It's Quiet Thread 15 - Txiki Blinders

[domalino]

It's not a race. With football it's about skill and intelligence. There is a reason we won the league by 12 points after having a shit start.

The league title is a race, but our midfield really struggled for pace and physicality against Chelsea, Dortmund and for long periods against PSG.

I think there's a really good argument for us getting someone like Pep had at Barca in Seydou Keita, or Vidal at Bayern who is more box-to-box, strong and fast and capable of getting on top of some of the more physical midfields coming about in the game.

Building a squad is about options, and with Fernandinho's physicality nowhere near what it was 3 years ago, our midfield is all a bit one paced and small and not very strong and the option of someone who could run around and disrupt and win the ball back and get into physical battles would round out the squad.

 

[blue oli]

To be fair, we could be supplying more than half the England starting eleven at some a point in the near future!

Good point ! Almost there now so wouldn’t take much movement.

 

[domalino]

that's a poor argument. Sterling should be good enough in his own right to play well without them, not being able to control a ball properly, dribble without giving the ball back to the defender and score regularly aren't going to be solved by playing with a striker. This is like clinging onto Yaya when he couldn't run anymore. Time to play someone who can actually contribute this decade.

It's...an argument I suppose, but I think the club's judgement is probably more worthwhile.

 

[Damien10]

Sell Laporte move rodders to CB and buy new dynamic dm.

It’s a fantastic shout!

 

[Coatigan]

To be fair, we could be supplying more than half the England starting eleven at some a point in the near future!

So Carson is staying, knew it! Ta.

 

[wolviedinho]

West Ham interested in Zinchenko.

Don't think we need to worry.

Maybe we could grab rice in exchange. I hope Zin does not move but maybe we are trying to buy a new lb?

 

[bluemonkey71]

Ha - I'm very relaxed. Khaldoon video will be out shortly and then everyone else can relax too.

It's on!!

What’s on? ;)

Have we gone totally cold on Haaland now?

 

[PannickAtTheDisco]

It's...an argument I suppose, but I think the club's judgement is probably more worthwhile.

there'd be no need for a forum in that case. They've been wrong before as Saturday showed.

 

[blue ranger]

Possibly. I do think they're onto something there though broadly speaking. Sterling would have less of a burden in terms of goalscoring, something IMO he's not that comfortable shouldering the responsibility of - there would also be undeniably more space as someone like Kane would draw more focus than any of our false 9s would. Plus there would always be someone for him to try and find.

I would like to see Sterling playing on the right. He doesn’t seem to run into blind alleys as much when in that position. I’d be happy going into next season with Foden-Kane/Haaland/Sterling as our first choice front 3.

 

[blueparrot]

there'd be no need for a forum in that case. They've been wrong before as Saturday showed.

People have been run over walking on pavements before doesn't mean I start walking in the road. Think we'll find those at the club are right far more than any of us.

 

[nmc]

Ndidi is a good destroyer but is Mangala levels of shit with the ball at his feet. He’ll never play for a Guardiola team

This ^^^^^. We are more likely to see Pep create a replacement DM from someone who presently plays further forward. Much like City did with Fern. We have tried with Rodri and despite the criticism he’s not been an abject failure but we need someone better for the big games where Rodri‘s lack of pace (and reading of situation) can get exposed.

 

[nmc]

West Ham interested in Zinchenko.

Don't think we need to worry.

Sullivan and Gold have clearly spotted his Mrs !

 

[simon23]

tomorrow!

could you post the link on here...is that allowed?

 

[foden47]

The league title is a race, but our midfield really struggled for pace and physicality against Chelsea, Dortmund and for long periods against PSG.

I think there's a really good argument for us getting someone like Pep had at Barca in Seydou Keita, or Vidal at Bayern who is more box-to-box, strong and fast and capable of getting on top of some of the more physical midfields coming about in the game.

Building a squad is about options, and with Fernandinho's physicality nowhere near what it was 3 years ago, our midfield is all a bit one paced and small and not very strong and the option of someone who could run around and disrupt and win the ball back and get into physical battles would round out the squad.

It is indeed a race. More of a long distance one than a sprint though. Our style of play demands that the defensive midfielder is comfortable on the ball, with the intelligence to use it.

Of course, it would be better to have someone who has the ability to protect the defence and recover the ball ala Ferny.

Maybe there is someone out there who can do both, but I haven't seen anyone with those attributes so far.

 

[Musampa 209]

Very happy to hear Zin isn’t going anywhere

 

[domalino]

there'd be no need for a forum in that case. They've been wrong before as Saturday showed.

Ironically haven't you've spent most of the time since Sunday arguing that all your favourite players can't be blamed for playing poorly because Pep changed the system?

But now you also think the idea of Sterling playing better in a different system is outrageous.

 

[nmc]

Ha - I'm very relaxed. Khaldoon video will be out shortly and then everyone else can relax too.

It's on!!

Can we look forward to a cryptic video clue saying Danny Ins is joining us soon?

 

[nmc]

The league title is a race, but our midfield really struggled for pace and physicality against Chelsea, Dortmund and for long periods against PSG.

I think there's a really good argument for us getting someone like Pep had at Barca in Seydou Keita, or Vidal at Bayern who is more box-to-box, strong and fast and capable of getting on top of some of the more physical midfields coming about in the game.

Building a squad is about options, and with Fernandinho's physicality nowhere near what it was 3 years ago, our midfield is all a bit one paced and small and not very strong and the option of someone who could run around and disrupt and win the ball back and get into physical battles would round out the squad.

Sounds a lot like Declan Rice

 

[Coatigan]

Doesn't sound like we have any interest in a sale and a new deal is in the pipeline.

He would deserve it.

He would certaiy deserve it. Makes sense to do it, he has a value worth protecting, both as part of the squad and financial value if someone did come looking or he was tempted to look elsewhere.

 

[blue oli]

Possibly. I do think they're onto something there though broadly speaking. Sterling would have less of a burden in terms of goalscoring, something IMO he's not that comfortable shouldering the responsibility of - there would also be undeniably more space as someone like Kane would draw more focus than any of our false 9s would. Plus there would always be someone for him to try and find.

Agreed, less pressure plus a 9 would put Sterling back into the position of running off a forward again which is where he does well.

I think Bernardo would be a better choice than mahrez on the other side if we have a proper focal 9 for the same reasons as Raz, also for getting decent balls into the box. He just seems to work better with Walker for some reason than mahrez. Not been seen too much this year as we haven’t had that number 9 but if we did we would have a real threat on that side with Walker, Bernardo and deeper crosses from KDB.

I think if we get one of the two main options for striker we are going to see a shuffle of the pack in midfield to support a slight tactical change, I think we are going to see a big name leave too as others have stated, just might not be one we all are thinking.

Got a feeling we are re-building around Foden, KDB and a new striker.