January transfer/its quiet Thread

[I'm no cynic but...]

Apart from the three key positions (left-back, centre defence, central midfield), we need someone who can play out wide (either side) but who has genuine pace. Sanchez, Roberts, and their ilk are all wonderfully skillful, but they lack the real pace that would continually allow us to play more expansively, stretch opponents up and down the pitch, and counter. We might not find someone as quick as Sane, but if we want to play the same way every three days, we'll need to find a player that can give us that bit extra.

I don't think pace is an issue. I don't really like to think that stats reveal all, but going back over the season's record so far, they reveal some startling details. Our possession stats are regularly around 75% of games, our passing record drowns out virtually all opponents and the same is revealed by our goal attempts. Where our stats show failings, it is in the number of shots which fail to be on target or are blocked. Although we usually outnumber opponents with shots, the margin is usually somewhat closer than all other aspects. Maybe there should be more shooting in training and it's problem solved!

 

[Gabriel]

I don't think pace is an issue. I don't really like to think that stats reveal all, but going back over the season's record so far, they reveal some startling details. Our possession stats are regularly around 75% of games, our passing record drowns out virtually all opponents and the same is revealed by our goal attempts. Where our stats show failings, it is in the number of shots which fail to be on target or are blocked. Although we usually outnumber opponents with shots, the margin is usually somewhat closer than all other aspects. Maybe there should be more shooting in training and it's problem solved!

Interesting points. Perhaps the reason we fail to hit the target more often or have chances blocked is because of the pace we play at. We've looked particularly sluggish in two games when Sane has not played (Wolves and Feyenoord) and in games where the opponent has dug in quite well. Might be different when Mendy returns and the backs can push up wide, but I wouldn't be surprised to see us go for another wide player.

 

[Moe66]

In January. A CB and LB please!

Otamendi/Stones are starters. Kompany backup with Mangala but Mangala is imo not good enough, especially for a long stretch of games.

We've been linked with:
Inigo Martinez: Real Sociedad.
Johnny Evans: West Brom
Mouctar Diakhaby (Lyon)

LB;
Aaron Martin ( Espanyol).

As much as I wouldn't want an ex Man Utd player, Evans is still a solid player with loads of experience but will be overpriced. Haven't watch much of Martinez but Soceidad have been doing well in la liga and Diakhaby is 20 years old. Idk who would come but Pep seems like his going to want Inigo Martinez and Aaron Martin.

 

[salfordbluetrue]

In January. A CB and LB please!

Otamendi/Stones are starters. Kompany backup with Mangala but Mangala is imo not good enough, especially for a long stretch of games.

We've been linked with:
Inigo Martinez: Real Sociedad.
Johnny Evans: West Brom
Mouctar Diakhaby (Lyon)

LB;
Aaron Martin ( Espanyol).

As much as I wouldn't want an ex Man Utd player, Evans is still a solid player with loads of experience but will be overpriced. Haven't watch much of Martinez but Soceidad have been doing well in la liga and Diakhaby is 20 years old. Idk who would come but Pep seems like his going to want Inigo Martinez and Aaron Martin.

there is nothing wrong with Mangala but he probably wants to leave Martinez is too small and being linked to us as he is playing in spain Evans is error prone has been all his career Diakhaby is inexperienced and takes a week to get up to speed but it is his reaction speed that is a worry needs looking at but Lyon want a swap, for me it is VVD for the best fit and Mings if we want english young left footed fast ex wing back who knows left of a back 3 and good at bringing the ball out
lB i would go for a loan the lad from Celtic they will be out of europe cruising the league with a decent back up and will want some of our youth

 

[Manchester_lalala]

there is nothing wrong with Mangala but he probably wants to leave Martinez is too small and being linked to us as he is playing in spain Evans is error prone has been all his career Diakhaby is inexperienced and takes a week to get up to speed but it is his reaction speed that is a worry needs looking at but Lyon want a swap, for me it is VVD for the best fit and Mings if we want english young left footed fast ex wing back who knows left of a back 3 and good at bringing the ball out
lB i would go for a loan the lad from Celtic they will be out of europe cruising the league with a decent back up and will want some of our youth

There’s quite a few things wrong with mangala.

 

[cadds92]

I think we will try again with Sanchez and if unfortunate we will look at a 6 month loan deal for someone like Draxler I reckon.

A left back will be a cert now I feel. Delph looked a little dodgy yesterday and can't be risked into playing all the time doing 3 games a week.

In regards to a CB, I think we will just wait until the summer.

A lot will relying upon Kompany's fitness I feel. If he stays fit until John is back we won't move, but if not we will look to move.

I don't think Mangala has anything to do with it as I am unconvinced Pep rates him and will only play in him if he absolutely has to.

I think if Pep can see Vinny remaining fit, he can get through the season primarily with Vinny, Stones and Otamendi.

There won't be that many great CB's available in January anyway and we would likely be buying someone clearly below the level we should be looking at.

 

[salfordbluetrue]

There’s quite a few things wrong with mangala.

i really do not see the need to pull down the player with the highest clean sheet % at city Pep almost certainly does not want him but that does not make him a bad player , most of europe is looking at him with the aim of getting him on the cheap giving him a year or two of regular football before selling him on for a fortune, and in my opinion they have a very good chance of doing it , and when he leaves i hope he has good memories of city as we have butchered his career

 

[Moe66]

i really do not see the need to pull down the player with the highest clean sheet % at city Pep almost certainly does not want him but that does not make him a bad player , most of europe is looking at him with the aim of getting him on the cheap giving him a year or two of regular football before selling him on for a fortune, and in my opinion they have a very good chance of doing it , and when he leaves i hope he has good memories of city as we have butchered his career

Don't get me wrong, I like Mangala's commitment to City. He wants to stay and help us win the title but I don't see Pep wanting to keep him. I think the problem if you watch him closely is his ability on the ball. In la liga last season he actually looked good but the tempo in the la liga is nowhere near the PL and Mangala at times won't have time on the ball and that is where he struggles. He looks shaky and tends to struggle to find his next pass under pressure. With Pep, the center backs need to be able to play under that pressure on a consistent level considering we like to play from the back. It took Otamendi and Stones a season of mistakes to get comfortable with Pep's style, Mangala was sent on loan and the team wanted to sell him to Palace on the last day of the transfer window. Which goes to show how little of faith Pep has in him.

 

[cleavers]

Mangala was sent on loan and the team wanted to sell him to Palace on the last day of the transfer window.

They also wanted to sell Delph to Stoke, and look how that has turned out. Mangala won't be sold until the summer at the earliest, and he will be needed, perhaps like Stones and Otamendi he too will cut out the mistakes ?

 

[Sleeping_Easy]

In -> Out
Lucas -> Mangala
Weigl -> Yaya

Sanchez on a free

Possibly a LB as well but would feel harsh on Delph as he's been brilliant and can more than do a job as back up