It’s Quiet 20 - What is the Wirtz that could happen?

[bell_mcfc]

Oh I know the reasons for getting the defenders in. That's not my point - it's that Pep may just say he thinks he can make do rather than wanting to bring in 4 faces to the first team squad mid-season. Particularly if there's any issues with getting a midfielder he truly wants.

True we don’t want another Nunes situation. That’s not a knock on him but he was essentially 4th choice. But it’s glaringly obvious we need someone and we have openly looked to sort the other issues out so I have full confidence we will sign a midfielder

 

[Semper aggressus]

It’s obvious we’re desperate plus it’s mid season so teams will demand more for players.

But if we don’t spend and spend big then next season we’ll be even more desperate and in a far weaker position without CL football.

Get the fucking cheque book out, fast.

 

[DMA's]

These signings need to hit the ground running.

And we need a midfielder.

Realistically the 2 cbs are gonna play very few minutes

 

[skillman]

Realistically the 2 cbs are gonna play very few minutes

Hope you’re wrong.

 

[RayCTID]

For cohesion purposes 4 new signings won't help us at this stage either. They still have to really adapt very quickly and get used to their new team mates from the get go.

 

[Stelea]

For cohesion purposes 4 new signings won't help us at this stage either. They still have to really adapt very quickly and get used to their new team mates from the get go.

Could not get any worse than this mess

 

[RayCTID]

Perhaps. We will see.

I have my doubts at this stage of the season. The two defenders are more prudent and perhaps Pep start to really trust the EDS players too.

 

[bell_mcfc]

I have my doubts at this stage of the season. The two defenders are more prudent and perhaps Pep start to really trust the EDS players too.

I mean if he wants to play McAtee and O’Reilly more I’d be happy. I’m not saying they should play just because they are academy players but they deserve a chance.

I also like to think the midfield target is taking longer to sort out because it’s the most important position. We aren’t just going after anyone, we want a really good signing here.

 

[The Stockport Iniesta]

Realistically the 2 cbs are gonna play very few minutes

It might be for the best. Two young lads who haven't played in the league before being asked to play in a backline that gets very little help from the midfield is a recipe for disaster, and could ruin their confidence.

 

[RayCTID]

Could not get any worse than this mess

They could easily add to it. If anything any new midfielder has to be close enough to Rodri's standards. Not going to happen mid way through a season. Part of the defensive issues is down to keeping our quality CB's fit enough for longer periods of the season (although the two new recruits would at the very least add more depth rather than having to test the adaptability of our current set of players)

 

[simon23]

Hope you’re wrong.

Two new CB's even if they do play dont solve the problem as they will have the same issue as our current back 4....in that the attacking opposition players will have free run at them through our non existant defensively minded midfielders....
Akanji into midfield is an ok option, Stones wont be there often enough with his injury history which is now a significant concern

 

[skillman]

Two new CB's even if they do play dont solve the problem as they will have the same issue as our current back 4....in that the attacking opposition players will have free run at them through our non existant defensively minded midfielders....
Akanji into midfield is an ok option, Stones wont be there often enough with his injury history which is now a significant concern

I’d be inclined to agree with you but our defence is running in treacle and that’s giving opposition confidence. Khusanov is rapid and aggressive. Everything we’re missing right now. We’re a light touch and he’s (supposedly) one to get stuck in and set the tempo.

Not only that. Aggression would win that header for their equaliser tonight. IMO anyway.

 

[simon23]

I’d be inclined to agree with you but our defence is running in treacle and that’s giving opposition confidence. Khusanov is rapid and aggressive. Everything we’re missing right now. We’re a light touch and he’s (supposedly) one to get stuck in and set the tempo.

Not only that. Aggression would win that header for their equaliser tonight. IMO anyway.

Oh i think they have qualities that we miss...btu they are young and are going to have to get use to the league and that could take a year....but again having opponents midfielders and forwards having a free run at you is a defenders worst nightmare...no defender can continuously defend sucessively against that....when opponents are getting the space to pick out crosses cause no one is closing them down .....

the midfield is where the real issue is

 

[pavelsrnicek]

Really really hope we start hearing some links with a midfielder soon, it is our Achilles heel at the moment. Kovacic isn’t great as a 6 but he’s miles better than Gundogan who can’t play there and is a huge issue when he does.

If we don’t get someone who can play as a 6 this window it’s hard to see us winning anything or even finishing top 4 simply because we simply can’t stop teams getting at our back 4

 

[Delphinho]

Khusanov and Reis probably announced within a day or two, making them available for Ipswich hopefully. Looks like we’ll get Marmoush as well who has the second most G&A in Europe so far this season (only behind Salah). We’ve also added 2 very talented young players for the future in Echeverri and McFarlane.

This thread is suddenly way too negative. My guess is we’re working on a midfielder behind the scenes and keeping our cards close to the chest. All three of Reis, Khusanov and Marmoush came a bit out of nowhere (although the latter has taken some time). We’re hopefully working on a midfielder, which would make this close to a 10/10 window. Did anyone honestly expect more than 1 signing this window? I certainly didn’t

 

[itisrising]

Khusanov and Reis probably announced within a day or two, making them available for Ipswich hopefully. Looks like we’ll get Marmoush as well who has the second most G&A in Europe so far this season (only behind Salah). We’ve also added 2 very talented young players for the future in Echeverri and McFarlane.

This thread is suddenly way too negative. My guess is we’re working on a midfielder behind the scenes and keeping our cards close to the chest. All three of Reis, Khusanov and Marmoush came a bit out of nowhere (although the latter has taken some time). We’re hopefully working on a midfielder, which would make this close to a 10/10 window. Did anyone honestly expect more than 1 signing this window? I certainly didn’t

That's great but a midfielder is beyond necessary. Would make it a sensational window but I still have my reservations signing two young CBs that is unfair to expect anything of right now.

 

[Damanino]

while I like the direction the urgency in Reis, Khusanov bit surprising unless they arrive and start PL games for us but I am not sure of that. they are not like Gvardiol who had 2 years of top Bundesliga team experience with CL experience.

defence in current City team is a bit hung out dry due to workrate of other players and a lack of midfield control in general. to jump into that as a young defender with the speed of PL, asking for trouble really. they would need to be really decent, high concentration, good passers, great in 1 v 1 situations to not look way out of their depth straightaway, and its a bit of asking too much too soon if they are thrown into it at the deep end.
slowly phasing out Stones, building up these two new young ones could work, maybe move Akanji to RB after Walker gone opening up bit more playing time centrally, but there are more urgent problems while this also needs to be addressed. maybe Viana said start solving this problem as well so we can concentrate on other issues in the summer so he doesnt have to bring in 8 players in 6 months time.

 

[pavelsrnicek]

That's great but a midfielder is beyond necessary. Would make it a sensational window but I still have my reservations signing two young CBs that is unfair to expect anything of right now.

I think that’s what’s frustrating at the moment. All 3 potential signings are potentially very exciting but because we are craving a midfielder, those 3 don’t deal with our concerns.

They don’t address the main issue with the team which is the lack of athleticism and defensive nous in midfield. Ultimately we’re desperately hoping we’ll fix one of our issues by adding a proper midfielder but there’s no recent news on that front. Doesn’t mean that there’s nothing happening but we would all love to hear something positive on a midfielder.

 

[teddykgb]

My issue is that a single midfielder isn't good enough. We probably needed to sign 3 but at least 2

 

[bumbleblue]

My issue is that a single midfielder isn't good enough. We probably needed to sign 3 but at least 2

Even if we did we don’t have the squads places and can only change 3 for the CL I think it is after the window