Source: Man_City
City face up to crunch run-in
Roberto ManciniThere are 11 games to go and the season is still up for grabs. And with a target of 70 points within reach, City's £200m squad know that now is the time to stand up and be counted. Just ask Shay Given. "It's a big carrot getting into the Champions League, and we've got to push hard now until the end of the season," said the Blues' keeper. Given has been one of City's more consistent performers this season - but even he has not escaped criticism during a dramatic campaign. The 34-year-old occupies one of the safer first-team berths at Eastlands, but knows there is absolutely no room for slacking off. For if there's one thing the experienced keeper and his team-mates have learned this season, it's that under-achievement will not be tolerated by those running the club. Mark Hughes lost his job in December after just two defeats in 21 league and cup games, having failed to convince chairman Khaldoon al Mubarak that he could keep the club on track for a top-four finish. His successor Roberto Mancini has spoken of working 18-hour days as he bids to bring success to Eastlands. But he knows that failure to qualify for the Champions League could spell the end of his reign as City boss. So the pressure is on, for manager and players. For some of those players, the next 11 matches offer a chance to cement reputations. For others, it's more a case of salvaging futures. For every Carlos Tevez, there is a Kolo Toure. Tevez proved against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last Saturday just why Mancini was so keen to get him back from Argentina. It was little short of astonishing that Tevez could put in such a performance so soon after stepping off a long flight from Argentina, where he had returned to tend to his seriously-ill new-born daughter. The striker refused to give Chelsea's defenders a moment's peace, scoring an equaliser when he had no right to, and then coolly converting a pressure penalty as City won 4-2. There were those who questioned the signing of Tevez at the start of the season, as he battled to regain full fitness following a heel injury. A record of 17 goals in his last 15 starts proves that he is City's man in form as they prepare for the run-in. Adebayor form All the same, City could do with Emmanuel Adebayor taking some of the goal-scoring burden off his shoulders when he has served the final three games of a four-match ban. An on-song Adebayor is unstoppable, but he has struggled to build momentum since arriving from Arsenal for £25m last summer. Mancini has made it plain that he sees the striker as a big part of City's future. Once he returns from suspension, Adebayor will get a big chance to make himself an Eastlands hero. Craig Bellamy's display at Stamford Bridge also showed that he is back on form after injury interrupted his progress. Mancini has admitted to having at least one disagreement with the Welshman since taking charge at Eastlands in December - a dispute over how best to manage his long-term knee problem. But Bellamy is only fired by a raging desire for success. His knee didn't stop him from scoring a double at Stamford Bridge, demonstrating that he can still produce on the big occasion. But producing on the big occasion has not been City's problem this season. They have beaten Chelsea twice, Arsenal twice and United once. It's the dropping of points to Hull, Burnley, Bolton and Wigan that have checked the Blues' progress. And while the forward line has produced a steady flow of goals, the defence has wobbled too often. Confidence Even the reliable Given has not escaped the flak here. The keeper has proved himself an outstanding shot-stopper - and at £8m from Newcastle, the best signing Hughes made during his 18-month reign. But he is not the most commanding keeper in the air, and that was highlighted in both FA Cup games against Stoke. At Eastlands, Given remained rooted to his line as Ricardo Fuller darted in to head an equaliser. And at the Britannia Stadium, he was beaten to the punch as Ryan Shawcross darted in to head Stoke towards a 3-1 victory. But Given will be helped by the growing confidence of Joleon Lescott, who is now starting to look the real deal after a shaky start in City colours. Hughes went to great lengths to sign Lescott from Everton last summer, and his assured performance under pressure at Stamford Bridge showed why. If your goalkeeper is not the type to come for lots of crosses, you need a centre-back willing to get his head on balls. Lescott is that man. He seems to be developing a good understanding with Vincent Kompany, the unassuming utility man who had to be patient after battling back from a toe injury. Whether Kompany will be the long-term partner for Lescott at centre-back remains to be seen. But the Belgium international's sheer versatility marks him out as a valuable squad player. Kompany, though, was never the intended first choice to partner Lescott. Toure was supposed to be the main man in central defence, but has been a major disappointment this season. The club captain's form has wobbled alarmingly, and he has much work to do to convince Mancini that he has a long-term City future. And while the City boss has spoken of his admiration of left-back Wayne Bridge, the right-back slot is a puzzle still to be solved. Fans Micah Richards is the man in possession of the role for now, and Mancini will be hoping that the youngster can iron out the inconsistencies in his game. But it's in midfield where perhaps the biggest question marks lie. Nigel de Jong's willingness to get stuck in dragged him into international controversy this week, but has won him many fans at Eastlands. Gareth Barry hasn't always hit the heights after a brilliant start to the season - but perhaps a few days' breather after an impressive midweek performance for England against Egypt will recharge his batteries for the run-in. Stephen Ireland tends to perform best in an attacking midfield position behind a lone striker, a role that generally hasn't been available this season in City's formation. And while Shaun Wright-Phillips tries to sort out an improved contract, Martin Petrov would just be glad of any contract at all. The Bulgarian winger's deal looks increasingly unlikely to be renewed when it runs out in the summer. By then, City might just be on the road to Champions League riches. The next 11 games could be as significant as any in the club's history. Which part of City's squad needs the most attention? Have your say.| Submit Comments| Comments (18)| PrintWhat's this? Emaildel.icio.usDiggredditFacebookStumbleUponNewsvineGoogle BookmarksNetscapeTechnoratiWindows LiveYahoo! 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