Laughing Stock

[Ted Hughes]

They're preparing the site for a reputed £500M development. To put that into perspective; Bristol are looking at building a 30,000 seater stadium for £60M.

I'd be surprised if they quit now as I don't think they've even got out of 1st gear yet. I also think it's unlikely a Hughes or a Mancini were ever going to be the kind of bloke they have in charge of football matters when it happens.

[btajim]

I don't think the owners will leave. Why would they. The club is definitely progressing. Only 2-3 years ago we were closer to relegation than we were to the top 4.

Things might not be perfect but I would think that the owners knew that they won't win the League within 24 month. They said themselves that this is a 10 year project and I think despite all the shit that is happening and all the wasted opportunities, if you really look at it we progressed immensely in the last 18 months. Yes it has come to a bit of a halt now but I think that is temporary.

I actually hope they give Mancini at least as much time as they gave Hughes, yes our football is crap at the moment but the optimist in me hopes that this is just temporary as well until Mancini gets 3-4 players in that he wants especially in midfield.

We look 10 times better defensively already. Here is to hoping that he will work on our attack next.

Mancini brought in Vieira (bad move) and Johnson (good move) - so how many more Midfielders does he need when he also has De Jong, Ireland and Barry at his disposal. All perfectly able men.

[BlueSince72]

Seriously getting the point where I cba anymore, it's just never gonna happen for us.

I hear you fella....I'm so disallusioned with Mancini, it's actually worse now than under Stuart Pearce because the players are better now!! SP was also good for a few "Basil Fawlty" comedy moments in the tech area!!

[avoidconfusion]

Mancini brought in Vieira (bad move) and Johnson (good move) - so how many more Midfielders does he need when he also has De Jong, Ireland and Barry at his disposal. All perfectly able men.

I think the problem with Barry and De Jong is that they are too one dimensional. Look at a player like Essien or Mascherano or Alonso or Lampard or Gerrard or even Ballack. They can do all the things De Jong and Barry do but also do much more.

Ideally we would want a Vieira type player... I am saying "type" because obviously the Vieira we have is not good enough anymore.

I really think our biggest problem at the moment is that we have to put on so many midfielders because hardly any of them can do more than 1 job. De Jong is probably the best DMF in the League when it comes to harrassing players, tackling them and destroying the opposition's build up in midfield. But what else can he do? He hardly ever passes the ball forward, he never connects midfield with the forwards, it's mostly sideways and backwards.

He is still young and I wish and hope that he is still able to extend his abilities and turn into a player that breaks up the opposition's play and then puts us on the front foot for the counter.

Barry... I am not sure about Barry anymore to be honest. I am not saying he is shit but what does he really do? He also does not link up midfield and forwards well either.

Ireland is the only player who can do that or at least was able to last season. If he could only find his form from last season again he would be the ideal midfielder, true box to box. He can tackle, pass, make runs, score... much more versatile than de Jong and Barry.

I think Mancini will try to get an allround Midfield player that is less one dimensional.

[CityFanFromRome]

Mancini brought in Vieira (bad move) and Johnson (good move) - so how many more Midfielders does he need when he also has De Jong, Ireland and Barry at his disposal. All perfectly able men.

None of them attacking midfielders or box-to-box though. Barry maybe, at times has shown glimpses he can do the box-to-box role, but that's it. And it is what we are missing, until Ireland plays well again.

[btajim]

None of them attacking midfielders or box-to-box though. Barry maybe, at times has shown glimpses he can do the box-to-box role, but that's it. And it is what we are missing, until Ireland plays well again.

Ireland is potentially one of the best in the League. We just need to get him playing again by working out a way to include him with De Jong and Barry.

[CityFanFromRome]

None of them attacking midfielders or box-to-box though. Barry maybe, at times has shown glimpses he can do the box-to-box role, but that's it. And it is what we are missing, until Ireland plays well again.

Ireland is potentially one of the best in the League. We just need to get him playing again by working out a way to include him with De Jong and Barry.

The problem is that this season his potential has remained just that, potential, even when he has played, and without his contribution we lose a lot going forward in temrs of link between the forwards and the rest of the team.

[Im_Spartacus]

None of them attacking midfielders or box-to-box though. Barry maybe, at times has shown glimpses he can do the box-to-box role, but that's it. And it is what we are missing, until Ireland plays well again.

Ireland is potentially one of the best in the League. We just need to get him playing again by working out a way to include him with De Jong and Barry.

The problem is that this season his potential has remained just that, potential, even when he has played, and without his contribution we lose a lot going forward in temrs of link between the forwards and the rest of the team.

I'm not even sure it is potential in the current system, or for that matter Hughes' system earlier in the season. He simply cannot play with his back to goal so either Mancini plays a different system, or Ireland carries on not contributing.

[carl_feedthegoat]

What the fuck are you lot going at each other for?
mancityfans.net didn't get Hughes sacked. We didn't get Mancini appointed.
The guy who bankrolls our club, for whatever it takes to get the players WE WANT did it.
Stop being a bunch of nobs, Hughes was shit, end of. The only mistake the Sheik made was getting Mancini in.
Hughes would never have got us where we wanted, same as Bob won't.

Unfortunately, we need to change Manager again. So lets just suck it and see until the end of the season, as there is no way Mancini will be replaced between now and then.

IVE SAID THE SAME THING BUT THEY(HUGHES SUPPORTERS) GO ON AND ON AND ON ABOUT HOW WE WERE ALL WRONG TO FUCKING SACK HIM JUST BECAUSE MANCINI IS WORSE THAN HIM.
2 WRONGS DONT MAKE A RIGHT FOR FUCKS SAKE !!!!!!!!!!!!!

ONE MORE TIME - HUGHES WAS SHITE...GET OVER IT.
MANCINI IS ALSO SHITE - DEAL WITH IT.

THIS SUMMER WILL SEE ANOTHER MANAGER........SO WHAT....ID KEEP ON CHANGING THEM TILL WE GET SOMEONE THAT DOES KNOW HOW TO MANAGE A TEAM OF EXPENSIVE FOOTBALLERS THAT CAN PLAY THE WAY WE WANT THEM TO PLAY.

[Wooders]

"we were wrong to sack hughes just because Mancini is worse than him" - chortle

anyway
i am not certain but i reckon I would be right in saying if hughes were about we'd still be in both cups

[BobKowalski]

"we were wrong to sack hughes just because Mancini is worse than him" - chortle

anyway
i am not certain but i reckon I would be right in saying if hughes were about we'd still be in both cups

Nah. We would have lost at 'boro.

[crossan]

Some of the players are either not performing or are underperforming but hey they are still being paid arn't they!
Toure...crap
Lescott...crap
Barry ...crap
Richards...crap
SWP...crap
We paid too much money for the supposed stars that were brought in last summer and thats why we are a laughing stock,we will be lucky to get into the Europa cup next season as I believe that we are not currently a top 4 standard.
Same old bloody same old City..................Stoke battled with passion and desire,our stars would not know passion or desire for MCFC if it smacked them in the mouth,they are a disgrace.Mancini was given a poison chalice.

[btajim]

Mancini was given a poison chalice.

I disagree. The Team were Top 6, in the Semi Finals of the Carling Cup and had only lost twice all season. He had a very attractive position when he came in.

[Original Dub]

Mancini was given a poison chalice.

I disagree. The Team were Top 6, in the Semi Finals of the Carling Cup and had only lost twice all season. He had a very attractive position when he came in.

Indeed he did Jim.

There's little doubt in my mind that we'd still be in both cups too. The thing is, CARL could be right - maybe neither man is right for the job, but sacking the last was a mistake, because as it stands, we're going to have to do it again in the summer and we could have actually known for sure if Hughes was going to imporve us second half or make us worse. If he'd imporved us, we were nailed on top four, if not, we'd be in the same position I feel we will be in under Mancini.

So it is fair to say it was a mistake not leaving things as they were at least until the summer.

But its done now and its looking like a right cock up. We shouldn't just sack this guy for some other bloke who was successful in Spain or France or whatever.... two wrongs don't make it right.

[Erwin Rommel]

Mancini was given a poison chalice.

I disagree. The Team were Top 6, in the Semi Finals of the Carling Cup and had only lost twice all season. He had a very attractive position when he came in.

I agree, and do not forget he is supposed to be a world class coach, after all he has won the Italian League 3 times, he must be amazing then.

[btajim]

Indeed he did Jim.

There's little doubt in my mind that we'd still be in both cups too. The thing is, CARL could be right - maybe neither man is right for the job, but sacking the last was a mistake, because as it stands, we're going to have to do it again in the summer and we could have actually known for sure if Hughes was going to imporve us second half or make us worse. If he'd imporved us, we were nailed on top four, if not, we'd be in the same position I feel we will be in under Mancini.

So it is fair to say it was a mistake not leaving things as they were at least until the summer.

But its done now and its looking like a right cock up. We shouldn't just sack this guy for some other bloke who was successful in Spain or France or whatever.... two wrongs don't make it right.

I was as frustrated with the draws Away at Bolton or at Home to Burnley like everybody else was - but Hughes had made us a very difficult side to beat. Comprehensively once all season (freak result akin to 6-0 at Chelsea) and we were Top 6. This was the target he'd been given. Imagine the excitement of being in the Carling Cup Final on Sunday? I'd fancy us against Villa, too. Although just making it to Wembley would be something of note. Instead, we failed to capitalise on a 2-1 advantage over the RAGS with a Sven-style draw putting us through. I think it's all started to go sour since then.

If this form continues until the end of the season then we're going to look very foolish. If Mancini goes then Cook has overseen the departure of THREE Managers at City. Can't that eternally grinning Faker finally clear out his own desk and let someone more professional become our CEO?

[BobKowalski]

Indeed he did Jim.

There's little doubt in my mind that we'd still be in both cups too. The thing is, CARL could be right - maybe neither man is right for the job, but sacking the last was a mistake, because as it stands, we're going to have to do it again in the summer and we could have actually known for sure if Hughes was going to imporve us second half or make us worse. If he'd imporved us, we were nailed on top four, if not, we'd be in the same position I feel we will be in under Mancini.

So it is fair to say it was a mistake not leaving things as they were at least until the summer.

But its done now and its looking like a right cock up. We shouldn't just sack this guy for some other bloke who was successful in Spain or France or whatever.... two wrongs don't make it right.

I was as frustrated with the draws Away at Bolton or at Home to Burnley like everybody else was - but Hughes had made us a very difficult side to beat. Comprehensively once all season (freak result akin to 6-0 at Chelsea) and we were Top 6. This was the target he'd been given. Imagine the excitement of being in the Carling Cup Final on Sunday? I'd fancy us against Villa, too. Although just making it to Wembley would be something of note. Instead, we failed to capitalise on a 2-1 advantage over the RAGS with a Sven-style draw putting us through. I think it's all started to go sour since then.

If this form continues until the end of the season then we're going to look very foolish. If Mancini goes then Cook has overseen the departure of THREE Managers at City. Can't that eternally grinning Faker finally clear out his own desk and let someone more professional become our CEO?

Well in fairness to Cook Sven was all but gone when he arrived and he did tell Frank to lower his sights and get in a manager that was willing to come to us (Hughes) and he arranged that appointment pretty quickly and honestly do you really think it was Cook calling the shots on the Hughes sacking or just carrying out orders? My money is on the latter.

[btajim]

I was as frustrated with the draws Away at Bolton or at Home to Burnley like everybody else was - but Hughes had made us a very difficult side to beat. Comprehensively once all season (freak result akin to 6-0 at Chelsea) and we were Top 6. This was the target he'd been given. Imagine the excitement of being in the Carling Cup Final on Sunday? I'd fancy us against Villa, too. Although just making it to Wembley would be something of note. Instead, we failed to capitalise on a 2-1 advantage over the RAGS with a Sven-style draw putting us through. I think it's all started to go sour since then.

If this form continues until the end of the season then we're going to look very foolish. If Mancini goes then Cook has overseen the departure of THREE Managers at City. Can't that eternally grinning Faker finally clear out his own desk and let someone more professional become our CEO?

Well in fairness to Cook Sven was all but gone when he arrived and he did tell Frank to lower his sights and get in a manager that was willing to come to us (Hughes) and he arranged that appointment pretty quickly and honestly do you really think it was Cook calling the shots on the Hughes sacking or just carrying out orders? My money is on the latter.

Cook carries out the day to day duties because neither Khuldoon nor The Sheikh are at City regularly enough to do so. I find it very hard to believe that he wasn't even consulted about his opinion in replacing Hughes. It was him who led that cringeworthy press conference to introduce Bobbeh Manceh. I felt deeply embarrassed for him because he looked terrified and Bobbeh Manceh was completely overshadowed with questions about our previous Manager. This is what has began the ill feeling towards the way our Club operates - and we've done very little to try and change it.

Your Sven point is fair - but, the fact is, that Cook has overseen the departures of two Managers and it'll become a third if Bobbeh Manceh goes in the Summer. I think he's odds on to do so.

[Im_Spartacus]

I was as frustrated with the draws Away at Bolton or at Home to Burnley like everybody else was - but Hughes had made us a very difficult side to beat. Comprehensively once all season (freak result akin to 6-0 at Chelsea) and we were Top 6. This was the target he'd been given. Imagine the excitement of being in the Carling Cup Final on Sunday? I'd fancy us against Villa, too. Although just making it to Wembley would be something of note. Instead, we failed to capitalise on a 2-1 advantage over the RAGS with a Sven-style draw putting us through. I think it's all started to go sour since then.

If this form continues until the end of the season then we're going to look very foolish. If Mancini goes then Cook has overseen the departure of THREE Managers at City. Can't that eternally grinning Faker finally clear out his own desk and let someone more professional become our CEO?

Well in fairness to Cook Sven was all but gone when he arrived and he did tell Frank to lower his sights and get in a manager that was willing to come to us (Hughes) and he arranged that appointment pretty quickly and honestly do you really think it was Cook calling the shots on the Hughes sacking or just carrying out orders? My money is on the latter.

Cook carries out the day to day duties because neither Khuldoon nor The Sheikh are at City regularly enough to do so. I find it very hard to believe that he wasn't even consulted about his opinion in replacing Hughes. It was him who led that cringeworthy press conference to introduce Bobbeh Manceh. I felt deeply embarrassed for him because he looked terrified and Bobbeh Manceh was completely overshadowed with questions about our previous Manager. This is what has began the ill feeling towards the way our Club operates - and we've done very little to try and change it.

Your Sven point is fair - but, the fact is, that Cook has overseen the departures of two Managers and it'll become a third if Bobbeh Manceh goes in the Summer. I think he's odds on to do so.

cook said he had been looking at replacements in the summer

[BobKowalski]

I was as frustrated with the draws Away at Bolton or at Home to Burnley like everybody else was - but Hughes had made us a very difficult side to beat. Comprehensively once all season (freak result akin to 6-0 at Chelsea) and we were Top 6. This was the target he'd been given. Imagine the excitement of being in the Carling Cup Final on Sunday? I'd fancy us against Villa, too. Although just making it to Wembley would be something of note. Instead, we failed to capitalise on a 2-1 advantage over the RAGS with a Sven-style draw putting us through. I think it's all started to go sour since then.

If this form continues until the end of the season then we're going to look very foolish. If Mancini goes then Cook has overseen the departure of THREE Managers at City. Can't that eternally grinning Faker finally clear out his own desk and let someone more professional become our CEO?

Well in fairness to Cook Sven was all but gone when he arrived and he did tell Frank to lower his sights and get in a manager that was willing to come to us (Hughes) and he arranged that appointment pretty quickly and honestly do you really think it was Cook calling the shots on the Hughes sacking or just carrying out orders? My money is on the latter.

Cook carries out the day to day duties because neither Khuldoon nor The Sheikh are at City regularly enough to do so. I find it very hard to believe that he wasn't even consulted about his opinion in replacing Hughes. It was him who led that cringeworthy press conference to introduce Bobbeh Manceh. I felt deeply embarrassed for him because he looked terrified and Bobbeh Manceh was completely overshadowed with questions about our previous Manager. This is what has began the ill feeling towards the way our Club operates - and we've done very little to try and change it.

Your Sven point is fair - but, the fact is, that Cook has overseen the departures of two Managers and it'll become a third if Bobbeh Manceh goes in the Summer. I think he's odds on to do so.

Sheikh Mansour is never at the club which no doubt gives him a certain degree of detachment which I suspect is useful. Khaldoon is there quite often and I think (but don't know) that he is more hands on then people realise he just keeps a low profile. I don't carry any brief for Cook whatsover and certainly he should never be allowed to speak in public but I do think part of his job is to run interference for the Sheikh and Khaldoon in the media.

Cook was quite supportive of Hughes as he did employ him in the first place and only abandoned that support when it was clear that Sheikh Mansour/Khaldoon had run out of patience and were not prepared to spend anymore money until they had seen value for the money already spent.

The ill feeling in the media was inevitable as Hughes was the great British hope as top 4 manager hence we had all the best potential young manager in the game bollocks and he had a relatively friendly press in his first full season with us which helps. Good old Harry gets the same which is why there is no linkage in the press to Spurs poor form this year and Harry's upcoming trial or the fiasco that is Portsmouth. If Mancini was being investigated by Italian tax authorities and Wolves did the double over us can you imagine the carnage in the press? There would be blood everywhere. City employ tax cheat. Upcoming case inhibiting City boss as they lose at home to Wolves. Can Mancini survive. I mean Mancini has to win at Chelsea away otherwise his job is on the line let alone fucking Wolves. Rafa is the same. First really poor season after finishing second last year and it was open season on him. You have to hand it to Rafa though the guy is a fighter and crucially has the fans on his side.