Kippax Street 1880
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 22 Mar 2010
- Messages
- 7,725
Started well but not getting a right back is absolutely diabolical. No excuse for it in my opinion. We're in for a real struggle to get top 5
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Hugo Viana | Director of Football
- Thread starter hfc
- Start date
Dizbuster
Well-Known Member
Yes, it was the greatest disaster of the Abu Dhabi era, IMHO. One can make an argument that winds it way from Kalvin to Rodri to a devastating losing streak and the collapse of performance on the pitch, and on and on.Agree, Phillips is a really bad one, even my Leeds mates talked about his injury record at the time we signed him.
Hard to judge Vana until the next window as he's had a lot of shit to deal with not of his own making. Loads were raving about his signings after the Wolves game.
Dizbuster
Well-Known Member
One look at this list reveals why we haven't bought a proper RB, which I too would like to see, but we can make do with Nunes and Rico. Despite all the criticisms of those two and Ait-Nouri for their defensive prowess (or lack thereof), it seems to me that we are continually surrendering soft goals because of lapses by our central defenders. I'm not particularly a Guehi fan, but he ticked a lot of boxes for me: (1) competent defender, (2) comfortable on the ball, (3) can pass, (4) pacier than Dias,(5) home-grown and (6) was available for a knock-down fee.
decmancity
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 7 Nov 2010
- Messages
- 14,533
Nothing changed, couldn’t do a deal for one. Doesn’t need to be anything more than thatIn January we were trying to sign a RB from Juve, or Livramento. So the need was recognised then. What changed?
Bluewonder
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 24 Jun 2013
- Messages
- 4,698
Lack of a right back will tarnish the start of his time here and the end of Pep's. It's already cost us multiple points.
Nothing changed, couldn’t do a deal for one. Doesn’t need to be anything more than that
Why would that be? Unwilling to pay until the wage bill lowered. Pep wanting the squad trimmed before adding more?
antspider
Well-Known Member
Someone needs to get behind Rico & Nunes , cos plenty will get past “em. ;)Get behind Rico and Nunes, the two right-backs we have chosen.
Get behind the team and the players we have. Many of them are new to the country and the league and will definitely benefit from support.
Think that’s all we can do now. Support the team and let’s see how we go to January. Although RB is an obvious issue we have others and hopefully we now see some players come to the fore as new leaders as we looked lacking in that on Saturday. Lots of younger players in squad who could go under if the crowd turnsGet behind Rico and Nunes, the two right-backs we have chosen.
Get behind the team and the players we have. Many of them are new to the country and the league and will definitely benefit from support.
I don't personally think that RB is the obvious issue but it does not matter.Think that’s all we can do now. Support the team and let’s see how we go to January. Although RB is an obvious issue we have others and hopefully we now see some players come to the fore as new leaders as we looked lacking in that on Saturday. Lots of younger players in squad who could go under if the crowd turns
We are where we are, with a host of talented young players.
We support the team.
richards30
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 20 May 2009
- Messages
- 31,765
Started well but not getting a right back is absolutely diabolical. No excuse for it in my opinion. We're in for a real struggle to get top 5
We wont get it mate, nothing has changed from last season and there is no fear factor for this team now. Already picking up injuries to key players and we havent fixed our main weakness.
Agree we have a number of other issues to fix . We have been less clinical in front of goal and have players making poor choices but think those get better the more the team plays together. Bernardo sadly looks done as a starter or game changer and think this will be last year so fixes itself. RB we need to actively fix ( hope I’m wrong and Nunes really improves). Anyway will cheer them on and hope it all clicks together.I don't personally think that RB is the obvious issue but it does not matter.
We are where we are, with a host of talented young players.
We support the team.
richards30
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 20 May 2009
- Messages
- 31,765
Will if we get beat by the rags and have a shit performance again that the atmosphere is going to be toxic already!
Nunes isn’t a right back, regardless if we get behind him or not. I’m not saying he should be criticised. Unfortunately for him every mistake Nunes makes at right back highlights the right back issue even more. That’s not Nunes fault. Nunes is being played out of position because City haven’t invested in a proper right back again. Worryingly, every other team is targeting our right back position and capitalising from that problem position.Get behind Rico and Nunes, the two right-backs we have chosen.
Get behind the team and the players we have. Many of them are new to the country and the league and will definitely benefit from support.
Manchester1894
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 14 Aug 2007
- Messages
- 6,494
Ederson could have done right back.
It’s pretty evident we’ve been hamstrung by certain players being rewarded contracts which has made them difficult to move on. We’ve had to settle for €2m and a loan for Akanji because he priced himself out of certain moves.
That’s not on Viana.
Before the window we needed: a new goalkeeper (or more depending on who left), a right back, a left back, a dynamic midfielder, an attacking midfielder and maybe a winger.
He’s delivered on goalkeeper(s), a left back, a central midfielder and an attacking midfielder. The right back is the sticking point. And I think it’s more frustrating because there’s been zero links to anybody all Summer despite it being the problem position.
I presume Pep has said he’s happy with Nunes and Lewis. But at some point Viana needs to put his balls on the table and decide what’s best for the team. He has the benefit of not having an emotional bias to a lot of the squad.
I don’t agree with the Dias extension. That reeks of him being on our books until the end of that deal because it’s a long extension, on good money for a player who is seemingly declining. Certainly over the past 2 years.
Goalkeepers - I’m happy Eddie has been moved on, it was needed despite him being a club legend. And I’m delighted we’ve managed to get Donnarumma for a bargain price. You don’t turn down that sort of market opportunity. Trafford is mint too, I’m glad he’s been brought back and I hope he can make a name for himself here in the coming years.
Defence - right back an issue. Centre backs we have good depth with Stones, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol and Khusanov. Though I would’ve kept Reis or Bah for extra cover given Dias, Stones and Ake’s injury history. I think Ait-Nouri is a fantastic signing at left back and I hope Pep starts utilising his strengths properly.
Midfield - good depth again. Rodri will need help while he comes back but Nico G has started the season well, Reijnders will be class when he gets used to the speed of the PL, Kovacic is a good backup. Bernie should’ve been moved on. Five players competing for 2/3 positions plus Lewis can step into it and Foden can drop there too if needed. A midfield three of Nico G, Rodri and Reijnders has serious potential IMO and I hope we get to see it.
Attack - Haaland is a freak and will continue to score goals no matter how blunt we look. Marmoush looks lively and I personally think he is mint and will only get better. Same with Bobb. I’m unsure on Savinho and Doku is starting to really grate on me. But I’d be all over getting a winger in the coming windows, I’d argue it’s as important as a right back.
If you look at it, the issues stem from past recruitment and squad handling rather than Viana’s input. The rewarding of certain players has meant they’ve been hard to move on. Which is fine, and Viana can’t overhaul a full squad in one or two windows but IMO has made a healthy start with Donnarumma, Trafford, Khusanov, Reis, Bah, RAN, Reijnders, Nico G, Marmoush and Cherki.
Next Summer will be a big one IMO when we see players like Ake, Bernie, Kovacic, Akanji, Doku/Savinho, Lewis/Nunes moved on. All Txiki dealings (not a dig).
One thing I hope for when we go for a winger, right back etc. is that we shop at the top table and don’t skimp. Pay the money for top players. We were laughed at for £50m for Walker but he was a bargain. Pay it for somebody like Livramento. And go and get a household winger rather than one with potential. It’s too much of an important position to fuck about with. The player needs to be ready and needs to be quality. Like Sterling and Mahrez.
That’s not on Viana.
Before the window we needed: a new goalkeeper (or more depending on who left), a right back, a left back, a dynamic midfielder, an attacking midfielder and maybe a winger.
He’s delivered on goalkeeper(s), a left back, a central midfielder and an attacking midfielder. The right back is the sticking point. And I think it’s more frustrating because there’s been zero links to anybody all Summer despite it being the problem position.
I presume Pep has said he’s happy with Nunes and Lewis. But at some point Viana needs to put his balls on the table and decide what’s best for the team. He has the benefit of not having an emotional bias to a lot of the squad.
I don’t agree with the Dias extension. That reeks of him being on our books until the end of that deal because it’s a long extension, on good money for a player who is seemingly declining. Certainly over the past 2 years.
Goalkeepers - I’m happy Eddie has been moved on, it was needed despite him being a club legend. And I’m delighted we’ve managed to get Donnarumma for a bargain price. You don’t turn down that sort of market opportunity. Trafford is mint too, I’m glad he’s been brought back and I hope he can make a name for himself here in the coming years.
Defence - right back an issue. Centre backs we have good depth with Stones, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol and Khusanov. Though I would’ve kept Reis or Bah for extra cover given Dias, Stones and Ake’s injury history. I think Ait-Nouri is a fantastic signing at left back and I hope Pep starts utilising his strengths properly.
Midfield - good depth again. Rodri will need help while he comes back but Nico G has started the season well, Reijnders will be class when he gets used to the speed of the PL, Kovacic is a good backup. Bernie should’ve been moved on. Five players competing for 2/3 positions plus Lewis can step into it and Foden can drop there too if needed. A midfield three of Nico G, Rodri and Reijnders has serious potential IMO and I hope we get to see it.
Attack - Haaland is a freak and will continue to score goals no matter how blunt we look. Marmoush looks lively and I personally think he is mint and will only get better. Same with Bobb. I’m unsure on Savinho and Doku is starting to really grate on me. But I’d be all over getting a winger in the coming windows, I’d argue it’s as important as a right back.
If you look at it, the issues stem from past recruitment and squad handling rather than Viana’s input. The rewarding of certain players has meant they’ve been hard to move on. Which is fine, and Viana can’t overhaul a full squad in one or two windows but IMO has made a healthy start with Donnarumma, Trafford, Khusanov, Reis, Bah, RAN, Reijnders, Nico G, Marmoush and Cherki.
Next Summer will be a big one IMO when we see players like Ake, Bernie, Kovacic, Akanji, Doku/Savinho, Lewis/Nunes moved on. All Txiki dealings (not a dig).
One thing I hope for when we go for a winger, right back etc. is that we shop at the top table and don’t skimp. Pay the money for top players. We were laughed at for £50m for Walker but he was a bargain. Pay it for somebody like Livramento. And go and get a household winger rather than one with potential. It’s too much of an important position to fuck about with. The player needs to be ready and needs to be quality. Like Sterling and Mahrez.
Cityinmyheart
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 25 May 2012
- Messages
- 719
Yeah sure by why give him a 6 years contract instead of the standard 4 or 5 years.That signing was a lot to do with Pep’s mate Bielsa bigging him up, remember at the time Pep saying as much, stool sitting **** was taking the piss all along
Fordyboy46
Well-Known Member
The top teams will have a field day against us, if we keep Arsenal down to three goals in a few weeks we'll have done wellLack of a right back will tarnish the start of his time here and the end of Pep's. It's already cost us multiple points.
Khusanov is the answer but Pep seems to prefer to keep him as a CB option. Maybe when Gvardiol returns Khusanov will move over.The top teams will have a field day against us, if we keep Arsenal down to three goals in a few weeks we'll have done well