In All Probability We Will Be 4th In The ........

[AntMcfc]

Looks like we'll be finishing 4th anyway with our fixture list and recent form. What a fall from grace. Funny that a lesser performance had Mancini sacked, but Pellegrini will get away with it and even get another year. Like they say, "when the face fits"...

1. We could just as easily finish 2nd as fourth

2. Mancini wasn't sacked based on performance alone

3. We don't know if Pellegrini will be in charge next season

So in short, your post is a load of speculative bollox

1. Form guide suggests otherwise.
2. Performance is the only thing a manager should be judged on.
3. Yes, we do. It's patently obvious.

[Im_Spartacus]

Looks like we'll be finishing 4th anyway with our fixture list and recent form. What a fall from grace. Funny that a lesser performance had Mancini sacked, but Pellegrini will get away with it and even get another year. Like they say, "when the face fits"...

1. We could just as easily finish 2nd as fourth

2. Mancini wasn't sacked based on performance alone

3. We don't know if Pellegrini will be in charge next season

So in short, your post is a load of speculative bollox

1. Form guide suggests otherwise.
2. Performance is the only thing a manager should be judged on.
3. Yes, we do. It's patently obvious.

It's fair to say that Mancini and Pellegrini's title defences have been equally inept. The difference is that Pellegrini isn't having fist fights with half the team and generally being a cunt to everyone at the club. Mancini had to go though, his on-pitch performance was an outcome of the rest of the circus he was running behind the scenes. If he hadn't been a knobhead, he would still be our manager

[AntMcfc]

I don't think Mancini was a nob though, I think he was someone who wasn't afraid to stand up for what they believe in. What we have now is nothing but a lap dog who's there to service the board's needs.

[Blue Since 76]

Looks like we'll be finishing 4th anyway with our fixture list and recent form. What a fall from grace. Funny that a lesser performance had Mancini sacked, but Pellegrini will get away with it and even get another year. Like they say, "when the face fits"...

Sniff. That smell's about again.

Don't believe me, try and find a positive post from this idiot.

[DoomMerchant]

Looks like we'll be finishing 4th anyway with our fixture list and recent form. What a fall from grace. Funny that a lesser performance had Mancini sacked, but Pellegrini will get away with it and even get another year. Like they say, "when the face fits"...

Sniff. That smell's about again.

Don't believe me, try and find a positive post from this idiot.

The poster in question is an absolute turd.

Dunno why anyone even bothers to try and scrape him from the bottom of their shoe.

Cheers

[Cocacolajojo1]

I don't think Mancini was a nob though, I think he was someone who wasn't afraid to stand up for what they believe in. What we have now is nothing but a lap dog who's there to service the board's needs.

While I can see where you're coming from, Mancini has a history of this behaviour at every club his been to. Ask Fiorentina fans what they think about him, for example. Ask Inter fans what they think about his post match press conference stunt where he resigned, only to take it back. Look in Ibrahimovic's autobiography about his views during their last season together at Inter. Look up the fist fight between Valencia and Inter players in the CL quarter final about ten years ago. And so on. And so on. He creates chaos wherever he goes and IMO, seems to use it as a working method. And it works, to some degree, but it always ends in tears!

As for strong willed, I don't think anyone who gets a big chance in football gets there by kissing ass, or rather, only by kissing ass. Even if they look lethargic, they don't get this far without being sore losers and determined to win. There was a recent discussion about Pellegrini's playing career and he was a little bit of a nutjob by the looks of it, something which he carried into his coaching before he realized that it wasn't going to work and that it was better to talk with people than to yell at them. So his stance is one of choice but his calm demeanour (how the hell do you spell that?) masks a lot more fire that he gets credit for, IMO.

[Foreverinbluedreams]

I don't think Mancini was a nob though, I think he was someone who wasn't afraid to stand up for what they believe in. What we have now is nothing but a lap dog who's there to service the board's needs.

While I can see where you're coming from, Mancini has a history of this behaviour at every club his been to. Ask Fiorentina fans what they think about him, for example. Ask Inter fans what they think about his post match press conference stunt where he resigned, only to take it back. Look in Ibrahimovic's autobiography about his views during their last season together at Inter. Look up the fist fight between Valencia and Inter players in the CL quarter final about ten years ago. And so on. And so on. He creates chaos wherever he goes and IMO, seems to use it as a working method. And it works, to some degree, but it always ends in tears!

As for strong willed, I don't think anyone who gets a big chance in football gets there by kissing ass, or rather, only by kissing ass. Even if they look lethargic, they don't get this far without being sore losers and determined to win. There was a recent discussion about Pellegrini's playing career and he was a little bit of a nutjob by the looks of it, something which he carried into his coaching before he realized that it wasn't going to work and that it was better to talk with people than to yell at them. So his stance is one of choice but his calm demeanour (how the hell do you spell that?) masks a lot more fire that he gets credit for, IMO.

He has it in him to dish out the bollockings when required, well according to Zaba he does:

“So people see a very calm person – and that is one of the big qualities he has – but I can also tell you there are times when he shouts and really loses his temper.

“Believe me, if we aren’t doing well at half-time or if we have lost a game, then we see how angry he can get.

“He is a tough man. He wants to win and he makes sure that the players understand that second-best is not enough.

“What people see outside the dressing room isn’t the Manuel Pellegrini that the players know.”

“What he does very well is to pick the right moment. If a manager shouts all the time then maybe sometimes the players just stop listening.

“There are moments when he will shout to get his message across. But there are also times, when he wants to make an important change, that he stays very calm.

“Players appreciate that. It can get crazy in the dressing room when the game isn’t going how you want, and that’s when you need the manager to be in control.

“If a manager offers you a clear solution then you lose your own frustration and you become more focused.”

As for him being a lapdog, I don't believe someone that bollocks the CEO in front of the Catalan press to be a lap dog, which Pellegrini did before the Barca game this season.

[Cocacolajojo1]

He has it in him to dish out the bollockings when required, well according to Zaba he does:

“So people see a very calm person – and that is one of the big qualities he has – but I can also tell you there are times when he shouts and really loses his temper.

“Believe me, if we aren’t doing well at half-time or if we have lost a game, then we see how angry he can get.

“He is a tough man. He wants to win and he makes sure that the players understand that second-best is not enough.

“What people see outside the dressing room isn’t the Manuel Pellegrini that the players know.”

“What he does very well is to pick the right moment. If a manager shouts all the time then maybe sometimes the players just stop listening.

“There are moments when he will shout to get his message across. But there are also times, when he wants to make an important change, that he stays very calm.

“Players appreciate that. It can get crazy in the dressing room when the game isn’t going how you want, and that’s when you need the manager to be in control.

“If a manager offers you a clear solution then you lose your own frustration and you become more focused.”

As for him being a lapdog, I don't believe someone that bollocks the CEO in front of the Catalan press to be a lap dog, which Pellegrini did before the Barca game this season.

Makes sense. I also seem to remember that Vieiria compared Pellegrini's approach to Wenger's in the sense that they both like players to go about business in an independent minded way and don't care that much for micro management in the Mancini sense (he didn't use the term Mancini sense, obviously that's my foul invention). You can't really have independent players if you yell at them over and over again. At least I don't see how that's possible.

[Ted Hughes]

All logic seems to go out the window when a couple of results go the wrong way.

The reality of the Premier League is that most teams who win the title, struggle to repeat it, apart from a few spells where the rags were miles ahead.

It was all geared up for the rags to dominate & they won the first two with very little serious competition. Then what happens ? Blackburn spend a few quid & win it. Then they go to shit & the rags get an easy ride for a couple of seasons, along come Arsenal, & take the title off them.

Most of the time, the rags have been way ahead of everyone else, but pretty much every time a decent team has been assembled to challenge them, that team has won the title from them. Blackburn, Arsenal, Chelsea, then us. Chelsea retained it, then didn't win another for 3 years, & then haven't won one since 2009/10. Arsenal didn't retain any of their Prem titles.

This side has been in four title races & won two. None of the other teams have been in 4 title races in that time, just this City team.

It's now in need of a refurb, which is not that surprising, & this season has been handicapped by the cartel whilst everyone else was free to sign players.

I can understand bad reactions to the shit performances & defeats, I do it too, I was furious after the Burnley game, & obviously there are improvements needed, but this constant need to make out as if it's some kind of huge fucking disaster, going from one thread to another, is ridiculous.

It will always be like this. Even if Pep Guardiola takes over & we sign Ronaldo & Messi, there will be a point arrives where we find ourselves struggling to win the title. It has happened regularly to Barca & Real Madrid, to Ferguson & Mourinho, & it is going to happen regularly to City.

If people keep hanging themselves every time, I don't see how there can be any pleasure in watching the sport. You are going to spend most of your time, miserable, apart from the day, every few years, the title is won. Then once it's won, we lose a couple of games the following season, & off we go again.

It's a competition. We don't just get it given to us every year, & it may get more & more difficult for everyone, as other teams strengthen. Some seasons teams struggle. Others they bounce back.

That's how it's supposed to be.

[twosips]

I don't think Mancini was a nob though, I think he was someone who wasn't afraid to stand up for what they believe in. What we have now is nothing but a lap dog who's there to service the board's needs.

Dumping his kids and his kids best mates in the youth team and having them play week in week out while employing one of his best mates to manage them in Lombardo was a hugely knobish move seeing as they were awful. As was the whole Tevez saga which was definitely him having a mental breakdown. Even little things like some of the kids coming out and saying he totally blanked them and never even said good morning or anything suggests a miserable bastard with axes to grind.

I liked Mancini and he did a good job for us but to imply he didn't have knob head tendencies is bullshit.

[Blue Since 76]

All logic seems to go out the window when a couple of results go the wrong way.

The reality of the Premier League is that most teams who win the title, struggle to repeat it, apart from a few spells where the rags were miles ahead.

It was all geared up for the rags to dominate & they won the first two with very little serious competition. Then what happens ? Blackburn spend a few quid & win it. Then they go to shit & the rags get an easy ride for a couple of seasons, along come Arsenal, & take the title off them.

Most of the time, the rags have been way ahead of everyone else, but pretty much every time a decent team has been assembled to challenge them, that team has won the title from them. Blackburn, Arsenal, Chelsea, then us. Chelsea retained it, then didn't win another for 3 years, & then haven't won one since 2009/10. Arsenal didn't retain any of their Prem titles.

This side has been in four title races & won two. None of the other teams have been in 4 title races in that time, just this City team.

It's now in need of a refurb, which is not that surprising, & this season has been handicapped by the cartel whilst everyone else was free to sign players.

I can understand bad reactions to the shit performances & defeats, I do it too, I was furious after the Burnley game, & obviously there are improvements needed, but this constant need to make out as if it's some kind of huge fucking disaster, going from one thread to another, is ridiculous.

It will always be like this. Even if Pep Guardiola takes over & we sign Ronaldo & Messi, there will be a point arrives where we find ourselves struggling to win the title. It has happened regularly to Barca & Real Madrid, to Ferguson & Mourinho, & it is going to happen regularly to City.

If people keep hanging themselves every time, I don't see how there can be any pleasure in watching the sport. You are going to spend most of your time, miserable, apart from the day, every few years, the title is won. Then once it's won, we lose a couple of games the following season, & off we go again.

It's a competition. We don't just get it given to us every year, & it may get more & more difficult for everyone, as other teams strengthen. Some seasons teams struggle. Others they bounce back.

That's how it's supposed to be.

Ted, I agree with all of that and whilst I want to win everything every season, in reality it doesn't bother me if we get seasons where we win nothing (as long as we finish top 3).

The thing that's frustrating and annoys the hell out of me and I suspect most fans is the inept performances - both Burnley games, Hull, Boro, Arsenal, Liverpool, Sheff Wed (FA Cup) etc and most of those types of performance have been at home. The manager's demeanour both during games and after seems to echo the general apathy. In many ways, it'd be better to see a Mancini tearing a strip off a player or calling them out in the press conference. Granted that doesn't work long term, but there is a feeling that the players need a bollocking and a few hours running up a hill.

What we have seen is a group of players who have put in dreadful performances with two very different managers. Maybe a third type of manager isn't the answer...

[Ted Hughes]

All logic seems to go out the window when a couple of results go the wrong way.

The reality of the Premier League is that most teams who win the title, struggle to repeat it, apart from a few spells where the rags were miles ahead.

It was all geared up for the rags to dominate & they won the first two with very little serious competition. Then what happens ? Blackburn spend a few quid & win it. Then they go to shit & the rags get an easy ride for a couple of seasons, along come Arsenal, & take the title off them.

Most of the time, the rags have been way ahead of everyone else, but pretty much every time a decent team has been assembled to challenge them, that team has won the title from them. Blackburn, Arsenal, Chelsea, then us. Chelsea retained it, then didn't win another for 3 years, & then haven't won one since 2009/10. Arsenal didn't retain any of their Prem titles.

This side has been in four title races & won two. None of the other teams have been in 4 title races in that time, just this City team.

It's now in need of a refurb, which is not that surprising, & this season has been handicapped by the cartel whilst everyone else was free to sign players.

I can understand bad reactions to the shit performances & defeats, I do it too, I was furious after the Burnley game, & obviously there are improvements needed, but this constant need to make out as if it's some kind of huge fucking disaster, going from one thread to another, is ridiculous.

It will always be like this. Even if Pep Guardiola takes over & we sign Ronaldo & Messi, there will be a point arrives where we find ourselves struggling to win the title. It has happened regularly to Barca & Real Madrid, to Ferguson & Mourinho, & it is going to happen regularly to City.

If people keep hanging themselves every time, I don't see how there can be any pleasure in watching the sport. You are going to spend most of your time, miserable, apart from the day, every few years, the title is won. Then once it's won, we lose a couple of games the following season, & off we go again.

It's a competition. We don't just get it given to us every year, & it may get more & more difficult for everyone, as other teams strengthen. Some seasons teams struggle. Others they bounce back.

That's how it's supposed to be.

Ted, I agree with all of that and whilst I want to win everything every season, in reality it doesn't bother me if we get seasons where we win nothing (as long as we finish top 3).

The thing that's frustrating and annoys the hell out of me and I suspect most fans is the inept performances - both Burnley games, Hull, Boro, Arsenal, Liverpool, Sheff Wed (FA Cup) etc and most of those types of performance have been at home. The manager's demeanour both during games and after seems to echo the general apathy. In many ways, it'd be better to see a Mancini tearing a strip off a player or calling them out in the press conference. Granted that doesn't work long term, but there is a feeling that the players need a bollocking and a few hours running up a hill.

What we have seen is a group of players who have put in dreadful performances with two very different managers. Maybe a third type of manager isn't the answer...

I agree with all those criticisms of those performances & am just as pissed off about those as most fans, in fact I was probably giving them more shit than most, but for me we have had a brilliant few years with this team, which unfortunately had to include losing Mancini, (due to his personality & lack of interest in the youth setup rather than his ability to put a team together), but every team has to rebuild at regular intervals & we are just going through it now.

We tried to get through the season but clearly we lack that bit of inspiration & that imo is not a surprise. We have relied on the same people for years now & it's gone a bit stale. We have made a few practical signings then next season, we have the chance to try & go for the creative & probably athletic types.

Rags, Arse, Chelsea, have all been buying up attacking players, but what our fans are tending to forget, is that whilst they were doing that, we were winning the title with the ones we already had. We are the champions.

If we struggle for several years, then it becomes a crisis. One season of not being top of the league in April, doesn't change the fact that we've been doing fine on the whole, & have been the best side in the country over the last 4 years.