City’s squad continue to make progress and are showing more and more signs of getting it together consistently. Here’s feedback from last night’s comfortable sizzling of Salzburg…
Roberto Mancini:
‘I am glad we have qualified now so we can concentrate on the league my only disappointment was that we didn’t score more goals in the first 20-25 minutes when we had many chances.’
The anti-City brigade in the media are still desperately looking for holes in any progress, today going after Super Mario’s trademark lack of celebration after scoring goals. Mancio said:
‘The fact that he didn’t celebrate is just him. It is normal for him to score. He does it every day. I think he can run more, take more of his chances and choose different options sometimes when passing. I know there is more to come…
The dapper City gaffer then turned his attention to Adam Johnson:
‘In years to come Adam may look back and think ‘Roberto was correct.’ I hope that he knows I say these things because I believe in Adam…They (Super Mario and Johnno must work hard all the time. The goals they scored against Salzburg were really good goals but that match is gone now and they must carry on working and improving as we are as a team.’
Paddy Vieira:
‘We wanted to start well and keep that up throughout the game…We had them under pressure from the beginning, and of course scoring the first goal makes things a lot easier. I thought we deserved the win, we played quite well and everything went according to plan…The club has ambitions and wants trophies, that’s what we are trying for but there is a long way to go in this competition.’
There’s an increasing determination about City right now reflected in the encouragement the players are affording each other publically and talking up the side’s chances. Vieira:
‘The potential and the quality in Mario are there, but sometimes that is not enough to make a career. If Mario wants to be one of the top strikers in the world, he will have to work harder than he is doing at the moment. What is positive is that he is scoring goals, and that’s a good start!’
Adam Johnson:
‘I’ve played on the right a lot this season so coming onto my right foot is not a problem for me…I just had to make sure I took the chance when it came along. European football is a little bit slower than the Premier League, and that showed tonight but we got the result that we wanted and we’re pleased to be through to the next stage.’
Shay Given:
“The manager was really upset at half-time, he felt we could have done better…We improved in the second half, we got a couple of goals and could have scored more. We are delighted with the three goals and myself and the guys at the back are happy with a clean sheet as well…”
Seamus looked relaxed and happy on his way home:
“The fans have been fantastic since day one. It was nice they remember my name. It was good to pull the shirt back on and play. Joe is having a great season and so you have to bide your time.”
Hinting at sticking around for the long haul, Ireland’s Number One said:
“Reaching Dublin would be fantastic and to pick up the trophy there would be great. Although there will be tough games ahead there is no reason why we cannot go all the way.”
…The VMC Forum posse’s views…
GaryCooksNapkin:
‘It’s been a great all-round display, really feel proud of the team especially on a night like that.’
pacific_ocean_blue
‘Seems a great affinity between most of the players. This game was but they wanted to entertain and encourage each other on a foul night.’
PhillyBlueMoon:
‘Balotelli with two very cool finishes and barely a reaction from him. That’s what I like to see. He’s not satisfied scoring just one, he wants many, and the job isn’t over until the team wins. What a great pickup he was.’
fifthcolumnblue:
‘Only 18 goal attempts? That’s worse than against Brimingham FFS! Surprised the boring Italian tactics didn’t result in the crowd booing the team off!’
CITY v BOLTON ON VMC:
Head for the VMC Match Day Experience Forum for the build up and beyond to City’s next important challenge coming in the form of resurgent Bolton.
Vital Man City on:
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