And so it begins...

[Paul Lake's Left Knee]

As far as I remember, it was difficult for us to cope with Bayern and Barcelona.

They had more control and were more effective going forward, thats why we didn't do great in the Champions League and not because we didn't have good CBs.


IMO, as good as our attacking midfielders, we need someone like Ribery, Robben...etc. A dribbler who can create space, chances and score goals.


We need an upgrade over Silva and Nasri, and IF we didn't sign a player who can be better than them, then lets hope Jovetic can do this job.

Is it not time this character was removed(again....) from the forum?

Wum,troll,rag? certainly not a Blue.

I enjoy a laugh first thing:)

We need an upgrade on Silva? Thats priceless, fucker should be on stage with that material, they could be the new Miranda.

 

[Chipmeister]

Our goals scored last year states we are fine attacking.

We all know it's in the defence we need to be improving and in signing both Sagna and Fernando as DM we have already improved but we still need WC CB to partner Vinny.

A world class CB, maybe one that is playing in the WC final. That was a comment from a mate of a scouse mate of mine and did make me think we do have a couple of decent ones as we are.

 

[Jaxite]

Our goals scored last year states we are fine attacking.

We all know it's in the defence we need to be improving and in signing both Sagna and Fernando as DM we have already improved but we still need WC CB to partner Vinny.

A world class CB, maybe one that is playing in the WC final. That was a comment from a mate of a scouse mate of mine and did make me think we do have a couple of decent ones as we are.

DM is not world class and is prone to some silly mistakes

 

[Mancitybluemoon1]

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?

Tron, nice clear comments mate.....enjoy a good adult discussion!:) I would say Cheeky and Feran's biggest mistake was failing to land a CB last year and then decided to sign a guy (demichelis) for 3-4mil that they could have signed on a free transfer just a few weeks earlier.....This shows me it was a panic move and that he wasn't part of their plans.....this is just my personal view but I do feel that this showed complete lack of understanding the market and to make it worse.....the target didn't fit the system or our long term plan....it was just a quick fix because we failed in other deals......This is the only reason why I'm getting frustrated with this stall in talks between Mangala/Benatia......

 

[Wio Gumflapdinand]

Any sign of Zaha with my 100 smackers yet?

 

[Petetheblu]

Let me start by saying that I'd feel happier if we had two world class CB, however I think we're overhyping the need for for a WC CB somewhat.

Okay here i go into the fire....Last season we had a NEW manager who was new to the league, who brought in New coaches and with that a different style of play where we would hold a higher line. This at the start caused many problems and we conceded to many points away from home to teams we shouldn't have.

Add to this teething problem, vast injuries and suspensions which majorly upset the running of the squad.

Then and most important (which we have now adressed) was the lack of a real natural DM. When we dropped back we often got overrun and looked weaked defensively. However I beleive this was identified by City early October and a DM was sort in January's window, sadly it wasn't to be, but we did get better once MDM came along who seemed after a slow start, grabbed the defence and solidified it with some some sterling performances.

What I'm trying to say is in my eyes we have the problem of last season well and truly sorted with a true a DM and whole season expexperience of a higher line throughout the whole squad. I feel I'll our team will defend like a unit rather than spontaneous as was the case early season.

And because of this I'm not 100% that missing out on a WC CB wouldn't be the end of the world at present, however we should be either looking for a future star or at least looking to the academy to develope a very decent CB for the near future.

 

[FlatlineMonday]

Let me start by saying that I'd feel happier if we had two world class CB, however I think we're overhyping the need for for a WC CB somewhat.

Okay here i go into the fire....Last season we had a NEW manager who was new to the league, who brought in New coaches and with that a different style of play where we would hold a higher line. This at the start caused many problems and we conceded to many points away from home to teams we shouldn't have.

Add to this teething problem, vast injuries and suspensions which majorly upset the running of the squad.

Then and most important (which we have now adressed) was the lack of a real natural DM. When we dropped back we often got overrun and looked weaked defensively. However I beleive this was identified by City early October and a DM was sort in January's window, sadly it wasn't to be, but we did get better once MDM came along who seemed after a slow start, grabbed the defence and solidified it with some some sterling performances.

What I'm trying to say is in my eyes we have the problem of last season well and truly sorted with a true a DM and whole season expexperience of a higher line throughout the whole squad. I feel I'll our team will defend like a unit rather than spontaneous as was the case early season.

And because of this I'm not 100% that missing out on a WC CB wouldn't be the end of the world at present, however we should be either looking for a future star or at least looking to the academy to develope a very decent CB for the near future.

Injuries, our old friend. Kompany is known to miss a few matches throughout the year. Nastasic suffered last year and who knows what could happen. Would you be comfortable having Demichelis and Boyata at the back? Demi and Rekik? Garcia playing CB again? I'd rather not. Maybe we are over-hyping it a bit, but with Lescott's departure someone needs to step in. I don't think Boyata is there and I haven't seen enough of Rekik to judge.

 

[YaYa's Left Peg]

Let me start by saying that I'd feel happier if we had two world class CB, however I think we're overhyping the need for for a WC CB somewhat.

Okay here i go into the fire....Last season we had a NEW manager who was new to the league, who brought in New coaches and with that a different style of play where we would hold a higher line. This at the start caused many problems and we conceded to many points away from home to teams we shouldn't have.

Add to this teething problem, vast injuries and suspensions which majorly upset the running of the squad.

Then and most important (which we have now adressed) was the lack of a real natural DM. When we dropped back we often got overrun and looked weaked defensively. However I beleive this was identified by City early October and a DM was sort in January's window, sadly it wasn't to be, but we did get better once MDM came along who seemed after a slow start, grabbed the defence and solidified it with some some sterling performances.

What I'm trying to say is in my eyes we have the problem of last season well and truly sorted with a true a DM and whole season expexperience of a higher line throughout the whole squad. I feel I'll our team will defend like a unit rather than spontaneous as was the case early season.

And because of this I'm not 100% that missing out on a WC CB wouldn't be the end of the world at present, however we should be either looking for a future star or at least looking to the academy to develope a very decent CB for the near future.

A voice of reason.... and this early in the morning as well.

 

[chris85mcfc]

I do think we will sign a top CB but having Fernando screening in front of Vinny and MDM would make us better defensively anyway

 

[andyhinch]

Can we rename this thread

AND SOOOOOOOO, COUGH, EEEEERM.......OOOO LOOK A PRETTY GIRL( points over there)


( runs away)

Pictures or it didn't happen.