Ditching defensive style proves profitable for Man City
Published:Manchester City are serious Premier League title contenders if they continue to utilise an attacking style, according to former boss Mark Hughes.
Roberto Mancini has often been criticised for setting his team up with a defensive mentality, but he let the shackles off against Hughes’ new side Fulham and was rewarded with a 4-1 success.
With Chelsea and Arsenal both losing, the result propels Manchester City right back into title contention to within three points of top spot and they are now 9/1 to win the Premier League.
And Hughes has no reason to believe that City have the talent to still be battling for honours in May.
He said: “If they can be more attack-minded – as they were at Craven Cottage – on more occasions, there is no reason why they shouldn’t be contenders.
“They were excellent. They’ve got as good a chance as anybody.”
Meanwhile, Mancini is not getting carried away and will take things one step at a time.
He added: “We must continue to work and improve every game, every day. Only that way can we win.
“But if we have a big problem and a big crisis and we are only three points behind United and Chelsea, then we are doing well.”
With three holding midfielders still in action, Mancini has been lacking attacking potency, but with Aleksandar Kolarov back in action, this could have a major positive impact.
Kolarov loves to get forward from left-back and with Pablo Zabaleta showing similar attacking desire down the other flank, City had no problem supporting Carlos Tevez in the lone striker role.
This pair were also given space as David Silva and Jo tucked in from the wide advanced positions, meaning that City were virtually playing with three in attack rather than five in midfield.
Chelsea and Manchester United are joint leaders in the standings and are 11/10 and 2/1 respectively to win the Premier League. See the whole Premier League winners football betting market.
