Mr Mancini. You are a liar.

[TTS]

Fantastic post.

They were there for the taking but we didn't have the guts to take a chance.

I can forgive almost anything in football but I cannot forgive the manager for the utter dross he has subjected us to over the last eleven months.

This isn't football we are watching. We are not trying to win games. We are trying to attain points by strangling the life out of the opposition. The fact that we have scored just 15 goals and conceded 10 in 12 league games tells you everything you need to know about how we are going about our business.

All this bollocks about the team needing time to gel is just that. It's the same at every other club but they don't still trot it out three months into the season and 19 games in.

This is Mancini's football and it isn't going to change. At least when Stuart Pearce made us dull there was a reason for it. He had no money to spend and it was the only way he could keep us in the top flight. There are no excuses now.

The sense of anticipation of watching an enjoyable 90 minutes has gone, and whilst I will be unwavered in my support of the team whilst I am there, I am starting to see signs that many people around me are getting very restless and it's only one big balls-up against crap opposition before many are tipped over the edge. Frustration is rife. People just want to see some football. Is it too much to ask for?

There's that little phrase again 'they were there for the taking'. Must have heard it trotted out about 25 times since last night. Which is a shame actually, because it's utter dross.

Here's how it gone:
First set of posters - 'they were there for the taking, typical negative Mancini wank, no balls, bottled it, blah'
Second set of posters (including me)- 'are you havin a laugh, they're unbeaten this season, they beat us twice in the league last season, they finished one point off top, wasn't the best game in the world but I'll take the point without shitting my pants thanks, get a grip!'
First set of posters - 'but this is our best team in ages, and their worst team in ages'.

That's the latest line of attack. But it doesn't make ANY SENSE! What difference does it make? Shrewsbury Town could have their best team in ages, Barcelona their worst, and I still wouldn't be telling Shrewsbury to 'get at 'em'. Obviously an extreme example, but you must surely get the point?! The fact remains that the rags are a top European side, they've been challenging consistently for years now. Just because it just so happens that we've got a squad to match them this year, you think we can throw caution to the wind and thrash them?! Not a single team has been able to do that this year!

This may be their worst team in ages, but it's still a bloody good side. And we're right there with them!

 

[moomba]

Laughable thing for me is so many people that think that all you have to do to beat the rags is attack, attack, attack.

If we did attack, attack, attack and we got beat would we be happier?

 

[Joycee Banercheck]

Fantastic post.

They were there for the taking but we didn't have the guts to take a chance.

I can forgive almost anything in football but I cannot forgive the manager for the utter dross he has subjected us to over the last eleven months.

This isn't football we are watching. We are not trying to win games. We are trying to attain points by strangling the life out of the opposition. The fact that we have scored just 15 goals and conceded 10 in 12 league games tells you everything you need to know about how we are going about our business.

All this bollocks about the team needing time to gel is just that. It's the same at every other club but they don't still trot it out three months into the season and 19 games in.

This is Mancini's football and it isn't going to change. At least when Stuart Pearce made us dull there was a reason for it. He had no money to spend and it was the only way he could keep us in the top flight. There are no excuses now.

The sense of anticipation of watching an enjoyable 90 minutes has gone, and whilst I will be unwavered in my support of the team whilst I am there, I am starting to see signs that many people around me are getting very restless and it's only one big balls-up against crap opposition before many are tipped over the edge. Frustration is rife. People just want to see some football. Is it too much to ask for?

There's that little phrase again 'they were there for the taking'. Must have heard it trotted out about 25 times since last night. Which is a shame actually, because it's utter dross.

Here's how it gone:
First set of posters - 'they were there for the taking, typical negative Mancini wank, no balls, bottled it, blah'
Second set of posters (including me)- 'are you havin a laugh, they're unbeaten this season, they beat us twice in the league last season, they finished one point off top, wasn't the best game in the world but I'll take the point without shitting my pants thanks, get a grip!'
First set of posters - 'but this is our best team in ages, and their worst team in ages'.

That's the latest line of attack. But it doesn't make ANY SENSE! What difference does it make? Shrewsbury Town could have their best team in ages, Barcelona their worst, and I still wouldn't be telling Shrewsbury to 'get at 'em'. Obviously an extreme example, but you must surely get the point?! The fact remains that the rags are a top European side, they've been challenging consistently for years now. Just because it just so happens that we've got a squad to match them this year, you think we can throw caution to the wind and thrash them?! Not a single team has been able to do that this year!

This may be their worst team in ages, but it's still a bloody good side. And we're right there with them!

Sweeping generalisation much?

Let us redefine that for you:


Here's how it gone:
First set of posters - (including me) 'they were there for the taking, typical negative Mancini wank, no balls, bottled it, blah'
Second set of posters (including you)- 'are you havin a laugh, they're unbeaten this season, they beat us twice in the league last season, they finished one point off top, wasn't the best game in the world but I'll take the point without shitting my pants thanks, get a grip!' And yes, I believe that history and form ductate absolutely everything. That's why we won't win and should go for the defensive style. I mean, we haven't won a trophy in 34 years which, by my logic, means we will never win one again.
First set of posters - 'but this is our best team in ages, and their worst team in ages. And that is a fact!

Anyway, enough of these sweeping generalisations. I'll let you go and read the Daily Mail.

 

[TTS]

There's that little phrase again 'they were there for the taking'. Must have heard it trotted out about 25 times since last night. Which is a shame actually, because it's utter dross.

Here's how it gone:
First set of posters - 'they were there for the taking, typical negative Mancini wank, no balls, bottled it, blah'
Second set of posters (including me)- 'are you havin a laugh, they're unbeaten this season, they beat us twice in the league last season, they finished one point off top, wasn't the best game in the world but I'll take the point without shitting my pants thanks, get a grip!'
First set of posters - 'but this is our best team in ages, and their worst team in ages'.

That's the latest line of attack. But it doesn't make ANY SENSE! What difference does it make? Shrewsbury Town could have their best team in ages, Barcelona their worst, and I still wouldn't be telling Shrewsbury to 'get at 'em'. Obviously an extreme example, but you must surely get the point?! The fact remains that the rags are a top European side, they've been challenging consistently for years now. Just because it just so happens that we've got a squad to match them this year, you think we can throw caution to the wind and thrash them?! Not a single team has been able to do that this year!

This may be their worst team in ages, but it's still a bloody good side. And we're right there with them!

Sweeping generalisation much?

Let us redefine that for you:


Here's how it gone:
First set of posters - (including me) 'they were there for the taking, typical negative Mancini wank, no balls, bottled it, blah'
Second set of posters (including you)- 'are you havin a laugh, they're unbeaten this season, they beat us twice in the league last season, they finished one point off top, wasn't the best game in the world but I'll take the point without shitting my pants thanks, get a grip!' And yes, I believe that history and form ductate absolutely everything. That's why we won't win and should go for the defensive style. I mean, we haven't won a trophy in 34 years which, by my logic, means we will never win one again.
First set of posters - 'but this is our best team in ages, and their worst team in ages. And that is a fact!

Anyway, enough of these sweeping generalisations. I'll let you go and read the Daily Mail.

Haha nice try, trust me, you will never ever ever catch me reading that right-wing piece of xenophobic hate-filled crap. Just so you know ;)

Also, I'm not really sure you understand my point. My point is not that history is important; my point is that recent history can be used as a fairly accurate guide to judge the strength of a team IF that team has a) the same manager b) the same playing style and c) pretty much the same personnel.

To put it another, I am saying that: a) They have a good manager b) They have good players c) Points a and b are evidenced by said manager and players winning things very recently! d) Therefore, I believe that many posters have been underestimating them as a team.

I hope that's a bit clearer. Oh, and obviously this sentence ("I mean, we haven't won a trophy in 34 years which, by my logic, means we will never win one again") is rubbish, and from above, you should now realize that you made an incorrect inference :)

 

[Joycee Banercheck]

Sweeping generalisation much?

Let us redefine that for you:


Here's how it gone:
First set of posters - (including me) 'they were there for the taking, typical negative Mancini wank, no balls, bottled it, blah'
Second set of posters (including you)- 'are you havin a laugh, they're unbeaten this season, they beat us twice in the league last season, they finished one point off top, wasn't the best game in the world but I'll take the point without shitting my pants thanks, get a grip!' And yes, I believe that history and form ductate absolutely everything. That's why we won't win and should go for the defensive style. I mean, we haven't won a trophy in 34 years which, by my logic, means we will never win one again.
First set of posters - 'but this is our best team in ages, and their worst team in ages. And that is a fact!

Anyway, enough of these sweeping generalisations. I'll let you go and read the Daily Mail.

Haha nice try, trust me, you will never ever ever catch me reading that right-wing piece of xenophobic hate-filled crap. Just so you know ;)

Also, I'm not really sure you understand my point. My point is not that history is important; my point is that recent history can be used as a fairly accurate guide to judge the strength of a team IF that team has a) the same manager b) the same playing style and c) pretty much the same personnel.

To put it another, I am saying that: a) They have a good manager b) They have good players c) Points a and b are evidenced by said manager and players winning things very recently! d) Therefore, I believe that many posters have been underestimating them as a team.

I hope that's a bit clearer. Oh, and obviously this sentence ("I mean, we haven't won a trophy in 34 years which, by my logic, means we will never win one again") is rubbish, and from above, you should now realize that you made an incorrect inference :)

Yeah I had my boxers in a twist there, mate. Duly apologise.

a+b+c+d = sound argument.

 

[sweep]

.....because you have repeatedly said the following:
"I am trying to change the mentality of this football club".

Tonight I sat in the South Stand and before me I witnessed 11 players playing for Manchester City who were literally paralysed by fear and devoid of any freedom to express the undoubted talents they posess.
You have drained the life out of those players with cautious and stiffling tactics. Your mission AGAIN was to 'not lose'.
In your programme notes you stated the world was watching yet you made them watch a team that resembled the minnow, grimly holding out for the lucrative replay against the bigger team. I was embarassed, bored and frankly ashamed.

So fellow City fans, was that what you all expected when in the summer we bought the magician Silva? The powerhouse Yaya? The dynamic Milner who ran Villas side on his own and scored many goals?
Our own club has raised our levels of expectations to new heights yet we watch dross.
Mancini AGAIN bottled it. He played the media institution that is the scum. He played Charlton, Best, Cantona and all the other ingredients which make up that lot. He should have played Park, Fletcher, berbatov and co. Let's make no mistake, the Scum are NOT a good side anymore. Last season in the semi's they were not a good side. Yet City like most other teams have lost the game before the first minute. Oh, sorry, yes, we got a 0-0 draw. Well done Mr Mancini. Well done for sending out a side devoid of any attacking intentions. Tonight we were again little city, the small team in fear of the big bad opposition. It was pathetic.

Those who are satisfied with a draw have NO expectations and must be frozen in a time warp of zero expectation. I had no expectation for 25 years and was never promised any so i didn't moan. Now we are promised the world. We are told we are on the level of The Scum now, deserve to be favourites, yet we make substitutions in the 92nd minute to eat away time, and slope off with a point.

Yes I'm annoyed. We have had average sides before which actually put 3, 4 or even 5 goals past The Scum, now we have the best team ever, they have one of their poorest and we scrape a 0-0 draw, the irony is stunning.

I never wanted this guy. I certainly didn't want him retained this season. I bit my tongue, voiced my concern on here but always TRIED to understand something bigger, that Mancini MUST know something I couldn't see. Tonight he utterly ratified my original opinion from last season. He is too scared to take a chance.

I waited a few hours, didn't want to react straight away, but tonight was such a bitter dissapointment.
So all you lot who are jumping up and down cheering because we held the mighty Darren Fletcher and co to a 0-0 draw, congratulations. You must be happy. You are probably the same ones who were smiling as they left the ground after winning 2-1 in last seasons 1st leg, although the cluued up fans knew it was a wasted opportunity.
For me, the only team which threatened to score onight was the scum. Not us. The home side. They didn't create much of note but I always had a feeling they just might. Never had that with us.
Mr Mancini, another opportunity gone.
YOu said you wanted to change our mentality, well I believe you have. before we were just inconsistent City, scoring many, conceeding many, usually crap but never dull.
Now we are just dull, lifeless and sterile. You certianly changed it Mr Mancini.

It might have been quicker just to type:

WWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

 

[BufordUSABlue]

And he already has. We have conceded only 10 goals this season


We had the best chance of the game. Possession was about equal and they only had 1 more shot on target than us!


I expected another season of rebuilding. You can buy players but you need to build a team


You have failed to manage your own expectations to realistic levels.


You haven't noticed this media institution is unbeaten this season


Or we're not spoilt new money brats who demand everything now!


Nonsense. They are unbeaten, our team barely know each other.


So you admit you made your mind up last season before he had time to put his stamp on the team.




You should have waited a few more. Or better still keep your tripe to yourself.


Shame he can't change some of the idiot fans.

Well Gelson my deluded friend I can't even be bothered replying to your ill concieved pontification

Thank Christ for that ! I havent got enought memory left on my hard drive!!

 

[VOOMER]

.....because you have repeatedly said the following:
"I am trying to change the mentality of this football club".

Tonight I sat in the South Stand and before me I witnessed 11 players playing for Manchester City who were literally paralysed by fear and devoid of any freedom to express the undoubted talents they posess.
You have drained the life out of those players with cautious and stiffling tactics. Your mission AGAIN was to 'not lose'.
In your programme notes you stated the world was watching yet you made them watch a team that resembled the minnow, grimly holding out for the lucrative replay against the bigger team. I was embarassed, bored and frankly ashamed.

So fellow City fans, was that what you all expected when in the summer we bought the magician Silva? The powerhouse Yaya? The dynamic Milner who ran Villas side on his own and scored many goals?
Our own club has raised our levels of expectations to new heights yet we watch dross.
Mancini AGAIN bottled it. He played the media institution that is the scum. He played Charlton, Best, Cantona and all the other ingredients which make up that lot. He should have played Park, Fletcher, berbatov and co. Let's make no mistake, the Scum are NOT a good side anymore. Last season in the semi's they were not a good side. Yet City like most other teams have lost the game before the first minute. Oh, sorry, yes, we got a 0-0 draw. Well done Mr Mancini. Well done for sending out a side devoid of any attacking intentions. Tonight we were again little city, the small team in fear of the big bad opposition. It was pathetic.

Those who are satisfied with a draw have NO expectations and must be frozen in a time warp of zero expectation. I had no expectation for 25 years and was never promised any so i didn't moan. Now we are promised the world. We are told we are on the level of The Scum now, deserve to be favourites, yet we make substitutions in the 92nd minute to eat away time, and slope off with a point.

Yes I'm annoyed. We have had average sides before which actually put 3, 4 or even 5 goals past The Scum, now we have the best team ever, they have one of their poorest and we scrape a 0-0 draw, the irony is stunning.

I never wanted this guy. I certainly didn't want him retained this season. I bit my tongue, voiced my concern on here but always TRIED to understand something bigger, that Mancini MUST know something I couldn't see. Tonight he utterly ratified my original opinion from last season. He is too scared to take a chance.

I waited a few hours, didn't want to react straight away, but tonight was such a bitter dissapointment.
So all you lot who are jumping up and down cheering because we held the mighty Darren Fletcher and co to a 0-0 draw, congratulations. You must be happy. You are probably the same ones who were smiling as they left the ground after winning 2-1 in last seasons 1st leg, although the cluued up fans knew it was a wasted opportunity.
For me, the only team which threatened to score onight was the scum. Not us. The home side. They didn't create much of note but I always had a feeling they just might. Never had that with us.
Mr Mancini, another opportunity gone.
YOu said you wanted to change our mentality, well I believe you have. before we were just inconsistent City, scoring many, conceeding many, usually crap but never dull.
Now we are just dull, lifeless and sterile. You certianly changed it Mr Mancini.

Fungus had 3 years, Bobby has had once close season in a World Cup year and has not be able to name the same 11 in two back to back games. Get a fuckin grip. We played against a team which on the whole has been together for 3-4 years, or more! Fungus was gob struck, he expected us to leave gaps all over the place we didn't and they created jack shit all night. We will get better as the team beds down and we are 4 points clear of 5th place. If these are still the postions come the end of the season and the spuds don't win the champions league, then in 5 years we will have gone from relegation candidates to champions league, having had to virtually change an entire first team squad and only be serious in our champions league ambitions for 2 seasons. I'm amazed that someone like Hughes with exactly the same time as a manager and no silverware (and not prepared to do a mclaren by going abroad), was deemed to be sacked to soon and a manager with a clutch of silverware and the ability to get REAL talent to come has already out stayed his welcome by getting a point more in one match we did in two last season. Rome wasn't built in a day and fungus got 3 years

 

[schfc6]

Let us not forget that an unbeaten United side came only for a draw too. Ferdinand and Vidic were never more than 10 yards from Van Der Sar.
City in my opinion had the lion's share of important possession, and looked like the only side that may score.
The starting xi was that of most posters on here, and that of most pundits, what could Mancini do differently, all I hear around me is get 'Jonno' on, for who? Silva? When he came on he was awful as he often is in big games. Milner is struggling to gel in a side that is expected to win, and needs confidence in himself, Ya Ya looks a little sluggish, but when he was running with the ball United could not handle him.
Please bare in mind that this was the 3rd game in 6 days, 2 of those games played under very high pressure.
Besides Mancini's hand was forced by the suspension of Balotelli, there is no doubt that he would have kept the same starting xi from the West Brom game, and that is by no means defensive.

In my humble opinion a good and sometimes great experienced side cancelled out a new emerging side full of talent, very often the case.
I mean good god Liverpool managed to beat Chelsea and that was with passion, team work and 2 good players.

 

[dctid]

I don't agree with the negative tactics used, I understand Mancini usually chooses counter-attacking football against top teams but today I just don't see the counter-attack. Our game was like win the ball back, then slowly move the ball up again.

Yes, we got the draw, we didn't lose, but cmon, that is a weakened side of the Rags and we have home advantage, we COULD have beaten them, we COULD beat them, but we blew that opportunity.

Personally i dont think we could have beaten them - had we played a more open style of football i think we would have got picked off

My only critism was with the sub - when Evra came off i would have brought AJ on the right - brought off Yaya and play Milner in his place.