Team Manchester City 2010/11

[Bojinov's left foot]

We are having a fantastic transfer window and it's not over yet.

Last season we had a number of new players settling in and then a new Manager. We still managed to finish 5th!

With the experience Mancini has had and his knowledge of existing players and new signings of improved quality we have the potential for a great season. We should have a great season. It will not be easy though as the new players will have to gel with the existing players into a team - this IMO is where Mancini will stand or fall.

I'm looking for players who are comfortable on the ball, played in a position they can play and that they support team mates and make themselves available to receive and move as needs dictate. Attractive football should be a given but this will count for nothing if the defensive aspects of the team are not improved from last season. We also need leadership to be shown on the pitch e.g. Kompany, DeJong and Tevez.

Mancini has a number of issues to resolve over the summer including:
Will Kolo be 1st team or squad player now we have signed YaYa?
Given or Hart - what happens if one does not want to be a reserve?
Who will be our Captain. Does Kolo retain or do we have a new Captain?

Will Mancini produce a team? What tactics will he employ? Thoughts....

[Dingus McDouchey]

i would love to see kompany made captain. he has the controlled passion that is required.
i wouldn't be surprised to see shay given at arsenal by the end of the transfer window. i think we'll be made to choose between him and hart to avoid unrest. otherwise too many questions will be asked when either makes a mistake. "Hart would've come out for that". "Shay would've stopped that". etc.

[sandman]

My choice would be;

Given
Zabaleta Toure(c) Toure Boateng
DeJong
Johnson Ireland Silva
Tevez Adebayor

Providing the rumours about Ireland are not true..

[Invisible Man Fan]

Good to see you've not changed your mind Sandman, what would you do if we signed Milner, or this Ballotelli geezer

[sandman]

Good to see you've not changed your mind Sandman, what would you do if we signed Milner, or this Ballotelli geezer

I'd probably replace Ireland with Milner unless Ireland sorted himself out and played the way we know he can, Balotelli is only 19 so i'd probably bring him on for Ade/Tev in the 2nd half.

[ant london]

I do not want Kolo being captain, hopefully the arrival of Yaya and general shake up will see someone else take the armband....who, I honestly don't know as I don't think anyone is a necessary nailed on starter

I'd like Vincent personally but will he start every week?

[john@staustell]

Ireland, Sandman? Is that wishful thinking or insanity? He's not good enough, end of. Forget him. Neither is Zabaleta up to it. Boateng is a right back/right CB who Germany have switched to cover a gap, to great effect. We need to sign a left back or we're buggered.

As for Kompany, Dingus, I dont think he'd make Bobby's first selection due mainly to dodgy distribution. Lescott will be first choice left CB.

Unless we suddenly sign a commanding captain-type CB then Kolo will be there boys. And isn't he Ivory Coast captain? So no reason to think his younger brother will become our captain.

[blues-clues]

Captain role is interesting. Actually we need a number of leaders on the pitch, someone to take command of the defence though is a definite and I am not convinced Kolo actually has this type of personality.

The Captain needs to be a first choice pick so does that preclude Vince? I hope not, a wise head there, respected by the other players but I am not certain he has the presence yet, maybe in a few years but he may be battling with Joe Hart for the role.

For now though I guess it leaves Barry who was captain at Villa. I would be tempted to go this way myself.

[john@staustell]

Captain role is interesting. Actually we need a number of leaders on the pitch, someone to take command of the defence though is a definite and I am not convinced Kolo actually has this type of personality.

The Captain needs to be a first choice pick so does that preclude Vince? I hope not, a wise head there, respected by the other players but I am not certain he has the presence yet, maybe in a few years but he may be battling with Joe Hart for the role.

For now though I guess it leaves Barry who was captain at Villa. I would be tempted to go this way myself.

I think you're right in suggesting that, although it will upset a few, Barry will be first name on the teamsheet after Tevez. Isn't he a bit quiet though? Dunno.

[sandman]

Ireland, Sandman? Is that wishful thinking or insanity? He's not good enough, end of. Forget him. Neither is Zabaleta up to it. Boateng is a right back/right CB who Germany have switched to cover a gap, to great effect. We need to sign a left back or we're buggered.

I had carefully considered Ireland John, he showed 2 years ago that he certainly is good enough, especially in the Barcelona friendly when he carried Messi around in his pocket like a set of car keys. I agree he has certainly lost his way and isnt showing what he can do, but he has an ability I think he has almost forgotten himself, has age on his side and has good enough distribution to boss the centre of the park for quite a few years. Nedum Onouha said on Soccer AM just 2 or 3 months ago that despite the incredible signings Ireland is still the best player he has ever played with. Although I highly suspect Stevie will never show his quality here again but will find an amazing ressurection elsewhere?

I agree that we need a replacement for Zabaleta, but I think Zaba is better than Bridge, and since Boateng covers LB so well then i'd rather play him out of position than play Bridge.

[MaineRoadMemories]

I think I would play this team as my number one but I'm changing my mind on a near daily basis at the mo!

-------------------------GIVEN---------------------------

KOLO-------KOMPANY------LESCOTT----------BRIDGE

----------------------YAYA-----BARRY-------------------

-----JOHNSON-----------TEVEZ---------------SILVA---

------------------------ADEBAYOR-----------------------

[mr_nool]

I think I would play this team as my number one but I'm changing my mind on a near daily basis at the mo!

-------------------------GIVEN---------------------------

KOLO-------KOMPANY------LESCOTT----------BRIDGE

----------------------YAYA-----BARRY-------------------

-----JOHNSON-----------TEVEZ---------------SILVA---

------------------------ADEBAYOR-----------------------

That's one hell of a starting eleven! We need some more depth (LB, strikers), but it's really looking good for this season

[MaineRoadMemories]

I think I would play this team as my number one but I'm changing my mind on a near daily basis at the mo!

-------------------------GIVEN---------------------------

KOLO-------KOMPANY------LESCOTT----------[highlight]KOLAROV[/highlight]

----------------------YAYA-----BARRY-------------------

-----JOHNSON-----------TEVEZ---------------SILVA---

------------------------[highlight]TORRES[/highlight]-----------------------

That's one hell of a starting eleven! We need some more depth (LB, strikers), but it's really looking good for this season

:-D

[Ted Hughes]

I think I would play this team as my number one but I'm changing my mind on a near daily basis at the mo!

-------------------------GIVEN---------------------------

KOLO-------KOMPANY------LESCOTT----------BRIDGE

----------------------YAYA-----BARRY-------------------

-----JOHNSON-----------TEVEZ---------------SILVA---

------------------------ADEBAYOR-----------------------

That's one hell of a starting eleven! We need some more depth (LB, strikers), but it's really looking good for this season

I like that starting formation, it's quickly adaptable & I don't know why Hughes didn't try harder to make it work.

There are a few variations on that too of course, more attacking or defensive which would also look as good, or just swapping players, using Bellamy for example. Ireland could easily play in that team but probably won't as it would require adaptation. (As could Robinho). It's really flexible could easily be changed to almost any formation with just one substitution, very attacking or very defensive.

Other options: If we had great attacking fullbacks to give width, Silva could slot in the hole behind Tevez & Ade (or Torres!) for a 4-3-3 or (diamond 4-1-2-1-2) with Ireland (or Milner) + Yaya, in front of Nige. Or diamond formation with Yaya at back- SWP/Milner- then Silva front etc etc etc! Loads more too.

Endless permutations which all look shit hot & impossible to guess!

At a guess though, I personally recon DeJong may often get Barry's job, with Yaya allowed to get forward a bit more.

(Bet we end up 4-4 fucking 2!)

[john@staustell]

Ireland, Sandman? Is that wishful thinking or insanity? He's not good enough, end of. Forget him. Neither is Zabaleta up to it. Boateng is a right back/right CB who Germany have switched to cover a gap, to great effect. We need to sign a left back or we're buggered.

I had carefully considered Ireland John, he showed 2 years ago that he certainly is good enough, especially in the Barcelona friendly when he carried Messi around in his pocket like a set of car keys. I agree he has certainly lost his way and isnt showing what he can do, but he has an ability I think he has almost forgotten himself, has age on his side and has good enough distribution to boss the centre of the park for quite a few years. Nedum Onouha said on Soccer AM just 2 or 3 months ago that despite the incredible signings Ireland is still the best player he has ever played with. Although I highly suspect Stevie will never show his quality here again but will find an amazing ressurection elsewhere?

I agree that we need a replacement for Zabaleta, but I think Zaba is better than Bridge, and since Boateng covers LB so well then i'd rather play him out of position than play Bridge.

Zaba is a strange one. Sometimes good, sometimes awful. If we fail to sign anyone else though I would prefer Lescott at LB and Boateng at RB, with Komps back in! Bobby had just named Lescott at LB for the first time when he got injured in the warm-up I think.

[citytilliporkpie]

Given
Boateng Yaya Kompany Lescott
Johnson Ireland De Jong Silva/Bellers
Ade Tevez

Like that team with a great strength in depth i.e. kolo, Barry, SWP, Bridge, Zabba, Richards, Vieira, Hart, Santa, Robinho on the bench. Am seriously hoping that Mancini doesn't resort back to 3 defensive midfielders in 433 or Barry on the left in 442. He seemed to like it shockingly

[sandman]

Ireland, Sandman? Is that wishful thinking or insanity? He's not good enough, end of. Forget him. Neither is Zabaleta up to it. Boateng is a right back/right CB who Germany have switched to cover a gap, to great effect. We need to sign a left back or we're buggered.

I had carefully considered Ireland John, he showed 2 years ago that he certainly is good enough, especially in the Barcelona friendly when he carried Messi around in his pocket like a set of car keys. I agree he has certainly lost his way and isnt showing what he can do, but he has an ability I think he has almost forgotten himself, has age on his side and has good enough distribution to boss the centre of the park for quite a few years. Nedum Onouha said on Soccer AM just 2 or 3 months ago that despite the incredible signings Ireland is still the best player he has ever played with. Although I highly suspect Stevie will never show his quality here again but will find an amazing ressurection elsewhere?

I agree that we need a replacement for Zabaleta, but I think Zaba is better than Bridge, and since Boateng covers LB so well then i'd rather play him out of position than play Bridge.

Zaba is a strange one. Sometimes good, sometimes awful. If we fail to sign anyone else though I would prefer Lescott at LB and Boateng at RB, with Komps back in! Bobby had just named Lescott at LB for the first time when he got injured in the warm-up I think.

I'd be happy with Lescott at left back too if he works out well there, but I personally would keep Kompany on the bench and not because I dont think he is good enough for our first team, but because Kompany is so versatile, he can fill in about 6 positions so he would be the perfect supersub to almost half the squad.

[branny]

With what we've got now i'd go for Hart in goal. Both good keepers but let's have a look at him.

Back four of K Toure (RB), Boateng, Kompany, Lescott (LB).

Midfield of Johnson (L), Silva (R), Toure and Barry Central.

Tevez playing off Adebayor.

If we get who we're linked with. Drop K Toure, Shift the other 3 across and Kolarov at LB.

Milner instead of Barry. (would love Ozil but who knows)

Torres instead of Adebayor (eventually, when he gets his mojo back).

[Dronny]

Ireland, Sandman? Is that wishful thinking or insanity? He's not good enough, end of. Forget him. Neither is Zabaleta up to it. Boateng is a right back/right CB who Germany have switched to cover a gap, to great effect. We need to sign a left back or we're buggered.

I had carefully considered Ireland John, he showed 2 years ago that he certainly is good enough, especially in the Barcelona friendly when he carried Messi around in his pocket like a set of car keys. I agree he has certainly lost his way and isnt showing what he can do, but he has an ability I think he has almost forgotten himself, has age on his side and has good enough distribution to boss the centre of the park for quite a few years. Nedum Onouha said on Soccer AM just 2 or 3 months ago that despite the incredible signings Ireland is still the best player he has ever played with. Although I highly suspect Stevie will never show his quality here again but will find an amazing ressurection elsewhere?

I agree that we need a replacement for Zabaleta, but I think Zaba is better than Bridge, and since Boateng covers LB so well then i'd rather play him out of position than play Bridge.

Zaba is a strange one. Sometimes good, sometimes awful. If we fail to sign anyone else though I would prefer Lescott at LB and Boateng at RB, with Komps back in! Bobby had just named Lescott at LB for the first time when he got injured in the warm-up I think.

I'd be happy with Lescott at left back too if he works out well there, but I personally would keep Kompany on the bench and not because I dont think he is good enough for our first team, but because Kompany is so versatile, he can fill in about 6 positions so he would be the perfect supersub to almost half the squad.

Alternatively, play him because he is good as you say, and then move him around if required to fill in any one of the six positions as you point out, you can't exclude a guy because he's versatile.

[The Man In Blue]

-------------------Hart---------------------

Boateng---Vinnie---Lescott----Bridge

--------------NDJ--------Yaya---------------

Johnson--------Tevez------------Silva

-------------------Ade----------------------

are we in fucking dreamland or what?

edit: four englishmen, fuck you woolnough.