I know what you mean. Away from home I think they're important, we don't have the fear factor you have. Consequently every game is a battle, teams rarely roll over for us. But playing all 3 leaves us very open to narrowly losing games like Sunderland.
Mancini will probably sacrifice the wingers, have two up top and have the width coming from the full backs. Don't know whether it'll work because you struggled with that system iirc? Then again Silva would be perfect for the top of the diamond.