The Man City manager Roberto Mancini has a lot of overpaid prime-donnas at the Etihad Stadium, but he really needs to instil some discipline on his players. When they are not fighting each other they are speaking back to their boss and refusing to play!
The latest argument came after Man City’s win over Wolves in the Carling Cup, when Adam Johnson, who scored one of Man City’s five goals, was criticised by Mancini after the game for not carrying out his defensive duties.
Johnson got the hump, and went so far as to refuse to get back on the team bus for the trip back to Manchester. This would seem to be more the actions of a jilted schoolboy than a highly-paid professional footballer!
Mancini was asked about the incident, and it seems that he is happy that he managed to rile Johnson. “I am happy he is upset,” he said. “I love Adam. It is like with the children in your family. If you love your children, then sometimes you should be hard with them and Adam understands this. I say what I want because, if he were not a good player, then I wouldn’t waste my time on him. But because he has everything, I don’t want him stopping at this level. I want him up a level and then a level more.
“He has some characteristics that are different from other players and because of this he could become one of the top wingers in the game. If you have a top winger, you are going to win a lot of games. One versus one, he is incredible, every time he takes the ball out wide near the box, we can score a goal or at least have a chance.”
And Mancini didn’t pussy-foot around but simply explained why Johnson deserves to be criticized. “I have seen so many players like Adam in my life, both when I played and since I have been a manager,” he continued.
“Sometimes players like Adam play very well in one game but only so-so the next. He should not think: ‘I have scored a goal, this is enough.’
“He has played in the Premier League for two and a half seasons now and he has played for the national team. Fabio Capello and I are of the same opinion. A player like him should play well every game, like David Silva.”
I just can’t imagine Mancini actually “loving” his players. I have always seen him as the cold, calculating Italian tactician, that sees his players as chess pieces in the war on the field. And I certainly don’t see the man-management skills of coaches like Harry Redknapp…
thats why city are top and spurs arnt
man mangements skills of harry the pimp, come on mate. Mancini is doing the right thing and trying to
bring Jonno on more as a player, exactly what he has done for Balotelli and Micah Richards. This city bashing is ridiculous. Your obviously a spuds fan.
find a real story mate.
Hmmmm…
based on results and career progression, I’d say Adam Johnson should thank his lucky stars he is working under a fantastic manager like Roberto Mancini, and in the cold light of day, when his emotions have settled, he probably does.
The facts don’t lie – Johnson has had plenty of time on the pitch this season, has scored his fair share of goals and assisted his team mates. City are unbeaten, top of the league, still in all competitions, and playing fantasy football, so for you to criticize Mancini’s abilities from outside the club smacks of jealousy and mischief-making.
Is Mancini a hardliner, or has he lost control of his squad? Make your mind up.
I have, and in my humble opinion, since the Tevezgate affair, Scarface is now solidly backed by everyone in the club, especially the fans, and I honestly don’t know what else he can do to improve results (he does ‘tho, which is why he’s successful and loved by City fans).
As for lauding Harry redknapp, give me a break!
You’ve misjudged the mood in the club, we’re completely over the Blue Moon :)
listen to balotelli mate he sees mancini has a father figure you also don’t understand what mancini says in your own article?, strange it seems perfectly clear to me! arry is ok but he is no mancini who strives for perfection in everything he does thats his mentality.