Cristiano Ronaldo - not City

[mosssideblue]

Another top drawer post A, sums him up perfectly, spot on about Aguero aswell.

What do you think of Txiki so far?

My thoughts on Txiki are the same as Pellegrini; both nice guys but incompetent and have ultimately dined out on the work of their predecessors. Overall, they've compromised our potential for future success.

The Barcelona success was due to Guardiola's principles and utilisation of youth from within the club; the players Txiki did buy for them were hit and miss.

I imagine he got the job based on the perception that he'd give us access to the best Spanish based talent and make us a more appealing prospect to the catalysts of that Barca dynasty, but the reality is he has had little impact in that regard.

The likes of Navas, Caballero and Negredo are average at best, and were attainable regardless of who was in charge; the Marwood-Cook combo was able to bring in the likes of Aguero and Silva from Spanish clubs at very good prices.

Crucially though, last summer Barcelona were selling two world-class footballers who would have been huge improvements to our first 11, one of whom is classed as homegrown, and they ended up going to our direct rivals. Obviously the credentials upon which he got the job are fraudulent. What makes it worse is we spent roughly the combined cost of Fabregas and Sanchez on Mangala, Fernando and Caballero, three players who've been unable to establish a starting berth in the team this year, let alone improve it.

Last summer, Toure's value peaked; his annual tantrum should have been used as an opportunity to get a good price for him, or part-ex him for Cesc. Txiki should have had the foresight to acknowledge the natural decline in both value and performance for Yaya and taken necessary action, especially considering the pending AFCON tournament. Now we will be lucky to get £10m for an immobile 32 year old and are no closer to an adequate replacement.

It amuses me when somebody quotes him (the plane convo a poster had with him) blaming FFP for our awful signings; he's spent a shed load of money on substandard footballers, that's the issue. He speaks of the capacity to spend big this summer; if it's a case of blank cheques for the biggest name players, then surely his 'specialist' role is obsolete and any of us can do it?

The reality is our recent success is built on those recruited pre-2012; we are still heavily dependent on Hart, Toure, Silva , Zabaleta, Kompany and Aguero. Txiki hasn't been able to successfully replace the fundamental, solid players like Lescott and Barry, so as age catches up with the aforementioned stars, do you really trust him to be able to identify and attain worthy successors?

The homegrown ruling has also become an issue during his tenure; I am not sure that it's not on Pellegrini's orders, but we have completely neglected it and now face a summer of desperately acquiring players at a premium rate to fill the quota.

After John Stones' performances last season, why did we look abroad to Mangala for twice the price the accomplished young Everton defender would likely have been available for? Would Ferguson have done that? Would Bayern?

Ultimately, we are approaching a key point in our history; our first cycle of success is waning and we haven't integrated enough quality in the past few seasons to make the transition into the next one seamless. Simply buying Di Marias and Falcaos isn't the solution, and in my opinion neither is Ronaldo.

We need a new direction, a recruitment policy that focuses on collective compatibility and potential. Players like Koke and Isco fit that bill, as do Bale and Sterling. They're four players who could hit the ground running while still having huge scope to improve. The rest should ideally be acquired from within the league, steady, proven players who've earned a move to a top club. The top 4 clubs aren't likely to sell to us unless they're damaged goods ala Wilshere/Adebayor, so we should be targeting accomplished players from the likes of Everton, Southampton, and Spurs, like McCarthy and Sneiderlin.

Unfortunately, the miss-management of recent years both on and off the pitch means that it will be a gradual process and simply competing for the title initially should be regarded a success in the first couple of seasons.

Is Txiki capable of getting it right? Not for me.

You hope he doesn't raggy!

+1

 

[mosssideblue]

We still miss Tevez. On the pitch he was fucking brilliant, and full of energy and running. Just what we seem to be lacking this season.

You and many others may. I don't. I wont forget that he went AWOL for three months and didn't give a flying fuck for his team mates, the club or the fans.

He might have been a terrier when he was here but his behaviour IMO is unforgiveable. Sorry

 

[kaz7]

My thoughts on Txiki are the same as Pellegrini; both nice guys but incompetent and have ultimately dined out on the work of their predecessors. Overall, they've compromised our potential for future success.

The Barcelona success was due to Guardiola's principles and utilisation of youth from within the club; the players Txiki did buy for them were hit and miss.

I imagine he got the job based on the perception that he'd give us access to the best Spanish based talent and make us a more appealing prospect to the catalysts of that Barca dynasty, but the reality is he has had little impact in that regard.

The likes of Navas, Caballero and Negredo are average at best, and were attainable regardless of who was in charge; the Marwood-Cook combo was able to bring in the likes of Aguero and Silva from Spanish clubs at very good prices.

Crucially though, last summer Barcelona were selling two world-class footballers who would have been huge improvements to our first 11, one of whom is classed as homegrown, and they ended up going to our direct rivals. Obviously the credentials upon which he got the job are fraudulent. What makes it worse is we spent roughly the combined cost of Fabregas and Sanchez on Mangala, Fernando and Caballero, three players who've been unable to establish a starting berth in the team this year, let alone improve it.

Last summer, Toure's value peaked; his annual tantrum should have been used as an opportunity to get a good price for him, or part-ex him for Cesc. Txiki should have had the foresight to acknowledge the natural decline in both value and performance for Yaya and taken necessary action, especially considering the pending AFCON tournament. Now we will be lucky to get £10m for an immobile 32 year old and are no closer to an adequate replacement.

It amuses me when somebody quotes him (the plane convo a poster had with him) blaming FFP for our awful signings; he's spent a shed load of money on substandard footballers, that's the issue. He speaks of the capacity to spend big this summer; if it's a case of blank cheques for the biggest name players, then surely his 'specialist' role is obsolete and any of us can do it?

The reality is our recent success is built on those recruited pre-2012; we are still heavily dependent on Hart, Toure, Silva , Zabaleta, Kompany and Aguero. Txiki hasn't been able to successfully replace the fundamental, solid players like Lescott and Barry, so as age catches up with the aforementioned stars, do you really trust him to be able to identify and attain worthy successors?

The homegrown ruling has also become an issue during his tenure; I am not sure that it's not on Pellegrini's orders, but we have completely neglected it and now face a summer of desperately acquiring players at a premium rate to fill the quota.

After John Stones' performances last season, why did we look abroad to Mangala for twice the price the accomplished young Everton defender would likely have been available for? Would Ferguson have done that? Would Bayern?

Ultimately, we are approaching a key point in our history; our first cycle of success is waning and we haven't integrated enough quality in the past few seasons to make the transition into the next one seamless. Simply buying Di Marias and Falcaos isn't the solution, and in my opinion neither is Ronaldo.

We need a new direction, a recruitment policy that focuses on collective compatibility and potential. Players like Koke and Isco fit that bill, as do Bale and Sterling. They're four players who could hit the ground running while still having huge scope to improve. The rest should ideally be acquired from within the league, steady, proven players who've earned a move to a top club. The top 4 clubs aren't likely to sell to us unless they're damaged goods ala Wilshere/Adebayor, so we should be targeting accomplished players from the likes of Everton, Southampton, and Spurs, like McCarthy and Sneiderlin.

Unfortunately, the miss-management of recent years both on and off the pitch means that it will be a gradual process and simply competing for the title initially should be regarded a success in the first couple of seasons.

Is Txiki capable of getting it right? Not for me.

You hope he doesn't raggy!

+1

+2
He has been rumbled today

 

[pride in battle]

Looks like the City players have been sitting at the wrong table and haven't seen the napkin

Which is the right table though Dan ? (if you can say that is).

Tapas is on the menu if you fancy a bite?[/quote

Suarez...

 

[richards30]

Which is the right table though Dan ? (if you can say that is).

Tapas is on the menu if you fancy a bite?[/quote

Suarez...

Surely not????? The way he taunted our fans at the etihad? Not sure how that would pan out.

 

[LoveCity]

He may be a dick but I'd have Luis Suarez here all day long. Him and Aguero would be the best strike force in years. And at this point I don't care if we're holistic or heinous, I want this team to win relentlessly. Surely though, Barca won't sell when they aren't allowed to buy to replace him yet?

 

[richards30]

He may be a dick but I'd have Luis Suarez here all day long. Him and Aguero would be the best strike force in years. And at this point I don't care if we're holistic or heinous, I want this team to win relentlessly. Surely though, Barca won't sell when they aren't allowed to buy to replace him yet?

Maybe its a deal for messi to stay?

 

[gordondaviesmoustache]

He may be a dick but I'd have Luis Suarez here all day long. Him and Aguero would be the best strike force in years. And at this point I don't care if we're holistic or heinous, I want this team to win relentlessly. Surely though, Barca won't sell when they aren't allowed to buy to replace him yet?

Congratulations on your 40,000th post. You're one of a very rare breed of poster whose post count makes mine look every so slightly less embarrassing.

Keep up the good work.

 

[Sergi0 Na5r1]

He may be a dick but I'd have Luis Suarez here all day long. Him and Aguero would be the best strike force in years. And at this point I don't care if we're holistic or heinous, I want this team to win relentlessly. Surely though, Barca won't sell when they aren't allowed to buy to replace him yet?

Congratulations on your 40,000th post. You're one of a very rare breed of poster whose post count makes mine look every so slightly less embarrassing.

Keep up the good work.

That was the 40,000th post? He's made 79 more since then, amazing! Congrats

 

[LoveCity]

He may be a dick but I'd have Luis Suarez here all day long. Him and Aguero would be the best strike force in years. And at this point I don't care if we're holistic or heinous, I want this team to win relentlessly. Surely though, Barca won't sell when they aren't allowed to buy to replace him yet?

Congratulations on your 40,000th post. You're one of a very rare breed of poster whose post count makes mine look every so slightly less embarrassing.

Keep up the good work.

Thanks GDM! Although I'd be happy if Ric reset it to 100 as I've had a few snarky remarks about my post count. :) (truth is I used to post a lot more than now)

Anyway, while preparing dinner I was imagining a strike force set up like Barca's with Aguero in the middle (Bony as his backup), Suarez on the right, and any of Sterling/KDB/Bale/Depay on the left in a 4-3-3. Then Silva in a midfield 3 (Iniesta role), a little deeper than he's used to playing, in front of Fernandinho and a top midfield signing. Now that's a team that could scare anyone. :)

And could be adjusted in several ways with a good squad (more conservative - add Fernando, more possession based - add Nasri).