Mancini and the Strike force

Ola Citizens. I have been unlucky to watch both of Mancity’s friendly games. (Both games were a snoozefest).Now friendlies don’t mean much and on the whole nobody should ever be bothered about the results but a few things struck me about the games and the club as a whole.

Dzeko hasn’t featured in either game which may raise questions about his future to some but Mancini was again testing the Tevez Aguero partnership.

It may have worked to some extent at the back end of last season but contrary to what most people think this partnership seems to limit City in more ways than one.
Most journalists especially foreign seem to think Balotelli will be 1st choice with Aguero (Obviously after the Italians euro showing) but I think as much as I agree that a disciplined Mario gives City better options I doubt Mancini is quite ready to put all his trust in the Italian.

There are a few misconceptions about Mancini and Mario. Firstly Mancini only played Mario that much last season because of the unavailability of Tevez and the fact that Dzeko tends to hide in big games. If Mancini had his way I believe as much as he has faith in Mario’s potential to one day be a world class striker (I certainly think he will) Mancini would rather ease Mario into a starting position than throw him the jersey now. There are a few quirks in Mario’s game at the moment such as his tracking back, tackling, the fact that he at times goes in field to look for the ball rather than be patient and maintain his forward position. Whilst playing for Italy he showed a lot of improvement in all those areas but discipline still remains his biggest problem and its too early to trust him now. He is still

The other misconception is unlike Adebayor Mario has never made a fuss about not starting games. He has a lot of respect for good players especially those he can learn from as his admiration for Tevez and Sergio is well documented and has even called for management to sign van Persie. I think Mario and Mancini have a private agreement that he will eventually lead City’s strike force if he improves all the facets I have mentioned above. The Media is the one that has made it appear that Mario would cause chaos in the camp if he doesn’t start games but its far from the truth.

The only player who has made a fuss about not starting games is Tevez and I believe that’s why Mancini would be forced to sell him if the opportunity came up. Its hard to second guess what he plans to do with his strike force situation but Tevez just like at united is a difficult player to deal with because when you making him a starting player the teams game plan has to revolve around him.

He is a great squad player to have as his abilities are unquestionable and he does have the workrate to match but like at united finding him a starting position when you have potentially better players like Sergio and Mario is difficult.

The other thing I picked up from the friendlies is City are soo dependent on Yaya and Silva for creativity such that if those 2 were to get injured at the same time I can see this side draw a lot of games or even lost some.

I was one of the few who thought whats the point of getting van Persie but if Mario is willing to bid his time and Tevez and Dzeko are sold then a forward line of Sergio and van Persie could actually give City the boost they need especially in Europe.

I think City need van Persies creative abilities up front more than a lot of people realize. He will allow players like Nasri and Silva to play around him.