Mathematics can be a beast. A beast that can change appearances and make things seem different than they are. Take the EPL title race for example; being five points behind leaders Manchester United, with a game between the two neighbours at the Etihad Stadium still to be played out, you’d think that City would very much be a part of this title race – a race that they had led for the most part of the season. However, the psychological games of a purple nosed Scott ensure that in the realm of English football, more often than not Fergie’s mind games can beat both mathematics and logic, more often than not. Hence, the primary reason why City’s locomotive seems to be on the brink of derailing is the presence of that cunning genius at the opposite dugout.
Of the many other causes behind City bottling their lead in the title race is Mancini’s inaptitude in squad management. It’s no big surprise that David Silva’s season seems to have tailed off, that has seen him without a goal since December and without an assist since January. He’s been the most overused City outfield player with 27 starts, and accordingly the aftereffects of his debut season in the EPL are taking their toll. Despite having a considerably better squad than United, it seems as if Mancini doesn’t trust many others going forward except Sergio Aguero and Silva. This has meant that quite capable players like Adam Johnson (ten starts), James Milner (16 starts) and Mario Balotelli (13 starts) have been sparingly used, much to the detriment of their confidence. And this has led to the overuse of the likes of Silva, Aguero and Yaya Toure – who despite missing a month due to the African Cup of Nations has started 24 games.
City’s intimidating home form has been let down by a pretty lacklustre showing away from him, which has seen them win merely 2 away games since their win against QPR in November. And this has coincided with Mancini reverting to the much dreaded defensive style of play of the previous season. For a team that spanked United and Spurs with six and five goals away from home respectively, this is indeed perplexing to say the very least. In terms of attacking wherewithal City would beat any side in the league, hence the defensive approach could only mean that there has been a lack of belief from Mancini’s side or they began feeling the heat of being the favourites for the title. The safe money is on a combination of both those aspects.
On the contrary, United have been on a roll since their 0-3 defeat against Newcastle in January. One can’t help but feel that, it was that FA Cup turnaround at the Etihad that reinstated belief in United that led to both sides tracing opposite spirals. Had City not lost that game, or even ensured that they rebounded in the league, United might not have been as relentless. But City’s stutter gave Sir Alex the smell of blood that he breeds on; and there’d be a long queue of managers who’d vow that you should never NEVER give that man a sniff.
Now the equation is simple for City, they need to beat a resurgent Arsenal at the Emirates to be realistically in the title hunt – considering United’s easier run of fixtures. City could be eight points behind United, when that game kicks off and hence, it would be a real test of their mettle. Arsenal themselves could see themselves overtaken at the third spot by Spurs; so they wouldn’t be short of incentives themselves. Either way, there is no one – not even Mancini himself if his latest press conference is anything to go by – who would doubt the fact that barring three points for City at Arsenal, that lady that has so long warded off diet control would sing in her awfully daunting voice.
How City bottled it
