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

[skyblues]

City’s problem is defence: False I’m afraid. Conceded 36 v Liverpool’s 35(tightest defence in the league).

Our problem has been closing games out where we have had 70% possession, 29 shots on target and no goals.

In my humble opinion.

Liverpool conceded 22 the year before while we were also better, but a rocksolid defence is what ultimately gave them the trophy and we know how tight they can be. This area cannot be overlooked but I don’t think it will.

And conceding goals at important moments, which he can't do anything about.

One of my misgivings about signing Messi, is Pep doing a Pellegrini & forgetting about building anything, just cashing in on trophies & then fucking off, with Messi.

There is no reason we can't put the same effort into fixing the defensive play, as well as the attacking play.

We see with Barca now, what you end up with if you neglect the other parts of the team.

Exactly. I know we’re an attacking side but not adding world class players and getting weak links out from the defence, and just count on Messi to outscore our opponents with two-figures would be a big mistake, and a very naive way of thinking. We’ve made schoolboy errors at the back, and for far too long.
Honestly we need a Messi at the back more than we need one up front, but Koulibaly is on the radar as we all know. Let’s just hope the club don’t go too blind with Messi ;)

 

[oakiecokie]

No, there’s video footage of Suarez arriving for training just half an hour ago even though Koeman wants him out - someone had a video on here :)

Ah right.

 

[Marvin]

Why would he go? He’s not a Barcelona player any more...

For the moment I still prefer that City agree a fee for his 'sale' but I say that not trusting claims on twitter. In reality Messi's people will surely have his contract, and either the clause is in the contract or it is not, and city can proceed accordingly.

 

[TheThirdDeano]

This is fucking mad

 

[Marvin]

Liverpool conceded 22 the year before while we were also better, but a rocksolid defence is what ultimately gave them the trophy and we know how tight they can be. This area cannot be overlooked but I don’t think it will.



Exactly. I know we’re an attacking side but not adding world class players and getting weak links out from the defence, and just count on Messi to outscore our opponents with two-figures would be a big mistake, and a very naive way of thinking. We’ve made schoolboy errors at the back, and for far too long.
Honestly we need a Messi at the back more than we need one up front, but Koulibaly is on the radar as we all know. Let’s just hope the club don’t go too blind with Messi ;)

We need to look at the defensive balance if Messi is in the team. At 33 it would be stupid to have him track back like Sterling. We must appreciate he has strengths and weaknesses and the City squad has to complement him.

If we can have a defence that can defend one on one we can give messi the freedom to play.

 

[SPIDERBOY]

Why would he go? He’s not a Barcelona player any more...

Said to the father in law last night....."he won't show up,as far as he is concerned,he ain't a Barca player no more"

 

[M12Blue]

For the moment I still prefer that City agree a fee for his 'sale' but I say that not trusting claims on twitter. In reality Messi's people will surely have his contract, and either the clause is in the contract or it is not, and city can proceed accordingly.

Why prefer to pay Marvin. If he’s free he’s free surely

 

[EekC]

'It is not pressure. Messi understands that he is no longer a Barcelona player and has already communicated this to the club.'

 

[simon23]

We need to look at the defensive balance if Messi is in the team. At 33 it would be stupid to have him track back like Sterling. We must appreciate he has strengths and weaknesses and the City squad has to complement him.

If we can have a defence that can defend one on one we can give messi the freedom to play.

You do know we have already bought one new defender and are clearly in the market for another - both pacy and physically strong as well which in part already addresses some of the problem

Do you not think that before a club makes an approach for a player they look down and see HOW that player fits into the squad/starting 11 and WHERE he fits according to the other players around him.

Its also not like we are buying some unknown quantity either - Pep and Txixi know Messi inside out so will know HOW to fit him into the team....Unlike for instance Torres where they will have some knowledge but there is still an unknown quantity about him so it is a little bit wait and see.

We are also still rumoured to be after another midfielder - now if thats Aouar then he also brings in pace and energy to that midfiled

 

[SWPISHOME]

@tolmie's hairdoo come on fella what's happening :)

 

[jollylescott]

Thanks Tolm. Great song and perfect for this moment.

 

[M12Blue]

We need to look at the defensive balance if Messi is in the team. At 33 it would be stupid to have him track back like Sterling. We must appreciate he has strengths and weaknesses and the City squad has to complement him.

If we can have a defence that can defend one on one we can give messi the freedom to play.

We know defense will be sorted, koubaiky will be here soon. No way khaldoon will give pep messi and say just get on with it, you’ve got Messi FFS

 

[richards30]

Well @tolmie's hairdoo mentioned we needed Leo to be strong and committed and he’s certainly done his bit!

 

[SWPISHOME]

Well @tolmie's hairdoo mentioned we needed Leo to be strong and committed and he’s certainly done his bit!

Massive step in the right direction for us today with Messi not turning up, Really leaves Barcelona in a very uncomfortable position..Lets see what card they play now!

 

[Neville Kneville]

Testing is 09:15am UK time so he has 20mins still to show up. If he’s not there by 10:30 I’d suggest he’s a no show. Fingers crossed.

He should show up & then Barca tell him he can't come in, as he's not had the test.
Ahh shit. Nothing I can do then. That'll be one million pounds please.

 

[richards30]

Massive step in the right direction for us today with Messi not turning up, Really leaves Barcelona in a very uncomfortable position..Lets see what card they play now!

I see they have just stated they won’t let him leave until his contract expires next season! :-0 it was rumored that one reason for him not turning up today was that if he had Barcelona could argue his contract for next season started today with the PCR testing?

 

[skyblues]

We know defense will be sorted, koubaiky will be here soon. No way khaldoon will give pep messi and say just get on with it, you’ve got Messi FFS

Let’s not get too confident. We know jackshit and Napoli have a president who is highly unpredictable. We’ve lost out on important transfers in the past.

 

[The1nvisibleMan]

I'm just waiting for Tolm to pop in and let us know he's ready to sign. That moment would be majestic.

 

[Goatmeal]

Massive step in the right direction for us today with Messi not turning up, Really leaves Barcelona in a very uncomfortable position..Lets see what card they play now!

don’t think they have any cards left.
Feels a bit uncomfortable to me. Maybe let them have García as a good will gesture.
That’s if García still wants to go of course. Not sure it’s the best move for him.

 

[SWPISHOME]

I see they have just stated they won’t let him leave until his contract expires next season! :-0 it was rumored that one reason for him not turning up today was that if he had Barcelona could argue his contract for next season started today with the PCR testing?

I read that too, If he had of turned up today then he would not be able to leave on a free transfer this summer and the clause would no longer stand (don't know how true this is) but the main thing is he truly believes he can leave for free and better again he wants to move to us.
Surely the ball will start rolling after Messi not turning up today, Messi a no show today is enormous news.