ESPN Soccernet - Correspondents - Manchester City- Spurs

Posted by Wallace Poulter on 05/05/2010

The first thing to do is congratulate Spurs. Over the course of the season they have been the better team and deserve their place in the Champions League. Moreover, in beating Chelsea, Arsenal and City at the end of the season, Spurs in my mind truly earned the place.

The Europa League will seem like a disappointment to many City fans, but I disagree. City are ill equipped to play in the Champions League as they are a collection of talent rather than a team. Player for player, I think City are more talented than Spurs but as I said in my reply to a Spurs fan earlier in the week, Spurs are a better team because they have been together longer. I think Wednesday night's result is confirmation of that.

I disagreed with many of the decisions of Mark Hughes but what I did like was the measured goals. Sixth this season as the side matures, a European campaign next year and a good opportunity to push for a Champions League place. Building steadily is the way to go and City have achieved everything that I hoped they would at the start of the season.

I believe that the owners and board were blinded by the failure of Liverpool and saw an opportunity when really it was a false dawn. Even if City had qualified, a quick exit would have been the probable result. Spurs are a very good team. In many ways under-rated and have only not been challenging for the Champions League in the past few seasons because of their poor starts. As I wrote in my pre season preview, Spurs would be a formidable challenge if Harry Redknapp got the start of the season right and he did.

Which brings us to Mancini. Will he stay or will he go? Is Mourinho even an option with Inter suddenly realizing he is a great coach and Real Madrid circling like a wounded buzzard... It will be very interesting to hear the comments that come out of City, both official and unattributed over the next couple of weeks.

Comments

Posted by Kylan Tobin on 05/05/2010

well said wallace I have been reading your blogs pretty religously this season and I haven't had to much to say since you and I have pretty much agreed on everything. So instead Im just going to ask you... Do you think, being this was an all or nothing game for city as far as the Champions league is concerned, that Mancini should have gone with a more attack minded formation such as a 343? I feel if he did that and had Tevez playing a deeper role like he did tonight with johnson and Beller playing the wings as usual and Roque along with Adebayor up fromt right from the opening that we could have stood a better chance and possibly put a couple of thos wasted attempts away. What do you think?

Wallace Reply Before Bale hit form I would have agreed but Bale and Lennon is not a combination that I would be comfortable in playing that against.

Posted by TOM on 05/05/2010

got to say to this blog, obviously you are a man city fan, but player for player man city certainly are not better, i think in Tevez he is the one player who would get into the spurs team, keeper no, centre backs no, winger definatly no, centre mids again no chance, tevez yes..man city have great players but as individuals, and no doubt with some more additions and a genuinly world class manager you will win the premier league in the next 5 years..

Wallace Reply I'd taken Given over Gomes although the Brazilian is one of the 3 most improved players in the PL this year. Would also take Kompany, De Jong, Johnson, Bellamy and Tevez over Spurs counter parts. That being said I'm hugely impressed with Bale who I really wanted City to grab when it looked like he was on his way out of Spurs, quality player, and Modric is world class.

Posted by Elisha on 05/05/2010

Great points Wallace. Some disconcerting signs from the season included 5 games lost or drawn in the last 10 minutes, 4 of which at home. Compare that to just 2 games we picked up a result in the last 10, the Stoke and Sunderland games. I'd really like to see us bring in a few more veterans of champions league football for next season! We signed some big names but how many of them had been counted on in the past in big moments for their team? When the pressure builds I'd rather not hear stories about our star striker complaining about training regiments, I love Tevez but you hear stuff like that (and the story of him poaching that goal from Onuoha) and you begin to understand why he hasn't been at a team more than 2 years. Like you said Wallace it's about a "team" and spurs was that today, we need to bring in more players like Barry, Kompany and De Jong. And a midfielder!

Posted by leddking on 05/05/2010

Spurs won with dignity today.Good article mate,there is no harm in playing in the europa league,just look at Fulham...they were a joy to watch against shaktar,Juventus,Wolfsburg and Hamburg.

Spurs just hit the nail in the right time.With some luck and consistency we could have easily challenged for the title.As laughable as it might sound,it can be achieved.

Posted by Don-X on 05/05/2010

Well said Wallace ! - Spurs was indeed the better team. During the first half, City looked like there were gonna take the 3 points ! - that was wishfull thinking !The second half was poor from city. The citizens lack consistency. As for the next season ... Ade, and Roque SC need to be replaced, I just don't see them with the blues in the future they want to have... this team needs players that are on the ball with anticipation during the whole game, players who want to win the ball all the time, players who want to control the game as a team ... not once in a while or when they feel like it !... I cannot shake off the feeling that "if Shay Given was there, city would go through and the players would of keep up their will to win" ! .. let's see what the next season will look like. I would let Zabaleta go as well ! .. this is my 2 cents.

Posted by MR KAY on 05/06/2010

well.to me spurs deserves the champions league spot and in terms of head to head players with spurs,i think spurs have an edge over city but less expensive than city players. Modric is much more than any of both players,how i wish chelsea can buy him.Spurs play as a team than city that's why they could have the champions league spot,kudos and bravo to all spurs players.

Posted by kobe on 05/06/2010

I have to agree with all your view, yes Tottenham is a better team, yet I think it's partly Mancini's responsibilty that Man City lost out. Required 84 minutes and 1-0 down for him to change the ineffective 442, that is way too conservative considering he needed to WIN. Absolutely no guts, surely not the ideal man to lead a winning team.

Posted by MikeG on 05/06/2010

All points well taken, I think one subject you don't hit on is the pressure on the players of all this influx of money, all the attention, all the spectators waiting anxiously for City to fail so they can point and laugh. City put a target on their own back and they need a manager and players who can deal with that. I think Roberto can be that guy, but the guys upstairs gotta give him a full season. The knee jerk reactions are so typical and divisive. The squad building this summer will be difficult, especially the way they brought in big money guys for a manager who's not there anymore and now you're asking a new guy to build a team around spoiled players who were not his choice. The summer will be interesting, I think Mancini has shown he'll give the academy guys a chance and I hope he does. We desperately need a left back and the way Zabs finished the season, a right back too. I'm also not convinced Ade or RSC are the type of strikers Mancini is looking for, and lastly, you brought it up months ago, but we need to find a connecting midfield player, badly.

Posted by Andrew on 05/06/2010

Totally agree. Spurs definitely played as a cohesive team, something City has tried but failed to do all season. Europa League is a fine consolation and hopefully it can offer a chance for the players to really gel together. I actually hope NOT to see more than 1 high-profile signing as City needs continuity to build that team chemistry that Spurs have achieved.

Posted by Rob on 05/06/2010

Let's face it, we didn't make the CL not because we lost to Spurs, but because we got 1 point from Hull, drew with Burnely at home, etc, etc. I hope the owners give Mancini more time, we learn from (and challenge in) the Europa league, and go for CL next season ..

Posted by match acko on 05/06/2010

Someone said that the result would have been different if Given was playing. I do not completely agree. Given is a great goalkeeper and leader, but Fulop played really well. City lost because Spurs were the better team and because of Crouch's lanky @$$!!!

Posted by Jesse on 05/06/2010

Rob is right -- Burnley, Hull and Fulham at home determined the season, not this match.

Posted by Neil In California... on 05/06/2010

Wallace.After spending a little time on City's web-site . I encourage all City fans to check out the "chairman's interview" ....Fantastic...

We will here all kind's of speculation about Mancini over the next Month or so....As City fan's watch the Interview....Say's it all.

Looking forward to next season already.Hope City's player of the year 'Tevez' stay's .
5th this year...Been a good season.
Next year.....moving forward......

Any comments on the Interview Wallace' ?

Wallace Reply Well other than wondering if the Chairman read my piece before he sat down... lol. Very much an echo of what I said. It has been a good year and the team building will continue.

Posted by Kyle Fjetland on 05/06/2010

Wallace, as a City fan in the US, I have been reading your blog throughout much of the season and have found it to be very insightful. I think that besides upgrading the team at the back, adding depth up front, and adding a playmaking midfielder, City needs to figure out how to finish games better: too many draws under Hughes after having the lead, and of course giving up game-winners to United and Spurs in the closing minutes in recent weeks. While I do think Mancini should be given more time, I have a slight feeling he may not get it. If Hughes could have the team on pace for 70 points (which they won't get) and still get sacked, then anything can happen with Mancini.

Wallace Reply To me Hughes and Mancini are very different. My feeling was that Hughes at his very best might get City to this point, but no further. With Mancini I feel that this level is in many ways his starting point and he can take the club to greater heights. That maybe, I freely admit, rather harsh on Hughes but I feel that managers have ceilings of their ability just like players. Joe Royle was not in my opinion a Premier League manager but rather a fairly brilliant Championship level boss. Gary Megson falls somewhat into the same category although I'm not sure I'd call him brilliant. City will challenge for silverware under Mancini. I never thought that would be the case under Hughes.

Posted by Curtis on 05/06/2010

Every team has a couple of results that make you shake your heads. Had this match gone the other way, Spurs fans would be beating themselves up over getting 0 points off of Wolves.

Fulop was outstanding yesterday; no blame on him for the goal and several top quality saves. AJ had a couple of great looks at goal, and it just didn't happen.

To my mind, what would be the point of letting Mancini go? You would have to be sure of an upgrade, and I just don't see it out there. Give him a shot with a roster he's helped assemble, and see what happens.

Posted by dan on 05/06/2010

there is no use against complaining over lost results, we at spurs have dissapointed against weaker clubs as well but the key is bouncing back strong. even man utd lost this year to burnley, but fergy never brings it up as an excuse. you have to move on and get results in the next matches

Posted by Vimal chanth on 05/06/2010

Hi ! I am from india.Past 5 month I have seen how city are growing.when mark is manager city lost match due to the defensive errors and awarded many goals,but now It had been changed after mancini takeover.Mancini has done a wonderful job.In the match with spur,city forwards tevez,bellamy,johnson are created the chance and play attacking football but adb hasn't even make any shots.Bring back robinho and buy young neymar

Posted by Eric Hogberg on 05/06/2010

Hi Wallace:

Thanks for the measured, calm write-up; very helpful for those of us rather less composed supporters who have just climbed off the ledge.

One part of Europa participation I'm concerned with: we'll have all the distractions of European play (fixture load, travel, lack of rest, etc.) we'd have had with CL, but without the benefits (pride of place for top-tier players seems most significant) of actual CL play. Do you think the squad, as constituted, has the wherewithal to handle additional fixture load and still move up table next year? If not, what changes need to be made?

Wallace Reply I think that with a few crucial additions the squad will indeed be big enough to handle the rigors of such a campaign. The issue is one of tactics and personnel. If the team is two deep at each position then it will not be a problem.

Posted by Collin on 05/07/2010

If City is able to make these crucial additions, how far can we go in the Europa league? Obviously breaking into the top four has to be priority #1 next year, but a decent run in Europe would be great to see, even if for excitement alone.

Wallace Reply Mancini has an excellent record in knock out competitions so I would be hoping for a very deep run.

Posted by enrique on 05/07/2010

These are the players city need to get rid of for next season, santa cruz, zableta, lesscot,...now comin back to ur article... Mancini definitely has done a great job in defensive tactics, but he doesn't have what it takes to make a team have a winning mentality, or that drive which makes a a group of individuals into a real team effort...and seriously the money some players get is a big factor to why some of the guys just dnt work as hard... Now if if sheik whatever is readin this, stop spending 30-40 million dollars on stupid players just cuz they had a good season, they should try to get some young players with dreams in them, not with players who already won or been there n get so much money, if they get some young talents from the acadamy or around the world like brazil, frace or italy, some young guys with no background n turn them into real stars like MNU does all the time... Don't go and spend 30 million on one damn playeer when u can get 5 with hunger in them, that's my opinion if u can pass this message to man city board, they might be able to save some money, n get some respect then trying win a title just with money...peace

Posted by Sam on 05/07/2010

I am an Inter supporter who has been keeping a keen eye on city after Mancini arrived there to see how he goes (he did take us to a few titles in his time) The biggest complaint that we had against him and one of the reasons he left was he could be a bit conservative in the big matches and not make the big decisions when behind. I saw it again the other day when after going down one he took some time to mix things up. I know Mourinho would have bought in another striker and pushed everyone forward for the goal. I think Mancini needs to add this daring side to his tactical makeup because other than this I think he is a great coach and can get City to the CL and challenging for silverware if given the chance for a full season! Good luck for next season and hopefully we will see you in the CL sooner rather than later!

Posted by Kenneth Okocha on 05/07/2010

Too bad that Man City can't break into the top four spot that guarantees Champions League football next season...better luck next time for them!

Posted by nicoacademia on 05/08/2010

it is true city aren't a team. and I guess that also requires that the manager stays. As the chairperson I guess I will have to decide if Mancini given the time, how far can he bring a team?

I would think at most a 2nd or 3rd if he is given about 1-2seasons.

While Mancini has quality, I've begun to notice that he is slow to react when his chips are down. And keeps playing weird hands.

Bringing on Ireland was the reason why he lost 1-0. Because that lazy fat player left scholes unmarked and even had the cheek to raise his hands complaining he was unmarked.

You can't have a midfield with such passengers if the team is not set up for it.

Having to support the attacking quartet of B, AdB, CT, AJ/SWP leave Mancini lacking in midfield enforcers. Moreover it is hard to see how he can drop any of those quartet.

Hence whoever is manager has to be strong. Strong enough to chop change drop exile and impose his own system. Of course that will take time.

Louis VanGaal took long for Bayern.

Posted by Red Devils on 05/08/2010

Spurs will be out in the qualifying stage of next season's CL unless Harry spends like there's no tomorrow and do another Portsmouth in adminstration.
I would prefer City to be in the CL as they could have bought quality players in.

Posted by fazil on 05/09/2010

congrats harry potter redknapp..

i think..city should bid liverpool duo-gerrard&torres..
the success big team need 2 full squad
like man U and chelsea..

so the 1st eleven is

GK:given
D:zabaleta-toure-lescot-onohua
M:johnson-barry-gerrard-robinho
F:tevez-torres

Sub:
GK:hart
D:micah-kompany-sylvinho-bridge
M:SWP-dejong-viera-ireland
F:RSC-adebayor

Manager:mancini

Posted by Harry Swift on 05/10/2010

A good but not great seaon. I would show the exit door to Santa Cruz, Garrido, sylvanio, M.Johnson, and Bridges.Others are likely to follow, that depends on who we bring in. I wonder why we dont give Richards a run up front, he is young, strong and fearless and probably not prone to be caught offside as much as some, this is a statistic we must lead the league in. Keep the good work Wallace

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