Just doing a bit of working out.
So far under Mancini we've played 16 games and gained 33 points. This averages him 2.0625 points per game.
Here's the current table: <a class="postlink" href="http://www.skysports.com/football/league/0,19540,11660,00.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.skysports.com/football/leagu ... 60,00.html</a>
Most clubs have played 33 games.
33 points divided by 16 games x 33 games would give us 68 points pro rata if Mancini had been manager with us at the beginning.
This would have us 6 points behind Chelsea, 5 points behind Man U with a game in hand over them and 3 points behind Arsenal. it would also have us 10 points clear ahead of Tottenham (albeit they would have a game in hand on us)
Goal difference wise under Mancini we've scored 36 goals in 16 games (2.25 goals a game average) and we've conceded 14 goals in the same 16 games as well (0.875 goals a game conceded).
Therefore in 16 games our goal difference is +22.
22 goal difference divided by 16 games x 33 games would give us an average of 45 goal difference if Mancini was manager from the beginning. Arsenal's currently is 41, Manchester United's is 50 (again with a game in hand on them) and Chelsea's is 54.
You have also got to factor in that Mancini took over a squad that had poor morale due to too many draws and barring 1 signing (Vieira) none of them have been his own.
I think With Chelsea's team another year old and the majority of them already over 30, United's crippling debt and Bacon face another year on, Liverpool's financial plight worsening and their poor performance in the league this year I see Arsenal as the only team next year who will either be as good or better than this current season.
With Mancini at the helm and with lots of money to spend and hopefully Champions League to offer to players I genuinely think we can mount a serious title challenge next year.
I also hope this helps put to bed the notion that sacking Hughes was the wrong thing to do.
