Our Recent Signings, Non-Signings And Sales

[Ted Hughes]

That's how it works yes of course but we don't then say 'ah well you have to sign Garcia & Rodwell' he decides.

Imo he decided he wanted them as options for his 3 at the back plan. Originally that would have been DeRossi & Javi Martinez but they were too expensive/impossible.

Bob would have had those two plus Danny Alvez or similar but we couldn't get them due to not wanting to spend & having no transfer negotiation team because of Soriano/Tricky's imminent arrival.

Instead of leaving it & 'managing' he chose to sign that lot instead.

I'll just say here that I think Garcia is a near miss which could still be ok & Rodwell will be absolutely fine if he actually gets fit; which is my only worry. Most signings are a gamble. I'm delighted we didn't spunk millions on Javi Martinez & although I would have loved DeRossi, I'm not sure of his fitness.

We shouldnt be going that far down the list though should we? If I cant get the pieces of the jigsaw I want, I dont see the logic in Mancini pressing on, or the club backing him.

The logic of those signings as stated by Mancini at the time was to add some additional bodies into the squad to allow us to challenge on all fronts. That has been said by Mancini himself, you however are just speculating about 3 at the back. Whilst those players and the others on the list would have given us flexibility to play that way, I dont believe that 3 at the back was ever his big idea for this season, although it may have been for specific ties like European away games.

If it really was about adding numbers, then we go back to asking why, with the loss of Johnson and De Jong, who were bit part players last season, we suddenly lost so much ground on united.

I'm speculating that Mancini signed them for that system yes, but the fact he then kept trying to use it & is still at it now, rather than using traditional wide players etc, suggests I'm right. It seems absolutely obvious to me tbh & not even woth an argument. If someone can suggest a different reason for replacing Nige with taller players who just coincidentally are able to play in a back 3, which he can't, I'll give it a whirl though.

[Im_Spartacus]

Probably the wrong thread, but 'not properly prepared'? Are you basing that on the internationals? That we've known about for months? And which bit of yesterday just looked like poor preparation? I'd accept that if we'd been undone by a set piece routing they'd used before, but not from being given the run around by a bunch of players, not one of whom anyone would want in our squad

I said in the match thread after 7 minutes when hart kicked the ball straight into touch, that level of sloppiness is an indicator of a lack of concentration and focus, and that it is generally indicative of a team overall. i felt like a cunt for being so critical after his first touch..........but 10 minutes later we had misplaced a dozen passes by not making sure they reached their target, generally being intercepted. Then the real errors started, including an elementary one by Joe, and the warning was right there earlier in the game

It was sloppy and it is my opinion too that something, whether it be focus, motivation or what, was missing. Its the managers job to send a team out with those attributes, and he didnt.

The players have got to take the ir share of the blame, but the team that set foot on that pitch last night was out of sorts from the first kick.

[Beefymcfc]

Ted, who are our traditional wide players?

[Ted Hughes]

Ted, who are our traditional wide players?

The one he won't play (sinclair) & the ones he didn't sign, preferring instead to bring in a wingback & two defensive mid/back 3 players.

Not that it suggests he had any plans of playing 3 at the back of course. It's all just pure coincidence.

[Im_Spartacus]

The one he won't play (sinclair) & the ones he didn't sign, preferring instead to bring in a wingback & two defensive mid/back 3 players.

Not that it suggests he had any plans of playing 3 at the back of course. It's all just pure coincidence.

I said I expect he planned to use the back 3 away from home in Europe, as evidenced by some of the previous year's efforts where we had actually been quite effective like that.

But I'm not even contemplating that he was planning in doing this in bread and butter games in the league, but signing those players gave us the flexibility to employ both systems if needed, eg, gave him enough players to compete on all fronts like he said

[Beefymcfc]

Ted, who are our traditional wide players?

The one he won't play (sinclair) & the ones he didn't sign, preferring instead to bring in a wingback & two defensive mid/back 3 players.

Not that it suggests he had any plans of playing 3 at the back of course. It's all just pure coincidence.

But how do we know that he didn't want a winger? I personally don't consider Scott Sinclair to be a traditional winger, he's more of an outside forward as shown with his time with Swansea (20 odd goals in his 1st season). Similarily, we went for Hazard who could be classed as the same but we don't know who else was on the cards.

The lads we signed were done on the last day(s) because they were nowhere near 1st choice. There is no blame from me for not getting our 1st choices as we were without a CEO at the time and for me it was the likes of Cooky who sold the club to prospective players. With a bit of a 'money incentive' of course

[Ted Hughes]

The one he won't play (sinclair) & the ones he didn't sign, preferring instead to bring in a wingback & two defensive mid/back 3 players.

Not that it suggests he had any plans of playing 3 at the back of course. It's all just pure coincidence.

I said I expect he planned to use the back 3 away from home in Europe, as evidenced by some of the previous year's efforts where we had actually been quite effective like that.

But I'm not even contemplating that he was planning in doing this in bread and butter games in the league, but signing those players gave us the flexibility to employ both systems if needed, eg, gave him enough players to compete on all fronts like he said

Fair enough but he does use it in the 'bread & butter games'. He may not start with it but he uses it & that's why he's dumping Lescott for an inferior defender in Nastasic who he perceives to be better on the ball; because it makes his tactical switch easier, possibly without having to use a sub & able to change back again.

I have absolutely no problem with it if it works, but it doesn't at the moment & helped us crash out of Europe & spoiled the preperations for the start of this season imo. I don't think it will work to the level he is hoping it will & he needs to place less importance on it & plan differently for next season. The players are not convinced & neither is Platt.

[Ted Hughes]

Ted, who are our traditional wide players?

The one he won't play (sinclair) & the ones he didn't sign, preferring instead to bring in a wingback & two defensive mid/back 3 players.

Not that it suggests he had any plans of playing 3 at the back of course. It's all just pure coincidence.

But how do we know that he didn't want a winger? I personally don't consider Scott Sinclair to be a traditional winger, he's more of an outside forward as shown with his time with Swansea (20 odd goals in his 1st season). Similarily, we went for Hazard who could be classed as the same but we don't know who else was on the cards.

The lads we signed were done on the last day(s) because they were nowhere near 1st choice. There is no blame from me for not getting our 1st choices as we were without a CEO at the time and for me it was the likes of Cooky who sold the club to prospective players. With a bit of a 'money incentive' of course

We know he didn't want a winger as he sold one & bought a wingback instead & plays without wingers.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Mancini wanted Eden Hazard and Daniele De Rossi. Neither was delivered by suits. Imagine what we would look like with those two in midfield. Imagine.

[Peter Doherty (AGAIG)]

We weren't properly prepared yesterday, so I don't think we'll see a repeat performance again this season.

Probably the wrong thread, but 'not properly prepared'? Are you basing that on the internationals? That we've known about for months? And which bit of yesterday just looked like poor preparation? I'd accept that if we'd been undone by a set piece routing they'd used before, but not from being given the run around by a bunch of players, not one of whom anyone would want in our squad

We didn't look focused yesterday. That's part of the preparation - how important the game is, what they are supposed to be doing on the pitch, the weaknesses and strengths of the opposition addressed. All seemed missing yesterday.

[Beefymcfc]

We weren't properly prepared yesterday, so I don't think we'll see a repeat performance again this season.

Probably the wrong thread, but 'not properly prepared'? Are you basing that on the internationals? That we've known about for months? And which bit of yesterday just looked like poor preparation? I'd accept that if we'd been undone by a set piece routing they'd used before, but not from being given the run around by a bunch of players, not one of whom anyone would want in our squad

We didn't look focused yesterday. That's part of the preparation - how important the game is, what they are supposed to be doing on the pitch, the weaknesses and strengths of the opposition addressed. All seemed missing yesterday.

And quite understandable with the International fixtures. Players returning on Friday when we play Saturday is not exactly decent preparation. Add to that the travelling time (Silva to Qatar to sit on the bench for one) and you can understand why a few are jaded/unprepared.

[Ted Hughes]

Mancini wanted Eden Hazard and Daniele De Rossi. Neither was delivered by suits. Imagine what we would look like with those two in midfield. Imagine.

Better but we would still lack pace in midfield & none of the signings we were linked with cover that. In fact Rodwell if fit is closer to being able to cover it.

I think Bob needs to have a rethink in the summer. We will get exposed next season unless we do something about it, either staying sat deep with slow players or signing quicker more energetic ones. We can't play half a pressing game against faster, fitter teams.

[Sideshow Bob]

Mancini wanted Eden Hazard and Daniele De Rossi. Neither was delivered by suits. Imagine what we would look like with those two in midfield. Imagine.

Better but we would still lack pace in midfield & none of the signings we were linked with cover that.

eh? hazard has more pace than any of MFs. we were also in for sanchez. if we'd signed sanchez, i suspect we'd still have been in for hazard. imagine a midfield 5 of sanchez, hazard, ddr, yaya and silva.

[carl_feedthegoat]

We weren't properly prepared yesterday, so I don't think we'll see a repeat performance again this season.

Probably the wrong thread, but 'not properly prepared'? Are you basing that on the internationals? That we've known about for months? And which bit of yesterday just looked like poor preparation? I'd accept that if we'd been undone by a set piece routing they'd used before, but not from being given the run around by a bunch of players, not one of whom anyone would want in our squad

We didn't look focused yesterday. That's part of the preparation - how important the game is, what they are supposed to be doing on the pitch, the weaknesses and strengths of the opposition addressed. All seemed missing yesterday.

And quite understandable with the International fixtures. Players returning on Friday when we play Saturday is not exactly decent preparation. Add to that the travelling time (Silva to Qatar to sit on the bench for one) and you can understand why a few are jaded/unprepared.

Fuck me, what a crock of shit !!

All the other teams seemed to do pretty fuckign well Beefy or are our players different to other clubs players?

We were shit , end of and thats down to the SHITE ATTITUDE thats currently inbedded into everyone at the club right now.

[Cit.revenge]

Manchini is on Sampdoria - Roma game watching.

[Blue Since 76]

Manchini is on Sampdoria - Roma game watching.

Do either of them need a manager? How about a French winger/whiner?

[King Kev]

Mancini wanted Eden Hazard and Daniele De Rossi. Neither was delivered by suits. Imagine what we would look like with those two in midfield. Imagine.

This is my point. It's all very well saying that Mancini must have wanted the players that we did sign (although I am not convinced he did want all of them) but what about the players he wanted but weren't signed?

And what about the players like de Jong and Baloteli that were sold (and not replaced) without his blessing?

I admit that I am a 'Mancini licker' and very proud to be so, but surely even the haters can see that he doesn't have full control over the transfers.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Mancini wanted Eden Hazard and Daniele De Rossi. Neither was delivered by suits. Imagine what we would look like with those two in midfield. Imagine.

This is my point. It's all very well saying that Mancini must have wanted the players that we did sign (although I am not convinced he did want all of them) but what about the players he wanted but weren't signed?

And what about the players like de Jong and Baloteli that were sold (and not replaced) without his blessing?

I admit that I am a 'Mancini licker' and very proud to be so, but surely even the haters can see that he doesn't have full control over the transfers.

That shouldn't even be under discussion. We have director of football system. Director of football is essentially in charge of transfers. Before Marwood was appointed by Cook, Cook was talking about taking things from American sports. And in American sports "General Manager" holds more or less same position that Director of Football does. It's his charge to put team together. Now does DoF decide which players we sign alone??? Absolutely not. Mancini and his crew of coaches probably tell where they need strenghtening and maybe give some ideas of the players they'd like to sign. Team of scouts will give their recommendentations. Then it's up for DoF to decide which players we go after and take care of the financial side of things.

The talk of which players were Mancini's is bit silly. I doubt, apart from some youngsters, any of the players were brought in without Mancini giving thumbs up. Then again, Mancini can not dictate how HEAVILY we go after each player.

I'm neither for nor against DoF system. I think it gives manager (or should we just call him head coach?) freedom to concentrate on his team and playing side of things. That's good. Bad thing is that football fans generally don't understand this concept and all the pressure is on manager. This has long been norm in Spanish football though and there supporters know when to question directors and when to question manager/coach.

[Beefymcfc]

We weren't properly prepared yesterday, so I don't think we'll see a repeat performance again this season.

Probably the wrong thread, but 'not properly prepared'? Are you basing that on the internationals? That we've known about for months? And which bit of yesterday just looked like poor preparation? I'd accept that if we'd been undone by a set piece routing they'd used before, but not from being given the run around by a bunch of players, not one of whom anyone would want in our squad

We didn't look focused yesterday. That's part of the preparation - how important the game is, what they are supposed to be doing on the pitch, the weaknesses and strengths of the opposition addressed. All seemed missing yesterday.

And quite understandable with the International fixtures. Players returning on Friday when we play Saturday is not exactly decent preparation. Add to that the travelling time (Silva to Qatar to sit on the bench for one) and you can understand why a few are jaded/unprepared.

Fuck me, what a crock of shit !!

All the other teams seemed to do pretty fuckign well Beefy or are our players different to other clubs players?

We were shit , end of and thats down to the SHITE ATTITUDE thats currently inbedded into everyone at the club right now.

Calm down there big man, it wasn't an excuse, just an observation.

[Ted Hughes]

Mancini wanted Eden Hazard and Daniele De Rossi. Neither was delivered by suits. Imagine what we would look like with those two in midfield. Imagine.

This is my point. It's all very well saying that Mancini must have wanted the players that we did sign (although I am not convinced he did want all of them) but what about the players he wanted but weren't signed?

And what about the players like de Jong and Baloteli that were sold (and not replaced) without his blessing?

I admit that I am a 'Mancini licker' and very proud to be so, but surely even the haters can see that he doesn't have full control over the transfers.

That shouldn't even be under discussion. We have director of football system. Director of football is essentially in charge of transfers. Before Marwood was appointed by Cook, Cook was talking about taking things from American sports. And in American sports "General Manager" holds more or less same position that Director of Football does. It's his charge to put team together. Now does DoF decide which players we sign alone??? Absolutely not. Mancini and his crew of coaches probably tell where they need strenghtening and maybe give some ideas of the players they'd like to sign. Team of scouts will give their recommendentations. Then it's up for DoF to decide which players we go after and take care of the financial side of things.

The talk of which players were Mancini's is bit silly. I doubt, apart from some youngsters, any of the players were brought in without Mancini giving thumbs up. Then again, Mancini can not dictate how HEAVILY we go after each player.

I'm neither for nor against DoF system. I think it gives manager (or should we just call him head coach?) freedom to concentrate on his team and playing side of things. That's good. Bad thing is that football fans generally don't understand this concept and all the pressure is on manager. This has long been norm in Spanish football though and there supporters know when to question directors and when to question manager/coach.

And he has the choice of not signing those players & keeping the money. He chose to sign, therefore he is responsible good or bad.

I recon he was probably given the option with the words 'please, please, please' about selling balotelli in summer, for much more money than we got in Jan too, & chose to keep him & therefore miss out on any big money striker signings.