It's Quiet thread 14 - 'do one' edition

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Underwhelming window.

Everything just feels stale. Last season and this season just feel like one big continuation of the 2015/16 season.
 
domalino said:
A proper LB would be nice, but look around the market, there's not many standout options is there?

Tagliafico? 28 years old, bit of a workhorse, not much going forward, quite a rash defender.

Aouar just turned 22, he's already putting in world class performances in the CL, he's carried Lyon domestically at times and he's just a much better player.

In 3 years time we'll probably be looking to move Tagliafico on while Aouar is one of the best midfielders on the planet.

Next summer, Gaya will probably be getting flogged by Valencia, Alaba will be a free agent, Ait-Nouri the kid they were interested in will have had 1 more year to develop, someone else might have made a name for themselves. Digne might want to leave Everton.

I think there's a reason it's been reported City were looking to fix LB next summer, it's because there's no one great out there right now.
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Not many decent left backs about other than at the top clubs.

The lad at Atalanta, Gosens would be gettable, other than those you have mentioned plus Telles at Porto linked with the rags.

Partey or Aouar would upgrade the midfield.
 
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BillyShears said:
That lad's tweet is nonsense. Especially the bit about a 'big' signing.

Even them trying to get a left back feels like something to appease someone rather than any real concerted effort. Lets be honest, Zinchenko can be left in the stands, you don't NEED to sell him to buy a left back. So if you're telling me it can only happen if Zin leaves, you're not that invested in getting one in.

Sorry, feeling very cynical today about the 'noise' and that's baring in mind that the bloke who I know in the offices who told me Friday late afternoon Dias was done, is saying today that they're trying to get a left back and the money is available.
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We obviously do care though about never “seating a player in the stands”, otherwise we wouldn’t have structured the Dias/Nico deal the way we did. It’s one out, one in, at the moment.
 
nmc said:
Seems to be some very strange politics at City. We were ‘gung ho‘ after the legal victory and seemed to have a number of targets... we then got giddy re Messi and shut up shop. Our pursuit of a CB has been erratic if all the reported targets are genuine and I can’t fathom why we are chasing a last minute left back when the need has been glaringly obvious for some time. I wonder whether Pep has indicated he wants out and if we are holding back for a different coach later in the season. City are usually very strategic and methodical in our transfer business but we have been anything but this summer... something has changed and doesn’t feel quite right. Since I read Pep didn’t even go in the dressing room after the Lyon defeat I’ve had it in my head that he’s not here for long. I might be wrong but things certainly feel different at City right now.
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I think we have to be careful from taking every transfer story/rumor as fact. City are very organised and pragmatic in their transfer dealings. Even this summer. People can say what they like about the CB pursuit, but ultimately they have gotten two top players in, and players who fit the profile of what we need.

The fact that they've haggled hard over prices is normal, they do that, and why shouldn't they double down on that in a COVID market. Regardless of what their total budget is. LB wasn't seen as a priority this window, the plan was always two CB's, a winger, and potentially a 9/false 9. They've not landed the 9 but got everything else through the door.

The question of whether it's enough or not only time can answer ...
 
Another player was offered to City by Mendes when Dias deal was discussed, no idea if it went anywhere and as he has his fingers in a number of pies and Wolves too, wouldnt wan't to guess. I am not ITK and it was something I heard yesterday. I hope we have more incomings but I have a feeling we are done.
 
supercity88 said:
Having watched Liverpool last night, and against Chelsea we are simply a million miles away from them at the moment.

Whilst we were absolutely dominant domestically for 2 seasons, Liverpool have addressed their weaknesses, enhanced their squad and looked to develop all elements of their play. For example, their defensive work on opposition throw-ins, their corner and free kick routines and their addition of Thiago, Minamino and Jota to provide more quality in the squad. Thiago in particular is a great addition for them. Their full backs are vital to their attacking, with balls into the channels or chipped/crossed into the box and they run all game. Their central midfielders are runners. Providing the support and balance but not necessarily being hugely influential in creating chances. Thiago changes that and can remove some of the burden on the full backs/front three.

Whilst we finally scored from a corner, those little details that Liverpool have gone into still escape us. We have a lot of injuries but we really need to get back to a settled 11 with players being given a chance to learn their roles and gel.

Ultimately the first half v Wolves showed how good this City side can be. We can win the title playing like that. The pressing intensity, the balance it was all there. The personnel at the back didn't matter because the front 3 pressed, De Bruyne was too and Rodri/Ferny mopped anything else up. It was only through a lack of fitness that we fell away in the second half.

If we can get some more pace and energy in the middle, and if that player also has the qualities to pass and create then putting them in with Rodri and De Bruyne we'll instantly be title challengers again, regardless of the perceived issues at LB and up front. Aouar is the man we should be buying.

Ederson
Walker
Dias
Laporte
Mendy
Rodri
Aouar
De Bruyne
Foden
Sterling
Jesus

That's a team you can look to cement over a three-four year period and that could dominate again. Ake, Gundogan, Fernandinho, Doyle, Aguero, Torres, Mahrez, Cancelo, Bernardo all able to push for starting places or squad roles within that shape.

I don't get how no one at City has seen how desperate we are for energy in the middle of the park.
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Excellent post, I got excited by that 1st half performance against Wolves, full of energy, intensity and pressing. If we can maintain those high octane levels and unfortunately I don't think we can we with the current midfield options, then we can put in a title challenge
 
BillyShears said:
I think we have to be careful from taking every transfer story/rumor as fact. City are very organised and pragmatic in their transfer dealings. Even this summer. People can say what they like about the CB pursuit, but ultimately they have gotten two top players in, and players who fit the profile of what we need.

The fact that they've haggled hard over prices is normal, they do that, and why shouldn't they double down on that in a COVID market. Regardless of what their total budget is. LB wasn't seen as a priority this window, the plan was always two CB's, a winger, and potentially a 9/false 9. They've not landed the 9 but got everything else through the door.

The question of whether it's enough or not only time can answer ...
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When Liverpool do it with the left backs it is a show of strength
When we do it it’s just another thing to criticise
 
Rammy Blue said:
We obviously do care though about never “seating a player in the stands”, otherwise we wouldn’t have structured the Dias/Nico deal the way we did. It’s one out, one in, at the moment.
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It's not true that they were only interested in buying from a club who would take Otamendi. I've seen that written but it's not what I've been told.
 
BillyShears said:
I think we have to be careful from taking every transfer story/rumor as fact. City are very organised and pragmatic in their transfer dealings. Even this summer. People can say what they like about the CB pursuit, but ultimately they have gotten two top players in, and players who fit the profile of what we need.

The fact that they've haggled hard over prices is normal, they do that, and why shouldn't they double down on that in a COVID market. Regardless of what their total budget is. LB wasn't seen as a priority this window, the plan was always two CB's, a winger, and potentially a 9/false 9. They've not landed the 9 but got everything else through the door.

The question of whether it's enough or not only time can answer ...
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No point in me harping on about the LB position,but being as it's still fresh,I may as well,prorities change in football,and a month or so ago Mendy must have come across as the answer,that all was well on that front,when clearly it isn't,and while the window is still open,there's a chance of a replacement surely.

Same for the CB which looks sorted,well until Jan,but another striker and a midfielder is what thousands of us seen as needed after last season,but not looking like much movement in those areas neither,but still 6 days or so I suppose.

We live in hope,and being City fans we are used to that,but I don't want the ride we are on to come hurtling off the tracks,a slow stop would be more beneficial if we are to fade away for a while
 
domalino said:
The comment said Aguero and others could push for a starting place. So don't ask stupid fucking questions you already know the answer too.

And lets not fuck about pretending it's a guarantee that the 33 year old who's been out for 6 months from a 2 month injury is going to come back the same and be an automatic first choice.
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It wasn't even your post but still put your two penneth in,stop being stupid.

Pretending ? I'm not pretending about having the clubs leading goalscorer back in,just like when he's come back from injuries before.

The poster was also talking about 3 or 4 year term with the 11 picked,well forget Walker and your mate Sterling,they'll be finished (Walker) and gone to pastures new (Sterling) by then.

Aguero,hahaha push for a starting place,you are the most stupidest poster on here you mate,and people are wising up to that fact.

So go on with your insults,get the old diary out about my Daley / Sterling quote you always bring up when losing a debate.

You are a band wagon merchant pal,not a clue on what it is like to be a City fan.
 
meeesh said:
No point in me harping on about the LB position,but being as it's still fresh,I may as well,prorities change in football,and a month or so ago Mendy must have come across as the answer,that all was well on that front,when clearly it isn't,and while the window is still open,there's a chance of a replacement surely.

Same for the CB which looks sorted,well until Jan,but another striker and a midfielder is what thousands of us seen as needed after last season,but not looking like much movement in those areas neither,but still 6 days or so I suppose.

We live in hope,and being City fans we are used to that,but I don't want the ride we are on to come hurtling off the tracks,a slow stop would be more beneficial if we are to fade away for a while
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With respect to the Mendy conversation, I think that it's very easy to sit on the outside and say "well I don't rate him and I think he's shit so we need a replacement surely". But to the people who work with Mendy everyday they still want to give him a chance. So it's not as black and white as you're making out. The 'issue' if you can call it that, is that currently there's no one to rotate Mendy with and when he's not fit we don't have a natural left back who can step in. We could do with that as an option, but I'm fairly convinced that we'll see Ake there whenever Mendy isn't fit.

I see people keep listing positions we should be buying in, but nobody is taking into account how squad numbers, and that the players who people want to discard are proven internationals on massive wages. It doesn't work like that. Clubs rarely just keep adding players without any regard for what they already have. City made it crystal clear at the start of the window there would be no midfielders brought in. They have KDB, Rodri, Ferna, Foden, Bernardo, Gundo. Six players for three positions and they're happy with those options regardless of how sexy that lad at Lyon looks right now.
 
BillyShears said:
With respect to the Mendy conversation, I think that it's very easy to sit on the outside and say "well I don't rate him and I think he's shit so we need a replacement surely". But to the people who work with Mendy everyday they still want to give him a chance. So it's not as black and white as you're making out. The 'issue' if you can call it that, is that currently there's no one to rotate Mendy with and when he's not fit we don't have a natural left back who can step in. We could do with that as an option, but I'm fairly convinced that we'll see Ake there whenever Mendy isn't fit.

I see people keep listing positions we should be buying in, but nobody is taking into account how squad numbers, and that the players who people want to discard are proven internationals on massive wages. It doesn't work like that. Clubs rarely just keep adding players without any regard for what they already have. City made it crystal clear at the start of the window there would be no midfielders brought in. They have KDB, Rodri, Ferna, Foden, Bernardo, Gundo. Six players for three positions and they're happy with those options regardless of how sexy that lad at Lyon looks right now.
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I guess we like not winning the title then.
 
I think a new LB is seriously need if we are to challenge. Teams are learning now that if you target our left side with pace you can get in behind our defence and cause us a majority of problems, Leicester did it , Wolves did it and shouldve scored more even though we won. We seriously need to bring one in and yes Ake can play there but hes not a out right LB. its just putting a square peg in a round hole again another utility player. if we are to regain the title we need an out right LB
 
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