"Ageing city running out of time"

[sir baconface]

Unfortunately it's Neville sh*t stirring as per usual and a certain section of our support lap-up the analysis from a player who has red in his heart. Why that fact doesnt make anything he says or writes with an element of suspicion I don't know.

He's a clever c*nt I'll give him but that doesn't change the fact he's a red and chief mischief maker. He hates blues and a leopard doesn't change it's spots.

You have an unfortunate habit of questioning the wherewithal of others that do not share your view on a particular subject, not just this one. You seem incapable of accepting how others have come to a different conclusion.

It smacks of hubris, a total lack of objectivity and a pathological absence of empathy.

Rather than hate everything to do with united, perhaps some supporters, who you doubtless consider to be a lesser-form of City fan, are prepared to be fair to someone who, to them, always attempts to comment on our club in an objective way. I disliked him as a player, but believe that as a pundit he's always very fair. That makes me think that he's alright as a person. You may not agree with my opinion on that, but don't assume, as you clearly do, that because of that you're somehow more savvy as to the ways of the world than me, or others who agree with me.

Based on what you have posted it would not matter what Neville said or did, you would treat it with suspicion. So rather than be based on logic or evidence, your view on him is utterly implacable, which is not the sign of a reasoned mind. It is similar to the thought process that creationists indulge in. No evidence will change their mind on the matter because of what it says in a book written thousands of years ago. That is not a healthy way to view the world.

Rather than take snipes at the capacity of other blues to evaluate someone's character, perhaps you should first look at your own ability in that regard.

This, with bells on

Bells and whistles.

 

[Petetheblu]

I'm not to sure why a bunch of usually intelligent guys fall for pieces like this?

What's next for Gary? Perhaps a piece about how spurs need a bigger ground to help the bank balance or Cardiff's owners needs to find some stability?

So City make NO secret about buying up the best young talent around the world for the last 3 season and now Gary magically decides to talk about an ageing City side. Thank god for good old Gaz, otherwise we'd be in the shit!! Or perhaps we're onto it and dealing with it, way before the new Messiah for some has spoken the obvious.

Why do you lot wank over shit like? See it for what it is, a very obvious story written by someone who spends his time looking through current clubs issues.

It's not hard. *tut....I'm disapointed with some of you lot...

Can you expand on this bit please?

Yes, Id love to see that. If by getting Demichelis, Lampard, Sagna, Fernandinho, Negredo is buying young talent, then it seems im massively misinformed.

We missed out on Isco, Hazard, James, Varane, Sanchez... the list goes on. Yes Mangala, Zuculini and Jovetic are young, but unproven. And if you mean by the best young 14-16 year olds then i think this argument should just end here because you're obviously clueless if you think that means anything.

fuckin hell!!.. The rudeness on this forum has gone up ten fold....clueless??

Please expand as I was talking about our kids and not talking about the first squad.
Why would we spend so much on a academy and young players.....and I'm clueless? Hahaha

Being polite cost nothing.

 

[Mr. Aguia]

If the article was that this group of players has a limited time to win the UCl then I'd be fine with that. But it's not like we can't or won't bring in new players to replace them. FFP doesn't force you to keep playing Yaya when he's 52 years old. We have the 5th largest income generated, we'll be fine.

 

[Blueknows]

Average age of todays squad 27.7 most been together for a while now ,won 2 titles together , and our world class striker is only 26

 

[The Fat el Hombre]

Said this in another thread. He's kind of right - if we weren't to sign any other player at all for 6 years. Otherwise, Vinnie, Hart, Zaba, Silva, Fern x2, Navas, Milner, Nasri, Clichy, Kolarov, Jovetic - the whole fucking team bar Yaya and MDM have got five years left in them. If we were to sign 28+-30 year old players from now then we'd have a problem but just throwing Mangala in there today showed how quick you can freshen it up. Let's see how the squad is looking in two years, I'm pretty sure the transfer strategy now will not be like last year where we signed later 20's players (Negredo, Fern, Navas) and that we'll start to look a bit younger now the squad is practically complete and we're stood at the top of the fucking table as champions. Don't sweat it. MCFCOK

 

[Maldeika]

Average age of todays squad 27.7 most been together for a while now ,won 2 titles together , and our world class striker is only 26

Yes, but he seems to be the youngest established player in your squad.

Neville is right about the age structure of your team. The players between 18 and 25 with world class attributes who will have their peak in the future are missing. Does not mean that your team cannot win things the next seasons as the recent years showed that apart from Barca and Bayern aging teams like Inter or Chelsea won the CL.

And yes, it needs teams to grow together - maybe even have big losses together (so I do not think that your team had that by now as they were loosing in earlier stages) - before they make the win.

But - even if you have a youth department of probably very good players - a team for a long run needs a good age structure. And a top club should be able to build in one or two younger players each season - and not just in the first rounds of the cup matches. If the young ones do not get a chance they will never get far.

 

[The Fat el Hombre]

Fancy that! We're well aware the current squad is at it's peak so we're buying younger players next summer

Ross Barkley is a target for Manchester City next summer with the champions valuing the midfielder at around £30m and viewing him as among a select few English homegrown players who could slot instantly into their team. City also hope Joe Hart and James Milner will sign the new deals they have been offered.

City were interested in buying Barkley in the close season but would not countenance paying Everton’s asking price of £50m. There is a recognition many of Manuel Pellegrini’s squad are at their peak so the need to start building for the future is pressing.

To do so, City require players who are either already established players of the quality of Yaya Touré, David Silva, Sergio Agüero, Vincent Kompany, Hart, Samir Nasri and Edin Dzeko, or have the potential to be so, as with Eliaquim Mangala, who is 23 and cost £32m during the summer.

With the Premier League and Uefa demanding clubs should have eight homegrown footballers in their squads for their respective competitions, City have found it a challenge to find English players of the requisite quality. In recent seasons Adam Johnson, Jack Rodwell and Scott Sinclair were all bought to fill the berths, while Micah Richards was at the club from a young age. All have left City apart from Sinclair who remains on the fringes of the first team.

Although the signings of Johnson, Rodwell and Sinclair are viewed as errors of judgment – Richards has also disappointed and is on loan at Fiorentina – there is a belief that Barkley is a far better player who can one day replace the 31-year-old Touré, 11 years Barkley’s senior.

Before firming up their interest in Barkley during the summer, City did detailed background checks on the England international and were encouraged by the results. The club’s information showed Barkley is intent on a successful career and has a winning mentality.

When Pellegrini informed the City hierarchy Barkley was good enough to help the club to win more Premier League titles and to claim a first European Cup, inquiries were made at Everton. Though City valued Barkley at £20m, they were prepared to pay a premium of over £30m to secure his signing but Bill Kenwright, the Everton chairman, quoted a price of £50m for the midfielder, and City decided to put their interest on hold.

However, despite Everton’s valuation it is believed they will sell next summer with the price thought to be negotiable. Barkley, who is sidelined because of a knee injury, signed a four-year contract worth around £60,000 a-week in July, a deal he was offered by the club as they sought to strengthen their bargaining position.

While City believe that there is a paucity of English talent, they believe within three years – and possibly even two – their academy will yield such players. There is even confidence at the club they have an 11-year-old on the books who can be better than Lionel Messi.

The development of their own players is viewed as a long-term plan that should offer a continual supply to the first team. The club’s Etihad Campus training complex, which is situated across the road from the stadium, is due to be opened next month.

After a number of Pellegrini’s players signed fresh deals, the club have started discussions with Hart and Milner over contracts. Hart, 27, is in the final two years of his deal. Milner, who was among City’s standout performers in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium, has less than 12 months remaining.

 

[stony]

Fancy that! We're well aware the current squad is at it's peak so we're buying younger players next summer

Ross Barkley is a target for Manchester City next summer with the champions valuing the midfielder at around £30m and viewing him as among a select few English homegrown players who could slot instantly into their team. City also hope Joe Hart and James Milner will sign the new deals they have been offered.

City were interested in buying Barkley in the close season but would not countenance paying Everton’s asking price of £50m. There is a recognition many of Manuel Pellegrini’s squad are at their peak so the need to start building for the future is pressing.

To do so, City require players who are either already established players of the quality of Yaya Touré, David Silva, Sergio Agüero, Vincent Kompany, Hart, Samir Nasri and Edin Dzeko, or have the potential to be so, as with Eliaquim Mangala, who is 23 and cost £32m during the summer.

With the Premier League and Uefa demanding clubs should have eight homegrown footballers in their squads for their respective competitions, City have found it a challenge to find English players of the requisite quality. In recent seasons Adam Johnson, Jack Rodwell and Scott Sinclair were all bought to fill the berths, while Micah Richards was at the club from a young age. All have left City apart from Sinclair who remains on the fringes of the first team.

Although the signings of Johnson, Rodwell and Sinclair are viewed as errors of judgment – Richards has also disappointed and is on loan at Fiorentina – there is a belief that Barkley is a far better player who can one day replace the 31-year-old Touré, 11 years Barkley’s senior.

Before firming up their interest in Barkley during the summer, City did detailed background checks on the England international and were encouraged by the results. The club’s information showed Barkley is intent on a successful career and has a winning mentality.

When Pellegrini informed the City hierarchy Barkley was good enough to help the club to win more Premier League titles and to claim a first European Cup, inquiries were made at Everton. Though City valued Barkley at £20m, they were prepared to pay a premium of over £30m to secure his signing but Bill Kenwright, the Everton chairman, quoted a price of £50m for the midfielder, and City decided to put their interest on hold.

However, despite Everton’s valuation it is believed they will sell next summer with the price thought to be negotiable. Barkley, who is sidelined because of a knee injury, signed a four-year contract worth around £60,000 a-week in July, a deal he was offered by the club as they sought to strengthen their bargaining position.

While City believe that there is a paucity of English talent, they believe within three years – and possibly even two – their academy will yield such players. There is even confidence at the club they have an 11-year-old on the books who can be better than Lionel Messi.

The development of their own players is viewed as a long-term plan that should offer a continual supply to the first team. The club’s Etihad Campus training complex, which is situated across the road from the stadium, is due to be opened next month.

After a number of Pellegrini’s players signed fresh deals, the club have started discussions with Hart and Milner over contracts. Hart, 27, is in the final two years of his deal. Milner, who was among City’s standout performers in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium, has less than 12 months remaining.

 

[acton28.blog]

I believe the academy will do to football as the velodrome did to cycling in Great Britain. It'll be our medal factory.

 

[gordondaviesmoustache]

I believe the academy will do to football as the velodrome did to cycling in Great Britain. It'll be our medal factory.

Yes and I can just see the likes of Custis, Ladyman and Barclay singing our praises with gusto when we do. They'll be trying as hard as they can to out-fawn each other over our club 'doing things the right way', in stark contrast to the 'Galactacos' policy of trying to buy success at old trafford.

Or maybe not.

Fucking cockroaches.