Hugo Viana | Director of Football

[Ban-jani]

Been watching him since the links emerged. He's destined for better things. Plenty of energy and good passer of the ball who likes to get forward. Looks good all round. Could do with another as well, not sure who, open to suggestions though lol.

He’s one of the best midfielders around and would elevate our team, despite being young. Big yes from me.

 

[FinallyGoodwin]

No, he’s not.

We’re rebuilding a young squad in order to compete. Every single great side has dominated, taken two years to rebuild after previous players got old and/or left and then come back challenging. The fact we’re winning trophies and still competing for the title puts us ahead of schedule.

He’s signed Donnarumma, Khusanov, Cherki, Semenyo, Guehi, who have all become first team players and done very well for us. For very good money from our perspective I might add.

He agreed with Txiki for us to sign Nico G who, when he’s given a run of games, has done a very good job for us. Similarly Marmoush who unfortunately doesn’t get a run of games but has proven he can score goals.

Then you’ve got Reijnders who’s been disappointing but not every one is going to work out.

Overall he’s done a decent job and needs to be shown some patience and a bit of time. Txiki got absolutely slated when he first came in because he was building towards Pep and people don’t offer patience in football.

Viana is building towards something. It might be a post Pep City that will suit another manager, possibly Maresca, but people need to chill the fuck out.

We’re looking at 2nd being our most likely league finish, still within a shout of winning it. We’ve got one cup in the bag and in another final.

This is a good season and better than I expected in August.

This.

 

[Damanino]

hope Khaldoon has a word and requires City to be put back on top of PL and CL.

 

[skillman]

A bit marmite so far.

Marmoush - not good enough IMO

Reijnders - jury is out, think he has potential to come good if he speeds things up

Khusanov - fantastic signing

Reis - hard to comment but looks promising

Cherki - fantastic signing

Guehi - fantastic signing

RAN - same as Reijnders but if he stops trying too hard

Semenyo - good signing IMO

Nico G - good signing, shows more good than bad in the most demanding position of a Pep side

Donnarumma - fantastic signing, won’t have any shit against him considering how many times he’s saved our arses this season

Trafford - good signing


More good than bad but potential for that to change on a couple of them.

My concern is the profile of players like Reijnders, he isn’t an 8 because he’s so poor defensively (his Milan numbers were shocking) so why was he bought? Cherki was the 10 signing.

 

[VOOMER]

No, he’s not.

We’re rebuilding a young squad in order to compete. Every single great side has dominated, taken two years to rebuild after previous players got old and/or left and then come back challenging. The fact we’re winning trophies and still competing for the title puts us ahead of schedule.

He’s signed Donnarumma, Khusanov, Cherki, Semenyo, Guehi, who have all become first team players and done very well for us. For very good money from our perspective I might add.

He agreed with Txiki for us to sign Nico G who, when he’s given a run of games, has done a very good job for us. Similarly Marmoush who unfortunately doesn’t get a run of games but has proven he can score goals.

Then you’ve got Reijnders who’s been disappointing but not every one is going to work out.

Overall he’s done a decent job and needs to be shown some patience and a bit of time. Txiki got absolutely slated when he first came in because he was building towards Pep and people don’t offer patience in football.

Viana is building towards something. It might be a post Pep City that will suit another manager, possibly Maresca, but people need to chill the fuck out.

We’re looking at 2nd being our most likely league finish, still within a shout of winning it. We’ve got one cup in the bag and in another final.

This is a good season and better than I expected in August.

We have spent good money, Cherki has been outstanding (when not being kicked to bits). Reindeer and Marmoush will be sold, but for decent money.
Kush looks like he's going to be world class, as does Josko and Nico.
The squad problems have been in the making for the last 6 windows. It really can't be dumped at Viana's feet.

 

[VOOMER]

A bit marmite so far.

Marmoush - not good enough IMO

Reijnders - jury is out, think he has potential to come good if he speeds things up

Khusanov - fantastic signing

Reis - hard to comment but looks promising

Cherki - fantastic signing

Guehi - fantastic signing

RAN - same as Reijnders but if he stops trying too hard

Semenyo - good signing IMO

Nico G - good signing, shows more good than bad in the most demanding position of a Pep side

Donnarumma - fantastic signing, won’t have any shit against him considering how many times he’s saved our arses this season

Trafford - good signing


More good than bad but potential for that to change on a couple of them.

My concern is the profile of players like Reijnders, he isn’t an 8 because he’s so poor defensively (his Milan numbers were shocking) so why was he bought? Cherki was the 10 signing.

Will be sold for decent money

 

[GaudinoMotors]

The best thing is that we've built this whopping £30M + stand. Presumably we need a team that will mean we fill it.

 

[BillyShears]

No, he’s not.

We’re rebuilding a young squad in order to compete. Every single great side has dominated, taken two years to rebuild after previous players got old and/or left and then come back challenging. The fact we’re winning trophies and still competing for the title puts us ahead of schedule.

He’s signed Donnarumma, Khusanov, Cherki, Semenyo, Guehi, who have all become first team players and done very well for us. For very good money from our perspective I might add.

He agreed with Txiki for us to sign Nico G who, when he’s given a run of games, has done a very good job for us. Similarly Marmoush who unfortunately doesn’t get a run of games but has proven he can score goals.

Then you’ve got Reijnders who’s been disappointing but not every one is going to work out.

Overall he’s done a decent job and needs to be shown some patience and a bit of time. Txiki got absolutely slated when he first came in because he was building towards Pep and people don’t offer patience in football.

Viana is building towards something. It might be a post Pep City that will suit another manager, possibly Maresca, but people need to chill the fuck out.

We’re looking at 2nd being our most likely league finish, still within a shout of winning it. We’ve got one cup in the bag and in another final.

This is a good season and better than I expected in August.

Recruitment isn’t an exact science but it continues to make me laugh that even after a decade of success and successions we still have people who think there’s better out there.

Viana has an excellent record so far and I daresay after this summer the record will get even stronger.

 

[VOOMER]

No, he’s not.

We’re rebuilding a young squad in order to compete. Every single great side has dominated, taken two years to rebuild after previous players got old and/or left and then come back challenging. The fact we’re winning trophies and still competing for the title puts us ahead of schedule.

He’s signed Donnarumma, Khusanov, Cherki, Semenyo, Guehi, who have all become first team players and done very well for us. For very good money from our perspective I might add.

He agreed with Txiki for us to sign Nico G who, when he’s given a run of games, has done a very good job for us. Similarly Marmoush who unfortunately doesn’t get a run of games but has proven he can score goals.

Then you’ve got Reijnders who’s been disappointing but not every one is going to work out.

Overall he’s done a decent job and needs to be shown some patience and a bit of time. Txiki got absolutely slated when he first came in because he was building towards Pep and people don’t offer patience in football.

Viana is building towards something. It might be a post Pep City that will suit another manager, possibly Maresca, but people need to chill the fuck out.

We’re looking at 2nd being our most likely league finish, still within a shout of winning it. We’ve got one cup in the bag and in another final.

This is a good season and better than I expected in August.

Two domestic cups won't be good enough for Pep, or Khaldoon and that means the squad will get stronger. A series of poor performances have costs us 10 points. Against Madrid we were outclassed and that shouldn't happen.

 

[ArniArason]

Two domestic cups won't be good enough for Pep, or Khaldoon. A series of poor performances have costs us 10 points. Against Madrid we were outclassed and that shouldn't happen.

The response to all that is, 'so what?' what would you do about it? It's football, not maths, there are no magic formulas that give you the winning outcome all the time. Most sensible fans knew before we kicked a ball this season that we wouldn't be as strong as we've been in the past. Everything you've said above was likely talked about and half expected by our management, as they're realists and not romantic fans that expect a new team to simply pick up the sort of form we've shown in say the treble winning season.

 

[Master-Lotus]

Once we clear the charges next month we need to go to the Summer transfer market with full ambition: buy Ndiaye, Kroupi, Diomande, Anderson and Kayode then sell all the deadwood which is around 10 players. Perhaps even buy Tonali in case Rodri doesn't want to extend or leaves. That would be 350-450mil euros, same amount Liverpool spent last Summer except we would be buying top players, not frauds.

 

[cleavers]

This is a good season and better than I expected in August.

...and in the middle of a major rebuild with young players still developing, and missing three of our main players, probably one of the 10 best seasons in the clubs history.

 

[Ban-jani]

Two domestic cups won't be good enough for Pep, or Khaldoon and that means the squad will get stronger. A series of poor performances have costs us 10 points. Against Madrid we were outclassed and that shouldn't happen.

I think both understand we’re rebuilding the squad after an era of dominance and that it’d take time to get back to a league winning side. 2 domestic cups and 2nd is something I think everyone at the club would have taken in August.

 

[Ban-jani]

...and in the middle of a major rebuild with young players still developing, and missing three of our main players, probably one of the 10 best seasons in the clubs history.

I’d put it at number 11 behind our 10 league title wins, one of which included the Treble of course.

Regardless, your point is correct, 11th best season in the club’s history, during an rebuild, and people are moaning.

 

[richards30]

Recruitment isn’t an exact science but it continues to make me laugh that even after a decade of success and successions we still have people who think there’s better out there.

Viana has an excellent record so far and I daresay after this summer the record will get even stronger.

He will have big plans mate and I think he’s WAY more hit than miss! If we had won last night this thread would be dormant still wouldn’t it?

 

[richards30]

Once we clear the charges next month we need to go to the Summer transfer market with full ambition: buy Ndiaye, Kroupi, Diomande, Anderson and Kayode then sell all the deadwood which is around 10 players. Perhaps even buy Tonali in case Rodri doesn't want to extend or leaves. That would be 350-450mil euros, same amount Liverpool spent last Summer except we would be buying top players, not frauds.

There is still financial rules in place you know?

 

[CΛL]

Once we clear the charges next month we need to go to the Summer transfer market with full ambition: buy Ndiaye, Kroupi, Diomande, Anderson and Kayode then sell all the deadwood which is around 10 players. Perhaps even buy Tonali in case Rodri doesn't want to extend or leaves. That would be 350-450mil euros, same amount Liverpool spent last Summer except we would be buying top players, not frauds.

Beyond the players who are already set to leave, who are the 10 that are deadwood?

 

[BillyShears]

He will have big plans mate and I think he’s WAY more hit than miss! If we had won last night this thread would be dormant still wouldn’t it?

IMO the only duds he's ended up signing are Reijnders and Nico G, and even then considering just how bad Rodri looked in his first season at City, it may well be an adjustment to the league, Pep etc thing.

But let's just say they're duds. The hits not only outweigh the misses, but some of them are tremendous hits. Cherki at 30 million euros? Khusanov for 40 million euros? The Guehi and Semenyo fees? These are players who are going to be totems of future league wining sides brought in for relative peanuts. I suspect Reis will come back one day and also look an absolute bargain.

On top of all that, not sure you can judge a DoF until you've seen a cycle of players over 3-4 years minimum. Viana has basically had one summer window and one and a half January windows and he's almost completely rebuilt from the team that won the treble.

 

[eyalluvitt]

I think the dippers were favourites, Arsenal 2nd and us 3rd if I remember correctly.

Because the brain dead media equate money with success, Liverpool spent miles more than everyone so they are guaranteed to walk the league

 

[Master-Lotus]

There is still financial rules in place you know?

Say that to Liverpool. I'm sure once we clear the charges our owners will be looking to make a massive statement immediately after.