IS Bobby Mancini THE MAN?

[CityFanFromRome]

Not sure Ireland on the bench was a good option yesterday at the swamp.And not sure too Garrido was the right man to be replaced by Superman!
Apart for this we only have to thank Mancio for the correct mentality he's giving to our squad.
We're a squad now, we weren't it in the last two years at all!

Would have you played him from the start? I wasn't convinced at all by him when he came on, so I for one I'm glad he didn't start, but hey, maybe if he had started he would have played much better, impossible to know now.

I do agree that taking Garrido off is not what I would have done, I would probably have taken Zabba off for Superman, but i'm not sure the end result would have been different.

[mcfc1632]

First time I have logged in since the match - all too raw.

I was having palpitations before the game and I was gutted - why oh why another 90th minute goal - hate them as I do - you still have to admit that it happens far too often to be just luck

Thought we acquitted ourselves OK last night - it was in the 1st leg that we lost it - far too much respect shown to the scum bastards - not just against them but CITY should now be approaching every game in a style in which demonstrates a confidence to win - I think that is something the scum do and because teams back off they get results far beyond the capability of what I (genuinely) consider to be a very average team (Rooney apart)

We need our manager to instil that approach into the team and whilst I was dismayed at our approach in the 1st leg I took more hope from last night.

Do not know why people have been discussing Hughes - but for what it is worth he had the same failing - remember Liverpool away - they were there for the taking but we did not go at them until we went behind - even when they lost 2 key players

I just hope that there is no hangover and that we go out on Sunday and destroy Pompey

We have as good a squad as any in the league (perhaps except Chelsea) and certainly better than the scum - we also have more ability to add to the team than others - we just need to shake off this 2nd tier mentality - believe we can (and should) win every game and go out and play that way

My test for Mancini being the right man is not some comparison with Hughes - that is just more limited thinking - it is the way he sets up his teams to go out and win - we are no longer some 2nd level squad hoping to nick something and we should not play that way

[Renato_CTID]

Not sure Ireland on the bench was a good option yesterday at the swamp.And not sure too Garrido was the right man to be replaced by Superman!
Apart for this we only have to thank Mancio for the correct mentality he's giving to our squad.
We're a squad now, we weren't it in the last two years at all!

Would have you played him from the start? I wasn't convinced at all by him when he came on, so I for one I'm glad he didn't start, but hey, maybe if he had started he would have played much better, impossible to know now.

I do agree that taking Garrido off is not what I would have done, I would probably have taken Zabba off for Superman, but i'm not sure the end result would have been different.

The same for me, mate! And the other doubt for me is: why did Mancio leave Petrov totally out of these two derbies? Of course, it's too easy talk after, and not before the games!!!

[CityFanFromRome]

Not sure Ireland on the bench was a good option yesterday at the swamp.And not sure too Garrido was the right man to be replaced by Superman!
Apart for this we only have to thank Mancio for the correct mentality he's giving to our squad.
We're a squad now, we weren't it in the last two years at all!

Would have you played him from the start? I wasn't convinced at all by him when he came on, so I for one I'm glad he didn't start, but hey, maybe if he had started he would have played much better, impossible to know now.

I do agree that taking Garrido off is not what I would have done, I would probably have taken Zabba off for Superman, but i'm not sure the end result would have been different.

The same for me, mate! And the other doubt for me is: why did Mancio leave Petrov totally out of these two derbies? Of course, it's too easy talk after, and not before the games!!!

Imho that is a simple answer, these were always going to be battled games, and Petrov is not a battler, quite the opposite in fact.

[Original Dub]

If he signs another midfielder - Big Mac excluded - that isn't a creative mid, when the only creative mid we have is Stevie Ireland, then I'll seriously wonder what system he is planning on using for the season and if results suffer as a result of what we DIDN'T do in the transfer market and because we don't attack enough, then I'll be bordering between not sure and NO.

All ifs ands or buts, just thought I'd say it in advance!!

[Socrates]

I'd imagine he set up the midfield so defensively because of our vulnerability at the back with a second string defence who have hardly played together. I wouldn't see it as any indication of his selection policy in the future.

[Dingus McDouchey]

didn't Barry have an attacking side to his game at Villa? or am i high?

[Socrates]

didn't Barry have an attacking side to his game at Villa? or am i high?

both...

[Wonderwall]

I think he is baffling other managers with his tactics and formations as I find myself totally bemused by some of the decisions. /as long as they continue to work, I will be happy.

We have Lescott, bridge, richards, vieira, johnson (maybe), SWP all to come back into the first team. All of there are potential starters also, so if we get a grip on our injuries and ge the competition for places going, we could be in for a really good run towards the end of the season.

[mr_nool]

Somtimes it looks like we've taken several steps backwards since Mancini came in. Sometimes we're playing great football and Roberto impresses with tactical prowess, and an abillity to changes games half way through.

I guess (and hope) that this is down to Mancini still getting to know the team and the Premier League.

[Dunne's Half-Time Pint]

Somtimes it looks like we've taken several steps backwards since Mancini came in. Sometimes we're playing great football and Roberto impresses with tactical prowess, and an abillity to changes games half way through.

I guess (and hope) that this is down to Mancini still getting to know the team and the Premier League.

it feels like 1 forward, 1 back to me.
We were rank against Pompey - and has there ever been a more fucked premiership club?
mancini will see our obvious shortcomings as attributable to the squad - which I felt was beginning to look something like around the time we beat Chelsea - tear it up and start again. this is a shame.

[MaineRoadMemories]

For me there is a certain degree of 'Svenness' about the way we play now.

• The way we play it at the back between defenders (both positive and negative)
• The mis-use of Steven Ireland in a 4-4-2 formation
• The controlled and effective manner of the way play from one side to the other side of the pitch
• The luck factor. On another day Portsmouth should have scored 3 times
• The boring/Italian way of closing out a match

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Somtimes it looks like we've taken several steps backwards since Mancini came in. Sometimes we're playing great football and Roberto impresses with tactical prowess, and an abillity to changes games half way through.

I guess (and hope) that this is down to Mancini still getting to know the team and the Premier League.

it feels like 1 forward, 1 back to me.
We were rank against Pompey - and has there ever been a more fucked premiership club?
mancini will see our obvious shortcomings as attributable to the squad - which I felt was beginning to look something like around the time we beat Chelsea - tear it up and start again. this is a shame.

Why would that be? He has said all the time that he is reasonably happy with the players he has got and hasn't exactly gone all guns blazing to transfer market, Vieira and (vey likely) Big Mac are the only additions.

Furthermore, we are 7 wins in 9 under Mancini so finding things to complain about seems bit vague.

[BobKowalski]

Somtimes it looks like we've taken several steps backwards since Mancini came in. Sometimes we're playing great football and Roberto impresses with tactical prowess, and an abillity to changes games half way through.

I guess (and hope) that this is down to Mancini still getting to know the team and the Premier League.

it feels like 1 forward, 1 back to me.
We were rank against Pompey - and has there ever been a more fucked premiership club?
mancini will see our obvious shortcomings as attributable to the squad - which I felt was beginning to look something like around the time we beat Chelsea - tear it up and start again. this is a shame.

Thats an odd one. Hughes was talking about getting in the right players in January ie right attitude etc which is not surprising news as Hughes put all our shortcomings down to the squad. My view was that we should actually start to get the players we had working together first otherwise we would be shipping in players every 6 months or so which would get us nowhere.

Mancini has attempted to do precisiely that. Get the current squad working together first before any transfer activity. Whether this is his choice or whether ADUG said no more cash until we get this lot sorted/gelling first I do not know but it strikes me as the most sensible option irrespective of who is dictating it.

It is ironic that squad stability seems more achievable under the new manager than the old one. We certainly have a stronger squad under Mancini if only by dint of his ability to be more inclusive and his willingness to gamble on younger, untried players than Hughes ever was.

I do wonder if Mancini 'scares' the fans a little bit. The swapping of players around; playing Boyata, Cunningham, Ibraham. Was Hughes a much more comfortable manager for us? Hughes was not one for the bold moves (and when he did try they invariably backfired) and his philosophy was almost Keeganesque at times. Buy good players, bomb forward and fingers crossed. None of this tactical coaching lark.

Just a thought.

[Alex Sapphire]

It is ironic that squad stability seems more achievable under the new manager than the old one. We certainly have a stronger squad under Mancini if only by dint of his ability to be more inclusive and his willingness to gamble on younger, untried players than Hughes ever was.

what do you mean by this Bob, and what is your evidence.
Stronger squad: was it weak before. In what way is it now demonstrably stronger?
Inclusivity: ?
Kids: Weiss out Boyata in is hardly a step change
your para reads very well but dosen't say anything does it?

[BobKowalski]

It is ironic that squad stability seems more achievable under the new manager than the old one. We certainly have a stronger squad under Mancini if only by dint of his ability to be more inclusive and his willingness to gamble on younger, untried players than Hughes ever was.

what do you mean by this Bob, and what is your evidence.
Stronger squad: was it weak before. In what way is it now demonstrably stronger?
Inclusivity: ?
Kids: Weiss out Boyata in is hardly a step change
your para reads very well but dosen't say anything does it?

It is stronger because Mancini uses it more effectively. It is not stronger in terms of total number of players but it is stronger if within that total you are prepared to use more of them and to good effect. Benjani everyone slags off but he got a start against boro and scored the goal that won the tie. Effective use and job done. Boyata came from nowhere (well for me he did) and was a bit of a revelation. All of a sudden we have potential cover at CB where before none existed. Cunningham came on at HT in the 4th round and again was effective. Garrido rather than Sly at LB is again more effective use of the squad.

I am not saying that Benjani or Garrido have a future under Mancini but I do think Mancini's use of the squad has been much more effective and has needed to be with the amount of injuries and absentees. Mancini is doing what Hughes patentedly could not and that is 'manage'. It was this inability to 'manage' that cost Hughes his job in my opinion.

[Dunne's Half-Time Pint]

Somtimes it looks like we've taken several
steps backwards since Mancini came in. Sometimes we're playing great football and Roberto impresses with tactical prowess, and an abillity to changes games half way through.

I guess (and hope) that this is down to Mancini still getting to know the team and the Premier League.

it feels like 1 forward, 1 back to me.
We were rank against Pompey - and has there ever been a more fucked premiership club?
mancini will see our obvious shortcomings as attributable to the squad - which I felt was beginning to look something like around the time we beat Chelsea - tear it up and start again. this is a shame.

Why would that be? He has said all the time that he is reasonably happy with the players he has got and hasn't exactly gone all guns blazing to transfer market, Vieira and (vey likely) Big Mac are the only additions.

Furthermore, we are 7 wins in 9 under Mancini so finding things to complain about seems bit vague.

Frankly, I just wasn't entertained by the game. It was dull. Probably still deflated from the derby.
And you'll forgive me if I'm not blown away so far - we were 6th when Hughes went, we're still 6th. We were in the first semi of my life - we're not in the final (and never looked like getting there). We were gash against Spurs... we were truly gash against Everton...
The difference is, before I felt we could terrorise anyone, we played keeganesque bombastic football (which I love) but with better players and (again in my opinion) were on the cusp of getting it right... now, it's just dull, maybe we'll still get it right, maybe we'll get somewhere and just change manager again. Who can fucking say. Maybe we'll buy a load of players like Vieira, maybe not... it's too early to really gauge anything except that we're not moving forward any faster than we were. And i'm not entertained by our style thus far. And we've failed our only test.
And I can't log on to here anymore - not because I want to be negative about Mancho - I support him - but because I can't stomach the inconsistency, wilful blindness and flagrant hypocrisy.

[gilford]

Mancini is doing what Hughes patentedly could not and that is 'manage'. It was this inability to 'manage' that cost Hughes his job in my opinion.

This is so true (IMHO)

[Alex Sapphire]

Mancini is doing what Hughes patentedly could not and that is 'manage'. It was this inability to 'manage' that cost Hughes his job in my opinion.

This is so true (IMHO)

if you agree, then you'll probably be able to explain it to me.
Our ex manager couldn't "manage" our new manager can "manage", is that it?

[gilford]

Mancini is doing what Hughes patentedly could not and that is 'manage'. It was this inability to 'manage' that cost Hughes his job in my opinion.

This is so true (IMHO)

if you agree, then you'll probably be able to explain it to me.
Our ex manager couldn't "manage" our new manager can "manage", is that it?

Exactly, and our recent run of wins proves it.

I feel Leslie had no vision of the squad, he just threw stupid money in to players he wanted, not looking at what we already had (see Lescott and Santa, there's over £40m straight away screwed for the foreseeable).

I take my hat off to Mancini, he has come in and worked wonders with our squad, and if we keep on as we do top 4 is looking good!