Source: Man_City
Patience is key with Mancini
| Submit Comments| Comments (5)| Printable Version1/1Play SlideshowClose MapRoberto Mancini is getting used to putting noses out of joint as his City revolution continues to accelerate. The Blues? boss will, no doubt, face a few more surly looks and malcontented whispers from the direction of the substitutes? bench tonight. And no doubt many of the headlines in the coming week will be about those players left out of the team, and their search for the Eastlands exit door. But Mancini is ever a picture of composure, and the avalanche of whinges, rumours and rumblings is not about to ruffle him now. He wants unhappy players on the bench. You don?t win things with unduly contented footballers on the sidelines, happily caressing their pay packets. Mancini wants the players not in the team to be angry. But that anger has to be channeled into their training, not into unrest or flamboyant sulking. The only realistic alternative to knuckling down is to ask for a move, without fuss and agitation. Mancini has not exactly been trampled in the rush of players wanting to leave, even as six new front-line players made their way through the revolving doors into City. One big factor in that is the fact that anyone leaving City these days is unlikely to match the wages elsewhere. Players who did not figure strongly in the opener at Spurs, and who have been linked with moves, such as Emmanuel Adebayor, Roque Santa Cruz and Joleon Lescott, would have to take a pay cut to leave. The only big names to have left so far are those Mancini felt had run their course with the Blues in any case ? Stevie Ireland, Craig Bellamy and Nedum Onuoha. Bellamy and Onuoha have left on loan, City picking up the tab for a sizeable proportion of the Welshman?s sojourn at Cardiff, and Ireland negotiated a pay-off which helps to off-set the drop in pay he has taken at Aston Villa. Shay Given and Robinho have also expressed a desire to be elsewhere, but Mancini has not been so obliging with those two, for different reasons. The manager would love to see Given stay, as the prospect of having two of the best Premier League keepers on the staff has to appeal. He has tried to talk the Irishman around, and there is even a hint that his charm may have worked. Given scenario Given is clearly split in two. He wants to remain at City, but not if it means long spells as a substitute ? that was not the scenario he had in mind when he joined the Blues from Newcastle. Joe Hart has clearly got the nod and has begun the season with two clean sheets, one down to his own heroics and one to the solidity of those in front of him. And he is likely to be offered a new, improved deal which reflects his new-found seniority, and his importance as a long-term stalwart for the Blues. That leaves Given in his quandary. But Celtic or Fulham would not pay the same as City and, at 34, Given has to be in mind of the fact that his pay-days are quickly running out. It is an unenviable position ? should he stay, collect good money and fight for his place, or should he take a pay cut, resume his role as number one keeper elsewhere, and ensure his place in the Republic of Ireland squad. Robinho will only be allowed to go if the finances suit City. They paid a British record £32.5m for the Brazilian two years ago and have only had a half-season of value for their money. There was always the chance the World Cup star could return from his six-month stint at Santos with renewed vigour for the task, but that would appear not to be the case. City?s hopes that the World Cup would showcase his talents to prospective buyers has worked to some extent, with Turkish clubs Fenerbahce and Besiktas sniffing, and continuing talk of Barcelona being willing to take a gamble. Adebayor?s long-term future may come under the microscope sooner rather than later, especially if Mario Balotelli becomes a first-choice starter. Ironically, for Mancini, two of his surefire first-team choices are ruled out tonight, with Aleksandar Kolarov out until October and Jerome Boateng?s torn knee tendon keeping him out at least until the home game with Blackburn on September 11. But he is looking forward to pitting his wits against another former Inter Milan manager in Roy Hodgson and believes tonight?s game is a clash of two title contenders rather than two teams fighting it out for spare Champions League places: ?Liverpool can fight for the Premier League title, not just to get into the Champions League,? said Mancini. ?They are a strong team and have only changed the manager ? they have kept all the players they had last year. ?That means they can challenge for the title with United, us, Tottenham and others to compete for the Premier. Every game we must play with the same philosophy, to try to win. But Liverpool are a strong squad so we need a stronger game.? What do you think? Have your say. | Submit Comments| Comments (5)| Printable VersionAdd A CommentEnter your comments:Sending
