Welcome Erling Haaland

[john68]

Whilst I won't be massively disappointed if this deal doesn't come off.

After initial worries about how it could affect our hugely successful way of playing, I can see it being an solution to our regular problems against extremely well drilled and well organised packed defences.

Sizewise, none of our attacking players are big lads compared to some of the huge units in other team's defences. Watching a tiny Phil Foden trying to mark some six foot christ know how many inches, there was no chance he was going to get anywhere near high enough to win a header against him. We have no height presence in the 6yd box to meet crosses. And we put in plenty of crosses.

His feet skills are tidy, so no major worries there and with Pep's guidance, his overall vision of his game should improve.

His presence will also distract defences who will have to mark him closely, maybe even doubling up to deal with his possible goalmouth threat. With our level of creative players around him being able to find that extra space, we could be devastating

[Dameerto]

If we get him I'm pretty sure we'll evolve our style of play (again).

[Bluemoon4610]

If we get him I'm pretty sure we'll evolve our style of play (again).

Just as others are trying to get to grips with the false 9 set up!

[nottsblue]

If we get him I'm pretty sure we'll evolve our style of play (again).

Just as others are trying to get to grips with the false 9 set up!

I think Pep will tweak how we play regardless of who we bring in for next season

[Mase]

Uwe's take -

Watch on youtube.com

In case you can’t watch:
- He’s friends with Alfie, he doesn’t know personally where Erling is going as they’re keeping their cards close to their chest
- Uwe watches Erling every week as he reports on German footballer
- Erling already world class and will only get better
- very good combination player, 1v1, direct, have a feeling that he’ll always score when running at the keeper
- Would be a great addition to the squad, not only for next year but for the next 5+ years

[sheblue]

Uwe's take -

Watch on youtube.com

In case you can’t watch:
- He’s friends with Alfie, he doesn’t know personally where Erling is going as they’re keeping their cards close to their chest
- Uwe watches Erling every week as he reports on German footballer
- Erling already world class and will only get better
- very good combination player, 1v1, direct, have a feeling that he’ll always score when running at the keeper
- Would be a great addition to the squad, not only for next year but for the next 5+ years

Good video.
He also said the big decision would be announced end of this month, or early May.
Praise the Lord. The end is in sight.

[Mase]

Uwe's take -

In case you can’t watch:
- He’s friends with Alfie, he doesn’t know personally where Erling is going as they’re keeping their cards close to their chest
- Uwe watches Erling every week as he reports on German footballer
- Erling already world class and will only get better
- very good combination player, 1v1, direct, have a feeling that he’ll always score when running at the keeper
- Would be a great addition to the squad, not only for next year but for the next 5+ years

Good video.
He also said the big decision would be announced end of this month, or early May.
Praise the Lord. The end is in sight.

Just saw that bit and that ties in with the rumours of the clause needing to be activated by a certain date. Hopefully Mbappe is still stringing Real along by then - it will help us.

[johnny crossan]

Do we really need a big lad up front though?

[carolina-blue]

Do we really need a big lad up front though?

We will when Pep goes and BFS comes in

[john68]

Do we really need a big lad up front though? ;)

That age old question of "Does size matter?"

I think a big lad up front would help us immensley Johnny.
But whoever that big lad was would have do fill big boots and do far more than stand around and just latch on the end of high balls. He would have be able to lay the Pep way. If that was done, then his height would be a bonus.
Our forwards are tiny compared to some of the Prem's huge defenders. How often do we shove balls across the goal face without a cat in hell's chance of a blue head getting on the end of it?

[sheblue]

Do we really need a big lad up front though?

That age old question of "Does size matter?"

I think a big lad up front would help us immensley Johnny.
But whoever that big lad was would have do fill big boots and do far more than stand around and just latch on the end of high balls. He would have be able to lay the Pep way. If that was done, then his height would be a bonus.
Our forwards are tiny compared to some of the Prem's huge defenders. How often do we shove balls across the goal face without a cat in hell's chance of a blue head getting on the end of it?

When is the last time someone crossed the ball into the box from open play and it was headed in by one of our players? Yes any new striker will have to be able to drop and play when needed, but to have some presence in the box would be a big benefit to us.

[Mase]

Do we really need a big lad up front though?

That age old question of "Does size matter?"

I think a big lad up front would help us immensley Johnny.
But whoever that big lad was would have do fill big boots and do far more than stand around and just latch on the end of high balls. He would have be able to lay the Pep way. If that was done, then his height would be a bonus.
Our forwards are tiny compared to some of the Prem's huge defenders. How often do we shove balls across the goal face without a cat in hell's chance of a blue head getting on the end of it?

When is the last time someone crossed the ball into the box from open play and it was headed in by one of our players? Yes any new striker will have to be able to drop and play when needed, but to have some presence in the box would be a big benefit to us.

Against Southampton when we couldn’t find a way through we resorted to just launching balls in the box. No plan B.

Haaland isn’t being bought to fit in. He’s something different and that’s exactly what we need. When we struggle to grind those teams down, having a unit up front causing problems just by his running and movement will help us no end.

[PeterParker]

Actually, Haaland is not a "Big Guy Up Front".
https://www.transfermarkt.com/erling-ha ... ler/418560

Looking at his statistics, he is not well known for his header goals, but actually has an excellent record with his foot.
So, even if he doesn't look so, he actually is a "Pep player".

[johnny crossan]

Do we really need a big lad up front though?

That age old question of "Does size matter?"
I think a big lad up front would help us immensley Johnny.
But whoever that big lad was would have do fill big boots and do far more than stand around and just latch on the end of high balls. He would have be able to lay the Pep way. If that was done, then his height would be a bonus.
Our forwards are tiny compared to some of the Prem's huge defenders. How often do we shove balls across the goal face without a cat in hell's chance of a blue head getting on the end of it?

I'm hoping he'll be an upgrade on our Bosnian lamppost Edin - who was (and still is) an excellent footballer. He seems quicker if not quite as good in the air but crucially, Erling's positional and laying off/passing abilities will be key in Pep's system - as you wisely say.

[john68]

Do we really need a big lad up front though? ;)

That age old question of "Does size matter?"
I think a big lad up front would help us immensley Johnny.
But whoever that big lad was would have do fill big boots and do far more than stand around and just latch on the end of high balls. He would have be able to lay the Pep way. If that was done, then his height would be a bonus.
Our forwards are tiny compared to some of the Prem's huge defenders. How often do we shove balls across the goal face without a cat in hell's chance of a blue head getting on the end of it?

I'm hoping he'll be an upgrade on our Bosnian lamppost Edin - who was (and still is) an excellent footballer. He seems quicker if not quite as good in the air but crucially, Erling's positional and laying off/passing abilities will be key in Pep's system - as you wisely say.

Thanks Johnny,
I have no problems with his size or lack of it mate but he does seem to have that presence of a big guy and presence is all important.
Like other City players who we have bought, we know he can play football but it may be a gradual process for him to be able to play City football.

I think he'll learn and evolve into the natural striker we desperately need aginst teams like Atleti tonight.
We can't always rely on someone just puling some magic out of the bag.
At another level, as teams seem to fear playing against Salah, he could be that man for us.

[patrickblue]

Do we really need a big lad up front though?

That age old question of "Does size matter?"
I think a big lad up front would help us immensley Johnny.
But whoever that big lad was would have do fill big boots and do far more than stand around and just latch on the end of high balls. He would have be able to lay the Pep way. If that was done, then his height would be a bonus.
Our forwards are tiny compared to some of the Prem's huge defenders. How often do we shove balls across the goal face without a cat in hell's chance of a blue head getting on the end of it?

I'm hoping he'll be an upgrade on our Bosnian lamppost Edin - who was (and still is) an excellent footballer. He seems quicker if not quite as good in the air but crucially, Erling's positional and laying off/passing abilities will be key in Pep's system - as you wisely say.

Thanks Johnny,
I have no problems with his size or lack of it mate but he does seem to have that presence of a big guy and presence is all important.
Like other City players who we have bought, we know he can play football but it may be a gradual process for him to be able to play City football.

I think he'll learn and evolve into the natural striker we desperately need aginst teams like Atleti tonight.
We can't always rely on someone just puling some magic out of the bag.
At another level, as teams seem to fear playing against Salah, he could be that man for us.

You're spot on with that, presence and a focal point.
He'll give those around him much more space, because of this.
There's still a lot of "mark the big guy" mentality around, and Haarland is certainly that and so much more.

[Mase]

Sometimes it’s not just the physical presence, it’s the name. Look at Ronaldo this season, he barely moves and doesn’t do a lot of putting himself about, but just the name Ronaldo scares defenders.

Haaland scoring all these goals and being a generational talent could be the same. Added to his actual physical presence

[PeterParker]

Sometimes it’s not just the physical presence, it’s the name. Look at Ronaldo this season, he barely moves and doesn’t do a lot of putting himself about, but just the name Ronaldo scares defenders.

Haaland scoring all these goals and being a generational talent could be the same. Added to his actual physical presence

Same with Kolarov.

[Mase]

Sometimes it’s not just the physical presence, it’s the name. Look at Ronaldo this season, he barely moves and doesn’t do a lot of putting himself about, but just the name Ronaldo scares defenders.

Haaland scoring all these goals and being a generational talent could be the same. Added to his actual physical presence

Same with Kolarov.

When he moved the ball on to his left they got out of his way!

[Hazy2]

Sometimes it’s not just the physical presence, it’s the name. Look at Ronaldo this season, he barely moves and doesn’t do a lot of putting himself about, but just the name Ronaldo scares defenders.

Haaland scoring all these goals and being a generational talent could be the same. Added to his actual physical presence

Same with Kolarov.

When he moved the ball on to his left they got out of his way!

The whole family stand ducked.