Is Mancini the right man for Manchester City?
I’ve said it before, and I will say it again: Roberto Mancini is not the right man to guide Manchester City to major football honors. I will go further by stating that while the Italian coach is still at Eastlands, the Citizens will not win the English Premier League or the European Champions League.
My opinion is based on several factors, some of which were quite evident again at Chelsea on Monday when City lost for the first time in the domestic league this season.
My first argument is about the way Mancini has been building his team. With virtually unlimited funds, he has loaded his squad with too many world-class forwards and not enough top defenders. City have now gone eight Premier League matches without a clean sheet, and that is one of the reasons why they will not win the title.
Against Chelsea, the 47-year-old - a forward himself during his distinguished playing career - had the likes of Samir Nasri, Edin Dzeko and Adam Johnson as replacement attacking options. He had to bring on Kolo Toure, primarily a central defender, as cover after left-back Gael Clichy was sent off.
Mancini often struggles to make the right substitutions. When City went down to 10 men at Stamford Bridge, he took off the only players who could lead a counter attack - Sergio Aguero and David Silva - and replaced them with a defender (Toure) and a defensive midfielder (Nigel de Jong).
He basically conceded any hopes of winning the game with 15 minutes left, with the score level at 1-1, and decided to eliminate any chance his team had of scoring a quick breakaway goal. Someone like Nasri or Johnson could have provided a spark against a tired Chelsea defense on a heavy and soggy pitch. Furthermore, one of those flair players would surely have been able to earn a few free-kicks in City’s attacking third and take the pressure off their defense for a few minutes.
In terms of man management, I believe Mancini has actually improved after clashing with several players such as Emmanuel Adebayor and Craig Bellamy in his first season at the club, but he has still made a mess of the whole Carlos Tevez saga. First, he accused the player of not wanting to come on as a substitute in the Champions League game against Bayern Munich, then it transpired the Argentina forward actually did not want to warm up again and never refused to enter the game.
Whichever way you look at it, Tevez was wrong, but this issue could have been resolved internally. By claiming, in a TV interview, that Tevez would never play for the club again, Mancini not only alienated a top player but also someone who has big influence in the dressing room. In my opinion, he lost more than he gained in that episode.
My final argument is simple: Mancini should have been able to guide City into the knockout stages of the Champions League. The players are good enough for that. Many of them would even be good enough to win the competition, if, like I mentioned before, there were a few more quality defenders around. They had some very tough opponents in their group, no doubt about it, but City should have been able to avoid defeat in Munich and in Naples. That’s what top teams with top managers are able to do at the highest level.
Don’t get me wrong - Manchester City are still good enough to challenge for the title, but they will come up short. Players win games, teams win championships, and in my view this team with this manager will never be good enough to lift the Premier League trophy.
they've lost one game, outplaying chelsea on their own patch at times and he's not the right man to manage man city?
Absolute garbage.
That defense that you talk about were the second best in the Prem last year and, until last night were the joint best this year.
With two of our 'rotating full-backs injured, he was left with no options.
When a team as good as Chelsea spend the last 10 minutes of a game at home against 10 men desperately trying to run the clock down., you must be doing something right.
Incidentally, I consider the FA Cup to be a major honour!
you are a stupid man who knows nothing about football city would not ov lost this match if that penalty on silva would ov been awarded.
Absolute tripe! All of it. Are you paid to churn out this garbage?
Everybody is entitled to their opinion but please at the very leat base it on fact.
City have the best goal difference and the third best defensive record. Their defenders are amongst the best performers in the premiership according to all stats.
Carlos Tevez is a big influence in the dressing room – he can't speak English after 5 years in the country and despite a successful season his ego could not take being in competition for a place with the other forwards who had been purchased. As a number one he is great – a team player he is not!
Mancini has bulit a team capable of winning the title – that is all the fans want of him. he manages the egos of very many top stars and the spirit at the club is fantastic.
A really negative article on a successful manager.
Big statement that Pedro – exactly what are your qualifications in football management ?
Mis-handled the Tevez affair ????
Greedy Tevez has been on collision course with every club he has ever been at, or had you missed that point ?
As an attempt at provoking comments, it is not the worst piece of journalism, but as a serious comment, it is very poor.
I didn't realise that CNN had let their standards slip so much.
3 out of 10, must try a lot harder !
Breakaway goal??! Against chelsea when down one man?? When they didn't concede; he was called too defensive...now they attack and he isn't called the right man. One lose away to chelsea at the bridge, a man down with a goals margin is more than respectable.
Machini is the right man for Man City !
Last year Man City was FA cup winner, without top players in the team.
This year Man City has good enough strength to win at least two Cups – Carting and Europa. In Champions League- Mancini predicted 10 points for the team and got it. At the end it was not good enough to qualify. It was his bad luck and for the team not to qualify.
Appreciation is due for Man City scoring 48 goals in EPL. Mancini is sure to hire good defenders in Jan transfer window, he knows that well.
Sheikh loves football and Mancini is highly respected. Europa, EPL, Carlington or FA, any two cup wins will make the owners happy. Mancini has raised the level of EPL much higher than before.
Down with 10 member against Chelsea was not expected and it is always a big disadvantage.
Man City is now more than a EPL team. Mancini has done a good job so far for his team owner.
Yes, Mancini is not a very good PR man. He needs improvement and more control on this emotional outbust against trouble makers
At the end of the season, remember to write another 10 paragraph article on how wrong you were.
Somehow I think that won't happen because writers like you usually hide when you get it wrong.
Well reasoned arguement, and you may well be right. Ive never felt that he has the best 'man management skills' and still feel the Adebayour and Bellamy could still do a job at City under the ruight Manager. However he HAS assembled the best squad of players in the Premiership, and I do feel that even without a Manager they can go on and win it, such is their quality.
One of the worst reports I have ever read regarding football.
It shows a complete lack of knowledge of tactics, or the ability of players to change within a game, moving positions.
Macini has successfully made similar substitutions, enabling Yaya Toure to play a more advanced role.
In bot last night's game and the game against Bayern, if City had been given the early penalties they should have, things would have been very different.
As for not qualifying, it was a group of death, and City would have easily qualified from the groups Chelsea, Aresnal or United were drawn in.
I know you love United, so why bother to write about anyone else? Biased
Strong words,hope you are right come May2012 !!!
Totally unconvincing argument. The author starts off with a conclusion and then seeks to justify it by drawing on weak evidence. The time to be saying that City will never win major honours with Mancini in charge is not immediately following a first defeat in the season in December. Mancini certainly has a better chance of getting City to win honours than the previous incumbent whose legacy is still costing the club dear (Adebayor, Bridge, Santa Cruz etc).
i have read your article and it doesnt even make sense....u shud watch the first 20 minutes of the last match to see what he has done i have supported city for 11 years and not once have i seen city play like that u say we dont have world class defenders excuse me but lescott and kompany are awesum and mancini cannot bring on adam johnson bcoz lets face it with ten man down we cannot risk a midfielder for an attacker we cud lose 3 nil...and in d champions league i dont care what u say bcoz we made mistake in the first match and the mistake was made becozz its was a huge occasion and lastly ur article doesnt make any sense its out of d question and please dont post articles like that ....
this article shud be taken down immediately u gonna get a lot of hate mail from city fans i bet u that
Crisis, what crisis?? Behave yourself.
The media had this story already written weeks before, and eventually got to hit 'SEND' last night at 9.48pm when that incompetent official blew for full time.
Man City are still top of the Premier League, having already been to United, Spurs, Liverpool AND Chelsea, whilst tanking all-comers at home! Semi final of the Carling Cup, and a tasty FA Cup fixture ahead against United, all sets up an amazing feast of football ahead!
I think City will go on to learn from this minor blip, and comfortably bounce onwards. After Sunday's game with Arsenal, Man City have 5 easier fixtures, whilst the others in the top half all play each other..
League table's dont lie, neither does the 49 'goals-scored' stat which will see City safely through to May 2012. United, Arsenal, Liverpool etc bank on ONE MAN scoring. City are scoring from many sources and obviously this wont stop.
Prediction: City champions, Chelsea 2nd, Arsenal 3rd.
Chelsea eliminated in next CL round.
Man City Carling Cup winners.
Man Utd, er Charity Shield only...
AVB given another 12mths to win something and then show the door next October.
you cant judge the outcome by a single defeat.Man city r definately goin 2 win d title given d tremendous form they r in n d great squad they possess.Carlos Tevez has an attitude pbm.It happnd with him in Man utd before.In short Mancini is the Right man Indeed
my friend football is not statistics..football i when you play on the pitch..that all counts..i dont know about mancini but surely city got guts to become title favorites..
This article is written by a man who apparently doesn't know much about football.... just one simple proof of it, last week this "expert" predict that Real Madrid would win 'El Clasico' and that CR would had an stellar performance. Nobody can judge a team's performance based on one game... I bet this guy wasn't around when City trashed ManU...
Why you didn't write similar article on Man United and Sir Alex !!! after 6-1 defeat. CNN should ban his articles on Mancini. Mancini has done more for EPL and Man City than expected. Mancini is neighbours envy City's pride!!!
Not sure about this article, firstly great to see an article about manchester city on CNN – usually quite rare.
Here are a few points I would like to make:
1. Yes – city have now conceded goals in their last 8 games – but overall they have only conceded 15 goals in their last 15 games – comparing to all 20 premier league teams they are ranked 3rd in terms of conceding goals which for this team is good enough.
2. Top defenders – I agree – but you do forget the likes of SAVIC which I think should start more often, but then all their main defenders like zabaleta, kolo toure, richards, lescott, clichy, kompany, bridge I think are all top class defenders – which is shown for only 15 conceded goals this season, compare to chelsea (18) or Arsenal (23) YES the difference is small but thats the different in spending an extra 30 million for your defenders! – so for me so far no argument.
3.Mancini in terms of making the right decisions – I do not agree – Yes he messed up against Chelsea but did not get it wrong against Manchester United, Newcastle, Arsenal,tottenham, everton, villa, QPR, liverpool or arsenal (carling cup) – lost to bayern munich – they are as equally good and playing away at Bayern is one of the toughest games out there....even guardiola would get it wrong!
4. Carlos Tevez saga – fully messed it up. huge blow to the team but i think it has allowed the likes of balotelli and dzeko, Aguero to get some time to play – to actually improve and not get paid thousands for training and signing autographs.
5.Knockout stages – they should have qualified
overall my argument is that, I think Mancini has been able to show that he is the leader – imagine how hard it is to control all these players – this strong-minded, high ego footballers – he has managed to use their potential and look at the result – playing in europe, top of the premier league, and are still in the carling and FA cup.
his doing well – doing his job and getting what is requested from him – not exceptional but well.
He lost 1 game!!! Get of his back!! I am an Arsenal fan by heart I will die for Arsenal but look at what Mancini has done for City. City is a world class team now!! Jeez critics will always be critics always seeing the negative and never the positive. Hope Arsenal beats them next week Sunday though, but yes, Mancini is the right Manager for Manchester City.
He should be there for a long time to come for he is a great manager.
Only one word: LOL. Maybe you should have made the same predictions when City drubbed United 6-1 a couple pf weeks ago...
Speaking of major football honors, I would imagine that the FA cup currently residing in city's cabinet counts for a major football honor...seeing as its probably the oldest competition cup in English soccer..
Out of curiousity, why should we trust a fellow who has made quite a number of false predictions in his writing career?
I agree with Pedro. Man City have perhaps best after Barcelona striking force, like Silva, Dzeko, Balo, Aquero, Nasri, but that is it. Rest like Milner and Johnson are not quite good. Rest of the team is from players which big clubs like Barca, Madrid, United refused, and they are even more payed than strikers in City, but still defence is like chease, Company, Lescot, Ture, Zabaleta just don't deserve to play with stikers from City. Also goal keeper, City have good second goal keeper, and it seems to me that Hurt is not always good, so he need to fight to not be on bench.
So totaly new defence, Milner out, Johnson out, Company out, Zabaleta out, few others from middle field and defense out, plus Mancini out. If owners payed good players, why they don't pay good coach, like for example Mourinho or Guardiola?
Pedro, I take it your not a City fan. Neither am I. Arsenal is my team, but your comments are a bit off. Yes in retrospect City should have qualified for the CL knockout stages. However, in 90% of the CL group stages you will go to the next round on 10pts which City accumalted. If not for Villarreal not even achieving 1pt in the competition City would probably be through.
Mancini has won countless titles in Serie A with Inter Milan with a much less decorated team and I dont see why he wont lift the EPL trophy this year. They have the best team in the EPL if not in all club football. I agree that he should make better subs but they players are all world class and they also need to be counted. Clichy was a disgrace and as a Arsenal fan Im glad to see the back of him!
At the end of the day the lose was good for the EPL as it will keep everyone playing their best football. With that said City has too much quality this year. I cant see any team beating them with 11 men this year.
Never read such a load of rubbish in my life.
And I'm an Arsenal fan.
Bollocks or only a completely free opinion by a man who doesn't know anything about Manchester City? The both for me!
City looks awesome this year... I have to admit though Roberto Mancini is a HUUUUUUGE Flop when it comes to champions league. I doubt he will ever deliver That trophe especially with barcelona and madrid around. Besides that they will win everything else.
I don't get it why question his ability when man city is leading the EPL?
This man is talking out if his *ss. Seems like an article written by someone who knows nothing about Football, possibly a chess player.
NO 1-1 2-2 but not 2-1 for CHELSEA 2-1 BAYER LEVERKUSEN -CHELSEA NEW IS NOT ENYMORE FOOTBAL IS JUST JOKING FOR MONEY
I think this guy doesn't like Mancini. Mancini has shown that he is right guy by beating Man United. What else do you want him to show you? They are the league leaders.
Are you getting paid for this rubbish?
Madrid over Barca, and Roberto Mancini not good enough?
Por que? Por que? Por que?
Is this just a sneaky Mou recipe to get your fellow country man out of madrid and back to the UK?
I am shocked how aggressive some coments have been. The FA Cup is not a major trophy considering teams normally play their reserves for various rounds. Failing in Champions League is very poor and unless more quality defenders are brought in, City will not win big trophies with Mancini.
I am am ManU fan, and desperately want Man City to lose. But come on Pedro, Macnini has done wonders, their defense is impressive, and Carlos Teves is an influence how? And yes, he did refuse to play, please look back on his statements originally before being advised to change his tune.
Unbelievable!! One game lost when down to ten men against Chelsea at the Bridge!!
Of course he doesn't like Mancini. He isn't Portuguese!
I don't agree that Mancini isn't the right man to lead City to honors. He will get it right once given time. A club like theirs needs time. Other than Jose Mourinho, I don't think they could find a better manager at the moment than Mancini. He seems to be there for the long haul and that is what you want at the top.
However, I do think that he made some bad decisions against Chelsea. Yes, the sending off played a role in the defeat however it was evident from the middle of the first half that Chelsea were getting into the game. They were controlling midfield and nothing was done to change that. De Jong for Barry much earlier would have helped. The fact is they lost to a Chelsea team that is very average. Chelsea did not do much in that game neither did they show that much quality. However, a bit of physical bite and power and City seemed to not have an answer for them.
Sure, this could well be a blip and they could go on to win the title easily. One defeat means nothing. It is all about the reaction. They went out of the CL and lost here. More dropped points against Arsenal and questions will be asked. They've made a great start but, barring a great win at Old Trafford, they haven't had any hard games. Tottenham were a mess when they played them and they didn't win at Anfield either.
There is too much indiscipline in the team and they have to get through the Arsenal and Liverpool games with at least 4 points to be really on the course for the title. Two draws in those games and questions will be asked. Its all well and good beating the average teams 4-0 or 5-0, its all about playing the big teams, not getting men sent off and coming away with the points.
I also agree with Pedro about the transfers. Clichy was a Mancini signing and he let him down badly. He hasn't had that great a season anyway. Lescott also is not good enough for a team wanting to win the league and CL. But they could easily go and buy Thiago Silva and a top class striker in the summer or January, and poof, problem solved.
Give Mancini time, judge him at the end of next season. However, with the close to 1 billion they have spent, he might not get that long. Thats the price you pay for spending unlimited money on players.
James I think the point is that they were outplaying Chelsea and should have seen out the game fairly easily. They relaxed and let Chelsea back into it. That was definitely 3 points dropped in the long haul. You cannot say, because they had a man down losing is not that bad. Why did they even have a man down? Chelsea were average, not exceptional. If Liverpool knew how to score goals they would have beaten City too. They need to step it up in the biggest games, because aside from thumping a very poor United that day, they have not done much in the biggest games this season. Losing in Naples, Munich and drawing at Anfield and losing at the Bridge isn't good enough. Winning at Old Trafford was brilliant but its only 3 points, 6-1 or no 6-1.
I agree that City have world class players, but City's plight in the Champion's League just goes to show you that 750 million pounds can't buy a united dressing room or the quality coaching skills that come from teams steeped in tradition. As far as what the writer says about easily avoiding defeat in Munich, I'd say that's a long shot. I was at that game and City looked like they could barely fight their way out of a wet paper bag, let alone take on Munich's solid team this year. I'm glad to see City out of the Champion's league so I won't waste my time watching their boring build up play, which typically fail, and then them scoring on the counter attack.
I also think the media and everyone in football is very easy on Mancini, because he is not an antagonistic manager. He doesn't go on rants and is nice to the media so they are nice back. City should have made it to the CL next round. You say losing in Munich is not a bad thing, but they were outclassed and outplayed by a team they are and should be superior to. You spend all that money and the demand is success. Sure, City fans are happy because they were nothing a few years ago but it doesn't erase the 1 billion that has been spent. That should equal success. If he wins the league this season, great, its all worth it, but if he doesn't win it this season and next season then he deserves to be sacked. Almost or 2nd place ain't good enough when you spend all that money.
Isn't this the same guy who wrote Real Madrid will topple Barcelona at this el clasico? VIVA LA BARCA.
You get paid for your opinions on football, that makes me sad.
did this guy not notice CITY won a major trophy last year! Total rubbish can't be bothered to waste my time trying to reply any further
Even a United fan finds this to be rubbish. It pains me to admit that City are very, very good. Further, Mancini seems well placed to manage this sizable squad of talented footballing mercenaries to a handful of trophies over the coming years.
You're making a lot of enemies with your "I-know-everything" commentary.
Take it back and say sorry. Come on now. I'm a CHELSEA fan, but you, my friend, are making a big mistake. This is a career-changer. LOL
This article is proof that Yanks should not be allowed to write about the beautiful game.
What a pudding!
City lacks top class defenders,a team like city with big dreams should not indulge in quota playing system,we most not deceive ourselfs,players like lescot,richard,zab,milner,aint top class players in view of conquering europe. the truth most be told. we know the reason why this players are there,but if city want to win laurels outside the shores of England the most look beyound.
I am a Chelsea Fan but find your article hard to stomach. This is only his second season in charge of a team that struggled to be in the middle of the table. He has for the first time taken them to the champions league and gone 15 games unbeaten. His only loss was to Chelsea yesterday which was an evenly fought contest and you dare churn out with this baseless analysis. What self respecting manager will bring on a striker whilst down to ten men after a defender has been red carded.
You have demonstrated crass ignorance to issues of football.
Alex Fergusson and Arsene Wenger did not win the league in their first few seasons. Lets all help promote stability instead of advocating doom. What's happened to my beloved Chelsea. A team that sacks managers who win them trophies. INSTABILITY.
Get a grip and get life. You are a useless analyst.
Pedro Pinto ... Your comment sounds like in Politics the comment from the magazine THE ECONOMIST that the Italian PM was unfit to lead his own country.
Please be aware that this guy was born to be a coach. May be only MOURINHO and GUARDIOLA are better than him.
I couldn't agree with you Pedro on the subs during last night's game. He made horrible by taking off the players who could turn the game round with a stroke ingenuity. Am happy he lost and would certainly open wide the race for the title. My prediction for top 4 come end of season are man utd, liverpool, chelsea n or man city or arsenal.
You have to take into consideration that it's the first time for these guys to play the Champions League: experience is the first thing that counts. There's no way to lead the Premier League without having a good defense. MC is not an exception.
I completely agree with the argument that Mancini is not the right man for Man city....He does not know how to rotate his players...he loves benching players when they are red hot...for some reason he thinks he is the best in the world and doesnt know how to take care of his players..just ask robinho, adabayor, tevez for example....new coach please
Am a big manu fan but totally disappointed with your article...mancini has done a fantastic job with the team and they will win titles sooner than u expect...bad article
I have about a million comments to make about this article but I'll keep it brief. CNN you just lost alot of credibility in my view.
pedro u are right of what u are saying , i support u 100 percent
My prediction for top four come end of season are man utd, chelsea man city and arsenal.
mancini is the right man to leed MAN CITY to there glory but he make mistake agaist chelsea he dont need to subtitu silva that day CONGRATE TO ALL CHELSEA FAN UP UP UP
i don't think u could have said it any better.....Mancini definitely has alot more to learn in order to attain the level that is required to win the league.....he is a good coach but only great coaches win the league and its evident from history wenger, Ferguson, mourinho there is a reason why only these three have done son in the past decade...they are simply great
Absolute Tripe man! (That's you are talking through your backside!)
Clueless...Totally clueless.
Pedro, u r WRONG!. Your arguments are circumstantial, have very little to do with Mancini's capacity to guide a team. It sounds like you have something against the guy. A different explanation, or, any other explanation for that matter, would have made more sense.
HOWEVER, I think they are doing great, and they will get better and better!!!
A lot of comments with some heavy and unnecessary criticisms for the writer of the article. Doesn't take away from the fact that he is 100% correct, and that Mancini is not a good manager. He may be able to win the Prem League, but even my grandma could do that with the wealth of talent at Mancini's disposal. His handling of the Tevez affair was disgraceful. Balotelli shames himself weekly and wasn't crucified the way Tevez was. Mancini saw Tevez as a personal threat to his authority, and decided to destroy him publically. It's an issue that should've been resolved internally.
Got to admire Mr. Pinto's self-belief. After getting egg all over his face by falsely predicting Real Madrid's victory over Barca he dives right in with another bold statement based on equally shaky foundations.
City have too many world class forwards and not enough defensively minded players… What? They've conceded less EPL goals than every team bar United and Liverpool and they're scoring goals for fun to make up for any defensive lapses. Their goal-difference is already plus 34! Even if they were conceding 10 and scoring 11 it wouldn’t matter, would it. 3 points is 3 points. And Mancini can also buy whatever he needs in the transfer window so if he believes he’s defensively shorthanded the remedy can be instant.
2. Mancini struggles with substitutions. How? Bringing on De Jong and Toure (the latter in the absence of the injured Kolarov) after going down to 10 men was tactically the prudent thing to do. Chelsea had their tails up and he went for damage limitation, looking to save a point like any sensible manager would. He didn't need a playmaker he needed someone to stop Chelsea playing and scoring. OK, thanks to Lescott's clumsy handball, it didn't work, but it's not like he parked the bus without good reason is it?
3. He's made a mess of the Tevez affair…. No,no, no! Tevez challenged his authority and Mancini laid down the law. It was not training ground insubordination it was right there in public view and deserved the public response it got. Tevez is a proven maverick and even Sir Alex Ferguson praised Mancini for his decisive action which minimized the disruption and established a precedent. What more endorsement does the man need?
4. City bombed in the Champions League… No, they tested the water in a tough group in a season when their priority is winning the EPL. There’s a big difference. Time after time we hear managers say that there’s a learning curve to European football, and only an eternal optimist or a fool would have had City winning it at the first attempt.
So, the reasoning behind this article is 100% flawed. But I suspect Mr.Pinto knows that, just as he knew that Barca fans would rise to the bait after he picked Real in the classico. It’s all about getting a reaction, and, in that respect at least, our tormentor, Pedro, is proving a master. Ha, ha!
Sad sad sad.... I do not see the objectivity in this anywhere. As a sports writer you should be able to see both cons and pros within Mancini's time as Man City's Manager. As a Chelsea fan, I even admit the weight of credibility of this paper is very poor.
CNN should be doing more than having one correspondent assigned to the football community. With every article comes bias, which a journalist should be able to water down. Not a sin to have an opinion, but Mr.Pinto's qualifications needs to be looked at before he should be allowed to "analyse" the likes of Mancini, Guardiola, and especially Jose Mourinho.
I'd like to agree with you as I am Man U fan – but I can't! How can you be so biased? You were last week too, condemning Barca even before they stepped on a pitch. Are you paid to wind people up? Maybe.
However, not very good analysis, there are many comments here, that would better sit in the main article and yours should be in the comments!
I agree with Pedro about defense, plus I will add Milner and Johnson for out. Complete defense must be replaced, Milner and Johnson also are not good, plus rotate goal keepers, Hurt is not so good like some say that he is. Defense is second level defense. They are able to recive more than Aquero, Balotelli, Dzeko, Nasri and Silva are able to score. Most likely, defense is guilty because today they don't play CL. They don't need new strikers, strikers are all good, what they need is new defence plus maybe few new boys in middle.
Also Mancini strategy sometimes is good (Man Utd), sometimes is very bad (Napoli, Chelsea).
Person with login MCFC- You're proof that many people are lazy and can't take a minute to read...the author is from Portugal...guess that gets rid of your thoughts now doesn't it. Move along.
ben- You seem to have forgotten Ancelotti in your last decade of managers winning the league...so why can't Mancini jump into that small list? Seems like he's already done so much with the club...why not more??
As for this article and the author...i think enough people, City fans and non-City fans, have made it clear this is rubbish.
I had to read the whole article in full because I genuinely thought it was a creative joke, where the writer would expose at the end that he was being sarcastic and that indeed, Bobby Manc had a bright future in Manchester.
1) Yes his forwards are relatively better than his defenders. But we have the third best defence stats and were first last season. Also, does ManU, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool have better defenders than forwards? Lol. What about almighty Barca and Madrid?
2) With our leftback redcarded, the writer suggests taking off someone for Nasri or Johnson? Take off who – one of our now 3 defenders? or Barry, our holding mid who played an amazing game? Hey writer, if you're down to 10 men, on the road at Stamford Bridge with 15 minutes to go and are ahead of them in the standings, you put your men behind the ball and dont give one of your rivals 3 points.
3) Mancini may have been sloppy with the whole Carlos Tevez thing. But ask any City fan who they support – Mancini or Tevez and the answers will be unanimous for Mancini. Tevez has always been a drama queen and we only liked him on the pitch. Now that Mancini is established in England, he is taking 100% authority, and us City supporters love it.
4) Champions League defeat was tough. And this is where I, nor anyone can disagree with you 100%. I will say that being in the group of death, 1 of the 3 top teams would be disappointed and deemed to have underachieved, and it was City. Mancini had I think 3 chances to win CL with Inter and didnt, but 3 chances to win a tourney with the 32 best teams in the world is not defining a manager imho.
I clicked on this CNN blog expecting news/info with similar quality, knowledge and accuracy as most other CNN sections of news, but I was clearly wrong and will avoid clicking on them from newsnow in the future.
this is not a super ball or someone sitting in suites commenting about football. so i think you better think about your suites than thinking on football
Overall, a pretty poor assessment of Mancini. Yes, Man City should 'shore up' their defence if they want to mount a serious challenge. They are overloaded with attacking talent. However, to criticize him over the Tevez saga is ridiculous. They have been infinitely better since Tevez has left. He proved that no one player is bigger than the team. He has done a great job at getting Balotelli in check, and should he continue to improve, could be one of the greatest Italian players of all-time. Mancini helped Inter, a team who I despise, to several Serie A titles, as well as to advanced stages of the CL. He is a great manager, and will enjoy success with Man City. They simply need some time and maybe some more defence. To say that Man City should have made the CL knockout is presumptuous, they faced the German champions and a Napoli side which is very difficult to play against. I actually think Napoli can go quite far, they concede next to nothing and their counter-attack is deadly. Catanaccio at its finest. It is crazy that Man City is being portrayed as in a disaster state with poor direction, from one loss...to Chelsea no less. This isn't Swansea we're talking about.
American news channels should stick to reporting on sports they actually understand, like rounders and rugby with big pads. Leave football to those with a clue, please.
Chelsea are useless, if they beat you then you're not very good – end of story.
You haven’t got one thing right! This is just plain embarrassing for you. For one the club found Tevez guilty of not coming on whatever you may have read, you should have read what the club said not The Sun or whatever misinfored sites you read that misquoted the moronic now made to look a total fool Taylor at the PFA, that's what they said because the Tayor reduced the fine i.e. Tevez was in breach of ‘1, An obligation to participate in any matches in which the player is selected to play for the club when directed by a Club official.' That's part of his charge what that's tell you genius? Even if it was warming up which it isn't players do not come on without warming up for insurance and injury purposes.
You are clearly new to football I mean you seriously think Mancini should have brought on attackers when down to 10 men with Chelsea pressing for a winner all the odds are with Chelsea at that point you don't think Mancini right not try to take the point? Mate stick to baseball or what ever you do watch as football seems not to be for u! Shocked at how bad this is you must get something for the amount of replies you can telling you how stupid you have wrote is.
I am not Man City fan but I like Man City's recent performance. They are the only team making 6 – 1 to Manchester United in their home ground. So, Mancini is not a right man?
Man City Bombed in Champions League blame it on Tevez. Tevez the greedy stupid sell out the whole team.
Pedro: don't say something surprising, just for the sake of being surprising.
Incredibly poor article. Can only think you wrote it to get a response.
Pedero,, did you watch the game? how was the score/goal difference? how did they play? who did delayed a clear penalty? who is top on the table? how many games did man city lost before? how many goals did they scored in each game before?
You are wasteful sport journalist
Roberto Mancini is ultimately a manager that Manchester City should have. The City may not have some great defenders, but to me -and Mancini- , why wouldn't we say that the powerful offense is the best defense?
I must say Mr. Pinto that your comments here about Mancini are as inaccurate as the the prediction you made last week about Barcelona v Real Madrid... Part from inaccuracy, there is an arrogance in your tone which is annoying at times. A person in your position should be unbiased and show respect towards sports and its followers. Do CNN care about this? I wonder...
I must say Mr. Pinto that your comments here about Mancini are as inaccurate as the the prediction you made last week about Barcelona v Real Madrid... Part from inaccuracy, there is an arrogance in your tone which is annoying at times. A person in your position should be unbiased and show respect towards sports and its followers.
What a load of garbage ... CNN should just focus on basketball, baseball and american football !!!
City has lost just ONE game in the season so far ... a season in which they have already beaten Spurs 5-1 away, ManU 6-1 away and drawn 1-1 at ANFIELD !!!
I bet this Pedro Pinto guy knows nothing about football. As I said, soccer is not for CNN anchors to comment on!
A single match doesnt state that mancini is not the right manager...To tame big egoes Mancini is the right person....The Blog s a pessimist view...A manager is not always error free..
Pedro have liked your previous posts but this one isn't thought through..
STOP being diversionary, Mancini is on a right track period....
WUM!
Trying to up your web hits, mate? So clearly delusional that it get funnier the longer it went on. Mancini has a HISTORY of success, everywhere except the Champs Lge. He is looking to change that and this year's experience will do wonders for that next season. Will City win anything this year? No-one knows yet. However, the record so far speaks for itself, doesn't it?
Record points, record goals, record goal difference, 10 pts in CL, SF in Carling Cup, 1-6 AT United(worst defeat in Fergie era!), 7 out of 12 points WAY against top 4 and 3pts at home against Newcastle.....and on and on and on!
Pedro, you haven't a clue what your talking about.
Pinto's bias reporting both on TV and in print borders on paranoia. He favours Real over Barca because Marinho is Portuguese and Guardiola is Spanish. He favours Chelsea over City because Villas-Boas is Portuguese and Mancini is Italian. The man knows nothing about football.
First, he accused the player of not wanting to come on as a substitute in the Champions League game against Bayern Munich, then it transpired the Argentina forward actually did not want to warm up again and never refused to enter the game.
Are you naive, gullible or just thick?
That Tevez only refused to warm up, was a defense he made up with his advisors. In an interview straight after the game he said that he didn't want to play because his head wasn't right.. Later he found out he could get the sack for this, so he came up with this story. City were unable to prove without doubt that he refused to play, so they had to accept the warm up story. If you saw what went on, it's obvious that he refused to play.
So Pedro, tell me – what is your experience in the management of football clubs?
Have you ever heard of the FA Cup? Pretty sure that is a major honour and i'm pretty sure bobby Manc won it last season
Manchester city will probably WIN the EPL this season if the player continue to play as a team. i truly admire the world class and highly paid player for been able to work together and play a beautiful passing games just like Barcelona.
Pedro...got to say with some degree of sympathy, you've certainly lived up to the role of playing (giving you the benefit of doubt) "devil's advocate"
But the guy is correct
The same was said about Alex Ferguson his first couple years at United.
How'd that work out?
Under Mancini, the owners of Min City are investing so much and they seem to happy to invest more. They are paying world class wages to players and Man City is increasing the Stadium capacity to meet the demands of fans who would like to come and see Man City play great and quality football.
Can Man United claim such an honour! Man City fans are 100 times happy with Mancini. The club membership is growing. If Man City decides to go IPO they can raise 2 Billion easily. Can Man City claim the same after 6-1 defeat !!. Ask the owners of Man United.!! The defeat is the biggest blow to Man United in raising fund and the future of Sir Alex in Man United is uncertain.
I am great fan of Mancini and Man City. I am disappointed with the article from CNN. This article is highly against Man City. !!!
Managers keep evolving. Teams keep evolving. Mancini is growing in stature and so too Manchester City. Wishing the City players, fans and their coaching staff success in their campaigns in the New Year.
This is ridiculous.
Playing with 10 for 30 minutes at the Bridge and you think he should still go for the win? You can't win every game. Without the penalty, City would have held on for the draw.
We should have at least had a penalty too. One defeat game and he is not good enough? Are you serious? Why didn't you write this article ages ago when we were tearing teams to pieces? We have been breaking records left and right, we're his substitutions wrong then?
Those people calling the writer stupid,etc. must be more careful as it only shows their own stupidity, I dare say. Just because you don't agree with him doesn't mean you have the right to abuse him. This kind of a childish outburst makes any attempt on your part to come up with a valid argument worthless as it proves how easily you're provoked and that you have zero confidence in your reasoning skills.
I, personally, see nothing substantive in your arguments, Mr. Pinto, that could convince me that Mancini is not the right man for Man C although I firmly believe that there's always room for improvement. Unlike yourself, I'd rather avoid predicting anything about their future this early in the season just for the sake of writing something (it's not an occupational requisite for me). However, given their current form, I have no reason at all to believe that Man City can't clinch the E.P.L . this time.
I don't think that their defence is the best, even though their stats prove otherwise.. but it is wrong to say that mancini hasn't invested in defence .. clichy? kolorov? toure(s)? lescott?
If he had any idea about football he would have known that mancini is famous for his 'anti-football' tactics.. he used to play with a 4-3-2-1.. that is three defensive midfielder
sorry.. lescott was brought in by mark hughes.. honest mistake.
Serz speaking Pedro Pinto,am a manU fan,ur reasons have no atom of sense.........
Well u said madrid will win easily ova barca, what happenend?? how can u say that city will not win major honors, actucally sort oout ur football brain rite and see what they were and what they are now
peace
Mr. Pinto's arguments follows a logical readoning and looking at the facts we can say he might be right. I personally feel it is too early to predict though i was also shocked by substitution that he made (Kolo Toure and Nigel De Jong).
from d begining i know MANcini isn't the right MAN to take City 2 there dream.... Some still struggle to defend when it is clear to see...
I think pedro ure wrong and u talk non sense,man city under mancin won FA,and now leading the EPL how can u blame coach who lead the league.I think just a jelous man.
Pedro's comments are a bit too harsh on Mancini; he's made City a top 4 Premiership team in England.
However, I've always wondered (more like doubted) Mancini's ability to win a major trophy. While at Inter Milan, the 'Scudetto' was beyond his reach until the 'Calciopoli' scandal that saw Juventus relegated and points deducted from AC Milan.
I also think his substitution strategy could be scandalous a times (remember the community shield against United and their recent loss to Chelsea); bringing on Dzeko for Lescott wasn't the best with a man & goal down.
I really wish Mancini can add the Premiership trophy to the trophy cabinet at City, but would he be able too? Time shall tell.
Fair comment
Total rubbish! The worst football analysis ever written.Pedro should forfeit his next salary and donate to a charity of Mancini's choice!
Hey guys! This is an article written by Mou's right hand man..I strongly believe Mou has a plan to poison the hearts of City fans for them to hate Mancini & call for Mou.And who'll be the right man to poison those hearts? Mr Pedro PINTO!. Hey Mr Pinto,it won't work for you just like that,.Try "HARDER".
Yes Pedro you are right – Fire Mancini now. Make sure Ferguson gets a new contract with more money. Manchester United should have lost 3 or 4 games this season and surely after a mugging of 6-1 to Mancini's team Your beloved Manchester United and their coach should have been excused as only a hic-cup in their march to EPL championship. Oh!! wait Manchester United was klnocked out of the Champions League in the group stage? After playing terrible and very ordinary football. Let's not talk about good old Alex. Pedro stop being so preejudice.
Pedro Pinto is a Man City fan. He is playing the devil's advocate to get Man City fans to react and throw up ideas that will help the team be really unbeatable. I hope Mancini is not taking this personal? He is a great coach. Pedro Pinto should try and get a coaching job and see what it takes to be one!!
Pedro...we even know eachother from Cascais and school...but I wont reveal who I am! Lol But Pedro...this article albeit correct in terms of lack of clean sheet in recent games..is still absolute rubbish!! Im not even a fan of Man. City in the least...but the best defence in the Premierleague..pretty much in all of Europe..a team on the verge of winning silverware this year and you come out with an article like this?? It sounds comical and makes CNN look a bit silly!
Mr pinto has a point, the noisy citizens found it difficult to beat a well depleted Bayern and they were lucky not to be defeated by Napoli at home .I mean they have good players in abundance but they are just well off the pace to be a great team.
Wow...You knew it. I have went with Marty McFly and bring the Sports Almanach back with you...Tell me. I need 1000 quids before christmas can you tell me all final results this WE in PL? .... Just kidding Pedro.
I know you are a good pro, very good and I acceptt your point pf view about Mancini. In fact it's just a point of view which people need to understand before coming here and being rude.
There is a lot of non sens in your article.
First of all if a team conceed one goal per game and they score 2 so what?
You need, you have to think about the other team in the league and not only Man City. What's about SPurs? MU? Arsenal? Chelsea?
The football in Europe is getting weaker and the difference between all big team in Europe become to be level.
You are talking about Nasri but wgho is Nasri? which kind of sparks can he bring when is unable to be consistent, unable to be a key player even fo Arsenal? Nasri is nothing. He's very with the average player and very averaea with the very good players.
About the game you refer. 1-1, one man down and away. you are first. What do you think? If the Ref will gave a deserve penalty on Silva ha can be 2-0 for city. So....
About the management. I will say that Dzeko imrpove, SIlva is the best player in PL, teh defense is one of the best, is going to control Balotelli....
About Champions league. Regarding my point pf view you are making te same mistake as a lot of journalist of people talking about football.
First aof all, this group was one of the most difficult ever and this king of situation will happen again in the future thanks to.....Platini (cocorico 🙂 ). How many CIty's players have a strong experience in european competition as individual? as a club? One or two maybe? You will say what's about Napoli? I will reply that Napoli is a team already, they palyed together for a while, the boss is in place for many years and the difference was very tight at the end. City will win the PL and should win the EL or at tleast reach the Semi final with MU.
Take care Pedro.
would have to disagree, i think they will win the Premier League this year, and going out of the Champs League, while a major screw up will assure they can play their best players in all the big games in March-May.
Some very poor points in this article ...clean sheets point is terrible, u are not going to have defensive intensity when u are 3-0 up after 60 mins, they have GD of 34, only just behind Real Madrid and Barcelona, two other teams that struggle with clean sheets. Did not everyone moan about Man City defending too much last year??
While Man City may not keep up pace of first 15 games, I see their main rivals Man U, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham as all having bigger chinks in their armour. Tottenham's injury prone ageing central defence, Arsenal's and Chelsea's defensive frailties are all worse than Man City. Man U now have to cope with Vidic so they are in same boat.
Too bad ... another mancini hater.... Pedro forgot to mention that Man City was a defensive stalwart last season with the same back 4 for the most part outplaying even the disgraceful john terry (who is a bane and embarassment of english football).
Mancini has basically rebuilt an entire team despite mark hughes mess of signings which were focused on epl only players. It is a world game and Mancini has the eye to bring in talented players from all leagues.
I look forward to Mancini winning it for man city this year and having pedro come out stating ... dang i was wrong.
i agree with u
Man City has enough money. They can have anyone they want as manager why Mancini?
Pedro , u need another job , considering your RM – Barca game prediction
and analysis which was just awful...
This is the same fortune telling and insight that said real madrid will beat barcelona in the classico. Pedro is biased to any team with a Portuguese player.
Mancini or any other coach will never win Premiership with the team based only on multimillion purchase of foreign players a.k.a. "superstars".
If you go to war, would you rather have on your side foreign legion or army of well trained patriots ?
City looks like team without soul, Mancini is trying to create spark, but no luck there.
There are no any young players from club Academy.
Compare Manchester United policy of constantly introducing their own product: line of young players, instead of wasting millions.
Same applies to Barcelona in comparison to Real Madrid.
And they are pretty good, would you agree ?
As an Arsenal fan, I think Mancini will win the EPL but for you to write this one sided judgmental wife's tale, it a terrible piece of journalism
Pinto, you are so, so, so wrong. The English league and the whole European structure is based on who has the fattest wallet. Of course Sir Alex is still the man to beat; however, Mancini can beat Man U with the team he has. I do not think there is a team with the defense as Man C and that includes Man U. He built a team and that team is the team to beat. I agree with you on the Tevez saga, which I agree should have been handled in a different manner. I do not trust Balotelli; why create a mess with a quality player like Tevez, a workhorse, who can create problems for any defence, and place trust in Mario Balotelli? Pedro, I am a fan for all of my life and I think you should go back and review the teams and how they are winning. City is way ahead in goal scoring; United has won many games by 1-0. City will do it.
Although I truly agree with the rest of you guys (Mancini being right for City) I do believe Pedro has a point when pointing out certain decisions made by Roberto.
As some of you mentioned Chelsea is a good team, and when you're 1 man down you can't go pulling an all defensive line up and wait for the clock to end. Better yet, try reinforcing midfield and back them up a bit, so that Chelsea has lesser chances of getting near the goal and you have greater chances of a better and more organized counterattack.
Our Blues did a good job today vs. the gunners but they have to work hard on the aim. You can't be giving away clear goal chances.
Mancini is the right man but there room to grow and improve, and really hope he does, in order to take the team to the championship.
Pedro Pedro Pedro. Dear oh dear my friend, what is wrong with you? As a Spurs fan, I have to totally disagree with you. I would like to agree with you, as that would make Spurs a more genuine contender, but I am simply astounded by your comments. Seriously, you need to re-evaluate yourself as a football anaylst.
MINCINI IS A VERY ARROGANT MAN WITH A VERY LOW TEMPERAMENT , HE IS LUCKY IS BOSS HAS GIVEN HIM SUCH A TEAM WHICH CAN BEAT ANY TEAM ANY TIME , IF U HAVE MANAGER LIKE PEP GOURDIOLA AND JOSE MORENO OF REAL. WITH HIS KIND OF PLAYERS IN HAND THEY WOULD DO WONDERS WITH THIS VERY TEAM. WE ALL NO FOR SURE WHAT HE DID WITH TEVEZ.
Guys, the point is not to say I am right or wrong. This is not about betting but analysis, ideas...
You can be wrong regarding a result but if the analysis is correct some time it's ok.
It's like, regarding my analysis I don't think that city can not lose against Chelsea. The result is not for me but if you look at the game, CHelsea was lucky to win it. Who is correct? We have to think above the result. We have to look at the bigger picture.
Regarding the Pedro's analysis there is a lot to say.....but it doesn't mean that we are right 🙂
After getting blasted by most of the people that posted on this topic it would be great to hear a response from Mr. Pinto. A rebuttal would prove he has the courage of his convictions and was not just playing devil's advocate to spark a debate. How about it CNN?
Football is not mathematice , impossiblity isnothing in football, that was the same thing u said in el classico, that madrid will beat bar, but what was the result, ????////, pedro that is ur own opinion, as man city maneger ismaking miskates and losing games so also other teams will, let wait it is too early , pinto
Are you serious? You predicted that Real Madrid would win the El Clasico and you were so wrong. I am not a fan of Manchester City, but you have to give credit where credit is due. They have been playing very well both offensively and defensively and I think it is too early to predict how they would do this season.
Kinda hard on the guy,Pedro....... Although I`m a Man. Utd fan all the way maybe we ought to give the guy a chance...with or without all the funds available to him !
oh dear, are we predicting again? will this like your prediction if the real madrid/barca game? you have to admit your predictions are suspect.
in any case your analysis appears to be based on wishful thinking rather than fact.
wait....don't tell me you a re a MAN U fan..
Guys why are you talking about RM-Barca? What's the point? The most important is not the prediction but the analysis. If a journalist or any person managing a blog say "In football you never know" or "everything is possible" you will complian because the person will not take any risk...
I think that as long Messi Vaxi Inesta will play togeteher Barca will win vs RM. It doan't mean to win the Liga because RM win all the other game...Today, you are (I am) laughing for what? 10 cm? How many opportunities RM get to score a second goal? to egalize 2-2 before the 3-1? Second deflected as well. This fail is a fail for CR and mourinho. These two guys are obsessed by Messi and Barca. they are not them self...If they want to beat Barca they need to forgot the opponent, the immature competeiton Barca Real or CR Messi.
Today, Mourinho and....maybe CR are not a good asset for RM to win vs Barca. Winning la Liga and le chanpion's league yes maybe. this is different. I think Marco Bielsa can be the best manager for RM.
We can not say, you are rubbish or you are so right for 10 cm or a deflection.
For City, they will be on the top 2 and should win the league. But the the future which Champion's league, it's very important to take the Europe league seriously and to win it. The success in EL will give them strengh for the next champions league. This is the only way to improve....Domestic game and european game are so different. look at Lille or Dortmund. Best team in France and Germany and out of any european competition.
Very very cheap stuff! Sounds more like a biased fun criticizing an opposing team. Be objective Pinto and back your arguments with statistics or facts.
I do not like your article Mr. pinto, you play this game of praising your portugal collegues, mourinho and villas boas, for example, and somehow find some guinea pigs in order to write some controversy filled articles to attract readers.... and of course, trying to "predict" things that you usually miss. Sorry but I think your whole style is pathetic.
I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to death your right to say it."
Even if what you say (or think) is a load of year-old dog-poop.
I have watched city play since the late 1960s and this s the best team I have ever seen in our colours. They play fast and incisive football and if they keep winning 3-1, 4-1 etc all year I will be delighted to keep watching them. Lescott and Kompany look solid and Hart is an awesome keeper. The time to write the article is after the fact not before. I fancy when Mancini leaves you will have been proven wrong many times.
bunch of garbage....it took fergie 5 years to build man utd. look how short mancini did it in. It takes time to build bricks....
watch ur words and becareful what you say!!!
I have to disagree. Pedro I respect your journalism however when it comes to football you are incredilbly biased. Talk about opinion peices. This argument reminds of your blog post with regards to the best league in the world. You picked La Liga, a league of two teams. As a spurs fan it isn't easy to praise city but what they have done this season is brilliant. How can you say Kompany, Richards, Lescott and Clichy is a sub-par defensive 4? Incredible.
Agree with it all, Manchester CITY fan for the past 35 years, Mancini is the wrong manager, playing the wrong type of football having signed the wrong players.
He is not a Fergie and the style of play is simply boring.