple of poor results.

I hope hes given the time he deserves to shape the team his way, i think at least until the end of next season at least and then make judgement.Some of these players have only played a handful of games together.

I think today some of the players let us down really badly, Mancini has held his hands up and apologised to the fans after the game and it would not be out of place for the whole side to do so today with the exception of Ade and Silva whoplayed reasonably well.

[Beefymcfc]

People need to face up to the fact that no manager can automatically start spinning results week in week out unless he takes over a top top side with a winning mentality already within the squad.

We can't expect Mancini to have them playing like world beater's in no time.I just wish people could be a bit more patient and give our managers a chance instead of always jumping the gun and calling for his head every time we have a couple of poor results.

I hope hes given the time he deserves to shape the team his way, i think at least until the end of next season at least and then make judgement.Some of these players have only played a handful of games together.

I think today some of the players let us down really badly, Mancini has held his hands up and apologised to the fans after the game and it would not be out of place for the whole side to do so today with the exception of Ade and Silva whoplayed reasonably well.

Tic-tacs mate, Tic-tacs!

[Sister of fu]

"Not starting Lescott? Are you kidding me, Mancini? Based on form this season, Lecott MUST start over Kolo."


Have you actually been watching City this season as Kolo has been excellent and been the most improved player, see if you would have said Lescott for Boateng I might have agreed.

[BlueMoonAwoken]

It makes me laugh when you talk about yaya toure, the guy has never been attacked minded in his life, he is a defensive midfelder who can actually play football.

Barry was never really a creator he was more well known for his beckam style long balls and switching of the play. He is more defensive than offensive.

De jong is a world class defensive midfielder.

if we play a 4 in the middle its either silva playing on the right wing or AJ, Silva shouldnt be even started on the right wing in my opinion.

If we play 4-3-3

we have a midfield in my opinion that does not know what they should be doing in the last third, they are great going back but they will struggle against teams like wolves if they realise we have nothing going forward so they will attack us.

Mancini needs to stick to a team and keep it if the players that are out start kicking up a fuss fuck them off!

Im sorry to say it but we have bought too many midfield players that are defensive minded, play them all together and you willl get a boring game. You have to play your flair (creative) players if you want to win games. Against the big teams you can choose a powerful side and just stop them playing , and hope to get a winner but against smaller teams you need to making sure they are scared to come out of their own half.

[Green & Blue]

"Not starting Lescott? Are you kidding me, Mancini? Based on form this season, Lecott MUST start over Kolo."


Have you actually been watching City this season as Kolo has been excellent and been the most improved player, see if you would have said Lescott for Boateng I might have agreed.

Well pointed out Toure has been one of our best performers this season.

[Beefymcfc]

It makes me laugh when you talk about yaya toure, the guy has never been attacked minded in his life, he is a defensive midfelder who can actually play football.

Barry was never really a creator he was more well known for his beckam style long balls and switching of the play. He is more defensive than offensive.

De jong is a world class defensive midfielder.

if we play a 4 in the middle its either silva playing on the right wing or AJ, Silva shouldnt be even started on the right wing in my opinion.

If we play 4-3-3

we have a midfield in my opinion that does not know what they should be doing in the last third, they are great going back but they will struggle against teams like wolves if they realise we have nothing going forward so they will attack us.

Mancini needs to stick to a team and keep it if the players that are out start kicking up a fuss fuck them off!

Im sorry to say it but we have bought too many midfield players that are defensive minded, play them all together and you willl get a boring game. You have to play your flair (creative) players if you want to win games. Against the big teams you can choose a powerful side and just stop them playing , and hope to get a winner but against smaller teams you need to making sure they are scared to come out of their own half.

And that's where you've got to wonder whether it's the players or the manager? It's alright slating the individual play, but what do you do when you've had your orders?

Is there any individuality in the team?

[Im_Spartacus]

Im sorry to say it but we have bought too many midfield players that are defensive minded, play them all together and you willl get a boring game. You have to play your flair (creative) players if you want to win games. Against the big teams you can choose a powerful side and just stop them playing , and hope to get a winner but against smaller teams you need to making sure they are scared to come out of their own half.

In reality though, how hard is it for a defensively minded trio to win the ball, pass short to the midfielder who is in space, who plays one of the wide players in. The midfielder who hasnt been involved in the move yet moves forward into space to give the winger an option other than just hitting it into the box and hoping for the best.

THAT, is where we fall down. The players pass the ball wide or upto the forward, then generally stand and admire their work whilst the ball generally comes straight back (usually in the opposition's possession) because the player they just passed to has no options.

I don't give a fuck about who is a defensive midfielder or not, that is pure and simple football - and it hasn't been happening since Mancini got here, which is one of the reason the football is so fucking mind-numbing.

We win the ball, play it forward, lose it, win it back, lose it, play it forwards - like clockwork, the difference between us passing it forwards and Chelsea/Munes, is that they play it forward with intent, we play it forward with hope that an individual will do something amazing.

It is dumb-ass football of the highest order, a total waste of fucking time. Its only by doing it 20/30 times in a game, that by the law of averages and Tevez's sheer hard work that we are scoring at all. As we can now see, without Tevez, its fucking pointless.

[Citeh&Crew]

"Not starting Lescott? Are you kidding me, Mancini? Based on form this season, Lecott MUST start over Kolo."


Have you actually been watching City this season as Kolo has been excellent and been the most improved player, see if you would have said Lescott for Boateng I might have agreed.

I'll concede that Kolo is better coming forward, but defensively, Lescott is ahead.

[Sister of fu]

"Not starting Lescott? Are you kidding me, Mancini? Based on form this season, Lecott MUST start over Kolo."


Have you actually been watching City this season as Kolo has been excellent and been the most improved player, see if you would have said Lescott for Boateng I might have agreed.

I'll concede that Kolo is better coming forward, but defensively, Lescott is ahead.

On what grounds can you say that. Both were way below par last season with Lescott out injured for a long period. This season Kolo has been excellent in every aspect of defending where Lescott again has hardly played and when he has played at CB agaisnt Blackpool and Ponzan was pretty average. I'm pretty sure if you asked most Kolo would be in all day over Lescott on current form.

[Im_Spartacus]

"Not starting Lescott? Are you kidding me, Mancini? Based on form this season, Lecott MUST start over Kolo."


Have you actually been watching City this season as Kolo has been excellent and been the most improved player, see if you would have said Lescott for Boateng I might have agreed.

I'll concede that Kolo is better coming forward, but defensively, Lescott is ahead.

On what grounds can you say that. Both were way below par last season with Lescott out injured for a long period. This season Kolo has been excellent in every aspect of defending where Lescott again has hardly played and when he has played at CB agaisnt Blackpool and Ponzan was pretty average. I'm pretty sure if you asked most Kolo would be in all day over Lescott on current form.

I'd say neither have covered themselves in glory in their short time with City

[Sister of fu]

Sorry can't quote you as on a iPhone......but if we are having to choose someone to play at CB with Vinny then surely it has to be Kolo who has actually shown some form this season. I'm well aware of how poor both were last season but I see a big improvment in Kolo. I still think Mancini missed the boat in signing a decent CB though!!

[BobKowalski]

Well we can talk about tactics and taking Ade off (head scratcher) or is Lescott better than Kolo (Kolo on current form) and yada yada but the truth is after 10 games we ain't Chelsea who were flat, uninspired and 'lucky' and went one down and yet still won. We didn't. Win that is. And that is pretty much the whole fucking difference. Winning has been hardwired into their DNA for the last 6 years or so and for us its a shiny novelty.

Right now I'd take 28 games of one up top and the Bobby defensive special and just win something. I know Mancini is trying to create a seamless team where they can switch formations and positions with people coming in and out of the team without it making a difference but its way too early especially with players too new to the PL and the team for it to work properly imo. Its an admirable aim and when it works as it should in about a years time it will be great but right now its too much trying to run before we can walk and all that crap. We still need time to gel properly so in the meantime keep it simple and keep it effective. We know you can do it Bobby because we've seen it. A lot of people don't like it but fuck 'em.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Sorry can't quote you as on a iPhone......but if we are having to choose someone to play at CB with Vinny then surely it has to be Kolo who has actually shown some form this season. I'm well aware of how poor both were last season but I see a big improvment in Kolo. I still think Mancini missed the boat in signing a decent CB though!!

I would class myself a Lescott fan within reason but this year from all I have seen Kolo should partner Vinnie as I think he has been very good. Lescott has not been great so far when he has played but equally hasn't been anything like as bad as many have made out. Trouble is he is one of the boo boys at the moment and mistakes he makes are magnified. Others can make similar or worse mistakes and it hardly warrants a mention.
At his best last year Lescott I thought was excellent but now he seems to be lacking a bit of zip and it can catch him out. His basic defensive awareness is still there tho.