Mentality

[come-on-barney]

Everyone is going to get a huge shock at just how ruthless, stern and demanding Guardiola is. He makes Mancini look like a choir boy. I'm not sure all of our fan base realises this about Guardiola. Some of our players are going to get the shock of their lives when he walks through the door.

Yep been saying this for months. Some of those who did not like Mancini are going to get a huge shock. This guy does not accept failure, this guy is ruthless and has he said in his own words he will 'cut off their balls' if they don't win. Can't wait absolutely going to love it. Need to strengthen that technical area as it will be worn out as Pep kicks every ball. We probably can remove his seat in the dugout. He's going to get the fans going and the passion will return once more.

 

[Keeper!]

I think the former kit man who was upset that Mancini did not say good morning to him will be a tad worried.

 

[come-on-barney]

I think the former kit man who was upset that Mancini did not say good morning to him will be a tad worried.

I am more worried about the tealady

 

[Tim of the Oak]

Great to hear that Pep is going to Knock things back into shape. The players have had it too easy!

Btw Rumours that Kiddo is the new kit man are unfounded!

 

[GaudinoMotors]

Yep been saying this for months. Some of those who did not like Mancini are going to get a huge shock. This guy does not accept failure, this guy is ruthless and has he said in his own words he will 'cut off their balls' if they don't win. Can't wait absolutely going to love it. Need to strengthen that technical area as it will be worn out as Pep kicks every ball. We probably can remove his seat in the dugout. He's going to get the fans going and the passion will return once more.

Amen
Back to a Carrington boot camp and the hill please.
Let the Women and the EDS use the 5 star spa and relaxation complex.

 

[come-on-barney]

Amen
Back to a Carrington boot camp and the hill please.
Let the Women and the EDS use the 5 star spa and relaxation complex.

Yep here it is - this is what they need!

 

[GaudinoMotors]

Yep here it is - this is what they need!

Cue deputation of unhappy bunnies to Khaldoon's door.

 

[Greenjob]

Some really well thought out points on this blog. If I may go ahead and spoil it by adding this point please.... Since Tevez and NDJ left, we have lacked both leadership and aggression on the pitch. Kompany is our Captain and a natural leader. You can have other leaders without being the Captain and when VK hands the armband to Yaya when walking off you just can't see the point, he isn't a leader in attitude or example. We need some more steel in the side, someone that chins the manager off and directs play on the pitch when things are not working. Dare I say it like John Terry at Chelski or Lee Cattermore at Sunderland.

 

[citijin]

So where does everyone stand on this? I had an argument at work (quite heated as I was still pissed off from last night) with a fellow blue who thought we did OK because we only lost 1-0 over two legs against Real, who supposedly have a good goal-to-game ratio. He mentioned how I should stop for a second and think how lucky we are to get to watch City in the Champions League semi final, when in our lifetime we have also had to watch us in Division 2.

On a personal level, this really fucks me off.

IMO, and I understand not everyone shares is, this is one of THE biggest things that needs to change, fan mentality. Now I'm not saying we should moan after every loss, or go to the training ground (like Ahsan from CWP said they do on the continent) and chuck rocks at the players. We should however expect more from these guys, we're not in division 2 anymore and we don't have division 2 players anymore.
IMHO our squad can match up to Real's if even 8 of our players showed up last night to win the game, or indeed were set out in that way.
Too many times in recent years, and I will include when we won the league the first time, the season that Bobby was sacked and also every season under Pellegrini, our players have literally thrown games with their inept performances. Everyone is due a poor performance, but showing some mentality and getting through it to win the game (or lose with effort) is what tells the difference. And at times I feel like we as fans don't push these fuckers on either, almost resigned to 'oh well, it's typical City'.

Pep won't be used to that and it may be the first thing he has to put across, failure is acceptable but inept failure and self destruction is not something that managers, players or fans should accept, no matter what your history is. Last night was a roll over and be happy with what you got job, no team or fans should be OK with that.

Great post. Mancini insisted so much on changing players mentality from a losing to a winning one. But they let him go. Look at at what Leicester achieved with self confidence, belief and strong mentality.

Obviously same thing can be said about the fans... Our expectations are still very low compared to what has been invested in this club. It's like somebody taking a 2 hour flight but instead of expecting to arrive in exactly 2 hours (or even little less), he is OK arriving in 3 days. This very mentality of us fans is reflected very clearly and disappointedly in our not so lively support to say it politely.

 

[Walking on the blue moon]

We've not got that "being shit is unacceptable" "try scoring against us you cunts" "we're going to fucking beat you" sternness and arrogance that real top clubs have.

We have to be one of the softest touches in football. I cannot stand gentleness. Even in life I don't like it but in sport you cannot have one ounce of it, you have to be hard and ruthless and not give one inch for one second. You have to be prepared to bollock everyone if they don't put their bodies on the line for their teammates. When was the last time you felt that was part of our club?

I think it would be better if it is a balance between gentleness and ruthlessness. Personally I find it hard to respect somebody who is too ruthless and inconsiderate. Apart from preparing to bollock everyone, there must be elements of compassion and willingness to give second chances to knit teams together. Currently our balance is tipped towards the gentleness side, but I believe the coming of a manager with winning mentality (which does not equate to complete ruthlessness), a squad whose ego is not too large (to have this also requires an ounce of humility), along with an improvement in performance level would be enough to give us an edge.

One thing I admire about Pep is that whilst he is an absolute perfectionist in his work, he is not a cold-blooded devil and does not aimlessly point fingers at others. He always reflect on his mistakes first. This would be a very good example for the team to follow. And for all I've read about him "cutting off his balls" for poor performances, I think he does have a better tolerance level than some here led me believe. Well, Arturo Vidal did get a second chance to prove himself after his dip in form and all those scandals about him being drunk at training, didn't he?

 

[Burtonblue]

I have to say the blame for the mentality has to be laid fair and square at the manager's feet.
It's up to them to motivate the players
Just look at the difference Klopp has made to the dippers in the last 3-4 months
Pellegrini is I am sure a very decent fellow, but you would probably think twice before following him into battle....
Guardiola will put these players to the test and clear out anyone who is not with him 100%.
It's what is needed.

 

[Omnia Vincit Riot]

Anyone who found loosing to Madrid 1-0 on Wednesday acceptable should go and support another club.

As a club we were weak and pathetic, I though we were an embarrassment to our owner.
I would rather in the 2nd half have gone after Madrid and lost 4-0, rather than loose like pussys 1-0.
As a club we are far too nice, we have become a happy clappers club, not a club for winners.

When Vasquez smashed into Sterlings ankle at the end of the game , I did not see one of his teammates react, I would love to see Fernando, Otamendi etc go up to Vasquez and react...show passion, show you care!

This, absolutely 100%!
So many games this season we just stroll about, passing it sideways or backwards, and play at walking pace.
We only needed one goal against Real yet even with 10 mins to go we kept walking around, and had nobody int He box.
The reason so many top European clubs hate playing English teams is because usually we have a go even if we're shit! Not with City though, we play like a mid-table Spanish club. We should have put Mangala up front with Kun and Nacho for the last 10mins with Dinho on the edge of the box and told everyone to fucking bombard the area every time they got the ball. If we conceded another on the break so be it, at least go out trying!

 

[Steve68]

Way too many games this season we either play like we've already lost or play like we only have to turn up to win.

 

[Gray]

I have to say the blame for the mentality has to be laid fair and square at the manager's feet.
It's up to them to motivate the players
Just look at the difference Klopp has made to the dippers in the last 3-4 months
Pellegrini is I am sure a very decent fellow, but you would probably think twice before following him into battle....
Guardiola will put these players to the test and clear out anyone who is not with him 100%.
It's what is needed.

Spot on mate, he just sits there on match days with a vacant expression on his face.

He should have sussed out by now which players will run through a brick wall for the Club and what the best formation of those players is.

I am afraid despite the trophies he will not be looked upon as one of our better managers.

 

[2sheikhs]

Every dominant team in history has had leaders with backbone. Look at Adams and keown, ferdinand and vidic, hansen and lawrenson etc. Combine that with one or two generals in the middle and strikers that hate losing possession.
With vinny nearly always injured, we've only got Hart and Aguero that fit the bill.
We desperately need a spine to the team.

 

[Pam]

Spot on mate, he just sits there on match days with a vacant expression on his face.

He should have sussed out by now which players will run through a brick wall for the Club and what the best formation of those players is.

I am afraid despite the trophies he will not be looked upon as one of our better managers.

I am convinced he does no match preparation. Wenger will, though.

 

[ChicagoBlue]

Is this thread in aid of Comic Relief?

Bugger me, there are a few people here who don't know what the fuck the game is about.

ONE GOAL! That is what the Madrid game was about..ONE GOAL!!

The players job was to ensure Madrid didn't score more than one, and that we tried all game to create the opportunity for ONE GOAL!

Some of you talking about "mentality" clearly don't understand the club's mentality is NOT to go hell for leather and lose 4-0 in Madrid, but to do exactly what they TRIED to do...keep the game close and try to grab the goal that would put us in the Final.

 

[Tim of the Oak]

I am a bit confused by this thread but what i see as a weak mentality is Bluemoaners who said we should throw the Champs League semi final to focus on the battle for fourth place lol!!

 

[Steve68]

Is this thread in aid of Comic Relief?

Bugger me, there are a few people here who don't know what the fuck the game is about.

ONE GOAL! That is what the Madrid game was about..ONE GOAL!!

The players job was to ensure Madrid didn't score more than one, and that we tried all game to create the opportunity for ONE GOAL!

Some of you talking about "mentality" clearly don't understand the club's mentality is NOT to go hell for leather and lose 4-0 in Madrid, but to do exactly what they TRIED to do...keep the game close and try to grab the goal that would put us in the Final.

One goal we never looked like getting at any stage of the 180. Or 270 or 360 for that matter. There is no handwaving away such a shocking display.

 

[Steve68]

I am a bit confused by this thread but what i see as a weak mentality is Bluemoaners who said we should throw the Champs League semi final to focus on the battle for fourth place lol!!

And doing both was such a great idea of course