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

[ONTHERUNWITHTHAKSIN]

I would hope getting another LB would be a wake up call to Mendy like bringing Cancelo did to Walker

Competition for places keeps people on their toes

But I just feel Mendy is just not good enough

We need a LB who is going to come in and start in first 11 and soon as

 

[samarasra]

You both make good points, but the only issue is the faults we have are the same ones we have had for a couple years Kompany was injured a lot towards the end, now we have obviously bought Dias who will hopefully be the CB we need, although I see him as Otamendi's replacement and Laporte needs to be the Vinny replacement in terms of leadership. Fernandinho was already

Do feel for Rodri to be fair. He obviously divides opinion on here

Agree with this 100% it puts too much pressure on. Keep seeing Dias is the Kompany replacement. That's a hell of a lot of pressure to put on the lad. I think its Laporte who needs to fill that role in terms of leadership at the back. Same with Foden and David Silva. Bernardo needs to be the man to fill that role and allow Foden to grow into. Rodri divides opinion on here, he gets compared to Busquets, but let's not forget he had Xavi and Iniesta helping him out as well as a back line of Alba, puyol, pique and alves. Rodri has had a make shift back 4 in Otamendi, stones fernandinho, whoever we can slot at LB and Walker and Cancelo! While I agree we cant consistently spend our way out of the problem, I do feel a solid LB was important to have got this window as Mendy is unreliable and the others are just stop gaps. Tottenham got a lot of stick for buying the a LB from Real Madrid due to that buy back clause, but are they really in a worse position than us when it comes to LB now? The have a potentially solid LB for 12 months at least and have that time to scout a decent replacement if Madrid do come back. We in the meantime have the problem of a poor LBs and have to wait to get a decent one

You refer to having the same faults and I think this is important. I think for Leicester's first goal the problem that instigated their attack was when Fernandinho dived into and missed a tackle about halfway into the Leicester half, that took our forwards and midfield out of the game and with our defenders being so high we were left stranded. We seem to concede so many goals from losing possession in our opponents half even from our corners or free kicks in the past 2 seasons or from long balls over the top. Our style "we defend by attacking" is high risk and when we don't score in some games we concede too often from individual errors. Somehow I think our strength is our weakness and we are a player or 2 short of being able to maximise that style, so maybe if we don't have the players to make the style almost foolproof we should slightly adjust the style to suit the players we have.
I don't expect Rodri to be Fernandinho at his peak, but I think he is overly criticised. He does a lot of good work that is unseen When one of our attacks break down just outside our opponents area, the opposition kicks long and breaks and we see 40/50 metres of space in our half with some speedster racing towards our goal. Even the speediest of midfielders cannot give attackers that head start, yet we expect him to be attacking just outside the opposition box while simultaneously defending his own box, it's not realistic. The Burnley game was not a big test but with some comments here in mind I focused on him in the game and he made a lot of interceptions, tackles and doubling up to keep Burnley penned back as well as making a lot of passes and a couple of shots. I believe the most effective midfields have always been a blend of different types of players where the collective is greater than the individuals and the "starman" rarely shines without the support of his partners. His value as a team member may well be more respected by his team than by fans, maybe when he is 34 those writing him off now can claim they were right, but I hope for City's sake they have to eat their words.

 

[kaz7]

If our window is over, was there something which happened mid way through it in which our Board changed their mind? Khaldoon clearly said multiple signings and we ended up with a CB after the PL started. I just hope Pep's contract issue doesn't have anything to do with this.

In any case, I am more than happy with this window. PL contenders for sure, but need certain players like Mendy, Bernardo and Torres to find form for Champions League.

we have signed three players

 

[Big Dave Watson]

Yoy have avoided the main point...you post with such authority aa they are so snappy...you about as much as everyone else
..nothing yet the manner in which you post suggests you yhink otherwise...

Try usung the words...in my opinion....or i beleve....not just statwments of facts with no explanation

Yes, posted with authority because I know it will be right, and it has been proven time and again.

PS: A few typos in your reply, a bit rattled perhaps?

 

[citytill1die84]

That’s patently untrue and I’ve no idea how you’ve come to that conclusion, mate.

We'll see at the end of the season then eh pal?

 

[wolviedinho]

i suspect she did it all on her own , how dare a woman have an opinion

She is of course entitled to her opinion and maybe her views are indeed her own. If you are trying to tell me that zin did not know of her intentions or pass on his thoughts on the matter before she went public then I am indeed wrong.

Anyway what does it matter. It was unfortunate for Pep and ultimately zin.

 

[pavelsrnicek]

That post fully proves my point about the massive double standards whereby we expect our squad to have two world class players in every position whilst we don't come close to applying that standard to our rivals.

I never said Liverpool’s understudies were world class or that I would expect City to have 22 world class players. Liverpool don’t seem to suffer much injuries so the understudies only get the occasional game but in general they’re competent, which is enough. We try for every competition so our squad gets tested more. I think most in here would prefer that more than Liverpool‘s tendency to bail on the cups since Klopp arrived.

I would be very happy if City had a quality, reliable left back plus competent cover. Mendy may surprise and start delivering but I fear injuries have taken a toll. If we had Monaco level Mendy here no one would be too concerned about the cover. But we haven’t seen that so far, his confidence seems fragile and because of his recent meniscus issues we may lose for spells.

Let’s hope it isn’t an issue this season. Dias will hopefully organise our defence properly so our left back won’t be out of position too often.

I really hope you’re right, your optimism is infectious. Let’s hope Leicester was a leftover blip from last season and we see the start of Pep’s City 2.0 this season.

 

[Phil1]

We'll see at the end of the season then eh pal?

Yep.

 

[kaz7]

She is of course entitled to her opinion and maybe her views are indeed her own. If you are trying to tell me that zin did not know of her intentions or pass on his thoughts on the matter before she went public then I am indeed wrong.

Anyway what does it matter. It was unfortunate for Pep and ultimately zin.

She doesnt have to ask his permission or tell him what she is about to tweet

 

[citytill1die84]

Blindly repeating the same bollocks when faced with facts is the symptom of a deeper problem IMO. Just look at the US right now.

Look pal you won't convince me otherwise. It's been a shit window (AGAIN MY FUCKING OPINION) and it'll be proved correct when we struggle again this season.

You're bigging up Dias like he's some VVD (Hope he is) he hasn't played a fucking game for us yet and he's not even the 1st choice Pep wanted.

Ake again will be squad rotation, I'll agree he's better than Ota.

We have a 35 year old Fernandinho still playing a major part in our side.

Aguero is a crock and will miss many games

Silva not replaced (don't give me the Foden bollocks)

We're left with 1 LB and continue to use a midfielder / RB as cover

But ye we're stronger than last year haha.