From a strange source

[psut1]

http://clarkeonenil.co.uk/front-page/sn ... ester-city

interesting take from a Leeds fan

Garry Cook.

Well not so much the Chief Executive of Manchester City more what he represents in terms of the recent decision to offload Mark Hughes and replace with Roberto Mancini. Again the English press decide to denigrate a decision which has already paid off, within 2 games City are more solid at the back, have brought tactical change into the Eastlands equation, are winning away from home for the first time since August and now have a genuine outside shop at the PL title. It takes a certain ability to notice the gap between what a limited manager like Hughes can do with £200m and what a manager, like Mancini and his track record, can get out of the same group. Whilst for me the decision was a no-brainer, when you spend like Chelsea you expect Chelsea league positions, Cook and the club should get credit for making the decision.

The other criticism thrown around by the likes of the BBC’s Phil McNulty is around timing, well where I am standing the timing was perfect. City’s next 6 league games are Blackburn Rovers, Everton, Stoke City, Portsmouth, Hull City and Bolton Wanderers, if the first two games of the Mancini era are anything to go by, that’s another 18 points in the bag. Manchester City won’t just be breaking into the exclusive top 4; they will be making it a 4 way scrap for the title. Cook and co have made a decision that is not only brave but incisive, City have left the nearly club by seeing the potential beyond Blackburn Rovers second best ever manager and by giving Mancini the chance to show how to really add quality to a squad they have shoved one up the one-eyed pundits who can’t see beyond their occasional drinking buddies in managerial respect. I for one believe they have made a rational and decisive decision that will place Manchester City as not just a Top 4 club and not just the biggest club (in terms of finance and future success) in Manchester but also a CL contender for years to come.

If City fans can treat the League Cup semi-final as a no lose situation (win a Wembley final, lose and concentrate on the league whilst the other 3 clubs have CL to weary them) and the FA Cup equally it could be the next 4 months are about as good as they have ever imagined.

[edge275]

Have you not sniffed Chinners bollocks this morning?

[dazby]

I totally agree with that.

[Beeks]

Have you not sniffed Chinners bollocks this morning?

obviously not!

[10.Goater_Legend]

Top read that was, spot on.

[psut1]

No did not initialy see it but i admit I tend to ignore press bollox and didn't see a source on it as it was the source that I thought was interesting

[ronk]

On paper it might look like an easy run of fixtures but it's also a punishing schedule. Up to 8 matches in January right after two close together and finishing off our "easy run" with a Sat-Tues away at Hull (who hate us now) and Bolton, a bogey team.

Then after all that we can look forward to Liverpool, Chelsea (away) and Spurs. The fixture list mightn't be especially appealing after that either. Chances are we'll end up playing Everton right in time for them to suddenly pull it out of the bag so they can pull themselves to safety.

The fact is that we need a good run to get into range of the top 4 when the season is winding down.

[eastlandsblue]

On paper it might look like an easy run of fixtures but it's also a punishing schedule. Up to 8 matches in January right after two close together and finishing off our "easy run" with a Sat-Tues away at Hull (who hate us now) and Bolton, a bogey team.

Then after all that we can look forward to Liverpool, Chelsea (away) and Spurs. The fixture list mightn't be especially appealing after that either. Chances are we'll end up playing Everton right in time for them to suddenly pull it out of the bag so they can pull themselves to safety.

The fact is that we need a good run to get into range of the top 4 when the season is winding down.

By which time we will also be stronger as a squad mate. Most of our injured player will be back aswell.

[saulman]

http://clarkeonenil.co.uk/front-page/sniffer-nose/sniffer-nose-291209-in-praise-of-special-leeds-U***d-arsenal-manchester-city

interesting take from a Leeds fan

Garry Cook.

Well not so much the Chief Executive of Manchester City more what he represents in terms of the recent decision to offload Mark Hughes and replace with Roberto Mancini. Again the English press decide to denigrate a decision which has already paid off, within 2 games City are more solid at the back, have brought tactical change into the Eastlands equation, are winning away from home for the first time since August and now have a genuine outside shop at the PL title. It takes a certain ability to notice the gap between what a limited manager like Hughes can do with £200m and what a manager, like Mancini and his track record, can get out of the same group. Whilst for me the decision was a no-brainer, when you spend like Chelsea you expect Chelsea league positions, Cook and the club should get credit for making the decision.

The other criticism thrown around by the likes of the BBC’s Phil McNulty is around timing, well where I am standing the timing was perfect. City’s next 6 league games are Blackburn Rovers, Everton, Stoke City, Portsmouth, Hull City and Bolton Wanderers, if the first two games of the Mancini era are anything to go by, that’s another 18 points in the bag. Manchester City won’t just be breaking into the exclusive top 4; they will be making it a 4 way scrap for the title. Cook and co have made a decision that is not only brave but incisive, City have left the nearly club by seeing the potential beyond Blackburn Rovers second best ever manager and by giving Mancini the chance to show how to really add quality to a squad they have shoved one up the one-eyed pundits who can’t see beyond their occasional drinking buddies in managerial respect. I for one believe they have made a rational and decisive decision that will place Manchester City as not just a Top 4 club and not just the biggest club (in terms of finance and future success) in Manchester but also a CL contender for years to come.

If City fans can treat the League Cup semi-final as a no lose situation (win a Wembley final, lose and concentrate on the league whilst the other 3 clubs have CL to weary them) and the FA Cup equally it could be the next 4 months are about as good as they have ever imagined.

AMEN.

All those who were so quick to jump on Cooks back, please take note.

[bluechester]

agree with all that article, what is also good about the timing of Mancini's appointment is it is just before the jan transfer window, therefore allowing him to buy is own players in

[colonel_muck]

does anyone think that manchester city challenging for the title after two games is a bit of a rash statement to make? i am happy as the next man about the way we have played under mancio but when i hear statements like the OP i think its time a few of us be brought back down to earth. two games does not mean we are all of a sudden consistent, hughes won his first four this season and left us very much out of the title race.

[eastlands-lostboy]

Good post and very interesting. The debate will open up over the weeks but lets wait and see. We could never have attracted somebody like him even when Taksin was in charge

[john@staustell]

does anyone think that manchester city challenging for the title after two games is a bit of a rash statement to make? i am happy as the next man about the way we have played under mancio but when i hear statements like the OP i think its time a few of us be brought back down to earth. two games does not mean we are all of a sudden consistent, hughes won his first four this season and left us very much out of the title race.

10 days ago I would've said yes. But the way Mancini has already transformed a squad which has 7 or 8 players missing has gobsmacked me tbh. We have some seriously good players here, a better squad than many in the top 8, and about to be strengthened.

The way he says things is not boastful, it's matter-of-fact, and I think people are starting to get shit scared already and looking at what he did at Inter. I believe he intends to win every game and with that the league, if not next year then already this season. Inter was an Italian basket case for many years living in the shadow of AC, and he turned them into 3-times winners.

'Stardust' is what the Mail said isn't it?

If Mancini believes Cordoba can do a job for us in the next 4 months to help achieve this then as far as I'm concerned he can go and get him!

[Dazzacity]

Great read.. I never understood why people got on Cooks back. What is he meant to do!! Get rid of Hughes and then search for a new manager!! Whats if we couldnt get the right man?? You have to have someone lined up before you get rid. Fook it if Hughes had his fate set behind his back, you have to think whats best for City.

[Original Dub]

So who the fuck are we supposed to be anti- now?

RSC, lets go back to him, the pile of shite...

[Socrates]

So who the fuck are we supposed to be anti- now?

RSC, lets go back to him, the pile of shite...

there's still the tea lady...

[ronk]

So who the fuck are we supposed to be anti- now?

RSC, lets go back to him, the pile of shite...

there's still the tea lady...

It's hard to bully the person that everyone is scared shitless of.

[Socrates]

So who the fuck are we supposed to be anti- now?

RSC, lets go back to him, the pile of shite...

there's still the tea lady...

It's hard to bully the person that everyone is scared shitless of.

You should meet my missus. Everybody seems to be scared of her except me :O)

[Original Dub]

So who the fuck are we supposed to be anti- now?

RSC, lets go back to him, the pile of shite...

there's still the tea lady...

It's hard to bully the person that everyone is scared shitless of.

You should meet my missus. Everybody seems to be scared of her except me :O)

And me ;)

[Socrates]

So who the fuck are we supposed to be anti- now?

RSC, lets go back to him, the pile of shite...

there's still the tea lady...

It's hard to bully the person that everyone is scared shitless of.

You should meet my missus. Everybody seems to be scared of her except me :O)

And me ;)

I once saw her put an Irishman in a headlock...