Catastrophic transfers are killing us.

[Johnny Mars Bar]

Txiki has dropped a number of bollocks over the years and some happy clappers might not want to hear it, but many fans have pointed it out several times.

 

[feedmpenzaandhewillscore]

Txiki has dropped a number of bollocks over the years and some happy clappers might not want to hear it, but many fans have pointed it out several times.

We’ve not had a decent transfer window since Summer 2022. Even in that one Alvarez was a success but then was sold on and not replaced and the less said about Kalvin Phillips the better.

We need new faces at the moment but would we feel confident of Txiki identifying players who can immediately hit the ground running with his recent track record?

 

[Johnny Mars Bar]

We’ve not had a decent transfer window since Summer 2022. Even in that one Alvarez was a success but then was sold on and not replaced and the less said about Kalvin Phillips the better.

We need new faces at the moment but would we feel confident of Txiki identifying players who can immediately hit the ground running with his recent track record?

Even some of our smarter signings (Dias and Akanji, bargains that came out of nowhere) were more down to good luck than good management. Both 3/4th choices after our main targets fell through.

 

[chiswick blue]

some great points, as the chairman, Khaldoon has a critical role in overseeing the club's long-term strategy, including recruitment.

Recent transfer windows have seen mixed results. While some of our signings have been successful, others have been less impactful. Spending the sorts of sums on players who don't fit the team's needs or fail to perform consistently will always hinder progress, as much as trying to keep players as sticking plasters - I always think of Kompany, he knew he was near the end of being the best, so he went. A more strategic approach to recruitment, focusing on the right types and top class abilities and getting long-term planning back on track is essential.

Revamping our recruitment strategy to bring in new players with a clear vision and understanding of the club's needs, with proper, considered succession planning for when key figures like Txiki eventually retire or decide they want to move on, and as I mentioned above, this is something Khaldoon needs to be more hands-on as well as in overseeing the recruitment process.

The last thing for me is our scouting networks and player and data analysis teams, they for sure need significant strengthening to identify potential signings who can make an immediate impact, and provide better intel for upcoming talent

For me our recent struggles in recruitment and planning highlight the need for a much more proactive and strategic approach. Sounds easy, but things have been left too long - we have been so successful (its been brilliant hasn't it?) and we have the money, the infrastructure and the manager to do it. So addressing these areas will help our club regain its footing and get back to competing at the highest level. - And yes I have been drinking!

​

I think Prestwick Blue referred to our management structure being light and we needed more heads for effective decision making and maybe this is coming to the fore now that we haven't truly realised how far things have slipped. I would also add that the management structure has been distracted by the legal cases, do not underestimate the time this takes from senior execs (one of my current clients is going through a battle and it's much tougher getting their time for decisions). The evidence of our cocks ups are very plain to see and crisis such as what's happening at City and other businesses are more than often incubated over a period of time and then there is a break point and the whole house comes crashing down.

The really bad news is that the fixes are rarely quick but it doesn't by any means all is lost:

1 City do need more senior execs to ensure effective running of our substantial business, some outside views would be very helpful

2 Sign players in this window and overpaying may be required. We have traditionally not got involved in auctions, sometimes this is required for the right player. You could argue in our past we overpaid for some players but they have turned out to be some of our greatest

3 Players that want to go but have served us well should be moved in January if we have the suitable replacements recruited. We have all worked with people that are unhappy in their job or company and it takes only one to often disrupt the dynamics and we should facilitate their move if possible

The clearing of City and I have zero doubt this will happen will enable our exec team to again focus on the here and now of building up our great club to the not so distant heights.

 

[Dave Ewing's Back 'eader]

People are doing a lot of rewriting of history at the moment.

Palmer - was nowhere near Foden's level last two seasons and best position is the same position. Played plenty of games for us. Foden was PL player of the season last year and without him we didn't win the league. We had two potentially world class number 10s and we made our choice. Good luck to Cole. Suck it up.

Lavia - has taken years of playing for Southampton to get to the point that he's a backup player for Chelsea.

Rogers - nobody can seriously say they'd have him ahead Foden, Palmer, Alvarez, Doku, Savinho. Again, has taken years to get to this position.

What did we do without these amazing young players? Oh, the treble and four in a row.

Anyone saying it should have been done differently also needs to explain how they'd also have achieved these unparalleled levels at the same time.

I've seen all these over the road when they were playing with the EDS. The only one who impressed was Palmer, and had he stayed I bet a pound to a penny he'd be part of the waling wounded. Palmer is only getting the positive press coverage now he's darn sarf is because Foden never went out on loan no matter how hard they scribbled. Pep got the Foden call right, and the others.

 

[ninjamonkey]

Stopped reading at Nunes being "excellent", he's fucking shite, end of.

You should really read more and up those comprehension skills because I didn't say he was excellent I said they were excellent options to drop in and out of the side. Vastly different things.

They may develop but you cannot bring in expensive signings like Nunes, Doku and Savinho and world class players into the 1st team squad.

Why not? We've recorded profits for the last 3 years. Money hasn't been a deciding factor.

 

[Roachy]

We’ve not had a decent transfer window since Summer 2022. Even in that one Alvarez was a success but then was sold on and not replaced and the less said about Kalvin Phillips the better.

We need new faces at the moment but would we feel confident of Txiki identifying players who can immediately hit the ground running with his recent track record?

This last bit is quite important. We have numerous issues at the moment. Players injured, players not fit, players out of form, too old or not good enough. Other things are in the mix but that is a starting list as to the reasons for some of our current woes. We are in dire need of a substantial squad revamp which is now pretty clear. Why the club has allowed this situation to arise we don't know. That's largely irrelevant anyhow now other than to ensure, where possible, the same mistake isn't repeated.
The priority now is to try and reinforce in a couple of positions. Suitability and availability are hurdles to overcome as with all transfer. As mentioned getting players in who can hit the ground running is what's required. However, many claim it takes months and months at least to absorb Peps methods, so there's a potential problem. It's a bit of a conundrum.

 

[krisblue]

I've seen all these over the road when they were playing with the EDS. The only one who impressed was Palmer, and had he stayed I bet a pound to a penny he'd be part of the waling wounded. Palmer is only getting the positive press coverage now he's darn sarf is because Foden never went out on loan no matter how hard they scribbled. Pep got the Foden call right, and the others.

We won the EDS titles in four different age brackets. Are you sure Palmer is the only one who stood out?

 

[B\connellblue]

We had 5 x warnings last season that the team doesn’t function without Rodri, but we chose not to bother trying to fix it.

Who knows if Rodri will come back the same player next season?

We were the best recruiters in world football for a number of years - but Txiki has dropped bollock after bolllock since the treble. He should be nowhere near any rebuild recruitment.

Hold on the happy clappers were eulogising over him a few months ago when he announced he was leaving. A stark reminder how quickly the mood changes.

 

[GaudinoMotors]

To sum up -

DoF of World's richest club makes some good signings, makes some bad signings.

 

[bluemoon32]

To sum up -

DoF of World's richest club makes some good signings, makes some bad signings.

Like some of the players, maybe he just got old & lacked the energy to do his job

 

[Saddleworth2]

I remember in one of his post season interviews Khaldoon boasting that they had ready made replacements for every first team player from the academy such was their long term strategic thinking. We have been pretty woeful at that in the last few years and I can understand why it would happen. The squad that is currently failing is the same one that won four in a row. At any time during the last four seasons when was the right time to bring in the quality midfield/defensive/attacking replacements we need and put Foden/KDB/Gundo/Rodri et al on the bench so that they could be properly integrated. Was it not easier to wring every drop out of the squad that had won so much and then replace when the inevitable dip came? Maybe this season is the pay off for the last four. If so I will take that x 1,000.

Having said that, I personally feel that we have too many newer faces that aren't to the required elite standard yet and we have made some high profile mistakes, particularly Phillips and Nunez. Kova is a stop gap, nothing more. Alvarez should have been replaced. Doku and Savinho aren't good enough yet.

We need at least three outstanding windows to replace;

Ederson
Walker
Stones
Kova
KDB
Gundo
Nunes
Phillips
Bernie
+ another striker
+ a specialist left back

Thats the equivalent of half a squad.

 

[ArniArason]

The fact that very few fans or media expected this dramatic drop off shows that this current group of players were well capable of winning the league THIS season. Therefore the inherent problem is neither old age nor poor signings, it is a mix of injury, bad luck and exhaustion from back to back title wins. Yes there is a residual issue, better signings probably would have helped us mitigate the risk that has now materialised, however, players don't just turn from title winners to 'old men' (as described by the press) overnight, that's just a lazy arguement.

 

[ArniArason]

I remember in one of his post season interviews Khaldoon boasting that they had ready made replacements for every first team player from the academy such was their long term strategic thinking. We have been pretty woeful at that in the last few years and I can understand why it would happen. The squad that is currently failing is the same one that won four in a row. At any time during the last four seasons when was the right time to bring in the quality midfield/defensive/attacking replacements we need and put Foden/KDB/Gundo/Rodri et al on the bench so that they could be properly integrated. Was it not easier to wring every drop out of the squad that had won so much and then replace when the inevitable dip came? Maybe this season is the pay off for the last four. If so I will take that x 1,000.

Having said that, I personally feel that we have too many newer faces that aren't to the required elite standard yet and we have made some high profile mistakes, particularly Phillips and Nunez. Kova is a stop gap, nothing more. Alvarez should have been replaced. Doku and Savinho aren't good enough yet.

We need at least three outstanding windows to replace;

Ederson
Walker
Stones
Kova
KDB
Gundo
Nunes
Phillips
Bernie
+ another striker
+ a specialist left back

Thats the equivalent of half a squad.

Why is Ederson on this list? He's not old and up until this season henwas lauded as in the top few keepers in the world

 

[hilts]

One things for sure, I didn’t realise how good Mahrez was until we brought in Doku and Savinho.

Makes me appreciate everything he did for us now!

As a club we have had a lot of absolute fucking ballers playing for us these last 15 yrs or so. No we dont:-(

What a great time we've had.

 

[Saddleworth2]

Why is Ederson on this list? He's not old and up until this season henwas lauded as in the top few keepers in the world

His head has gone as much as his distribution.
He will be heading for Saudi this summer.

 

[jayblue]

So we shouldn't analyze our transfers. What did I say that's wrong, other than getting Savinho's price mixed up. It's Ok to reflect on what we've bought and sold....don't lump me in with the matchday moaners:-)

Don't worry mate yours was a great post. Some on here won't accept that we're bobbins because we once played at Chesterfield on a Wednesday night .

 

[cyberblue]

For so long we got nearly everything right, smart acquisitions. Well-timed and lucrative departures.

But it's been a disaster recently, the last 3 seasons are bad. Not here to bash any players, and Savinho is "first season" and young, he needs time.

But we have to accept that Savinho, Nunes and Doku are very serious downgrades in terms of output to where we once were.

Doku and Savinho, are young and might have a chance, but cost about £85 between them. Their delivery in terms of goals, assists and big chances is way off.

Nunes, looks like a disaster.
Phillips, total disaster.
Gundogen, very definitely hasn't worked.

Hindsight is easy, but those 5 are all part of a real reduction in quality.

Gvardiol is quality, but having a hard time....so is not delivering.

When it comes to departures we've made quite a few missteps in letting home grown quality leave, think Palmer, Lavia, Porro, Rogers, Delap maybe even Harwood-Bellis, or go a bit further back to Frimpong. We made good money, but we spent even more replacing them with worse.

Can't always get it right, and hindsight is easy, we cashed in on loads of lads (whole bunch to Southampton) and Doyle, Hamilton etc who have not emerged. But Palmer looks like a huge error.

As regards sales, Pep's policy of "unhappy players out", is the right one, and served him well. But Bernardo wanted out for a while apparently and we clung onto him. Mahrez's time was up, his age, got a good fee, but he often delivered in a way the new guys haven't. Sterling, Jesus, and Zinchenko haven't prospered elsewhere, but they'd be very useful to us now. Laporte as well, and Sane. Cancelo also is a huge upgrade on what we now have. I get it that players are moved on for different reasons, Sane wanted out, Cancelo was a mardarse, Julian wanted more game time, but some of them are big losses.

The old guard also looks broken, KDB is shattered and out of contract, Bernardo well off it, Walker finished, Stones, Ake, Dias, Akanji, all good but fragile or constantly out injured.

Fells like the squad is in a pretty bad place. I still think back that 6 months ago we played Madrid off the park over 2 legs and got mugged on penalties, so maybe I'm overreacting, but it feels like we've wasted huge sums on inferior quality, and failed to manage the age profile.

Big job for the new Sporting Director.

Quality post ,very well put
We know it , hopefully them at the Etihad know it and do something about it pretty sharpish

 

[Gone for a Burton]

Between this post and the tactical genius of the match day threads I think we could get rid of pep and txiki and be better off.

If you include the hindsight herberts on here we're on a winner.

Oh and include the stupid juveniles who sing "we've scored a goal" " how shit must you be" "City's goin down".....UTTERLY EMBARASSING.

 

[Blue and true]

Sick of people acting like Gundogan was some huge blunder by the club.

We got him on a free because Barca didn't want him. We didn't pass on fucking Musiala or Wirtz to sign him.

Also, we all saw Palmer at City. Anyone who says they knew he would have broken out like this for City is full of shit. He was never going to get games at attacking mid.

Transfers haven't killed us. We have a lot of raw young players who haven't rounded out their game yet, a lot of veterans who are aging out and realistically are at the end of the line at City, and a giant fucking list of injuries. The transfer policy hasn't been great the last 2 years, but it hasn't killed us because we arent fucking dead.

No we probably wouldn't have won the league anyway this year, but being 7th in December after 14 straight years of making the Champions League (a streak that NOBODY in the Prem comes close to) has got some of you standing on the ledge looking for anything and everything to pin it on, looking for someone to sell or someone to sack. Its December, there's a lot of football left.

Completely disagree about Palmer. We all saw him, we saw he was a diamond and most on this forum were desperate for him to get more game time; cue the liars coming out in force with their revisionism.

Shit happens, we're not infallible, but let's not pretend the last couple of years haven't been poor regards transfers.