And so it begins...

[FantasyIreland]

Good,rationale,post Tron.

 

[SebastianBlue]

I will always hate the summer of 2012 -- not for preceding a failed title defense, or for incurring a lot of deadwood -- but because it will forever be used as an example by the shiny-toy brigade as a reason why we need to run out and buy an expensive world-class player every year or everything will fall apart.

Just because we have a carefully laid-out plan this summer of filling four specific positions -- CB, RB, GK, and DM -- doesn't mean we're resting on our laurels by not signings an exciting right winger. In fact it's quite the opposite, it means we're not impulse shopping (which was the true problem in the dreaded Summer of '12) but rather focusing on ourselves, and not on what the rest of the world is doing. Out of those four targeted slots to fill, we've made improvements to our team in three of the stated positions. We now have the bulk of our transfer kitty left to devote to the biggest priority of the bunch at CB, and we're putting extreme care into the signing by cultivating options and treading carefully.

Not sure how anyone expected the summer transfer business to go any better than it has already. First week in July and we've done 75% of our targeted business at extremely competitive prices, to allow for all focus and an incredible ratio of our funds to be aimed at the last 25% of our dealings. Sincerely thankful that the club is run by cool and experienced heads at the top, rather than the alternative.

Not sure if this is a response to my post but I am in no way advocating a marquee signing. I am, however, advocating making additional signings with the understanding of our own weaknesses and the work our rivals have done.

The worst examples of decision making are of those made without regard to external factors/influences. Thus far we have made two very good, strength of depth signings, and one potentially good signing (anyone that is certain about Fernando's success in the Premier League are foolhardy—I hope he does well but I don't presume to know without any doubt he will). It is yet to be seen how we address our centreback needs or what will be the outcome of the Yaya situation. Last season was much closer than many seem to remember, as well, which is interesting to me.

But I have confidence our executive team will learn from prior mistakes and make the signings we need. They will not make amateurish assumptions that lead to failure.

 

[Tron Coltrane]

I will always hate the summer of 2012 -- not for preceding a failed title defense, or for incurring a lot of deadwood -- but because it will forever be used as an example by the shiny-toy brigade as a reason why we need to run out and buy an expensive world-class player every year or everything will fall apart.

Just because we have a carefully laid-out plan this summer of filling four specific positions -- CB, RB, GK, and DM -- doesn't mean we're resting on our laurels by not signings an exciting right winger. In fact it's quite the opposite, it means we're not impulse shopping (which was the true problem in the dreaded Summer of '12) but rather focusing on ourselves, and not on what the rest of the world is doing. Out of those four targeted slots to fill, we've made improvements to our team in three of the stated positions. We now have the bulk of our transfer kitty left to devote to the biggest priority of the bunch at CB, and we're putting extreme care into the signing by cultivating options and treading carefully.

Not sure how anyone expected the summer transfer business to go any better than it has already. First week in July and we've done 75% of our targeted business at extremely competitive prices, to allow for all focus and an incredible ratio of our funds to be aimed at the last 25% of our dealings. Sincerely thankful that the club is run by cool and experienced heads at the top, rather than the alternative.

Not sure if this is a response to my post but I am in no way advocating a marquee signing. I am, however, advocating making additional signings with the understanding of our own weaknesses and the work our rivals have done.

The worst examples of decision making are of those made without regard to external factors/influences. Thus far we have made two very good, strength of depth signings, and one potentially good signing (anyone that is certain about Fernando's success in the Premier League are foolhardy—I hope he does well but I don't presume to know without any doubt he will). It is yet to be seen how we address our centreback needs or what will be the outcome of the Yaya situation. Last season was much closer than many seem to remember, as well, which is interesting to me.

But I have confidence our executive team will learn from prior mistakes and make the signings we need. They will not make amateurish assumptions that lead to failure.

Wasn't directed at you, much more of a general rant. Out of curiosity regarding the last section, though, which of Cheeky & Feran's mistakes are you hoping they learn from? Or are you hoping they are learning from the mistakes their predecessor's made?

 

[Ray78]

Centre back is top priority even with Martín Demichelis and Matija Nastasić already at the club.

 

[GoMancini7]

Still that 2012 summer window, what a piece of ass that was.
We spent 50m but since than we had to replace all of those players or sign upgrades on them...

Rodwell+Garcia duo, well Garcia had a good period in the last few motnths of last season but thats it. Rodwell nothing, one good match vs Norwich 14 months ago? Was that the last he played for us, dont remember seriously...
Sinclair, wow, Marwood surely thought he is the next big thing....
Maicon took up a nice amount of wages cant say any good about his performances apart from a good sub performance vs Spurs once.
Nasatasic OK, good talent, will see what happens with him in the future. Would be hard to sell him for a profit compared to what we spent on him, so we better improve and use him...

 

[SebastianBlue]

I will always hate the summer of 2012 -- not for preceding a failed title defense, or for incurring a lot of deadwood -- but because it will forever be used as an example by the shiny-toy brigade as a reason why we need to run out and buy an expensive world-class player every year or everything will fall apart.

Just because we have a carefully laid-out plan this summer of filling four specific positions -- CB, RB, GK, and DM -- doesn't mean we're resting on our laurels by not signings an exciting right winger. In fact it's quite the opposite, it means we're not impulse shopping (which was the true problem in the dreaded Summer of '12) but rather focusing on ourselves, and not on what the rest of the world is doing. Out of those four targeted slots to fill, we've made improvements to our team in three of the stated positions. We now have the bulk of our transfer kitty left to devote to the biggest priority of the bunch at CB, and we're putting extreme care into the signing by cultivating options and treading carefully.

Not sure how anyone expected the summer transfer business to go any better than it has already. First week in July and we've done 75% of our targeted business at extremely competitive prices, to allow for all focus and an incredible ratio of our funds to be aimed at the last 25% of our dealings. Sincerely thankful that the club is run by cool and experienced heads at the top, rather than the alternative.

Not sure if this is a response to my post but I am in no way advocating a marquee signing. I am, however, advocating making additional signings with the understanding of our own weaknesses and the work our rivals have done.

The worst examples of decision making are of those made without regard to external factors/influences. Thus far we have made two very good, strength of depth signings, and one potentially good signing (anyone that is certain about Fernando's success in the Premier League are foolhardy—I hope he does well but I don't presume to know without any doubt he will). It is yet to be seen how we address our centreback needs or what will be the outcome of the Yaya situation. Last season was much closer than many seem to remember, as well, which is interesting to me.

But I have confidence our executive team will learn from prior mistakes and make the signings we need. They will not make amateurish assumptions that lead to failure.

Wasn't directed at you, much more of a general rant. Out of curiosity regarding the last section, though, which of Cheeky & Feran's mistakes are you hoping they learn from? Or are you hoping they are learning from the mistakes their predecessor's made?

Thanks for the clarification—still wanted to address others' mindsets, though, so the post was worth the effort.

I mean a myriad of mistakes from years past, including some that were made in 2012 (but not necessarily primarily). Ultimately my post was regarding our tendency in yesteryear of doing business in a vacuum. Although we shouldn't make decisions solely based on what the Chelseas, Uniteds, Arsenals, Liverpools, Reals, or Barças have undertaken, we shouldn't ignore their business as a potential factor in changing our strategy.

When you walk without looking up and around you it becomes much more difficult to avoid obstacles and anticipate opportunities.

 

[Mancini Manus Domini]

I will always hate the summer of 2012 -- not for preceding a failed title defense, or for incurring a lot of deadwood -- but because it will forever be used as an example by the shiny-toy brigade as a reason why we need to run out and buy an expensive world-class player every year or everything will fall apart.

Just because we have a carefully laid-out plan this summer of filling four specific positions -- CB, RB, GK, and DM -- doesn't mean we're resting on our laurels by not signings an exciting right winger. In fact it's quite the opposite, it means we're not impulse shopping (which was the true problem in the dreaded Summer of '12) but rather focusing on ourselves, and not on what the rest of the world is doing. Out of those four targeted slots to fill, we've made improvements to our team in three of the stated positions. We now have the bulk of our transfer kitty left to devote to the biggest priority of the bunch at CB, and we're putting extreme care into the signing by cultivating options and treading carefully.

Not sure how anyone expected the summer transfer business to go any better than it has already. First week in July and we've done 75% of our targeted business at extremely competitive prices, to allow for all focus and an incredible ratio of our funds to be aimed at the last 25% of our dealings. Sincerely thankful that the club is run by cool and experienced heads at the top, rather than the alternative.

Not sure if this is a response to my post but I am in no way advocating a marquee signing. I am, however, advocating making additional signings with the understanding of our own weaknesses and the work our rivals have done.

The worst examples of decision making are of those made without regard to external factors/influences. Thus far we have made two very good, strength of depth signings, and one potentially good signing (anyone that is certain about Fernando's success in the Premier League are foolhardy—I hope he does well but I don't presume to know without any doubt he will). It is yet to be seen how we address our centreback needs or what will be the outcome of the Yaya situation. Last season was much closer than many seem to remember, as well, which is interesting to me.

But I have confidence our executive team will learn from prior mistakes and make the signings we need. They will not make amateurish assumptions that lead to failure.

Wasn't directed at you, much more of a general rant. Out of curiosity regarding the last section, though, which of Cheeky & Feran's mistakes are you hoping they learn from? Or are you hoping they are learning from the mistakes their predecessor's made?

Maybe their mistake was to prioritise attacking players over the center half position. Pepe was courted for too long and Demichalis brought in too late. Kompany's early season injuries were thankfully overcome but one more injury and it would have cost us the title. So whilst we were indulging ourselves in Isco, and then Jovetic, we were neglecting a key position.

It's not a partner for Kompany that concerns me the most it's a replacement should he be injured. I really hope the delay is due to us trying to get both Benatia and Mangala not just one of them. Nastasic is not forceful and determnined enough for me; a decent player but not a winner in my opinion.

 

[NoahCity]

Not sure if this is a response to my post but I am in no way advocating a marquee signing. I am, however, advocating making additional signings with the understanding of our own weaknesses and the work our rivals have done.

The worst examples of decision making are of those made without regard to external factors/influences. Thus far we have made two very good, strength of depth signings, and one potentially good signing (anyone that is certain about Fernando's success in the Premier League are foolhardy—I hope he does well but I don't presume to know without any doubt he will). It is yet to be seen how we address our centreback needs or what will be the outcome of the Yaya situation. Last season was much closer than many seem to remember, as well, which is interesting to me.

But I have confidence our executive team will learn from prior mistakes and make the signings we need. They will not make amateurish assumptions that lead to failure.

Wasn't directed at you, much more of a general rant. Out of curiosity regarding the last section, though, which of Cheeky & Feran's mistakes are you hoping they learn from? Or are you hoping they are learning from the mistakes their predecessor's made?

Maybe their mistake was to prioritise attacking players over the center half position. Pepe was courted for too long and Demichalis brought in too late. Kompany's early season injuries were thankfully overcome but one more injury and it would have cost us the title. So whilst we were indulging ourselves in Isco, and then Jovetic, we were neglecting a key position.

It's not a partner for Kompany that concerns me the most it's a replacement should he be injured. I really hope the delay is due to us trying to get both Benatia and Mangala not just one of them. Nastasic is not forceful and determnined enough for me; a decent player but not a winner in my opinion.

I think a CB duo of Demichelis-Benatia would be great.

 

[Mancini Manus Domini]

Wasn't directed at you, much more of a general rant. Out of curiosity regarding the last section, though, which of Cheeky & Feran's mistakes are you hoping they learn from? Or are you hoping they are learning from the mistakes their predecessor's made?

Maybe their mistake was to prioritise attacking players over the center half position. Pepe was courted for too long and Demichalis brought in too late. Kompany's early season injuries were thankfully overcome but one more injury and it would have cost us the title. So whilst we were indulging ourselves in Isco, and then Jovetic, we were neglecting a key position.

It's not a partner for Kompany that concerns me the most it's a replacement should he be injured. I really hope the delay is due to us trying to get both Benatia and Mangala not just one of them. Nastasic is not forceful and determnined enough for me; a decent player but not a winner in my opinion.

I think a CB duo of Demichelis-Benatia would be great.

I agree. As would Kompany and Mangala.

 

[bluechampion7891]

Maybe their mistake was to prioritise attacking players over the center half position. Pepe was courted for too long and Demichalis brought in too late. Kompany's early season injuries were thankfully overcome but one more injury and it would have cost us the title. So whilst we were indulging ourselves in Isco, and then Jovetic, we were neglecting a key position.

It's not a partner for Kompany that concerns me the most it's a replacement should he be injured. I really hope the delay is due to us trying to get both Benatia and Mangala not just one of them. Nastasic is not forceful and determnined enough for me; a decent player but not a winner in my opinion.

I think a CB duo of Demichelis-Benatia would be great.

I agree. As would Kompany and Mangala.

As long as we have 1 of Kompany and new CB (Benatia or Managala) in the starting line up, we should be Ok