Mancini surprisingly admitted he was to blame for the Blues’ defeat in their last away game at Everton 12 days ago.
That loss continued the club’s recent tendency to drop points when they leave behind the home comforts of the Etihad Stadium. It’s a habit the manager wants to kick quickly.
City’s run of five points from their last six Premier League away games is hardly a cause for panic, but nor is it the sort of run that makes title winners.
The fact Mancini’s men go into the weekend top of the table is due largely to a perfect home league record – 12 wins out of 12.
But as the Blues prepare to visit Aston Villa, the manager is fully aware of the need to start collecting a few more away points.
And he has pledged not to repeat the errors that he felt brought about defeat at Goodison Park.
Mancini has refused to elaborate on his declaration immediately after the Everton game that he had not prepared his team properly. But he is confident City won’t be caught cold at Villa Park.
“Yes, I’ve tried to do things differently following the Everton defeat,” Mancini said. “When you think you’ve made a mistake, then you prepare better for the following game.
“If we made a mistake at Everton, I don’t think we can make the same mistake at Aston Villa.”
Video: Roberto Mancini challenges Micah Richards
Aston Villa v Manchester City: Preview
Mancini brushes aside any suggestion that admitting to an error might have undermined his authority with the players.
“It wasn’t a gamble to admit I was wrong,” he said. “I know what my job is. But I’m human, and sometimes I can make mistakes.
“This is normal – like you, like referees, like players. Everyone makes mistakes sometimes.
“It’s important that the players understand this and they put everything into their performance on the pitch. But I know my job very well.
“I have explained the mistakes I made to the players. But I won’t say what they were publicly. At the end of the season, after we win the Premier League, then I will tell you.”
Mancini seems confident enough that he has put his Everton errors behind him. Indeed, he was even able to make light of them ahead of the Villa game.
“When I went home, I shouted at myself in the mirror,” he smiled.
However, the manager is serious about ensuring that City’s form on the road picks up again. Having won five and drawn the other of their first six away league games this season, the Blues have won only one of the half-a-dozen since, coming out on top at Wigan last month. Neighbours United, who lie in second place, can boast a better away record, having picked up 27 points to City’s 21.
That won’t matter a jot if the Blues have more points overall come around 6pm on May 13. But Mancini reckons his side are going to have to pick up a few more away victories to make that happen.
“I think that it’s impossible to always win away as we did at the start of the season,” he said. “It’s difficult, for us, for United, for Tottenham, for every team. But we have seven games away, and we need to win three or four of those away games.”
Will City beat Villa? Have your say. Tweet
Comments
Login or Register to comment
Why can't Mancini admit he made a mistake ? Makes a refreshing and honest change for a manager to admit that he isn't infallible imo.
If he (RM) can recognise that Villa have pretty awful full backs and can exploit that, City should come away with 3 points. I'd be tempted to play De Jong in front of the back four, where Keane seems to drift.
Getting to the time of the season where games (and Premierships) can be won not by what is done just on the pitch, but on the training ground and in the dessing room before kick-off,............................... motivation and mentality is everything now.
Don't want any inquests after any of the next 14 games asking why City haven't turned up a la Everton, The title is still City's to throw away, please don't do that Blues, go after it and produce exactly what you are capable of, we don't want any regrets that we haven't produced it when it really matters.
These are the games we must start winning now,we're heading
towards the part of the season where all 3 points are vital.
Villa will be a good test for us tomorrow but we should have to
much for them.
My prediction for the game is 2-0 to OUR CITY Silva & Sergio
to score the goals and back where we belong,and back where
we're going to stay.
Paul swindells,Salford blue 1 of many.
Keane always gets a goal against us.
Adebayor lifting Spurs and Tevez playing golf - cannot wait for this season to end if we lose tomorrow, we will probably finish 3rd with no Silverware.
Are Barry/Nasri/Johnson and Dzeko good enough?, I think we are close to winning the Title but not close enough with this team.
Where is a player like Gerrard/Terry or Rooney whose presence and work rate drives the team forward?
Every title winning team has one and they are usually British, was ours Tevez?, he puts in the effort on the pitch but too selfish as his recent actions have shown.
Can YaYa and Mario return, lift their game and give 100% until the end of the season, a big big ask!
I hope that I am wrong and that City put in a special performance.
CITY WILL WIN 1--0
I THINK WEVE DONE BRILLIANT CONSIDERING SUSPENSIONS,INJURIES ,INJUSTICES AND THE AFRICAN NATIONS CUP TO BE STILL TOP OF THE LEAGUE, WE SHOULD ALL GET BEHIND THE MANAGER AND PLAYERS FOR THE FINAL PUSH TO GLORY AND NEXT SEASON WHEN BALE AND VAN PERSIE SIGN WE WILL WIN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE. FERGIE BE AFRAID,BE VERY AFRAID.....................
This what I like about this guy. He doesn't think that he or the team are infallible, he accepts the fact that we all make mistakes and accepts the blame when it is he who has made them.
He continues to reinforce "we must learn from these mistakes, improve every game, this is important".
That type of leadership will take us to the very top of football both domestic and international.
Across town there's a bloke who can't wait to shift the blame to anything or anyone else other than accept it being himself at fault.
I know which manager I prefer.
shame the referees cant get it right or we would be at least 7 points better off
maybe one day the referees can admit they made mistakes
The Mancini admission is nothing but a smart way to get the pressure of the players. Mancini knows that we haven't played our best lately and doesn't want that to effect the confidence of the players. A win against VIlla and the dip is erased and we're back on track again. To take the blame when needed is the role of a real gaffer.
Silvaware is coming.
Maybe he could try the Alan ball approach. " I'm a world cup winner. It's all the players fault!"
How nice to hear a manager not blame everybody else for his shortcomings. No names mentioned.
I think that bad luck has also played a part in our recent away record. First, leading 1-0 at Stamford Bridge Clattenberk denied us a 100% penalty when Silva was hauled down in the box. That would have given us a 2-0 lead. Then he awards a penalty against us, when the ball was driven against Lescott (who had turned his head away from the ball, to escape the blast.) At West Brom we had 65% of the ball, but failed to score. At
Sunderland it was the same and we then lost to an offside goal in the final minute. Again, at Everton, we dominated play and lost to a deflected goal. Any side having only 35% possession in a match does not deserve to get anything out of it. Of course the TV pundits just loved it at Everton and Sunderland when we lost. We do need another striker - ith just Three and Balotelli suspended, making two, Mancini has few options when he needs to change things during a game.
Just please don't make as many mistakes as our referees between now and the end of the season Bobby!!!
500 million and relying on Lady Luck!
for your super stars this ought to be a walk in the park your biggest danger is your massive egos
Shouldn't be a question of luck today - COME ON CITY!!!