IS Bobby Mancini THE MAN?

[Original Dub]

You've caused enough bollox on this board and it hasn't stoped since he left.

Fucking WUM.

You've been involved every time.

Fucking WUM.

WUMs always drag me into their shitfest.

It typifies the type of poster you are that the only thing you quoted from me and directly addressed after my analysis of Mancini's performance against United is the above.

I can't believe you're a moderator, when you're only ever intent on trying to put everyone into two seperate camps when said camps don't exist.

YI thought you were bitter purely because of Hughes, but it turns out you're just bitter in general, but everyone's onto you after your little tantrum the other day.

Maybe you should put all you time and effort into getting over for a game.

It might give you that feeling of togetherness that we all share. You might get a little sunshine too.

[Original Dub]

1. At Old Trafford
2. By cheating

I'd have fancies us beating them at our place one way or the other, but I completely agree with DHTP - I was absolutely baffled by the line up and how defensive we were set up at home. That is the line-up I would have expected at OT once we'd had a 2 or 3 goal lead going into it.

IMO if we set our stall out the same as we did last night, we will not be in the final.

I'm delighted we won but I couldn't wait for the final whistle to go because we were getting hammered straight after he took off SWP and Tevez. Hammered.

Based on that game I wouldn't be quick to say he is the man, happy as I am.

If he pulls this off at OT I'll hold my hand up and say he's looking good, because a final is a final and I'll be over the moon.

But TBH, the job at OT is tougher than I hoped it would be.

good post.

if we set up like that again at OT we will get fucking nailed. no if's buts or maybe's about it.

sadly i fully expect that will happen. utd have proved on numerous occasions this season that they hate teams going at them. they are fucking weak at the back lets just get at them!

You're not allowed say things like that or you are a hughes lover.

This thread is purely to praise Mancini and not to analyse.

Thank you,

Lots of love and sunshine,

NQDP.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

You've caused enough bollox on this board and it hasn't stoped since he left.

Fucking WUM.

You've been involved every time.

Fucking WUM.

WUMs always drag me into their shitfest.

It typifies the type of poster you are that the only thing you quoted from me and directly addressed after my analysis of Mancini's performance against U***d is the above.

I can't believe you're a moderator, when you're only ever intent on trying to put everyone into two seperate camps when said camps don't exist.

YI thought you were bitter purely because of Hughes, but it turns out you're just bitter in general, but everyone's onto you after your little tantrum the other day.

Maybe you should put all you time and effort into getting over for a game.

It might give you that feeling of togetherness that we all share. You might get a little sunshine too.

I'm not trying to put people into two, or more like THREE camps, as I didn't start this topic in first place. I'd say that anyone who cares about the club would be at very least mighty impressed with the start our manager has had to his career.

And where in this post are you analysing tactics? That comment is typical WUM bullshit from you.

How are you doing with the season ticket by the way? I remember once sitting next to Irish feller who had one back in the Maine Road. 30 euros for flights every other week. Does my memory fail me or was it the case that you hadn't been to game until few years ago? Feel free to correct on me on this. Anyway, agreeing with DHTP will get you to his Professional Mancs group, no problem.

I'm not here for any ONE argument, I gave my thoughts on the match and you chose to ignore the points.

If you'd read my other posts in this thread, I said he had impressed me greatly in his first few games and I'll analyse after each performance. Your analysis of his performance last night was "The man!".

Well done, thanks for sharing that with us, you really do read the game well.

You also say I constantly praised our last manager, but that's simply not true, I showed consistant support for him, just like I will this time.

You are spending you whole time trying to keep divisions on this board and you made a fucking disgrace out of yourself spending the whole day trying to do so the other day.

If you want to do that, fire away, but I'm sick of you trying to put me in a box and give me labels, when the only "lover" or "licker" I am is for Manchester City.

So I'm asking you now to please stop doing that. Have a bit of respect for the fact that we are all City fans for fuck sake and let Mark Hughes go.

You've caused enough bollox on this board and it hasn't stoped since he left.

Fucking WUM.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

1. At Old Trafford
2. By cheating

I'd have fancies us beating them at our place one way or the other, but I completely agree with DHTP - I was absolutely baffled by the line up and how defensive we were set up at home. That is the line-up I would have expected at OT once we'd had a 2 or 3 goal lead going into it.

IMO if we set our stall out the same as we did last night, we will not be in the final.

I'm delighted we won but I couldn't wait for the final whistle to go because we were getting hammered straight after he took off SWP and Tevez. Hammered.

Based on that game I wouldn't be quick to say he is the man, happy as I am.

If he pulls this off at OT I'll hold my hand up and say he's looking good, because a final is a final and I'll be over the moon.

But TBH, the job at OT is tougher than I hoped it would be.

good post.

if we set up like that again at OT we will get fucking nailed. no if's buts or maybe's about it.

sadly i fully expect that will happen. utd have proved on numerous occasions this season that they hate teams going at them. they are fucking weak at the back lets just get at them!

You're not allowed say things like that or you are a hughes lover.

This thread is purely to praise Mancini and not to analyse.

Thank you,

Lots of love and sunshine,

NQDP.

What was it that you said about sly comments?

Fucking WUM.

[Original Dub]

1. At Old Trafford
2. By cheating

I'd have fancies us beating them at our place one way or the other, but I completely agree with DHTP - I was absolutely baffled by the line up and how defensive we were set up at home. That is the line-up I would have expected at OT once we'd had a 2 or 3 goal lead going into it.

IMO if we set our stall out the same as we did last night, we will not be in the final.

I'm delighted we won but I couldn't wait for the final whistle to go because we were getting hammered straight after he took off SWP and Tevez. Hammered.

Based on that game I wouldn't be quick to say he is the man, happy as I am.

If he pulls this off at OT I'll hold my hand up and say he's looking good, because a final is a final and I'll be over the moon.

But TBH, the job at OT is tougher than I hoped it would be.

good post.

if we set up like that again at OT we will get fucking nailed. no if's buts or maybe's about it.

sadly i fully expect that will happen. utd have proved on numerous occasions this season that they hate teams going at them. they are fucking weak at the back lets just get at them!

You're not allowed say things like that or you are a hughes lover.

This thread is purely to praise Mancini and not to analyse.

Thank you,

Lots of love and sunshine,

NQDP.

What was it that you said about sly comments?

Fucking WUM.

Come on, you're ruining this thread, just let it go.... if you'd just addressed what I'd originally said instead of the first WUM comment you know as well as everyone else on this board, we could have had a debate instead of this shit.

What happened to you man?

[john68]

WW,
With what he had to pick from, Mancini well understood the need to maximise the defensive quality of the team on the pitch. He knew that there would be times when we would be under the cosh and set us up to withstand that.
Without Toure, Lescott and Bridge, with Ned only just returning, he was aware of our deficiences and obviously sought to shore up the defence with numbers. Zabaleta is a far better option than Petrov in that respect. He can defend and attack whereas Petrov offers nothing defensively.

I think it is aslo a matter of trust. For years we have had a team that would crumble regularly when under duress. Mancini, brought up in the Italian school of defence is well versed in sitting back and invited teams on. For Italian coaches and players this is done on a weekly basis. It is new to us and we percieve it as frightening and dangerous. We don't trust it...Mancini does.

For Mancini, Tevez's job was done. The game was won and he trusted that his defence would hold out the way he had set them up and we would hold the one goal advantage until the whistle. Sylvinho is also well versed in what was necessary.

The weak link was our outlet. Benjani failed. he failed to get the ball, hold the ball or even use much energy chasing down the rag defence. I don't know the situation with Ireland and he may have only been fit enough to risk in a crisis. Because we were penned back or gave up that ground willingly, the area of outlet in front of the back four would have been ideal Ireland territory. I think that Mancini trusted our defence and as the result proved...He was right to do so....but PHEW!!!!!

[Original Dub]

WW,
With what he had to pick from, Mancini well understood the need to maximise the defensive quality of the team on the pitch. He knew that there would be times when we would be under the cosh and set us up to withstand that.
Without Toure, Lescott and Bridge, with Ned only just returning, he was aware of our deficiences and obviously sought to shore up the defence with numbers. Zabaleta is a far better option than Petrov in that respect. He can defend and attack whereas Petrov offers nothing defensively.

I think it is aslo a matter of trust. For years we have had a team that would crumble regularly when under duress. Mancini, brought up in the Italian school of defence is well versed in sitting back and invited teams on. For Italian coaches and players this is done on a weekly basis. It is new to us and we percieve it as frightening and dangerous. We don't trust it...Mancini does.

For Mancini, Tevez's job was done. The game was won and he trusted that his defence would hold out the way he had set them up and we would hold the one goal advantage until the whistle. Sylvinho is also well versed in what was necessary.

The weak link was our outlet. Benjani failed. he failed to get the ball, hold the ball or even use much energy chasing down the rag defence. I don't know the situation with Ireland and he may have only been fit enough to risk in a crisis. Because we were penned back or gave up that ground willingly, the area of outlet in front of the back four would have been ideal Ireland territory. I think that Mancini trusted our defence and as the result proved...He was right to do so....but PHEW!!!!!

Phew is right mate!

Do you think we'll get through if we set up the same way at OT mate?

[ronk]

Coming back from a goal behind against the scum to win is always an achievement, as was withstanding a late barrage. They really were playing well when they came at us.

At the same time there's no point denying that we made mistakes. With a limited number of subs our hands were tied a little but Benjani drifted out of the game and didn't go above and beyond to relieve out defence, which we badly needed. There was certainly an element of luck involved but we also frustrated them for most of the game and could have benefited more from refereeing decisions. Rafael should have received a 2nd yellow for charging into the back of Bellamy.

One thing that does concern me is the way that we played so much better when we needed a goal. I understand that we were trying to be solid but it was something that seemed to affect Hughes too. When we were losing we could find a goal, often quickly. But then we would relax, we had the scum on the ropes and might have done more against them. Let's face it, 2-1 at home isn't that strong a result, it's an advantage and one I'm chuffed to have but a 1-0 puts them through if it stays that way after extra time. They don't really have that much to do to reel us in.

[Tevez]

I was happy with the subs made last night, Benjani didn't really look like he was too hungry for a part of it though, was good to see Tevez coming off, just to give him that rest / more focus on him and let the crowd tell fergie to sign him on :D loved every minute of the winding up! everyone did us proud last night, I hope Ade might be back for the next leg but at the same time I can't see us playing a 4-4-2 away to the scum.

[Wonderwall]

WW,
With what he had to pick from, Mancini well understood the need to maximise the defensive quality of the team on the pitch. He knew that there would be times when we would be under the cosh and set us up to withstand that.
Without Toure, Lescott and Bridge, with Ned only just returning, he was aware of our deficiences and obviously sought to shore up the defence with numbers. Zabaleta is a far better option than Petrov in that respect. He can defend and attack whereas Petrov offers nothing defensively.

I think it is aslo a matter of trust. For years we have had a team that would crumble regularly when under duress. Mancini, brought up in the Italian school of defence is well versed in sitting back and invited teams on. For Italian coaches and players this is done on a weekly basis. It is new to us and we percieve it as frightening and dangerous. We don't trust it...Mancini does.

For Mancini, Tevez's job was done. The game was won and he trusted that his defence would hold out the way he had set them up and we would hold the one goal advantage until the whistle. Sylvinho is also well versed in what was necessary.

The weak link was our outlet. Benjani failed. he failed to get the ball, hold the ball or even use much energy chasing down the rag defence. I don't know the situation with Ireland and he may have only been fit enough to risk in a crisis. Because we were penned back or gave up that ground willingly, the area of outlet in front of the back four would have been ideal Ireland territory. I think that Mancini trusted our defence and as the result proved...He was right to do so....but PHEW!!!!!

I was sort of alluding to that train of thought in another thread, however, I am not questioning the inclusion of Zabba over Petrov. It was Sylvinho for SWP that had me scratching my head. I could understand needing more defensive quality, however, that substitution made it abundantly clear to baconface that we were taking an Alamo stance and were digging our tranches from that substitution onwards. I understand where your coming from, but benjani was only ever going to hold the ball and buy a foul and hope to wait for reinforcements whilst he tried to stay on his feet or stop himself from being tackled. Petrov would have made them have more respect. Taggart would not have been as gung ho in the last 5- 10 minutes if we had brought Petrov on as an outlet.

[Original Dub]

Coming back from a goal behind against the scum to win is always an achievement, as was withstanding a late barrage. They really were playing well when they came at us.

At the same time there's no point denying that we made mistakes. With a limited number of subs our hands were tied a little but Benjani drifted out of the game and didn't go above and beyond to relieve out defence, which we badly needed. There was certainly an element of luck involved but we also frustrated them for most of the game and could have benefited more from refereeing decisions. Rafael should have received a 2nd yellow for charging into the back of Bellamy.

One thing that does concern me is the way that we played so much better when we needed a goal. I understand that we were trying to be solid but it was something that seemed to affect Hughes too. When we were losing we could find a goal, often quickly. But then we would relax, we had the scum on the ropes and might have done more against them. Let's face it, 2-1 at home isn't that strong a result, it's an advantage and one I'm chuffed to have but a 1-0 puts them through if it stays that way after extra time. They don't really have that much to do to reel us in.

Good post mate.

I agree, they don't have a lot do to in the second leg after the way we put our stall out. If it was a one off derby in the league I'd be chuffed, but I'd never be jumping up and down at half-time if we were beating them 2-1 in OT and I'm not going to start now.

The nerves will be shot on Wednesday!

[ronk]

Coming back from a goal behind against the scum to win is always an achievement, as was withstanding a late barrage. They really were playing well when they came at us.

At the same time there's no point denying that we made mistakes. With a limited number of subs our hands were tied a little but Benjani drifted out of the game and didn't go above and beyond to relieve out defence, which we badly needed. There was certainly an element of luck involved but we also frustrated them for most of the game and could have benefited more from refereeing decisions. Rafael should have received a 2nd yellow for charging into the back of Bellamy.

One thing that does concern me is the way that we played so much better when we needed a goal. I understand that we were trying to be solid but it was something that seemed to affect Hughes too. When we were losing we could find a goal, often quickly. But then we would relax, we had the scum on the ropes and might have done more against them. Let's face it, 2-1 at home isn't that strong a result, it's an advantage and one I'm chuffed to have but a 1-0 puts them through if it stays that way after extra time. They don't really have that much to do to reel us in.

Good post mate.

I agree, they don't have a lot do to in the second leg after the way we put our stall out. If it was a one off derby in the league I'd be chuffed, but I'd never be jumping up and down at half-time if we were beating them 2-1 in OT and I'm not going to start now.

The nerves will be shot on Wednesday!

Yeah, but I think we saw the best they can offer and lived with it. They're weak on set-pieces and we can do damage to them.

[Original Dub]

Coming back from a goal behind against the scum to win is always an achievement, as was withstanding a late barrage. They really were playing well when they came at us.

At the same time there's no point denying that we made mistakes. With a limited number of subs our hands were tied a little but Benjani drifted out of the game and didn't go above and beyond to relieve out defence, which we badly needed. There was certainly an element of luck involved but we also frustrated them for most of the game and could have benefited more from refereeing decisions. Rafael should have received a 2nd yellow for charging into the back of Bellamy.

One thing that does concern me is the way that we played so much better when we needed a goal. I understand that we were trying to be solid but it was something that seemed to affect Hughes too. When we were losing we could find a goal, often quickly. But then we would relax, we had the scum on the ropes and might have done more against them. Let's face it, 2-1 at home isn't that strong a result, it's an advantage and one I'm chuffed to have but a 1-0 puts them through if it stays that way after extra time. They don't really have that much to do to reel us in.

Good post mate.

I agree, they don't have a lot do to in the second leg after the way we put our stall out. If it was a one off derby in the league I'd be chuffed, but I'd never be jumping up and down at half-time if we were beating them 2-1 in OT and I'm not going to start now.

The nerves will be shot on Wednesday!

Yeah, but I think we saw the best they can offer and lived with it. They're weak on set-pieces and we can do damage to them.

True, I was very impressed with Barry's delivery from long distance free kicks and even moreso with Bellamy's delivery from corners.

I hope that was their best, but I can't imagine them missing as many chances as they did in the last ten mins when they're playing at home knowing what's at stake.

I can't wait for it now.

[john68]

I understand where you are coming from Bob,but we now have the benefit of hindsight and the knowledge that benjani wasn't up to the job and in respect to what happened, you are right. Macini had to make his decision without that hinsight.

There are many reasons why I would have gone for Benjani as the lesser of two evils.
Petrov offers us nothing in the air and under the circunstances with the ball being hoofed long and high from clearances, he would have been ineffective. He isn't a big strong lad and certainly not a battler, he would simply have been pushed around.
On the other hand, Benjani is a big strapping lad, Mancini would have gambled that he would not be shoved around and would get some stuff in the air. As I said, without the benefit of hindsight, a reasonable decision to make.

I don't suppose he would have used either of them had we had Santa Cruz or Adebayour available. My choice would have bee Ireland but I don't know whether his fitness was up to it. We didn't have that many options left.

[Wonderwall]

I understand where you are coming from Bob,but we now have the benefit of hindsight and the knowledge that benjani wasn't up to the job and in respect to what happened, you are right. Macini had to make his decision without that hinsight.

There are many reasons why I would have gone for Benjani as the lesser of two evils.
Petrov offers us nothing in the air and under the circunstances with the ball being hoofed long and high from clearances, he would have been ineffective. He isn't a big strong lad and certainly not a battler, he would simply have been pushed around.
On the other hand, Benjani is a big strapping lad, Mancini would have gambled that he would not be shoved around and would get some stuff in the air. As I said, without the benefit of hindsight, a reasonable decision to make.

I don't suppose he would have used either of them had we had Santa Cruz or Adebayour available. My choice would have bee Ireland but I don't know whether his fitness was up to it. We didn't have that many options left.

I understand the Benjani and Ned subs, it was Sylvinho I was wondering about. he is slower than my 90 year old nan. I would have moved bellers into SWP's position and put Petrov wide left with a word in Barrys ear to cover him as he would be our outlet for quick breaks. I am not having a downer on Benjani apart from his work ethic, even that is debatable as the rags had so many passing options it was pointless him being a headless chicken as the pass was always on for them due to our midfield being 60 yards away from Benjani.

[ENIAM NAM]

Coming back from a goal behind against the scum to win is always an achievement, as was withstanding a late barrage. They really were playing well when they came at us.

At the same time there's no point denying that we made mistakes. With a limited number of subs our hands were tied a little but Benjani drifted out of the game and didn't go above and beyond to relieve out defence, which we badly needed. There was certainly an element of luck involved but we also frustrated them for most of the game and could have benefited more from refereeing decisions. Rafael should have received a 2nd yellow for charging into the back of Bellamy.

One thing that does concern me is the way that we played so much better when we needed a goal. I understand that we were trying to be solid but it was something that seemed to affect Hughes too. When we were losing we could find a goal, often quickly. But then we would relax, we had the scum on the ropes and might have done more against them. Let's face it, 2-1 at home isn't that strong a result, it's an advantage and one I'm chuffed to have but a 1-0 puts them through if it stays that way after extra time. They don't really have that much to do to reel us in.

Good post mate.

I agree, they don't have a lot do to in the second leg after the way we put our stall out. If it was a one off derby in the league I'd be chuffed, but I'd never be jumping up and down at half-time if we were beating them 2-1 in OT and I'm not going to start now.

The nerves will be shot on Wednesday!

Agreed, it doesnt give us as much breathing room as we would like, but I def fancy our chances to get at least 1 goal, which means they have to score at least 3!

[Original Dub]

Coming back from a goal behind against the scum to win is always an achievement, as was withstanding a late barrage. They really were playing well when they came at us.

At the same time there's no point denying that we made mistakes. With a limited number of subs our hands were tied a little but Benjani drifted out of the game and didn't go above and beyond to relieve out defence, which we badly needed. There was certainly an element of luck involved but we also frustrated them for most of the game and could have benefited more from refereeing decisions. Rafael should have received a 2nd yellow for charging into the back of Bellamy.

One thing that does concern me is the way that we played so much better when we needed a goal. I understand that we were trying to be solid but it was something that seemed to affect Hughes too. When we were losing we could find a goal, often quickly. But then we would relax, we had the scum on the ropes and might have done more against them. Let's face it, 2-1 at home isn't that strong a result, it's an advantage and one I'm chuffed to have but a 1-0 puts them through if it stays that way after extra time. They don't really have that much to do to reel us in.

Good post mate.

I agree, they don't have a lot do to in the second leg after the way we put our stall out. If it was a one off derby in the league I'd be chuffed, but I'd never be jumping up and down at half-time if we were beating them 2-1 in OT and I'm not going to start now.

The nerves will be shot on Wednesday!

Agreed, it doesnt give us as much breathing room as we would like, but I def fancy our chances to get at least 1 goal, which means they have to score at least 3!

Well, two to take it to penalties...

I'd fancy us in a penalty shootout, but fuck me if my nerves would handle that.

Can you imagine it??!

[john68]

In years gone by, I too would have worried about next week. They were a far better side a few years back and we would certainly had more chance of crumbling under the onslaught.
I don't think this rag team is made of quite the same stuff and we are without a shadow of a doubt much stronger now than we have been for years.
Luck will play its part, as it does in every game and that is beyond our control...as is the ref.

Mancini is well versed in this sort of game and the onus is on them to break us down. They HAVE to score. they also HAVE to stop us scoring and for them that is crucial. We have only failed to find the net 3 times this season so maybe their task is not as easy.

We have more options than they. The more open the game is, the better chance we have to unleash Tezez, Bellamy and SWP. the tighter the game is, the less chance they have of scoring. As it stands, I would rather be in Mancini's shoes than taggarts.

[Original Dub]

In years gone by, I too would have worried about next week. They were a far better side a few years back and we would certainly had more chance of crumbling under the onslaught.
I don't think this rag team is made of quite the same stuff and we are without a shadow of a doubt much stronger now than we have been for years.
Luck will play its part, as it does in every game and that is beyond our control...as is the ref.

Mancini is well versed in this sort of game and the onus is on them to break us down. They HAVE to score. they also HAVE to stop us scoring and for them that is crucial. We have only failed to find the net 3 times this season so maybe their task is not as easy.

We have more options than they. The more open the game is, the better chance we have to unleash Tezez, Bellamy and SWP. the tighter the game is, the less chance they have of scoring. As it stands, I would rather be in Mancini's shoes than taggarts.

Its all about the first goal this time I reckon. If we score first, their heads will drop and their "fans" will lose it.

I just hope we start better in an attacking sense than we did last night. Not go balls out and risk everything, but definitely try and nick an early one, if we're to park in front of the goal for the last 20 again.

[Alex Sapphire]

be cool
We have played them at theirs over 70 times since 1895.
They's dominated them BUT
Compared with the result we need on Wed the history is:

City did enough to win the tie: 46 times
Utd would have won the tie: 21
Penalty shoot out required: 4

And most of those we weren't even contenders.
History is on our side