Manchester City need time, not tantrums from Shinawatra

Manchester City could be on the verge of something big - if handled properly. Like many clubs in England, there's a multi-millionaire in charge of a club which he wants to see succeed; in City's case Thaksin Shinawatra.

After a flying start to the season the omens were good for City. For Sven-Goran Eriksson it may have been better to have engaged in a slightly slower and mediocre beginning at the City of Manchester Stadium. Expectations, especially after the derby win over Manchester United, shot through the roof.

But expectation can be very dangerous in modern football. Just ask Newcastle United fans and their numerous ex-managers, Indeed, there are now so many "sleeping giants" in English football that it is really getting out of control.

So long as there are multi-millionaires to breed hope and potential glory, who cares? The main problem when these guys first arrive at their chosen club is that word again - expectation. These people are businessmen, not football fans. The majority anyway.

Last season Manchester City finished in 14th place in the Premier League, having lost 18 games and ended up only two points above the relatively safe 40-point mark.

With three games remaining this season, they are sitting in eighth spot with a faint glimmer of a crack at the UEFA Cup next season. To the normal fan with a little common sense that is progress. Good progress.

Unfortunately, due to the whirlwind start and immediate high expectations, the mid-season slump was met with an unfair reaction by everyone, including fans and Shinawatra. The only person to keep his cool while all around were getting hot under the collar was Eriksson.

The Swede is a good manager with a very impressive record at all levels. It was a real coup for City to get him. What his relationship with Shinawatra is like we don’t know.

City are currently being linked with Ronaldinho at Barcelona and the player with the shortest name in professional football right now, CSKA Moscow’s Brazilian striker Jo. However unlikely these moves may turn out to be, these are the calibre of player with whom City will inevitably be linked.

Eriksson and Shinawatra are supposed to be meeting for talks this weekend following rumours that the former Thai Prime Minister is unhappy with City’s performance over the second half of the season.

City dipped in form but herein lies the problem. Shinawatra hasn’t a clue about football, or Manchester City. But he is the man with the money and he wants results. It’s happening all over the place. It’s not healthy and it’s not good for the game.

God help Eriksson if he doesn’t deliver at least a trophy and the prospect of Champions League football next season. That’s if he’s still in the job. City have been doing nothing for quite some time and this is a fantastic chance for them to challenge the big boys.

The fans have got to be realistic and realise that Eriksson is doing a fine job and next season they can perhaps expect further progress; but these things take time. I suppose if there is one man who can explain the right way to go about this to Shinawatra it’s Eriksson.

England made a mistake in getting rid of Sven and City do not want to do the same. The fans have been patient because they can see what the manager is trying to do. A place in the top six next season would be viewed by everyone as successful. Everyone, that is, except maybe Shinawatra.