***Official City v Wigan Thread***

[brite blu sky]

To even suggest we are as good as or better than Barca is pure madness. Just look at the way they played the CL final. I have never seen a side completely dominate United and make them look like as shite and timid as Barca did. We've got the foundations of a great side, but one step at a time.


I read a good point, without doubt we have the players to win the league, but do we have the mental ability? We'll see a lot more when we play at Old Trafford in October. That game will tell us if we can win the league or not.

With respect I think you are mistaken on both of those statements. Our performance at the swamp doesn't have any bearing whatsoever on winning the league or not. We could beat all the top teams and not win the title or lose to all of them and win it. Teams have done similar in the past. You're right the derbies will tell us something, just not that.

As for being as good as Barca, I've already written plenty on that and it depends how you determine 'better'. Technically no, City are a way off. In terms of creativity and having alternate plays and more insightful players... imo we are already better than Barca. We are also tougher than Barca too.
So takes your choice on which better is better.

[Bridge'srightfoot]

To even suggest we are as good as or better than Barca is pure madness. Just look at the way they played the CL final. I have never seen a side completely dominate United and make them look like as shite and timid as Barca did. We've got the foundations of a great side, but one step at a time.


I read a good point, without doubt we have the players to win the league, but do we have the mental ability? We'll see a lot more when we play at Old Trafford in October. That game will tell us if we can win the league or not.

With respect I think you are mistaken on both of those statements. Our performance at the swamp doesn't have any bearing whatsoever on winning the league or not. We could beat all the top teams and not win the title or lose to all of them and win it. Teams have done similar in the past. You're right the derbies will tell us something, just not that.

As for being as good as Barca, I've already written plenty on that and it depends how you determine 'better'. Technically no, City are a way off. In terms of creativity and having alternate plays and more insightful players... imo we are already better than Barca. We are also tougher than Barca too.
So takes your choice on which better is better.

Fair enough, everyone has their own opinion.

Better in terms of they are a better football side who have players who've played together for years. Better because they have Messi, Xavi, iniesta. Yes we have great players but we're not at their level. People are getting too carried away. Are United also better than Barca?


The game at Ot will tell us whether our players can win the league and about how mentally strong they are. It's gonna be so close this season, the derbies could well make the difference.

[dazby]

The last time we played Barca we won 1-0. Case closed. ;-)

[Original Dub]

To even suggest we are as good as or better than Barca is pure madness. Just look at the way they played the CL final. I have never seen a side completely dominate United and make them look like as shite and timid as Barca did. We've got the foundations of a great side, but one step at a time.

I read a good point, without doubt we have the players to win the league, but do we have the mental ability? We'll see a lot more when we play at Old Trafford in October. That game will tell us if we can win the league or not.

I don't know if you're directing that at me? I sincerely hope not because I never said we ARE better than barcelona, I said I believe we could well be in the not too distant future. I can't believe that even now in this thread people are having difficulty in both computing what I actually said and in believing that it is possible, given how far we've come in the not distant past.

Crazy.

[Ted Hughes]

To even suggest we are as good as or better than Barca is pure madness. Just look at the way they played the CL final. I have never seen a side completely dominate United and make them look like as shite and timid as Barca did. We've got the foundations of a great side, but one step at a time.

I read a good point, without doubt we have the players to win the league, but do we have the mental ability? We'll see a lot more when we play at Old Trafford in October. That game will tell us if we can win the league or not.

I don't know if you're directing that at me? I sincerely hope not because I never said we ARE better than barcelona, I said I believe we could well be in the not too distant future. I can't believe that even now in this thread people are having difficulty in both computing what I actually said and in believing that it is possible, given how far we've come in the not distant past.

Crazy.

Martinez has said the same & he's right. Spain aren't Barca but still play like them. It's not impossible to learn how to do it if you can get the players of that quality.

[Bridge'srightfoot]

To even suggest we are as good as or better than Barca is pure madness. Just look at the way they played the CL final. I have never seen a side completely dominate United and make them look like as shite and timid as Barca did. We've got the foundations of a great side, but one step at a time.

I read a good point, without doubt we have the players to win the league, but do we have the mental ability? We'll see a lot more when we play at Old Trafford in October. That game will tell us if we can win the league or not.

I don't know if you're directing that at me? I sincerely hope not because I never said we ARE better than barcelona, I said I believe we could well be in the not too distant future. I can't believe that even now in this thread people are having difficulty in both computing what I actually said and in believing that it is possible, given how far we've come in the not distant past.

Crazy.

Martinez has said the same & he's right. Spain aren't Barca but still play like them. It's not impossible to learn how to do it if you can get the players of that quality.

8 of the Barca players who played in the CL final came from their own academy. They are trained to play a certain way from a very young age and they play with each other for years. They have a complete understanding of each other. Every single Barca player, including the centre backs are comfortable on the ball. All can pass, dribble and spot openings. They very rarely risk losing the ball, even from corners and free kicks. The way they dismantled United was a joy to behold and one of the greatest performances I've ever seen. We are nowhere near their level. it takes years to build a team that good.

[Rag_hater]

The stuff BBS writes about Barça I think is right.Real Madrid for me are also a lot more entertaining to watch.I also think teams with good players have found out that if you hoof it long and wide missing out Barça midfield they can be beaten.
I watched the Real and Barça game last night and Marcello and Ramos were playing in a similar way to Gael and Micah.The way it looked to me with Silva pulling the strings in the middle and Micah and Gael down the wings we are adopting both teams playing style.We have the players to constantly play like this and as Dub says there is little to stop us being the best in the world when the players do it all the time.

[Ted Hughes]

To even suggest we are as good as or better than Barca is pure madness. Just look at the way they played the CL final. I have never seen a side completely dominate United and make them look like as shite and timid as Barca did. We've got the foundations of a great side, but one step at a time.

I read a good point, without doubt we have the players to win the league, but do we have the mental ability? We'll see a lot more when we play at Old Trafford in October. That game will tell us if we can win the league or not.

I don't know if you're directing that at me? I sincerely hope not because I never said we ARE better than barcelona, I said I believe we could well be in the not too distant future. I can't believe that even now in this thread people are having difficulty in both computing what I actually said and in believing that it is possible, given how far we've come in the not distant past.

Crazy.

Martinez has said the same & he's right. Spain aren't Barca but still play like them. It's not impossible to learn how to do it if you can get the players of that quality.

8 of the Barca players who played in the CL final came from their own academy. They are trained to play a certain way from a very young age and they play with each other for years. They have a complete understanding of each other. Every single Barca player, including the centre backs are comfortable on the ball. All can pass, dribble and spot openings. They very rarely risk losing the ball, even from corners and free kicks. The way they dismantled United was a joy to behold and one of the greatest performances I've ever seen. We are nowhere near their level. it takes years to build a team that good.

For a side that's been together such a short time, we're incredibly close tbf. Martinez is Spanish & can see it, so can I.

Barca have Lionel Messi; that's the biggest problem for everybody to overcome. He's the deciding factor in almost every big game they play & when he was carrying an injury a few years back, the rags beat them. If he gets injured they won't win the Champion's Lg. If he played for City or Utd or Real Madrid, I would back them all to be similar quality to Barca. Perhaps not as good at retaining the ball but just as good at playing football.

Football evolves. The trick for City isn't to be an exact copy of Barca, it's to see whare you can emulate them, add your own bits & be more effective than them. I can see potential for that in City in years to come.

[Bridge'srightfoot]

To even suggest we are as good as or better than Barca is pure madness. Just look at the way they played the CL final. I have never seen a side completely dominate United and make them look like as shite and timid as Barca did. We've got the foundations of a great side, but one step at a time.

I read a good point, without doubt we have the players to win the league, but do we have the mental ability? We'll see a lot more when we play at Old Trafford in October. That game will tell us if we can win the league or not.

I don't know if you're directing that at me? I sincerely hope not because I never said we ARE better than barcelona, I said I believe we could well be in the not too distant future. I can't believe that even now in this thread people are having difficulty in both computing what I actually said and in believing that it is possible, given how far we've come in the not distant past.

Crazy.

Martinez has said the same & he's right. Spain aren't Barca but still play like them. It's not impossible to learn how to do it if you can get the players of that quality.

8 of the Barca players who played in the CL final came from their own academy. They are trained to play a certain way from a very young age and they play with each other for years. They have a complete understanding of each other. Every single Barca player, including the centre backs are comfortable on the ball. All can pass, dribble and spot openings. They very rarely risk losing the ball, even from corners and free kicks. The way they dismantled United was a joy to behold and one of the greatest performances I've ever seen. We are nowhere near their level. it takes years to build a team that good.

For a side that's been together such a short time, we're incredibly close tbf. Martinez is Spanish & can see it, so can I.

Barca have Lionel Messi; that's the biggest problem for everybody to overcome. He's the deciding factor in almost every big game they play & when he was carrying an injury a few years back, the rags beat them. If he gets injured they won't win the Champion's Lg. If he played for City or Utd or Real Madrid, I would back them all to be similar quality to Barca. Perhaps not as good at retaining the ball but just as good at playing football.

Football evolves. The trick for City isn't to be an exact copy of Barca, it's to see whare you can emulate them, add your own bits & be more effective than them. I can see potential for that in City in years to come.

Aye, but that point about keeping the ball is important. One thing Barca do is simply keep the ball for so long. They can keep the ball for 5-10 minutes easy. It demoralizes the opponents and often aggravates them and tires them out.

[Original Dub]

For a side that's been together such a short time, we're incredibly close tbf. Martinez is Spanish & can see it, so can I.

Barca have Lionel Messi; that's the biggest problem for everybody to overcome. He's the deciding factor in almost every big game they play & when he was carrying an injury a few years back, the rags beat them. If he gets injured they won't win the Champion's Lg. If he played for City or Utd or Real Madrid, I would back them all to be similar quality to Barca. Perhaps not as good at retaining the ball but just as good at playing football.

Football evolves. The trick for City isn't to be an exact copy of Barca, it's to see whare you can emulate them, add your own bits & be more effective than them. I can see potential for that in City in years to come.

Of course we can become a better side than them. Look at tue teams we've overtaken in 3 years. Exactly how good we can be in another 3 years of purely fine tuning is fucking scary. Scary for everyone who fsces us. Scary for barca.

As pep has already said "they are an extraordinary side".

The sky is the limit. Not "barca is the limit", the fucking sky.

And any city fan who doesn't believe with our resources that we can become the very best should be fucking ashamed of themselves.

[Ted Hughes]

I agree that the way Barca keep the ball is a facet well worth copying but look at the players we've got & the way we are passing it at times now. It's not that far off. Barca are better at it of course but we're getting there bit by bit & imo we have a stronger attacking squad bar Messi.

I also agree with Dub, the sky is the limit & we should aim for it.

[phips]

I have noticed quite a lot of your posts seem to be to calm everyone down when there is blatant cause to get excited

funny how im not the only one doing this on this site...

[Bridge'srightfoot]

We won the first 4 games 2 seasons ago. All people are saying is don't get so carried away because when we lose( which will happen at some point) it'll be madness on here.

[Original Dub]

funny how im not the only one doing this on this site...

Sorry, I'm done with you. You're either a total newbie, a closet rag or just a fucking weirdo.

Either way i couldn't be arsed. You disagrew that the sky is the limit then I don't want to know you.

Ciao

[Original Dub]

We won the first 4 games 2 seasons ago. All people are saying is don't get so carried away because when we lose( which will happen at some point) it'll be madness on here.

What has that got to do with saying we CAN become better than anyone in the world which is the turn this thread took.

You need to get a bit of faith chief. You're a proper fan unlike that other rag but you really need faith.

How is it ok to proclaim that dzeko is shit and then urge caution when it comes to saying how good this team can be???

[Bridge'srightfoot]

We won the first 4 games 2 seasons ago. All people are saying is don't get so carried away because when we lose( which will happen at some point) it'll be madness on here.

What has that got to do with saying we CAN become better than anyone in the world which is the turn this thread took.

You need to get a bit of faith chief. You're a proper fan unlike that other rag but you really need faith.

How is it ok to proclaim that dzeko is shit and then urge caution when it comes to saying how good this team can be???

I'll admit I got Dzeko wrong. Last season he was absolute shite and there's no point denying that and it really frustrated me. But this season he's been world class and proved me well and truly wrong.

The one annoying thing is United don't look like going anywhere. I'd rather focus on overtaking them first. then we can look to Barca.

[brite blu sky]

football is so dynamic with so many factors influencing it; makes it truly an impossible thing to predict. It also makes it a fantastic thing to debate, chat about, analyse whatever. Reading views on this forum over the last few years as City have grown out of their own shadow it is fairly clear that there are various camps when it comes to analysis of games and prospects of players and the team. One obvious one is a posters inherent optimism or pessimism.. it colours everything, sometimes to the point of stupidity.
The trick imho is to try and perceive where the evidence for a feeling you get watching the team comes from... and then focus on it a bit till you get some vibes or insight.

Take Gareth Barry, universally accepted as understated type player. Before this season started the main target for 'he is the one that wont last'. What was the evidence for that assessment - that he is perceived as slow? (did they watch Hamman)
If you watch Barry carefully his body movement is as good as Tevez's, he regularly creates space by rotating out of a challenge in every game and he does it very matter of fact. If you compare his play to when he arrived at City it is more sophisticated,his one touch has improved no end. That was all evident at the end of last season. I didn't agree with the idea he was a weak link and felt that he is not only good enough but that he is quietly very ambitious player and will improve by learning from those around him. And underestimating him would be proved wrong. Now you could pick umpteen players in this team and see how they have improved already under Mancini and from each other.
So my point is that you can be pessimistic or optimistic but what i would like to hear about is what evidence you take to base the feeling on. Otherwise it is just opinionated blowoff.. you could just watch the match highlights and do that!

[Original Dub]

I'll admit I got Dzeko wrong. Last season he was absolute shite and there's no point denying that and it really frustrated me. But this season he's been world class and proved me well and truly wrong.

The one annoying thing is United don't look like going anywhere. I'd rather focus on overtaking them first. then we can look to Barca.

Do you think we can one day be a better team than barca?

Please just answer the question... Please!!!!! Has the whole fucking world gone crazy since i was last ob here??

Argh!!!!

[Beefymcfc]

I'll admit I got Dzeko wrong. Last season he was absolute shite and there's no point denying that and it really frustrated me. But this season he's been world class and proved me well and truly wrong.

The one annoying thing is United don't look like going anywhere. I'd rather focus on overtaking them first. then we can look to Barca.

Do you think we can one day be a better team than barca?

Please just answer the question... Please!!!!! Has the whole fucking world gone crazy since i was last ob here??

Argh!!!!

I think we're better than Barca already mate and that's why I said that we're turning into a combo of Barca Galactico's. And that's without my BTS, honest.

[Rag_hater]

I'll admit I got Dzeko wrong. Last season he was absolute shite and there's no point denying that and it really frustrated me. But this season he's been world class and proved me well and truly wrong.

The one annoying thing is United don't look like going anywhere. I'd rather focus on overtaking them first. then we can look to Barca.

Do you think we can one day be a better team than barca?

Please just answer the question... Please!!!!! Has the whole fucking world gone crazy since i was last ob here??

Argh!!!!

I think we're better than Barca already mate and that's why I said that we're turning into a combo of Barca Galactico's. And that's without my BTS, honest.

I think you are right we are at Barça level now and think if we played them we would win.However I think this year Jose's,Real will overtake them and we are not far of their level either.
I think RM in La Liga and us in the prem are gonna take it to a higher level.In my dreams anyway.