Something is wrong that we dont know about..

[Thaksinssoldier]

I have thought about this a lot and I've come to this conclusion.

My background,I coach another team sport at a fairly decent level and invest a lot of time into researching what makes teams click and how to keep them up.

I've had snap judgements this year,namely against Gareth Barry.Shadow of his villa days.But the more I think about it the more I see it's bigger then him;

Barry,as discussed.

Stephen Ireland,looks mentally exhausted and completely depressed.

Robinho,completely lost "it"

Jo,Never got going.

The list can go on.

Now these players above have proved they can play at a decent level,so I ask you what is wrong?

I would be purely speculating as to what but something off the field is definitely affecting our players in a detrimental fashion.

It obviously wasnt Mark Hughes as there has been no change and I hesitate to blame Mancini either.

I am not talking about tactics here guys,I am saying these players look defeated walking onto the field!

IMO City need to get some decent external sports psychologists into Carrington fast.

 

[Hamann Pineapple]

I think it's more to do with confidence mate. Underlying problems would affect players over a longer period in my opinion. We just had a bad day yesterday. The same players could put an entirely different performance in on Tuesday.

(You coach netball, don't you)

 

[Thaksinssoldier]

I think this isn't a one week thing,they've been like this all season.

And no netball ain't my thing ;-)

 

[Lucky Toma]

I totally agree with the OP and I've thought along these lines for some time now.
Under Hughes we would far-too-often start a game below-par and it was only as the match progressed - almost as if the players were then taking things into their own hands - that they'd pick up.
And now we've encountered two games on the bounce where the overall performance has been distinctly underwhelming.
On the surface at least team spirit and togetherness seems to be okay (note the 'Team Bridge' t-shirts worn by some of the lads last week), and the desire is surely there within the squad so.....a genuine possibility is that the crucial pre-match build-up is flat within the dressing room.
And I know you're talking about something slightly different to this - belief and attitude instilled in them during the week - but I really think someone on the coaching staff should step up and really put fire into their bellies before a game.

 

[supergrover]

ireland needs to take a fooking holiday this summer and leave the steps to the ninjas.

 

[supergrover]

ireland needs to take a fooking holiday this summer and leave the steps to the ninjas.

 

[GStar]

Spending a lot of time managing wouldn't you then agree that its not just how your team are together, but away from training/matches that affects thier performances?

All the videos behind the scenes at City the players seem very happy.

Wouldn't you also agree that when people concentrate and get into thier "zone" they act differently. I.e a quiet person may become very talkative as they feel they need to impose themselves as much as possible to get the best out of themselves, and convertly, loud members in the dressing room may go very quiet on the pitch.

Seeing the players fot 90 minutes isn't a sufficent amount of time to accurately judge, i dont think.

 

[Thaksinssoldier]

I would agree with you there,I think Superman overtrained,dragged out his season too long and is mentally drained.I seen a whole american football team do this in 2002,started training 3 months prior to competition,had a vastly talented squad and went from 7-1 in 2001 to 1-7 in 2002 simply because by the time the season started they'd already given too much.Same could be said for Stevie.

Problem is it's not just Stevie.

I wonder are the lads being bombarded with complex tactics thus taking away the natural instict to play,making them second guess themselves and constantly look like they are about to sit a test they havent studied for?

I wasnt a Sven fan but Sven would have had the squad mentality addressed by now.

 

[christened at st marks]

Their payed mega bucks put out or piss off

 

[Balti]

Still no passion, determination, desire to win at all costs.

The best managers instill that into their teams.

I don't know if Mancio can do it but it takes time in any case....