Although over two weeks will have passed since City's amazing 4-2 win at Chelsea when they tackle Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Sunday, memories of that triumph in the Blue camp are still fresh.
With Liverpool losing at Wigan on Monday, suddenly the Blues are favourites to leapfrog Tottenham and clinch the fourth Champions League berth.
But, having bounced back to form in such remarkable fashion following a run of just one win in six games, Mancini knows it is imperative City continue their momentum.
"If we can play like Chelsea then we have a good chance," said the Italian.
"It is important that we continue to perform very well. I have all the players, so if we work well and prepare well, I think we have a good chance."
Influential midfielder Patrick Vieira is set to return from a three-match ban against the Black Cats, but £25million front-man Emmanuel Adebayor is still sidelined for another three games following his dismissal in the FA Cup defeat at Stoke on February 24.
What team and tactics should City use for the Sunderland game? Have your say.
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The Pope, Rome (10/03/2010 at 16:45)
tommybatess, Langley (10/03/2010 at 16:45)
Esso Blue. Thank you for all the Joy & Pain , Manchester (10/03/2010 at 16:55)
Portsmouth Blue (10/03/2010 at 17:06)
bubba, cleethorpes (10/03/2010 at 17:32)
PJS, Oz (10/03/2010 at 17:34)
On Vieira, his availability will help over the final third of the season and his suspension came at a bad time. Mancini has said previously he loves Zabs' versatility but above all sees him as a midfielder. That means he will be deployed in midfield when possible.
Depending on the opponent, this means that Mancini will be choosing 2 (or 3) from Barry, De Jong, Zab & Vieira and how much Vieira will be utilized will be determined by how much Zab is used. This in turn will be determined if Micah can stay fit and in form and make the RB slot his own. He was perhaps the obvious player who just wasnt at the races vs Chelsea (and signs his concentration hasnt been totally fixed) so i hope it was simply a bad game and hasnt undone the hard work earlier in the season. Failing that, resting both Barry and De Jong occasionally will be better in the long term and instead of overplaying Zab i'd like to see Ned get some time at right back.
Toure must keep his role on the bench, Kompany and Lescott are starting to look very solid and signs of forming a great partnership so hopefully we can field a settled centre half combo without injury foiling our plans again.
Minden blue, Minden, Germany (10/03/2010 at 17:57)
GSW Blue (10/03/2010 at 17:58)
Unless two out of Barry, De Jong and Ireland are unavailable.
Nigel De Jong does the DM job without risking a red card.
I would love to see us start with SWP and Johnson on the wings.
Carlos and Craig up front with Barry gettin forward in support.
Here's to another 3 points on our way to the CL.
CTID
tommybatess, Langley (10/03/2010 at 18:23)
Shaun, At My Desk (10/03/2010 at 18:48)
Like it or lump it,that has been City for the vast majority of us,and the reason we love the Club.But this is our time isn't it? Surely Mancini can do what no manager since Peter Reid has done and get the best group of players we've had at the Club since Bell,Lee,and Summerbee playing consistently home and away? Sunderland and Fulham will help answer that question.
Come on City!!
tommybatess, Langley (10/03/2010 at 18:48)
Blue Pauly, London (10/03/2010 at 19:22)
everyManC, manchester (10/03/2010 at 19:25)
StretfordBLUE in America, Born a BLUE and Forever (10/03/2010 at 19:28)
I share your concerns too mate. However, yes 4th spot is ours to lose but I strongly believe City will not stumble. Winning is always about belief and confidence. Our players have to see in their minds playing in next year's Chams League; that should be the motivation for all the palyers.
Buryblue, Garstang (10/03/2010 at 19:29)
Dukinfield Blue1, Tameside (10/03/2010 at 19:32)
10/03/2010 at 18:48
' the truth is we gave one of the worst exhibitions of ball retention I have ever seen from a City team, even when Chelsea went down to 10 and 9 men'
the most ridiculous comment I've seen on here. You couldn't make it up.
Blue is a Manc thing, manchester (10/03/2010 at 19:54)
As I see it, is are we ready for a serious manager? Not a populist charmer , not some one who is as honest as the day is long but useless, not someone who doesn't know how to take US because of HIS past connections, but a man who has put his reputation on the line to take on the famously poisoned chalice that is Manchester City. Even with the epithet of 'richest club in the world' it still doesn't stop us from being able to implode, too many years practice I think. Mancini is nowhere near the 'useless one' and is probably closer to being 'our special one' than the self publicising self professed claimant of that title. I think Inter are going through their Mark Hughes phase at present 5 draws out of last six of something similiar.
Mancini, to me at least, appears to be frustrated and puzzled by the attitude of the players.He continually says they have to concentrate and think to win games, and improve their winning mentality. I don't have a problem with that, and no matter how old Vieira is, he has probably has the same winning mentality that he has always had, which is, sadly, apart from a handful, better than most at the club and I thought he was worth signing for that alone. Because this continuing mantra of Mancini's makes you think what disparate bunch of players we have signed.
(On a personal note, if I hear Adebayor bleating that he didn't want to leave Arsenal once more I'll ............ but I suppose that alone proves Mancini's point)
On a lighter note and come on. hands up if you were very pleased at 10pm last night that Sunderland had won and scored 4 after such a drought (you all know what I mean)
CTID and beyond
catterickblue, Catterick (10/03/2010 at 20:13)
But we did not BATTER Chelsea. If there defending(particularly the G/K) had been anything but Sunday League standard and we would have struggled.
Lets go and believe City. Lets be positive and take the game to the Mackems. Back down the A1 with 3 points please.
Earth (10/03/2010 at 21:33)
They don't like it up 'em.
Portsmouth Blue (10/03/2010 at 21:51)
BristolStevefromOldham, bristol (10/03/2010 at 22:00)
StretfordBLUE in America, Born a BLUE and Forever (10/03/2010 at 22:32)
ted knott, droylsden (10/03/2010 at 22:44)
I observed Mancini was at Old Trafford tonight and how he must have felt watching an awsome United performance I dont know but in truth AC Milan were appalling but no matter the opposition at Champions league level your opponents have to be beaten but 4-0 was very impressive.
For Mancini and his players United set a standard we have to try and emulate the only problem is have we got the collective ability moreso the essential mentality to perform the way United are do constantly,love him or loathe him you have to admire Ferguson's unique tactical know how in maintaining his team's triumphs over the last 20 years or so.
Even I have to concede its not all down to dubious refereeing decisions,perhaps Mancini was at the game to study of how Fergie can operate plan A B C D E or whatever.....
Portsmouth Blue (10/03/2010 at 22:46)
10/03/2010 at 22:32
Your dead right any team can have 99.9% of the game or the ball but its the winning that counts.
Carlitos Way, East of Eastlands (10/03/2010 at 23:35)