Manchester City Could March On to Success Under Roberto Mancini

Manchester City supporters have much reason to feel happy about their club's sudden chances. It seems as if the radical decision to fire Mark Hughes while bringing in the versatile Italian in Mancini was not only wise, but also sensible.

Sure, the rash dismissal of Hughes deserved some form of criticism, but who can argue against the sudden form of which Mancini has installed in the Citizens?

The club have clearly transformed themselves in ways that even Mancini himself probably would have never suspected: four successive victories in five matches. Impressive!

However, the main question leading up to this season's finale is whether Mancini could not only lead the Citizens to the Champions League, but also build the team around his image in away that reflects his persona and his track record from Italy.

Manchester City must incorporate what Mancini has accomplished, and to do that, Mancini would have to consider a further remodeling of the club he inherited.

Why the argument for such a change?

First of all, this team wasn't built by Mancini. Second, the club is now comprised of expensive players such as Robinho who've shown nothing to justify the millions spent on them in the first place.

More importantly, Mancini needs to develop and sign in the players who will play to and respect his playing philosophy.

Fringe players such as Wayne Bridge, Tony Lescott (a waste of 20+ million pounds) and Santa Cruz would have to be considered as either surpluses to requirements or simply bad investments.

Okay, maybe Santa Cruz deserves more of a chance, but most of the squad assembled by Mark Hughes is in need of some tinkering. Players such as Ireland, Weiss, Richards, Tevez, Bellamy, De Jong, Petrov, Given, Hart, and Garrido are worthy keeps.

Everyone else can be replaceable, and Mancini will eventually come to that realization. To say that Manchester City are right in the thick of things is in some ways an understatement.

The Citizens may be on course to qualify for Europe, but justifying their place in European competition for next season is a totally different matter. One that Mancini will hopefully be able to address to success.

Enjoy Eastlanders!