Roberto Mancini is convinced Manchester City will be celebrating a
place in the Carling Cup final next week if they reach their peak
in the two-legged last-four duel with Manchester United.
Although United go into the most eagerly-awaited derby in
years in winning form, while City lost at Everton on Saturday,
momentum appears to be with the Blues.
Roque Santa Cruz's calf injury might have robbed Mancini of a
main targetman for a month and Patrick Vieira is still sidelined by
a similar problem but, in former Red Devil Carlos Tevez, City have
a striker on a hot streak.
And with Shaun Wright-Phillips fit and Stephen Ireland on the
bench, Mancini is confident his side have all the tools they need.
"We are meeting a big team but if we play well, I think we
will go to the final," he said.
"We have two games and it is important that we play with
concentration."
Mancini has previously spoken of his desire to banish the
banner at Old Trafford which serves as a reminder of City's lack of
silverware in recent years - their trophy drought stretches back to
the 1976 League Cup final win over Newcastle - and the Italian
clearly likes the idea of picking up a cup in his first couple of
months as a manager in England.
However, he is also a pragmatist and if the harsh manner of
Mark Hughes' dismissal taught him anything, it is probably that
unless City make the Champions League spots this term - as demanded
by owner Sheikh Mansour - he is likely to be out of the door
whether he has won the Blues a trophy or not.
"We want to win the Carling or FA Cup, but we must finish in
the top four," he said, before adding: "Yes", when asked if that
was the priority.
The comments place the harsh reality of modern-day football
into sharp focus.
It is a view not likely to be shared in the stands by fans
who have suffered so much since their trophy cabinet began
collecting dust.
However, to silence any disquiet, Mancini applied an
addition; a trophy could prove to be the catalyst for that top-four
berth.
He said: "I am new in Manchester City, so the trophy is
important to me. But the same is true for the players and the club
because when you start to win trophies, you change your mentality.
"We want the Carling Cup. But it must only be the start."
