Fred(Signed for United)

[Healdplace]

+1

disappointed when rumours started that we were going to look for a forward instead, in this window....think the squad needs Fred more than a Mahrez...

We were always going for both. But we have shifted focus because the Fred deal stalled. Not what made it stall.

There is a difference.

We wanted/still want Fred but you cannot make Shaktar deal and if it is clear they wouldn't then moving for Mahrez now instead of Summer was worth a shot.

Both were deals we were always wanting to try now or in June. Mahrez since the Sanchez deal failed and not just today.

And if they suddenly relent over Fred tomorrow, unlikely as that is, then I am sure we would still do it as we certainly recognise the need to get that position covered.

 

[SebastianBlue]

Would much rather have Fred rather than Mahrez.

Who knows, though, it may still happen.

 

[tommcfc]

Would much rather have Fred rather than Mahrez.

Who knows, though, it may still happen.

Think the aim is to have 2 top players in each position, which probably makes Mahrez more of a priority at the moment, when you consider Ferna and Gundog may be sen as the 2 top players for the DM role.

With 3 in attack, that would mean needing 6 top players for those positions - Serg, Jesus, Sterling, Sane and arguably Bernardo (though he's not a natural wide player) so with injuries to Jesus and Sane I think Mahrez will be priority and go back to Fred in summer.

Or I could be talking shit and we'll just sign both tomorrow :)

 

[SebastianBlue]

Think the aim is to have 2 top players in each position, which probably makes Mahrez more of a priority at the moment, when you consider Ferna and Gundog may be sen as the 2 top players for the DM role.

With 3 in attack, that would mean needing 6 top players for those positions - Serg, Jesus, Sterling, Sane and arguably Bernardo (though he's not a natural wide player) so with injuries to Jesus and Sane I think Mahrez will be priority and go back to Fred in summer.

Or I could be talking shit and we'll just sign both tomorrow :)

I don’t disagree with your assessment, I just don’t class Dinho and Gundo together.

Gundo is more an odd, slightly more timid amalgamation of Dinho and Silva (I am a big fan of his, mind).

Meaning we are even lighter at DM as we only have *one* player that can effectively play there.

 

[Thorin Oakenshield]

Can somebody explain to me how this team will line up if Mahrez joins and everybody is full fit?

 

[colesy]

Can somebody explain to me how this team will line up if Mahrez joins and everybody is full fit?

I suppose it depends whether it is a weekend or midweek match. We can no longer survive with the strongest eleven, we need options to field the strongest side over the season. I believe too many worry about fitting players in, but with the number of games we are playing, and the injuries we have received, we cannot have too many.

 

[silva_shoelaces]

Clearly the availability of Mahrez and the acquisition of Laporte has changed the landscape.

For me Laporte is effectively backup to Fernandinho, as it allows us to play a back three (which with a line as high as ours is virtually identical as a back four plus Fern). We can play 3/4 of Laporte, Stones, Pta and Kompany and rest Fernandinho. This makes the pressing matter of our depleted forward line far more important.

 

[johnmc]

Can somebody explain to me how this team will line up if Mahrez joins and everybody is full fit?

When is the last time everybody was fully fit? It doesn’t happen at City or any other club.

 

[SebastianBlue]

Clearly the availability of Mahrez and the acquisition of Laporte has changed the landscape.

For me Laporte is effectively backup to Fernandinho, as it allows us to play a back three (which with a line as high as ours is virtually identical as a back four plus Fern). We can play 3/4 of Laporte, Stones, Pta and Kompany and rest Fernandinho. This makes the pressing matter of our depleted forward line far more important.

Christ, we’re signing another CB!?

 

[give & go]

Can somebody explain to me how this team will line up if Mahrez joins and everybody is full fit?

with 10 in sky blue and one in green