Ok, i'll admit it.. i'm anxious.

[Blue Blood]

So here we are, the 21st of August, roughly three weeks away from the start of the season.

I love Pep, i think he will do great things here...but.... i'm seriously anxious.

Our squad, to my mind needs a refresh this summer and i think most will agree. The core of our team, the guys we have relied on for the past 5 seasons, Mancini's boys, are getting on. Vince, our rock, is infinitely injured, Zaba, our heart, is declining (whether injury or age is the reason, i'm not certain), Yaya, our big game player, is transitioning to old age nicely and Silva, our little genius is beginning to show signs of decline (again it could be tiredness, injury or just a little bad form, i'm unsure). Pep might revitalise one or two of our key men listed here, but in truth, he's just a man, not a god. If a player is over the hill, he's over the hill. He needs help.

On the back of Pep's signing, i expected the club to open the chequebook in a big way and early as to look to solve our deficiency's and it started well, Gundogan is a marvellous addition all be it one that may well not bare fruit till October, when he's fit and firing. When he signed crocked, i wasn't fazed, one of many i thought in what will be a big summer and promptly Nolito soon followed, a solid signing out of the blue, but not someone who can fill the boots of our key guys, very good though and well worth the fee but a notch down on the tier we need. After Nolito we've had been hearing plenty of whispers but here we are, 21st of August... three weeks from the start of the season and we have only brushed the surface of our squad issues.

Meanwhile our rivals, especially our neighbours are absolutely nailing their transfer dealings, pulling squads together that i can't see us coping with as things stand. I'm not saying we won't open the chequebook this summer, we will, i'm just getting very very anxious as to whether we will end up signing the quality of player required.

We really need to replace our core, not with wonderkids, not with bargains but with big bucks stars who can grab games by the scruff of the neck and bank points. We need a summer like 2010, we need the new generation of Yayas, Silvas and Kompanys and we need them now!

There's a massive target on us and Pep this season, everyone is ready and waiting, guns loaded, ready to slaughter us this year. I prey we don't give them the chance.

[Wooders]

The fact its actually the 21st july might set your mind at ease

[john@staustell]

The fact its actually the 21st july might set your mind at ease

Nail on the head. Had me worried for a while

[Kyle]

So here we are, the 21st of August, roughly three weeks away from the start of the season.

I love Pep, i think he will do great things here...but.... i'm seriously anxious.

Our squad, to my mind needs a refresh this summer and i think most will agree. The core of our team, the guys we have relied on for the past 5 seasons, Mancini's boys, are getting on. Vince, our rock, is infinitely injured, Zaba, our heart, is declining (whether injury or age is the reason, i'm not certain), Yaya, our big game player, is transitioning to old age nicely and Silva, our little genius is beginning to show signs of decline (again it could be tiredness, injury or just a little bad form, i'm unsure). Pep might revitalise one or two of our key men listed here, but in truth, he's just a man, not a god. If a player is over the hill, he's over the hill. He needs help.

On the back of Pep's signing, i expected the club to open the chequebook in a big way and early as to look to solve our deficiency's and it started well, Gundogan is a marvellous addition all be it one that may well not bare fruit till October, when he's fit and firing. When he signed crocked, i wasn't fazed, one of many i thought in what will be a big summer and promptly Nolito soon followed, a solid signing out of the blue, but not someone who can fill the boots of our key guys, very good though and well worth the fee but a notch down on the tier we need. After Nolito we've had been hearing plenty of whispers but here we are, 21st of August... three weeks from the start of the season and we have only brushed the surface of our squad issues.

Meanwhile our rivals, especially our neighbours are absolutely nailing their transfer dealings, pulling squads together that i can't see us coping with as things stand. I'm not saying we won't open the chequebook this summer, we will, i'm just getting very very anxious as to whether we will end up signing the quality of player required.

We really need to replace our core, not with wonderkids, not with bargains but with big bucks stars who can grab games by the scruff of the neck and bank points. We need a summer like 2010, we need the new generation of Yayas, Silvas and Kompanys and we need them now!

There's a massive target on us and Pep this season, everyone is ready and waiting, guns loaded, ready to slaughter us this year. I prey we don't give them the chance.

I think there is definitely a sense of urgency surrounding the squad this year. I think one thing that Pep will accomplish will be to get a bit more out of some players who would fit great into his system and tactical ideology. I think Sterling is a big one to highlight here, as well as someone like Iheanacho getting more minutes. I think we are mostly lacking at the backs, and that appears to be some of the most persistent rumors at the moment.

I think it is good that he is making a concerted effort to bring in youngsters, as this will serve as the foundation of the future. Hopefully we are able to look back and reflect on this summer as one of those summers like 2010 where the core of our squad was built.

Quite frankly though, while there are definitely areas that need a bit of an injection, it is hard to say how the team will look before the first game of the season. Pep in my mind doesn't really need to prove himself, but is a driven winner. He will succeed here, even if it means getting the transfer window that he wanted in January. I am most excited to see a Pep midfield filled with Fernandinho, Gundogan, and De Bruyne. Kroos would also be a pleasant addition.

[PeterParker]

I think we have a well defined plan and we are going to stick to it. I am not a fan of the Spafia, never was, I think they are not as good as people think, but I think Stones and Sane are already solved transfers. With those two in, we need another player and we are fine for the rest of the season.

I don't know if we are going to win the league this year, we are in front of a huge war after the Cunt one came to United and it passed a long time since they won the league, so we will see again the amazing biased days and bent decisions. That being said, I am not worried, I am more calm. I think we have things under control, I am not afraid that Pogba will sign with filth, I really don't give a flying fuck, him coming back to the club that fucked him off and let his career in the hands of Maureen saids a lot for me.

I think our transfer period will go also in the winter break, there are still some FFP situations that are needed to be fixed there.

My only desire would be Toni Kross. The german would be a wet dream, but someone we should pay any fee if we are smart about it. So fuck them. We trusted in Mancini, in Pellers, now we do the same with Pep.

[Blue Blood]

Great to see such calm and confidence in response to my thread. Glad my anxiety appears to be the minority.

Being a city fan of old i still find myself airing on the side of "we are going to shoot ourselves in the foot, fuck up royally" but we just aren't that club anymore (thank god) but it's hard to shake old feelings, old anxiety.

I'm excited for Pep, i really am, i'm loving everything he's doing. I just want him, his era, to be properly supported so we can make this a truly special period in our history.

[Hazy2]

Pep has had his first hand look. He has said after the game last night he needed to see the level the young players are at, I think we can apply that to the squad as a whole, he will be back at it now with Txiki being told yes to XYZ, an whilst your at it get me ........ If possible. The players its not gonna happen for you can deal with as well here is the list of them amigo Por favor.

[City64]

Its gonna be fucking awesome !

Chill the fuck out !

[nottsblue]

No need to get too concerned. We will be awesome to watch next year. We will score bucket loads of goals and probably play the best football in the PL. If we win the PL then fantastic, but equally I won't get too downhearted if we don't. There are going to be four or five serious challengers this year and only one will prevail. No reason to assume it can't be us at this stage.

Of course, if the rags get Pogba and maybe even another player, then their squad will be a big improvement on last years. Of course they may end up getting no one else or Pogba might come and the break a leg. It will boil down to the manager and how he gets results and the best from his players. Equally, the chavs and arse may well improve their squads yet. We shall see. It will be an interesting season and Pep has a great track record in managing his players. I have no doubt this will continue.

A pot in his first season will be welcome, preferably the PL, but as always, a pot is a pot and looks good on the sideboard after a day out at Wembley (in the case of the two domestic cups up for grabs). I also think we may see further improvement in the CL which as the season unfolds will be a major priority.

Goes without saying but let's all get behind Pep and his men and make this a season to remember for great reasons and memories

[South Stand Balti]

I'm anxious too. We have wasted a lot of money since the Spafia became involved. It's only my opinion but spending £40m on Sane and similar on Stones seems strange. Stones was shite last season and Sane seems to play in a position where we are strongest. I would sooner we spent that £80m on Pogba as we need a new daddy to replace Yaya. We no longer have the firepower combinations of Aguero, Tevez, Balo and Dzeko. I know from experience that these views are not welcome but we had our lowest points tally for a number of years last season. We do need to refresh and I don't see it happening and the rumours are not encouraging.

[Moonchesteri]

I'm not as confident with Pep & the squad as some others are but there's still plenty of time and maybe even some of the lads could improve enough to make this a winning team without new signings. but ddeffo not as confident as others

[sheblue]

Not too anxious yet, will wait until we have all our business done. However the lack of any sign to attempt to bring in a replacement for yaya or is a worry.

Some seem to think pep can turn shit to gold. That won't happen, we need more, or different type of players other than who we are currently linked with or 'rumoured' to be signing.

[Hazy2]

The bar has been raised, by us, with pep the rest are dong everything to get back into the race. SCUM, Chavs will be a threat, we might be a little short early doors but get it done in the end IMO ultimately he is here for CL glory.

[Blue Blood]

I think i'm ultra confident in Pep, have mixed confidence in the squad (we have some great players and some real duds), mixed confidence in our backroom staff (Khaldoon is amazing, Soriano also excellent but jury's out for me on Txiki). All in all this muddled feeling towards things is driving my anxiety.

I want to feel that a simple change in the quality of play on the field will be enough to satisfy me, satisfy all of us next season, even if we don't win the league but i think when it comes down to it, as was mentioned previously, we have raised the bar ourselves on this season, i can't help but feel we are setting ourselves up for disappointment. So lack of strong moves in the market from us really makes me nervous, especially given what our rivals are up to.

Terrible to think such things when we have such an asset in Pep but it just feels off at the moment. I mean we were told Pep and Txiki have been working on his targets since January, all were meant to be done and dusted before the Euros so they could get a full preseason, according to many sources, yet here we are.

I really (really) hate comparing us to them (rags) but Jose, came in in what May... yet he and the board at the rags have sown up transfers a.s.a.p. putting his "era" in a strong position, giving him a very real chance at glory....

Why hasn't this happened with us? It's not a money thing for sure.... our revenue is sky high, FFP is no issue, so why such delay, why potentially risk success at such an important time, i mean if we nail it now, and blow the rags away this year, ruin the mourinho party we could actually go a long way to toppling the evil empire altogether.

Chewing over a lot of things atm.... just would love to see some bolder moves from the club, there still time i know, things are just feeling.... off atm.

[DoomMerchant]

I'm not super psyched yet. We've done fuckall transfer wise. Loads of rumors but I don't care if Pep is Dr fucking Strange he can't cast a spell on older players we've got to turn last seasons garbage into a title tilt.

Could he get some fresh kids into the side to give us a boost? Sure.

I'm hopeful we see a couple big signings in midfield and defense next week to cheer me up.

Cheers

[dazby]

Chill Winston.

[Peter Doherty (AGAIG)]

Can't wait for the season to start and am extremely confident. The fact our lazy-arsed players will be putting in a shift alone will see a dramatic improvement on recent years. Couple or 3 academy players and 4 or 5 off the peg - job's a good 'un.

[john@staustell]

Can't wait for the season to start and am extremely confident. The fact our lazy-arsed players will be putting in a shift alone will see a dramatic improvement on recent years. Couple or 3 academy players and 4 or 5 off the peg - job's a good 'un.

I agree.

I think the change in attitude and urgency was there for all to see the other night. Imagine - De Bruyne, Silva, Aguero and Gundogan, to name a few, working at speed!

[iwasthere2012]

Can't wait for the season to start and am extremely confident. The fact our lazy-arsed players will be putting in a shift alone will see a dramatic improvement on recent years. Couple or 3 academy players and 4 or 5 off the peg - job's a good 'un.

I agree.

I think the change in attitude and urgency was there for all to see the other night. Imagine - De Bruyne, Silva, Aguero and Gundogan, to name a few, working at speed!

I think that's half the problem with those that are still unsure, myself included. It's one thing having a bunch of enthusiastic youngsters that have bought into this immediately playing in a friendly, out to impress. The thing is it is hard to imagine some of our regulars getting up to speed or even buying into the program, in the case of some key players.
I am optimistic though. I think it could be a slow start but i like the idea of having a mix of rejuvenated current squad players with some fresh blood from the academy learning from them. I do however think that there are certain key areas that we are all aware of that really do need filling with a top transfer.
Whether we get the calibre we are looking for or not seems to be still up in the air a bit.

That's about the extent of my flapping. Just glad that the season is starting again and hope the next friendly is as encouraging as the last one.

[City64]

And start learning how to hate the rags even more if it is possible now that cunt face Maureen is at the helm . One very obnoxious football club has got even obnoxiousier (is that a word ? lol) . As much as I want MCFC to succeed even more this season I want the rags to self destruct and slip even further behind us .