It's Quiet 18 - Wanna ring the bell?

[ninjamonkey]

Not a chance Pep plays him as a striker like Haaland, he would just revert to the false 9 which i don't think is a bad back up plan if Haaland does get an injury.

Reality is, Foden continues to play his position he did last season and only as a false 9 if really needed.

Striker, false 9, same difference for the point I was making. That being, it's not Phil Fodens natural or best position.

Moving the premier league's player of the year out of position should be an emergency contingency plan, not the go to plan as soon as Haaland is unavailable which is what it will be. It would be like moving Rodri to centre back being the plan if we had one injury at centre back, we can make it work if needs be but it shouldn't be the backup plan to have your best player, or one of, playing in a position that doesn't allow him to flourish.

Blitz teams, fast and direct. Hook Hattrick Haaland on 60 mins and pass the game out.

Hope we rarely see F9 as a perm option for 90mins

Expect this to be the plan. Which should hopefully mean no more sitting on 1 goal leads like we're 4-0 up at least. Haaland will be subbed off in literally every game we take a 2-3 goal lead and Pep see's as done. Not a chance he stays on the pitch when we are Winning 4/5 no matter how desperate he is to stay on and score more which will probably frustrate him somewhat but we will have to put him in bubble wrap at every possible moment

 

[ninjamonkey]

We definitely don’t need to put brakes on spending but who do you suggest we spend big on this summer and then next summer and who will be leaving? Pep stated many times he likes a small squad so I don’t see where all these expensive players, who will be excepting plenty of minutes, play.

I didnt say we had to spend big, merely said whatever is in the pipeline for next season or beyond won't have any impact on what we can or cannot do this summer.

I don't need to offer suggestions for my point to stand, i'm a fan on the outside, my suggestions are irrelevant. we've got the best, most extensive scouting network on the planet, I'm not having the idea they have all done their job and identified nobody that attainable.

I know Pep likes a small squad but he himself has acknowledged we were looking for a replacement. He also goes on about the ever increasing number of games we've got to play and just last night Txiki is quoted saying we need a deep squad to compete

 

[SebastianBlue]

For all those worried about reinforcements, I have it on very good authority that one of the most exciting young players in Europe will be joining the team in January.

He can play anywhere across the front three, is highly-rated by Pep, and is considered one of the biggest talents his country has produced in recent years.

Spoiler: “ I cannot disclose who it is, but I can share this music video as a vague clue.”

 

[Coatigan]

He's KFA

 

[handsofstone]

Have you got the stats to back that up ? We have more games now

GK: Ederson - Raya - Allison
GK: Orteta - ???? - Kelleher

Pretty much the same

RB: Walker - White - Arnold
RB: Rico - Tomiyasu - Ramsey
CB: Dias - Saliba - Van Dijk
CB: Akanji - Gabriel - Konate
CB: Stones - Calfiori - Quansah
CB: Ake - Timber - Gomez
LB: Gvardiol - Zinchenko - Robertson
LB: N/A - Kiwor - Tsimikas

We are a body short, but are Kiwor /Zinchenko or Tsimikas really that much better when our centre backs are so versatile?

CM: Rodri - Partey - Gravenberch
CM: De Bruyne - Rice - Szoboszlai
CM: Bernardo - Odegaard - Mac Allister
CM: Gundogan - Jorginho - Endo
CM: Nunes - Merino - Jones
Edit: Forgot Kovacic... so deffo our midfield clears

Given the uproar about how thin our midfield is, I'd argue that ours is "deeper" than the other 2

Again, our quality > than there's

AT: Foden - Saka - Salah
AT: Doku - Martinelli - Diaz
AT: Grealish - Trossard - Gakpo
AT: Savinho - Jesus - Elliot
AT: Bobb - Nelson - Nunes
AT: McAtee - N/A - Chiesa
AT: Haaland - Havertz - Jota

Again, similar depth here, maybe we lack a bit of experience and putting Bobb in is a cheat as he's injured, but he will be back and he's as talented as anyone on that list

 

[houraisen]

I fully support Pep's decision.
We do not need more bench warmers like Phillips and Nunes.

 

[johnny crossan]

For all those worried about reinforcements, I have it on very good authority that one of the most exciting young players in Europe will be joining the team in January.

He can play anywhere across the front three, is highly-rated by Pep, and is considered one of the biggest talents his country has produced in recent years.

Spoiler: “ I cannot disclose who it is, but I can share this music video as a vague clue.”

Europe you say...?

 

[Cobwebcat]

Why is it likely to be a panic buy? Because that suits your narrative? I'll support the club regardless of whether they add a second striker to the squad or not. I don't have to resign myself to anything. It's a simple matter of my believing they should have someone on the squad to back up Haaland that plays as a true 9 and you and some others thinking because we haven't done so it must be the best way to go. There's not a thing radical about my opinion on this matter. Yours on the other hand? Who in the world of football of any note is going to a false 9 system as a back-up plan to an established number 9? City have never even done that. But you know it's an iron clad plan and I'm being an alarmist, negative, or whatever other thing you want to say to discredit my opinion. C'mon Boss, what are we talking about here?

Well I’ve just listened to Pep and he repeated that Foden could play there and there wasn’t anyone he wanted available. Which is what I’ve been saying.

It’s an entirely reasonable train of thought.

I think you need to accept that Pep doesn’t agree with you and might know what he is doing.

 

[TonyM]

GK: Ederson - Raya - Allison
GK: Orteta - ???? - Kelleher

Pretty much the same

RB: Walker - White - Arnold
RB: Rico - Tomiyasu - Ramsey
CB: Dias - Saliba - Van Dijk
CB: Akanji - Gabriel - Konate
CB: Stones - Calfiori - Quansah
CB: Ake - Timber - Gomez
LB: Gvardiol - Zinchenko - Robertson
LB: N/A - Kiwor - Tsimikas

We are a body short, but are Kiwor /Zinchenko or Tsimikas really that much better when our centre backs are so versatile?

CM: Rodri - Partey - Gravenberch
CM: De Bruyne - Rice - Szoboszlai
CM: Bernardo - Odegaard - Mac Allister
CM: Gundogan - Jorginho - Endo
CM: Nunes - Merino - Jones


Given the uproar about how thin our midfield is, I'd argue that ours is "deeper" than the other 2

Again, our quality > than there's

AT: Foden - Saka - Salah
AT: Doku - Martinelli - Diaz
AT: Grealish - Trossard - Gakpo
AT: Savinho - Jesus - Elliot
AT: Bobb - Nelson - Nunes
AT: McAtee - N/A - Chiesa
AT: Haaland - Havertz - Jota

Again, similar depth here, maybe we lack a bit of experience and putting Bobb in is a cheat as he's injured, but he will be back and he's as talented as anyone on that list

Just goes to show that any of the 3 teams could win. It's mostly down to management, mental character, officiating and luck.

 

[PragueBlue]

GK: Ederson - Raya - Allison
GK: Orteta - ???? - Kelleher

Pretty much the same

RB: Walker - White - Arnold
RB: Rico - Tomiyasu - Ramsey
CB: Dias - Saliba - Van Dijk
CB: Akanji - Gabriel - Konate
CB: Stones - Calfiori - Quansah
CB: Ake - Timber - Gomez
LB: Gvardiol - Zinchenko - Robertson
LB: N/A - Kiwor - Tsimikas

We are a body short, but are Kiwor /Zinchenko or Tsimikas really that much better when our centre backs are so versatile?

CM: Rodri - Partey - Gravenberch
CM: De Bruyne - Rice - Szoboszlai
CM: Bernardo - Odegaard - Mac Allister
CM: Gundogan - Jorginho - Endo
CM: Nunes - Merino - Jones


Given the uproar about how thin our midfield is, I'd argue that ours is "deeper" than the other 2

Again, our quality > than there's

AT: Foden - Saka - Salah
AT: Doku - Martinelli - Diaz
AT: Grealish - Trossard - Gakpo
AT: Savinho - Jesus - Elliot
AT: Bobb - Nelson - Nunes
AT: McAtee - N/A - Chiesa
AT: Haaland - Havertz - Jota

Again, similar depth here, maybe we lack a bit of experience and putting Bobb in is a cheat as he's injured, but he will be back and he's as talented as anyone on that list

Kovacic seems to be missing.

 

[handsofstone]

Kovacic seems to be missing.

Thanks for the spot

Makes my point even more relevant

 

[PragueBlue]

Just goes to show that any of the 3 teams could win. It's mostly down to management, mental character, officiating and luck.

I wouldn't swap our squad for either of the others though as I believe we are stronger/better overall (even with Kovacic missing from that list).

 

[handsofstone]

Just goes to show that any of the 3 teams could win. It's mostly down to management, mental character, officiating and luck.

Which is the point

The narrative that our squad depth is so much weaker than our rivals is just not true

I back our quality and Pep to overcome the odd 1 or 2 players "advantage" they have over us

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

Well I’ve just listened to Pep and he repeated that Foden could play there and there wasn’t anyone he wanted available. Which is what I’ve been saying.

It’s an entirely reasonable train of thought.

I think you need to accept that Pep doesn’t agree with you and might know what he is doing.

We could always get Michel Vonk back in on a free if we need an emergency striker.

 

[Cobwebcat]

We could always get Michel Vonk back in on a free if we need an emergency striker.

Ooooo Vonky Vonky Ooooo Curley Wurley!

 

[simon23]

i think the only concerns about our squad is age and cover

Our midfielders are getting on - Bernardo, KDB Kova Gundo...all either 30 or older (Rodri is 28 I think) - this just leads to the possibility of more injuries (especially KDB) but the quality is definitely there.

The other issue is cover:
1. Rodri - Pep I think will use Bernadro and Kova as a double pivot to cover for Rodri when he doesnt play...good enough for a lot of games but its if Rodri is out for crucial big matches that is the issue.

2. Haaland - Bobb back in December which adds another attacker and everyone thinks we will play false 9 (which is probably true) - Foden, Bobb even Gundo could play that role... Will other teams be more wise to a false 9 however this time.....doesnt mean it still wont work however.

We do have a couple of players who are potential sick notes as well which will only add pressure onto a smaller squad....Stones and Ake being the two major ones..... and both are crucial players as Stones is the other player who can fill in for Rodri

 

[Stoned Rose]

I've a similar view. I have him in my fantasy team not because he's a brilliant player but he fits that role at Arsenal and I see him playing there every week until they can find a striker who will score enough or do more for the team and that's easier said than done.

Not a great reason to bloat our squad though. We have great options, mostly young players all competing for our wide attacking positions. I'd rather any of our current options than Raz. I loved him as a city player but we've moved on. + He was shit at Chelsea last season

Not sure you know what bloat means.

 

[Gabriel]

i think the only concerns about our squad is age and cover

Our midfielders are getting on - Bernardo, KDB Kova Gundo...all either 30 or older (Rodri is 28 I think) - this just leads to the possibility of more injuries (especially KDB) but the quality is definitely there.

The other issue is cover:
1. Rodri - Pep I think will use Bernadro and Kova as a double pivot to cover for Rodri when he doesnt play...good enough for a lot of games but its if Rodri is out for crucial big matches that is the issue.

2. Haaland - Bobb back in December which adds another attacker and everyone thinks we will play false 9 (which is probably true) - Foden, Bobb even Gundo could play that role... Will other teams be more wise to a false 9 however this time.....doesnt mean it still wont work however.

We do have a couple of players who are potential sick notes as well which will only add pressure onto a smaller squad....Stones and Ake being the two major ones..... and both are crucial players as Stones is the other player who can fill in for Rodri

I think that’s where Lewis, McAtee, Bobb, Echeverri, and even Nunes will come into play. I expect them to appear even in games where one might not expect them (cf. Crystal Palace away last season), as apart from being talented in their own right, they will be tasked with doing some of the leg work that keeps the senior players fresher for longer.

 

[Stoned Rose]

For all those worried about reinforcements, I have it on very good authority that one of the most exciting young players in Europe will be joining the team in January.

He can play anywhere across the front three, is highly-rated by Pep, and is considered one of the biggest talents his country has produced in recent years.

Spoiler: “ I cannot disclose who it is, but I can share this music video as a vague clue.”

There’ll be a few who won’t get this.

 

[Dialog]

For all those worried about reinforcements, I have it on very good authority that one of the most exciting young players in Europe will be joining the team in January.

He can play anywhere across the front three, is highly-rated by Pep, and is considered one of the biggest talents his country has produced in recent years.

Spoiler: “ I cannot disclose who it is, but I can share this music video as a vague clue.”

I hope he heals well and comes back with the same football ability before the injury. I am so worried that injury could have set him back significantly.