Cole: ‘The Premier League can’t be won the way they play football.’
Often criticised for their brand of football many City fans feel their FA Cup win last Saturday vindicated Mancini and his tactics but striker Andy Cole, who played for both Manchester teams, has not been impressed and questions whether City can ever be real title contenders playing the way they do.
The striker, whose son is on City’s books, said:
“They’ll be up there, but challenging realistically to win it playing the way they do? I don’t think the Premier League can be won the way they play football.
“You can’t go to the Emirates, come away with a draw, and think that’s a good result.
“Manchester United can’t come to Eastlands with you sitting back and being delighted with a draw when you’re the home team.
“We’re totally different to the Italian league. Here, you must score goals, people want to be on the edge of their seats.
“The Barclays Premier League is the most exciting league in the world and goals are what it’s about. Mancini’s Italian and you can’t see him changing his mindset.
“They wanted to finish in the Champions league spots this season, fair enough. But if they’re saying they want to win the Premier league…playing like that?!
“Let’s be brutally honest, I don’t think any team can win the Premier league playing like that.”