EPL: Things to look out for at the weekend - Part 1
Several teams, players and managers left a lot to be desired after last weekend’s round of the English Premier League matches. Some exceeded expectations while others failed to live up to the hopes of their faithful fans. Who will come up on top this weekend? Who will come out and prove their critics wrong? And most importantly who will have what it takes to survive under pressure and achieve their goals in this weekend’s English Premier League matches.
The first man under focus has to be Roberto Mancini. Last week, his star-studded Manchester City side took on Tottenham Hotspurs in their first league match of the season. It was a blunt side by the men in blue as it left many questions in one’s mind as to how this side can operate properly while keeping everyone happy at the club.
Mancini’s predecessors have already seen the wrath of their owner when it comes to a dip in form or lack of silverware. Despite City’s failure to win a single trophy for the last thirty four years, the recent injection of cash has propelled City from doomed relegation dogfights to top of the table contenders. At present, Manchester City no doubt has the squad to challenge teams for the league title but do they have the manager to do so? That is the million dollar question.
Roberto Mancini after City’s away draw with Tottenham Hotspurs said that it will take around about two months for this group of individuals to start performing as a team. But does Manchester City really have that much time? It was quite easy for everyone to see who was playing as a team on Saturday. It was easy for everyone to deduce that City’s capital lauded experiment can suffer some hiccups on its way to eventual success.
There are around ten games in the English Premier League for City to compete in the next two months. As Mancini has given himself a grace period of two months for knitting his team together, one thing should not be forgotten that no league title can of course be won in the first few weeks of the new season but it can definitely be lost in those opening weeks. If such is the case, Manchester City’s Arab owners, who have already invested around one hundred million pounds in summer transfer fees at the club, will be looking for Mancini’s replacement sooner rather than later.
Contrary to popular belief, several managers are expected to be lined up to take the helm at City if Roberto fails to work his magic. Last season, Manchester City’s former manager Mark Hughes was fired from his job after having only lost two league games in the first seventeen of the season. Will Mancini’s fate be the same as the former Blackburn manager? Success is demanded by the men in charge of Manchester City. However, if it doesn’t come soon enough or is not according to their expectations, then Roberto can be on his way, come December of 2010.
However, should Manchester City beat Liverpool on Monday, then City’s season might well be partially on track. No one expects that to happen however. If evidence is seen from the Liverpool versus Arsenal game, then Liverpool look the much better side. They look like a coherent unit and if City are not on their game come Monday, then a special beating could be in order for the men from Manchester.
City’s new boy, Mario Balotelli might start for them after he impressed on his debut in the mid week Europa League qualifier. After scoring on his debut, he has entered into Mancini’s favourite book. If anything, Mario’s inclusion in the line up can give Manchester City that extra bite upfront that they so desperately lacked against Tottenham. But which of the superstars will make way for the Italian youngster? Only time will tell...
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