Source: Daily_Mail
Mancini admits Manchester City could be forced to play 'boring' football to get back into title race
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini longs for the days when his team were criticised as boring.[LNB] After a league defeat by Aston Villa, a draw at Notts County in the FA Cup and Wednesday's 2-2 draw at Birmingham, Mancini said: 'I like 1-0s. When you don't concede a goal and you have players like Edin Dzeko, Carlos Tevez or David Silva, you win 90 per cent of the time.[LNB] Feeling the strain: Mancini has seen his side fall adrift of league leaders Manchester United[LNB]'I prefer now that we are boring for two to three games and we win 1-0.[LNB] 'At Birmingham we had 25 chances to score, but they scored with the first shot they had. If you watch top teams who win the title they concede few goals. That is what we have to do.'[LNB]Since being booed off for so-called negative play in drawing 0-0 at Arsenal on January 5, Mancini's team have conceded 11 goals in six games. [LNB] Goals Galore: City will be hoping Tevez (left) and Dzeko will fire them to victory over visitors Albion [LNB] But England goalkeeper Joe Hart is expected to start at Eastlands against West Brom today. [LNB]Mancini said: 'Joe for me is the best goalkeeper in England. The problem for me is when the goalkeeper makes a mistake maybe you lose 1-0. If a striker doesn't score it finishes 0-0. I don't think it is Joe Hart's fault. If you look at the Birmingham game we defended very badly at set-pieces. This was the problem, not Joe.[LNB] 'Maybe sometimes he has lost his concentration but I am very happy with him.'[LNB] Full backing: Mancini has pledged his support behind keeper Hart[LNB] MANCHESTER CITY v West Brom: Roberto Mancini to rest Micah RichardsGoalkeeper Hart in fear of derby axe after slips cost Manchester CityMan City failed with ?4m deadline day bid for Gent winger El Ghanassy[LNB] Explore more:People: Joe Hart, Roberto Mancini, Carlos Tevez, Edin Dzeko, David Silva Places: Birmingham, United Kingdom
