Are we witnessing the break up of the old guard ?

[TheThirdDeano]

One of the key abilities of a true leader is that they can make the decisions others can't, be it for sentimental reasons or a myriad of other ones,
Pep is a one of these men, we can sit there and say 'I wouldn't sell him' but that's why none of us are where he is today.
I see some of other people on here saying he's only made the easy decisions so far, but when he makes the tough choices like dropping Sergio and Kompany for whatever reason he may have people call him out and tell him he's wrong.


To be completely honest I love Sergio, completely and utterly, but I love city more. And if, in the long run, he become detrimental to the club then he should leave, be that now or in 2 years or so. But that doesn't mean that I'm ungrateful for what's he's done for us, nor will I ever forget it. The fact of the matter is that time waits for no man and if we are held ransom to sentiment then we will fall behind.

Besides we can always invite him back to do whatever he wants once he retire

 

[FantasyIreland]

We've got the best manager in the world who has been employed to give us a much needed shake up and take us to that next level.
He'll do whatever that takes to achieve such,and he does so with my blessing.

 

[SWP's back]

All a bit cold and callous for my tastes, you don't give up your life supporting a club without making a few players your favourites over time and be a little upset when the time comes for them to leave but is there a need for such a heartless response as yours ?

I don't think there is, it serves no purpose and says a lot more about you I guess.

I totally agree with @malg

 

[SWP's back]

That's the difference maybe. I have not given up my life supporting a club. I support a football team. Happy when we win, not happy when we lose. Like some players more than others, don't for one second 'love' any of them. Never, ever lose sleep when they move on. It's football, and for me it isn't even close to the top of things that are important to me.

Maybe it's different for you. If it is, then crack on and be upset.

You see on this I'm slightly different. Our results dictate my mood for days. And I plan ahead not using a calendar but our fixture list.

But, and this may be because I'm mates with a couple of footballers, whilst I like certain players, I am enough of a realist to know that it is simply a job/career for 90% of players and the emotional attachment between fans and players is very much a one way street whatever they say in public.

If losing any player strengthens the team then I'll not lose a wink of sleep over it.

 

[sir baconface]

You see on this I'm slightly different. Our results dictate my mood for days. And I plan ahead not using a calendar but our fixture list.

But, and this may be because I'm mates with a couple of footballers, whilst I like certain players, I am enough of a realist to know that it is simply a job/career for 90% of players and the emotional attachment between fans and players is very much a one way street whatever they say in public.

If losing any player strengthens the team then I'll not lose a wink of sleep over it.

I suspect you are right. Most of the angst will be one-sided although, as you say, there are exceptions.

Much as we hate the mercenary tag - because it's been used against City more than others - it has more than a ring of truth in today's money-obsessed game.

 

[SWP's back]

I suspect you are right. Most of the angst will be one-sided although, as you say, there are exceptions.

Much as we hate the mercenary tag - because it's been used against City more than others - it has more than a ring of truth in today's money-obsessed game.

There are certainly exceptions, Richards is still a fan. Not sure what I make of Vincent though. I'd love to think he was, but given his stance in the death throws of Mancini's reign, he either cares a little less than I'd hope, or he knew he had enough influence to get his way (with a couple of others).

I just hope he plays today and remains injury free. Or Wednesday at the very least.

 

[burning blue soul]

I suspect you are right. Most of the angst will be one-sided although, as you say, there are exceptions.

Much as we hate the mercenary tag - because it's been used against City more than others - it has more than a ring of truth in today's money-obsessed game.

The players love city exactly the same amount as you love you own place of work. It's that simple.
We want to believe there is a connection, and with some there is, but the nature of the job means getting attached to a club can be upsetting when you are eventually moved on (e.g Joe hart).
I don't blame players in the slightest to play up to the fans and kissing badges, it is after all, an entertainment business they are in.
If they make me and the fans in general happy they have done their job.
Players who take the applause and the wealth and then bad mouth the club are rightly vilified by the fans (you know who you are Danny "fucking mills" mills)

 

[Millwallawayveteran1988]

Kolarov is that rare species that will somehow survive the nuclear winter, should it be our unfortunate fate.

The footballing equivalent of a cockroach!

 

[Kinkladze 1]

Yes we are. But players get older, slower and more injury prone so they are less use to us. Mo time for sentiment. I couldn't give a flying fuck who pep shows the door to. He knows what he's doing.

 

[cibaman]

You see on this I'm slightly different. Our results dictate my mood for days. And I plan ahead not using a calendar but our fixture list.

But, and this may be because I'm mates with a couple of footballers, whilst I like certain players, I am enough of a realist to know that it is simply a job/career for 90% of players and the emotional attachment between fans and players is very much a one way street whatever they say in public.

If losing any player strengthens the team then I'll not lose a wink of sleep over it.

There are a few press reports today quoting from Marti Perarnau's book about Guardiola. It seems that the lack of fight and team spirit evident in the performance at Madrid in the semi final seriously alarmed the hierarchy. To the extent that Pep was given a much stronger mandate to clear out the old guard.

I would be reluctant to see Aguero leave ,only partly for sentimental reasons. I just dont think there are that many players around that are of his standard and are likrely to be available. My view is that players should be replaced sooner rather than later (as highlighted by the situtuation with Yaya). But they do need to be replaced by players of a similar standard. And I find it difficult to believe that Aguero falls into the category of a lost cause just yet.