Roberto Mancini: Patrick Vieira must stay fit at Manchester City

Frenchman crucial to Citizens' top-four hopes...

9 Feb 2010 09:12:00

By Zack Wilson

More On :  Manchester City, Patrick Vieira, Roberto Mancini
EPL : Patrick Vieira (Manchester City)

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini believes that keeping Patrick Vieira fit will be vital if the side are to qualify for next season's Champions League.

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The French midfielder played the last 30 minutes of City's defeat to Hull City at the weekend, helping to improve on a lacklustre first half display from Mancini's side, even though he was unable to prevent the loss.

Mancini feels that the veteran can provide a galvanising presence in City's midfield for the remainder of the season.

"I hope Patrick can stay fit for the next 15 games because if we have Patrick at 100% I think he can play very, very hard every game," the Italian said, according to Press Association Sport.

"Patrick is an important player with a good mentality. On Saturday he went on the pitch and changed the situation in the middle and I think the whole team can improve with Patrick on the pitch.

"I think this is a good squad but we have had more players injured and this is difficult.

"In midfield, we have had only three midfielders, Gareth (Barry), Nigel (de Jong) and Stephen (Ireland), and it's impossible that you can play a season with only three midfielders."

Mancini went on to admit that he had been annoyed with his side's first half display, but was confident that they would bounce back quickly.

"Yes, I was angry. This is normal. I was angry after the first half, but I told them if they had a good second half they could recover," he added.

"I watch the players every day and when they work they work well and they want to arrive at our targets.

"On this I'm very confident. I think that Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Arsenal are five teams playing for two places and we have a good chance.

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