Elton John was right, sort of. Admitting you were wrong really can be the hardest thing sometimes. However, I have no problem in saying that I was wrong this past summer when I said that Manchester City had the squad, but not the manager to win the Premier League.
At the time, I felt that Mancini lacked the tactical bravery to go at teams, to let his players express themselves and make the most of the vast array of attacking talent that he possessed in his squad. Although there were some glimpses last season of what they were capable of offensively; too often he lived up to the Italian stereotype of being too negative and defensively minded in his approach to games. Ultimately, I felt that would leave them short in pursuit of the Premier League title.
How wrong I was.
At the half way stage of the league campaign, his side are halfway to his 90 point target, with over 50 goals in the ‘for’ column. He’s not just released the handbrake, he’s stepped on the gas with both feet!
Although I’m not a Manchester City fan, I am a fan of football and watching the movement and interplay from the likes of Sergio Aguero and David Silva is a joy to behold sometimes. Couple that with the tenacity, hard work and skill of Yaya Toure, the sheer class and leadership of Vincent Kompany and the excellent form of Joe Hart and the improvement and consistency of Micah Richards and Manchester City look every bit potential champions.
Of course, they have greater financial backing than anyone else in the league and have spent hundreds of millions of pounds to prove it, but Mancini’s influence cannot be underestimated. Not only has he amassed a hugely expensive squad, but he’s also built a great team spirit. There is a togetherness there, they have the hunger, desire and passion to succeed. Spending big doesn’t necessarily guarantee success, just look at Real Madrid. You also have to have that spirit and Mancini seems to have created that. His handling of the Tevez saga showed he knew he had the backing of the owners and rather than it cause any rifts in the squad, his players have stayed with him.
It’s a confidence that has shone through in their league campaign thus far, a confidence they will need to continue to show if they are to win the league because never mind March being squeaky bum time, the pressure is on now. They’ve had a couple of bad results over the festive period and have the reigning champions breathing down their neck. Man United have the know how, the experience of getting the job done, of out lasting the opposition to claim the crown of champions after a long hard season. Manchester City have impressed many, including me, as they’ve brushed so many teams aside so far this season, but the pressure is on for them to keep it going till May, to keep maintaining their lead at the top.
Can they do it? Time will ultimately tell and you’d have to be a brave man to bet against them, but in the summer I wouldn’t have even backed Mancini to go this far.
How wrong I was.
Written by Andy Wales
Follow him on Twitter @AndyArmchair
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