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The rumour has now reached it's final stages, Vieira is reported to be having a medical at Eastlands and if that goes well, will sign an 18 month contract.

What does this actually say about the relationship between Mancini and the owners of Man City?

At 33, with a wealth of experience in the Premier league and the Champions League, if Patrick is hoping for a world cup call-up, the Senegalese needs exposure, and he will certainly get that with us.

What do we get? We are one injury away from trouble with Nigel de Jong, We need Vincent Kompany at centre-half, we have plenty of attacking options with Ireland Barry, SWP in midfield so from that point of view, shoring-up our defensive midfield options looks like good business.

the psychology of winning

I'm in some ways underwhelmed because Vieira doesn't represent the future, but I can see what Mancini is trying do. One of my biggest concerns about City and our 'top four credentials' is our failure to really take hold of 'bread and butter' games against mid-table and lower teams - and control them. There's already been a marked improvement since Mancini's arrival but we still need players in the middle who can win and keep the ball - retain possession - stop the opposition playing. De Jong can't do it on his own (and I still have reservations about his distribution) and so Vieira should bring some extra grit and 'iron' to our midfield - not to mention a very experienced head (I don't think we'd have lost at the swamp if Vieira had been their marshalling the troops during that last 6 minutes).

Italian managers build from the back - and while this might be a short term solution Vieira might prove to be one of the platforms from which we launch our charge at the top four this season.

Mind you - I think we still need a top class goal scorer as well... that's assuming RSC doesn't suddenly start performing miracles, or Ade actually wakes up... ~Sir Kenneth~

As far as I'm concerned, It smacks of short termism. It's as if Mancini isn't sure if he's going to be around long enough to bring in younger or better quality players. Vieira wasn't deemed good enough for the Premier League 5 years ago and can't get his place in a poor Italian League.

Perhaps this says more about the board and it's relationship with Mancini than it does about Mancini's transfer nous. ~Pilgrim~