Mancini's men feeling the strain

SOCCER:ROBERTO MANCINI has criticised the football authorities in England, accusing them of treating players like "machines" as he contemplates a Manchester City fixture pile-up that could conceivably see his team play five games in the space of 11 days.

Mancini, preparing to face his predecessor Mark Hughes when City host Fulham tomorrow, is concerned his team’s hectic schedule could undermine their chances of qualifying for the Champions League or winning their first trophy in 35 years.

They play Aston Villa in the FA Cup fifth round on Wednesday and if that game goes to a replay the FA has designated the following Monday, two days after City are at home to Wigan and three days before a Europa League last-16 trip to Dynamo Kyiv.

The problem is exacerbated by a lengthening injury list, with seven players undergoing treatment, leaving Mancini short of numbers after trimming his squad in the transfer window.

“Every two or three days we play and it’s impossible,” he said. “In my life I have never seen this. We arrive in March and we could be playing every two days. Seriously, I have never known this in my career. It is not just us who have difficult fixture lists, of course, but it’s impossible. Something must be changed and we must start to respect the footballers.

“Every time England reach the World Cup or European Championship there is a big problem because all the players are tired. We are not machines, we are humans. If we draw against Aston Villa then we have a really big problem.”

Mancini, however, has no plans to bring in reserves for the Villa tie. “I will not play a weak side in the FA Cup. We want to win it. We left out some players in the Carling Cup and if we had not done that [losing at West Bromwich Albion] we would probably be in the final this weekend.”

Mancini said he had no plans to bring in another goalkeeper now Shay Given has been ruled out for three months. “No, we will just hope Joe Hart stays fit,” he said.