The City boss was relieved after watching his side edge a five-goal thriller against Blackpool, but was happy to take three points despite the team not firing on all cylinders.
“We must improve, but sometimes it is good to win games even though you are not playing your best,” he said.
“We knew it would be a difficult game because Blackpool have been playing very well and play good football and they made it very hard for us today.”
City were under the cosh for much of the game until the introduction of David Silva tipped the balance the Blues’ way with the Spaniard setting up one goal and scoring the the third.
Mancini was pleased with the impact Silva made, but was happy with the contribution of Emmanuel Adebayor, the man he took off.
“Manu played very well but I needed to change something,” he said. “We didn’t play well for the first hour or so but we improved towards the end and I’m pleased we won.
We played very well at Sunderland but lost that game when we should have won, so I’m happy that we have beaten a good side without being at our best
...Roberto Mancini
“We must improve and we will, but when you only get all your players back a few days before a match, it makes preparation difficult.
“It is good that we are second but we must aim higher and always try to be the best. If the season ended now, I wouldn’t be happy because we have a very good team and great players and we must only think of being the best, not second.”
