It's Quiet thread 14 - 'do one' edition

[Neville Kneville]

The desperation of many of the posts here is a bit embarrassing. We are about to begin an exciting new season that will see us watch one of the best teams in England with two exciting new signings, the continued development of one of the world's most promising young players and all under the coaching of the most successful manager the last couple of decades has seen with a chance of more signings on the way. Am I the only one who feels this way? Reading this thread is like we are beginning a season under Pearce.

I'm afraid to say, I don't trust the manager, after the repeated inclusion of Garcia last season & the tactical & personnel suicide in the CL.

Don't get me wrong, I still think he is by far the best around & I hope he's still at City in ten years. But if he loses inspiration, he can no longer function; it's the way he is.

Until the season actually starts & I see the team play, I worry that he will try to do the same stuff again & if he does, I think it will go very badly.

Another cb signing now, would convince me that he is back on his best track & that we're going to be full on City, once again.

So that's why I'm 'needy' to see it happen. Then I can relax.

 

[Newman Noggs]

City originally thought Aguero could be fit for Real Madrid - 27 July 2020.

Now, it's 50/50 if he plays vs. Wolves, 21 September 2020.

He is 2 full months behind the recovery they thought he would have, and this meniscus injury which is supposed to put you out for 6-8 weeks has now seen him out for more than 12.

As we get into the last 3 weeks of the transfer window, that's the position that is making me worry.

This seems to be the pattern with most injuries we suffer. Starts out with player coming off '"as a precaution", then, "we're awaiting scans", then "he'll be out for up to 4 weeks", then "he needs a minor op, he'll be out for up to 6 weeks", the, "we're hoping he'll be back for Christmas", then "we're hoping he'll be back for the end of the season" then "we're hoping he'll be back for the beginning of next season". In Sane's case it was "we're hoping he be fit for the transfer window" and, in Mendy's case "we're hoping he'll be fit before his contract runs out". Been a bit unlucky with injuries the last few years.

 

[Neville Kneville]

Meniscus injuries often linger, especially in older players. I'm pretty pessimistic about this season for Sergio.

That's one of those things it's difficult to fix, short term though. It's such a big move, to replace him.

It is what it is.

We should fix the stuff we can fix, now, make the rest of the team as strong as it can be, to negate the damage, if it happens.

 

[The Light Was Yellow Sir]

City originally thought Aguero could be fit for Real Madrid - 27 July 2020.

Now, it's 50/50 if he plays vs. Wolves, 21 September 2020.

He is 2 full months behind the recovery they thought he would have, and this meniscus injury which is supposed to put you out for 6-8 weeks has now seen him out for more than 12.

As we get into the last 3 weeks of the transfer window, that's the position that is making me worry. If he's in and out of the side with a bad knee, this season is far too condensed for Jesus to be the only striker.

Whilst not necessarily disagreeing, don’t we have any academy/EDS players who can step up, at least until he is fit?
I only ask because I don’t really follow them although I do keep reading its world beating and we have the pick of all the youngsters. Then I look down the A56 and see they’re potentially going to have a front 3 with Rashford and Greenwood in it (and possibly, which would be the worst of all, Sancho) whilst we are inordinately pleased when Foden and Doyle get on the bench.

 

[Neville Kneville]

Whilst not necessarily disagreeing, don’t we have any academy/EDS players who can step up?
I only ask because I don’t really follow them although I do keep reading its world beating and we have the pick of all the youngsters and then I look down the A56 and see they’re potentially going to have a front 3 with Rashford and Greenwood in it (and possibly, which would be the worst of all, Sancho) whilst we are inordinately pleased when Foden and Doyle get on the bench.

By coincidence, we do actually have potentially the best young cf we have ever had.

But he is only 17, so you would expect maybe some sub appearences & the odd goal.

 

[WRicko]

Probably depends on how left-footed they are. Has Laporte ever played on the right of two central defenders? I can't remember him doing so. I think he'd struggle there but I can see him being OK in the centre of a 3. Ake? Perhaps he can because if he can play defensive midfield - he must be pretty comfortable with both feet?

Much of this speculation stems from not seeing City in pre-season and the natural desire to see City overkill the key weakness in the squad.

I always assumed that Ake would cover Laporte, allow City to play 3 at the back if we wanted to, or play as a deep midfielder which is also a weakness for City.

Useful graphics follow from Totalfootballanalysis but we need to consider that he was playing for Bournemouth a side that would be under a lot more defensive pressure than City.

(They also have a very specific article on how could Ake fit into City: Total Football Analysis)

If you look at the graphics you see that Laporte is a playmaker. His pure defensive attributes don't appear that good but then some defensive arts such as closing down without diving in, and shepherding a forward away into a safe area aren't captured.

Is it me or do those stats look make it look as if we do not have a stand out CB would assume Laporte would be miles better also looks like Ake is not great and finally how come supposedly weak Stones wins the arial duels

 

[WRicko]

By coincidence, we do actually have potentially the best young cf we have ever had.

But he is only 17, so you would expect maybe some sub appearences & the odd goal.

Who ?

 

[dhruvblue]

Whilst not necessarily disagreeing, don’t we have any academy/EDS players who can step up, at least until he is fit?
I only ask because I don’t really follow them although I do keep reading its world beating and we have the pick of all the youngsters. Then I look down the A56 and see they’re potentially going to have a front 3 with Rashford and Greenwood in it (and possibly, which would be the worst of all, Sancho) whilst we are inordinately pleased when Foden and Doyle get on the bench.

You see out academy kids are never ready while we wouldn't hesitate to spend on kids from other teams. I am telling you Pep would rather play Bernardo or sterling as false 9 or play no striker than give chance to academy striker even it's for few minutes. People here will. Justify he is not ready paper thin physically not ready

 

[Centurions]

Who ?

Liam Delap, Roary Delaps son.

 

[The Light Was Yellow Sir]

By coincidence, we do actually have potentially the best young cf we have ever had.

But he is only 17, so you would expect maybe some sub appearences & the odd goal.

Carabou cup surely? The thing I’ve never quite understood with Pep (and his thinking is stratospherically different to most people, I know) is why he doesn’t put a couple of young lads on, now and again, when we are 5 up with 10-15 minutes left? It’s almost always Aguero off, Silva/Sterling off and KDB off, with Mahrez, Jesus, Gundogan, Foden or Rodri on and sometimes for 5 minutes. That’s when the ‘boys’ might be worth giving a go, I’d have thought.