... But Then Again Too Few To Mention, Swansea 1 vs 1 City

“I don't have a shirt because I don't play! I gave my jacket because the fans have supported me always in every game. That's very important.”

, Manuel Pellegrini – 15/05/2016.

Goals; Ayew (45+1);Iheanacho (5')

Line Up (4-4-2); Hart, Sagna, Otamendi, Mangala, Clichy, Fernando, Fernandinho, Navas (Bony 79'), De Bruyne, Iheanacho (Nasri 72'), Aguero (Toure 90+2')
Stats;Possession, 50%/50%; Shots, 4(1)/18(5); Fouls, 4/19
Referee; Mike Dean

Manuel Pellegrini, our "Charming Man", signed off with a game in keeping with City's season. An attacking 4-4-2, a start with with some excellent build up play and attacking intent, and an early goal which could have been three! Only for City to then lose their spark, give away an unnecessary goal, and give the fans a nail-biting finish.

Job done, City have qualified for the Champions League next season, all be it on goal difference; it being unlikely United will record an 18+ goal win over Bournemouth when their match is eventually played. So given the finish, has this season, indeed Pellegrini's tenure at City been a success?

I would argue it has indeed been a successful three seasons, though perhaps not the all encompassing one we dared to hope. So what reasons would I give to back up this viewpoint?

Firstly, Pellegrini is the most successful manager in the Premiership over the three years he has been in charge. Three trophies in three years beating the erstwhile demi-god of Stamford Bridge, Jose Mourinho, into second place. During his time Pellegrini established the best win percentage ever for a City manager, and only Joe Mercer has lifted more silverware.

Secondly, the football I have watched in the past three years, when City have been at their best, is quite simply the best I have seen. Do not get me wrong, Roberto Mancini, will always be my greatest love as a City manager, after forty years of supporting the team, he brought me my greatest moments as a City fan, and I know for a fact the 93' 20' moment will, for me, never be bettered. But, in the first few months of Pellegrini's reign, and at various times since, City's football has been both breathtaking (think 6-3 vs Arsenal), and indomitable (think 3-1 vs Sevilla).

Thirdly I don't buy into the media bias. It is obvious the media would be writing-off Pellegrini's era no matter what happened on the pitch. If Pellegrini's three seasons had been in reverse, the headlines would be stating City had "won a poor quality league", with only Leicester, "a team built at a tenth of the price", providing any opposition. Other headlines would surround "Pellegrini falling short in the Champions League" having lost to a "far superior" Barcelona, in the round of 16. The current media, with few exceptions, are driven by a click-bait mentality. For some this is enforced by their business model, for others they simply are not journalists, they are solely employed because they wind people up, and negativity sells. "The public want what the public get" is a famous Jam lyric which could have been written of the Twitter era, where even the asinine media outlets seem to be lapped up by some despite their negativity surrounding our club.

This season has been difficult at times, but that has to be balanced with the results; Top Four, League Cup Winners, Champions League Semi-Finalists. It also has to be taken in context with the Sky money which has allowed all clubs to invest (and a lot have invested wisely), and an injury list (74 at the last count) which is not only quadruple that of EPL Winners Leicester, but has included key players at key times. The only area where I would agree Pellegrini has fallen short, is he has not been "holistic" :P. Yes he brought harmony back to the dressing room, and around the club, but, Kelechi Iheanacho apart, the chances for City's young prospects have been too few, and too far between.

So while I look forward to greeting the latest chapter in City's history, and fully believe that Pep Guardiola will take the team to another level, I for one bid Pellers a fond farewell. Yes it could have been better, but for a fan who spent many years on the terraces where other fans or even inflatable bananas provided far greater entertainment than what was happening on the pitch, it was not so bad at all. #CTID

@l0ngwayfr0mh0me