Taking into consideration the Tevez situation no matter how it came about.
The ACON when we really needed both players
The Red cards for kompany the second one meaning he missed a crucial part of the season.
Ban for mario when we had not one fit stiker
Some absolute shocking decisions not going our way, I know it swings both ways but some have been not maybe game changers but actual ones,the not given chelsea pen being one that set us back , 2-0 and a win there would have made an enormous difference and not just the points.
Taking these things into consideration and with us playing in the most part a totally different and mainly winning style of football and with a virtually new team put together I think it's quite remarkable we are already on a title challenge.
Mancini would have planned for what positions he wanted players in for last year and when tevez and adebayor didn't get a transfer it obviously meant we could be short if things went wrong. I know we have a big expensive squad but with those 2 gone which was probably planned,he would have been allowed maybe another CB or cover for the ACON which also would have helped with injuries like we had on sunday..
I also have a feeling if Tevez had left we may have got De Rossi, it's some coincidence he didn't sign that contract until it was out that tevez was going nowhere this january.I also think if tevez and ade had been sold and we bought in 2 players for cover in positions needed then maybe we might have been in an even better position than we our right now. Would a CB or maybe that speedy winger like Sanchez who we was after or cover for the ACON have meant different results in the cup competitions and a few more points in the league I think it would have.
Mancinis hands were tied,we all heard him say he was short of a couple of players and him getting slaughtered for it by the press well it looks like he was right,we are short to challenge in all comps which meant the extra games for other key players when they could have been rested or playing certain players when not quite ready or carrying a knock.
It's very easy to sit here and say we need a certain type of player to improve some of the way we play like the speedy winger everyone appears to want.The problem is not knowing we maybe need one but actaully finding one who might be good enough,better than we already have and more importantly one that is actually available.In the transfer forum each window all these named great players to improve our team are put up but take a look through and see how many actaully moved clubs.
It's easy again to sit here and say why did we play NDJ on sunday and not go for the win,when looking at it with our CB pairing NDJ was probably needed more than any other player out there. If the more attacking players had actually played anywhere near half decent then NDJ sitting infront of that CB pairing may have been the winning choice. They played shit didn't score so NDJ shouldn't have played is the quick answer for some.
He's got things wrong he more than likely will again but if you can't see that he is building a squad of players to compete not just this season but for the next 5 at the least then, I can only think anything you have against him is clouding whats infront of us all.
We can all think of reasons for things not going to plan and have a rant about it,but if faced with all the facts which none of us have then this managerial game isn't so simple that's why so many of them get the sack each year. I've highlighted a few things other people will point to tactics and substitutions and both might or might not be valid points.Hindsight is a wonderful gift that we are in the possesion of.
I'll say it again I think taking everything into consideration it is quite remarkable we are in such a strong position and the expectations of all us went way above that what was expected due to our brilliant start to the season.
The season is far from over we are capable of winning the last ten games, we probably won't and I'd wager a bet no other team will win 10 either.
Don't all teams who go on a long winning run always have a blip and bad results afterwards we have just had ours by my reckoning. Remember our run in last season the same will be enough.
I still believe we will win the league.
