Roberto Mancini praises Carlos Tevez and Shay Given (original) (raw)

Roberto Mancini, a fortnight into his reign as Manchester City manager, has singled out Carlos Tevez for special acclaim and described Shay Given as being among the world's five best goalkeepers.

Tevez scored eight times in seven games during December to bring his total to 12 since moving from Manchester United in the summer, while Given has not conceded a goal in Mancini's first two games since replacing Mark Hughes.

"I do not like to pick out individuals because we have been collectively very good in the two games we have won against Stoke and Wolves but Carlos Tevez has been outstanding," he said. "He is a world-class striker who has shown that he is in top form. He is playing with a smile on his face and eight goals in the month of December is just an incredible effort. Confidence is a great thing with players and especially when it comes to goalscoring.

"Carlos is not just putting the ball in the net, though. His team ethic is fantastic and he has a good understanding with the players around him. His movement and pace worries defenders and he is clever, too. He has scored 12 times already for City since he came to the club and that is an impressive ratio. But like I said, I have been impressed with everyone from Shay Given, who is one of the best five goalkeepers in the world, rightthe way through the side. They have shown a great appetite for their work and pride in their performance."

Mancini, who won the Coppa Italia with Lazio, Fiorentina and Internazionale, takes his team to Middlesbrough in the FA Cup tomorrow admitting he has been taken aback by the demands of the English game.

"In Italy it's impossible to think you could play two games in three days like you do here but England is England," he said. "I have been really pleased with the way the players have responded. We have worked hard on concentration and organisation and we will need both of those things against Middlesbrough. It has been a busy period and getting enough rest and recuperation into players has been vital. We have many injuries and some of the players may have to play when they could do with a rest."

Middlesbrough's manager, Gordon Strachan, goes into the tie without Dave Kitson who has returned to Stoke, and the midfielder Isaiah Osbourne, ineligible under the conditions of his loan from Aston Villa. In addition, the striker Leroy Lita is suspended and Jérémie Aliadière, David Wheater and Emanuel Pogatetz are doubts. However, Marcus Bent yesterday returned to the Riverside on loan from Birmingham for another 16 daysto ease the manager'sStrachan's .