Ireland on Mancini's influence

A nice piece in The Telegraph with Stephen Ireland talking about the effect Roberto Mancini has made in the short space of time he has been at the club:

"You just have to respect the decision and adjust to the new manager's ideas and get used to his ways. If you want to be part of things here, and be part of where we are going, then you just have to get on with things.

"I have already played under loads of managers here. They have come and gone and it is a shame. It could happen to anyone in football, but you have to put it behind you as quickly as possible."

"The manager has got everyone together and he is keen for the staff to bond as quickly as possible with the players. He has also encouraged us to play football on the floor and only play it long as a last resort.

"The manager has stressed over and over since he arrived that we have to stay switched on and that concentration is vital."

Ireland has of course seen plenty of managerial changes during his time at the club, and each has largely seen a different role for him in the side. After his breakout season in 2007/08, there was a degree of regression under Mark Hughes as he was forced into a more withdrawn role in the side.

Early signs of Roberto Mancini though suggest a preference for a more controlled, possession based style of play, more akin to how Sven-Goran Eriksson operated, something that could benefit Ireland more than most.