There has been much criticism of Manchester City, of Roberto Mancini and of the style of football we have been playing this season. The general perception of City is formulated mostly by the printed media and over-analysis from TV pundits - claiming City's tactics are negative and lacking in adventure. Having watched virtually every minute of football we have played this season I strongly disagree.
Sitting comfortably second in the league well into the second half of the season, obviously means were doing something right.
One of the fundamental rules in football is having a solid defense and using it as a foundation for success; a theory that has seemed almost unachievable to City fans until now. With the ever strengthening partnership of Kolo Toure and Vincent Kompany, coupled with slowly improving full-backs and possibly the best goalkeeper in the league, I would argue this is the strongest defensive unit City have ever had. Another obvious footballing principle is to play to your strengths and with one of the best defensive records in the premier league this is definitely something worth building the team around. There is no question that the managers Italian heritage has emphasised our defensive approach but by no means does defensive mean negative.
People will identify the Arsenal game as a reinforcement of their criticisms, along with the United home game and Chelsea at home. When you compare our record to that of others in the division, how many have taken more than 6 points from games with Chelsea, United, Arsenal and Spurs? My point being that there is a time and a place to be defensive and this in tandem with good results against the 'smaller clubs' in the league is an avenue to guaranteed success.
There has however, been little doubt that Mancini's approach is effective, it is the style of play that has come in for criticism. I know the majority of City fans will happily back the managers approach in our quest for silverware and the same majority would strongly contravene any claims that City play negative football.
The away win at Fulham was probably the most fluent, expansive football we've played this year, along with the games against Newcastle and the emphatic 4-0 win against Villa to name a few. Our acquisition of quality players has saw the team develop an understanding, a slick fluent system which see's the interchange of positions which was used so effectively by Arsenal with players like Nasri, Walcott, Fabregas and Arshavin. With Carlos Tevez leading the line, dropping deep and allowing David Silva to drift into pockets of space, our attacking options seem almost endless with Adam Johnson's direct threat, Balotelli's unpredictability and Yaya Toure's power and drive (and of course the undoubted qualities which Edin Dzeko will bring to the team). The system Mancini has implemented relies heavily on the full backs providing the width. Something which is yet to be utilised to full effectiveness and Jerome Boateng and Alex Kolarov settle into the premier league. When the duo fully adapt to the pace I believe we will see much more of Kolarov's very competent left foot and the standard of crossing that Boateng showed during the world cup.
In effect, we will be starting games with 4 very attack minded players. Yaya has been playing a lot further up the pitch than many expected and seems to have been given license to roam with little defensive duty. Nigel De Jong playing as the anchor and Gareth Barry resuming his key distribution role. Playing this system allows a lot of flexibility depending on the game and the score, perfectly constructed to keep the ball and provide numbers in attack. Going a goal up, which has happened consistently this season is where Mancini's tactical awareness provides the edge. Dropping Yaya slightly deeper provides the extra man and the extra physical presence in midfield and helping to keep the ball with a confidence that I have never prior witnessed in a City team.
As mentioned previously, I think the results from our games with the other top four have been more than acceptable, provided that we consistently win against the 'lesser teams'. The persistent failure to take points from teams lower down the table contributed to our infamous 'typical City' tag. This year however, with good results against West ham, West Brom, and Wigan, it certainly looks like we are heading towards pronouncing that tag redundant. If we can continue to pick up points from these games and avoid defeat against teams in our vicinity then our success is imminent.
The naivety and ignorance of such intellect in a mindful tactician like Mancini has contributed to somewhat of a negative reputation amongst lesser footballing brains.
So 'boring boring City' or tactical genius? - I've certainly made up my mind.
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