Txiki Begiristain

[cibaman]

It was always likely that we would have too many players at this point in time, because of the CL qualifier. We couldn't sell players prematurely because a) we couldn't guarantee that incoming signings would be completed in time, and b) the risk of key players picking up injuries at the Euros or Copa America.

If we didn't have the CL qualifier we could perhaps have started the process of offloading players earlier, taking the risk that we might start the season a bit light in numbers. But its an absolute imperative that we have 18 players, fit and ready to go, when we play Steaua.

As its turned out we managed to escape injuries at the summer tournaments. But some players will not be fully fit for the CL qualifiers because they returned late. And some of the new signings will not be ready to throw into a critical tie. So we need to hang onto the likes of Bony, Mangala & Navas even if its only to fill bench spots.

 

[schfc6]

Drama as in toxic atmosphere that you mentioned in the other post.

Yes Jesus can take Iheanacho's spot when he goes on the B list in January.

There is a few too many but I think you're making a mountain out of a molehill tbh.

Fair play. I do think having ageing pros not playing can create a pretty toxic atmosphere though.

Fingers crossed, I'm back on September 1st praising Txiki for doing a sterling job with our unwanted.

 

[schfc6]

Completely different, Pig Fucker is being completely frozen out, that is not what's happening with our players. They can still be named in PL squad so there's still plenty of football that they're eligible to play.

I thought, you had to name a 25 man premier league squad, naming 8 home grown. Supplementing with as many u21's as you like? So room for 17 foreign trained?
Currently we would be right on the limit.

Anyway, as I say, fingers crossed and deals get done.

 

[City_Sean]

We've signed some v exciting players this summer, I will add once again we've not addressed our two weakest areas, there's time yet though!

 

[Maly]

Excatly. It's very difficult to shift so many players in such a position. Hence my arguement, plans to shift them on should have started 2-3 years ago.

Ha ha can't believe you're still chatting about this!!! You're like a dog with a great big fucking bone!!! (No offence meant)

My understanding of what you're trying to say is that Txiki has done a great job getting players and manager in. However, he has done a poor job in planning for the future and should've been doing things differently for the past 2-3 years.

Perhaps if you could explain what you think he should've done, as in who he should've got rid of and who their realistic replacements should've been, taking into consideration that we had a finite budget per annum due to FFP, then everyone might be able to see where you're coming from a bit better?

 

[Rolee]

I thought, you had to name a 25 man premier league squad, naming 8 home grown. Supplementing with as many u21's as you like? So room for 17 foreign trained?
Currently we would be right on the limit.

Anyway, as I say, fingers crossed and deals get done.

Yep we are right on the limit but my bone of contention with the Pig Fucker comparison that you made is that nobody will be completely frozen out like he has been.

 

[Rolee]

We've signed some v exciting players this summer, I will add once again we've not addressed our two weakest areas, there's time yet though!

Go on then, I'll humour you, what are our two weakest areas?

 

[City_Sean]

Go on then, I'll humour you, what are our two weakest areas?

LB and CM.

 

[Rolee]

LB and CM.

Angelino and Gundogan?

 

[City_Sean]

Angelino and Gundogan?

Our current CM options are Yaya, Gundogan, Fernando, Delph and Fernandinho. Clichy, Kolarov and Angelino are our LBs. Call me harsh but I'd argue that Madrid, Barca, PSG, Juventus, Bayern and Atletico have better options in the same areas.

The signings of Jesus, Sane, Zinchenko are v exciting, but the fundamental weaknesses are still their. LB has been a problem that needed to be addressed three years ago.