are we wasting this window?

[Cheltblue]

Too early too worry De Niro, but i certainly agree that quality cover is needed all over if we are going to mount and sustain a challenge on the top4 spots. We have a starting 11 on paper that when 'on song' will beat any team.

But how often does a manager get that opportunity to pick 'that' starting 11, there is always something cropping up that means that even at best, he is 2 or 3 short of his favoured team. And while we have a bench that we could only have dreamed about in previous seasons, we still dont have the quality of cover to sustain a proper challenge for the remainder of the season, especially if our cup runs continue in the current vain.

So i have to agree with OP 100% that we need cover. But im not too bothered just yet, Bob seems to know exactly what he's doing. And its been a f*ckin long time since i could say that about a City manager.

 

[mancitypj]

January is always a difficult month to purchase players in. I think we all learnt that lesson with the whole Kaka affair. I think we will sign a couple more players but i dont think they will be the household names that people are wanting.

You only have to look at some of Mancini's signings at Inter.

Maicon - £3.5 Monaco
Julio Cesaer - Free
Balotelli - U/K (Couldn't find the fee, but was bought as a 15yr old from a Serie C1 club)

I like what Mancio does, he looks for a player and moulds that player into what he is looking for, improving their game and usually not paying over the odds. It has to be said those 3 transfers i have highlighted have either gone on, or should go on to become world class players.

The Viera signing has given the press a little bit of ammunition over his age, not played regularly for Mourinho etc. My opinion is Mancini knows what he is getting with Paddy and will be Mancio's voice in the dressing room. Mancini isn't stupid, he knows that he needs someone who is going to fight his corner and get players onside and who better than someone he has previously worked with but also comes with an abundance of medals whether they are, PL titles, Fa Cups, Scudetto's or a world cup winners medal.

Im warming to this, and im looking forward to what other shrewd signings are heading our way.

Great post and couldn't have put it better myself!

 

[colinbellsboots]

realistically, how many top players are available or would be willing to move to city mid-season. not many, if any at all.

this

 

[mcfc1632]

Think we did our major spending in the summer - fans just got drunk on we are that rich we can buy anyone / anytime - no matter the long term issues the increase to the pay level would have on the club

I think that we will make impact signings - like Patrick - if they are available or a 'special signing' - but this would have to be someone top who was available in Jan - so most likely because a club is in financial trouble

 

[Anonymous]

We don't need anyone in this transfer window.

We've had a squad that is more than capable of finishing in the top four since August.

Now we finally have a manager who can get the best out of them.

 

[Rammy Blue]

I reckon we will probably bring in this Ansaldi fella for left back, approx 5/6mil, and spend up to maybe 10mil on another centre half and that will be it.

 

[Didsbury Dave]

I reckon we will probably bring in this Ansaldi fella for left back, approx 5/6mil, and spend up to maybe 10mil on another centre half and that will be it.

I'd say that's about right.

A couple of "outs" wouldn't go amiss if that's the case. Benjani definitely, Sylvenho if anyone will have him (or just cancel his contract), Garrido possibly.

We need healthy competition, not 4 players for one position.

 

[mcfc-mike]

I reckon we will probably bring in this Ansaldi fella for left back, approx 5/6mil, and spend up to maybe 10mil on another centre half and that will be it.

I'd say that's about right.

A couple of "outs" wouldn't go amiss if that's the case. Benjani definitely, Sylvenho if anyone will have him (or just cancel his contract), Garrido possibly.

We need healthy competition, not 4 players for one position.

plus id beg everton to take jo of us permanently, cant see him ever wearing citys colours again,

benji definately, always remember him for ot goal, but cant see him getting a look in now, though id keep garrido as we need some cover for left back and sylvy is not good enough imo

 

[Eccles Blue]

I think since the takeover and during MH's tenure there's been a tendency to place all hopes of success on new signings.
I think before the summer it was absolutely true that to break into the top four we needed to overhaul the squad and bring in real quality. For all his faults, MH's did that. Our squad is far from perfect and has its faults, notably at the back, but we do now have a squad capable of success.

Mancini has reminded us that the most important thing is to get players playing as an organised unit. Thats what wins games and keeps clean sheets.

I dont want to critisize MH's or dwell on his reign too much but all to often we looked like 11 fired up individuals, each trying to win the game, instead of a team effort.

Man City is not a fantasy football team or Football Manager where if you collect a group of star players you will succeed. Neither is it the harlem globe trotters of football.

Of course new signings can improve us, but I think its more important to get the most out of what we have.

I think this is an excellent post and couldn't agree more. We have not totally gelled as a team yet but it is coming, the signs are there. Let's not worry about big name signings let's get on with pulling together what we have.

 

[Anonymous]

Two quality full backs and that's all,folks.

Plus a couple of wind-up bids on any of the rags targets wouldn't go amiss.Anyone they want to buy we should push up the price via the press until they squeak-like Berbawank.

;-)