Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini says he expects captain Carlos Tevez to get better this season after handing the Argentina star the armband in the summer (City 12/1 – Premier League Outright).
Tevez was on target at Wigan on Sunday in a 2-0 win as the Blues surged into the top four of the Premier League which is widely thought to be the minimum requirement for Mancini this season.
City’s ambitious owners – the Abu Dhabi United Group – are desperate to secure Champions League football for next season and, as Mark Hughes discovered, perceived failure is not an option.
Mancini settled on handing Tevez the captaincy after talks with the forward during the summer and he has since weighed in with three league goals for the Eastlands outfit.
However, the Italian does not feel the former Manchester United and West Ham United is anywhere near the peak of his powers yet following his exertions with Argentina at the World Cup finals in South Africa (Tevez – 7/1 Premiership Top Scorer).
On the captaincy, Mancini said: “I thought about it during the summer and I spoke to Carlos about it.
“He is an important player and he can improve as captain and we can have more of him.
“I’m very happy for him because at this moment he probably isn’t at 100% of his form.
“Maybe his goal (at Wigan) can help him and it is fantastic he got it today.”
City’s other goal came from Yaya Toure as the Blues eased past the Latics at the DW Stadium at a canter to leave the home side third from bottom on goal difference.
Meanwhile, Mancini has admitted he will reluctantly allow out-of-favour goalkeeper Shay Given to move on during the forthcoming transfer window.
The 34-year-old Republic of Ireland international has fallen behind England number one Joe Hart in the pecking order and appears resigned to the fact his first-team chances at Eastlands have come to an end.
Given will also be aware of the need to stay sharp for his country’s Euro 2012 qualification campaign as the Irish look to make their first major tournament since the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea.
For now the former Newcastle favourite is kicking his heels in the reserves although talk of a return to St James’ Park might surface after Magpies keeper Steve Harper suffered a shoulder problem against Everton.
Mancini said: “I have a lot of respect for Shay and I told him the situation before the finish of the [transfer] market.
“I told him: ‘Shay, you can choose. I hope that you stay here but I respect your decision and if you want to leave you can.’
“He decided to stay here and until January he must stay here.
“I understand his frustration but I need that Shay stays here and puts in 100%. In January if he decides to leave I respect his decision.”
Harper is set to miss weeks if not months with ligament damage which is a cruel blow for a player who has been forced to wait until his 35th year for a crack at the Premier League on a weekly basis.
The Easington-born keeper has made just 138 appearances for Newcastle since 1993 having acted as back-up to Pavel Srnicek, Shaka Hislop and Given over the years (Magpies 11/2 – Relegation).
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