Will our Lads manage the pressure back on?

[carolina-blue]

There's something about going to Newcastle near the end of the season. Winning the league there in '68, Mpenza winning us the game to keep us in the league under Pearce. And overall we have an excellent record against them.

Funnily enough I think the Arsenal game a couple of weeks ago was a defining moment. The fact that we lost it, and with such a poor performance to go with it, perhaps made the filth complacent. The theme everywhere was that it was all over - and they ended up getting beaten at Wigan. It also served as a kick up the arse for us - similar in many ways to when we lost at Everton at a similar time last season, our performances after it improved dramatically leaving us with a cup and 3rd spot.

It's so simple now - 3 games, 3 wins and it's ours. The fucking Premier League.

To be in that situation is unreal...

WOW IT HITS HOME WHEN YOU SAY IT LIKE THAT DOESENT IT ... 3 GAMES ...3 WINS ... AND ITS OURS ...The Fucking PREM !!!!!!

[avoidconfusion]

Newcastle away will be the toughest game of the lot I think.

[Im_Spartacus]

Newcastle away will be the toughest game of the lot I think.

I'm reasonably relaxed about it to be honest. Newcastle will have no choice but to go for a win, which will leave opportunities to be exploited. Provided Mancini doesn't bottle it like he did at Arsenal, we will have chances to win the game. Unfortunately with Bobbys track record, that is a big "if"

Ultimately from hereon in, I think both teams could struggle with their away games and that there will be a twist/turn to come in the last two games.

[Dronny]

There's something about going to Newcastle near the end of the season. Winning the league there in '68, Mpenza winning us the game to keep us in the league under Pearce. And overall we have an excellent record against them.

Funnily enough I think the Arsenal game a couple of weeks ago was a defining moment. The fact that we lost it, and with such a poor performance to go with it, perhaps made the filth complacent. The theme everywhere was that it was all over - and they ended up getting beaten at Wigan. It also served as a kick up the arse for us - similar in many ways to when we lost at Everton at a similar time last season, our performances after it improved dramatically leaving us with a cup and 3rd spot.

It's so simple now - 3 games, 3 wins and it's ours. The fucking Premier League.

A season is made up of many defining moments. I think the two Xmas games against Sunderland and WBA were defining. It showed teams that we could be beaten after all and was also the start of our first bad run of form. Another defining moment was the very narrow home win against Spurs. Had we lost that game, I think the title race would have been between rags and spurs.

It would have been between rags & rags, Spurs would have just started getting beaten the week after instead.

[highlight]I threw the towel in for the 1st time after the Arsenal game but whatever happens, I think we all need to take note of this situation & the way the rags have used the media to (successfully) create a feeling around a lot of City fans that the title race was over when it was (& is) still well & truly on.

We should never believe this shit again & we still shouldn't give up even if we don't win next week.[/highlight]The 'experience' they talk about is in reality experience of spreading their shit throughout the football media & fans & then oppo teams blowing it when they had it in their hands rather than anything special the rags do.

The myth that they usually win all their games at the death is exactly that.

TBF it wasn't just us City fans that fell for it, Bet Red paid out apparently on untied for the title and we were at 12's so there you go!

[Swales4ever]

Newcastle away will be the toughest game of the lot I think.

I'm reasonably relaxed about it to be honest. Newcastle will have no choice but to go for a win, which will leave opportunities to be exploited. Provided Mancini doesn't bottle it like he did at Arsenal, we will have chances to win the game. Unfortunately with Bobbys track record, that is a big "if"

Ultimately from hereon in, I think both teams could struggle with their away games and that there will be a twist/turn to come in the last two games.

you such a great fun, Mate...
indeed mancini told all the players, bar Joleon, Vinnie and Joe, to come out and play shite like they were just awoken from a huge drinking session.
come, on!

[Im_Spartacus]

Newcastle away will be the toughest game of the lot I think.

I'm reasonably relaxed about it to be honest. Newcastle will have no choice but to go for a win, which will leave opportunities to be exploited. Provided Mancini doesn't bottle it like he did at Arsenal, we will have chances to win the game. Unfortunately with Bobbys track record, that is a big "if"

Ultimately from hereon in, I think both teams could struggle with their away games and that there will be a twist/turn to come in the last two games.

you such a great fun, Mate...
indeed mancini told all the players, bar Joleon, Vinnie and Joe, to come out and play shite like they were just awoken from a huge drinking session.
come, on!

It is a very big if based on Mancini's tactical choices in the biggest games. Look, I would love to be proved wrong and maybe the penultimate game of the season is the time we will see him emerge as a risk taker in the mould of ferguson, rather than a percentages type manager in the style of Mourinho - However Roberto has a track record of doing odd things at key stages of seasons, look back to his approach to the Arsenal and Spurs games two years ago, or the Arsenal game the other week.

Yes, the players have a very big say in what happens on the pitch, but it is crystal clear that there are occasions when the manager sets the team up completely wrong and restricts the team - and he has a habit of doing it at important times of a season.

Anyway, sorry I didnt want to turn this into a Mancini thread - but its impossible to ignore that he has challenges to overcome.

What I will say is that his handling of the media in recent weeks (aside from the Balotelli comments) has been exceptional

[Piccsnumberoneblue]

I do fear how Mancini will set up at Newcastle if we win the 'Derby'.
In many ways I'd like the Filth to be playing first that day. If we do beat the shite, they may not find it easy to lift themselves from a run of losing three in four. Swansea could be exactly the sort of team to fuck em up in those circumstances.
In the meantime, You've got to fancy Carlito and Sergio up against Evans and Rhombus Gob.

[Swales4ever]

no excuses needed, Spartacus... :-)
you are entitled to your opinions and it never sprung to my mind that a true breed & born Blue wouldn't like to be proven wrong when feeling pessimism.
all I wanted to joke about is that, I found weird when a intelligent bloke like you are, seems to buy into the media bullox to the extent to acttually believe that a decent manager who brought City to score a 2.5/game gaol ratio down to a 35 games campaign bottles games with negative tacticts. it's no more the early days of his tenure and, rain or shine, I think it's fair to say he's not a clueless apprentice like they wanted to paint him.

once said that nobody's perfect and despite my open bias shown through my nickname, I've been quick to criticize Mancini when I felt the need. so rightly You do.

[Piccsnumberoneblue]

no excuses needed, Spartacus... :-)
you are entitled to your opinions and it never sprung to my mind that a true breed & born Blue wouldn't like to be proven wrong when feeling pessimism.
all I wanted to joke about is that, I found weird when a intelligent bloke like you are, seems to buy into the media bullox to the extent to acttually believe that a decent manager who brought City to score a 2.5/game gaol ratio down to a 35 games capaign bottles games with negative tacticts. it's no more the early days of his tenure and, rain or shite, I think it's fair to say he's not a clueless apprentice like they wanted to paint him.

once said that nobody's perfect and despite my open bias shown through my nickname, I've been quick to criticize Mancini when I felt the need. so rightly You do.

It's not an unfair argument.
He has a track record of shitting out.
It could very well be that he does it again.
I desperately desperately hope I'm wrong. Nothing would give me greater pleasure than seeing Bob with the trophy. It's a select band of supporters who get to see their club win the Premiership and to take it off the filth. (hopefully on goal difference) I want it so much I can taste it.
I have to admit this does have the feel of last season's finale. We were shite at scouse the week before the semi final, in much the same way we were at Arsenal a few weeks ago. It was cause for concer then, but we suddenly remembered how to play. I'm clinging to that thought.

[Swales4ever]

no excuses needed, Spartacus... :-)
you are entitled to your opinions and it never sprung to my mind that a true breed & born Blue wouldn't like to be proven wrong when feeling pessimism.
all I wanted to joke about is that, I found weird when a intelligent bloke like you are, seems to buy into the media bullox to the extent to acttually believe that a decent manager who brought City to score a 2.5/game gaol ratio down to a 35 games capaign bottles games with negative tacticts. it's no more the early days of his tenure and, rain or shite, I think it's fair to say he's not a clueless apprentice like they wanted to paint him.

once said that nobody's perfect and despite my open bias shown through my nickname, I've been quick to criticize Mancini when I felt the need. so rightly You do.

It's not an unfair argument.
He has a track record of shitting out.
It could very well be that he does it again.
I desperately desperately hope I'm wrong. Nothing would give me greater pleasure than seeing Bob with the trophy. It's a select band of supporters who get to see their club win the Premiership and to take it off the filth. (hopefully on goal difference) I want it so much I can taste it.
I have to admit this does have the feel of last season's finale. We were shite at scouse the week before the semi final, in much the same way we were at Arsenal a few weeks ago. It was cause for concer then, but we suddenly remembered how to play. I'm clinging to that thought.

never said/meant the argument is unfair, nevermind sentiments of concern.

I disagree simply because I followed close Mancini career since he was 16 and I am rock in the believe that he is an attacking minded footballer. I'd better fairly say he was the italian player closer to the english idea of football. but it's just my opinion and it has the same worth of yours in a forum.

once again, I reckon the same answer i give to Spartacus can suit to your post.
just let's hope all negative feelings will factually proven wrong, beginning with a further easy scrapping of the filth next monday (just to remind a big away game that had not been shitted out :-)

[Piccsnumberoneblue]

no excuses needed, Spartacus... :-)
you are entitled to your opinions and it never sprung to my mind that a true breed & born Blue wouldn't like to be proven wrong when feeling pessimism.
all I wanted to joke about is that, I found weird when a intelligent bloke like you are, seems to buy into the media bullox to the extent to acttually believe that a decent manager who brought City to score a 2.5/game gaol ratio down to a 35 games capaign bottles games with negative tacticts. it's no more the early days of his tenure and, rain or shite, I think it's fair to say he's not a clueless apprentice like they wanted to paint him.

once said that nobody's perfect and despite my open bias shown through my nickname, I've been quick to criticize Mancini when I felt the need. so rightly You do.

It's not an unfair argument.
He has a track record of shitting out.
It could very well be that he does it again.
I desperately desperately hope I'm wrong. Nothing would give me greater pleasure than seeing Bob with the trophy. It's a select band of supporters who get to see their club win the Premiership and to take it off the filth. (hopefully on goal difference) I want it so much I can taste it.
I have to admit this does have the feel of last season's finale. We were shite at scouse the week before the semi final, in much the same way we were at Arsenal a few weeks ago. It was cause for concer then, but we suddenly remembered how to play. I'm clinging to that thought.

never said/meant the argument is unfair, nevermind sentiments of concern.

I disagree simply because I followed close Mancini career since he was 16 and I am rock in the believe that he is an attacking minded footballer. I'd better fairly say he was the italian player closer to the english idea of football. but it's just my opinion and it has the same worth of yours in a forum.

once again, I reckon the same answer i give to Spartacus can suit to your post.
just let's hope all negative feelings will factually proven wrong, beginning with a further easy scrapping of the filth next monday (just to remind a big away game that had not been shitted out :-)

Yep Spurs and Filth early season were what we are capable of. That's what makes the stuttering scared efforts of Jan and Feb so frustrating. You can have the semi final too, although we started like scaredy babies.
I take absolutely the point that he was an attack minded flair player in his time. It seems all the more strange therefore, to see his seemingly overwhelming urge for caution as a manager.

[littlebig]

In answer to OP yes I think the squad have enough strong minded individuals to carry the same mentalityinto next 3 games. They will all feed off Mancini's vibe so he's the main man for the remaining games

Keep the same bloody minded fighting spirit and we WILL win this league.

[Swales4ever]

Yep Spurs and Filth early season were what we are capable of. That's what makes the stuttering scared efforts of Jan and Feb so frustrating. You can have the semi final too, although we started like scaredy babies.
I take absolutely the point that he was an attack minded flair player in his time. It seems all the more strange therefore, to see his seemingly overwhelming urge for caution as a manager.

he's not . (cautious).
right or wrong he's only applying his own personal concept of "Rome wasn't built in a day" to the City project, as Sir John/Ted/BBS/Beefy have dissertated more eloquently than I'll never be capable of.

anyway, fuck off Mancini.
my only serious concern of the moment is about the capability of the players to keep their cool and reflect it in a sparkling season ending like You rightly refer as happened last season after the lapse at scouse1. afterall, for what huge talent they have, the only proven winner is Yaya (and partly Tevez), the rest are extremely talented young players but winners in becoming.

[Ted Hughes]

Yep Spurs and Filth early season were what we are capable of. That's what makes the stuttering scared efforts of Jan and Feb so frustrating. You can have the semi final too, although we started like scaredy babies.
I take absolutely the point that he was an attack minded flair player in his time. It seems all the more strange therefore, to see his seemingly overwhelming urge for caution as a manager.

he's not . (cautious).
right or wrong he's only applying his own personal concept of "Rome wasn't built in a day" to the City project, as Sir John/Ted/BBS/Beefy have dissertated more eloquently than I'll never be capable of.

anyway, fuck off Mancini.
my only serious concern of the moment is about the capability of the players to keep their cool and reflect it in a sparkling season ending like You rightly refer as happened last season after the lapse at scouse1. afterall, for what huge talent they have, the only proven winner is Yaya (and partly Tevez), the rest are extremely talented young players but winners in becoming.

Vinny, Nige, Kolo, Edin, Mario, Clichy have all won titles.

[Swales4ever]

Yep Spurs and Filth early season were what we are capable of. That's what makes the stuttering scared efforts of Jan and Feb so frustrating. You can have the semi final too, although we started like scaredy babies.
I take absolutely the point that he was an attack minded flair player in his time. It seems all the more strange therefore, to see his seemingly overwhelming urge for caution as a manager.

he's not . (cautious).
right or wrong he's only applying his own personal concept of "Rome wasn't built in a day" to the City project, as Sir John/Ted/BBS/Beefy have dissertated more eloquently than I'll never be capable of.

anyway, fuck off Mancini.
my only serious concern of the moment is about the capability of the players to keep their cool and reflect it in a sparkling season ending like You rightly refer as happened last season after the lapse at scouse1. afterall, for what huge talent they have, the only proven winner is Yaya (and partly Tevez), the rest are extremely talented young players but winners in becoming.

Vinny, Nige, Kolo, Edin, Mario, Clichy have all won titles.

You know what I meant, Ted...
I stand righteously corrected re Edin, who was the leader of Volfsburg's title winners: some achievement, indeed. unfortunately as it's now, Edin is temporary a City fringe. I also gladly take the correction on Gael, who is a true-born winner despite having been hardly influential with his tenner of appearances among the 2003/04 Invincibles. Kolo was, but for what influential he may be inside our dressing room, we agree that he hardly shall take part on the last spell of our run-in.
As well, Mario was a fringe youngster into the Inter titles' winners and I suspect many of us are gonna rise eyebrows, should he happen to start at St. James's.
Vinnie is another leader, I am glad to concede, but wasn't You who yesterday rised concerns about his recent dealing with the mounting pressure? I hardly believe that winning the Belgian league, or the Eurodiviese (for Nige) in the early stage of a youngster career could have prepared those Lads to what are facing now.

You know, since we chatted about the "my team's players are not others' scrap" argument, that I am the last in the will to damp City players, but fact is that since after the Emirates game, the table standing combined with the decent job of the manager sarcasm and certainly some further talks by the Chairman inside the dressing room has managed to take the pressure off them. as soon as the title returned into thier hand when the final whistle was blown at the swamp, the legs of our players were shaking again at ko yesterday against the Mighty Wolves. and that team was yet including the benefical presence of Tevez.

Then, this is my gut feeling and like everyone's other negative vibes, I will be extremely, extremely chuffed to be PROVEN WRONG!

[Grob]

I'd expect the players who have played over the last 3 games will not suddenly revert back to the any day will do type we saw for so long pre WBA(other than potentially Nasri).

The players that have started these 3 games are players that play for the team rather than themselves, and apply themselves correctly. They play with passion.

If we keep the glorified pub players and mad Mario away from the pitch and stick with the core used in the last 3 games, I cant see us putting in a dissjointed performance and I can see us winning all 3 games.

We've got the formula, if we stick to it, we'll get the rewards.

[Swales4ever]

I'd expect the players who have played over the last 3 games will not suddenly revert back to the any day will do type we saw for so long pre WBA(other than potentially Nasri).

The players that have started these 3 games are players that play for the team rather than themselves, and apply themselves correctly. They play with passion.

If we keep the glorified pub players and mad Mario away from the pitch and stick with the core used in the last 3 games, I cant see us putting in a dissjointed performance and I can see us winning all 3 games.

We've got the formula, if we stick to it, we'll get the rewards.

pretty much agree, but again what we saw from ko till say 20' at Wolves were nothing but shaking legs, including some lack of proper finishing by otherwise almost clinical finishers.
never thought for a moment to question passion desire and commitment: it just down to pressure as it basically had been in any CL starts. and it often is down to too much passion and desire to deliver, imo

btw, side curious note: who do You deem to be glorified pub players?... :-)

[Grob]

I'd expect the players who have played over the last 3 games will not suddenly revert back to the any day will do type we saw for so long pre WBA(other than potentially Nasri).

The players that have started these 3 games are players that play for the team rather than themselves, and apply themselves correctly. They play with passion.

If we keep the glorified pub players and mad Mario away from the pitch and stick with the core used in the last 3 games, I cant see us putting in a dissjointed performance and I can see us winning all 3 games.

We've got the formula, if we stick to it, we'll get the rewards.

pretty much agree, but again what we saw from ko till say 20' at Wolves were nothing but shaking legs, including some lack of proper finishing by otherwise almost clinical finishers.
never thought for a moment to question passion desire and commitment: it just down to pressure as it basically had been in any CL starts. and it often is down to too much passion and desire to deliver, imo

btw, side curious note: who do You deem to be glorified pub players?... :-)

I think the majority of the players used over the last 3 games, in the roles that they have been used in, will be able to handle the pressure of the next 3. Thats my opinion.

Glorified Pub Player = Dzeko. My first touch is better than his.