Mancini sheds light on the final moments of "That Game"

[nasser95]

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/manchester-city-roberto-mancini-says-10902345

saw this and found it rather interesting, especially the following statement:

“When play recommenced, the QPR manager told his players that the other game had finished and that they were safe, and so instead of knocking the ball around they simply kicked a long ball forward.

I knew that the players seemed to change their outlook, but didn't realise it was Hughes who informed the players.

[UpperP]

Thought it was a going to be a thread about our old boy Terry Mancini, and brought a few memories back of sessions in the gloves as well as football ones.

[Kirill]

Should not have surrendered like that, whatever the other result. Was there on that day and actually felt deflated that we lost, despite surviving in the PL.

[IsleworthRanger]

Saved us from a massive hiding outside as they were piling out in numbers to get us and the amount of police vans outside the away end I think was justified

[Kirill]

Saved us from a massive hiding outside as they were piling out in numbers to get us and the amount of police vans outside the away end I think was justified

Why, do we have a rivalry history with them? Or it would have been a first?

[IsleworthRanger]

Why, do we have a rivalry history with them? Or it would have been a first?

Stopping them winning the league was enough for some of them to rush out to get us but of course in doing so they missed possibly the best moment in their clubs history

As for rivalry there has always been a bit for some reason and I can recall our coach being bricked on two occasions the last time when we won 3-1 at Maine Rd and Michel Beck scored twice and that was the coldest night game I have experienced

[knocker]

Saved us from a massive hiding outside as they were piling out in numbers to get us and the amount of police vans outside the away end I think was justified

For the only time in my life I was happy when their winner went in. Knew we were safe and wanted city to beat United. Brilliant on way back to station. Like a love in.But as already said, dread to think what would have happened if we'd have held on.

[qprted]

i think there fanbase dont like any london fans un like the man utd who are run by the cockney reds so they are more london friendly

[12321]

Thought it was a going to be a thread about our old boy Terry Mancini, and brought a few memories back of sessions in the gloves as well as football ones.

Still knocking about is he?

[Lunar Jetman]

Still knocking about is he?

Its nearly 3 years old but an article on him here:

http://www.football-league.co.uk/news/article/where-are-they-now-terry-mancini-1747079.aspx

[12321]

Its nearly 3 years old but an article on him here:

http://www.football-league.co.uk/new...i-1747079.aspx

Thanks for that LunarJ, enjoyed reading it. The coaching was hilarious, but they got the job done, which can't be said about our heroes today...

[Brisbane]

In Rio's book 2Sides (not so reliable I know because he wasn't there, but still) he said

"I later found out that their goalkeeping coach Kevin Hitchcock came onto the side of the pitch and was shouting 'We're safe! We're safe!' meaning results had gone their way and they weren't getting relegated. To me, that suggests they downed tools. They wouldn't have been thinking consciously about affecting our game. I just think it's a natural thing after being under so much pressure — they felt relief and relaxed in the last couple of minutes. And that's why what happened happened."

[nasser95]

In Rio's book 2Sides (not so reliable I know because he wasn't there, but still) he said

"I later found out that their goalkeeping coach Kevin Hitchcock came onto the side of the pitch and was shouting 'We're safe! We're safe!' meaning results had gone their way and they weren't getting relegated. To me, that suggests they downed tools. They wouldn't have been thinking consciously about affecting our game. I just think it's a natural thing after being under so much pressure — they felt relief and relaxed in the last couple of minutes. And that's why what happened happened."

Either way, I think it puts a final settling on exactly what happened.

[dave58]

Think anyone who was there that day knew that we threw that game at the end, we could see the bench celebrating and gesturing to the players we were safe, we could have done what we liked with the ball but SWP had the ball and decided to let them have it, I'm sure that his connection with city had something to do with it . I for one was glad I wanted City to win the Title and stuff Utd,

[Hubble]

Think anyone who was there that day knew that we threw that game at the end, we could see the bench celebrating and gesturing to the players we were safe, we could have done what we liked with the ball but SWP had the ball and decided to let them have it, I'm sure that his connection with city had something to do with it . I for one was glad I wanted City to win the Title and stuff Utd,

Agreed. In those days, City were still something of an underdog. Bottom line, it led to one of the most incredible games of football I have ever watched, in terms of sheer emotion. The rollercoaster of feelings we QPR fans went through on that day was incredible. I was watching with a bunch of friends (not all Rangers), and when Mackie scored our second goal, I tore my T shirt off and waved it around my head, the sense of relief was so incredible. My friends were quite amused.