Nice stats mate. However in the two most important games he played against Lyon and Arsenal we shipped 5 goals. I didn’t think he played great in either albeit he was not alone.
And lost the only two that mattered.
City's defence last season was inept. We managed to get 80 plus points because our offensive game and ability to keep the ball was so good, but you can't win much in the game when you are liable to concede a goal to the first serious counter-attackWe conceded 3 goals in the 11 games Laporte played after coming back with 9 clean sheets.
So if that's him not "being the same" I don't care.
For me, a sprint start is absolutely crucial. Almost as important as further signings. It will set the mentality for the season. We were out of it before Xmas last year, psychologically if not mathematically.If no more players come in at the End of the day we still have a group of players who on their day can win this league. Liverpool aside this league aren’t great and with no fans in anfield I can’t see them getting as many points as last few seasons, chelsea have to many no signings to muster a serious challenge.
It’s a two horse race and our games versus the dippers will be crucial
We were well off the pace last season. The main job of this Summer transfer window was to strengthen the defence.Why were they the most important?
Why was Lyon more important than Real? If we'd lost vs. Real you never get to Lyon. And if we'd beaten Lyon, you'd have written that off as a meaningless game and complained we lost to Bayern.
Sounds like you only count losses as the most important games, in which case you'll never be satisfied with any defence.
They're already getting the 'luck'. Their opener against Leeds. Never a pen. Got past VAR.For me, a sprint start is absolutely crucial. Almost as important as further signings. It will set the mentality for the season. We were out of it before Xmas last year, psychologically if not mathematically.
The dippers surely can’t enjoy as much luck this time. Some teams will have worked them out. Get out of the traps fast, remember how to press, Bernardo regains his mojo and we set the stage for Ake/Torres/A N Other to settle quickly. Then there‘s everything to look forward to.
Which we have/are doing.We were well off the pace last season. The main job of this Summer transfer window was to strengthen the defence.
so the next manager doesnt want to play the sysytem Pep does, Pep buys more midfielders to play his false 9 more, next manager wants a bigger mobile centre forward and wants to spunk money on say Kane, we have just wasted millions on players which maybe surplus to requirements and cant get rid of, sort of ties the next guys hands.I don't get the theory that it's Peps last year so let's withhold some funds for the next manager. Surely the next manager will want the best squad possible already in place.
By signing one defender?Which we have/are doing.
We were well off the pace last season. The main job of this Summer transfer window was to strengthen the defence.
Signed one, signing another, one back from long injury.So no not by signing 1.By signing one defender?
Understood. On the other hand, look what (nearly) happened when somebody took them on. They’ll continue to get a slice of “luck” but surely not the almost freakish level of last year? I fcukin hope not anyway.They're already getting the 'luck'. Their opener against Leeds. Never a pen. Got past VAR.
Excellent - who is the other one we are signing?Signed one, signing another, one back from long injury.So no not by signing 1.
Don't know yet, why would I ?Excellent - who is the other one we are signing?
Because you're guessing?Don't know yet, why would I ?
No,I'm looking at the news, I listened to the chaiman say there would be more signings. What are you basing the assumption there won't be another defender on ?Because you're guessing?
Taxi for Gundo....It's complicated to buy when you've got the talent we already have. Just my opinion, but in a lot of positions we have so many high quality players, that I imagine it is hard to add more without selling.
Was talking to someone yesterday about the 9 position as an example. We need someone who is prepared to sit on the bench when Kun is fit, not demand to play every game, but also be better than Jesus and be even more consistent than Jesus in his goal scoring. It's just not that simple.
My worry with Auoar is simply that I don't want anyone signed in CM until it's established what Phil's role will be. For me he's an 8, and adding Torres means we will need him less in the front 3. If we're going to play Phil/KDB a lot, then we don't need another midfielder unless we're selling one IMO.
Ake covers Laporte but he might struggle on the right of Laporte. Laporte does not play right sided central defence so why assume Ake will?
The defence was a massive problem last season. We didn't concede many goals in the league because we monopolised the ball but we were so weak in midfield off the ball and one to one at the back that 3-4 counter-attacks were enough to turn a game, and it happened continually throughout the season.
The season kicks-off for City on the Monday and we could have done a lot more in the transfer market.
Facts not wishful thinking and faith.No,I'm looking at the news, I listened to the chaiman say there would be more signings. What are you basing the assumption there won't be another defender on ?