Lech Poznan v Manchester City Thoughts

Another defeat. Another bunch of questions that need answering. Another chance for the press to stick their sharpened knifes into our club.

Tonight was the game where I thought we would win and shove the claims of unrest in the City camp back down peoples throats. Yet again I was very wrong. Yet again City left me with my head in my hands after the 3-1 defeat to Polish side, Lech Poznan.

City started the game similar to the Wolves game with attacking intent and probably should of scored at least once from either James Milner and Dedryck Boyatas point blank header. But once the home team had settled into the game and grew in confidence, the team just rolled over and made Poznan look like European veterans.

I’m not calling for Mancini to be sacked, but the pressure is mounting by the day on the Italian and the next few weeks are going to be a big test of character for him and the squad. With a tough game against a vibrant looking WBA side on Sunday, followed by the big midweek derby, City are going to have to perform considerably better if they are going to gain any points in those two games.

Too many players failed to perform tonight in Poznan’s impressive and equally intimidating stadium. Patrick Vieira ultimately stands out as the worst performer on the night as Poznan’s midfield dominated possession of the ball, won 50-50 tackles and skipped around Vieira with considerably ease. I would love to know why Mancini thought Vieira was good enough to stay on the pitch for the entire game when he could of moved Milner into the middle with Zabaleta and give Balotelli some more game time.

Another current problem is how easy our defence is allowing the opposition into dangerous areas of the pitch. I personally thought Lescott was one of the better players in a bad bunch tonight, but the two full backs, Micah Richards and Wayne Bridge just don’t look good enough for where City want to go. Richards isn’t particularly brilliant at defending and when he awkwardly strides forward he loses the ball then seems content to jog back whilst the opposition show heart and desire to get forward. Wayne Bridge is another one that leaves me panicking every time a player runs at him or the ball goes near him.

Without doubt, I am 100% committed and behind City, but the players and the manager have to do so much better than what we as fans are currently seeing. The absent Carlos Tevez will be welcomed back with open arms, but you cannot rely on one player to dig you out of a hole week in and week out if you want to be a successful side. They are receiving thousands of pounds in wages each and every week, whilst our faithful fans scrape together the money to go and fill our addiction in watching our beloved club.

I believe that this squad does have the talent and desire hidden deep down in them somewhere to beat teams and challenge for trophies, sorry to sound so depressing, but if they don’t start playing better soon, I think that our owners will be ringing round to see what managers are available.