I think we would all like to see City throw a few punches but at the moment I sense that the Board and owner(s) have decided that a softer approach is necessary.
The 'Henry Winter of Discontent' was very much on the back foot after the Mancini presser, and I am told that City reminded a few publications of their obligations of evenhandedness.
Winter is, after what I saw and heard this AM on Sunday Supplement, very much part of the City fightback in a very subtle way> Even the dickhead Custiss was having a real go at him with digs about Marwood etc.
What I see happening is that the papers that are more journalistic in their approach are being fed and watered by City and the quality of those pieces will stand the test of time.
The other papers that lets not forget NEED to create sensationalism in order to sell, and are found in most toilets are being marginalised and don't like it.
If you get the chance to re-watch the bit where Winter and Custiss are talking about CIty it is interesting to see the trap being laid by Winter.
He gets Custiss to talk in terms of short-termism, he puts in the age of the squad and the English players we have.
Because Cusitss would argue with himself for the sake of ego it is now there for us to see, the agenda.
There are very,very strong indications that City are going to give Mancini 2 seasons and will live with a bad season this year. They can now say that it is what is expected of a balanced club and a well managed one.
As TH has said we are buying now for a number of seasons and as such the 'splurge' has provided ammunition to the Custiss's of the world but also primed the gun for the fightback.
I would say that patience is a virtue for all of us and I would also expect Cook, Mancini, Marwood and Khaldoon to be all over the broadsheets (and the friendlier tabloids) making the agenda.
It might even be that CIty talk about the gutter press and the lack of knowledge of such journalists?
How could Custiss respond if City in building success also prove how little he understands the club?
I get angry with the short term reactionary shit in the papers but think the only way that can change is to have other things to report.
It may just be the Academy, the age of the squad and the long term vision once the developments are announced?
