IS Bobby Mancini THE MAN?

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Fair enough, you have every right to your opinion. Forming your opinion according to what some random people thought about previous manager is nothing short of bizarre though. Basically that would make you more interested about your own ego than what may (or may not) be good for the club.

Partially allowing it to affect my vote (which I admit) has nothing to do with me forming my opinion. FFS this is an internet forum, and I can vote how I feel on a poll, without it really reflecting on how I operate in the real world. [highlight]If I'd voted 'yes', purely on the basis that he's won stuff in Italy, would you be trying to delve into my psyche?[/highlight]
I'm not changing my vote until the end of the season, because that was my vote, on how I felt when I voted, and I'm sticking with it.

No, but that would be football matter. I wouldn't blame you if you had questions about his football and you voted no either.

I simply didn't think Mancini would be the man when he got the job. Partly due to inexperience in the Prem, partly due to the way his contract had been organised (which showed that the owners/their advisoers didn't have 100% confidence in him)... and partly because of the bullshit he exhuded regarding his 'love' for the English game (which he claimed stemmed from his 5-week stint at Leicester). Also, at the time of his appointment, I thought he was no great improvement on Hughes, which I still believe.

Football enough for you?

Like I said above, fair enough.

[Beefymcfc]

I can't believe the 'No' vote has just gone up by 1?!?

[btajim]

I can't believe the 'No' vote has just gone up by 1?!?

I can't believe you noticed.

[johnny crossan]

Anyone with even a modicum of intelligence would recognise that there has been no vendetta against Mancini. There have been people who felt that the decision to sack Hughes was wrong, some who felt that Mancini's appointment was wrong and others who felt his tactics have been wrong at times. This does not mean they are conducting a vendetta against him.

I voted no for Mancini, not because of any particular feelings about him, but because the vendetta against the previous manager from one or two of our celebrity posters on here pushed me in that direction. Since that I haven't bothered to change my vote because it is immaterial. Mancini is here and, so far, has done a half decent job and he has my full support.

Couldn't have put it better myself.

I voted 'no', and will stick with it until the end of the season. If we finish 4th, next season I'll be down as a 'maybe'.

Belgium or Bosnia, it's not far enough for nitwits like you. What on earth have the Hughes Inners on here got to do with it?
Use your brain.

I simply didn't think Mancini would be the man when he got the job. Partly due to inexperience in the Prem, partly due to the way his contract had been organised (which showed that the owners/their advisoers didn't have 100% confidence in him), partly out of a belief that we were going to adopt a chop/change approach to management, a la Chelsea, and partly because of the bullshit he exhuded regarding his 'love' for the English game (which he claimed stemmed from his 5-week stint at Leicester). Also, at the time of his appointment, I thought he was no great improvement on Hughes, which I still believe. The choice of 'no' over 'maybe' was also in part out of contrariness, due to being pissed off by the 'Hughes Out' vendetta. I'm man enough to admit that. But I did have other reasons.

Nevertheless, he gets my full support while he's in the job, and my opinion of him has become slightly more positive. The general consensus on here 2-3 weeks ago was that he wasn't going to get his contract renewed. Now, after tearing apart a relegation-threatened team in half a match, that notion is nowhere to be seen on the board. Also, at one point, there were only 10 of us (people, not percent) in the 'no' category. Without a massive increase in voters, this rose to approx 70 in a 2-week spell following the defeat to Hull. It's now slowly starting to slip back down.

I reckon (and am starting to hope) Mancini gets his contract renewed next season. However, I voted this on my initial feelings, and am staying like that. Other people may want to use this poll as a swingometer, but I'm keeping my original decision until the end of the season.

I don't think Angelotti, Wenger, Ferguson, Mourinho, Benitez, Moyes, Hodgson, Hiddinck etc etc etc had much experience in the PL when they started did they? Also surely you don't believe that Mancini would have walked away from an Inter settlement of his 17million eu x four years contract, just for a six month deal with City? What's his five weeks at Leicester got to do with it as well, he has been an outstanding success in top flight management for 13 years and has spent the last 12 months in England learning the language just because he wanted the PL challenge. Words fail.

[Slim]

I voted 'no', and will stick with it until the end of the season. If we finish 4th, next season I'll be down as a 'maybe'.

Nevertheless, he gets my full support while he's in the job

Delicious delicious irony.

[btajim]

I don't think Angelotti, Wenger, Ferguson, Mourinho, Benitez, Moyes, Hodgson, Hiddinck etc etc etc had much experience in the PL when they started did they? Also surely you don't believe that Mancini would have walked away from an Inter settlement of his 17million eu x four years contract, just for a six month deal with City? What's his five weeks at Leicester got to do with it as well, he has been an outstanding success in top flight management for 13 years and has spent the last 12 months in England learning the language just because he wanted the PL challenge. Words fail.

Ancelotti, Mourinho, Benitez, Hodgson and Hiddink are all Managers who have won things / done well wherever they've Managed. Taggart (less of the "Ferguson", please) and Moyes were promoted from less significant Leagues but for every one of them there's another Ince or Tony Adams who have been less succesful when given their chance. Everton have been very patient with Moyes and Taggart wasn't far off getting sacked in the early 90's. It's always a gamble when you bring someone in from a lower League. Whilst Mancini is most definitely in the former catergory - his success with Inter Milan was partly down to the scandals which affected Juventus etc. It reduced the competition. Bringing Mancini was a gamble but very much a calculated one, I think. Although if he achieves with the Team that Hughes put together then he's largely replicating what he did at Inter Milan. Still, I won't be complaining when he leads us to the Title. I just don't think he will.

With the Language, I think he's significantly come on since he took the Job. He seemed to be struggling in that press conference that introduced him. Although there was a stuttering Prick sat up there, too.

[johnny crossan]

I don't think Ancelotti, Wenger, Ferguson, Mourinho, Benitez, Moyes, Hodgson, Hiddinck etc etc etc had much experience in the PL when they started did they? Also surely you don't believe that Mancini would have walked away from an Inter settlement of his 17million eu x four years contract, just for a six month deal with City? What's his five weeks at Leicester got to do with it as well, he has been an outstanding success in top flight management for 13 years and has spent the last 12 months in England learning the language just because he wanted the PL challenge. Words fail.

Ancelotti, Mourinho, Benitez, Hodgson and Hiddink are all Managers who have won things / done well wherever they've Managed. Taggart (less of the "Ferguson", please) and Moyes were promoted from less significant Leagues but for every one of them there's another Ince or Tony Adams who have been less succesful when given their chance. Everton have been very patient with Moyes and Taggart wasn't far off getting sacked in the early 90's. It's always a gamble when you bring someone in from a lower League. Whilst Mancini is most definitely in the former catergory - his success with Inter Milan was partly down to the scandals which affected Juventus etc. It reduced the competition. Bringing Mancini was a gamble but very much a calculated one, I think. Although if he achieves with the Team that Hughes put together then he's largely replicating what he did at Inter Milan. Still, I won't be complaining when he leads us to the Title. [highlight]I just don't think he will[/highlight].

With the Language, I think he's significantly come on since he took the Job. He seemed to be struggling in that press conference that introduced him. Although there was a stuttering Prick sat up there, too.

So let me attempt a summary of your post to aid my understanding. There are at least two categories of manager -1) those who have won things/done well everywhere they've been but that doesn't include lower leagues and 2) those who have won things/done well in lower leagues. Wenger is possibly in a third unspecified category but Mancini is definitely in the first category. It's always a gamble when you bring in a category 2 manager plus you have to be patient and sometimes when you bring in category 1 manager (ie Mancini). The calcio poli casts doubt on one of his league titles with Inter, but the fact remains he is still using the methods he used at Inter and presumably at Fiorentina and Lazio but with Hughes' squad. His English is improving and you don't like Garry Cook.

OK? But I don't see how any of those points relate to Mancini's quality as a City manager.

Given that all managerial appointments are a gamble, calculated to a greater or lesser degree, my difficulty is in working out why you think he won't be successful here. Do you think that his reputation as a top coach is undeserved perhaps? Do you think his experience in Italy doesn't equip him properly for the PL for some reason - in a way that Mourinho's in Portugal or Benitez' in Spain or Ancelloti's in Italy did? Or is there something else which makes you think Mancini is not the man and is why don't rate his chances? Please explain (and spare me the "I'd be be very happy to be proved wrong stuff - we'll take that as read).

[btajim]

Given that all managerial appointments are a gamble, calculated to a greater or lesser degree, my difficulty is in working out why you think he won't be successful here. Do you think that his reputation as a top coach is undeserved perhaps? Do you think his experience in Italy doesn't equip him properly for the PL for some reason - in a way that Mourinho's in Portugal or Benitez' in Spain or Ancelloti's in Italy did? I would be interested in your views.

I just don't buy him. I don't understand his motives for coming here and he doesn't convince me. The man would have the pick of Jobs in Italy yet he comes to City. Why? His only previous experience with English Football was a much forgotten stint with the mighty Leicester. Yes, I think his reputation as a Top Coach is undeserved. He's a fraud because he had several of those Titles handed to him during the scandals that brought down Juventus. I also think he's personality over substance.

He's also inherited a Squad that Hughes assembled and only added it with an aging Vieira (his Mate from Inter) and a player that Brian Marwood sourced. We were crying out for a creative Midfielder and a rock at Centre Half.

Speculation that he was a mere interim for 6 months before someone else got the Job was flying around just hours after he was appointed. I simply can't get behind someone I don't fully believe in. Mancini the new Ramos? Or the new Mourinho? Let's wait and see.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Given that all managerial appointments are a gamble, calculated to a greater or lesser degree, my difficulty is in working out why you think he won't be successful here. Do you think that his reputation as a top coach is undeserved perhaps? Do you think his experience in Italy doesn't equip him properly for the PL for some reason - in a way that Mourinho's in Portugal or Benitez' in Spain or Ancelloti's in Italy did? I would be interested in your views.

I just don't buy him. I don't understand his motives for coming here and he doesn't convince me. The man would have the pick of Jobs in Italy yet he comes to City. Why? His only previous experience with English Football was a much forgotten stint with the mighty Leicester. Yes, I think his reputation as a Top Coach is undeserved. He's a fraud because he had several of those Titles handed to him during the scandals that brought down Juventus. I also think he's personality over substance.

He's also inherited a Squad that Hughes assembled and only added it with an aging Vieira (his Mate from Inter) and a player that Brian Marwood sourced. We were crying out for a creative Midfielder and a rock at Centre Half.

Speculation that he was a mere interim for 6 months before someone else got the Job was flying around just hours after he was appointed. I simply can't get behind someone I don't fully believe in. Mancini the new Ramos? Or the new Mourinho? Let's wait and see.

Only ONE of his titles were handed to him. You also seem to forget that he won cups with VERY unfancied sideS.

Why he'd come to England? I think answering that is VERY easy. He had already done it all in Italy couple of times over and wanted to test himself against the best in the best league in the world right now. He also said that he likes English football and thinks his management style would suit England even better than Italy. I don't understand why you'd question his motives. Loads of people in this world go to work outside their homecountry to improve themselves and get bigger tasks. Fairly natural to me.

[btajim]

Only ONE of his titles were handed to him. You also seem to forget that he won cups with VERY unfancied sideS.

Why he'd come to England? I think answering that is VERY easy. He had already done it all in Italy couple of times over and wanted to test himself against the best in the best league in the world right now. He also said that he likes English football and thinks his management style would suit England even better than Italy. I don't understand why you'd question his motives. Loads of people in this world go to work outside their homecountry to improve themselves and get bigger tasks. Fairly natural to me.

The Premier League is in decline. Clubs can't afford to sign the best players and now none of our Top 4 sides are left in the Champions League. I wouldn't have batted an eyelid had he come to the Premier League in 2005.

How many Press Conferences have you seen that introduce a new Manager who admits he's only here for an initial 6 months? It may well be my over excited "typical City" mind - but I'm just not convinced that he's here for the long haul. This is long term.

Look at this:
[youtube]MK_evhEnd5M[/youtube]

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Only ONE of his titles were handed to him. You also seem to forget that he won cups with VERY unfancied sideS.

Why he'd come to England? I think answering that is VERY easy. He had already done it all in Italy couple of times over and wanted to test himself against the best in the best league in the world right now. He also said that he likes English football and thinks his management style would suit England even better than Italy. I don't understand why you'd question his motives. Loads of people in this world go to work outside their homecountry to improve themselves and get bigger tasks. Fairly natural to me.

The Premier League is in decline. Clubs can't afford to sign the best players and now none of our Top 4 sides are left in the Champions League. I wouldn't have batted an eyelid had he come to the Premier League in 2005.

How many Press Conferences have you seen that introduce a new Manager who admits he's only here for an initial 6 months? It may well be my over excited "typical City" mind - but I'm just not convinced that he's here for the long haul. This is long term.

Look at this:
[youtube]MK_evhEnd5M[/youtube]

I have to disagree with that mate. Barcelona are the best side in the world right now but when it comes to OVERALL quality in the league Premier League are second to absolutely NONE in the world. In fact, that was always one of the strengths of English 1st division even back in the day, the difference between good and bad teams were much smaller than anywhere else.

And Spain is the only serious competitor for Prem right now. Serie A, for me, has fallen behind Bundesleague these days.

[johnny crossan]

Given that all managerial appointments are a gamble, calculated to a greater or lesser degree, my difficulty is in working out why you think he won't be successful here. Do you think that his reputation as a top coach is undeserved perhaps? Do you think his experience in Italy doesn't equip him properly for the PL for some reason - in a way that Mourinho's in Portugal or Benitez' in Spain or Ancelloti's in Italy did? I would be interested in your views.

I just don't buy him. I don't understand his motives for coming here and he doesn't convince me. The man would have the pick of Jobs in Italy yet he comes to City. Why? His only previous experience with English Football was a much forgotten stint with the mighty Leicester. Yes, I think his reputation as a Top Coach is undeserved. He's a fraud because he had several of those Titles handed to him during the scandals that brought down Juventus. I also think he's personality over substance.

He's also inherited a Squad that Hughes assembled and only added it with an aging Vieira (his Mate from Inter) and a player that Brian Marwood sourced. We were crying out for a creative Midfielder and a rock at Centre Half.

Speculation that he was a mere interim for 6 months before someone else got the Job was flying around just hours after he was appointed. I simply can't get behind someone I don't fully believe in. Mancini the new Ramos? Or the new Mourinho? Let's wait and see.

Thanks for that - quite a relief really. I thought you might have some good reasons for your views.
It turns out that your objections are based on your own non- understanding of his motives. .
Your view that he's not a top coach because you don't think so.
That he committed the blunder of taking over a squad recruited by the previous manager - bit tricky to defend that one.
That he didn't add to the squad before giving them all their chance.
Except that he brought in his mate Vieira, who could be the difference that get's us 4th place.
And except that he didn't stop Adam Johnson coming because he was Brian Marwood's pick.
That Kompany, Lescott, Toure, Onuoha, Richards, Boyata etc are not and never will be rocks.
Because of baseless speculation by the media about his 3 and a half year contract.
Because he might turn out to be like Ramos, Scolari or Gross

Have I misrepresented your position in any way?

[btajim]

I have to disagree with that mate. Barcelona are the best side in the world right now but when it comes to OVERALL quality in the league Premier League are second to absolutely NONE in the world. In fact, that was always one of the strengths of English 1st division even back in the day, the difference between good and bad teams were much smaller than anywhere else.

And Spain is the only serious competitor for Prem right now. Serie A, for me, has fallen behind Bundesleague these days.

Any comment on the Video? No? 6 months.

At the end of the day, a top quality Manager should have pick of the Jobs (like Mourinho) but Mancini comes here. I'm simply not able to throw my blind support towards a man who I'm not convinced by on both a Footballing and personal level.

Feel free to dig this sort of stuff up when Toure is lifting the Premiership Trophy. After all, this poll on here was asking whether the new man would deliver the Title. I'd never dream of saying yes.

[btajim]

Thanks for that - quite a relief really. I thought you might have some good reasons for your views.
It turns out that your objections are based on your own non- understanding of his motives. .
Your view that he's not a top coach because you don't think so.
That he committed the blunder of taking over a squad recruited by the previous manager - bit tricky to defend that one.
That he didn't add to the squad before giving them all their chance.
Except that he brought in his mate Vieira, who could be the difference that get's us 4th place.
And except that he didn't stop Adam Johnson coming because he was Brian Marwood's pick.
That Kompany, Lescott, Toure, Onuoha, Richards, Boyata etc are not and never will be rocks.
Because of baseless speculation by the media about his 3 and a half year contract.
Because he might turn out to be like Ramos, Scolari or Gross

Have I misrepresented your position in any way?

Do you have an opinion or are you merely determined to rip apart absolutely everything I say? An opinion is an opinion. It's never wrong to express an opinion. You've done nothing but ridicule me for daring to go against the grain yet done nothing to defend your own point of view.

a) Won Serie A by default with a Team he inherited.
b) The squad NEEDED an attacking Midfielder and a rock at Centre Half. Anyone could see that. He was appointed in December and the window closed at the end of January. He signed two players. Why was a crucial one not amongst those signings?
c) He's inevitably a gamble because he's won nothing in English Football. Other Managers from Overseas have tried and failed. Others have succeeded. IT'S A GAMBLE!!!

Now, before you patronise and ridicule me again, could you explain why this new Man will deliver the Premier League? If you don't, and you can't, then I won't reply.

[brite blu sky]

Thanks for that - quite a relief really. I thought you might have some good reasons for your views.
It turns out that your objections are based on your own non- understanding of his motives. .
Your view that he's not a top coach because you don't think so.
That he committed the blunder of taking over a squad recruited by the previous manager - bit tricky to defend that one.
That he didn't add to the squad before giving them all their chance.
Except that he brought in his mate Vieira, who could be the difference that get's us 4th place.
And except that he didn't stop Adam Johnson coming because he was Brian Marwood's pick.
That Kompany, Lescott, Toure, Onuoha, Richards, Boyata etc are not and never will be rocks.
Because of baseless speculation by the media about his 3 and a half year contract.
Because he might turn out to be like Ramos, Scolari or Gross

Have I misrepresented your position in any way?

Do you have an opinion or are you merely determined to rip apart absolutely everything I say? An opinion is an opinion. It's never wrong to express an opinion. You've done nothing but ridicule me for daring to go against the grain yet done nothing to defend your own point of view.

a) Won Serie A by default with a Team he inherited.
b) The squad NEEDED an attacking Midfielder and a rock at Centre Half. Anyone could see that. He was appointed in December and the window closed at the end of January. He signed two players. Why was a crucial one not amongst those signings?
c) He's inevitably a gamble because he's won nothing in English Football. Other Managers from Overseas have tried and failed. Others have succeeded. IT'S A GAMBLE!!!

Now, before you patronise and ridicule me again, could you explain why this new Man will deliver the Premier League? If you don't, and you can't, then I won't reply.

no offence bta, but you are opening yourself up to ridicule imo, your right to say it is a gamble, but apart form that you come across as just having a beef against Mancini.
Had to say that otherwise you are going to entrench yourself in a position similar to what NQDP did, and while that is fine for you as it was for Pants.. it drags this board down into something akin to a school playground.
Just a thought.

[Wooders]

well I am starting to believe that he is the man to take us to the top 4, if he's the main to steady the ship and lead us all to glory or not remains to be seen.

[johnny crossan]

Thanks for that - quite a relief really. I thought you might have some good reasons for your views.
It turns out that your objections are based on your own non- understanding of his motives. .
Your view that he's not a top coach because you don't think so.
That he committed the blunder of taking over a squad recruited by the previous manager - bit tricky to defend that one.
That he didn't add to the squad before giving them all their chance.
Except that he brought in his mate Vieira, who could be the difference that get's us 4th place.
And except that he didn't stop Adam Johnson coming because he was Brian Marwood's pick.
That Kompany, Lescott, Toure, Onuoha, Richards, Boyata etc are not and never will be rocks.
Because of baseless speculation by the media about his 3 and a half year contract.
Because he might turn out to be like Ramos, Scolari or Gross

Have I misrepresented your position in any way?

Do you have an opinion or are you merely determined to rip apart absolutely everything I say? An opinion is an opinion. It's never wrong to express an opinion. You've done nothing but ridicule me for daring to go against the grain yet done nothing to defend your own point of view.

a) Won Serie A by default with a Team he inherited.
b) The squad NEEDED an attacking Midfielder and a rock at Centre Half. Anyone could see that. He was appointed in December and the window closed at the end of January. He signed two players. Why was a crucial one not amongst those signings?
c) He's inevitably a gamble because he's won nothing in English Football. Other Managers from Overseas have tried and failed. Others have succeeded. IT'S A GAMBLE!!!

Now, before you patronise and ridicule me again, could you explain why this new Man will deliver the Premier League? If you don't, and you can't, then I won't reply.

It's not my intention to do either of those things. In short I believe that Mancini is one of the best young managers in the world and he has joined us because we offer one of the best if not the best job in world football.

It has been his long term ambition to manage in the PL, which remains the best in the world by a margin (allowing that the Bundesliga is set to overtake Serie A in the UEFA coefficient rankings). La Liga is a two horse race and sadly about to be plunged into major crisis through debt.

Mancini's track record in Italy is outstanding as coach, motivator, judge of a player and as a winner of titles. Your assertion that his success is in some way a fraudulent is simply wrong as is your claim that he inherited a title winning squad at Inter. You need to do some more research.

I smiled that you used the my Youtube video to show that he thinks he's on a 6 month contract. It was part of a sequence showing exactly the opposite - he is contracted with us to 2013 although I don't doubt there will be performance reviews built in to ensure we don't have to pay a fortune to sack him if he fails. It would be reasonable to expect one of those reviews at the end of the season.

The whole point of my earlier reply to your post was that any PL managerial appointment is a gamble, I just believe the odds on Mancini winning through are better than with anyone else. His performance so far is very impressive although he's made a few mistakes as well.

PS I just spotted the significance of your last sentence "..could you explain why this new Man will deliver the Premier League? If you don't, and you can't, then I won't reply" - Is that it then btajim? Mancini is not the man by definition - therefore this is your last post on the subject?

[btajim]

no offence bta, but you are opening yourself up to ridicule imo, your right to say it is a gamble, but apart form that you come across as just having a beef against Mancini.
Had to say that otherwise you are going to entrench yourself in a position similar to what NQDP did, and while that is fine for you as it was for Pants.. it drags this board down into something akin to a school playground.
Just a thought.

None taken. I couldn't possibly be offended by what's not correct. i.e. People become offended when someone says something about them that's true.

How have I got beef against Mancini?! I just don't feel remotely obliged to get behind him when I'm not convinced by his stability at the Club. It's nothing against him as a person. I'd be delighted if he delivered Trophies. I'm actually deeply irritated by City's inability to pick a Manager and stick with them. I've been actively following the Club since Royle was in charge and not one Manager has definitely left of his own accord. The jury is still out on Keegan's departure.

And PLEASE do not compare my lack of blind dedication to the new man to anything NQDP and the Hughes Out Brigade managed last season. It's particularly amusing to accuse me of the same thing because I left the Forum for 6 months because such activity had began to affect my support of the Club. Hours of vile hatred, name calling and Blue on Blue abuse over the fucking Manager made me wonder why I was spending my time and money following Football divided by such polar opposites. I'd truly despise myself if I achieved 1% of that.

Opening myself up to ridicule for daring to have a different opinion? Take a second to have a think about what the concept of a Forum is (i.e. controlled medium for debate) and come back to me.

Just a thought!

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

I have to disagree with that mate. Barcelona are the best side in the world right now but when it comes to OVERALL quality in the league Premier League are second to absolutely NONE in the world. In fact, that was always one of the strengths of English 1st division even back in the day, the difference between good and bad teams were much smaller than anywhere else.

And Spain is the only serious competitor for Prem right now. Serie A, for me, has fallen behind Bundesleague these days.

Any comment on the Video? No? 6 months.

At the end of the day, a top quality Manager should have pick of the Jobs (like Mourinho) but Mancini comes here. I'm simply not able to throw my blind support towards a man who I'm not convinced by on both a Footballing and personal level.

Feel free to dig this sort of stuff up when Toure is lifting the Premiership Trophy. After all, this poll on here was asking whether the new man would deliver the Title. I'd never dream of saying yes.

are you for real jim? He rejected numerous of jobs, Sunderland for example, before coming to us. Besides, you are seriously underestimating how good City job is right now. Almost limitless amount of money to spend, good core of squad, behind the scenes everything is top notch, great training ground (people rarely seem to understand how much this really means by the way) and supporters who are yearning for success and will treat you like god if you win anything. Perfect job for any manager who wants to further prove themselves on world stage.

Regarding video, if it's the one I think it is, you know as well as I do that lot was lost in translation. I'm on mobile, so can't see it.

[btajim]

It's not my intention to do either of those things. In short I believe that Mancini is one of the best young managers in the world and he has joined us because we offer one of the best if not the best job in world football.

Good. I hope he is and I hope you're right.

It has been his long term ambition to manage in the PL, which remains the best in the world by a margin (allowing that the Bundesliga is set to overtake Serie A in the UEFA coefficient rankings). La Liga is a two horse race and sadly about to be plunged into major crisis through debt.

La Liga is a two horse race? When was the Premiership last won by Not Man Ure and Not Chelsea? Arsenal might have an outside chance this season - but they won't win it.

Mancini's track record in Italy is outstanding as coach, motivator, judge of a player and as a winner of titles. Your assertion that his success is in some way a fraudulent is simply wrong as is your claim that he inherited a title winning squad at Inter. You need to do some more research.

Did you do "research" on Mancini before he took the job or when he took the job? Sven was a winner and a huge character in Football. I used to use another Forum and names like Ramos and Le Guen were being thrown around in the past. Winners of things. What's happened to them? Why do you think I remain cynical? You're a much older Fan than me yet you still see the Club through rose tinted specs.

I smiled that you used the my Youtube video to show that he thinks he's on a 6 month contract. It was part of a sequence showing exactly the opposite - he is contracted with us to 2013 although I don't doubt there will be performance reviews built in to ensure we don't have to pay a fortune to sack him if he fails. It would be reasonable to expect one of those reviews at the end of the season.

I did not use "your" YouTube video to show he's on a six month contract. You're lying. I used to it to show he's here on an initial 6 months before 3 more years. Read the wording of official articles about his appointment. It's coy. Has he got a House in Manchester? Has he brought his Wife and Children over? Sven lived in a Hotel for a year. Is he Alan Partidge?

The whole point of my earlier reply to your post was that any PL managerial appointment is a gamble, I just believe the odds on Mancini winning through are better than with anyone else. His performance so far is very impressive although he's made a few mistakes as well.

I like your optimism and I hope you're right. I feel sickened when I read someone on here saying that he wanted us to lose to Hamburg in Europe last season because it would quicken Hughes' sacking. We did and it didn't!

Yes, Mancini has taken us out of both Cups since he came in. Lots of good results though. But VERY impressive? That's stretching it.

PS I just spotted the significance of your last sentence "..could you explain why this new Man will deliver the Premier League? If you don't, and you can't, then I won't reply" - Is that it then btajim? Mancini is not the man by definition - therefore this is your last post on the subject?

Well, you've said he's a good Coach in Italy and is fulfilling an ambition to manage in England. You've defended him despite having competition in the form of Juventus taken away from Serie A. You've still not explained why you think he's the right man for this job. Not truly. Let's wait until he's got a crisis to deal with or 3 defeats in a row. He's still on his Honeymoon period.

No - this is my last post on the subject.

btajim = Agnostic on Mancini.