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Mancini hits out at international programme

8:20am Monday 11th February 2013

Mancini hits out at international programme

ROBERTO Mancini hit out at the midweek international programme after seeing his Manchester City side embarrassed at St Mary’s.

The Italian believes a number of his players returned to City’s Carrington training base looking jaded.

“All of the players came back Thursday night or Friday and when you have 16 players away on international duty it is difficult to prepare,” he said.

“Sometimes the fixtures are ridiculous because they don't think about this but we played a bad game.”

Mancini was not the only one with players away, though.

Saints boss Mauricio Pochettino saw Steven Davis, Maya Yoshida and Artur Boruc play international football on Wednesday, while Luke Shaw was ruled out of the game on Saturday night after picking up an injury while on England under-21 duty.

City are now an outside bet to retain the Premier League crown they secured in such extraordinary standards on the final day of last season and Mancini thinks he knows what is to blame.

“We need to work more,” he said.

“Probably we think that, because we won last year, we are top players.

“But if you want to stay on the top for a long time you have to work always and forget what you did last year.”

All the Saints news and comment in today's Daily Echo

Comments(48)

Comments(48)

Seedhouse the Unrepentant says...
8:27am Mon 11 Feb 13

Disrespectful git.

OSPREYSAINT says...
8:37am Mon 11 Feb 13

If you fill your team with expensive International Players what do you expect?

insane saint says...
8:43am Mon 11 Feb 13

now that is what i call sour grapes just admit it we were a lot better then you. even SAF said that we were better than them in the second half at OT.

Strasbourg Saint says...
8:58am Mon 11 Feb 13

Most of those Man City players are overpaid, overhyped and overrated, so probably won't get picked next time.

Every cloud has a silver lining, Roberto :)

Folkestone Saint says...
9:01am Mon 11 Feb 13

Nothing to do with that at all, as I said on Friday "they are under pressure and full of mercinarys so we will win", or something like that.

City Saint says...
9:16am Mon 11 Feb 13

This is more about keeping his job. He knows as well as anyone else who was there that his team was simply outplayed by a hungrier side. But he can't say that, can he?

franiow says...
9:22am Mon 11 Feb 13

There is one interesting point though..it is better to sign European players rather than South Americans and Africans who take extra time to return and have had longer jouneys.

Alicesdad says...
9:26am Mon 11 Feb 13

Jaded? I thought Barry's finishing was top drawer.
Hart needs to wipe the shampoo of his gloves, Davis's quick reaction was head and shoulders above the goalie and defender who tried to flatten him. (Oh yo ho we do have a laugh don't we?)

In any event, as far as international players are concerend, it was the same for both teams so I'm sorry Roberto but .. diddums.

I also think Punch needs to be careful with his celebration. It made us all laugh BUT for those not in the know it could be deemed as a provoking gesture to away fans..

Happy Monday everybody !!!!!!!!

Norwegian Saint says...
9:31am Mon 11 Feb 13

Is Manchini the new "old" Fergie?!

Man Citeh will be changing their shirts at half time next!

Take it on the chin Citeh, you were lucky it was only 3!

elvisimo says...
9:31am Mon 11 Feb 13

feel sorry for him. only about £1 billion invested in Man City so far. Life must be hard.

NC Fan4Life says...
9:34am Mon 11 Feb 13

This result had nothing to do with Saints performance then ?
The fact is we outplayed them in all departments, tactically it was spot on and MP seems to be getting more out of the players.
How is it that most teams we play say they had an off day ? I think that after our poor start up to mid-november the rest of the league thought we were going to be wipping boys but NA started to learn from his early nieve tactics and was getting the results we deserved. Unfortunately this was too late as Nicola clearly made the decision last November to make the managerial changes.
So far each manager he has appointed has taken us on to the next level, time will tell if MP does the same but the early signs are good as he is getting more out of the same players than NA did and they seem to like playing the forward pressing tactics.
NA did us proud taking us to this level but just maybe we needed another to take us to the next.
There is still a lot to do to stay up but you can see the confidence growing.
The bus is still rolling !!

Norwegian Saint says...
9:40am Mon 11 Feb 13

Just realised....

ARS'Enal ran by ARS'Ene Wenger

MANChester Citeh by MANCini

So, when is Danny SHITtu going to POOpey!?

Bwahhaaharr!!!

OSPREYSAINT says...
9:42am Mon 11 Feb 13

You have to be a bit sympathetic to the Citeh fans, it is probably the first time in ages that they have experienced the feeling of real disappointment, it must have been a bit of a shock to them, no doubt they will get over it, too many good players in the squad for them to be down in the dumps for long. Just for once we did have the good fortune to find them wanting and took full advantage, something we have let slip in the recent past, far too often. Good for our morale though and we must move onwards and upwards from now on. We don't play City or United any more this season so the only interest in either of them is in the results they produce against any of our rivals. 'glory' please note.

aldermoorboy says...
9:46am Mon 11 Feb 13

Love Barry our latest signing what a finish, great one two with Lambert.

Strasbourg Saint says...
10:04am Mon 11 Feb 13

Norwegian Saint wrote:
Just realised....

ARS'Enal ran by ARS'Ene Wenger

MANChester Citeh by MANCini

So, when is Danny SHITtu going to POOpey!?

Bwahhaaharr!!!
Like. Good spot, Norgie.

montecristosaint says...
10:08am Mon 11 Feb 13

LJSaint wrote:
What an idiot. The reason they lost is because they were all over the place, badly organised an more importantly we played amazingly. We have been threatening for a few games now and City felt the full force. Well done lads. COYR!
Sainta have half a dozen young players who are going to be absolutely top drawer. As it is you couldnt buy them at any price, try asking Cortese to sell you any of them.These are Llalana, Schneiderlin (who is awesome),Shaw,Clyne, Rodrigues,Ramires,Wa
rd'Prowse. I predict exciting times for Saints fans next season dont be surprised to see Saints in the top four because that is where we are heading. Reminds me of Leeds Utd way back when.

Confucious says...
10:15am Mon 11 Feb 13

Strasbourg Saint wrote:
Norwegian Saint wrote:
Just realised....

ARS'Enal ran by ARS'Ene Wenger

MANChester Citeh by MANCini

So, when is Danny SHITtu going to POOpey!?

Bwahhaaharr!!!
Like. Good spot, Norgie.
Love that one!

olddellsaint says...
10:28am Mon 11 Feb 13

It really annoys me when I see the headlines about how bad their teams played against Saints, The Saints beat you far and square, simple as that. also on Saturday night the Saints sent out a warning to the rest of the Premier League...."WE ARE NO LONGER A PUSH OVER"

OH WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN

CB FRY LIVES says...
10:30am Mon 11 Feb 13

SOUR GRAPES.Should be a little more gracious in defeat.
The national media too has been disrespectful to southampton.most of the talk has been how bad city were not how great the saints played.
COYR

Tye-Dye pt2 says...
10:41am Mon 11 Feb 13

Roberto, shaddap ya face!!! A lesson was taught on how a 'TEAM' play together, for each other and not as individuals like your lot. Best advice we can give is grab the Youtube highlights and watch and learn, MoPo is already showing up established managers, imagine how good he's going to be when he's been here a while?? WTFILN!!!!

Confucious says...
10:43am Mon 11 Feb 13

Alicesdad wrote:
Jaded? I thought Barry's finishing was top drawer.
Hart needs to wipe the shampoo of his gloves, Davis's quick reaction was head and shoulders above the goalie and defender who tried to flatten him. (Oh yo ho we do have a laugh don't we?)

In any event, as far as international players are concerend, it was the same for both teams so I'm sorry Roberto but .. diddums.

I also think Punch needs to be careful with his celebration. It made us all laugh BUT for those not in the know it could be deemed as a provoking gesture to away fans..

Happy Monday everybody !!!!!!!!
Punch's celebration was on the Northam/Kingsland corner where everyone is fully aware of his episode with the Tijuana cha-cha and his subsequent sponsorship deal with Andrex.

And far from being offensive, it was an excellent demonstration, especially to careless youngsters, that the old council gritter should be kept clean. Remember, football stars are role models nowadays and Punch's campaign on the merits of keeping a pristine poop-chute will be widely welcomed - not least by the Queen herself.

I remember when I was at a Buck House garden party a few years ago, I took the opportunity to satisfy my curiosity and ask the Queen if she had to wipe her own. She said she didn't and that in fact a specially selected servant puts his long arm through a small trap door and does the job. "Mind you" she added "The rest of ones family do have to sweep clean their own tradesman's entrances and I can assure you not one of them has a brass eye looking like the top of a sauce bottle."

Top woman!

Alicesdad says...
11:05am Mon 11 Feb 13

I agree with the point about Puncheon and the location of the celebration.
As for her majesty's view on his escapades, I predict a knighthood.

However I suspect that parts of your tale may be a tissue of lies, but flushed with success from our result I am not going to drain my resources on a chain letter thread and Im happy to put the lid down on this.

milton road says...
11:07am Mon 11 Feb 13

The style of play rolls the midfield back on the defence. The amount of people pushing through up front creates pressure and in turn on Sat that created panic. It showed. Nothing to do with international duty or anything else. They are used to bossing the game and yes they have great players but get shown to much respect. We got out there with no respect for reputation and played our game.

Scarborosaint says...
11:21am Mon 11 Feb 13

Mr Mancini have the grace to admit you were beaten by the better team on the day who showed more desire for the fight instead of blaming the internationals or your players mistakes.
I thought NA was harshly treated but MP seems to of pushed the players to the next level even though I admit its early days yet.
Yaya toure is one of the best midfielders in the league but looked poor mainly due to the work of Davis, cork and Spider-Man . Yoshida and jos played played ageuro and dzenko out of the game and the whole team looked a yard faster and fitter from 1st to last minute.
No time to take the foot off the pedal cos next 4 games are winnable and could secure our premiership status

Scarborosaint says...
11:22am Mon 11 Feb 13

Anyone got any thoughts on want points will be needed for survival ?

promised land says...
11:26am Mon 11 Feb 13

So what was Mancini's excuse the week before when they played Liverpool at home and drew ? I was not impressed with them then, and felt more optimistic about getting something out of the game Saturday. As another reader posted he is making excuses to save his job.

promised land says...
11:37am Mon 11 Feb 13

CB FRY LIVES wrote:
SOUR GRAPES.Should be a little more gracious in defeat.
The national media too has been disrespectful to southampton.most of the talk has been how bad city were not how great the saints played.
COYR
National media ? Yes one reporter from a Sunday paper said; "Hart failed to hold on to PUNCHEONS shot and Davis tapped home" shows how some reporters are an embarrassment to their industry.

St Retford says...
11:46am Mon 11 Feb 13

Scarborosaint wrote:
Anyone got any thoughts on want points will be needed for survival ?
Survival? I've genuinely not been worried about that on any level for weeks now.

I'm looking how high we can realistically get. We're only six points off being top half of the table. I think we can do it.

My only concern is that a vacancy has become available in Italy and they're probably going to try and poach Nicola for it. After becoming the saviour of the Saints and getting Jesus on board, Nicola has to be top of the wanted list by whoever it is that recruits Popes. He could probably do it, too.

Scarborosaint says...
12:30pm Mon 11 Feb 13

St Retford wrote:
Scarborosaint wrote:
Anyone got any thoughts on want points will be needed for survival ?
Survival? I've genuinely not been worried about that on any level for weeks now.

I'm looking how high we can realistically get. We're only six points off being top half of the table. I think we can do it.

My only concern is that a vacancy has become available in Italy and they're probably going to try and poach Nicola for it. After becoming the saviour of the Saints and getting Jesus on board, Nicola has to be top of the wanted list by whoever it is that recruits Popes. He could probably do it, too.
Yeah totally agree with you about looking at top half of table wasn't trying to be negative but think the bottom 3 clubs won't get to the golden 40 points.
NC is not quite the messiah yet jury out

fred the red says...
12:34pm Mon 11 Feb 13

Worth re-iterating that too often the pundits and opposing managers cite, "We did not play well" when failing to beat us.

Give us the credit...Saints were really good and we outplayed Citeh in every department.

If Mancmancini could not see that then his judgement is sadly lacking and he deserves to be sacked.

Early days but it does look like MoPo is the man to build on NA's work and take us onwards and upwards

st1halo says...
12:49pm Mon 11 Feb 13

WELL SAID ROBERTO

But this wasn't an international mate!
I know it felt like you were playing Brazil but I assure you it was just us - The mighty Southampton!

Your lads can go back to PL footie now!


STID

meechy says...
12:57pm Mon 11 Feb 13

So, the players arrived back tired from their long travels for international duty. The two that let them down the most had to travel all the way to Wembley and back. Serious jetlag there then!

Beer Monster says...
1:05pm Mon 11 Feb 13

Hahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahaha who are ya? Couldn't even nobble the ref this time Bob

Good weekend all round methinks :-)

OSPREYSAINT says...
1:10pm Mon 11 Feb 13

http://www.talksport
.co.uk/sports-news/f
ootball/premier-leag
ue/transfer-rumours/
130211/southampton-f
ailed-club-record-bi
d-getafe-star-191417


Hmmm I wonder?

OSPREYSAINT says...
1:17pm Mon 11 Feb 13

promised land wrote:
CB FRY LIVES wrote:
SOUR GRAPES.Should be a little more gracious in defeat.
The national media too has been disrespectful to southampton.most of the talk has been how bad city were not how great the saints played.
COYR
National media ? Yes one reporter from a Sunday paper said; "Hart failed to hold on to PUNCHEONS shot and Davis tapped home" shows how some reporters are an embarrassment to their industry.
One Sunday paper said we should have had a penalty when Lambert was brought down, our two genuine shouts were for a tug on Spider and a push on JRod, so that was duff reporting too.

saintkenny says...
1:20pm Mon 11 Feb 13

at the end of the day.even if they won at stmarys .they wont catch utd .at the end of the day if you cant beat qpr .when most of the bottom teams have .you aint going to win the league .they won it last year only because utd threw it away .has alex said in his interview that will not happen .but rvp will insure that dont happen .saturdays result has no bearing on the title .this shoulf delight kent141 who has been pretending to be a man u fan

saintshorse101 says...
2:32pm Mon 11 Feb 13

St Retford wrote:
Scarborosaint wrote:
Anyone got any thoughts on want points will be needed for survival ?
Survival? I've genuinely not been worried about that on any level for weeks now.

I'm looking how high we can realistically get. We're only six points off being top half of the table. I think we can do it.

My only concern is that a vacancy has become available in Italy and they're probably going to try and poach Nicola for it. After becoming the saviour of the Saints and getting Jesus on board, Nicola has to be top of the wanted list by whoever it is that recruits Popes. He could probably do it, too.
survival should be easily achievable with the points gained from this win. we should be able to gain a minimum of 15pts from our remaining games, probably more, which will get us to 41pts. we shouldn't take this for granted though.

I think nc could do a great job as pope but know that thebooooorer would not be happy with the way he would run the Vatican and moan that Michelangelo wasn't paid properly for painting The Sistine Chapel Ceiling!

CB FRY LIVES says...
2:35pm Mon 11 Feb 13

promised land wrote:
CB FRY LIVES wrote:
SOUR GRAPES.Should be a little more gracious in defeat.
The national media too has been disrespectful to southampton.most of the talk has been how bad city were not how great the saints played.
COYR
National media ? Yes one reporter from a Sunday paper said; "Hart failed to hold on to PUNCHEONS shot and Davis tapped home" shows how some reporters are an embarrassment to their industry.
you should have heard the mancy sycophants bleating on the radio-5 live and talk sport.

CB FRY LIVES says...
2:38pm Mon 11 Feb 13

OSPREYSAINT wrote:
promised land wrote:
CB FRY LIVES wrote:
SOUR GRAPES.Should be a little more gracious in defeat.
The national media too has been disrespectful to southampton.most of the talk has been how bad city were not how great the saints played.
COYR
National media ? Yes one reporter from a Sunday paper said; "Hart failed to hold on to PUNCHEONS shot and Davis tapped home" shows how some reporters are an embarrassment to their industry.
One Sunday paper said we should have had a penalty when Lambert was brought down, our two genuine shouts were for a tug on Spider and a push on JRod, so that was duff reporting too.
i thought the ref was pretty useless.no way should Rickie have been booked.
another useless ref who appeared to be bending over backwards to help one of the so called big clubs.

oldseve says...
3:54pm Mon 11 Feb 13

Alicesdad wrote:
Jaded? I thought Barry's finishing was top drawer.
Hart needs to wipe the shampoo of his gloves, Davis's quick reaction was head and shoulders above the goalie and defender who tried to flatten him. (Oh yo ho we do have a laugh don't we?)

In any event, as far as international players are concerend, it was the same for both teams so I'm sorry Roberto but .. diddums.

I also think Punch needs to be careful with his celebration. It made us all laugh BUT for those not in the know it could be deemed as a provoking gesture to away fans..

Happy Monday everybody !!!!!!!!
Agree with last part. Show a little class with celebrations. This is the saints, not schoolboys!

Simmo13 says...
4:57pm Mon 11 Feb 13

What a totally disrespectful man to make such silly excuses for these bunch of mercenaries SFC were hungrier fitter and well organised to the point they punched city back so deep they were virtually on top of their own keeper at times !

legh_langston says...
5:29pm Mon 11 Feb 13

Found near manager's office.
Translation of MP speech to press if Saints lose. "Well 2 of our best players, Shaw and Ramirez are injured. Lallana just back from injury. Yoshida had just come back from Japan. I'm a new boy here and look at our league position....
and you expect us to beat the League Champions...Caramba you think I am a magician."

Velleity says...
6:15pm Mon 11 Feb 13

Aww, diddums, did oo lose oos best players? Poor baby.

Tirau Dan says...
7:03pm Mon 11 Feb 13

Headline should be "Excuses"

rednwhite72 says...
9:15pm Mon 11 Feb 13

Velleity says...
6:15pm Mon 11 Feb 13
Aww, diddums, did oo lose oos best players? Poor baby.

Made me chuckle..haha!

Fcuking ities, who do they think they are...lol

Although, my boy waited as he normally does to try and get a signature or pic with the stars and all but one walked straight on the bus without a wave...so thankyou to....James Milner! for taking the time to stop and give the kids some time before going home. respect!

saintysaintsaint says...
11:08pm Mon 11 Feb 13

Lol

Boruc played for poland in the week
Yoshida went to japan and back
Davis went to malta and back
Shaw and Ramirez and Fonte were injured
Lallana wasn't fully fit
played 30 mins with a right back at left back

How many could we have put past them if we were at full strength? You've got no excuses mancini

Andy_Germany says...
1:04am Tue 12 Feb 13

Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:
Disrespectful git.
I have read all the comments and Seedhouse got it spot on in two words. Well done mate.

Tirau Dan says...
6:03am Tue 12 Feb 13

saintysaintsaint wrote:
Lol

Boruc played for poland in the week
Yoshida went to japan and back
Davis went to malta and back
Shaw and Ramirez and Fonte were injured
Lallana wasn't fully fit
played 30 mins with a right back at left back

How many could we have put past them if we were at full strength? You've got no excuses mancini
The guts of this should be printed in all the nationals. I for one and sick to the teeth of cry baby rich club managers making lame excuses in defeat. Fergusson's incessant whining at refs should very quickly get him an exit from the game.. for once I actually agree with Sam Allardyce.. they were robbed of 2 pens.. and just look at the Saints picture gallery of the shirt pulling they got away with against us.. These big wigs need to be dealt with publicly by the FA. SHAME SHAME SHAME

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