Source: Man_City
Mancini issues Vieira challenge
Roberto Mancini has warned Patrick Vieira he must improve if he is to help City claim a Champions League place - and grab a place for himself at the World Cup. The former Arsenal midfielder put in a lack-lustre display in the 3-0 win over Wigan, although he did set up Carlos Tevez for the first goal. But Mancini has made it plain he wants to see more from the 33-year-old in the weeks to come. "Patrick could improve," said the manager, who will now be without Pablo Zabaleta for Saturday's trip to Burnley and the following week's home clash with Birmingham after the defender picked up a two-match ban for his tenth booking of the season against the Latics. "Patrick could be an important player in the final weeks of the season. He didn't play against Everton because I wanted him against Wigan." Mancini also has one eye on the fact that Nigel de Jong is also one yellow card away from a two-match suspension - that is why he rested Gareth Barry on Monday night. "I rested Gareth, ready for the next seven games," said Mancini. "Pablo is banned for two games and Nigel is now in that same position. That is why it was important to rest Gareth. "He has played a lot of football this season, so I wanted to give him a chance to recover." CITY stalwart Bernard Halford has been made the second life president in the club's 116-year history. The club secretary, who joined the Blues in 1972, was commended by chief executive Garry Cook , who said: "He has kept this club on track at times and will always be remembered as someone who championed City all over the world." | Submit Comments| Comments (93)| PrintWhat's this? Emaildel.icio.usDiggredditFacebookStumbleUponNewsvineGoogle BookmarksNetscapeTechnoratiWindows LiveYahoo! MyWebMa.gnolia
