Last Season.

[gillie]

we haven't played like champions this season - this is systemic from the players to the management team

we only consistently played like champions in the 11 part of the 2011/12 campaign

we have been consistently inconsistent ever since

Typical City just has'nt died and probably never will.

[judythehippy]

will we finish 2nd, 3rd or 4th ?
They asked the question on GMR yesterday....how dare they ??

Judy
xx

[Blue Since 76]

Where's the motivation when your getting a guarenteed 100 odd thousand a week every week for 3 or 4 years however long they've signed for.

Are the rag players all on minimum wage? Surely the reason you get that much money is that you're at the top of your profession which means two things - skill and application.

The lower leagues have plenty of players with the latter but little of the former. There are plenty with the former but not the latter (AJ, Taraabt etc). Very few without both get to play for a top 4 team. Nasri is the exception that proves the rule.

[Blue Since 76]

Does anyone think that that game was the highest of all highs and probably something both players and fans will never ever have a repeat of again. I have found it hard to motivate myself towards City this season as nothing is ever going to be quite the same as that day. Do players think this way, that that was the pinnacle of their careers?? Are they finding motivation hard to come by?? There is a definate hangover.

That day was great and I still can't watch it without choking up a bit (and panicking as the clock ticks down). But that's no different than '99 - every time they show that chance on the screen before the game I'm convinced Dickov is going to miss it.

However, I was really looking forward to this season. More than probably any other I remember. We were (are) champions. We were going to be shown every week on MOTD lifting the trophy. That feeling was great and I couldn't wait for it again. I just can't believe that any of the players thought that was as good as it could get. For raw emotion, it'll probably never be beat, but for the record books, how about another invincibles season, or a record points total, or goals conceded or scored. When I go on Wikipedia and look at PL records, I want everyone to have our name against it (including fewest goals scored at home). I want most consecutive wins, biggest home win, biggest away win. Frankly, I want to knock them right off their fucking perch.

Instead, we've given the trophy back like we were embarrassed to be seen with it.

[zabbadabbado]

In my opinion we have a clear plan in place to become a dominant force in European football. We have basically needed to start from scratch after being mismanaged for years. We have seen considerable investment in the playing side, and expansive redevelopment off the training ground and acadmy there is a blue print for success in place, we are not just ambling along with out a clear strategy here.

In my opinion this and this alone has given some fans unrealistic expectations. In just 3 seasons we have won the FA Cup, Premiership and Charity Shield. This success has come way ahead of schedule. We are not even the finished article on the pitch. We have players that we brought in solely to establish us as a top 4 side, players like Gareth Barry,Ya Ya Toure,Kolo Toure all these players are nearly 30.There job was to help us become established as a top 4 side. Long term it has always been the Clubs intention to buy young players. I don’t think we ever thought we were going to win the League just yet; top 4 maybe for 3 – 4 years slowly replace the aging players that have established us from the beginning

How ever much too all our surprise we won the League with out even being the finished article. Probably 2 years too early. Our squad still lacks depth etc.

But now we have won the League some fans think we should do it again so soon.

Fans have to see the bigger picture, have patience we are evolving on and off the pitch. The new academy will be a production line producing top European players that was always the intention off City long term.

The recruitment off the two new blokes behind the scenes Tixi and Soranno . They are sourcing potential signings, young players to replace the aging players in our squad. We are slowly phasing out outdated ways off management to prevent upheaval at the Club. Our manager will become a coach and nothing more, he fails in his job we will only need a new coach. We won’t need to replace a load off hangers on etc.all very professional.

Some Fans calling for Mancini head, why? He is part of our development, he was brought in to make us in to a top 4 side and title challengers. Why do you think he was given a 5 year contract?, because he is a clueless numpty ?, no because he has been succeeding with his objectives, and the 5 year contract suggests he has exceeded our owners expectations. I am not saying everything is perfect, because obviously it is not. There was a collective fcuk up in the transfer market pre-season we all know that. But we learn from it and move on. If it is not broken don’t fix it. We are still on course this season to finish second and win the FA Cup.

I don’t see the point in replacing our manager whilst he is delivering for us. Surely fans can see his role is being diminished behind the scenes. There won’t be many more duff signings as we saw last season. From now on it will be Roberto, Soranno agreeing on new signings. He will be first team Coach, he will say who he wants and Soranno will sort it out. You sack Roberto it will be the same for the next coach. Do you think Mourinho will enjoy working like that?, that’s why Barcelona gave him a swerve.

There is nothing to be gained by causing upheaval at this stage in our development and everything to lose. All that will happen is it will cost us millions in compensation to replace Roberto with another first team coach.And Soranno will still be sourcing the same players we were after anyway.

By the time Roberto contract is up we should be in the position where we hire a new coach to coach the team with mini mum disruption. Because we will have a fine squad off World Class players.

Why on earth would any City fan want to see major upheaval now is way beyond my comprehension.

[Socrates]

In my opinion we have a clear plan in place to become a dominant force in European football. We have basically needed to start from scratch after being mismanaged for years. We have seen considerable investment in the playing side, and expansive redevelopment off the training ground and acadmy there is a blue print for success in place, we are not just ambling along with out a clear strategy here.

In my opinion this and this alone has given some fans unrealistic expectations. In just 3 seasons we have won the FA Cup, Premiership and Charity Shield. This success has come way ahead of schedule. We are not even the finished article on the pitch. We have players that we brought in solely to establish us as a top 4 side, players like Gareth Barry,Ya Ya Toure,Kolo Toure all these players are nearly 30.There job was to help us become established as a top 4 side. Long term it has always been the Clubs intention to buy young players. I don’t think we ever thought we were going to win the League just yet; top 4 maybe for 3 – 4 years slowly replace the aging players that have established us from the beginning

How ever much too all our surprise we won the League with out even being the finished article. Probably 2 years too early. Our squad still lacks depth etc.

But now we have won the League some fans think we should do it again so soon.

Fans have to see the bigger picture, have patience we are evolving on and off the pitch. The new academy will be a production line producing top European players that was always the intention off City long term.

The recruitment off the two new blokes behind the scenes Tixi and Soranno . They are sourcing potential signings, young players to replace the aging players in our squad. We are slowly phasing out outdated ways off management to prevent upheaval at the Club. Our manager will become a coach and nothing more, he fails in his job we will only need a new coach. We won’t need to replace a load off hangers on etc.all very professional.

Some Fans calling for Mancini head, why? He is part of our development, he was brought in to make us in to a top 4 side and title challengers. Why do you think he was given a 5 year contract?, because he is a clueless numpty ?, no because he has been succeeding with his objectives, and the 5 year contract suggests he has exceeded our owners expectations. I am not saying everything is perfect, because obviously it is not. There was a collective fcuk up in the transfer market pre-season we all know that. But we learn from it and move on. If it is not broken don’t fix it. We are still on course this season to finish second and win the FA Cup.

I don’t see the point in replacing our manager whilst he is delivering for us. Surely fans can see his role is being diminished behind the scenes. There won’t be many more duff signings as we saw last season. From now on it will be Roberto, Soranno agreeing on new signings. He will be first team Coach, he will say who he wants and Soranno will sort it out. You sack Roberto it will be the same for the next coach. Do you think Mourinho will enjoy working like that?, that’s why Barcelona gave him a swerve.

There is nothing to be gained by causing upheaval at this stage in our development and everything to lose. All that will happen is it will cost us millions in compensation to replace Roberto with another first team coach.And Soranno will still be sourcing the same players we were after anyway.

By the time Roberto contract is up we should be in the position where we hire a new coach to coach the team with mini mum disruption. Because we will have a fine squad off World Class players.

Why on earth would any City fan want to see major upheaval now is way beyond my comprehension.

Fantastic post, I hope some of the hysterical numpties read this and take a look at themselves.

[Pretty Boy Lee]

In my opinion we have a clear plan in place to become a dominant force in European football. We have basically needed to start from scratch after being mismanaged for years. We have seen considerable investment in the playing side, and expansive redevelopment off the training ground and acadmy there is a blue print for success in place, we are not just ambling along with out a clear strategy here.

In my opinion this and this alone has given some fans unrealistic expectations. In just 3 seasons we have won the FA Cup, Premiership and Charity Shield. This success has come way ahead of schedule. We are not even the finished article on the pitch. We have players that we brought in solely to establish us as a top 4 side, players like Gareth Barry,Ya Ya Toure,Kolo Toure all these players are nearly 30.There job was to help us become established as a top 4 side. Long term it has always been the Clubs intention to buy young players. I don’t think we ever thought we were going to win the League just yet; top 4 maybe for 3 – 4 years slowly replace the aging players that have established us from the beginning

How ever much too all our surprise we won the League with out even being the finished article. Probably 2 years too early. Our squad still lacks depth etc.

But now we have won the League some fans think we should do it again so soon.

Fans have to see the bigger picture, have patience we are evolving on and off the pitch. The new academy will be a production line producing top European players that was always the intention off City long term.

The recruitment off the two new blokes behind the scenes Tixi and Soranno . They are sourcing potential signings, young players to replace the aging players in our squad. We are slowly phasing out outdated ways off management to prevent upheaval at the Club. Our manager will become a coach and nothing more, he fails in his job we will only need a new coach. We won’t need to replace a load off hangers on etc.all very professional.

Some Fans calling for Mancini head, why? He is part of our development, he was brought in to make us in to a top 4 side and title challengers. Why do you think he was given a 5 year contract?, because he is a clueless numpty ?, no because he has been succeeding with his objectives, and the 5 year contract suggests he has exceeded our owners expectations. I am not saying everything is perfect, because obviously it is not. There was a collective fcuk up in the transfer market pre-season we all know that. But we learn from it and move on. If it is not broken don’t fix it. We are still on course this season to finish second and win the FA Cup.

I don’t see the point in replacing our manager whilst he is delivering for us. Surely fans can see his role is being diminished behind the scenes. There won’t be many more duff signings as we saw last season. From now on it will be Roberto, Soranno agreeing on new signings. He will be first team Coach, he will say who he wants and Soranno will sort it out. You sack Roberto it will be the same for the next coach. Do you think Mourinho will enjoy working like that?, that’s why Barcelona gave him a swerve.

There is nothing to be gained by causing upheaval at this stage in our development and everything to lose. All that will happen is it will cost us millions in compensation to replace Roberto with another first team coach.And Soranno will still be sourcing the same players we were after anyway.

By the time Roberto contract is up we should be in the position where we hire a new coach to coach the team with mini mum disruption. Because we will have a fine squad off World Class players.

Why on earth would any City fan want to see major upheaval now is way beyond my comprehension.

Two seasons ago we finished 3rd.

We then bought Nasri, Aguero, Savic, clichy. Are you certain the owner didn't expect a title challenge with another 80m spend on top of a team bought that finished 3rd?

Are there quotes to back that up?

No offense but in my humble opinion top 4 for 3 or 4 straight seasons wasn't the goal, the title was the goal. My memory ain't great but I'm sure khaldoon said title challenge and decent cl campaign at some point.

Until proven otherwise the very soft targets you listed sound like tall tales to me.

[Socrates]

Two seasons ago we finished 3rd.

We then bought Nasri, Aguero, Savic, clichy. Are you certain the owner didn't expect a title challenge with another 80m spend on top of a team bought that finished 3rd?

Are there quotes to back that up?

No offense but in my humble opinion top 4 for 3 or 4 straight seasons wasn't the goal, the title was the goal. My memory ain't great but I'm sure khaldoon said title challenge and decent cl campaign at some point.

Until proven otherwise the very soft targets you listed sound like tall tales to me.

People forget that Aguero was meant to be Tevez's replacement, not as well as. Clichy was pretty essential as Zabaleta had been our best right back and best left back the season before and there was only one of him.

[Pretty Boy Lee]

People forget that Aguero was meant to be Tevez's replacement, not as well as. Clichy was pretty essential as Zabaleta had been our best right back and best left back the season before and there was only one of him.

I don't forget, I asked a question. You didn't answer it either.

[Wonderwall]

Two seasons ago we finished 3rd.

We then bought Nasri, Aguero, Savic, clichy. Are you certain the owner didn't expect a title challenge with another 80m spend on top of a team bought that finished 3rd?

Are there quotes to back that up?

No offense but in my humble opinion top 4 for 3 or 4 straight seasons wasn't the goal, the title was the goal. My memory ain't great but I'm sure khaldoon said title challenge and decent cl campaign at some point.

Until proven otherwise the very soft targets you listed sound like tall tales to me.

The actual quote was a decent run in Europe and top 4 finish.

[DoomMerchant]

The actual quote was a decent run in Europe and top 4 finish.

So khaldoons a sandbagger.

I make myself laff. And laff. And laff.

Seriously tho. He is.

[Pretty Boy Lee]

The actual quote was a decent run in Europe and top 4 finish.

For the last two seasons?

Also what constitutes decent?

I'm not wanting the manager sacked, but people excusing how shit we've been this season is disgusting. If I were the owner and I was doing a review of the season I'd be asking how he thought he went working with the squad he had. What he thought of their efforts in Europe and how many years do you think it will take to win at Goodson?

[Duckman]

In my opinion we have a clear plan in place to become a dominant force in European football. We have basically needed to start from scratch after being mismanaged for years. We have seen considerable investment in the playing side, and expansive redevelopment off the training ground and acadmy there is a blue print for success in place, we are not just ambling along with out a clear strategy here.

In my opinion this and this alone has given some fans unrealistic expectations. In just 3 seasons we have won the FA Cup, Premiership and Charity Shield. This success has come way ahead of schedule. We are not even the finished article on the pitch. We have players that we brought in solely to establish us as a top 4 side, players like Gareth Barry,Ya Ya Toure,Kolo Toure all these players are nearly 30.There job was to help us become established as a top 4 side. Long term it has always been the Clubs intention to buy young players. I don’t think we ever thought we were going to win the League just yet; top 4 maybe for 3 – 4 years slowly replace the aging players that have established us from the beginning

How ever much too all our surprise we won the League with out even being the finished article. Probably 2 years too early. Our squad still lacks depth etc.

But now we have won the League some fans think we should do it again so soon.

Fans have to see the bigger picture, have patience we are evolving on and off the pitch. The new academy will be a production line producing top European players that was always the intention off City long term.

The recruitment off the two new blokes behind the scenes Tixi and Soranno . They are sourcing potential signings, young players to replace the aging players in our squad. We are slowly phasing out outdated ways off management to prevent upheaval at the Club. Our manager will become a coach and nothing more, he fails in his job we will only need a new coach. We won’t need to replace a load off hangers on etc.all very professional.

Some Fans calling for Mancini head, why? He is part of our development, he was brought in to make us in to a top 4 side and title challengers. Why do you think he was given a 5 year contract?, because he is a clueless numpty ?, no because he has been succeeding with his objectives, and the 5 year contract suggests he has exceeded our owners expectations. I am not saying everything is perfect, because obviously it is not. There was a collective fcuk up in the transfer market pre-season we all know that. But we learn from it and move on. If it is not broken don’t fix it. We are still on course this season to finish second and win the FA Cup.

I don’t see the point in replacing our manager whilst he is delivering for us. Surely fans can see his role is being diminished behind the scenes. There won’t be many more duff signings as we saw last season. From now on it will be Roberto, Soranno agreeing on new signings. He will be first team Coach, he will say who he wants and Soranno will sort it out. You sack Roberto it will be the same for the next coach. Do you think Mourinho will enjoy working like that?, that’s why Barcelona gave him a swerve.

There is nothing to be gained by causing upheaval at this stage in our development and everything to lose. All that will happen is it will cost us millions in compensation to replace Roberto with another first team coach.And Soranno will still be sourcing the same players we were after anyway.

By the time Roberto contract is up we should be in the position where we hire a new coach to coach the team with mini mum disruption. Because we will have a fine squad off World Class players.

Why on earth would any City fan want to see major upheaval now is way beyond my comprehension.

I'm not sure who zabletta is, but this is a top, top post. cheers mate.

[Blue Since 76]

I just don't get the argument that we won the league too early. We may not have expected to win it or required Mancini to win it to keep his job, but so what?

When he came him, his target was top 4, which we didn't make. Personally, I believe he was far too negative in that season, which cost us, but it can be excused as he didn't know the league and the players, in the main, weren't his.

The following season, target was clearly top 4, which we achieved, finishing 3rd on goal difference and only 9 points behind the rags. He achieved what he set out to do, but I believe we could have been a lot closer and maybe winners if he'd have risked more in a few games, particularly Arsenal away and the rags at home.

Last season, we started with a completely different approach, played some fantastic football up to Xmas before falling away. Thankfully, we got it back in those last 6 games. I believe a lot of the change in attitude started in the semi final the previous season - we were rabbits in the headlights for 30 minutes and should have been at least 1 down. We weren't and we suddenly realised we were better than the rags. We took that into the 2nd half and walked over them. That confidence seemed to carry through to last season.

So where has it gone this season? There's no swagger of champions, no drive of winners. We've been lethargic all season and are at risk of putting up the worse title defence since the PL began - Blackburn finished 21 points behind.

Winning it should have made everyone at the club more determined to do it again. Instead the whole season, from summer transfers to now has been pretty flat. Some of that may be down to the loss of Cook and potential stagnation for a period, but the same mistakes can't be made again.

Like it or not, every time Taggart has been poked, the rags have come back stronger and more determined. It has been reported that the day after we win the league, he was in the office at 7am plotting this season. He hates not winning anything, even a throw in. We've got to be the same or accept that we're just another Arsenal - play nice football, maybe win something occasionally but never be a serious threat to dominate.