Ferran Soriano & Txiki Begiristain

[Bilboblue]

Was it just me thought Mangala was half-decent yesterday? I know my view from right in the corner of the away end was a bit limited to be fair.

Anyways, I reckon these two have a huge job on their hands from now onwards for the next few seasons, massive (!) changes to be made I think.

Found myself questioning Peller's logic for the first time yesterday.

 

[chris85mcfc]

Was it just me thought Mangala was half-decent yesterday? I know my view from right in the corner of the away end was a bit limited to be fair.

Anyways, I reckon these two have a huge job on their hands from now onwards for the next few seasons, massive (!) changes to be made I think.

Found myself questioning Peller's logic for the first time yesterday.

Seriously?

 

[baildon blue]

Really not bothered about Laurel and Hardy .

 

[I'm With Stupid]

That simply wasn't an option though, as we had so many players who we had no choice but replace. We've barely made a signing that wasn't a cheap replacement for some squad player who had to leave for one reason or another. (age, contract running out, wanting to leave). Out of the squad that won the league under Mancini, I think there is only two players from outside of the first 11 who are still at the club, both of whom are probably leaving this summer (Kolarov and Milner). We've had to use so much of our transfer budget on moderately priced squad players that we've not been able to invest in the quality gamechangers we've needed to reinvigorate the squad. We simply haven't had the youngsters to fill out the squad.

I agree with this. Most of their signings have basically been players that can do a job. Players that might give us some different options, but ultimately are no better than what we already have, and are never going to become world class because they're already at their peak age. They bought Negredo (28), Navas (27), Fernandinho (28), Fernando (26) and most recently, Bony (26). The only (relative) youngsters they've bought have been Jovetic and Mangala. It's almost like a deliberate policy of only buying players of peak age until the academy starts producing talent. But personally, I don't think that we should be buying anyone between the ages of 25 and 30 unless they're good enough to go straight into the first team and improve on what we already have there. The rest should be players in their late teens and early 20s. But the policy seems to be to have two experienced players in every position, which means you spend a lot of money on decent but not world class players, when in reality, having a few youngsters in the side shouldn't be a massive handicap against 80% of the opposition we play. There's also been a definite policy of balancing the books though, and the reality is that young players are getting stupidly overpriced nowadays (especially when it's us buying), whereas someone like Navas will actually be more effective short term and much cheaper. So like I said, I think they might be gambling on shorter-term signings and expecting the academy to pick up the slack in a few years. But the problem is that if we want the next generation to have a core (or any number) of academy produced players, these players should be in and around the squad now. And when you've got 2 experienced players for every position, it's difficult for youngsters to even get a place on the bench, never mind on the pitch.

 

[I'm With Stupid]

Was it just me thought Mangala was half-decent yesterday? I know my view from right in the corner of the away end was a bit limited to be fair.

He's only 23 in a new league. I'd say he's doing fine so far, especially when our organisation even makes the likes of Kompany and Zabaleta look crap regularly atm.

 

[Bilboblue]

Was it just me thought Mangala was half-decent yesterday? I know my view from right in the corner of the away end was a bit limited to be fair.

Anyways, I reckon these two have a huge job on their hands from now onwards for the next few seasons, massive (!) changes to be made I think.

Found myself questioning Peller's logic for the first time yesterday.

Seriously?

Yes, why?

Are you surprised people can have different opinions?

 

[chris85mcfc]

Was it just me thought Mangala was half-decent yesterday? I know my view from right in the corner of the away end was a bit limited to be fair.

Anyways, I reckon these two have a huge job on their hands from now onwards for the next few seasons, massive (!) changes to be made I think.

Found myself questioning Peller's logic for the first time yesterday.

Seriously?

Yes, why?

Are you surprised people can have different opinions?

No its fine, just surprised its only the first time

 

[crystal_mais]

These guys need a free reign in the transfer market - since they have been appointed we have been having to work under restrictions in the transfer market.

Commercially done very well
Made the right decision to sack Mancini
I personally don't think Pelle was option number 1 as I think it was Pep

Now is the the time to see what they are made of. Key decisions to be made especially on players and manager

 

[john@staustell]

Was it just me thought Mangala was half-decent yesterday? I know my view from right in the corner of the away end was a bit limited to be fair.

Anyways, I reckon these two have a huge job on their hands from now onwards for the next few seasons, massive (!) changes to be made I think.

Found myself questioning Peller's logic for the first time yesterday.

I dont think it helps Mangala with Kompany charging around like a raging bull alongside him. The defenders were inter-changing positions at times - quite regularly - which is not too desirable. It's not as if Liverpool are world beaters.

Oh for the days of Mancini keeping the whole team unit moving as one in training in those early days!

 

[the originalkippaxman]

Was it just me thought Mangala was half-decent yesterday? I know my view from right in the corner of the away end was a bit limited to be fair.

Anyways, I reckon these two have a huge job on their hands from now onwards for the next few seasons, massive (!) changes to be made I think.

Found myself questioning Peller's logic for the first time yesterday.

I dont think it helps Mangala with Kompany charging around like a raging bull alongside him. The defenders were inter-changing positions at times - quite regularly - which is not too desirable. It's not as if Liverpool are world beaters.

Oh for the days of Mancini keeping the whole team unit moving as one in training in those early days!

Exactly this. How many times have mistakes been made when Kompany goes disappearing he doesn't need to go running all over the park thinking he is helping the team out. He needs to stay in position and do his job. As for people saying he is being drawn into making these mistakes by covering other players well that is just a load of bollocks he is making other players look shit by his very poor decision making.