After initially coming out and blaming himself for Manchester Citys defeat against Ajax mid-week, Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has now gone on the offensive by warning his players that “If [they] don’t get [his tactics and formation changes], they don’t belong in a top team.”

The comment is a veiled threat not only at Micah Richards, but at the other City players including Joleon Lescott and Gareth Barry.

Mancini’s comments are opposite to the style of Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho, who prefer to protect their players from public criticism. It looks Mancini is running out of patience. A convincing win against Swansea tomorrow is a must to keep everyone satisfied — from the supporters to the players to the manager to the owner.

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