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

[Exeter Blue I am here]

Unbalanced? eh? If we sign Stones, Sane, Peres and another LB we'd have 2 top players for every position on the pitch.

GK -- Hart & Willy

RB -- Sagna & Peres
LB -- Clichy & Another
CB -- Kompany, Stones, Mangala, Otamendi

DM -- Fernando & Delph
CM -- Fernandinho & Gundogan
RM -- Navas & Sane
LM -- Sterling & Nolito
AM -- Yaya, Silva, De Bruyne & Nasri

ST -- Aguero, Kelichi & Bony

That's a pretty impressive 25 man squad and very well balanced. If we only signed those 3 players and another LB i'd be very happy with our summer business.

I would suggest that in terms of midfield in particular, whilst it may contain a large number of technically proficient footballers, it also has an extremely lightweight look. No physical presence, bar the Ferns, whatsoever

 

[Marvin]

They has us as favourites last year too, so there goes that theory

It's a sport not a science with natural laws where A + B = C. The bookies have to be objective, but no you're right they don't always gets it right. That wasn't the point. The point was they have objective opinion and at this stage when the season has yet to start it is surely of some significance as to why City are favourites. We must give an objective judge some good reason to think so.

 

[Exeter Blue I am here]

I honestly find this kind of post baffling.

What exactly were you expecting this transfer window? Kroos, Suarez and Bonucci?

Talk of a gaping chasm in midfield is simply wrong, if anything we are overloaded with talent there. kdb, Gundogan, Silva, Fernandinho, Sane, Nolito and more.

Another striker would be nice but simply doesn't fit Pep's style of play, so is unlikely unless we are outright replacing Aguero.

Seriously questioning anyone who suggests this year's side is the most unbalanced since Hughes, particularly with the transfer window yet open. Maybe I'm taking the bait, but I honestly don't see how any City fan could be underwhelmed at the top class signings made for rock bottom prices.

I'll try and keep it politer than last night, but if you'd rolled out the names Gundogan, Nolito and Zinchenko as potential signings at the start of the window, I don't think too many Blues would have been hugging themselves with excitement. Gundogan is the pick, but only if he can stay fit. The lack of balance people can see is (and again on the not unreasonable assumption that Vinny is likely to spend significant periods of time out injured) is a complete lack of leadership at the back, a midfield that bar the two Ferns is stuffed with fairly lightweight 5ft 7' to 5ft 9' inch players, and 1 top quality striker supported by a 19 year old apprentice with a lot still to learn, however promising he is.
We've got skill by the bucketload, but as we saw last year against Stoke, Liverpool (twice), the rags, Spurs, Leicester, and even Newcastle and Sunderland, that often isn't enough in this league what with its emphasis on defensive athleticism and the denial of space.
I don't doubt that Pep will inspire greater levels of effort and commitment in the current squad than his predecessor, but I'm not convinced that the group of players at his disposal is robust enough yet to do what he will want

 

[Exeter Blue I am here]

Like Barca have?

The exception that disproves the rule, eh? Trouble is no-one else has Messi, Iniesta, Suarez and Busquets at their disposal......

 

[Marvin]

I would suggest that in terms of midfield in particular, whilst it may contain a large number of technically proficient footballers, it also has an extremely lightweight look. No physical presence, bar the Ferns, whatsoever

Fernandinho is a top quality player. Why would you exclude him?

 

[Centurions]

Gundogan is the pick, but only if he can stay fit.

Sorry to pick out just the one point but FFS, how many times does it need to be said. He isn't a walking sicknote.

 

[OB1]

Fernandinho is a top quality player. Why would you exclude him?

How has he excluded him? He is one of the Ferns.

 

[Exeter Blue I am here]

Fernandinho is a top quality player. Why would you exclude him?

You've misunderstood. I haven't excluded Fernandinho from the description 'technically proficient', I've said that only he and and Fernando have any real physical presence. Yes, of course Fernandinho is a top quality player. I love him and wish we could clone him 10 times over

 

[mcfc1996]

If the season started and transfer window ended tomorrow we still have the best squad capable of winning the league. Having said that I'm convinced there are a few additions of top quality still to come. It's early yet.

 

[Exeter Blue I am here]

Sorry to pick out just the one point but FFS, how many times does it need to be said. He isn't a walking sicknote.

He missed 22 games through injury last season in all comps, the whole of the 2014 season, and he's out now til the middle of Sept. Although the back injury in 2014 was hopefully a one off, it's still not exactly a stellar record......