Mancini left frustrated

February 16, 2010

Abdoulaye Faye is consoled by Emmanuel Adebayor after the Stoke man's red card

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini admitted his Blues "must play better" after the 1-1 draw against 10-man Stoke.

The Potters had Abdoulaye Faye sent off for a professional foul on Emmanuel Adebayor, but City fell behind when Glenn Whelan scored.

Gareth Barry scrambled home an equaliser for City, but Mancini's men were lucky to see Ryan Shawcross's injury-time goal disallowed for a fould on Shay given.

Mancini, whose side went into the top four after the draw, said: "In the first half it was difficult for us because the ball was always in the air.

"But we fought very well and in the second half when we played with one player more we managed to play better.

"It is two (points) lost because we played 11 against 10 for 40 minutes. We must play better.

"We had many chances to score a goal but when we arrive in the box we must be more aggressive. You must have a chance and you must score a goal.

"I am disappointed with this result because when you play 11 against 10 you must play better."

Patrick Vieira may also find himself in trouble with the FA after he appeared to kick Whelan between the legs in the first half.

What is your verdict on the action? Have your say.

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Crystal Ball..., Manchester (16/02/2010 at 23:49)

Just for the hell of it. The strike force can be at times labored.

The strike force needs pace and to be able to shrug of markers and find themselves space.

Shaun has pace and Johnson has pace. I would chance them as strikers. I would have Bellamy, Shaun, Ireland, Tevez and Johnson creating and overlapping play. And I would probably get beat 12-0.

.......Richard's....Kompany.... Lescott....Bridge....

..........Bellamy....Ireland....Tevez....Barry.....

...............Shaun Wright.... Adam Johnson......

Ihaveadream, chorlton (16/02/2010 at 23:57)

3 match ban heading for Viera.

Harmindah Shah, Upper Ramsbottom (17/02/2010 at 00:03)

A more resolute performance against a tough side. Let's hope the FA ban Vieira so Mancini's forced to play the more talented Stephen Ireland.

bubba, cleethorpes (17/02/2010 at 00:05)

The Owners have been conned and misguided. The gamble they were pesuaded to take, looks like backfiring. They must be embarassed. Let's hope they seriously review the situation at the end of the season. Being saddled with Mancini, and the likes of Viera will only ensure underachievment. Pip.. Pip..

GJ (17/02/2010 at 00:06)

At least Vieira managed to get the ball one one occasion!

roberto mancini, city centre (17/02/2010 at 00:07)

i think er... we muster play better. yes er.. we muster play better, we muster improver to winner.. oh no er.. i sounder liker the italian rafa. all the players muster learn italian i think because it lookser liker they understanding nothing. or i am rubbish maybe...

Pivo, Manchester (17/02/2010 at 00:18)

I haven't seen the game tonight so it's difficult to give an opinion on events at the Britannia other than to comment on what I've read here and on the Guardian website. Apparently we were 2nd best again and Wilson in the Guardian said, "this will cause no loss of sleep on Merseyside" with reference to Sunday's game v Liverpool. I suppose we should be pleased they managed to gain a point after going behind but it doesn't auger well for Sunday. I have to say I'm getting a little tired of Mancini after every poor result spouting, "we must play better." I would have thought that was bloody obvious Roberto. What we want you to do, is do something about it. Disappointment aside, it's still a point more than we got there last year.

bandit blues supporters club, stretford manchester (17/02/2010 at 00:33)

rubbish!!!!!!!!
he was left frustrated?????? WHAT ABOUT THE PAYING FANS WHO TRAVEL TO WATCH (HULL)??????????
APOLOGY PLEASE SENOR MANCINI.... BEFORE WE GET MULLERED ON SUNDAY.....

Norvaner, Vancouver (17/02/2010 at 00:36)

Here's a question ? I know the FA could possibly ban Vieira for several matches but could they also do us a favour and actually banish him from England ?

Bert Trautmann's FG42 , The Eastern Front of Manchester (17/02/2010 at 00:48)

The boys could do with coming out on Sunday to Rage Against The Machine. No band fires things up like RATM. Would love to see them walking out to Sleep Now In The Fire. And there's no naughty words in it either! Failing that, just blast out the dressing room prior to kick-off. We need a grenade under our backsides at the moment.

joe baer (17/02/2010 at 01:00)

1 point gained from what i saw not sure what mancini was watching,,,very poor ,Vieira was not at the races in midfield ,he's past it ,,,thought zab was a strange sub to bring on . mancini just to cautious for me ,,him and cook out the door in the summer ,get gus hiddink in .

Skippy (The Blue Kangaroo), perth. wa (17/02/2010 at 01:12)

Up at 03.00am to watch this dire performance. It seems to me that Mancini is more scared of losing than winning, why else would you start with the lineup he did against Stoke. Why no Bridge and SWP, our best two playes in the FA Cup game. Say what you like but at least under Hughes we played attacking, entertaining football. Mancini, in my opinion, is playing an Italian style of football, ie don't let the opposition score. We have seen the demise of Serie A both as a footballing spectacle and in attendances and no wonder playing this negative style as nobody wants to watch this c--p every week. I feel sorry for the Citizens who turn up every game to watch it. Both the last two matches it seems to me that our great supporters are hardly enthusiastic about the way we are playing. Mancini should take a look at his tactics and team selection before blaming the players. By the way Tevez was voted Barclays player of the month for December under Hughes management and is not playng anywhere near as good under Mancini. Why? because of Mancini's tactics. Some of you need to get your head out of the clouds and realise that this manager is not the type we want at the club he is even more negative than the atrocious Ron Saunders. Never thought I would say that. Roberto, the honeymoon is well and truly over.

football fan, ontario canada (17/02/2010 at 01:14)

AS THEY SAY WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR. NO FA CUP NO LEAGUE CUP NO LEAGUE TITLE AND TO FINIS 6TH OH WELL YOU CANT WIN THEM ALL.

BlueRanger, Manchester (17/02/2010 at 01:27)

Team When Fit: GIVEN
RICHARDS, KOMPANY, LESCOTT, BRIDGE
BELLAMY, DE JONG (captain), BARRY, JOHNSON
TEVEZ, ADEBAYOR
Stop overloading the midfield with defensive, sideways passing players and Onuoha should be higher in the pecking order than Zabaleta and Boyata.

Andrew Shaw (17/02/2010 at 01:44)

Probably not as frustrated as the fans!!!

Gerry Gow's jockstrap (17/02/2010 at 02:19)

Mancini left frustrated, well so are all city fans. Before the game I would have been happy with a point away. With the way we are playing. But we have gone from poor to utter cr_p. Cooke is an idiot & embarrassment. Best team in the world he's made us a laugthing stock. Mancini, people say he is using Hughies players. True but he brought in Viera. Slow, 1st touch terrible & should have been red carded. He does not know how to put out an attacking team. Why was Bridge on the bench? He was easily our best player on saturday. Ireland would have done a better job going forward than Viera. Onuha has not been given a chance & everyone knows. Our defence is weak without Kompany. Lets hope Bellamy, Tevez, Kompany are back for weekend. Or we can kiss good-bye to 4th. It is in the managers/players hands to get us into that champs league spot. Will we ever find a manager who can

Blue for ever ex M12, Manchester (17/02/2010 at 04:24)

Why do you people continue to blame Mancini for what is basically Mark Hughe's team? How come you find that hard to understand? Santa Cruz is either injured or lazy or useless, take your pick, yet the idiot Hughes pays about 16 million for him, I bet Blackburn still cant beleive that happened. Toure the clown, another totally useless and insensible buy. Did Hughes ever realise nobody else was even bidding for these overpriced flops? Lescott, another vastly over rated player. Gareth Barry, who apart from tonight has been awful most of the season. Bridge, what a waste of time and money for a perpetual Chelsea reserve.
The only good buys would be Bellamy and Tevez and perhaps Given, if he ever came off his line .
The only bad news for Mancini is that he didnt get more players of his choosing to replace the aforementioned clowns.
I am still shocked he even chooses Toure when he has Onounha there, thats really amazing.
Anyway we are third, do you think that would have happend with idiot Mark Hughes? NO it wouldnt.

Fun Lovin' Criminal, Strangeways roof (17/02/2010 at 06:45)

Mancini, you're starting to sound like a broken record. We were playing aggresive, attacking football before you arrived, you are the one who has turned us into a deep-football playing team, and the thing I fear most, is i honestly think you don't know how to play any other way. And if the rumours are true about our summer signings all being Italian, well i can only see us becoming slower.

trevormorleystash, manchester (17/02/2010 at 07:11)

Bobby Cranck frustrated - you should try the fans his style and team selection (would'nt trust hm with a transfer with Patrick Veira being a 'important player') will drive way fans, hopefuly we will get a passionate performance against the scousers - but somehow I dont think Bobby Cranks philosophy will allow for such adventurious footbal.

PacificBlue, Sunnyvale, California (17/02/2010 at 07:16)

Does anyone on this board think Mancini and Kidd are not aware of how poor the team is at the moment? You can see their frustration on the side lines. The team cannot seem to put more than 5 minutes of pressure on a team which means our defense always has pressure on them. I find myself screaming at players to go forward and not sideways or backwards.
4th Place is 4th place no matter how the press and impatient city fans try and paint it. Of course it’s not pretty to watch but I think the squad is deeper than everyone apart from Chelsea and at some point some things will click. I really think this FA cup is a distraction and would be better off out of it.
No have not been to game this year since I live so far away but I have to managed to watch almost every game live. The United games really set us back more than people realize. I do think the Liverpool game will be all defining. A win and we will gain a lot of confidence. Loose and Mancini is doomed.
Pacific Blue (California)

Bobby Johnstone's left kneecap, Hong Kong (17/02/2010 at 07:23)

In the FA cup replay, we need to make sure that we minimise free kicks and throw ins in our half of the field. Shay Given needs to come for those crosses that are into our six yard area. When Stoke do get a throw in, corner or free kick in our half, we need to put Bellamy and Tevez (if they are able to play) on the half way line. They do no good in our area for high crosses and they will force Stoke to leave at least three defenders back to cover them. We may also get the chance (are you listening Shay Given?) of a quick break that will leave Stoke exposed. Mr. M needs to plan to counter what we all know will be Stoke's game plan. Drop Kolo Toure, make de Jong captain and do not pick PV (too slow and might get himself sent off!)My team for the replay:
Given
Richards; Kompany; Lescott; Bridge;
SWP; de Jong; Barry; Bellamy;
Adebeyor; Tevez.
Subs: Taylor; Onouoha; Zabaleta; Ireland; Boyata.

BE BLUE, MANCHESTER (17/02/2010 at 08:33)

Lets just take a minute here fellow blues i know we are playing at the moment like we dont care but surely we can only improve is that not what you have to do hope that your team gets better and more confident with time, we are after all in our first real year of change.
Are we not annoyed because the way we have been playing is woeful but yet we are still forth with a game in hand and yet things could be so different if we played like we did at the start of the season that is what is so frustrating for us fans. But in typical city tradition we do not seem to have the dynamics to realise our ambitions when in fact we are not doing so bad at all but things could be so much BETTER.

Semi final of Lcup
Quarter finals of FA Cup
4th in PL
Lets learn from stoke and get behind our team, it makes a difference, then if we do our job and the players dont, then unleash HELL.

blueballs (17/02/2010 at 08:33)

Not an easy place to go the Britannia and we knew Stoke were going into the game with the upper hand after they took a point at eastlands on saturday. City still managed to grind out the draw we needed against an awkward side though to take the coveted 4th place in the league so now we've just got to start our campaign to keep it, starting with the big 6 pointer against the bin dippers on sunday. Come on city don't give any more silly goals away.

Duke of Earl, Middleton (17/02/2010 at 08:44)

How many times have we heard this from him in recent weeks, same old stuff.
Why when they have a throw in or a corner we put all 11 back in the box alongside at least 9 of theirs i dont know. Leave 3 out of the box further upfield, that way wehave an out let plus we drag at least 4 of theirs out of our box. Go man to man for the set pieces. It is usually easier for defenders who are facing the delivery. Packing the area helps them and creates panic.
Stoke though have to be the worst 'football' team in the premier by a distance. If that is the standard of the supposed greatest league in the world then we may as well give up. Pullis is a joke as a manager and it also proves that Peter Reid is inapt, as no doubt these are some of his tactics, the ones he tried using at City. I just glad a mate of mine had the opportunity to tell Reid such when he was at Maine Road and slap him out of the social club with Ellis not far behind.

Bluekev, Stockport (17/02/2010 at 08:44)

Mancini Frustrated ? Not as much as the fans who have to endure his boring looooong ball "football" !

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