gio's side step
Well-Known Member
Whatever happens from this point on, whatever we continue to debate, positive and negative, perception of cautious tactics vs. outright attacking tactics, I must say, that, that is a performance I've been hoping to see at City for a long, long, long time. I will always hold my hand up, when having approached something with cynicism. I did, and still do within particular contexts, think playing the 3 of barry, de jong and toure on paper as being somewhat more cautious than a statement of attacking intent. However, where I am willing to offer Mancini great credit, is how playing Johnson enabled that 3 to create the right balance between caution and attack. Johnson's pace provided an excellent contrast to Milners courageous graft.
But what impressed me the most, and is something which I have said will change us from a good team capable of acheiving CL football, to a potential great team capable of winning the PL, is to control a game with a winning mentality and discipline. Watching City last night at times seemed completely alien. We were brutal in our strength, composed in our defending, switched on in our reading of the game, collectively controlled the shape of the game, and mentally dominated a side who have in reality a great deal of CL experience. I never feared us conceeding a goal which is a phenomenal feeling as a City fan, I never feared Gerrard getting on top in midfield, never feared Torres getting in behind. Even Richards, who I am a critic of, (brain dead), did appear to have understood, standing on his feet won't give the opposition a cheap free kick. Vincent Kompany was everything I criticised Dunne for not being. Clever, sharp, football brain, strong but not in the pie arse pub player sense.
I will still discuss things objectively, and I still won't wipe Mancini's arse simply because he is our manager. Additionally, I certainly am not getting carried away after this performance in terms of the rest of the season. However, I am certainly taking time this week to really enjoy that performance because I hoped we could become a side, who could produce a performance which meant for the first time, teams (and I certainly include Chelsea and Utd) will not only fear some of our good players clicking on a specific day and beating them, rather fear the knowledge that City arent just a team with good players who are dangerous, but a team which they actually question 'can they be beaten?' 3 clean sheets. A goal keeper with presence who is only going to get stronger. IF we can demonstrate this level of discipline, mentality and control consistently (and that is the great test), then those teams will genuinely fear us as title contenders, not whisper it as some form of mind game via the media. City have been an easy touch defensively for a long time. Teams know they will get cheap free kicks, that we as fans are conditioned by the 'typical city' mentality and how this transfers to the pitch.
But for one night (and I hope not one night only), I felt the entire team and crowd, together in confidence, relaxed, controlled and making a statement of intent.
But what impressed me the most, and is something which I have said will change us from a good team capable of acheiving CL football, to a potential great team capable of winning the PL, is to control a game with a winning mentality and discipline. Watching City last night at times seemed completely alien. We were brutal in our strength, composed in our defending, switched on in our reading of the game, collectively controlled the shape of the game, and mentally dominated a side who have in reality a great deal of CL experience. I never feared us conceeding a goal which is a phenomenal feeling as a City fan, I never feared Gerrard getting on top in midfield, never feared Torres getting in behind. Even Richards, who I am a critic of, (brain dead), did appear to have understood, standing on his feet won't give the opposition a cheap free kick. Vincent Kompany was everything I criticised Dunne for not being. Clever, sharp, football brain, strong but not in the pie arse pub player sense.
I will still discuss things objectively, and I still won't wipe Mancini's arse simply because he is our manager. Additionally, I certainly am not getting carried away after this performance in terms of the rest of the season. However, I am certainly taking time this week to really enjoy that performance because I hoped we could become a side, who could produce a performance which meant for the first time, teams (and I certainly include Chelsea and Utd) will not only fear some of our good players clicking on a specific day and beating them, rather fear the knowledge that City arent just a team with good players who are dangerous, but a team which they actually question 'can they be beaten?' 3 clean sheets. A goal keeper with presence who is only going to get stronger. IF we can demonstrate this level of discipline, mentality and control consistently (and that is the great test), then those teams will genuinely fear us as title contenders, not whisper it as some form of mind game via the media. City have been an easy touch defensively for a long time. Teams know they will get cheap free kicks, that we as fans are conditioned by the 'typical city' mentality and how this transfers to the pitch.
But for one night (and I hope not one night only), I felt the entire team and crowd, together in confidence, relaxed, controlled and making a statement of intent.