Re: The Football Chat (cont) : Tue Apr 10, 2012 5:56 pm
Roddy B wrote:
You do tickle me up. 'Nitty gritty winter football', dear God, you're not one of those "Messi couldn't do it on a January night at the Britannia" type, are you?
You would think Citeh are on a Liverpool-esque run of form at the moment. Their past few results haven't been good enough, but pretty much every side in football goes through 'rough patches'. Go look at the league table, they're on seventy one points, they've only lost five games in the league this season. They really aren't as bad as you're making them out to be, whilst some of their performances this season have been stupendously brilliant. I said before, Mancini does so many things right as a manager, but he seems to lack something when it comes to taking his sides to another level.
The situation is a bit like the situation in Spain at the moment, you pretty much have to win every game or else you'll drop away. Barcelona have played fantastically well this season, as good as any side in Europe whilst they've blooded some youngsters and missed Villa to injury, yet they are still four points off. Similarly, Real Madrid have been amongst the best sides in the world since Ronaldo went there, but they've won nothing of note, it doesn't mean Mourinho isn't good enough, sometimes you just have to hold your hand up and admit that the opposition have been stupidly good. United have. Whether you rate them or not is irrelevant, their form tells all of the stories that matter.
For me, City should only get rid of Mancini if they have a clear view of the future and they have a man already lined up. For me, they find themselves in a sticky situation because the type of side they have requires a different kind of coach. They could sign a manager based on pure ability and go for somebody like Klopp or Jogi Low, but can you guarantee they can manage a dressing room of huge egos, huge talents and disgruntled players signed by another manager? They could go for a manager that's proven with experienced players, like Hiddink or Mourinho, but then with FFP, how restricted will they be in their desire to invest and make the obvious replacements?
For me it's a tricky situation and getting rid won't always guarantee trophies. I've been impressed with City for long spells this year, they're not perfect but they're still a sensational side. Mancini deserves a lot of praise for that. If I were City's owners, I'd lay down an expectation to win every game 'til the season's end and hope for the best, if he does, he keeps his job (unless, say, a Mourinho becomes interested), if he doesn't get the results and the form continues, then he can't have too many arguments about losing his job given the expectations.
You would think Citeh are on a Liverpool-esque run of form at the moment. Their past few results haven't been good enough, but pretty much every side in football goes through 'rough patches'. Go look at the league table, they're on seventy one points, they've only lost five games in the league this season. They really aren't as bad as you're making them out to be, whilst some of their performances this season have been stupendously brilliant. I said before, Mancini does so many things right as a manager, but he seems to lack something when it comes to taking his sides to another level.
The situation is a bit like the situation in Spain at the moment, you pretty much have to win every game or else you'll drop away. Barcelona have played fantastically well this season, as good as any side in Europe whilst they've blooded some youngsters and missed Villa to injury, yet they are still four points off. Similarly, Real Madrid have been amongst the best sides in the world since Ronaldo went there, but they've won nothing of note, it doesn't mean Mourinho isn't good enough, sometimes you just have to hold your hand up and admit that the opposition have been stupidly good. United have. Whether you rate them or not is irrelevant, their form tells all of the stories that matter.
For me, City should only get rid of Mancini if they have a clear view of the future and they have a man already lined up. For me, they find themselves in a sticky situation because the type of side they have requires a different kind of coach. They could sign a manager based on pure ability and go for somebody like Klopp or Jogi Low, but can you guarantee they can manage a dressing room of huge egos, huge talents and disgruntled players signed by another manager? They could go for a manager that's proven with experienced players, like Hiddink or Mourinho, but then with FFP, how restricted will they be in their desire to invest and make the obvious replacements?
For me it's a tricky situation and getting rid won't always guarantee trophies. I've been impressed with City for long spells this year, they're not perfect but they're still a sensational side. Mancini deserves a lot of praise for that. If I were City's owners, I'd lay down an expectation to win every game 'til the season's end and hope for the best, if he does, he keeps his job (unless, say, a Mourinho becomes interested), if he doesn't get the results and the form continues, then he can't have too many arguments about losing his job given the expectations.
A couple of weeks ago the idea of sacking Mancini would have sounded plain daft to me. But he does need to end the season without the wheels totally falling off. His decision to play Balotelli on sunday and then keep him on the pitch in the second half was irrational. Defeats at say Norwich & Wolves would seriously jeopardise his job.
But most City fans would still want him to stay if he could just ensure that United didnt arrive/leave the Etihad as champions. And the club should put a block on him giving post match interviews after defeats until he's calmed down.
