So What Have We Learnt About Mancini?

It has been 25 days since Roberto Mancini was appointed manager of Manchester City following the sacking of Mark Hughes. In those 25 days, we have won 4 games, scored 10 goals, kept 3 clean sheets, picked up 9 points and advanced to the 4th round of the FA Cup. But what have we learnt about the Italian, both in the 360 minutes of football played under him, and the time off the pitch?

As someone who does not follow closely football on the continent, Mancini was an unknown quantity. After a successful spell at Inter, he was out of work for 18 months, in that time being linked to various jobs both here in the premier league, and abroad, including at one point, the vacant Chelsea post. So I was slightly apprehensive when it was officially announced that he would be the man to succeed Hughes, not because he was inexperienced or not a promising manager, simply that it was not someone with the reputation and clout of a Hiddink or a Mourinho. However, Mancini has impressed me over his first few games. Whilst very early in his tenure, and he has yet to come across a major challenge, Mancini has reinstilled some of the belief that had maybe wained over the last few weeks of the Hughes era. Here are some of the key points I have picked up on so far:

- Strong focus on defence . Whilst in general under Hughes this season, scoring goals was not a great issue. However it was the alarming amount conceded that prematurely ended Hughes time at City. Goals conceded against Fulham, Burnley, Liverpool, Bolton, Tottenham and Sunderland in particular stand out as examples of a £50m+ defence not performing anywhere near the standards expected. From the start, Mancini has put great emphasis on defense. There have been reports of extended defensive training for the squad, and it has had an instant impact. Even with a make shift defense, we kept clean sheets in all but one match so far under Mancini, and the one goal conceded can be put down mostly to an individual error and lapse in concentration. Perhaps one of the most telling things about Mancini was in his post match interview after the Blackburn game, whilst lavishing praise on the excellent Tevez, made a point of stating he was not happy, as the team had conceded a goal.

- Not afraid to make tactical changes on the fly. Most apparent in the game against Stoke. Started the game as 4-3-3 and changed to a 4-4-2 when this was not working. He also made some important tactical substitutions, bringing on the taller and more physical Micah Richards for Sylvinho towards the end of the game to prevent the aerial bombardment expected as Stoke exerted the pressure. One common complaint leveled against Hughes was that he had no plan B, and was too eager to push forward at all times, even when coming into the closing stages of a match with the lead. Mancini has rebalanced the tactics of the side, and shown a good aptitude for game winning tactics.

- Picking by performance, not reputation. If you had said that there would be a game where Benjani, Garrido and to a lesser extend Petrov had started for City this season I would have said you were crazy. But that is the situation we are in under Mancini. Whilst some of these changes are down to injuries or unavailability (I cannot see Benjani starting ahead of a fit RSC or Adebayor), it still says something that he is not picking by reputation alone, and that all players are clearly being given a chance under the new boss.

- Focus on Youth. The youth set up of the club is something to be very proud of. Mancini clearly recognizes this. It is great to see a talented young player like Boyata be given a chance in the FA Cup, along with the likes of Weiss. Whilst this is again partly down to the injuries affecting the club, it is great to see Mancini value this part of our club.

- Looks good in a scarf. So good, you can get your own.

Mancini has started brightly, he is the first ever Manchester City manager to win their first four games. And whilst those wins have not come up against the best opposition he will face in the job, it is the things we have learnt about the man that are important. If what we have seen continues, I think the future is looking promising under Mancini.