It's Quiet 18 - Wanna ring the bell?

[Bernard20]

My biggest fear with Kalvin has been his lack of energy and pace. He’s been a plodder for us. If that is his limit then I agree with you, if he comes back with an extra bit of mobility, pace and drive then he could turn it around.

I didn’t see much of him at Leeds but he always seemed key to how they played. I’ve vague recollections of a great performance at Spurs (maybe 2-4 or similar) where he was excellent.

He was very good for England for a spell (usually with “that ****” Rice ;-) but we’ve seen very little from KP so far.

We need something from him if he stays. For me, working your bollocks off and getting around the park are basics, the majority of our squad do that as natural as breathing.

Like Jack saying he felt much more part of things this season, Kalvin needs to strive for that if he’s to stay.

Re the poster you replied to (sorry, I’m not sure how to multi-quote)…. He was not average for Leeds. He was one of Bielsa’s most trusted players, he earned himself a call up to the international squad and he’s been around it ever since. He was adored by all Leeds fans and they were gutted when he left.

He hasn’t been great for us, granted. He’s had his injury issues and then getting used to Pep etc… I also think he’s struggled with confidence. A big part of where he plays is just being available for the ball… Rodri is always available and Kalvin, seems to hide from it (albeit with very limited minutes). So the jury is still very much out…

But credit where it’s due, he seemingly wants to fight for his place. He seems like a top guy and is loved by the squad. And there is definitely a player in there.

Give him chance ffs… about 18months ago, I couldn’t split Kalvin and Rice personally (when considering the England squad). I might know fuck all, but all I’m saying is the lad deserves a chance before he is written off. We bought him for a reason and I’m hopeful we’ll start to see it next year.

 

[richards30]

Alvarez will feature a lot more

Deserves to mate, it will be interesting to see what Pep has up his sleeve for next season

 

[pavelsrnicek]

You’re likely right based on what we’ve seen of him but let’s hope he picks up.

I hope so too but I don’t think he’s got good enough defensive instincts to be a DM for us.

Gaughan’s article is clearly a brief from the club and to be truthful is hugely disappointing. Without sounding like a couch expert it doesn’t sound like there’s any clear plan. Gvardiol would definitely be a good signing. Obviously the way we play means we don’t need to replace Cancelo. We have 2 good strikers.

At the same time we don’t know whether either of our normal right wingers will be here next season. Also we were willing to spend £100m on midfielders but according to Gaughan (therefore the club) because we didn’t land either we don’t need a midfielder.

I appreciate that sometimes we have to react to changing circumstances but you also have to plan and make contingency plans.

We’ve just had our best season ever and invariably some players will be burned out and some may still move on but we should be ruthless in our dealings.

Instead we briefed Gaughan to say everything is fine and under control but the article inadvertently makes us look slapdash and lacking in any clear strategy.

 

[Tony - MCFC]

I hope so too but I don’t think he’s got good enough defensive instincts to be a DM for us.

Gaughan’s article is clearly a brief from the club and to be truthful is hugely disappointing. Without sounding like a couch expert it doesn’t sound like there’s any clear plan. Gvardiol would definitely be a good signing. Obviously the way we play means we don’t need to replace Cancelo. We have 2 good strikers.

At the same time we don’t know whether either of our normal right wingers will be here next season. Also we were willing to spend £100m on midfielders but according to Gaughan (therefore the club) because we didn’t land either we don’t need a midfielder.

I appreciate that sometimes we have to react to changing circumstances but you also have to plan and make contingency plans.

We’ve just had our best season ever and invariably some players will be burned out and some may still move on but we should be ruthless in our dealings.

Instead we briefed Gaughan to say everything is fine and under control but the article inadvertently makes us look slapdash and lacking in any clear strategy.

I’m sure they have a strategy. Rice one throws a curveball because he was clearly wanted at the price we wanted to pay, and this to me means City know someone else is off possibly.
Rice imo was never a replacement for Gundo, that was Kovacic who they wrapped up when we knew Gundo was off.

The squad as it stands is class, with Gvardiol added it’s outstanding. We have to wait and see and be patient whilst we see what happens with Bern & Mahrez particularly.

 

[Scottish Cityzen]

Re the poster you replied to (sorry, I’m not sure how to multi-quote)…. He was not average for Leeds. He was one of Bielsa’s most trusted players, he earned himself a call up to the international squad and he’s been around it ever since. He was adored by all Leeds fans and they were gutted when he left.

He hasn’t been great for us, granted. He’s had his injury issues and then getting used to Pep etc… I also think he’s struggled with confidence. A big part of where he plays is just being available for the ball… Rodri is always available and Kalvin, seems to hide from it (albeit with very limited minutes). So the jury is still very much out…

But credit where it’s due, he seemingly wants to fight for his place. He seems like a top guy and is loved by the squad. And there is definitely a player in there.

Give him chance ffs… about 18months ago, I couldn’t split Kalvin and Rice personally (when considering the England squad). I might know fuck all, but all I’m saying is the lad deserves a chance before he is written off. We bought him for a reason and I’m hopeful we’ll start to see it next year.

I’ve not written him off, but he needs to come back with the bit between his teeth next season, show the player he was at Leeds and for England before he came to us.

I really like the fact he wants to fight for his place, and is popular within the squad but the harsh reality is that he needs to be seen as a solid member of the team when called upon. He didn’t achieve that last season but not impossible for him to turn things around.

 

[Bernard20]

Re the poster you replied to (sorry, I’m not sure how to multi-quote)…. He was not average for Leeds. He was one of Bielsa’s most trusted players, he earned himself a call up to the international squad and he’s been around it ever since. He was adored by all Leeds fans and they were gutted when he left.

He hasn’t been great for us, granted. He’s had his injury issues and then getting used to Pep etc… I also think he’s struggled with confidence. A big part of where he plays is just being available for the ball… Rodri is always available and Kalvin, seems to hide from it (albeit with very limited minutes). So the jury is still very much out…

But credit where it’s due, he seemingly wants to fight for his place. He seems like a top guy and is loved by the squad. And there is definitely a player in there.

Give him chance ffs… about 18months ago, I couldn’t split Kalvin and Rice personally (when considering the England squad). I might know fuck all, but all I’m saying is the lad deserves a chance before he is written off. We bought him for a reason and I’m hopeful we’ll start to see it next year.

 

[Bernard20]

Hiding from the ball is confidence, not ability… once he’s in and feeling part of the squad etc and not struggling with imposter syndrome, he could well kick on. I just think too many have written Kalvin off after a handful of minutes! If he’s fit and has a proper preseason with the squad, he might well prove a lot wrong next season and he could well have saved us £105m! I’m rooting for him anyway.

 

[r.soleofsalford]

View attachment 84825

Please stop, he’s a lazy dabbing **** who’s more interested in showing his latest hair cut or new dance moves than pulling his finger out and playing decent football. Pogba is a wanker.

 

[chesterbells]

Fred available

Fred again.

Oops, wrong thread.

 

[pavelsrnicek]

I’m sure they have a strategy. Rice one throws a spanner because he was clearly wanted at the price we wanted to pay, and this to me means City know someone else is off.
Rice imo was never a replacement for Gundo, that was Kovacic who they wrapped up when we knew Gundo was off.

The squad as it stands is class, with Gvardiol added it’s outstanding. We have to wait and see and be patient whilst we see what happens with Bern & Mahrez particularly.

I think you’re right on Rice and I’m guessing it’s because the club believe Bernardo has decided to go. Would also explain why we went for Rice so late in the day.

I think our squad is absolutely brilliant but we’re short numbers in midfield and while Kovacic will replace Gundogan and he will be more physical, he lacks a little of Gundogan’s creativity and goals.

My fear is next season is that though adding Gvardiol will mean we’ll concede less, Haaland will still score lots but overall we won’t score enough.

I think we need someone else in midfield who can pick a pass. KDB is 32 and can’t play every match, we need someone else to share the creative burden. Foden potentially could but he’s often the guy making the run rather than picking the pass to the runner.