Khaldoon, Soriano, Tricky.

[Ted Hughes]

Jan 2013:

Khaldoon: "Ok lads I've had a talk with Sheikh Mansour, we're getting rid of this Italian twat, cos nobody likes him & Sheikhy wants you to take over everything. From now on, you are in charge; just tell us what you want & we will provide."

"Of course, as we discussed, we brought you in because of the work you did at Barca, where you cut the wage bill & brought through a backbone of young players from the academy, just signing one or two star players to augment that when it was all up and running & we admire that hugely."

"We noticed you because of your specific abilities & brought you in, to oversee the project".

"But, you know what?" " FUCK THAT, just chuck money at everything, that's what we want you to do!." "Spend it!"

" We told that twat Marwood; JUST SPUNK OUR MONEY!" "He wouldn't fucking do it" "Spend it, we said!" "No I fackin' won't, he said"

"Had to move the cunt on". "Should have put Mancini in his job, he would have drained the fuckin' oil wells just on strikers & still not signed a winger, hehe"

" Anyhow matey, offer everybody whatever they want". "If a player doesn't fancy playing for us; OFFER HIM LOADS OF MONEEYY"

"Offer his agent LOAAADS OF MONEEEY, his Dad, everybody" "We don't care, just spend the fucking lot".

Soriano: "Ok Boss, no problem"

July 2013:

Khaldoon: "A word in your ear sunshine..."

[Clowncrete]

[brite blu sky]

I for one am not expecting that we are going to benefit from so many changes at once.

If you accept that usually it takes a little time to get things the way you want them and understand what is around you when you start a new job or role. At least 2 new top execs with all the culture change that goes with that, a new manager and coaching staff apart from Kiddo. All of them new to the UK and to Mancland and the Prem... fuckinghell
Even if we have a great season I'd still be of the opinion it was about 15% below optimum; just because of all the changes.

The team is probs going to be the most consistent thing at City for the next few months. 2 very good players in, who play in positions we were lacking the level of talent they have.
I have a good sense they will add a lot, not just by their talent but also that their positions should free up some interesting options for the use of Yaya and Nasri. Also little Ferdinando should allow little Dave to operate a bit higher up and go walkies a lot more.
I think we are in for interesting times, but I'm not going to expect it all to explode into action from day 1. If it looks like it is falling into place by the end of the season I will be well happy. I want to see City build something not just thrash about nervously.

With uncle Carlos gone we do need a hard working striker or mentalist advanced mid who is very good at finishing.


That all leaves mr Jecko. Is he good enough if the way we play gets a bit more direct and more counter attacking?

I don't know, he is a good counter attacker and is more effective with the ball when there is space in front of him. As to his qualities as a target in the box we hardly ever used to see that under Bob, so the jury is out. I think he ought to be near to top notch. He's never really been used properly and has come across as more of a donkey than anything else most of the time. We should give him the chance under the new manager and see.


I suppose you lot are thinking we are going to win the Chumps and the Title and both the cups eh?

[Hazy2]

Did we not win the agents fees league, last season.

[Moonchesteri]

Did we not win the agents fees league, last season.

We sure did, the silver plate is right next to our Thomas Cook Trophies.

That is something I've been wondering tho, the agents fees. The numbers are officially announced each year and we pay shitloads, but then we also - apparently - drop out of races to sign top quality players because of them? Strange.

[Pretty Boy Lee]

We sure did, the silver plate is right next to our Thomas Cook Trophies.

That is something I've been wondering tho, the agents fees. The numbers are officially announced each year and we pay shitloads, but then we also - apparently - drop out of races to sign top quality players because of them? Strange.

I'm no expert but could it be due to the quantity of players we've been signing?

[Ted Hughes]

I for one am not expecting that we are going to benefit from so many changes at once.

If you accept that usually it takes a little time to get things the way you want them and understand what is around you when you start a new job or role. At least 2 new top execs with all the culture change that goes with that, a new manager and coaching staff apart from Kiddo. All of them new to the UK and to Mancland and the Prem... fuckinghell
Even if we have a great season I'd still be of the opinion it was about 15% below optimum; just because of all the changes.

The team is probs going to be the most consistent thing at City for the next few months. 2 very good players in, who play in positions we were lacking the level of talent they have.
I have a good sense they will add a lot, not just by their talent but also that their positions should free up some interesting options for the use of Yaya and Nasri. Also little Ferdinando should allow little Dave to operate a bit higher up and go walkies a lot more.
I think we are in for interesting times, but I'm not going to expect it all to explode into action from day 1. If it looks like it is falling into place by the end of the season I will be well happy. I want to see City build something not just thrash about nervously.

With uncle Carlos gone we do need a hard working striker or mentalist advanced mid who is very good at finishing.


That all leaves mr Jecko. Is he good enough if the way we play gets a bit more direct and more counter attacking?

I don't know, he is a good counter attacker and is more effective with the ball when there is space in front of him. As to his qualities as a target in the box we hardly ever used to see that under Bob, so the jury is out. I think he ought to be near to top notch. He's never really been used properly and has come across as more of a donkey than anything else most of the time. We should give him the chance under the new manager and see.


I suppose you lot are thinking we are going to win the Chumps and the Title and both the cups eh?

Interesting point re counter attacking; Pellegrini says he doesn't, media experts say he doesn't, but Fernandinho & Navas suggests he will, if the occasion arises. Imo though, Dzeko has been one of City's best players onthe counter attack.

But if we just buy ten strikers for £100 million each & close the fucking deals, we don't need to worry about shit like that; just sign everybody.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Just one question, which one are we lacking, couple of top quality players or five or six pretty good players to make the numbers? Because they cost about the same.

[Saul Goodman]

We need to give the squad and staff time to gel.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

We need to give the squad and staff time to gel.

There has been no completely squad overhaul. Jusr couple of guys leaving and couple of guys coming in, which happens in every football club. It was different when Sheik (bless him) came in and for few years we changed half of playing staff every summer. And for a while we were in a situation where lower mid-table quality players were rubbing shoulders with some world stars. That was good excuse then. Now it's just stupid cliche.

[Im_Spartacus]

We need to give the squad and staff time to gel.

I dont think we do.

Time and time again 'time to gel' is a cliche used by apologists of failure. Yes, it will take some tactics time to bed in, but I would argue that in Pellegrini, we may well have that rare coach who is able to work with what he finds at a club from day 1 - he certainly showed that he was capable of doing this at Real Madrid and Malaga.

If you take Mancini as an example, his 'gelling' period went from 6 months, where for me he failed miserably by missing out on top 4 and losing the league cup semi final, to doing average in the league the following season (for the quality of the squad), and having a good FA cup run which was his specialism.

The year after, we incredibly went out of the blocks like nothing ive ever seen in this league before, stunning play from the team and won I think 10 out of the first 11 averaging over 3 goals a game. On the face of it, that would all be an argument to say that Mancini needed 18 months to get the team to gel, yet that summer we signed Aguero, Clichy, Nasri, all of whom went into the first team, all of whom performed very well in that first spell - and thats 30% of your first team right there.

So how do you explain 'gelling' against a background of these players coming in and picking up the vibe straight away? Because All 3 were excellent in those early games, they didnt need to gel so its hardly like the rest of the team carried them whilst they were settling in.

Managers who manage based on motivation, on building confidence and letting players play to their strengths whilst also having a reasonable tactical plan, tend to do well from the off, and whilst i believe letting a team learn each others style happens over time to a point when they automatically know without looking up where a colleague will be, the basica ability to fit into a tactical plan and style of play does not and should not need the 6-18 month bedding in period where some people make excuses for a managers and players failure to perform.

[Saul Goodman]

We need to give the squad and staff time to gel.

There has been no completely squad overhaul. Jusr couple of guys leaving and couple of guys coming in, which happens in every football club. It was different when Sheik (bless him) came in and for few years we changed half of playing staff every summer. And for a while we were in a situation where lower mid-table quality players were rubbing shoulders with some world stars. That was good excuse then. Now it's just stupid cliche.

i wasnt referring to the squad gelling with each other. i was referring to giving "the squad and staff time to gel". changing your manager and your tactics is a big deal. its just like how it takes some foreign players time to acclimate to the different rigors and speed of the premier league.

Pellegrini is coming into a new league, a new country, and a new squad. there will be rough patches.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

We need to give the squad and staff time to gel.

There has been no completely squad overhaul. Jusr couple of guys leaving and couple of guys coming in, which happens in every football club. It was different when Sheik (bless him) came in and for few years we changed half of playing staff every summer. And for a while we were in a situation where lower mid-table quality players were rubbing shoulders with some world stars. That was good excuse then. Now it's just stupid cliche.

i wasnt referring to the squad gelling with each other. i was referring to giving "the squad and staff time to gel". changing your manager and your tactics is a big deal. its just like how it takes some foreign players time to acclimate to the different rigors and speed of the premier league.

Pellegrini is coming into a new league, a new country, and a new squad. there will be rough patches.

If he isn't up to getting results instantly then I don't see what was point in changing manager inthe first place.

[Twobob]

I think we should have kept Mancini and also brought The Count in, we should have got Maureen in too and i'm disappointed in the club that we didn't even try and get Gollum. They could have worked on a rotor system! Fucked up there have the Spaniards, gone down hill fast in a hand basket after Cooke left!

[Foreverinbluedreams]

Did we not win the agents fees league, last season.

We sure did, the silver plate is right next to our Thomas Cook Trophies.

That is something I've been wondering tho, the agents fees. The numbers are officially announced each year and we pay shitloads, but then we also - apparently - drop out of races to sign top quality players because of them? Strange.

I could be wrong but suspect the reason that our payments to agents are so high is based on existing contracts. I was reading that the €10million due to be paid to Isco's agent(s) is to paid in instalments over the term of his contract based on performances, loyalty and such.

[dazby]

We need to give the squad and staff time to gel.

I dont think we do.

Time and time again 'time to gel' is a cliche used by apologists of failure. Yes, it will take some tactics time to bed in, but I would argue that in Pellegrini, we may well have that rare coach who is able to work with what he finds at a club from day 1 - he certainly showed that he was capable of doing this at Real Madrid and Malaga.

If you take Mancini as an example, his 'gelling' period went from 6 months, where for me he failed miserably by missing out on top 4 and losing the league cup semi final, to doing average in the league the following season (for the quality of the squad), and having a good FA cup run which was his specialism.

The year after, we incredibly went out of the blocks like nothing ive ever seen in this league before, stunning play from the team and won I think 10 out of the first 11 averaging over 3 goals a game. On the face of it, that would all be an argument to say that Mancini needed 18 months to get the team to gel, yet that summer we signed Aguero, Clichy, Nasri, all of whom went into the first team, all of whom performed very well in that first spell - and thats 30% of your first team right there.

So how do you explain 'gelling' against a background of these players coming in and picking up the vibe straight away? Because All 3 were excellent in those early games, they didnt need to gel so its hardly like the rest of the team carried them whilst they were settling in.

Managers who manage based on motivation, on building confidence and letting players play to their strengths whilst also having a reasonable tactical plan, tend to do well from the off, and whilst i believe letting a team learn each others style happens over time to a point when they automatically know without looking up where a colleague will be, the basica ability to fit into a tactical plan and style of play does not and should not need the 6-18 month bedding in period where some people make excuses for a managers and players failure to perform.

Because when you read biographies of players they recount times when new players come in. Some players are easier to work with than others. Others can play well if you just put the ball somewhere in their general direction. Others are more picky, they need the ball played to their feet. Others need the ball put into space. Some players have an instant rapport with each other, some don't.

Gel. It's a mystical component of football.

[Slim]

We need to give the squad and staff time to gel.

I dont think we do.

Time and time again 'time to gel' is a cliche used by apologists of failure. Yes, it will take some tactics time to bed in, but I would argue that in Pellegrini, we may well have that rare coach who is able to work with what he finds at a club from day 1 - he certainly showed that he was capable of doing this at Real Madrid and Malaga.

If you take Mancini as an example, his 'gelling' period went from 6 months, where for me he failed miserably by missing out on top 4 and losing the league cup semi final, to doing average in the league the following season (for the quality of the squad), and having a good FA cup run which was his specialism.

The year after, we incredibly went out of the blocks like nothing ive ever seen in this league before, stunning play from the team and won I think 10 out of the first 11 averaging over 3 goals a game. On the face of it, that would all be an argument to say that Mancini needed 18 months to get the team to gel, yet that summer we signed Aguero, Clichy, Nasri, all of whom went into the first team, all of whom performed very well in that first spell - and thats 30% of your first team right there.

So how do you explain 'gelling' against a background of these players coming in and picking up the vibe straight away? Because All 3 were excellent in those early games, they didnt need to gel so its hardly like the rest of the team carried them whilst they were settling in.

Managers who manage based on motivation, on building confidence and letting players play to their strengths whilst also having a reasonable tactical plan, tend to do well from the off, and whilst i believe letting a team learn each others style happens over time to a point when they automatically know without looking up where a colleague will be, the basica ability to fit into a tactical plan and style of play does not and should not need the 6-18 month bedding in period where some people make excuses for a managers and players failure to perform.

Because when you read biographies of players they recount times when new players come in. Some players are easier to work with than others. Others can play well if you just put the ball somewhere in their general direction. Others are more picky, they need the ball played to their feet. Others need the ball put into space. Some players have an instant rapport with each other, some don't.

Gel. It's a mystical component of football.

It's also an excuse in absence of fact.

[Moonchesteri]

I could be wrong but suspect the reason that our payments to agents are so high is based on existing contracts. I was reading that the €10million due to be paid to Isco's agent(s) is to paid in instalments over the term of his contract based on performances, loyalty and such.

Good point, didn't even think of that. 'kin hell, would be nice to be an agent!

[Original Dub]

There has been no completely squad overhaul. Jusr couple of guys leaving and couple of guys coming in, which happens in every football club. It was different when Sheik (bless him) came in and for few years we changed half of playing staff every summer. And for a while we were in a situation where lower mid-table quality players were rubbing shoulders with some world stars. That was good excuse then. Now it's just stupid cliche.

I don't recall it being a good excuse for you at the time?

[Hazy2]

Khaldoon: "A word in your ear sunshine..." You sold me the holistic thingamajig I still do not know what the feck it is, that is the bye the bye, I am losing my mind, ok ousah ousah, Calming down now

OK any more fuck ups like the fucking Isco fiasco I tell you this I tell you once you will be gone MOFO.Oh an another thing players over 30 are confusing the fek out of the fans. Speak to them you are like a fucking ghost,