It's Quiet 18 - Wanna ring the bell?

[ScottSinclair]

I just can’t possibly agree with the sentiment that you just stated which is essentially “yeah he’s lying to the fanbase but if you can’t understand and accept that then you’re the idiot and he’s not to blame at all”.

Yeah, maybe your attitude to his posts is ‘oh it’s all just a bit of fun, we shouldn’t worry about it.’ But this now - by his own choosing - goes way further and way deeper than just the long-timers on here who ‘know not to take him too seriously’


People trust him partly because this forum persecutes anyone who dares to question his non-existent track record of actually delivering on his promises.

And why would that make anyone already questioning him believe him?

I'm just saying he has the credentials he says he has, while not having the best track record. But enough evidence that he at least is somewhat in the know. Which basically makes him as good if not better than most newspapers. It is not like he is tricking people into a pyramid scheme, he is posting what he gets told about the club he supports. And people accept that because at least we know that he doesn't just make it up.

 

[WallyA]

It’s pretty obvious that having PL experience is a HUGE plus to the recruitment team. I think there’s no way we would sign Grealish, Nunes or Phillips if they were playing in Serie A, Ligue 1 etc. Been linked with a lot of subpar PL players lately as well, like Ait-Nouri, Robinson, Guehi, Eze and Wharton. I really hope Viana brings some new ideas in terms of recruitment. Looking at out most successful signings in the last 12 years most of them came from abroad. Aguero, Kompany, Yaya, Silva, Fernandinho, Sane, De Bruyne, Haaland, Dias, Bernardo, Gundogan etc

For me personally, I would like to see:

GK - Chevalier. One of the best ball playing goalkeepers in the world and a great shot stopper. Best of both worlds, just turned 23

CB - Diomande or Schlotterbeck. The latter is world class already, Diomande would probably be an easier deal to do with the Sporting-Viana link. Both are far better players than Branthwaite, and less risk in terms of injuries. Wouldn’t surprise me if they would be cheaper as well

CM/DM - Lamine Camara. African young POTY two years in a row. Shades of Caicedo/Lavia. Quick, good in tight spaces, defensively strong, good passer and can play both DM and CM

CF - Cucho Hernandez or Jonathan David for an outright striker. 37 G&A in 35 and 22 in 26 respectively. Proven goalscorers, although in clearly inferior leagues. Jonathan David is leaving on a free in the summer as well

For a CF/LW hybrid: Omar Marmoush. Only 25 yo, and would reportedly cost €50-60m. Has 30 G&A in 18 apps already this season (Bundesliga and Europa League). I can’t really see us selling a winger in the summer, it would therefore make sense to sign a more versatile attacker that can cover multiple positions

I can totally see why we’re linked with Bruno G. For the RB position I would also prefer Livramento. Unless we can’t get the top drawer from the PL we should look abroad IMO

I dont fully know those players, but I like the idea of buying abroad.

Also, 1 defender will not be enough, I think we will need 4 defenders.

Walker and Lewis arent good enough.

Stones and Ake are injury prone and at best backups we cant rely on.

We really only havr Gvardiol, Dias and Akanji as reliable defenders, and Gvardiol only as an attacking LB.

 

[Keith Moon]

Fucking hell we might aswell all end it

It's all over now, baby blue

 

[Delphinho]

I dont fully know those players, but I like the idea of buying abroad.

Also, 1 defender will not be enough, I think we will need 4 defenders.

Walker and Lewis arent good enough.

Stones and Ake are injury prone and at best backups we cant rely on.

We really only havr Gvardiol, Dias and Akanji as reliable defenders, and Gvardiol only as an attacking LB.

I’d sign Livramento as well and integrate Callum Doyle, basically adding 3 new defenders to the squad. The post was more about non-PL players I hope we’re watching closely

LB: Gvardiol, Ake
CB: Dias, new CB, Akanji, Doyle
RB: new RB, Lewis

Stones and Walker to go, but I’d keep Ake. There’s a limit to how many we can sign and let go in a single summer

 

[Keith Moon]

most agents don't seem to give a fuck about what's best for the player though, just how much they can make from the deal.

Sadly true, but the uncertainty around the team/manager/115 will be a big obstacle.

 

[MarsLlama]

And people accept that because at least we know that he doesn't just make it up

I think that he does make it up and I think there is much more evidence to support my position than to support the opposite position.

We at the very least knows that he gets a real huge kick out of saying something that winds up the supporters, usually in the form of a music video that conveniently may or may not turn out to be related to something that happens. That’s not my opinion, it’s a fact that he likes to excite City fans, and it’s a fact that he does that whether it turns out to be true or not.

If this was genuinely all about passing on info in good faitbout of the goodness of his heart then there would be no music videos, there would be no riddles, there would be no cryptic clues. I would really like to hear anyone give me a good argument against that because I actually would like to believe that I am wrong.

I think he’s lying to you all and has been for a while. Maybe I’m wrong and maybe I’m right, but I have at least got good reason to suspect that I’m right, that much is not up for debate.

 

[akrh215]

Bruno G is a big downgrade as well.....

I asked what Gemini thought about your opinion and what it would say to you.

Okay, let's address simon23's claim that Guimarães would be a downgrade, especially in this dire situation where City have lost 10 games in a row and are in crisis.

Here's what I would say to simon23 on the forum:

Subject: Re: Guimarães a downgrade? Absolutely not!

Hey simon23,

I understand you think Guimarães would be a downgrade, but I respectfully and strongly disagree, especially given our current crisis. We've lost 10 games in a row, the midfield is in shambles, we're lacking leadership, and the team's confidence is at rock bottom. In this context, saying Guimarães is a downgrade is, frankly, baffling.

Let's break down why he's exactly what we need right now:

Dynamism and Energy: Our midfield is static and being overrun. Guimarães is a dynamic box-to-box player who can cover ground, win the ball back, and drive the team forward. He'd inject much-needed energy into a lifeless midfield.

Leadership: We're desperately lacking leaders on the pitch. Guimarães has captained Lyon and is a key player for Newcastle. He's not afraid to take responsibility and demand more from his teammates. We need that fighting spirit right now.

Premier League Proven: He's not some unproven talent who needs time to adapt. He's been one of the best midfielders in the Premier League for the last 2 seasons. He can make an immediate impact, which is crucial given our current situation.

Winning Mentality: He's a winner. He's helped transform Newcastle from relegation candidates to a top-four team. We need players who know how to win and can handle the pressure.

Defensive and Offensive Contribution: He's not just a workhorse; he's excellent defensively and offensively. He can break up play, provide a shield for the defense, and contribute goals and assists. We're struggling at both ends of the pitch, and he improves us in both areas. He is a significant upgrade on Rodri's current backups, and everyone in the league besides Rodri.

You might be thinking about his price tag, but in a crisis like this, we need a game-changer, and Guimarães is that. He's not a downgrade; he's a massive upgrade on our current midfield options and exactly the kind of player who can help turn our season around.

What are your specific concerns about him? What alternative solutions do you propose that would have a bigger immediate impact? I'm genuinely curious to hear your reasoning, because right now, I can't see any other player who would be a better fit for our needs.


In short, to Simon23 and others on the forum, I'd emphasize that in a crisis, Guimarães's proven quality, leadership, and dynamism are precisely what City needs to stop the rot and salvage their season. He is one of the best midfielders in the league, and would significantly improve this struggling City team. He is levels above the likes of Kovacic, Nunes, and Kalvin Phillips.

 

[Colin Bells Boots]

If I was an agent i would not advise my player to join City in January, team has imploded, Pep might resign, club may be relegated. So top targets will be hard to get.

Stick to smashing drum kits !

 

[svennis pennis]

Odds that we are all sat here on February 3rd hoping for a last minute signing?

 

[WallyA]

I’d sign Livramento as well and integrate Callum Doyle, basically adding 3 new defenders to the squad. The post was more about non-PL players I hope we’re watching closely

LB: Gvardiol, Ake
CB: Dias, new CB, Akanji, Doyle
RB: new RB, Lewis

Stones and Walker to go, but I’d keep Ake. There’s a limit to how many we can sign and let go in a single summer

Id keep both Ake AND Stones simply because they are unsellable pieces of glass lol. Might as well keep until contract runs down and give 1 year extensions if they happen to keep some form of fitness.

Otherwise I like the idea of Doyle and Ake as left footed CBs.

Only thing id change is swap Lewis for another RB, who is more like a CB. That way the RB you chose could be like Livramento, with the other a more defensive option.

Lewis for me simply wont cut it as the kind of fullback I want. I think Pep has to mold him into a 6/8 hybrid and just let him learn that. Even still, he would just be a backup, but a high energy one.

Edit: As an aside, is Doyle doing well on loan?