Mancini believes Manchester City can win the title... even without Carlos Tevez

11 December 2010 23:08
Manchester City coach Brian Kidd saw his side go joint top of the Premier League last night and insisted manager Roberto Mancini will not crack under the pressure of a sustained title challenge even with the shock news that homesick Argentina striker Carlos Tevez wants to quit the club. [LNB]Tevez was absent on Saturday, serving a suspension as goals from Yaya Toure and Adam Johnson helped set up a 3-1 victory against West Ham at Upton Park. [LNB] Showing the way: Mancini's side jumped to second in the table after their win over West Ham[LNB]The win sent City joint top on points with Arsenal, although the Gunners have a superior goal difference. Kidd, standing in for Mancini as the Italian dashed away to visit his elderly father in Italy, hailed the manager's will to win and mount City's first serious title bid for 33 years as 'just like Sir Alex Ferguson'.[LNB]The man who was Ferguson's assistant during Manchester United's successes of the Nineties added: 'There is no way the pressure will get to the boss because he is too meticulous. His attention to detail is fantastic. [LNB]'It's like it was under Sir Alex. Roberto's passion, his drive and his will to win is unbelievable. To work with him on the training pitch is an education.'[LNB] Boiling point: Carlos Tevez has words with Roberto Mancini after being substituted for James Milner earlier this month[LNB]Mancini is almost a quarter of a century younger than Ferguson but Kidd insists he has what it takes to emulate the United manager. Kidd added: 'We were talking about it recently when Roberto had his 46th birthday and he has 22 years to go before he's Sir Alex's age.'[LNB]As for the title race, Kidd added: 'You don't win anything in December but if we're still in the shake-up come March or April we can start to think in those terms. The last time City were in this situationwas in the Seventies when I was there as a player.' [LNB]Mancini, who will also have a previously arranged minor operation while in Italy, will return on Tuesday. West Ham manager Avram Grant agrees that City are on the verge of something historic in the league.[LNB]Grant said: 'They could take the title, that's for sure. They have quality players everywhere but they are also very physical. I'm sure they can go all the way.'[LNB]Grant insisted he still has time to save his job despite jeers from the Upton Park faithful. He said: 'We're not even halfway through the season yet and although I keep saying it, I'm sure we still have time toturn things around.'[LNB] MANCHESTER CITY NEWS FRMO ACROSS THE NETManchester City's Michael Johnson eyes Wolves loan moveWest Ham 1 Man City 3: Mancini's men go joint top after Balotelli bust-upTevez saved me: £24m Silva credits captain for settling him in at EastlandsKenny Dalglish: Mancini's Manchester City prove why defence should come first[LNB] [LNB]  Explore more:People: Carlos Tevez, Alex Ferguson, James Milner, Brian Kidd, Roberto Mancini, Adam Johnson Places: Argentina, Italy

Source: Daily_Mail