Crystal Palace boss Ian Holloway says Manchester City's board - not Roberto Mancini - is to blame for their demise this season.
Holloway wrote in the Sunday Mirror: "Manchester City can't say they weren't warned.
"In fact, it was Roberto Mancini who told the club's owners that, if they wanted to retain the League title, then they needed to sign Robin van Persie.
"Now, I don't know whether the Dutchman would have signed for City when he decided he wanted away from Arsenal. But it is clear that, while the Blues dithered, Sir Alex Ferguson stepped in to secure the transfer that has surely ensured the championship returns to Manchester United.
"That's why I am struggling to understand some of the criticism that is being levelled at Mancini. City might have underperformed badly when they lost 3-1 at Southampton last weekend. But the fact that United are now 12 points clear of their rivals is down to one man: RVP.
"If City's hierarchy had done what their manager had told them to do and delivered the Dutchman to strengthen a squad which had just finished top of the pile, then you can be sure that the Premier League table would look a lot different."
