When I say both are not up to scratch, I'm referring purely in terms as left wing backs. Danilo looks a very capable right back & Sane as we know is an exceptionally capable left winger. This is why we need Mendy back and another left wing back as cover/competition for him and it looks like Pep agrees judging by the fact we now seem to be in for former Spain under-19 left-back Aarón Martín from Espanyol.Sane and Danillo have been bought by Pep, to say they are not up to scratch just seems odd. Sane isnt a left wing back, we can probably both agree on that.
I broadly agree, but consider this. If our squad wasn't fit for purpose and this was acknowledged by the powers that be, could you ever imagine them coming out and saying we're not bothered about winning because we know we're deficient? YES we had/have a decent squad, but the fact we've chopped & replaced half of them and it seems the chopping hasn't finished by a long chalk, this should tell us what the thoughts about the squad really were.I do see it differently.
This squad is ready now and the last couple of years we under performed. I agree there were deficiencies, however the squads were strong enough to have competed better than they did.
I know you're trying to take pressure off Pep, but there is no reason this squad and manger can't be successful this season despite the improvement of other sides.
I'd be delighted if Pep extended his contract but that wouldn't mean it's ok to lose games now because we have your "long term plan" mentality - given the superiority of our players.
This isnt a "spoilt mentality".
As others have pointed out, the club and Pep are emphasising success now. Preparation and expectations are not the same as a divine right to win things but playing to its potential this squad should be competing strongly.
Agree with much of this - Pep is a proven winner and he's already done huge things for our club.I broadly agree, but consider this. If our squad wasn't fit for purpose and this was acknowledged by the powers that be, could you ever imagine them coming out and saying we're not bothered about winning because we know we're deficient? YES we had/have a decent squad, but the fact we've chopped & replaced half of them and it seems the chopping hasn't finished by a long chalk, this should tell us what the thoughts about the squad really were.
Of course I want to win every game, and even though Monday night severely pissed me off, I could see that we're on the right track, but need further additions and fine tuning. However, this doesn't mean that we can't still have success this season. But let's just say it takes until January/February for all the new players to bed in, for us to find a system/systems that suit the personnel we have, but by this time, we're behind in the title race, out of the 2 domestic cups & out of the CL, but we're rapidly improving, but it didn't come early enough to count for anything this season, what then?
OK, let's say by February all is well on planet Etihad and we're looking good for season 2018/19, are you saying we should chop Pep because he didn't turn our season around quick enough? In my view, I want to win every match we play, but if our true potential & form kick in too late this season, I won't see it as a disaster as long as we're ready and set for the next season where I will begin to judge. THIS is where the 'in the long termers' differ and if you step back & look at it, our positions aren't a million miles apart.
I've been having it with a Rag this morning crowing about the 'Treble' they did last season & their recent FA Cup successes. I shot him down when I explained that this was achieved in the backdrop of City being nobbled by FFP. Essentially FFP was like The International Association of Athletics Federations telling Usain Bolt that he had to carry an egg balanced on a spoon to make his races fairer, or telling Floyd Mayweather that he could only box using his weaker hand so his opponents stood a fair chance.
Question: Why is a process to stop debt in football called 'Fair Play'? Why not call it Financial Responsibility Rules? We all know FFP was about stopping City and had little to do with club debt. BUT, some of us don't seem to realise, the real damage caused to us by FFP. It damaged our squad and Pellegrini made us regress even further. It was against all of this that Pep rolled into town 13 months ago. He's had a season to see what's what and has made huge changes to correct all that was wrong. Don't you think he deserves at the very least another 12 months to bed his new players in and to make his plan work?
If we win things this season, then great, but if not, we should console ourselves with the size of the task facing Pep, and that it's not out of the realms of possibility it could take Pep a season to pull it all together before it begins to bring home regular trophies.
Very admirable but winning things IS creating legacy.
Yes in the long term I'm sure we will create the legacy you write of, but just look at our squad, look who our manager is. There is no reason why we shouldn't be successful now.
Khaldoon himself said it - he wants success; no texts congratating him on third place.
I thought we showed on Monday that we are ready now. Too many "in the long term" posts appearing, a bit arsenal in nature, but I'm assuming the club want and expect success now and also in the future.
I totally agree with your sentiments. The first 2 matches of this season showed we are far from the finished article and that we still have a long way to go. I still believe we have the quality to win something this season, but I won't be marching on the Etihad with a burning torch if we don't. Thankfully very few people are seriously calling for Pep's head on a platter if we don't win anything.Agree with much of this - Pep is a proven winner and he's already done huge things for our club.
For once, our signings align with manager expectations and player defiance of our manager has come to an abrupt halt.
We're clearly much better now.
Our first season under Pep - didn't allow Pep to fix glaring weaknesses at fullback, center back and goalie (Hart didn't want to/couldn't play the way Pep wanted).
Unfortunately we signed a previously excellent Bravo at Keeper who then proceeded to unpredictably self-destruct in his first year for us. Disaster. That derailed much of the progress we would have otherwise made in Pep's first year.
This year, most weaknesses have been addressed. But we're still profligate in front of goal - and our team lacks a dribbler who can break down defenses all on his own (Sterling is our closest player in this regard but he's far from world class at this ability).
So whatever happens this year - keep Pep. And follow Pep's advice for signings in the following windows. Some of football is luck - if we don't win the league this year, I think it will be down to bad luck.
As far as winning the CL title - RM are so far ahead of everyone else in world football that winning the CL is very unlikely - even if RM were to bow out, several other sides are at least as good as we are (Bayern, PSG, Barca).
+1I totally agree with your sentiments. The first 2 matches of this season showed we are far from the finished article and that we still have a long way to go. I still believe we have the quality to win something this season, but I won't be marching on the Etihad with a burning torch if we don't. Thankfully very few people are seriously calling for Pep's head on a platter if we don't win anything.
Question to the Pep Out Campaigners: If not Pep, then who?
+1
And moreover, do you like exciting attacking football - or do you want a conservative side, only going forward is absolutely safe?
Me? I want to see our side score goals. I want to see us dominate possession and keep the other side from scoring because they never have the ball.
Pep is absolutely the best manager win world football for the way I want to see our side play.
Yup - at the same time though he'll still be backed - for at least 2 years should he stay and should we unexpectedly remain trophy-less - our entire management hierarchy is designed to please Pep and it's clear that ownership backs Pep all the way. For me, it'll take 2+ years of no trophies with indication that Pep is at fault as opposed to bad luck for Pep to go.True. But if it doesn't result in trophies I'm sure Khaldoun & the Sheikh will be a tad pissed off. As most fans will be too.
Yup - at the same time though he'll still be backed - for at least 2 years should he stay and should we unexpectedly remain trophy-less - our entire management hierarchy is designed to please Pep and it's clear that ownership backs Pep all the way. For me, it'll take 2+ years of no trophies with indication that Pep is at fault as opposed to bad luck for Pep to go.
And at that point, everything would change - management,players... everything.
Stick with it, I think, unless Pep's obviously lost course; we're far too invested in Pep to chance tack in the foreseeable future.I love the way we play. But if the unthinkable happens and it just doesnt work. The style of play brings no rewards for a few years. I wonder what the main men would do?