"Welcome to Manchester...dickhead!"
Arrogance, hubris, stubbornness, confidence; whatever you want to call it many managers who’ve found themselves in charge of a team at the top of the Premier league have been inflicted with the curse of thinking they’ve already won the title.
In the past we’ve seen how the likes of Rafa Benitez, Arsene Wenger, Jose Mourinho have made the mistake of believing the status quo for their team will be enough to see them over the finish line. Of course on some occasions men like Wenger and Mourinho have been correct in believing the team they manage is good enough to go all the way, but at other times we’ve seen the same confidence turn out to be badly misplaced.
One manager who hasn’t displayed that sort of arrogance is Roberto Mancini, who rather than scupper any chances Carlos Tevez had of rejoinjing the club, has simply left it to the striker to put things right. Now Mancini’s patience and strong-will have been rewarded as the second least popular South American at Old Trafford has finally released a statement ‘apologising unreservedly’ for his actions over the past few momths, which began with his failure to take the field as a substitute in an important Champions league clash.
Although nothing is certain, it now seems highly likely that Mancini will allow Tevez to play some sort of role in the title race and this could well be a make-or-break decision for the City boss.
The advantages of reintroducing Tevez seem obvious. A proven goalscorer and one of the few City players who understands the pressure of a title race, Tevez could well help push City over the finish line, just as he did for United in his final season with some vital goals.
Tbe problem is, will he ‘upset the applecart’ so to to speak, let’s not forget that the current City strikeforce has pretty much guided the team to the top and kept them there without the former United man.
Bringing Tevez back into the side, could affect not only the consistency of some of the othet strikers who will obviously have less playing time, but also their attitude. Everyone knows Mario Balotelli has enjoyed a very good season- despite his usual antics- and a temperamental striker like him, may not be too impressed if he’s relegated to the subs’ bench to make way for Tevez, or sees his number being held up to allow the Argentinean on.
Edin Dzeko started the season in blistering form and after something of a dry spell has bagged two goals in his last four starts, Sergio Aguero is another forward who’s had an indifferent spell in front of goal these past two months but looks to be coming back into form with two in his last three games.
Throwing Tevez back into the mix could cause the rest of the City strikeforce to go off the boil, or it may just prove pivotal in helping City win their first Premier League title.
Leagues are won and lost on such decisions, it sounds silly now, but Sir Alex Ferguson stated in his autobiography ‘Managing my Life’ that the failure to sign Luton Town striker Mick Harford could well have cost United the title in 1992.
Mancini may well surprise us all and simply let Tevez rot in the reserves, but if he does bring the striker back into the fold, then come May that could well be the decision that people look back on as being the seminal moment of the season.
“Master stroke or gifted United the title”.
I would think neither.
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Why has Roberto Mancini chosen to allow Tevez back into the-fold?
Why has Tevez the ticking time bomb decided in his infinite wisdom to return to the Etihad?
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Mancini knows full well, as do fair-minded football supporters Sergio Aquero is in sparkling form currently.He appears to have tamed Mario Balotelli, from his high-jinks, self destruct mission.He has other options that play a not dissimilar role to Tevez, in Samir Nasri,although slightly deeper in a positional sense.
He also has Edin Dzeko, while currently off form in my opinion, but another option in the spearhead position.
I think Mancini may be just covering his options, in the event of injury to his ‘likely’ main three key, traditional strikers.A smart move, possibly?
What does this say about Manchester City for the long-term.You as a player at Manchester City can vanish for 3 months.
Publically ridicule the club, display lack of concern for your team mates,humilate the managers authority as the captain of the vessel.Turn in the main, the City support against you, by your selfish, self-centred actions, in returning with out the approval of the Club back to Argentina.
Bringing much condemnation from a wide spread, on-looking public.
He is returning to City as has realized know-body else after his gambit in January was going to take on a wild card, with a ridiculous wage he commands, his agent would demand.
The danger for United as he may play, is that he will probably with a view to achieving a transfer, be what we know as a committed, dammned good.
However with him not having any top flight, real game time for 3 months, he cannot possibly be match fit.He can’t turn on football, like a light switch.Tevez to get back to top form will take proper game time.
I can see trouble ahead unless Mr Mancini can utilize all his man-management skills, with Carlos Tevez.An unhappy disillusioned (Sorry is an easy word)ex club captain in the dressing room, with a one or two ‘other’ volatile characters does not make a United combination.
Rather than being treated ‘like a dog’ Tevez is returning with his tail between his legs.
The ‘mutz nutz’ he is not.
Send him off to the Falkland Islands.(Joking)