Mancini

[xavi6]

You don't change a winning team, time and time again manchini has been at fault for this which in my opinion costs us points, Garcia is wank and dropping Barry for him who scored a last minute winner in the previous game is just shocking management, We fucked up big time today, 7 points behind before the new year is just embarrassing.

Steady on, he didn't drop Barry for Garcia. Both of them started the last game, it was Milner who came in.

I'm all for a post match rant but let's stick to the facts at least.

[Lee_R]

Taken us as far as he can IMO. Im not moaning or knee jerking etc.. I like him as a bloke and hes been great in the last 3 years but he just doesnt seem to have another gear and I think his style etc has been found out. I dont think hes evolving us any further.

I'm beginning to agree with you.

I didn't expect that we would neccessarily win the title but I can't see one single area of the team that isn't worse than lasdt season, from the strikers, to the midfield, to the back 4, to the goalkeeper, to the reserve team. I can't see anything that we are trying to do which would solve it. It just looks to me like he has no idea how to take it on, & was just hoping for new players to do it.

I recon half the squad will have to go, in order to make way for those new players, because the players he hoped would do the job, aren't upto it & are not the players we needed. Now we have too many players who don't add anything & not enough who make a difference.

Agreed, but I suspect no money will be given to Mancini. Why should it be? He's pissed GDPs worth of cash on carthorses like Garcia and no marks like Rodwell and Sinclair, man of mystery! The way things are shaping up, 4th is not looking nailed on and the owners won't accept that, given how their business model will be structured. Whimpering out of the CL was a bit embarrassing, but sliding down this average PL would be another matter. Khaldoun will drop the axe. Pep is available and so is Mourinho, by the sounds of reports. Would you be shocked if changes were made immediately? I wouldn't.

I wouldn't be shocked no, as that's how they operated when Hughes was fired, but I would be surprised. Bob has earned the opportunity to at least try to turn it around.

The more I see of City though, the more it feels as if something is wrong. This season hasn't felt right since the start, with all the imminent backroom changes etc. Whether that is having an effect on Bob & the team I don't know but I expected something much more promising from both, win or lose.

Certainly feels like a season of transition Ted.. and unexpected season of transition too. Maybe we started winning too soon?

[Green & Blue]

This season has been a major let down.Don't think we have found any form its been a challenge watching matches.So frustrating to watch as we don't seem to have any know how in the final third.

[Ted Hughes]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with this squad that an intelligent human being could not organise and motivate into a fearless attacking team.But so many players have been fucked about by this mad man, and the tactics have become so predictable that it is not surprising we are struggling for any decisive winning system or mentality. The last thing he should be allowed to do is buy more fecking players, we've got the most expensive squad in the league.Its no good screaming. This is how Mancini does the job and always has done.As I've said for some time, I hate it. But I bet Kolo is a happy player,lol

I don't think we have enough game changers. We have goalscorers but not many who do it on their own, they all require service. We have Silva who can pass but doesn't shoot. We have hardly anyone who can take a free kick & now Lescott has been dropped, we are not as agressive at corners anymore.

If they really do want to keep Bob, they need to finance him for more creative players, but they will also have to insist that he gets rid of some.

Imo, he will not turn this present squad into a consistant Champions League standard attacking unit & I doubt anyone else will.

The balance is wrong. It can be fixed quite easily with a few tweaks though. It's down to whether Bob will apply the right ones.

[s1ty m]

Taken us as far as he can IMO. Im not moaning or knee jerking etc.. I like him as a bloke and hes been great in the last 3 years but he just doesnt seem to have another gear and I think his style etc has been found out. I dont think hes evolving us any further.

I'm beginning to agree with you.

I didn't expect that we would neccessarily win the title but I can't see one single area of the team that isn't worse than lasdt season, from the strikers, to the midfield, to the back 4, to the goalkeeper, to the reserve team. I can't see anything that we are trying to do which would solve it. It just looks to me like he has no idea how to take it on, & was just hoping for new players to do it.

I recon half the squad will have to go, in order to make way for those new players, because the players he hoped would do the job, aren't upto it & are not the players we needed. Now we have too many players who don't add anything & not enough who make a difference.

Agreed, but I suspect no money will be given to Mancini. Why should it be? He's pissed GDPs worth of cash on carthorses like Garcia and no marks like Rodwell and Sinclair, man of mystery! The way things are shaping up, 4th is not looking nailed on and the owners won't accept that, given how their business model will be structured. Whimpering out of the CL was a bit embarrassing, but sliding down this average PL would be another matter. Khaldoun will drop the axe. Pep is available and so is Mourinho, by the sounds of reports. Would you be shocked if changes were made immediately? I wouldn't.

I wouldn't be shocked no, as that's how they operated when Hughes was fired, but I would be surprised. Bob has earned the opportunity to at least try to turn it around.

The more I see of City though, the more it feels as if something is wrong. This season hasn't felt right since the start, with all the imminent backroom changes etc. Whether that is having an effect on Bob & the team I don't know but I expected something much more promising from both, win or lose.

As much as today was obviously a sack of shit, his selection of both Barry and Garcia at home to the bottom of the league spoke volumes for his mindset. That he persisted with 5 players in the Reading half, when they had 10, was just stupid. He totally fails to respond to the other side, the flow of the game or obvious opportunities to grab the game by the scruff of the neck. If Plan A doesn't work, he sticks to it. He definitely made the right call v Spurs, but I can't recall another game when I agreed with his changes, not that my opinion really matters, etc. Starting Mario for the Derby rather than Tevez was his worst decision though, by a fucking country mile.

[shawzy]

Mancini was a fuckin idiot today..Milner is a fine player when he's fit, but to drop Barry and bring him on 5 mins from the end is bloody stupid.
Zabba on the left, when it wasnt working!
Bringin Lescott on the last 2 mins when were losin?. Nothing adds up about Mancini today..Hart was at fault with the goal but you have to stop the buck with the manager overall.

[Florida Blue]

I'm with Carl here. I am totally convinced we won the league despite Mancini's attempts to ruin it. He views himself as a master technician, trying to out think people and it usually blows up in his face. 3-5-2 is a perfect example of his stubbornness.

As for taking off Carlos, what really made sense was him leaving Garcia on only to replace him with Lescott. What would have been wrong with Dzeko playing with Aguero (yes he was greedy today) and Carlos?

We would be better off with someone who is managing what we have, not what he would like to see.

[IanWright]

A little objectivity, perhaps?

I can totally understand your frustrations, but to be 7 points behind the leaders, at the halfway point, is not a disaster. I can paint an even rosier picture for your predicament compared to other clubs, but I'm sure you've probably heard it all before.

To sack your manager at this stage of the season WOULD be throwing the towel in as far as the Premiership's concerned. Look at the joke of a circus that goes on at Chelsea. Going through managers like a baby goes through nappies. Does it help to sack a manager mid-term? If Chelsea's example is anything to go by, it only helps to win cups (Hiddink- FA Cup, Di Matteo- ECL) but never, ever does it win you the league.

It take time for a manager to bed in. Even if that takes 2 games, and therefore 6 dropped points, it could mean you're at the point of no return as far as the title race is concerned.

[Ted Hughes]

For all the tactical & personnel arguments on a game by game basis, my biggest gripes with Bob are that he lacks the ability to inspire the players, & he still hasn't formulated an idea for what we are as a team. It just changes every week, & I don't mean the picks, I mean the basic formula for how we will win a game. Most teams have one & have replacement players for the key roles when needed so that it will still work if things go wrong.

We don't have that, just an ever changing set of faces cropping up in different roles.

If another man came in, that is the first thing they would work on solving. Basically a plan 'a' of how we intend to score goals.

[Beefymcfc]

I'm not going to call for Mancini's head because our strikers can't score and we've lost a game away to Sunderland.

Mancini's mistake today was not having Zab's on the right and playing Garcia again. Saying that, a lot of people said Garcia looked good last time out and without Micah, Maicon and Clichy then Kolo was an obvious choice. He just doesn't have the enegy of Zab whilst Zab loses his forward game when moved to the left.

[Cocacolajojo1]

I'm not going to call for Mancini's head because our strikers can't score and we've lost a game away to Sunderland.

Mancini's mistake today was not having Zab's on the right and playing Garcia again. Saying that, a lot of people said Garcia looked good last time out and without Micah, Maicon and Clichy then Kolo was an obvious choice. He just doesn't have the enegy of Zab whilst Zab loses his forward game when moved to the left.

You make too much sense.

[Piccsnumberoneblue]

I'm not going to call for Mancini's head because our strikers can't score and we've lost a game away to Sunderland.

Mancini's mistake today was not having Zab's on the right and playing Garcia again. Saying that, a lot of people said Garcia looked good last time out and without Micah, Maicon and Clichy then Kolo was an obvious choice. He just doesn't have the enegy of Zab whilst Zab loses his forward game when moved to the left.

Its not just today ffs. It started last season at the very same place. He hasn't even come close to solving the problem twelve months on. We just keep failing in the same way.

[sheblue]

He should be given a chance to turn it around. I just don't understand why he makes such simple obvious mistakes.

[Beefymcfc]

I'm not going to call for Mancini's head because our strikers can't score and we've lost a game away to Sunderland.

Mancini's mistake today was not having Zab's on the right and playing Garcia again. Saying that, a lot of people said Garcia looked good last time out and without Micah, Maicon and Clichy then Kolo was an obvious choice. He just doesn't have the enegy of Zab whilst Zab loses his forward game when moved to the left.

Its not just today ffs. It started last season at the very same place. He hasn't even come close to solving the problem twelve months on. We just keep failing in the same way.

We may have lost to them with a last minute goal but if I remember rightly we went on to win the Premier League. I know your thoughts and you know mine. You wanted him gone a long time ago, prior to the PL win, where I didn't. When I feel it is time to call for his head, I will. Until then I'll continue to debate the points rather than dive-in everytime we drop a point or few.

[feedthegreek]

ill never understand why yaya toure is played as a defensive midfield player, when he plays higher up the pitch he comes up with goals.
surely barry and garcia should be enough in def midfield.

[Manx Blue]

A little objectivity, perhaps?

I can totally understand your frustrations, but to be 7 points behind the leaders, at the halfway point, is not a disaster. I can paint an even rosier picture for your predicament compared to other clubs, but I'm sure you've probably heard it all before.

To sack your manager at this stage of the season WOULD be throwing the towel in as far as the Premiership's concerned. Look at the joke of a circus that goes on at Chelsea. Going through managers like a baby goes through nappies. Does it help to sack a manager mid-term? If Chelsea's example is anything to go by, it only helps to win cups (Hiddink- FA Cup, Di Matteo- ECL) but never, ever does it win you the league.

It take time for a manager to bed in. Even if that takes 2 games, and therefore 6 dropped points, it could mean you're at the point of no return as far as the title race is concerned.

We can win the league...we won it after being 8 points down with what?...6 to play.

However, we're lacking a sparkle, that something special this year IMHO. I can't put my finger on it, maybe the exit from Europe has taken its toll emotionally...I really don't know.

In my eyes Mancini needs to stay....and at least the next two seasons. He hasn't become a bad manager overnight...and yes we need a plan B. But how he is able to adapt and adjust will possibly be the making of how he is viewed by our support in years to come.

[Beefymcfc]

He should be given a chance to turn it around. I just don't understand why he makes such simple obvious mistakes.

I'm not so sure there are too many obvious mistakes. My gripes are Zab's on the left, Garcia actually playing and our strikers not scoring. It could be countered that Zab's has been switched many times and due to Kolo's form he deserved a place, especially with our regular full-backs, left and right, being out due to injury. Garcia's another one who got plenty of praise last time out so who can say.

I read a lot of comments in the Match Daythread stating that it was a good line-up and with a few exceptions regarding certain players, many were predicting a win. Well, we all know what our tactics are with the players at our disposal so in reality it is the players who have to do the business on the pitch. What isn't guaranteed is the opposition but again, we knew how they'd play so how can we now say it's all down to the manager? We had numerous chances today, probably twice as many as Sunderland yet we can't seem to find the bag. Aguero's one-mindedness blanking all others when we are in a good position sometimes gets frustrating, especially where Dzeko's concerned. Is he the 'Invisible Man' or does Aguero not want to give it him due to being classed as top dog; I don't know.

The biggest thing for me with a thread like this is that people are happy with the selection, we know the team formation and tactics, we know we didn't improve our playing staff over the summer yet we are not happy when we lose to one of our bogey teams. We had the majority of possession, territory and shots on goal but we didn't score. That's what my gripe is more than anything else and I know it's only within our strikers themselves to put it right.

A little objectivity, perhaps?

I can totally understand your frustrations, but to be 7 points behind the leaders, at the halfway point, is not a disaster. I can paint an even rosier picture for your predicament compared to other clubs, but I'm sure you've probably heard it all before.

To sack your manager at this stage of the season WOULD be throwing the towel in as far as the Premiership's concerned. Look at the joke of a circus that goes on at Chelsea. Going through managers like a baby goes through nappies. Does it help to sack a manager mid-term? If Chelsea's example is anything to go by, it only helps to win cups (Hiddink- FA Cup, Di Matteo- ECL) but never, ever does it win you the league.

It take time for a manager to bed in. Even if that takes 2 games, and therefore 6 dropped points, it could mean you're at the point of no return as far as the title race is concerned.

Thanks for the balance mate.

[Piccsnumberoneblue]

We may have lost to them with a last minute goal but if I remember rightly we went on to win the Premier League. I know your thoughts and you know mine. You wanted him gone a long time ago, prior to the PL win, where I didn't. When I feel it is time to call for his head, I will. Until then I'll continue to debate the points rather than dive-in everytime we drop a point or few.

You suggested that it was merely because we failed to win at sunderland today. I'm pointing out that today was hardly a surprise, rather a continuation of form that has existed away from home for TWELVE months. It has now also infected our home performances. A failure to see it is simply burying your head. A year to sort it out is surely more than long enough, especially as there is not even a hint that it is being addressed.

[Beefymcfc]

We may have lost to them with a last minute goal but if I remember rightly we went on to win the Premier League. I know your thoughts and you know mine. You wanted him gone a long time ago, prior to the PL win, where I didn't. When I feel it is time to call for his head, I will. Until then I'll continue to debate the points rather than dive-in everytime we drop a point or few.

You suggested that it was merely because we failed to win at sunderland today. I'm pointing out that today was hardly a surprise, rather a continuation of form that has existed away from home for TWELVE months. It has now also infected our home performances. A failure to see it is simply burying your head. A year to sort it out is surely more than long enough, especially as there is not even a hint that it is being addressed.

Burying my head? I've given reasons for our form and don't just put it down to the manager. Yes, he takes overall responsibility but there are many factors that have to be taken into consideration. Try reading my views instead of skirting over them.

I respect your right to want Mancini out, and it is a long standing one. Please respect my right to view things differently, they make my footballing experience so much better. Just when we won the league, by not wanting Mancini gone and believing in the club (that's all elements) when we won it gave me an even greater joy than it would have if I'd wanted the manager out.

Sometimes it's about faith and I for one am not expecting to win the league. Never did.

[AG7]

We can win the league...we won it after being 8 points down with what?...6 to play.

Can we please please stop comparing last season's 8 point make up over 6 games ... simply because we are not up against last year's United team ... they have improved and that is showing ... we have deteriorated instead and that too shows ...

Last year we were neck on neck at half way, we are already 7 points behind ... don't expect them to go to Wigan and lose and draw with Everton at home 4-4 after being at 4-2 with seven mins to go ... just wont happen again, and today's games are a clear example ... Where we should have won and they could possibly drop points (even a draw if not a loss outright) ... didn't happen, they sneaked in a late winner and instead we dropped all three points.

7 points now mean 3 game results going wrong for them ... Tell me which ones they will be (and where we won't slip further either) ...

If Mancini stays on, we need massive signings in January, if we don't, that's a clear signal he'll be off end of season ... a trophy less season!