The Fighting back spirit

[Dunnylad]

I'm not sure if the frustration amongst city fans is because of the rags - we hammer teams, they numerically do better later on the some day - the CS - then yesterday we draw, they win (if they'd lost we'd be top & would there be as much hysteria?). On paper un*t*d look like a shite team (like last season) in reality they are beating every premiership team - it's very frustrating, but whilst it's just us & them challenging we are still in with great chance & Mancini can see what's wrong. Plus like the CS maybe it'll give a few of them a kick up the arse, we just could do without it so often!

[Bridge'srightfoot]

You can bet your mortgage United would have won that game in the last ten minutes had they been pegged back like we had. It's because they have so much self belief and determination and it scares teams. They always look like scoring, they get plenty of crosses into the box and corners/ free kicks etc. It's got to the point where you're surprised if United don't find a late winner in a game they're drawing.

We just simply don't look threatening in those situations.

[Mark (Blue Army)]

You can bet your mortgage United would have won that game in the last ten minutes had they been pegged back like we had. It's because they have so much self belief and determination and it scares teams. They always look like scoring, they get plenty of crosses into the box and corners/ free kicks etc. It's got to the point where you're surprised if United don't find a late winner in a game they're drawing.

We just simply don't look threatening in those situations.

This, well said. I surpose over time this we come, but for now its just not there

[bigblue]

You can bet your mortgage United would have won that game in the last ten minutes had they been pegged back like we had. It's because they have so much self belief and determination and it scares teams. They always look like scoring, they get plenty of crosses into the box and corners/ free kicks etc. It's got to the point where you're surprised if United don't find a late winner in a game they're drawing.

We just simply don't look threatening in those situations.

the rags have also had consistency in the club for the last 15 years. We have had consistency for the last 1.5 years. Have some fucking patience and give it time. While they are our rivals, you must recognize that they have been one of the most successful sports dynasties of all time. So comparing our promising new project to what they have going on is pointless and stupid. Maybe in 2-3 years of consistently winning, our club will develop the mentality to never give up and always press forward. But it's not something that is built overnight

[Bridge'srightfoot]

You can bet your mortgage United would have won that game in the last ten minutes had they been pegged back like we had. It's because they have so much self belief and determination and it scares teams. They always look like scoring, they get plenty of crosses into the box and corners/ free kicks etc. It's got to the point where you're surprised if United don't find a late winner in a game they're drawing.

We just simply don't look threatening in those situations.

the rags have also had consistency in the club for the last 15 years. We have had consistency for the last 1.5 years. Have some fucking patience and give it time. While they are our rivals, you must recognize that they have been one of the most successful sports dynasties of all time. So comparing our promising new project to what they have going on is pointless and stupid.

No it bloody well isn't.
I do have patience, I'm just saying we simply don't look like scoring past 80 minutes in a game we're losing/ drawing. We have as good players as them. I don't see what their dynasty has to do with us not looking threatening late on in games. Or a lack of self belief.

[bigblue]

You can bet your mortgage United would have won that game in the last ten minutes had they been pegged back like we had. It's because they have so much self belief and determination and it scares teams. They always look like scoring, they get plenty of crosses into the box and corners/ free kicks etc. It's got to the point where you're surprised if United don't find a late winner in a game they're drawing.

We just simply don't look threatening in those situations.

the rags have also had consistency in the club for the last 15 years. We have had consistency for the last 1.5 years. Have some fucking patience and give it time. While they are our rivals, you must recognize that they have been one of the most successful sports dynasties of all time. So comparing our promising new project to what they have going on is pointless and stupid.

No it bloody well isn't.
I do have patience, I'm just saying we simply don't look like scoring past 80 minutes in a game we're losing/ drawing. We have as good players as them. I don't see what their dynasty has to do with us not looking threatening late on in games. Or a lack of self belief.

Because at this level the game is 80% mental. A player's (or person's) mentality is greatly influenced by their environment. Being in an environment that has accepted winning as the norm for at least a decade is infectious. It gives players the belief that pushing forward late in the game will result in them scoring, rather than giving up a goal from being over exposed. It's the difference from the fans knowing that draws happen, our team will prevail, and we will be ok - instead of people losing all confidence, panicking, and questioning everything about our 1st team.

People sometimes say how players can just fit straight into the rag system, but I think it's more about adopting their mentality. The belief that if you push forward you will score and that the team is bigger than any individual. Look at Ashley Young or Phil Jones. Sure they were good last year, but they have completely stepped up their game since they went scum. It's also why the USA national team consistently over performs compared to the talent of the individuals. The success of the American sports program and belief that "USA #1" (no matter how disillusioned it is) has carried over into the national team and created a winning mentality.

This is starting to happen here after winning the FA Cup and Tevez being shown that no player is above the team. But its takes time for our mentality to be developed and tested in many games over the course of a few seasons. It boggles my mind that you cannot connect a team's history of success with self belief.

[Bridge'srightfoot]

You can bet your mortgage United would have won that game in the last ten minutes had they been pegged back like we had. It's because they have so much self belief and determination and it scares teams. They always look like scoring, they get plenty of crosses into the box and corners/ free kicks etc. It's got to the point where you're surprised if United don't find a late winner in a game they're drawing.

We just simply don't look threatening in those situations.

the rags have also had consistency in the club for the last 15 years. We have had consistency for the last 1.5 years. Have some fucking patience and give it time. While they are our rivals, you must recognize that they have been one of the most successful sports dynasties of all time. So comparing our promising new project to what they have going on is pointless and stupid.

No it bloody well isn't.
I do have patience, I'm just saying we simply don't look like scoring past 80 minutes in a game we're losing/ drawing. We have as good players as them. I don't see what their dynasty has to do with us not looking threatening late on in games. Or a lack of self belief.

Because at this level the game is 80% mental. A player's (or person's) mentality is greatly influenced by their environment. Being in an environment that has accepted winning as the norm for at least a decade is infectious. It gives players the belief that pushing forward late in the game will result in them scoring, rather than giving up a goal from being over exposed. It's the difference from the fans knowing that draws happen, our team will prevail, and we will be ok - instead of people losing all confidence, panicking, and questioning everything about our 1st team.

People sometimes say how players can just fit straight into the rag system, but I think it's more about adopting their mentality. The belief that if you push forward you will score and that the team is bigger than any individual. Look at Ashley Young or Phil Jones. Sure they were good last year, but they have completely stepped up their game since they went scum.

This is starting to happen here after winning the FA Cup and Tevez being shown that no player is above the team. But its takes time for our mentality to be developed and tested in many games over the course of a few seasons. It boggles my mind that you cannot connect a team's history of success with self belief.

Well Chelsea did it quick. Self belief comes from within, Bobby needs to install that in the players.

[bigblue]

No it bloody well isn't.
I do have patience, I'm just saying we simply don't look like scoring past 80 minutes in a game we're losing/ drawing. We have as good players as them. I don't see what their dynasty has to do with us not looking threatening late on in games. Or a lack of self belief.

Because at this level the game is 80% mental. A player's (or person's) mentality is greatly influenced by their environment. Being in an environment that has accepted winning as the norm for at least a decade is infectious. It gives players the belief that pushing forward late in the game will result in them scoring, rather than giving up a goal from being over exposed. It's the difference from the fans knowing that draws happen, our team will prevail, and we will be ok - instead of people losing all confidence, panicking, and questioning everything about our 1st team.

People sometimes say how players can just fit straight into the rag system, but I think it's more about adopting their mentality. The belief that if you push forward you will score and that the team is bigger than any individual. Look at Ashley Young or Phil Jones. Sure they were good last year, but they have completely stepped up their game since they went scum.

This is starting to happen here after winning the FA Cup and Tevez being shown that no player is above the team. But its takes time for our mentality to be developed and tested in many games over the course of a few seasons. It boggles my mind that you cannot connect a team's history of success with self belief.

Well Chelsea did it quick. Self belief comes from within, Bobby needs to install that in the players.

But has Chelsea's winning mentality permeated the whole club, or just the core of the team (who has been playing together for about 10 years)? Chelsea's mentality didn't help them too much in the Champs league final, or in the past season where almost complete confidence was lost around last January. Would you bet on Chelsea to get a winner in the last 10 mins of most games this season? I sure wouldn't. They have self-belief, but not a winning mentality that can influence any player who puts on the shirt.

Taking a step back, its incredible that you think our group of world class players doesn't have self-belief because we draw away in the league. Especially after only 5 games into the season. There is a difference between self-belief and a winning mentality. Our players may think that they can beat the world, but that doesn't mean that they will put 100% effort into 90 mins of every game. Players have to be motivated for something bigger than themselves if they are to fight back in every challenging circumstance.

[Dubaimancityfan]

I think any doubts about that were put to rest today.

We played badly for most of the match but when it counted we fought back and led after being a goal down and when they came back we didn't play for a draw but scored a winner.

Anther box ticked in the prerequisite list for Champions !

[The Original Special One]

We don't have it. Simple as that.
We either score first and then hang on to win either by the one goal or more or if we fall behind or the other team draws, we can never fight back and win.
We've seen it so many times and the best example was the Community Shield match and today's. It's happened so many times against Fulham, it's not even funny anymore. They did the same in our last match against them which was at home. Balo scored in the 1st half and then Duff scored 2 minutes into the 2nd half and with all of the 2nd half in front of us we could not find the winner. And this after we had demolished them in the away match !
No matter who is on the field, this "giving up" mentality prevails and we have no leaders to rally the team.
The last good fight back that I can remember was in Hughes' first season away at Blackburn (if memory serves) when scored 2 goals late on to salvage a draw after Blackburn were 2-0 up with Robinho scoring in injury time. That's a very long time ago.
One might say we did it against Napoli but I think we got lucky there with Alex's goal and we should have gone on to win that one but again fell short.

Seems that this is the day when people's past sins are catching up on them, and biting them in the ass.
First the legendary 'Ya Ya' thread, now this.
I wonder what mine is?

[The Original Special One]

I think any doubts about that were put to rest today.

We played badly for most of the match but when it counted we fought back and led after being a goal down and when they came back we didn't play for a draw but scored a winner.

Anther box ticked in the prerequisite list for Champions !

Has any team ever had as many goalscoring options as we have?
At times it looks as if everybody's queuing up for their turn to score
But it looks as if 'Donkey' Dzeko will still be able to score 30 League goals this season.

And I couldn't be more delighted for the boy!

[feedthegreek]

apparantly were only the 5th team in top flight history,[ prem or old div 1] to win 10 out of 11
of our opening fixtures, its happened 7 times altogether,
there are only 2 of those occasions were the team as not gone on to win the league.
one was scum, one was liverpool.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

I think any doubts about that were put to rest today.

We played badly for most of the match but when it counted we fought back and led after being a goal down and when they came back we didn't play for a draw but scored a winner.

Anther box ticked in the prerequisite list for Champions !

I wouldnt say all doubt but it's a good start. The best thing to come out of todays game I would say.

[Dubaimancityfan]

I think any doubts about that were put to rest today.

We played badly for most of the match but when it counted we fought back and led after being a goal down and when they came back we didn't play for a draw but scored a winner.

Anther box ticked in the prerequisite list for Champions !

I wouldnt say all doubt but it's a good start. The best thing to come out of todays game I would say.

Well, you're entitled to be cautious and not get carried away Doug, but I think today and also in the first Villareal match, our lads proved that they will not accept anything but a win in any match they play. I'm not saying that they will succeed every time but the mere fact that they will not give up no matter what (which they did today) is a big positive and the mark of Champions. And I agree it was probably the only positive from todays match (apart from the 3 points of course !!).

[brite blu sky]

apparantly were only the 5th team in top flight history,[ prem or old div 1] to win 10 out of 11
of our opening fixtures, its happened 7 times altogether,
there are only 2 of those occasions were the team as not gone on to win the league.
one was scum, one was liverpool.

The rags and scouce would be classics for just winning games by the skin of their teeth.. therefore not giving a true reflection of how good the team was, just that they were a bit lucky or teams rolled over. I wonder by how many goals they won their games by, that would tell us a bit more.

[paddyblue]

apparantly were only the 5th team in top flight history,[ prem or old div 1] to win 10 out of 11
of our opening fixtures, its happened 7 times altogether,
there are only 2 of those occasions were the team as not gone on to win the league.
one was scum, one was liverpool.

scum won their first 10 games in 1986 and did not win the league

[Blue Since 76]

scum won their first 10 games in 1986 and did not win the league

Remember it well. I was glad when they sacked big Ron and brought in some Scottish bloke, as I was worried Atkinson was going to get it right. Can't remember who it was now but he was rubbish for a few years, then I stopped checking on their results. Have I missed anything?

[Bridge'srightfoot]

I think any doubts about that were put to rest today.

We played badly for most of the match but when it counted we fought back and led after being a goal down and when they came back we didn't play for a draw but scored a winner.

Anther box ticked in the prerequisite list for Champions !

Aye, at 2-2 today when we were playing Shite I said the remainder of the game would prove whether we have the mentality to be champions. Dare I say it but it was United-esque.

[ronk]

I think any doubts about that were put to rest today.

We played badly for most of the match but when it counted we fought back and led after being a goal down and when they came back we didn't play for a draw but scored a winner.

Anther box ticked in the prerequisite list for Champions !

Aye, at 2-2 today when we were playing Shite I said the remainder of the game would prove whether we have the mentality to be champions. Dare I say it but it was United-esque.

No you may not.

I think it was more about patience with us, nerves came into it, but for the most part we kept plugging away knowing that we were creating the openings and we'd eventually break through.

[Bridge'srightfoot]

I think any doubts about that were put to rest today.

We played badly for most of the match but when it counted we fought back and led after being a goal down and when they came back we didn't play for a draw but scored a winner.

Anther box ticked in the prerequisite list for Champions !

Aye, at 2-2 today when we were playing Shite I said the remainder of the game would prove whether we have the mentality to be champions. Dare I say it but it was United-esque.

No you may not.

I think it was more about patience with us, nerves came into it, but for the most part we kept plugging away knowing that we were creating the openings and we'd eventually break through.

Think I just did. Like it or lump it they've been the most succesful English side in donkeys years and one of their best abilities has always been to really grind out wins when they've not played well. We could of folded when they equalised.