Actually i think the guy is an Everton fan but all the same....
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.footballeditorial.com/2012/08/opinion-playing-to-win-not-mancini-at-anfield/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.footballeditorial.com/2012/0 ... t-anfield/</a>
Jack Rodwell has joined a club that tries to win games. These are the words of Roberto Mancini, manager of the side who so desperately hung on to an undeserved point at Anfield today.
Ironically Rodwell – a defensive midfielder who started his career as a centre-back – came on to replace the often-controversial but often-sublime attacking talents of Samir Nasri as Liverpool outplayed and outclassed the title holders.
It should come as no surprise for a manager so classless he spat his dummy out when City’s well-off owners limited summer spending after the bill for the team ran into the hundred of millions.
Meanwhile, the side who, according to Mancini, does not try to win games (despite only ever losing once to Roberto’s overpaid stars) swaggered to a victory with nonchalant display of attacking talent against Aston Villa this weekend.
Remember, City is a club who displays three stars on its badge, mimicking the successful clubs who have lifted Europe’s greatest prize.
Like an Inbetweeners character bragging about the Swedish triplets he scored with on holiday, City displayed the stars with pride, right up until their third league title last year.
One can only assume City will win the Champions League before too long. Like the aforementioned character paying an Amsterdam prostitute to break the duck and telling tales of the deed, the club will be sure to drop two stars and proudly proclaim their achievement with a single addition to their emblem.
For Mancini, amazingly self-assured when complaining about cash to spend, it must have been a tough day at Anfield.
While the subject of his ire destroyed Villa on a budget Yaya Toure would earn across a single season, his expensively-assembled side were comprehensively beaten in all but scoreline.
Mancini sent his team out to defend to the last. Sat back in their own half, they saw Liverpool play with passion and ability.
All City offered was a resolute defence and the ability to take two gifted chances – a sign of a team packed with talent.
However, that talent was stifled by Mancini’s caution. Liverpool attacked City and closed them down at every opportunity.
The game could – and should – have ended differently but mistakes by Kelly and then Skrtel gifted City a draw they did not deserve.
It is all the more galling for Liverpool when fans hear Mancini’s moans about spending. Yes, Liverpool have spent money but compared to City and Chelsea it is pennies.
But Rodgers has a philosophy. Rumours are several transfer targets have been lost because the new man does not believe they have the desire and passion to play for the club as he builds his legacy at Anfield.
At Villa on Saturday, David Moyes played a team he had scraped together, but somehow had turned into a unit that played superb football.
It was a joy to watch. City, as they dropped deep and hoped to survive another Liverpool onslaught were not.
They were scared. Men against boys. A manager whose philosophy is for technically adept, attacking football against one who sulks when tens of millions aren’t thrown his way and who was happy to settle for a draw despite being champions.
League title winners you may be City, but good things are happening on Merseyside from two managers who have a plan and can stand by it.
Both teams played this weekend to win. Can Mancini, deep down, say the same? I don’t think so.
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.footballeditorial.com/2012/08/opinion-playing-to-win-not-mancini-at-anfield/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.footballeditorial.com/2012/0 ... t-anfield/</a>
Jack Rodwell has joined a club that tries to win games. These are the words of Roberto Mancini, manager of the side who so desperately hung on to an undeserved point at Anfield today.
Ironically Rodwell – a defensive midfielder who started his career as a centre-back – came on to replace the often-controversial but often-sublime attacking talents of Samir Nasri as Liverpool outplayed and outclassed the title holders.
It should come as no surprise for a manager so classless he spat his dummy out when City’s well-off owners limited summer spending after the bill for the team ran into the hundred of millions.
Meanwhile, the side who, according to Mancini, does not try to win games (despite only ever losing once to Roberto’s overpaid stars) swaggered to a victory with nonchalant display of attacking talent against Aston Villa this weekend.
Remember, City is a club who displays three stars on its badge, mimicking the successful clubs who have lifted Europe’s greatest prize.
Like an Inbetweeners character bragging about the Swedish triplets he scored with on holiday, City displayed the stars with pride, right up until their third league title last year.
One can only assume City will win the Champions League before too long. Like the aforementioned character paying an Amsterdam prostitute to break the duck and telling tales of the deed, the club will be sure to drop two stars and proudly proclaim their achievement with a single addition to their emblem.
For Mancini, amazingly self-assured when complaining about cash to spend, it must have been a tough day at Anfield.
While the subject of his ire destroyed Villa on a budget Yaya Toure would earn across a single season, his expensively-assembled side were comprehensively beaten in all but scoreline.
Mancini sent his team out to defend to the last. Sat back in their own half, they saw Liverpool play with passion and ability.
All City offered was a resolute defence and the ability to take two gifted chances – a sign of a team packed with talent.
However, that talent was stifled by Mancini’s caution. Liverpool attacked City and closed them down at every opportunity.
The game could – and should – have ended differently but mistakes by Kelly and then Skrtel gifted City a draw they did not deserve.
It is all the more galling for Liverpool when fans hear Mancini’s moans about spending. Yes, Liverpool have spent money but compared to City and Chelsea it is pennies.
But Rodgers has a philosophy. Rumours are several transfer targets have been lost because the new man does not believe they have the desire and passion to play for the club as he builds his legacy at Anfield.
At Villa on Saturday, David Moyes played a team he had scraped together, but somehow had turned into a unit that played superb football.
It was a joy to watch. City, as they dropped deep and hoped to survive another Liverpool onslaught were not.
They were scared. Men against boys. A manager whose philosophy is for technically adept, attacking football against one who sulks when tens of millions aren’t thrown his way and who was happy to settle for a draw despite being champions.
League title winners you may be City, but good things are happening on Merseyside from two managers who have a plan and can stand by it.
Both teams played this weekend to win. Can Mancini, deep down, say the same? I don’t think so.