Still need magic

[Lucky Toma]

With Negredo sewn up and Jovetic on his way that's our forward line complete and it's one I'm really happy with. There is a variety among the foursome that gives Pellegrini all the options he needs.

But to my mind we still need a playmaker, not only to take the burden off Silva but someone perhaps with a bit more zip and drive. Nasri's form may have improved immeasurably at the latter end of last season but he remains a hindrance for me - never taking a player on, zero penetration, and requiring eight touches where one will do.

Isco of course was a big loss - the lad would have been perfect - and my fear is missing out on him will jeapodise our chances for silverware just like missing out of Hazard was so costly last year.

There are several names being bandied about but this thread isn't about which exciting attacking midfielder we'll sign...but rather whether we'll sign one at all.

What do you think? Will Pellegrini settle for the two schemers he currently has (along with the wider option of Navas)?

Sorry for sounding negative but I personally think this could be big mistake.

 

[MCFC-alan88]

What you've just described is exactly what Jovetic does..

 

[Lucky Toma]

What you've just described is exactly what Jovetic does..

He can and has. But he'll be employed more as a second striker IMO.

I'm not particularly a Nasri hater but I'd like nothing more than to see him shipped out this summer with a younger, more confident creative type brought in.

Then we're set. Then it's bring them on.

 

[MCFC-alan88]

What you've just described is exactly what Jovetic does..

He can and has. But he'll be employed more as a second striker IMO.

I'm not particularly a Nasri hater but I'd like nothing more than to see him shipped out this summer with a younger, more confident creative type brought in.

Then we're set. Then it's bring them on.

With having Aguero, Negredo and Dzeko I think it's exactly how he'll be used, those three to fill the two/one up top (Depending how we set up) and Silva, Jovetic and Navas behind them.

 

[Lucky Toma]

What you've just described is exactly what Jovetic does..

He can and has. But he'll be employed more as a second striker IMO.

I'm not particularly a Nasri hater but I'd like nothing more than to see him shipped out this summer with a younger, more confident creative type brought in.

Then we're set. Then it's bring them on.

With having Aguero, Negredo and Dzeko I think it's exactly how he'll be used, those three to fill the two/one up top (Depending how we set up) and Silva, Jovetic and Navas behind them.

Perhaps you're right mate (though Navas will be used predominantly as an out-and-out wideman) but it does not address the fact that Nasri remains our 'strength in depth'.

If injuries hit or we're struggling to break down a stubburn defence I'd much rather we had someone capable of the special. Nasri doesn't do special.

 

[MCFC-alan88]

He can do, but the problem is he's such an inconsistent confidence player that it begs the question, how useful will he be as a squad player?

I actually think that the players we have brought in will solve a lot of problems we've been having with stubborn defences, when you look at how aggressively strong Negredo is, how fast Navas is and how tricky Jovetic is, pretty much everything we were crying out for last year when playing teams we couldn't pass around. Negredo likes shooting from the edge of the box, so does Jovetic and Navas has the pace to get behind and slam a ball across the six yard box, none of which we've had for quite some time which added to our problematic pass pass pass approach.

 

[meldrew]

With jovetic and navas in the team, I believe this will take a lot of pressure off Silva eg him not being doubled up on thus making him have lots more time to pull the strings. Here's hoping anyway.

 

[Dave Ewing's Back 'eader]

He can do, but the problem is he's such an inconsistent confidence player that it begs the question, how useful will he be as a squad player?

I actually think that the players we have brought in will solve a lot of problems we've been having with stubborn defences, when you look at how aggressively strong Negredo is, how fast Navas is and how tricky Jovetic is, pretty much everything we were crying out for last year when playing teams we couldn't pass around. Negredo likes shooting from the edge of the box, so does Jovetic and Navas has the pace to get behind and slam a ball across the six yard box, none of which we've had for quite some time which added to our problematic pass pass pass approach.

We have not had a player who could take out the first or second man by dribbling round and through him. Solid defences can re-organise instantly by passing backwards and forwards across the line. Teams like Wigan had it all sewn up if yer played like that. But take on a man, beat him and panic sets in the defence. They haven't sorted out who leaves the man they're all marking to challenge the player with the ball. (Think I'll email Manuel with this little bit of insight. It might get us a few points over the season!)

 

[Bluesince93]

We have not had a player who could take out the first or second man by dribbling round and through him. Solid defences can re-organise instantly by passing backwards and forwards across the line. Teams like Wigan had it all sewn up if yer played like that. But take on a man, beat him and panic sets in the defence. They haven't sorted out who leaves the man they're all marking to challenge the player with the ball. (Think I'll email Manuel with this little bit of insight. It might get us a few points over the season!)

I believe this is, word for word, exactly what Navas does and adds to the squad.

 

[Didsbury Dave]

With Negredo sewn up and Jovetic on his way that's our forward line complete and it's one I'm really happy with. There is a variety among the foursome that gives Pellegrini all the options he needs.

But to my mind we still need a playmaker, not only to take the burden off Silva but someone perhaps with a bit more zip and drive. Nasri's form may have improved immeasurably at the latter end of last season but he remains a hindrance for me - never taking a player on, zero penetration, and requiring eight touches where one will do.

Isco of course was a big loss - the lad would have been perfect - and my fear is missing out on him will jeapodise our chances for silverware just like missing out of Hazard was so costly last year.

There are several names being bandied about but this thread isn't about which exciting attacking midfielder we'll sign...but rather whether we'll sign one at all.

What do you think? Will Pellegrini settle for the two schemers he currently has (along with the wider option of Navas)?

Sorry for sounding negative but I personally think this could be big mistake.

I both agree and disagree with you on this, LT.

For me now we actually have too many "creative" options. Silva is the main man of course, but I would like to see Ya Ya utilised as an attacking midfielder more this season. Navas will give us some width and I believe Jovetic likes to play in a deeper role too.

I agree Nasri is a busted flush and I'd ship him out, too. But I'd be quite happy with the squad balance with what we have. There are only so many playmakers a team can incorporate and I'd have Silva in that role every game he's fit.

The problem is if he gets injured of course.