The mancityfans.net football forum

It's fair to say our defense of the title has been somewhat of a disappointment and its obvious we have a few players floating around who can be deemed to be either not good enough or just not pulling their weight.

I'm by no means calling for wholesale changes here as we already have a very strong squad but a few tweaks are certainly a necessity if we wish to mount a credible title challenge next season.

Many may disagree but here are my opionions

Javi Garcia - okay i admit he has certainly shown signs of improvement but he was beyond bad so that had to happen.On a positive note he is decent in the air but in the whole i don't see why we signed him as he has not improved the team whatsoever.Give me Nigel De Jong any day of the week.

Edin Dzeko - if ever a player blew hot and cold it was Edin.I just don't think he suits the team and unless a team is willing to play to his strengths i don't think we will see the best of him.Lets not kid ourselves unless Mancini rips up the rule book and starts using wingers i dont think Edin will ever really flourish at City.I like him but i don't think City is the place for him long term.

Scott Sinclair - im still scratching my head.Did Mancini ever even want him?

Gareth Barry - i think Barry has contributed very well at City but i think looking to the future we need to improvement.I just don't think we will challenge for the title next season if he still holds a key role in our midfield.

Kolarov - he simply can't defend.

Before we clear out I'd like to ensure we get a few faces in. Looking at the bench, as well as Doug's reports, it's clear to see that we are woefully short with regard to quality playing staff.

Not quite like a few years back but then again, we weren't supposed to be fighting for the title back then.

I just hope that Roberto is allowed to sign the players he wants,because if not i fear we could lose the best manager we have ever had.He was badly let down this season as regards transfers.

Yeah good idea , summer clear out .......

All the moaning cunts fuck off and support Blackburn Rovers ;)

We had a wonderful start to this. Hey let's sell Mario and bring in, oh wait, we didn't..brilliant plan.

zabbadabbado wrote:I just hope that Roberto is allowed to sign the players he wants,because if not i fear we could lose the best manager we have ever had.He was badly let down this season as regards transfers.

I get what you are saying, but if managing was just about buying the best players, football would be a very predicable game. Why is it so alien a concept to you that having assembled this squad, he should get it to punch above its collective weight from time to time.

The answer cant always be to just go and spend more money because he cant manage the players he does have, and that is the real issue with Mancini. If he wants to fuck off because we wont let him spend his way out of his own ineptitude, good riddance.

And there is this thing called FFP, you might have heard of it.

Beefymcfc wrote:Before we clear out I'd like to ensure we get a few faces in. Looking at the bench, as well as Doug's reports, it's clear to see that we are woefully short with regard to quality playing staff.

Not quite like a few years back but then again, we weren't supposed to be fighting for the title back then.

Sadly, given the stifling financial effect of FFP, I don't think we'll be bringing players in until we have sold/released the ones that need to be off-loaded.

It would seem that all our 'main' purchases will largely have to be funded from receipts received so, unless we do some inspirational, Twitcher-like wheeling and dealing, our squad might remain a bit thin next season, making us vulnerable to any epidemic of injuries; not unlike this season.

Just hope that some of the youngsters can step up to the plate to fill the gap.

Im_Spartacus wrote:

zabbadabbado wrote:I just hope that Roberto is allowed to sign the players he wants,because if not i fear we could lose the best manager we have ever had.He was badly let down this season as regards transfers.

I get what you are saying, but if managing was just about buying the best players, football would be a very predicable game. Why is it so alien a concept to you that having assembled this squad, he should get it to punch above its collective weight from time to time.

The answer cant always be to just go and spend more money because he cant manage the players he does have, and that is the real issue with Mancini. If he wants to fuck off because we wont let him spend his way out of his own ineptitude, good riddance.

And there is this thing called FFP, you might have heard of it.

That expensively assembled squad is seriously lacking depth. Like most, I was expecting a few quality aquisitions in the window but when none of the main targets came in (Nasti's turned out alright though) we regressed compared to the likes of United who had finished on the same points tally.

We were very much hampered once the window closed and to make things that little bit worse, we had to move Mario on as well.

However, I'm pretty certain that we won't be in the same position next season and that the new CEO and DoF will have everything in hand for the furtherment of our squad.

Mikhail Chigorin wrote:

Beefymcfc wrote:Before we clear out I'd like to ensure we get a few faces in. Looking at the bench, as well as Doug's reports, it's clear to see that we are woefully short with regard to quality playing staff.

Not quite like a few years back but then again, we weren't supposed to be fighting for the title back then.

Sadly, given the stifling financial effect of FFP, I don't think we'll be bringing players in until we have sold/released the ones that need to be off-loaded.

It would seem that all our 'main' purchases will largely have to be funded from receipts received so, unless we do some inspirational, Twitcher-like wheeling and dealing, our squad might remain a bit thin next season, making us vulnerable to any epidemic of injuries; not unlike this season.

Just hope that some of the youngsters can step up to the plate to fill the gap.

You're right mate, we'll need to offload before we bring in our main targets but at least we have the benefit of a few players automatically off the books. We've got rid of Ade now and with Santa Cruz, Kolo Toure and Wayne Bridge finishing their contracts then we could automatically move to strengthen the squad. The new players in should be brought in should be on far less of a wad than these.

There'll be a few sold who are on big money and I think there are quite a few already lined up to come in. We can still spend money, even with FFP, we've just got to be clever with our spend and ensure we don't keep paying over-inflated wages for all other than those we deem to be the 'Top' players.

I think nasti and garcia were fantastic additions to the squad
I do think we need to freshen up the team this window though - out with barry, nasri, lescott, kolo, kolorov, tevez - and bring in suitable replacements
a change is as good as a rest and all that

Beefymcfc wrote:That expensively assembled squad is seriously lacking depth. Like most, I was expecting a few quality aquisitions in the window but when none of the main targets came in (Nasti's turned out alright though) we regressed compared to the likes of United who had finished on the same points tally.

We were very much hampered once the window closed and to make things that little bit worse, we had to move Mario on as well.

However, I'm pretty certain that we won't be in the same position next season and that the new CEO and DoF will have everything in hand for the furtherment of our squad.

I dont disagree about there being issues in the summer, but the reality is that we sold AJ and De Jong, but brought in a direct replacement for .johnno, and two talented youngsters in to replace de jong (who most forget was a fringe player last season), plus replaced a wank defender with a decent one. If anything, the squad is stronger than it was last season. The argument that its not as strong as it could have been had we spunked an additional £50m on players coming to the end of their career is a moot one for me, as whatever the reasons behind it, we still ended up with more bodies in the squad and with Rodwell and Garcia, more options on the pitch.

I think when it came to it, the decision to bring bodies in rather than superstars was probably the right one strategically and financially, otherwise we would seriously have lacked depth long before now and heaven forbid, would have had to consider introducing a kid or two.

The core of the squad remained together, and it was down to the manager to use the success as a spur to greater things.

We have had injuries, but all squads do during a season, but that wasnt the issue when we limped out of the champions league, nor was it the issue 6-8 weeks ago when we started to self destruct. The issue at all times has been tactical, and how the gaffer has failed to get the players on the pitch to solve the problem posed by the opposition.....namely massed ranks of defenders.

If he still cant solve that problem after 3 years of trying, we might as well just settle for an fa cup every now and again, as he does seem to know how to do well in domestic cups throughout his career. Maybe the one off nature of the game actually gives him the kick up the arse to remember that there is an imperative to win that game, not fuck and fanny around because the odd draw or defeat is inconsequential in a 38 game season which seems to be the attitude that pervades the squad

Kolarov, Nasri, Maicon, Dzeko

Barry needs to go

Im_Spartacus wrote:We have had injuries, but all squads do during a season, but that wasnt the issue when we limped out of the champions league, nor was it the issue 6-8 weeks ago when we started to self destruct. The issue at all times has been tactical, and how the gaffer has failed to get the players on the pitch to solve the problem posed by the opposition.....namely massed ranks of defenders.

If he still cant solve that problem after 3 years of trying, we might as well just settle for an fa cup every now and again, as he does seem to know how to do well in domestic cups throughout his career. Maybe the one off nature of the game actually gives him the kick up the arse to remember that there is an imperative to win that game, not fuck and fanny around because the odd draw or defeat is inconsequential in a 38 game season which seems to be the attitude that pervades the squad

I'm lost here a little mate, what are you saying? Is it that he's good at the one off games but not good over 38? If so, I'm pretty sure we've won both league and cup over the last 2 seasons so may put a small dent in your debate.

And as I said, we haven't really strengthened our squad, we've more stagnated compared to the team that finished on the same points total as us last season. All of our signings were last minute which says a lot about our transfer activity. Mancini wasn't happy and my, didn't he let everybody know it. Then the injuries creeped in and when you go to your bogey team without the spine of your team in place, their's always going to be problems.

We don't need a clear out. We need to ADD to our squad.

Modric and falcao plus a bit of width would do nicely.

We have conceded 7 goals in 13 games. 10 clean sheets in those 13 games. Barry, lescott, kolo, kolarov. None of these players are the problem.

Our strikers on the other hand have scored less than 40 goals between the 3 of them in all fucking competitions and if I was to look at our midfield I would be asking more questions of yaya and silva, 2 of supposedly the best at what they do who have done literally fuck all for massive chunks of this season not Barry, Milner or Garcia. 2 of which have had limited starts.

It's all fucking bollocks.

You're having a laugh if you think we need modric

Beefymcfc wrote:I'm lost here a little mate, what are you saying? Is it that he's good at the one off games but not good over 38? If so, I'm pretty sure we've won both league and cup over the last 2 seasons so may put a small dent in your debate.

And as I said, we haven't really strengthened our squad, we've more stagnated compared to the team that finished on the same points total as us last season. All of our signings were last minute which says a lot about our transfer activity. Mancini wasn't happy and my, didn't he let everybody know it. Then the injuries creeped in and when you go to your bogey team without the spine of your team in place, their's always going to be problems.

It doesnt put any dent in the debate at all.

We blew a huge lead in the league because the manager didnt seem to be able to gather a sense of urgency in those around him, nor provide the tactical basis to break down stubborn teams in league games.

But in a cup situation i believe he may be so successful because there is a clear imperative to win the game that day so it focuses the mind somewhat.

I feel in the league he is all to happy to accept a draw or defeat as inconsequential in the long game. He was ultimately extremely lucky that united blew it last season from the position they were in, but had they won the league, he would only have had himself to blame for not injecting the urgency to win games when we were 8 points ahead ourselves. That to me was either complacency, or he was not able to resolve the problem, and either is a concern.

A concern thag does not extend to cup competitions, as I believe his record stands up to the very best in the world

Firstly before we talk about exits we need to know how we will play for instance if we play with wingers Merlin could be questionable as he won't fit a 4-4-2?

In my opinion

SAFE
Hart, Panty, Zaba, Kompany, Nastasic, Clichy, Richards,Yaya, Barry, Milner, Rodwell, Silva, Aguero, Guidetti

ON THE EDGE
Lescott, Tevez, Nasri

OUT
Kolo, Kolarov, Garcia, Sinclair, Dzeko,

YOUTH PROMOTED
Razak, Rekik,

YOUTH LOAN
Wabara, Lopes, Pozo, Suarez ( all championship teams minimum)

The issue with this scenario that if we get rid of the OUT players only we need 6 players to stand still squad size wise. I think we need another 2 on top of this to truly compete in England and Europe.

Big end of season for us, hope we get business done early and cheaply.

Question is could Mourinho get more out of players like nasri, tevez, dzeko and Garcia as Mancini can't!

There's fuck all wrong with Garcia. I get the feeling that some fans will never warm to him because he was brought in to replace de Jong, who for the millionth time wanted out of City!!!

He's a decent player who at the moment is playing in a team that isn't playing too well.

Im_Spartacus wrote:

Beefymcfc wrote:I'm lost here a little mate, what are you saying? Is it that he's good at the one off games but not good over 38? If so, I'm pretty sure we've won both league and cup over the last 2 seasons so may put a small dent in your debate.

And as I said, we haven't really strengthened our squad, we've more stagnated compared to the team that finished on the same points total as us last season. All of our signings were last minute which says a lot about our transfer activity. Mancini wasn't happy and my, didn't he let everybody know it. Then the injuries creeped in and when you go to your bogey team without the spine of your team in place, their's always going to be problems.

It doesnt put any dent in the debate at all.

We blew a huge lead in the league because the manager didnt seem to be able to gather a sense of urgency in those around him, nor provide the tactical basis to break down stubborn teams in league games.

But in a cup situation i believe he may be so successful because there is a clear imperative to win the game that day so it focuses the mind somewhat.

I feel in the league he is all to happy to accept a draw or defeat as inconsequential in the long game. He was ultimately extremely lucky that united blew it last season from the position they were in, but had they won the league, he would only have had himself to blame for not injecting the urgency to win games when we were 8 points ahead ourselves. That to me was either complacency, or he was not able to resolve the problem, and either is a concern.

A concern thag does not extend to cup competitions, as I believe his record stands up to the very best in the world

But we won it pal, over 38 games. This argument that United blew it is rubbish in my opinion. Just like people said we'd blew it in the earlier part of the year, it was exactly the same scenario so we can't use it both ways to beat the manager with. The very fact that we have the trophy in our cabinet speaks volumes of our season. We won, they lost, the argument about these 'Ifs and buts' is a moot point, only used to try and prove soemthing that doesn't exist. What actually amazes me is that this is actually used against him when the truth is we all knew that United would drop points whereas we went on a 6 game winning streak beating them in the process.