Is it possible for the Count to get the sack?

[Mikhail Chigorin]

First, If and only if, there is any truth (which I doubt) in the scaremongering that MP has lost the dressing room, my 1st focus would be on the players. It would mean that having won the League and FA Cup, the dressing room the players rejected Mancini and having won the League and League Cup, the same group were now rejecting a second manager. I would be tempted to think the problem lay within the players lounge, rather than the manager's office.

In another post, I flagged up the fact that not only had most of our players had a hard season last year, a commercial post season tour, the World Cup followed by yet another commercial tour. Commerce ruling that many of our players had little rest, hardly any preseason and some weren't even ready for the start of the season. Mismanagement of players for City commercial reasons at the expense of the football interests.

Whilst many are focusing on the central role of Yaya, City's game, in whatever plan or strategy is used by MP, is one that is underpinned by quick passing, acceleration of tempo and quick pressing of opponents. That can only be done by a group of players who are at peak energy levels. It is not only Yaya who seems lethargic compared to last season, the lack of energy/speed in our game is replicated by almost every player, compared to last season.

As for no Plan B, I'm not sure what some of you have been watching but it is quite plainly as ridiculous as the same accusation when it was also chucked at Mancini. Thankfully Ted has already exposed that accusation aimed at MP as simply a load of absolute bollox.

Steady on John.

There's far too much common sense and sound thinking in that post.

[Ted Hughes]

If Paddy isn't the answer after The Count then I think we'll have missed a trick

Cheers

From Vieira's few words on the subject of management, you can pick up that he does want to become one, but he is of the opinion he has a lot to learn before being up to the task of managing City. It's not impossible that he may feel he has to be a manager elsewhere first.

I don't know if Pep had similar doubts about jumping into the Barca job, or whether he was the opposite & coveted it. If he actually sold his abilities to Txiki though & Vieira doesn't, perhaps Txiki will look elsewhere rather than pick a manager who lacks confidence in his own ability.

Of course the opposite could be the case & Txiki may have talked Pep into taking the job. Either way, to inteview Mourinho then go 'nah this bloke with zero experience is better' & be proved right, suggests he knows what he's looking for. If Vieira has that, then he will almost certainly become the manager imo, as they will already have seen it in him & will just be giving him time.

Likewise, if Vieira hasn't got it, they have probably already decided who they want in the future.

[Ted Hughes]

Candidate Simeone is in 4th with 23 points btw. Having just lost to managerless Sociedad.

[Hazy2]

Candidate Simeone is in 4th with 23 points btw. Having just lost to managerless Sociedad.

Who also beat the best team in the world, just adding balance Ted.

[Hazy2]

Candidate Simeone is in 4th with 23 points btw. Having just lost to managerless Sociedad.

Who also beat the best team in the world, just adding balance Ted.

They also lost Grizeman but have one of the best squads they have ever had according to Balgue, last week.

[DoomMerchant]

If Paddy isn't the answer after The Count then I think we'll have missed a trick

Cheers

From Vieira's few words on the subject of management, you can pick up that he does want to become one, but he is of the opinion he has a lot to learn before being up to the task of managing City. It's not impossible that he may feel he has to be a manager elsewhere first.

I don't know if Pep had similar doubts about jumping into the Barca job, or whether he was the opposite & coveted it. If he actually sold his abilities to Txiki though & Vieira doesn't, perhaps Txiki will look elsewhere rather than pick a manager who lacks confidence in his own ability.

Of course the opposite could be the case & Txiki may have talked Pep into taking the job. Either way, to inteview Mourinho then go 'nah this bloke with zero experience is better' & be proved right, suggests he knows what he's looking for. If Vieira has that, then he will almost certainly become the manager imo, as they will already have seen it in him & will just be giving him time.

Likewise, if Vieira hasn't got it, they have probably already decided who they want in the future.

Who tho? I'm not sure I want Pep. After barca and munchens what's he got to prove? He will *be* like Jose at Real. Just trying to get the glory stamp of titles in every league. I'd rather see someone like Vieira come thru and struggle a bit at first even then see Pep mail it in to get his CV closer to complete. I'm just super synical about the Pep/Spafia connection. It's too simple. And it's not somehow very much like how we would do it. Look at Mancini and the Count. Somewhat edgy hires in terms of 100% nailed on certainty of success. I like those risks and that faith. Pep feels like some alleged guarantee and I'd rather see someone hungry and with something to prove in a big way.

Also I don't think the Count is nearly done so thus debate is a moot point to some extent. I think he's got another 18 months at least and another 2-3 years if things break right this season and he lands a trophy and gets some cash to spend next summer.

[Peter Doherty (AGAIG)]

Agree with your final point there, Doomy, Hopefully the count is here for the next 18 months which will mean our options as to the next manager should be considerably greater than they are currently, and that includes a good long look at Vieira.

[Ted Hughes]

I agree about the Count, I expect him around for a while, & winning stuff.

But at some point I think someone HAS to do a Barca & build the squad around home produced players. That would be the challenge for Pep; creating a Barca type setup which can play in English football. In one way, Bayern is the ideal training for that as German football is less wussy & wide open but more athletic than Spanish football but not as rough & tumble as the Prem.

The way Pep set up Bayern v City impressed me more than his Barca stuff tbh. We had a miles better 11 on the pitch than Bayern did imo, & he crushed us with workrate & tactics rather than tiki tacky stuff. It proves he can adapt.

Pep, in charge of a bunch of kids half of which are from Manchester, stuffing the rags with a combination of tiki tacky & Milnerism, is just a magnificent thought imo.

But of course if Vieira could do it then equally marvellous. But there is the third option of 5 years of Pep with PV as assistant, followed by 10 years of Vieira, followed by 10 years of Vincent Kompany... etc.

[Hazy2]

When we are on it, we are the best team in the league we proved that against Chelsea, what we all want is the club to have an identity which Ted has along with Doug seen through the kids, my worry is we break down at 1st team level, I cannot stand Jose, but as with all his teams he has his A game, players rotate but the basics are there for the team every game. At QPR it was like the last time we were there Chaos, no control and two mad outfits in an FA Cup type game, but not in our league in terms of ability. We lose Vinny and the defence without Hart would have been torn to bits. Pellers has like Rodgers and LVG a massive job on, how has that happened to the current champions. We were never a one man team, that is the biggest question for me. What has changed so much to leave us looking fragile like we did 2 years ago, building again. Final point if that game is at Home we win 10/10 times we play them, with or without 2 players.

[Ted Hughes]

Chelsea are a bit better than us, so far, this season. After being free to spend a load of money to become so. If Costa & John Terry get injured, they will probably be worse than us, in spite of being free to spend a load of money to become top dog.

That's how close it is in the real world. If they win it by 15 points they could just as easily finish 15 points behind us next season, after we sign a couple.

That's the real world. Everything else is just ott bollocks.

[Hazy2]

Chelsea are a bit better than us, so far, this season. After being free to spend a load of money to become so. If Costa & John Terry get injured, they will probably be worse than us, in spite of being free to spend a load of money to become top dog.

That's how close it is in the real world. If they win it by 15 points they could just as easily finish 15 points behind us next season, after we sign a couple.

That's the real world. Everything else is just ott bollocks.

And if we are close enough to cash in fine, one more defeat IMO and we are done if they win that weekend, I had no fear of them after seeing them early on, we have knife edged the situation. I go to the games with lads who all say the same we are fragile and Jose knows it, he has one team to get rid off us and the league is done. He is bullying teams,we are getting bullied as we saw Saturday. I am not that bothered if I am honest I SEE THE BIG PICTURE, JUST THAT TWAT HAS DONE WHAT HE DID LAST TIME! WITH THE SCUM ! KILLED THE RACE I would just love to see toughness from all involved and if they win it they earn it, Simples.

[Ted Hughes]

I don't think that Chelsea are bullying teams. I think they fucked up vs the rags & Liverpool but for some reason the ref didn't give the penalty at Anfield which would have cost another two points late on. Add that to a home struggle vs QPR, with Mourinho slagging off his own fans, & a draw vs a pub team midweek.

That's all happening under no pressure. Imagine if they get some.

[everyonehatesus]

lets be honest, chelski have used up a lot of luck already this season. They havent been this free flowing team that out run everyone off the park, they have been poor in many a game they just havent fucked up like we have. We have been shite and dont look like turning it round that quickly, as already said we are out of one cup, as good as out of the chumps league and the prem is something that if the team dont start to get a grip will be soon past us too imo. We could be in for the FA cup only if they arent quick to sort out what ever it is thats simply not working.
When you look at a couple of games where we out run, out passed and out played the team infront of us yet we lost or walked away with a draw you have to ask why. We have given chelski their lead, they havent done much to make me think they cant be over taken. If Pellers doesnt get them going better I do think they will get rid, we have seen that the owners aren't ones to walk away from making those types of calls.

[lets all have a disco]

Look unless we can get Pep or Carlo Anchovies then The Count stays but he did look super shellshocked against QPR which is a touch worrying.

[zuricity]

lets be honest, chelski have used up a lot of luck already this season. They havent been this free flowing team that out run everyone off the park, they have been poor in many a game they just havent fucked up like we have. We have been shite and dont look like turning it round that quickly, as already said we are out of one cup, as good as out of the chumps league and the prem is something that if the team dont start to get a grip will be soon past us too imo. We could be in for the FA cup only if they arent quick to sort out what ever it is thats simply not working.
When you look at a couple of games where we out run, out passed and out played the team infront of us yet we lost or walked away with a draw you have to ask why. We have given chelski their lead, they havent done much to make me think they cant be over taken. If Pellers doesnt get them going better I do think they will get rid, we have seen that the owners aren't ones to walk away from making those types of calls.

Good points, but the PL is still unfolding. I don't think we will be so far behind at xmas.
Matic will see a red card soon. He can't always get away with his tricks and Fabragas also will not be so fortunate, the way he mouths off to the refs.

[michaelcityfan]

He's a good manager things are a bit up and down but unless or until pep might be coming you can't argue with the counts record he's a good manager.

[DoomMerchant]

Look unless we can get Pep or Carlo Anchovies then The Count stays but he did look super shellshocked against QPR which is a touch worrying.

I like the anchovies as well. Slap a pack of smokes in his suit pocket and he's golden. Top fucker.

[Hazy2]

I don't think that Chelsea are bullying teams. I think they fucked up vs the rags & Liverpool but for some reason the ref didn't give the penalty at Anfield which would have cost another two points late on. Add that to a home struggle vs QPR, with Mourinho slagging off his own fans, & a draw vs a pub team midweek.

That's all happening under no pressure. Imagine if they get some.

That game was more about not killing his dad. He would have gone for every other teams throat. When I said bullying I mean the lead he is after ruins the minds of players and managers. LHAD has it spot on he looks concerned and the team look like they have never won anything, no balls, CSKA I hope has not done damage that lingers and kills a season, hey Ted how does anyone explain the form and the crumble we saw Saturday, no game plan and looking scared of QPR as mates of mine said.god knows what we can expect against Bayern if they start without 2 players.

[Ted Hughes]

How does anyone explain the same shit when it happens to Ferguson or Mourinho, which it does ?

It could still happen to Chelsea.

There are two choices. You accept that it happens & try to sort it out, even if that means next season, because we have proved we can play a lot better than this & indeed better than anyone else is currently doing or you assume that everything we've done so far was a fluke, we were unworthy champions & had it all wrong, & sack the manager.

[Hazy2]

How does anyone explain the same shit when it happens to Ferguson or Mourinho, which it does ?

It could still happen to Chelsea.

There are two choices. You accept that it happens & try to sort it out, even if that means next season, because we have proved we can play a lot better than this & indeed better than anyone else is currently doing or you assume that everything we've done so far was a fluke, we were unworthy champions & had it all wrong, & sack the manager.

Let us hope the game plans for Swans and Saints are water tight is all I want to add to this !