IS Bobby Mancini THE MAN?

[btajim]

In the absence of an entertaining win, you'd accept a professional, boring win. In the absence of an entertaining win or a professional, boring win, you'd accept a committed, restless performance. In the absence of an entertaining win, a professional, boring win or a committed restless performance- you're left with nothing.

That emptiness is something I, and I'm sure most people, will have felt in a number of Mancini's opening games as City boss. Not only did we fail to win at Everton, Hull, Old Trafford or Stoke tonight- we failed to entertain, or show any particular redeeming qualities. A lot of that is circumstantial- while there mightn't be any shame in losing at the swamp, it's what lead up to it that disappoints. The tactical negativity of the first leg- we had them scared shitless at 2-1 up at Eastlands and didn't/didn't want to capitalise. Tonight, with the scores level and Stoke down to ten men there was no real desire to go and win the game- no definite sign of a change in mentality from the manager. We did well to come away with a point, and while there's no shame in that usually, under tonight's circumstances I think it's an opportunity missed.

Despite being critical of Hughes, I found the timing of his sacking questionable and despite being quite pleased with Mancini's appointment given his track record of success, am starting to have a few doubts. If what we're seeing is a transitional phase, a steadying of the ship, and we start to play with flair and dedication in equal measure as of August, I'll be delighted. In the mean time watching City, it pains me to say, is painful.

I'm not suggesting he be sacked- a revolving door policy has been our undoing for my fucking lifetime- but I'm a little underwhelmed at the moment.

The timing of Hughes' sacking was awful. I think it's the manner of his departure mixed in with the arrival of "Bobbeh Mancineh" that tainted the whole thing for me.

I'm also struggling to understand the need for a transitional phase because we were only comprehensively beaten by Spurs all season. We were doing alright - and if Hughes' Teams always have a better second half of the season then we'd have had lots to look forwards to. He was certainly making us difficult to beat.

I've changed my vote to No. I'd gladly welcome a Manager who gets us playing entertaining Football alongside earning results. If "Bobbeh Mancineh" doesn't make 4th then he can do one.

[Original Dub]

I've changed my vote to "no" as well.

I miss football.

[Socrates]

I still "don't know" to be honest
He's inherited a team of very talented players but he says in interviews that he still hasn't got his message across in terms of how he wants them to play so I am prepared to give him a chance - blowing a golden opportunity to be in the top 4 won't stand him in good stead though

if his team's English is the same as his I'm not surprised. He looks more and more like ramos every time I see him

In what way does he remind you of Ramos? Do you mean that you think he is sufferring from massive interference from an incompetent director of football or do you mean that you think he will win a trophy?

A talented European manager desperately out of his depth trying to learn quickly how to play against the different challenges of PL football that were never mentioned in the coaching manual whilst fulfilling the expectations of fans & owners & avoiding the sack as the board negotiate with other managers behind his back.

Hopefully Marwood isn't behaving that way. Hopefully he will deliver silverware like Ramos did...

[mcfc1632]

Just seen that Hiddink has become the Turkey national team manager - so that rules out one potential scenario - so I hope the rest of the season proves that he is the man

[btajim]

Just seen that Hiddink has become the Turkey national team manager - so that rules out one potential scenario - so I hope the rest of the season proves that he is the man

A Job Hughes was linked with!

[Wooders]

I still "don't know" to be honest
He's inherited a team of very talented players but he says in interviews that he still hasn't got his message across in terms of how he wants them to play so I am prepared to give him a chance - blowing a golden opportunity to be in the top 4 won't stand him in good stead though

if his team's English is the same as his I'm not surprised. He looks more and more like ramos every time I see him

In what way does he remind you of Ramos? Do you mean that you think he is sufferring from massive interference from an incompetent director of football or do you mean that you think he will win a trophy?

A talented European manager desperately out of his depth trying to learn quickly how to play against the different challenges of PL football that were never mentioned in the coaching manual whilst fulfilling the expectations of fans & owners & avoiding the sack as the board negotiate with other managers behind his back.

Hopefully Marwood isn't behaving that way. Hopefully he will deliver silverware like Ramos did...

Marwood is our director of football in everything but name - hughes didn't want us to look like idiots so insisted on him labelling himself something other than "director of football" - he was right, we would have been ridiculed beyond belief if we'd have announced him as such

[Ted Hughes]

I still "don't know" to be honest
He's inherited a team of very talented players but he says in interviews that he still hasn't got his message across in terms of how he wants them to play so I am prepared to give him a chance - blowing a golden opportunity to be in the top 4 won't stand him in good stead though

if his team's English is the same as his I'm not surprised. He looks more and more like ramos every time I see him

In what way does he remind you of Ramos? Do you mean that you think he is sufferring from massive interference from an incompetent director of football or do you mean that you think he will win a trophy?

A talented European manager desperately out of his depth trying to learn quickly how to play against the different challenges of PL football that were never mentioned in the coaching manual whilst fulfilling the expectations of fans & owners & avoiding the sack as the board negotiate with other managers behind his back.

Hopefully Marwood isn't behaving that way. Hopefully he will deliver silverware like Ramos did...

Cook said after sacking Hughes that they do it as a matter of course so you can pretty much guarantee that they are. I recon the only reason Mancini was appointed so early was to avoid the controversy they'd get over here for sacking someone like Hughes IF he actually did get top 4 & that they're negotiating with Mourinho & that he'll be the manager next season if he accepts. They saw an opportunity & grabbed it.

No one in the media here will complain if they sack Mancini even if he gets us top 4 but it would be pandemonium if they did it to Hughes after courting the media & promising otherwise. If Mourinho turns us down, Mancini may get a chance but imo he's doomed if Mourinho says yes. Mourinho 'ticks all the boxes' for the 'project' as Cook would say.

[mcfc1632]

I fear that you are right in that analysis

[dazby]

I'd prefer Mancio over Jose any day.

[Ted Hughes]

I'd prefer Mancio over Jose any day.

So would I in theory but not if the football doesn't improve. I've never wanted him because even though I believe he'd be successful, I don't like his football but if we don't improve... well Mourinho's Chelsea were like Brazil 1970 compared to what we're seeing now, put it that way.

[Alex Sapphire]

I still "don't know" to be honest
He's inherited a team of very talented players but he says in interviews that he still hasn't got his message across in terms of how he wants them to play so I am prepared to give him a chance - blowing a golden opportunity to be in the top 4 won't stand him in good stead though

if his team's English is the same as his I'm not surprised. He looks more and more like ramos every time I see him

In what way does he remind you of Ramos? Do you mean that you think he is sufferring from massive interference from an incompetent director of football or do you mean that you think he will win a trophy?

what Ted said.
If your mate is going to emulate Ramos and win a trophy in his first season it will have to be the FA cup, cos we are not in the one Ramos won 4 months after signing up.
But that shouldn't be a problem as he has only to beat Stoke and Chelsea to be in with a chance and this set of players have beaten both this season even before he strengthened the squad in January.
This is a promising young manager with a language problem and without any confidence that his trigger happy board won't shout time any time.
and my worry is that he will end up with something else in common with ramos...a five minute cameo in the "best league in the world". That would be less than he deserves.

[Original Dub]

I still "don't know" to be honest
He's inherited a team of very talented players but he says in interviews that he still hasn't got his message across in terms of how he wants them to play so I am prepared to give him a chance - blowing a golden opportunity to be in the top 4 won't stand him in good stead though

if his team's English is the same as his I'm not surprised. He looks more and more like ramos every time I see him

In what way does he remind you of Ramos? Do you mean that you think he is sufferring from massive interference from an incompetent director of football or do you mean that you think he will win a trophy?

what Ted said.
If your mate is going to emulate Ramos and win a trophy in his first season it will have to be the FA cup, cos we are not in the one Ramos won 4 months after signing up.
But that shouldn't be a problem as he has only to beat Stoke and Chelsea to be in with a chance and this set of players have beaten both this season even before he strengthened the squad in January.
This is a promising young manager with a language problem and without any confidence that his trigger happy board won't shout time any time.
and my worry is that he will end up with something else in common with ramos...a five minute cameo in the "best league in the world". That would be less than he deserves.

Excellent post Alex

[btajim]

I'd back Mourinho over Mancini because Jose is proven in English Football. If Taggart beats Liverpool's Title successes then he'll step down and recommend Jose for the job - but if we move quickly then we'll get him.

[Original Dub]

I'd back Mourinho over Mancini because Jose is proven in English Football. If Taggart beats Liverpool's Title successes then he'll step down and recommend Jose for the job - but if we move quickly then we'll get him.

Jose won't take a job unless he knows he has a bigger advantage over everyone else in the league to win it.

With Chelsea, he had more money than everyone else. Same with us if he took Bobby's job. With Inter, he knew Milan and co were rebuilding with little or no money after they had been relegated/deducted points.

If he takes the United job, the only way is down, unless they get taken over by a sugar daddy that can match our wealth. That club is fucked financially and about a third of their team are semi retired.

[FA cup winners 2006]

initially selected "not sure" but have changed my vote to "no".

i put Mancini's 1st few wins down to complete luck, he took over a team that was extreemley fit, quick and could attack with pace like no other in the league. he was right to concentrate on the defence and it worked because the attacking threat was still there from the training under hughes, however 6-7 weeks later and not much work on our attack and it is really showing. We have no options going forward because the players are not working on any in training.

Mancini was clearly brought in to get us into 4th and obviously told the club that he could do it with the players currently available.

i know mancini was sucessful in italy but to be a top 4 club in the premiership, you have to be able to compete with the best in europe and mancni failed miserably in champions league at inter.

[btajim]

I'd back Mourinho over Mancini because Jose is proven in English Football. If Taggart beats Liverpool's Title successes then he'll step down and recommend Jose for the job - but if we move quickly then we'll get him.

Jose won't take a job unless he knows he has a bigger advantage over everyone else in the league to win it.

With Chelsea, he had more money than everyone else. Same with us if he took Bobby's job. With Inter, he knew Milan and co were rebuilding with little or no money after they had been relegated/deducted points.

If he takes the U***d job, the only way is down, unless they get taken over by a sugar daddy that can match our wealth. That club is fucked financially and about a third of their team are semi retired.

He loves the Premier League and he won't go to Liverpool or Arsenal. If Man Ure are in the mire then he won't go there either. Does the man not want a true challenge?

I never thought I'd see Tevez in a City Shirt.

[mcfc1632]

It is not what I want - but I think that Jose is coming to CITY unless Bobby has a major end to the season and maybe then it will be too late - the deal could be done

Jose needs money and power - it is only the arrogance of the scum fans that makes them think he is going there - only way is down - who thinks Jose's ego is compatible with being the guy who managed the scum downhill after baconface retired - no he would back the best prospect in the PL for him to look good - that is CITY by a distance

[Piccsnumberoneblue]

initially selected "not sure" but have changed my vote to "no".

i put Mancini's 1st few wins down to complete luck, he took over a team that was extreemley fit, quick and could attack with pace like no other in the league. he was right to concentrate on the defence and it worked because the attacking threat was still there from the training under hughes, however 6-7 weeks later and not much work on our attack and it is really showing. We have no options going forward because the players are not working on any in training.

Mancini was clearly brought in to get us into 4th and obviously told the club that he could do it with the players currently available.

i know mancini was sucessful in italy but to be a top 4 club in the premiership, you have to be able to compete with the best in europe and mancni failed miserably in champions league at inter.

I'd agree with this. I wasn't sure originally, but I'm leaning more towards a 'No' now. I look at our galaxy of star attacking players, and wonder how they can look so blunt. I do like Bobby manc, but I'm troubled by our performances.

[btajim]

It is not what I want - but I think that Jose is coming to CITY unless Bobby has a major end to the season and maybe then it will be too late - the deal could be done

Jose needs money and power - it is only the arrogance of the scum fans that makes them think he is going there - only way is down - who thinks Jose's ego is compatible with being the guy who managed the scum downhill after baconface retired - no he would back the best prospect in the PL for him to look good - that is CITY by a distance

I think Mourinho is one of the only people with the balls to walk in to the Job after Taggart leaves - but I think they could only afford Moyes or O'Neill now. I'd have welcomed both at City several seasons ago (post-Keegan / Pearce) - but we'd never have given them the time they needed.

Mourinho is one of the only Managers to ensure City will turn in to a dominant force in English Football. People are quick to forget that he had no money at Porto yet they still won the Champions League.

[Ted Hughes]

It is not what I want - but I think that Jose is coming to CITY unless Bobby has a major end to the season and maybe then it will be too late - the deal could be done

Jose needs money and power - it is only the arrogance of the scum fans that makes them think he is going there - only way is down - who thinks Jose's ego is compatible with being the guy who managed the scum downhill after baconface retired - no he would back the best prospect in the PL for him to look good - that is CITY by a distance

I think Mourinho is one of the only people with the balls to walk in to the Job after Taggart leaves - but I think they could only afford Moyes or O'Neill now. I'd have welcomed both at City several seasons ago (post-Keegan / Pearce) - but we'd never have given them the time they needed.

Mourinho is one of the only Managers to ensure City will turn in to a dominant force in English Football. People are quick to forget that he had no money at Porto yet they still won the Champions League.

Along with Ferguson he's probably the best in the world at the psychology side of things but he's also ruined more players & bought more misfits than most managers & seems to view trying to scoring more than 2 goals in a one sided game as rude.

If the fans & club had the patience to take a few bad spels of results on the chin, I'm sure with our unprecedented resouces we could build a side over a few seasons that played some of the best attacking football ever seen & win lots of trophies, if we stuck to that objective rather than jumping off down the boring road we're on at present. We may win stuff with Mourinho if he comes but no matter how many pots we win, we'll still always be 2nd best to the rags in history until we do it with style.