IS Bobby Mancini THE MAN?

[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.

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.

Fair enough I suppose.

[Wonderwall]

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.

Good post DHTP, however, MH left the club before Xmas and its now february, yet some people still try and use Hughes as a negative. It doesn't wash with me, I thought we were getting things right before Mancini arrived. This is not an anti mancini post as I really want Mancini to succeed but he leaves me very frustrated with some of his decisions, to the point where I feel like prodding him very forcefully on the forehead!

[BobKowalski]

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?

In a nutshell.

Which is where DHTP charges of 'inconsistency, wilful blindness and flagrant hypocrisy' spring from (I could be wrong)

Because I believe Mancini has the ability to manage the squad and the team I can accept a poor performance when coupled with a postive result or say experimenting with Petrov on the right whereas under Hughes I would be shaking my head because I had zero faith in his inability to manage a football team. I also disliked his blame culture and clueless approach to matches or as I put it earlier and echoed elsewhere his 'Keeganesque approach' of bombing forward and hoping for the best. An approach that outside of the Championship will win you f**k all as Keegan himself demonstrated. In Keegan's defence he at least had the ability to motivate players which was another quality that Hughes lacked.

Equally those who were more comfortable with Hughes and spent 18 months willing him on are now faced with Mancini whose approach could not be more different and (horror of horrors) has echoes of the season under Sven hence the negative sniping 'boring football', 'yet another defensive midfielder' 'Vieria's crap, past it, a crock' etc.

Just as some never rated Hughes there will be some who will never rate Mancini. So be it.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

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?

In a nutshell.

Which is where DHTP charges of 'inconsistency, wilful blindness and flagrant hypocrisy' spring from (I could be wrong)

Because I believe Mancini has the ability to manage the squad and the team I can accept a poor performance when coupled with a postive result or say experimenting with Petrov on the right whereas under Hughes I would be shaking my head because I had zero faith in his inability to manage a football team. I also disliked his blame culture and clueless approach to matches or as I put it earlier and echoed elsewhere his 'Keeganesque approach' of bombing forward and hoping for the best. An approach that outside of the Championship will win you f**k all as Keegan himself demonstrated. In Keegan's defence he at least had the ability to motivate players which was another quality that Hughes lacked.

Equally those who were more comfortable with Hughes and spent 18 months willing him on are now faced with Mancini whose approach could not be more different and (horror or horrors) has echoes of the season under Sven hence the negative sniping 'boring football', 'yet another defensive midfielder' 'Vieria's crap, past it, a crock' etc.

Just as some never rated Hughes there will be some who will never rate Mancini. So be it.

Exactly how I feel about the whole situation. I suppose you can never please everybody.

[BobKowalski]

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?

In a nutshell.

Which is where DHTP charges of 'inconsistency, wilful blindness and flagrant hypocrisy' spring from (I could be wrong)

Because I believe Mancini has the ability to manage the squad and the team I can accept a poor performance when coupled with a postive result or say experimenting with Petrov on the right whereas under Hughes I would be shaking my head because I had zero faith in his inability to manage a football team. I also disliked his blame culture and clueless approach to matches or as I put it earlier and echoed elsewhere his 'Keeganesque approach' of bombing forward and hoping for the best. An approach that outside of the Championship will win you f**k all as Keegan himself demonstrated. In Keegan's defence he at least had the ability to motivate players which was another quality that Hughes lacked.

Equally those who were more comfortable with Hughes and spent 18 months willing him on are now faced with Mancini whose approach could not be more different and (horror of horrors) has echoes of the season under Sven hence the negative sniping 'boring football', 'yet another defensive midfielder' 'Vieria's crap, past it, a crock' etc.

Just as some never rated Hughes there will be some who will never rate Mancini. So be it.

Exactly how I feel about the whole situation. I suppose you can never please everybody.

Nope you can't and people will read into things what they want to read. Right now in the 'Were you happy with the game' thread its working nicely up to the point where Portsmouth had 4 gilt edged chances which any other team would have taken and we would/should have lost and by god we were truly shite and so, so lucky etc etc. Give it another week and people will swear blind we actually lost the game.

There is no point in arguing anymore than there was trying to convince me that Hughes could manage a football team. I am not saying that Mancini is the answer because it really is too soon to tell unless of course you have made your mind up already which some people have no matter how diplomatically they put it. 'Mancini has my full backing - for now' means I'll support him but the first real f**k up and I'll ride his arse for the rest of the season. And f**k up really means signing one defensive midfielder too many it seems :)

[Wonderwall]

Nope you can't and people will read into things what they want to read. Right now in the 'Were you happy with the game' thread its working nicely up to the point where Portsmouth had 4 gilt edged chances which any other team would have taken and we would/should have lost and by god we were truly shite and so, so lucky etc etc. Give it another week and people will swear blind we actually lost the game.

There is no point in arguing anymore than there was trying to convince me that Hughes could manage a football team. I am not saying that Mancini is the answer because it really is too soon to tell unless of course you have made your mind up already which some people have no matter how diplomatically they put it. 'Mancini has my full backing - for now' means I'll support him but the first real f**k up and I'll ride his arse for the rest of the season. And f**k up really means signing one defensive midfielder too many it seems :)

You dont seem to commit yourself at all, its a bit like hedging your bets to give you the greatest chance of saying I told you so.

[BobKowalski]

Nope you can't and people will read into things what they want to read. Right now in the 'Were you happy with the game' thread its working nicely up to the point where Portsmouth had 4 gilt edged chances which any other team would have taken and we would/should have lost and by god we were truly shite and so, so lucky etc etc. Give it another week and people will swear blind we actually lost the game.

There is no point in arguing anymore than there was trying to convince me that Hughes could manage a football team. I am not saying that Mancini is the answer because it really is too soon to tell unless of course you have made your mind up already which some people have no matter how diplomatically they put it. 'Mancini has my full backing - for now' means I'll support him but the first real f**k up and I'll ride his arse for the rest of the season. And f**k up really means signing one defensive midfielder too many it seems :)

You dont seem to commit yourself at all, its a bit like hedging your bets to give you the greatest chance of saying I told you so.

Really? So we are required to make our minds up either for or against after 6 weeks and a handful of games midway into a season. And this on a manager who I knew next to nothing about prior to him joining? How f**king stupid is that? But ok I'll play. For the record I think sacking Hughes for Mancini was the right move as Mancini is a great manager and that he will bring success to the club.

Happy now?

[Wonderwall]

Nope you can't and people will read into things what they want to read. Right now in the 'Were you happy with the game' thread its working nicely up to the point where Portsmouth had 4 gilt edged chances which any other team would have taken and we would/should have lost and by god we were truly shite and so, so lucky etc etc. Give it another week and people will swear blind we actually lost the game.

There is no point in arguing anymore than there was trying to convince me that Hughes could manage a football team. I am not saying that Mancini is the answer because it really is too soon to tell unless of course you have made your mind up already which some people have no matter how diplomatically they put it. 'Mancini has my full backing - for now' means I'll support him but the first real f**k up and I'll ride his arse for the rest of the season. And f**k up really means signing one defensive midfielder too many it seems :)

You dont seem to commit yourself at all, its a bit like hedging your bets to give you the greatest chance of saying I told you so.

Really? So we are required to make our minds up either for or against after 6 weeks and a handful of games midway into a season. And this on a manager who I knew next to nothing about prior to him joining? How f**king stupid is that? But ok I'll play. For the record I think sacking Hughes for Mancini was the right move as Mancini is a great manager and that he will bring success to the club.

Happy now?

Just an observation mr tetchykowalski.

[BJTOUSERB]

i said we need to give mark Hughes time and they same applies now to the new man Roberto

[mcfc1632]

Quite amusing to see how this thread has gone over last couple of pages - those that were for consistency - worried about change etc (the former)- were trodden on / beaten down by aggressive posting from Hughes haters (the latter) - now when (if you wanted to) you could argue that there has not been massive (any?) tangible improvement - the 'former' are still being calm / relaxed - not really negative - whilst the 'latter' are getting more pointed in how they post? - if I was a psychologist I would try to work out why that is?

[Dunne's Half-Time Pint]

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?

In a nutshell.

Which is where DHTP charges of 'inconsistency, wilful blindness and flagrant hypocrisy' spring from (I could be wrong)

Because I believe Mancini has the ability to manage the squad and the team I can accept a poor performance when coupled with a postive result or say experimenting with Petrov on the right whereas under Hughes I would be shaking my head because I had zero faith in his inability to manage a football team.
In Keegan's defence he at least had the ability to motivate players which was another quality that Hughes lacked.

Wasn't it a recurring theme that Hughes was a massive twat because he couldn't get the best out of Robinho? (Which he actually did for a season).
Mancho comes in, brings him on, brings him off, plays him away at Scunthorpe and then packs him off to Santos... fucking inspired man-management. and not a peep.

There are countless examples of things Hughes did wrong - sure - (albeit a few of them a lot of you agreed with - Dunney stands out) but it seems a bit fucking rich that the same heads who were intent on dragging everything down have abandoned so many of the premises/positions/arguments that they were so 'passionate' about before.

[BobKowalski]

Quite amusing to see how this thread has gone over last couple of pages - those that were for consistency - worried about change etc (the former)- were trodden on / beaten down by aggressive posting from Hughes haters (the latter) - now when (if you wanted to) you could argue that there has not been massive (any?) tangible improvement - the 'former' are still being calm / relaxed - not really negative - whilst the 'latter' are getting more pointed in how they post? - if I was a psychologist I would try to work out why that is?

Well they woud find it interesting how you see the two different camps. In Camp 1 we have the downtrodden masses pilloried by Hughes haters (Camp 2) who are frothing at the mouth with bile and invective for Camp 1's support of Hughes followed by Camp 1 showing positive calm in the face of no improvement under the new regime whilst Camp 2 are still frothing at the mouth etc etc

Its like the fall of Rome to the barbarian hordes. I am now off to paint my face blue and club a few wenches.

[mcfc1632]

Quite amusing to see how this thread has gone over last couple of pages - those that were for consistency - worried about change etc (the former)- were trodden on / beaten down by aggressive posting from Hughes haters (the latter) - now when (if you wanted to) you could argue that there has not been massive (any?) tangible improvement - the 'former' are still being calm / relaxed - not really negative - whilst the 'latter' are getting more pointed in how they post? - if I was a psychologist I would try to work out why that is?

Well they woud find it interesting how you see the two different camps. In Camp 1 we have the downtrodden masses pilloried by Hughes haters (Camp 2) who are frothing at the mouth with bile and invective for Camp 1's support of Hughes followed by Camp 1 showing positive calm in the face of no improvement under the new regime whilst Camp 2 are still frothing at the mouth etc etc

Its like the fall of Rome to the barbarian hordes. I am now off to paint my face blue and club a few wenches.

I have this vision of Mel Gibson in Braveheart - would that do you justice??

Anyway - I was not trying to wind up - just came to mind as I was reading and thought it genuinely amusing - I will take time out to barricade the front door and send the missus to safer parts (now theres a benefit!!)

[BobKowalski]

Quite amusing to see how this thread has gone over last couple of pages - those that were for consistency - worried about change etc (the former)- were trodden on / beaten down by aggressive posting from Hughes haters (the latter) - now when (if you wanted to) you could argue that there has not been massive (any?) tangible improvement - the 'former' are still being calm / relaxed - not really negative - whilst the 'latter' are getting more pointed in how they post? - if I was a psychologist I would try to work out why that is?

Well they woud find it interesting how you see the two different camps. In Camp 1 we have the downtrodden masses pilloried by Hughes haters (Camp 2) who are frothing at the mouth with bile and invective for Camp 1's support of Hughes followed by Camp 1 showing positive calm in the face of no improvement under the new regime whilst Camp 2 are still frothing at the mouth etc etc

Its like the fall of Rome to the barbarian hordes. I am now off to paint my face blue and club a few wenches.

I have this vision of Mel Gibson in Braveheart - would that do you justice??

Well I would like to think so :)

[BobKowalski]

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?

In a nutshell.

Which is where DHTP charges of 'inconsistency, wilful blindness and flagrant hypocrisy' spring from (I could be wrong)

Because I believe Mancini has the ability to manage the squad and the team I can accept a poor performance when coupled with a postive result or say experimenting with Petrov on the right whereas under Hughes I would be shaking my head because I had zero faith in his inability to manage a football team.
In Keegan's defence he at least had the ability to motivate players which was another quality that Hughes lacked.

Wasn't it a recurring theme that Hughes was a massive twat because he couldn't get the best out of Robinho? (Which he actually did for a season).
Mancho comes in, brings him on, brings him off, plays him away at Scunthorpe and then packs him off to Santos... fucking inspired man-management. and not a peep.

I bet Hughes did his nut when Mancini ended Robbie's career at City in just 5 weeks. You just know Hughes was dying to do the same :)

[carl_feedthegoat]

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?

In a nutshell.

Which is where DHTP charges of 'inconsistency, wilful blindness and flagrant hypocrisy' spring from (I could be wrong)

Because I believe Mancini has the ability to manage the squad and the team I can accept a poor performance when coupled with a postive result or say experimenting with Petrov on the right whereas under Hughes I would be shaking my head because I had zero faith in his inability to manage a football team.
In Keegan's defence he at least had the ability to motivate players which was another quality that Hughes lacked.

Wasn't it a recurring theme that Hughes was a massive twat because he couldn't get the best out of Robinho? (Which he actually did for a season).
Mancho comes in, brings him on, brings him off, plays him away at Scunthorpe and then packs him off to Santos... fucking inspired man-management. and not a peep.

There are countless examples of things Hughes did wrong - sure - (albeit a few of them a lot of you agreed with - Dunney stands out) but it seems a bit fucking rich that the same heads who were intent on dragging everything down have abandoned so many of the premises/positions/arguments that they were so 'passionate' about before.

NOT ME CHIEF.....IM NOT HAPPY ABOUT A FEW THINGS IVE SEEN..IM GUTTED THAT WE SHIPPED ROBHINO OUT,IM NOT HAPPY ABOUT THE ROTATION (NEVER BEEN A FAN ALTHOUGH IN BELLERS CASE I CAN UNDERSTAND TO A CERTAIN DEGREE) AND I WAS DISSAPOINTED WATCHING THE SHITE WAY WE WENT ABOUT WINNING THE MATCH AGAINST POMPEY.

I AM NOT DISSAPOINTED HIGHES WENT THOUGH AS I THOUGHT HE WAS SHITE OVERALL IN THE 18 MONTHS HE WAS HERE.

I LIKE MANCINI BUT IM YET TO BE CONVINCED BY THE WAY HE PUTS HIS TEAM OUT TO PLAY.........THERE AGIN IM HARD TO PLEASE !!

[Original Dub]

Thats just it CARL, I think everyone knows you just say it as you see it. If there's an element that you aren't happy with you say so. Therefore I don't think you fall into the category DHTP is referring to.

HOWEVER, there are some who haven't mentioned ONE negative about performance, tactics or transfer policy since Mancini took over and they had so much to say on each of these subjects before.

Edge is extremely positive of late.
NQDP is "happy" the whole time
Socrates has already stated he is delighted that he was "proved to be right" with the sacking of hughes and Mancini's subsequent success.

Can't think of anymore off the top of my head, but I'm sure there's a few. But these people (and others) blamed the last guy for pretty much everything that was wrong with the club - from the medicals, to last minute goals, to not being able to handle Robinho, to playing players out of position, to not taking full responsibility after a defeat... and lots more...

Now, I am positive about the future and I really really hope Mancini is the man, but not a hell of a lot that I have listed has changed one bit, yet these folk are absolutely fine with it.

And it fucking stinks of hypocrisy mate.

[BobKowalski]

Thats just it CARL, I think everyone knows you just say it as you see it. If there's an element that you aren't happy with you say so. Therefore I don't think you fall into the category DHTP is referring to.

HOWEVER, there are some who haven't mentioned ONE negative about performance, tactics or transfer policy since Mancini took over and they had so much to say on each of these subjects before.

Edge is extremely positive of late.
NQDP is "happy" the whole time
Socrates has already stated he is delighted that he was "proved to be right" with the sacking of hughes and Mancini's subsequent success.

Can't think of anymore off the top of my head, but I'm sure there's a few. But these people (and others) blamed the last guy for pretty much everything that was wrong with the club - from the medicals, to last minute goals, to not being able to handle Robinho, to playing players out of position, to not taking full responsibility after a defeat... and lots more...

Now, I am positive about the future and I really really hope Mancini is the man, but not a hell of a lot that I have listed has changed one bit, yet these folk are absolutely fine with it.

And it fucking stinks of hypocrisy mate.

It isn't hypocrisy. Its all about not liking Hughes and liking Mancini. Its all about trusting Mancini's judgement and not trusting Hughes. If you trust someones judgement and they say I need to park Robbie's arse on a beach in Brazil for the rest of the season we go ok, not overly happy about it but I'll trust your judgement. Equally if Hughes said I need to park said arse on said beach we go are you out of your f**king mind you idiot and then demand a second opinion. This is not hypocrisy. Its about having faith in one man's judgement over anothers. It may be unfair but its not exactly uncommon.

Besides there are people on here who distrust Mancini's judgement from tactics to players and are openly freting that Portsmouth is an omen of things to come despite the players and Mancini himself saying they were not happy with the performance. The only hypocritical thing would be to suggest that it doesn't work both ways. It does and as Roberto would say 'it is normal'

[btajim]

I'm proud to be an Agnostic with this question. I simply don't know. It's too early to make a decision.

The first person I felt sorry for in the Hughes sacking was Roberto Mancini. The "Rabbit in the Headlights" Press Conference was there to introduce him to the Media but was completely overshadowed with the aftermath of the Hughes sacking. Had we done the right thing and sacked Hughes after the 3-0 defeat at Tottenham then I think we could've avoided that cringefest. Cook looked terrified. If it's true that Mancini was formally offered the job following the debacle at White Hart Lane then I don't see the problem with Kidd taking temporary charge until everything was sorted. But credit where credit is due because Mancini has appeared to take everything in his stride. He oozes cool and confidence and charisma.

I think we've made the best possible appointment with Mancini because he was available and allegedly keen to make a name for himself in the Premiership - but only time will tell if the 5th Manager to take charge at Eastlands will finally be the right one. He's the Abu Dhabi Manager that Hughes never was.

I just wish this 6 months whisper would go away.

[edge275]

Nope you can't and people will read into things what they want to read. Right now in the 'Were you happy with the game' thread its working nicely up to the point where Portsmouth had 4 gilt edged chances which any other team would have taken and we would/should have lost and by god we were truly shite and so, so lucky etc etc. Give it another week and people will swear blind we actually lost the game.

There is no point in arguing anymore than there was trying to convince me that Hughes could manage a football team. I am not saying that Mancini is the answer because it really is too soon to tell unless of course you have made your mind up already which some people have no matter how diplomatically they put it. 'Mancini has my full backing - for now' means I'll support him but the first real f**k up and I'll ride his arse for the rest of the season. And f**k up really means signing one defensive midfielder too many it seems :)

LMAO!!!

So true!!