Mancini struggling against expectations
Ex-Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini is under increasing pressure from the fans and all those who support Manchester City. After spending over $100 million in transfers over the past year bolstering his squad with attacking flair, the supporters are right
to demand attacking football.
Another drab draw during the Manchester Derby was witnessed where Manchester United goalkeeper complained after the match that only one team played to win whereas the other was content at just claiming a point. In the next match again the title contenders
were unable to break through the defences of a Birmingham City side which was well organized and committed to try and win the game.
The major failing of Mancini is that he has failed to adapt to the Premier League and continues to try and get his team to play a brand of football that would undoubtedly be successful in the Serie A but is unable to even break through the minor teams in
this league. He sets his team up with two holding midfielders namely ex-Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry and Barcelona midfield enforcer Yaya Toure. Therein lies the major flaw in Mancini's game plan. The fact that he does not adapt his line up according to
the team he is facing allows teams to plan well against how they expect City to line up. Against a defensive minded Birmingham City surely one defensive midfielder would have been sufficient and with all the attacking prowess at his disposal the manager could
have unleashed his men on Birmingham and come back with a huge victory.
The likes of Milner and Adam Johnson on the flanks along with the classy mix of Silva, Balotelli and Tevez upfront would be able to unlock any defence. The freedom is not being witnessed when these players play upfront with each player looking to play the
exact role that their manager has scripted for them. The City defence is solid enough and the midfield is young enough to be asked to track back in case the opposing team breaks in numbers and tries to launch a counter attack. With one of the best goalkeepers
in the league and ex-Arsenal centre back Kolo Toure along with new comers Jerome Boateng and co. the defence is very decent. City concedes very few goals under the Mancini reign but perhaps what is even more problematic is that they score almost as few. Out
of the top four City has scored the fewest goals and has gone more than two games without scoring a goal since Mario Balotelli scored a brace.
In the last match what was extremely shocking was that with City trying to score a goal, the manager took of Carlos Tevez and brought on Gareth Barry. This was greeted by a chorus of boos from the crowd and they were entitled to show their displeasure. The
City squad boasts the largest depth and to throw on a defensive midfielder when your side is in the quest for goals is a cause of bewilderment for one and all.
The players too have already shown their displeasure at being asked to play in positions where they are not comfortable and at being told how to do their job on the pitch. Ex Middlesbrough winger Adam Johnson has also become disillusioned with his role in
the team as he has played just five matches this season. Johnson who along with Tottenham winger Gareth Bale had been touted as the young guns to watch this season has not been given a fair run of games to show his worth. The few cameo appearances have infused
the one dimensional Manchester City side with pace and creativity so it is hard to imagine why he continually starts on the bench. While Bale has set the world on fire with his dazzling performances both in the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League,
Johnson is left wondering whether he should jump ship and try his luck with some other club or get assurances of playing time at City.
Mancini must try and change his game and not only win over the players but also the supporters because the Sheikhs have already shown that they are ready to take the hard decision and change managers as they did with Mark Hughes in the previous season.
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