All the pressure is on Mancini
Tue May 04 14:21
Having tipped Tottenham Hotspur to finish fourth throughout the season, I still stand firm that they will do it. The game on Wednesday evening at Manchester City is obviously a crunch game for both sides, but on their day, Tottenham have the ability to out-class any opposition. I have a lot of friends at the club, and it would be great to see them secure that highly competitive fourth place.
However, if Manchester City were to claim fourth place I believe this will be the start of the 'big five' notion within the Premier League. The spending power that City possess is huge, and I am sure we will see a great amount of transfer activity from them in the summer.
They have the potential to bring in some massive names to the English game, and I am sure they will view next season as one where they should be challenging for the Premier League title.
The owners and chairman at Manchester City have invested massively and this does put extra pressure on the shoulders of Roberto Mancini. If they don't achieve fourth place, then the club will surely question the management given the financial backing provided.
Harry Redknapp, on the other hand, has guided Tottenham through a great transitional period for the club. They have moved forward massively in recent years and their hard work and endeavor have been well rewarded with an impressive season that they can hopefully see through to the very end.
Given Manchester City's power in the transfer market, I would have to say that, out of the two sides, they would be more competitive in next season's Champion's League, as they will be in a position to attract some of football's biggest names to bolster their squad.
Saying that, I would have great faith in Spurs to cope admirably well and certainly progress through the group stage of the competition.
Speaking from experience, the European adventure that we as a club have enjoyed this year has had a fantastic effect on us. There are so many positives to take from the journey that I am sure other personnel involved in clubs who have progressed in either the Champions League or Europa League will reinforce.
The experience gained is huge for all the players and staff. Confidence builds and it is, of course, financially beneficial for both players and staff to be involved in a European competition for a lengthy period of time. The positivity is clear throughout the club.
Murphy are you silly? Mc can't bring players in for next season, they still have the transfer ban till jan 2011!
From saschavanpraagh on Tue May 04 14:35What transfer ban you muppet?
From m.wallace142 on Tue May 04 14:47lol..
From chromedome32666 on Tue May 04 14:54Writing artidle is not like playing against Humberg. Please some one tell Murphy.
From kean_kean on Tue May 04 14:59I believe Spurs with get some interesting result at City. Tevez is a good player with extraordinary individual playing skills, but he's not a team player, instead he's too selfish. He does not want anybody other than himself to be the start of the club and score more gaols. Yes, Mancini is right, such a player can leave the club if he wants to.
From cmathcs on Tue May 04 15:20Good article as usual Danny. I am a Spurs supporter but not sure if they will get the result they need at Man City. Redknapp has done very well at Spurs. They only had 2 points from 8 games when he took over last year. He saved them from relegation and has turned them into a good side this year with strength in depth. A pity Lennon was out injured for so long. Next season, I can see both Man City and Spurs chasing the so called big four. Not so sure that Liverpool, can be included as one of the big four unless they bring in some quality players during the summer. If Spurs can get at least a draw against Man City and then beat Burnley on Sunday, then that coveted 4th spot is theirs.
From mayhewkenneth on Tue May 04 15:25Hi Danny
Been a player that has played for many years i highly respect your opinions but from a Manchester City supporters point of view i'd have to say that we should get the 4th place, we are at home (possibly more added pressures) but have a fantastic support who on the night will be right behind the team, if there was ever a game where the City players have to respond then this is it.
Spurs are a good team Crouch,Defoe and Modric will no doubt trying their hardest but in the end City's player quality should shine through, the likes of Tevez,Ade,Vieira,Bellamy,Swp and Johnson will be very difficult to beat if they are on song, my only concern is our defence.....Toure & co must be on their metal and guard that goal especially for Fulop and i say this with repect to the lad but he's not the greatest keeper around and looked a little nervous against Villa, whatever the outcome (obviously i go for City) but either one of them would do well in the CL next season.
Just to say a big well done on Fulham's brilliant achivement in getting to the Europa Cup Final, problem you could face now Danny is can Fulham keep hold of Roy Hodgson ?
Good article.
From rigby515 on Tue May 04 15:41A bit one sided this article isnt it? How much have Spurs spent in the transfer market the last 3 years? They aren't the poor relations in the league, they have spent more than most. "Harry Redknapp, on the other hand"..has done what all team wishing to break into the top4...he has spent. If City claim the 4th spot and strengthen in the summer..it will NOT be the start of the Big Five...someone will have to drop out of the Top 4..take your pick.
From asxtc on Tue May 04 15:55Danny your right the pressure is on Mancini.
If City lose to Spurs then Mancini will be replaced in the summer (or even before).
If Spurs lose, Harry will still be manager and will strengthen the club in the summer.From gary.carroll1 on Tue May 04 16:21i agree Danny,but i think harry n his team deserve 4th spot more than city
From mattmckie78 on Tue May 04 16:38Mancini is a stop gap. Nothing more.
From jonanbanks on Tue May 04 16:40Mancini can go back to spain, his country, if he ws saked. Where can Redknapp go. Pressure is on both.
From kean_kean on Tue May 04 16:40Hope to God Spurs can win tomorrow night Man Citys time will come with all the money they have , It would be the greatest achivment for Spurs since the 1960's if we were to play champions league football next year. Harry is a GOD
From palajam on Tue May 04 16:47kean_kean, MANCINI coached only in Italy and is FROM Italy! Fool!
Spurs will CRUSH MC....Final Score: MC 0-2 Tottenham.From adrianvanh on Tue May 04 16:49Fulop Marton is the best!!!!
From olahdave on Tue May 04 16:54kean-kean mancini is italian so why would he go back to spain and as he ever manged in spain mmmm
From tnycaimino on Tue May 04 17:01Man City at home are a top team (I believe only Everton and United have beaten them there). I think it's going to end in a City win, and on the last day both Spurs and City will win.
I think City are going to get there. Just.
From akilesh_radhakrishnan on Tue May 04 17:05you have your own opinion danny, that doesn't mean your opinion is the best.. i found that most of your article is actually just empty, it has no content at all, last week you were talking about chelsea has no favour in anfield.. but then, you were totally wrong chelsea won with style.. and now i think you underrated manchester city a little too much.. they (manC) will shut your mouth.. but still, thanks for your opinion and good luck with europa final against atletico madrid.. i think you should just play and stop writing @#$%.. thanks..
From rumanau_tribe on Tue May 04 17:11next year big five might be (on no particular order) manu, chelsea, arsenal, mancity.
manu will bring in players, chelsea aswell, even arsenal will bring in some players...
if liverpool cant spent this offseason they will be in for 5.7. place again next season!
From d.doescher on Tue May 04 17:19Shut up Murphy! For crying out loud. Between you and Mr Partisan Parker you've all but buried Man City. I hope we prove both you A HOLEs wrong!! City til i die!!!
From melissamotorv8 on Tue May 04 17:42I really think Mancini's careers been on the slide since he wrote the theme for the Pink Panther.
From garethds on Tue May 04 18:45come on spurs glory glory man united
From johncmannion on Tue May 04 19:08hahaha durphy evn if tottenham win they wont b in the champions league coz the 4th place has gone 2 d bundesliga instead they wil hv 2 play in the uefa cup , u shud know that , no wait ur in the relegation zone so of course u dun know , best of luck to u n ur hull
From the_spanishwaiter on Tue May 04 19:49cannot remember the last time we beat spurs. we are overdue a win against them
From noelmccready10893 on Tue May 04 19:53What transfer ban you plum !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From dellis662 on Tue May 04 21:52yes i think city'll win this, but its going to be very tight, like 2-1,to city.cheers.
From jocokam on Tue May 04 22:53It is a blog... not an 'article'... it's opinion, not fact based... It is totally allowed to be one-sided. Just like this post!
From james.lockhart17 on Wed May 05 00:16Mancini should put up a winning performance or shut up. Score 3:1 if City use 3 styles or tactics to overcome pertillent Tottenham. Totten does not deserve the position they are on now.
From colbeibei_2004 on Wed May 05 00:17Spuds will be playing along side your mob in the "You're have in a larf" League next season Mr Murphy - whilst Citeh get on with the serious stuff of becoming Champions of Europe!!!!!!
I hope.........From pageynick on Wed May 05 01:50Spurs won't win this game. The best result would be a draw. Spurs is not much better than Villa. Don't be so opitimist, spurs guys. I'm Man-u fan. MC has a better chance for the 4th spot.
From kean_kean on Wed May 05 01:55
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