Tricky_Trev said:It's a sign that the penny has dropped with the players. This win means nothing unless we beat Newcastle. Last year we drew with Bolton and Sunderland in the league games immediately after the 2 wins over Chelsea. This season, we lost at Sunderland after beating Liverpool. Mancini's said time and time again that we must have the same mentality for every game, yet the players have failed to deliver. This time, i think we actually will. I know we have Juve to come first, but i can't stop thinking about the Newcastle game. I think we're actually going to follow up a big win for a change.Didsbury Dave said:Also, the team all congratualted each other and looked a real unit at the final whistle.
But they didn't go overboard, indicating the fact that they are well used to big games and have confidence of winning even the biggest.
Lucky Toma said:It’s a strange irony that, considering how the current City squad are all on astronomical wages and – on the surface at least - are more ‘out-of-touch’ with the common man than ever before, I have never felt such a strong affinity with the lads who represent the football club that I love.
I fucking love at least ¾ of our squad and currently have at least four serious man-crushes.
Even as a nipper, when the players seemed like other-worldly heroes to me, I never felt this way towards them.
I think in part this is because both Hughes and Mancini have, where possible, signed individuals who possess intelligence and decency (Milner being the perfect example of both). But there is probably some luck to it too.
How amazing is it that, when we are on the threshold of greatness, the lads who are going to take us there are so damn likeable! We could easily have had equivalents of Fletcher, Nani, Drgoba or Van Persie. Instead we have….
Two thoroughly decent and intelligent keepers in Shay and Big Joe. The latter carries his nations hopes with him for the next decade and will make us proud there too. He’s also funny and a sound lad and displays a connection to the fans throughout games.
Vinnie – a 24 year old colossus who is seemingly under-appreciated by everyone else but we know just what a truly outstanding player he is. And he knows that we know, which breeds appreciation and a mutual respect.
As well as being commanding and imperious at the back he is also thoughtful and articulate off the pitch. Him and Big Nige meet up and discuss literature and politics (true).
We have our very own El Loco. Every great side needs a cult favourite who cannot control his passion and we have ours in the shape of Zabba.
Again off the pitch he is, from what I’ve heard and seen, a genuinely decent and likeable fella.
We have two brothers in the same side. Which, as well as making things interesting, means they are bringing something personal into each game. Kolo and Yaya bring the best out in each other.
Imagine playing for a professional club, any club, with your brother. The bond you have as siblings permeates through the side. Team spirit? Pah, we have blood!
NDJ – For as long as I can remember my all-time favourite City players have been Lakey and King Colin. Now I have a third to make up a triumvirate. I don’t know where to begin describing how I feel about Big Nige so I’ll just use one example – on Saturday, towards the end of the game, he fouled his own player to get to the ball.
He IS my love of City right there on the pitch.
AJ – As a long-standing Joy Division devotee it makes me weepily happy that we have a young English winger who works hard for the cause but likes nothing more than to take on a player or two….who just happens to look like Ian Curtis. Cool as fuck.
It makes my fellow Joy Divison devotee Dipper mate sick to the stomach that we have him.
And again I have to point out, like the rest, a thoroughly likeable and genuine lad too.
Carlos – Every court needs a king. We have a warrior king. Well on his way to becoming a true City legend.
And I haven’t even touched upon Gaz Baz (another decent and intelligent bloke), Team Bridge, David Silva (who’s got the hair and flair and is a hero ready and waiting)…….
We shouldn’t under-estimate how awesome this is guys.
Not only do we have the makings of a great side….it is also made up of individuals you’d happily spend some time with off the pitch. And in a modern game that’s full of prima-donna arseholes that is a rare and significant bonus.
It will make the glories, when they are standing before us holding aloft a trophy, even sweeter and more meaningful.
And a few times he's been dished out a tough old tackle, I think that lad Henry (a very underrated player btw!) for Wolves did him away at Mollineux last year and Nigel got straight up and carried on, even winked at Henry as if he enjoyed it and carried on!Didsbury Dave said:Ancient Citizen said:NDJ is certainly worthy of the accolades on here. Ferocious tackler who must put the fear of god up oncoming attackers. You could see as Chelski lost the midfield completely why he is pivotal for us. Man love, indeed. I certainly would'nt like a kick up the arse off him.
The best thing about De Jong is that he is not a wanker.
He takes man and ball, knocks the opponent for six, then just gets up and jogs back into position.
None of the Roy Keane type snarling with Nige. It's just a case of "Job done. Who's next?"
Didsbury Dave said:Tricky_Trev said:It's a sign that the penny has dropped with the players. This win means nothing unless we beat Newcastle. Last year we drew with Bolton and Sunderland in the league games immediately after the 2 wins over Chelsea. This season, we lost at Sunderland after beating Liverpool. Mancini's said time and time again that we must have the same mentality for every game, yet the players have failed to deliver. This time, i think we actually will. I know we have Juve to come first, but i can't stop thinking about the Newcastle game. I think we're actually going to follow up a big win for a change.
So do I , Trev.
I think we'll win on Thursday, beat Newcastle then win at Blackpool.
Then people will really start to take notice.
And with Boateng back and Kolorov and Balotelli on the way, I think there's better to come.
Ohhhh, I'm coming over all giddy...
danburge82 said:And a few times he's been dished out a tough old tackle, I think that lad Henry (a very underrated player btw!) for Wolves did him away at Mollineux last year and Nigel got straight up and carried on, even winked at Henry as if he enjoyed it and carried on!Didsbury Dave said:The best thing about De Jong is that he is not a wanker.
He takes man and ball, knocks the opponent for six, then just gets up and jogs back into position.
None of the Roy Keane type snarling with Nige. It's just a case of "Job done. Who's next?"
I'm giddy too! The players' subdued celebrations would have probably given Mancini a boner. It's exactly what he wants to see. They celebrated as if it was a routine win over a team like Wigan or Wolves. In the past, they'd have done a lap of honour, which in itself would have demonstrated that the players had a different mentality during the big games. Not anymore. We have a City side that treats being the first team to take points of the current champions, and the first to keep a clean sheet against them for over 50 league games, as "just another day in the office". I've waited all my life for this.Didsbury Dave said:Tricky_Trev said:It's a sign that the penny has dropped with the players. This win means nothing unless we beat Newcastle. Last year we drew with Bolton and Sunderland in the league games immediately after the 2 wins over Chelsea. This season, we lost at Sunderland after beating Liverpool. Mancini's said time and time again that we must have the same mentality for every game, yet the players have failed to deliver. This time, i think we actually will. I know we have Juve to come first, but i can't stop thinking about the Newcastle game. I think we're actually going to follow up a big win for a change.
So do I , Trev.
I think we'll win on Thursday, beat Newcastle then win at Blackpool.
Then people will really start to take notice.
And with Boateng back and Kolorov and Balotelli on the way, I think there's better to come.
Ohhhh, I'm coming over all giddy...
Tricky_Trev said:I'm giddy too! The players' subdued celebrations would have probably given Mancini a boner. It's exactly what he wants to see. They celebrated as if it was a routine win over a team like Wigan or Wolves. In the past, they'd have done a lap of honour, which in itself would have demonstrated that the players had a different mentality during the big games. Not anymore. We have a City side that treats being the first team to take points of the current champions, and the first to keep a clean sheet against them for over 50 league games, as "just another day in the office". I've waited all my life for this.