Anyone else concerned?

[SWP's back]

What if you drop your iPad in the bath

iPhone, but I haven't as of yet. I'd just get a new on probably.

 

[TGR]

I tend to be closer to AustinBlue's thoughts than those on the 'concerned' side so to speak. There seems to be a tendency amongst supporters in general (not just City supporters) to look at players you don't own as some sort of all encompassing panacea for whatever's gone wrong the season before. It was very easy as the season wore on in the last six months for example, to blame our failure to sign RVP, just as I know plenty of rags who said in the last six months of the 11/12 season that had they bought a top class central midfield player they wouldn't have dropped the points which led to City winning the title.

I'm not saying that top players won't improve your team, but you have to look at your starting point too and consider the dare I say it, more holistic ways of improving both performances and results. Is there more to be gotten out of Samir Nasri for example, or Edin Dzeko ? Will young players like Nastasic get better year on year. Do we have the right environment, right encouragement, and right coaching, to do that and get the players to improve both individually and as a unit.

Many people couldn't understand why there was a vocal minority who weren't happy with the season just gone, which had nothing to do with transfers. This was due to the fact that it was apparent to many outside of the club that the players weren't going in the right direction. The team wasn't going in the right direction. But then you look at where we finished in the league, in the FA Cup, and it gives you an idea of what our players can achieve whilst underperforming (dramatically in some cases).

We have a starting point which is immense. Both in terms of what the squad has within it, and what it has already achieved. So far this summer we've identified two absolute weaknesses within the squad and addressed them quickly, quietly and with little fuss. Navas and Fernandinho may not satisfy the headline writers, but then it's no exaggeration to say that Yaya and Silva didn't when they joined either. In fact there's many parallels in terms of the negativity around Yaya's fee and Fernandinho's fee, and also around Silva's apparent substitute role for Spain, and Navas's. I've little doubt that the new players will have similar impact to the ones people complained about two or three years ago.

There's something else which is clearly lost on a few people, and that is that Sheikh Mansour and Khaldoun made it clear from day dot that City although it was going to be successful, was going to be a club which was sustainable. Sincerely I believe that our previous transfer policy was never ever going to allow for that to happen. In many respects I think they did the right thing by splurging to catch up with the elite, and also to mark City out as player within the world game, but it came at a price which needs to be redressed now. That price was over paying wages. Not over paying transfer fees. Transfer fees generally aren't where big clubs add greatly to their bottom line, it's the crazy wages which certain types of players bring with them. To use an example, I suspect that Fernandinho's wages are closer to Garcia's than Yaya's. In terms of impact on the team, he'll be closer to Yaya than Garcia. That type of business we probably couldn't do three years ago because of where we were in our development, but we can do it now.

So for me, it's not about being concerned or not concerned. It's about reshaping the playing squad so that it's one which is more value for money than expensive flops, and to do this there will be some pain involved, including losing players like Balo and Tevez who ultimately, top players though they are, probably couldn't be justified on the wage bill going into this next phase of our development. People scoffed at Ferran when he first suggested at Barcelona that a players' wages should be to some degree linked to achievements. That is now becoming the norm within football. Does anybody really see Joorabchian and Mino, the two preeminent money before everything agents in football sitting down with Ferran to thrash out a deal like that? No chance, and that's probably why both players are gone.[/quote

Likkle billy shears likes to think he's on first name terms with 'Ferran' and
the top brass of the club. People on here are concerned for
a good reason billy. Stop spinning the party line and LISTEN
To what they are saying rather than the usual blah blah blah.
However credit to you for one thing you managed not
drag Mancini's name thru the mud in that post - you
must be mellowing.

 

[berniethebusman]

Doesn't Suarez want out of England ?

The Spanish conveyor belt just continues to produce fantastic young talent. The senior team are still steamrolling most before them and the U21 side recently won their European championship in some style. The U20 side isn't getting quite as much attention, because the players aren't as well known, but they're continuing the trend in their age group World Cup in Turkey and Manchester City have one of the squad's stand-out players.

Nineteen year old Denis Suárez is receiving widespread praise, and Spanish newspaper AS today labelled him a 'phenomenal playmaker' which is quite some tag to have at such a young age. They say he's growing in the mould of superstars like Andres Iniesta and David Silva and their words will sound great to Manchester City supporters.

AS also managed to grab a few words with the young player and he explained that he's been enjoying himself at Manchester City and the first team appearances he got last season, but he wants more chances under new manager Manuel Pellegrini and thinks that the new coach will be better for him. If he can mastermind the rise of Denis Suárez like he did with Isco at Malaga then both the player and the club will benefit hugely.

The youngster told AS "Celta Vigo needed to sell and an offer came from City which it was hard to say no to. At first it was hard to acclimatise, but the presence of my family there helped me a lot. I've played several games with the first team and I hope that with the arrival of Pellegrini, it's better for me. Spanish football is fashionable. Spain win playing good football."

Manchester City have a Spanish contingent which they'd like to add to, with Isco still not 100% a Real Madrid player, in the senior side there's David Silva, Javi Garcia and - recently arrived - Jesus Navas. Suárez will want to join his countrymen as being recognised as a real first team option for Premier League games.

Many Manchester City fans already know just how good Denis Suárez is, maybe next season will be his breakthrough period and he can bring his talents to a wider audience. The Spain U20 team play France tomorrow night in the group stages and the matches are available to view live online.

 

[FantasyIreland]

Doesn't Suarez want out of England ?

he wants to play football.

 

[bobmcfc]

What if you drop your iPad in the bath

iPhone, but I haven't as of yet. I'd just get a new on probably.

I think I might marry you. You're quite good looking and have a nice dog. You would look awesome on my chubby arm ;)

 

[trevorriley]

it will get busy soon with signings, been difficlut with federation cup, these days players also have to many options because of those "under paid" agents !

My concern is that we will still carry one or to dead legs we have. We had 4 players on the pitch on the last game of season that should not be there next year...

 

[SWP's back]

What if you drop your iPad in the bath

iPhone, but I haven't as of yet. I'd just get a new on probably.

I think I might marry you. You're quite good looking and have a nice dog. You would look awesome on my chubby arm ;)

Only quite? You upset me Alan.

Come to the next piss up and I'll woo you. But just don't moan about Fernandinho, he is awesome.

 

[bobmcfc]

iPhone, but I haven't as of yet. I'd just get a new on probably.

I think I might marry you. You're quite good looking and have a nice dog. You would look awesome on my chubby arm ;)

Only quite? You upset me Alan.

Come to the next piss up and I'll woo you. But just don't moan about Fernandinho, he is awesome.

My biggest problem is my working hours. I tend to work all weekend because that's when all the weddings take place

 

[grim up north]

Karen,thats your perception given your adoration for the man.

Re-read Billys post,it's relevant to our current business and makes perfect sense.

Mancini did well,but he also made big mistakes,all makes for present and future discussion.

See Maverick and Goose are back together:-)

 

[Stretford Born Blue]

Yes I am, get me a soddin striker or two please...!