Rony Lopes

[JoeMercer'sWay]

maybe not, but having watched these kids play so well i can understand the fear about us becoming chelsea in terms of chances. we do have some of the best young players in the country imo and it would be a waste if at least one of them didn't get into the team ..

I agree, and I hope we don't as well, but it's far too early to judge that, considering Chelsea have been selling kids at a profit for years and we've just sold one.

 

[Neville Kneville]

It can be, again I just point to the wider context and the pressures that the whole staff must be under to win trophies, especially the Champions League. If I look back to Ferran and Txiki at Barca, the 2009 team had more youth and a progressive feel to it than the 2006 team, which used a lot more established stars and signings to get the job done and win that first CL. I get the feeling we have a similar approach this time around, and that we are building a world class squad that will then be complemented by young players, but I think for now the focus is the best, proven squad we can assemble to win those trophies. That's just my view.

I don't disagree with any of that, it's the idea that a few kids on the bench & getting a chance during the season, is a terrible risk, which is my problem. If they can't hack it, they don't get to play an important part, if they can, they do, it's as straightforward as that. Sub them on at comfortable times in games v lesser teams, & see how they go.

At least one will take to it, they always do.

 

[abellwillring]

to be considered good enough for a place in the squad

The problem is that just being a "squad player" is not the best for anyone involved when said "squad player" is 20 years old and developing. It isn't good for City, because being a 4th choice CB means minimal playing time and minimal growth, and it isn't good for Denayer because he needs to be playing every game to continue to develop into the player he can be.

This is where a B team is beneficial. In that scenario, you've got your young player playing professional football on a weekly basis but in the instance where you need them to play for the parent club, he's available immediately at any time. Until a B team system is in place, don't put much stock in City being able to play and develop youth at the rate you'd prefer. On the plus side, nearly all of the youth we re-signed this summer signed 5 year deals so we won't have to worry about a guy being down to 1 year left on his deal when he's right there in that window of uncertainty regarding his development.

 

[Neville Kneville]

Neville,

You said you've been watching the young uns for quite a while, so you have me at quite a disadvantage, as I've only seen Pozo play a handful of times. I find him to be a greedy, heads down player who thinks he is a star playMAKER. A poor man's David Silva is the most generous allusion I could possibly suggest, but I see bigger, stronger, more technically (from a mature player perspective) proficient players at the EDS than Pozo. Clearly, as you rightly say, dropping Pozo into the CF position last season did Pozo no favors at all. He is so obviously not a CF that I wondered what was going on, especially with Milner, Silva, Toure and Nasri in the squad.

I'm not sure there will be one person who watches the kids play, who will be able to tell you why Pozo played in that game. I think there will be very few who will be able to tell you why Rony Lopes has been allowed to run his contract down & be sold, when he is twice as good as Pozo.

Pozo isn't really greedy btw, he has just lost it & that is a symptom.

 

[JoeMercer'sWay]

I don't disagree with any of that, it's the idea that a few kids on the bench & getting a chance during the season, is a terrible risk, which is my problem. If they can't hack it, they don't get to play an important part, if they can, they do, it's as straightforward as that. Sub them on at comfortable times in games v lesser teams, & see how they go.

At least one will take to it, they always do.

well it is a risk, and one I think we're more cautious over at this current time. It's not a terrible risk, just we're more cautious and averse to the risk, which is larger to us than many other clubs, in my humble opinion. With Bony out, Iheanacho will at least be on the bench tomorrow, we'll see if he gets time, it's not the end of the world if he doesn't, but ultimately, slightly perversely, it's up to the first team to have the game sewn up so that he can get game time, too often we don't, and it becomes risky, and possibly makes us more averse to take the chance in more comfortable games, just a thought.

 

[franksinatra]

I don't disagree with any of that, it's the idea that a few kids on the bench & getting a chance during the season, is a terrible risk, which is my problem. If they can't hack it, they don't get to play an important part, if they can, they do, it's as straightforward as that. Sub them on at comfortable times in games v lesser teams, & see how they go.

At least one will take to it, they always do.

That is exactly what is required. Anyone arguing blooding a kid in a crucial fixture is a risk has a valid argument. But a number of matches are finished at half time/60 minute mark. Give them some game time, see how they adapt. FFs we are not talking about kids dragged of the street. The likes of Rekik has won a title and played for his country, Denayer too. Lopes in the french Ligue 1.

We are doing these kids a disservice. Everytime we deny them an opportunity we are reinforcing the mantra that the kids at City do not get a chance. How can we argue that now?

 

[Ray78]

The door has not been completely slammed shut. The current EDS lads will still get chances to train with the first team and if one or two catch Pellegrini's eye then the opportunity would still be there to be included in the match day squad.

 

[Neville Kneville]

well it is a risk, and one I think we're more cautious over at this current time. It's not a terrible risk, just we're more cautious and averse to the risk, which is larger to us than many other clubs, in my humble opinion. With Bony out, Iheanacho will at least be on the bench tomorrow, we'll see if he gets time, it's not the end of the world if he doesn't, but ultimately, slightly perversely, it's up to the first team to have the game sewn up so that he can get game time, too often we don't, and it becomes risky, and possibly makes us more averse to take the chance in more comfortable games, just a thought.

Look at last season, the lack of fitness & confidence of Fernando, the shit form of Kolarov, Dzeko's lack of effort, Kompany injured & head gone, Nasri swanning around, Jovetic permanently crocked, Zaba playing like an old man, Caballero, etc. Meanwhile Jason Denayer is ypoty for Celtic. Our defenci is playing like Keystone cops v Moscow, he is marshalling a vastly inferior set of players at the San Siro, down to ten men. Kompany gets sent off for Belgium, instead of putting Alderwerald or Vertonghen at cb, the coach debuts Denayer, who is shouting & organising them, again marshalling a ten man back 4.

What does Pellegrini do pre season ? Train him as part of the back 4 for the new campaign ? No, he sticks him next to a 16 year old kid, v Real madrid & that's his chance.

Now most of those players who were so shit last season, are being rewarded with a fresh start & Denayer, who had a better season than all of them, has been fucked off.

 

[malg]

£9m.....is that right? If so, then that's fucking good business.

 

[Neville Kneville]

The door has not been completely slammed shut. The current EDS lads will still get chances to train with the first team and if one or two catch Pellegrini's eye then the opportunity would still be there to be included in the match day squad.

I really hope so.