The are we allowed the "it's quiet" thread yet? thread.

[Centurions]

Sticking myself out there to be shot at with this (considering the ridiculous abuse our more established ITK people get) but here goes!!

My previous career allowed me to mix in circles that would get me pretty decent info out of City from time to time. I’m currently living in Berlin, so I’m no longer in regular contact with old colleagues. However, I do still pick up snippets from time to time when I’m back in the U.K. as my oldest friend is the partner of someone with a very significant role at the club.

Had a conversation with them both over the weekend and was told that as soon as Pep starts doing his media stuff, he and the club, will be pushing the message that he is happy to work with the resources already available (members of the current playing squad and EDS).

That’s not to say he won’t be allowed to add to the squad (as Gündoğan has proven) in a few key areas but it seems like the club are looking to see what impact an undoubted world class coach has on the existing playing staff. I was told that a huge net spend is simply not going to happen.

I suspect that a few on here are going to have a meltdown if this turns out to be the case, but I actually agree with the strategy to a point. Surely it’s better to see what Pep does next season with a few tweaks rather than make wholesale changes?

Sounds like the club is happy for Pep to work his magic with what we have this season and then look at a potentially larger investment strategy the year after.

The good news in all this is that I was also told that Pep is going to be here for the long term. Way past his initial 3 year deal.

That's pretty much what I've been expecting despite some of our more 'enthusiastic' posters desires.

 

[GaudinoMotors]

Sticking myself out there to be shot at with this (considering the ridiculous abuse our more established ITK people get) but here goes!!

My previous career allowed me to mix in circles that would get me pretty decent info out of City from time to time. I’m currently living in Berlin, so I’m no longer in regular contact with old colleagues. However, I do still pick up snippets from time to time when I’m back in the U.K. as my oldest friend is the partner of someone with a very significant role at the club.

Had a conversation with them both over the weekend and was told that as soon as Pep starts doing his media stuff, he and the club, will be pushing the message that he is happy to work with the resources already available (members of the current playing squad and EDS).

That’s not to say he won’t be allowed to add to the squad (as Gündoğan has proven) in a few key areas but it seems like the club are looking to see what impact an undoubted world class coach has on the existing playing staff. I was told that a huge net spend is simply not going to happen.

I suspect that a few on here are going to have a meltdown if this turns out to be the case, but I actually agree with the strategy to a point. Surely it’s better to see what Pep does next season with a few tweaks rather than make wholesale changes?

Sounds like the club is happy for Pep to work his magic with what we have this season and then look at a potentially larger investment strategy the year after.

The good news in all this is that I was also told that Pep is going to be here for the long term. Way past his initial 3 year deal.

There's working magic and then there's being a miracle worker!
Disappointing if true - given the age and ability of some of the current team. Let's hope for the latter then.

 

[pride in battle]

When we won the league in 2012 I expected big big players to come in & really push the club forward, that didn't happen, I hope history does not repeat itself, the club is on a really 'high' at the moment with Pep, let's capitalise on that and not fuck it up like we did in 2012...

 

[southamptonblue]

There's working magic and then there's being a miracle worker!
Disappointing if true - given the age and ability of some of the current team. Let's hope for the latter then.

If the likes of Andres Townsend are targets, coupled with the last couple of summers.'...I think our project may well be to prove it's possible to polish diarrhoea let alone turds.
After listening to the chairmans last couple of interviews of challenging for the title and champions league, and having the best people in all club positions (off field) ......the position of player recruitment is clearly held by the wrong person.

 

[JoeMercer'sWay]

I think it will be somewhere in the middle. I think like always we are working on A-list targets, but if they're not prepared to come then we won't waste the money on alternatives and will use what we have. Like Laporte, I think we will put those funds towards another position rather than chase another CB, and use what we have instead. Unless it will be an obvious upgrade then I don't think we'll buy. I think we're moving towards 2/3 top class signings a summer max to really improve a certain position, I think it will be more like 5/6 this summer because of the need to improve too many positions, but I think we're moving towards the owner's desired outcome.

 

[dubblue]

I think the squad needs a huge revamp which won't happen in one window. The past 3 years of terrible signings,mixed with an ageing squad is costing us at a moment in our development which I'm sure the hierarchy never envisaged. Pep has a huge job on his hands,while he will hopefully improve what we already have he is no miracle worker. The first year will be a shock for some on here as he gets to grips with the league,the players that have been left for him and trying to bed in a few new signings.

 

[kaz7]

 

[TRUE BLUE NO1]

Sticking myself out there to be shot at with this (considering the ridiculous abuse our more established ITK people get) but here goes!!

My previous career allowed me to mix in circles that would get me pretty decent info out of City from time to time. I’m currently living in Berlin, so I’m no longer in regular contact with old colleagues. However, I do still pick up snippets from time to time when I’m back in the U.K. as my oldest friend is the partner of someone with a very significant role at the club.

Had a conversation with them both over the weekend and was told that as soon as Pep starts doing his media stuff, he and the club, will be pushing the message that he is happy to work with the resources already available (members of the current playing squad and EDS).

That’s not to say he won’t be allowed to add to the squad (as Gündoğan has proven) in a few key areas but it seems like the club are looking to see what impact an undoubted world class coach has on the existing playing staff. I was told that a huge net spend is simply not going to happen.

I suspect that a few on here are going to have a meltdown if this turns out to be the case, but I actually agree with the strategy to a point. Surely it’s better to see what Pep does next season with a few tweaks rather than make wholesale changes?

Sounds like the club is happy for Pep to work his magic with what we have this season and then look at a potentially larger investment strategy the year after.

The good news in all this is that I was also told that Pep is going to be here for the long term. Way past his initial 3 year deal.

Thanks for the comments mate....I trust Pep as a coach but think it would be a big mistake to stick with what we've got approach....some of this squad is slow and aging and I just dont believe coaching style change alone is enough to fix that....thanks again for the update mate!;)

 

[xzbit04]

Based on current feasible targets,Getting a feeling Pep is gearing up for this type of set up for a majority of games, prob Fernando for added defensive cover in the harder games, unless we sign some top fullbacks our fullbacks just can't play the midfielder type role primarily required by Pep's sides

-------------------------------------Hart
--------------------------Stones---Kompany---Otamendi
Sane/Navas----Fernandinho---Silva/Fernando--Gundogan--Sterling/Nolito
--------------------------------------De Bruyne----------------------------------
---------------------------------------Aguero

 

[richards30]

thought this would be THE window that we went up through the gears regarding getting world class players? don't get me wrong, gundogan is world class if he stays fit and nolito for the money looks a great buy for the next 2-3 years but considering the likes of sanchez, pogba, messi, neymar etc were mentioned then its not what I guess we were kind of hoping or expecting. obviously the window is even open yet and hopefully we have some more names in before the start of the season, especially in midfield with gundogan not even fit until September. personally I`m hoping for something like:

kroos
gundogan
sane
nolito
valdes or similar
aubameyang or morata
hector or Wendell
stones