Welsh wizard: Craig Bellamy was restored to Man
City's starting line-up
Roberto Mancini now believes
Manchester City can mount a title challenge
following his new side's commanding 3-0 victory at
Wolves on Monday night.
The Italian changed his mind after watching an unusually
disciplined display from City at Molineux that made it back-to-back
victories in three days following Saturday's 2-0 win over
Stoke.
At his official unveiling, Mancini suggested that a top-four
spot was his initial aim. But after two goals from Carlos Tevez
sandwiched Javier Garrido's free-kick, City's new boss was prepared
to set his sights higher.
Mancini said: 'We don't look at the position at the moment. We
must play well and win for the next two months and then we will
look at the situation.
'It's important that we improve, match by match. Everything is
realistic. If we play the ball on the pitch, then I think we can
arrive higher than the top four.
'We have another 18 matches left to play and anything is
possible. If we stay concentrated, then it is possible.'
Asked directly whether his change of opinion was down to the
players being better than he thought, Mancini added: 'Yes, I think
we have a good team.'
Mancini decided to keep Robinho on the bench and start with
Craig Bellamy, who had been upset by the dismissal of Mark Hughes,
and he was rewarded with an inspirational performance from the
Welshman.
The manager's words at the final whistle did not suggest the two
were at loggerheads. After joking 'he is not my friend', the former
Inter Milan boss added: 'Craig is a strong character, a good player
and a good man. For me, it's important that he stays with us. I'm
happy to have difficult players. I played for 20 years and I know
the way big players work.
'I don't have a problem with them. The most important thing for
me is that the players have good quality and a good character.'
Mancini praised his whole team but was particularly impressed by
Bellamy and Tevez.
He said: 'All the players impressed me. I think that today
Craig, Carlos and the whole team played very well. It's important
the team must concentrate during the game.
'For me it is fantastic, English football. In Italy it is
impossible to play two games in three days.'
