FAO the Old Timers....is this the best ever City side?

[ant london]

I know you will all say firstly that Colin Bell would get into this side and improve it but...on balance....how do you rate this side against the 1960's vintage City?

[Slim]

One front left to conquer.

League Title
FA Cup
League Cup
Cup Winner's Cup.

vs

2 League Titles
FA Cup
League Cup

[sheikh it all about]

It cannot be. We don't have enough English players.

Seriously, on balance I would say it beats the 1968 side. Arguably there are more world class players. I also think the standard of the "weaker" players is higher.

The margin would be quite slim and (predictably) Colin would still grace the current side!

Will be interested to hear what fellow jossers say.

[Ted Hughes]

This side is better, much better, football everywhere is better & this is one of the best teams in the world.

BUT this side, with the old time training, playing in their boots with that ball, on mudheap pitches, against Norman Hunter & Ron 'Chopper' Harris would not function, at all.

Norman & Ron would not even get close enough to kick Yaya Toure or David Silva on the modern pitches with the ball pinging around; they would look like John Terry's grandad. But in a 42 game season, on shitheaps, with the ball stcking in the mud, heavy tackles flying in day in day out, refs waving 'play on' for stuff which would be a straight red nowardays; they would totally fuck the pair of them, & Nasri, & Dzeko etc up. Milner would probably be a better player than Silva or Nasri. Aguero with his dodgy fitness, wouldn't last 5 mins.

In contrast, Bell, Lee, Summerbee, Young, would be miles better now than they were then. They all had easily enough skill.

So yes, this side is better, but it's not a fair comparison.

[Hazy2]

This team is better than any I have seen, I have also been taught a massive lesson, DO NOT PANIC.

Controlled the games and kept WHUFC on a short leash.

[Mikhail Chigorin]

This side is better, much better, football everywhere is better & this is one of the best teams in the world.

BUT this side, with the old time training, playing in their boots with that ball, on mudheap pitches, against Norman Hunter & Ron 'Chopper' Harris would not function, at all.

Norman & Ron would not even get close enough to kick Yaya Toure or David Silva on the modern pitches with the ball pinging around; they would look like John Terry's grandad. But in a 42 game season, on shitheaps, with the ball stcking in the mud, heavy tackles flying in day in day out, refs waving 'play on' for stuff which would be a straight red nowardays; they would totally fuck the pair of them, & Nasri, & Dzeko etc up. Milner would probably be a better player than Silva or Nasri. Aguero with his dodgy fitness, wouldn't last 5 mins.

In contrast, Bell, Lee, Summerbee, Young, would be miles better now than they were then. They all had easily enough skill.

So yes, this side is better, but it's not a fair comparison.

Good assessment.

Overall, today's side is far better on a technical level, playing under current conditions, but I would have loved to see how players such as Mike Doyle and Tommy Booth would have fared under Pellegrini. The prospect is too intriguing to contemplate.

On a more sober level, I somehow don't think Tony Coleman would have got into today's side........

[Chinners]

Bit controversial (and this could be clouded by the amount of alcohol still in my system) but I'd say King Colin, as great as he was, would struggle to replace YaYa in today's side

[Ted Hughes]

Bit controversial (and this could be clouded by the amount of alcohol still in my system) but I'd say King Colin, as great as he was, would struggle to replace YaYa in today's side

I recon he'd replace Yaya and Garcia on today's pitches.

[Herb]

Yes, this is the best ever City side . . I'm not saying that historic individuals aren't better than certain current individuals but as a highly talented squad working as a unit in both defensive and attacking phases then yes this is the best ever City side.

[Peter Doherty (AGAIG)]

I don't think you can compare sides of different eras. However, I don't think I've ever enjoyed watching us as much as I have at times this season. Breath-taking stuff at times.

[sheikh it all about]

Bit controversial (and this could be clouded by the amount of alcohol still in my system) but I'd say King Colin, as great as he was, would struggle to replace YaYa in today's side

Unfortunately that would bring (arguably) two of our all-time greatest midfielders head to head. It would be criminal to drop one.

But the question was really about the team, not individuals.

[RodneyRodney]

From the past, Corrigan, Watson, Bell, Lake, Hartford, Tueart, and possibly Kinkladze would get into the current squad. Corrigan would probably be first choice keeper. Watson alongside Vinny would be the best CB pairing on the planet.

[Socrates]

From the past, Corrigan, Watson, Bell, Lake, Hartford, Tueart, and possibly Kinkladze would get into the current squad. Corrigan would probably be first choice keeper. Watson alongside Vinny would be the best CB pairing on the planet.

Barnes, Owen, Lee, Summerbee, Young would all at least make the squad too.

[Burt]

Very difficult to compare because the old timers would no doubt be a helluva lot fitter in these modern times.

Mike Doyle, Bookie and Donachie would have shone like beacons in todays team. Buzzer would be a better player than Milner or Jesus. King Colin would have walked into the team without question. Tommy Booth was a top player who could rotate into a number of positions.

If/when we win a few more pots in the next couple of years then these guys will deserve to be acclaimed as the best.

As it stands, I actually don't give a fuck. I'm just embracing and revelling in our good fortunes:o)

[Ted Hughes]

The way modern football is coached & played, also with the kind of fitness training etc, some of the best players of yesteryear would actually find it easier to play now, than they did then. The pass & move stuff, on perfect pitches, would suit them perfectly.

But the thread was questioning which was the best team & if you accept that modern football & the current interpretation of rules is an improvement on the way things used to be done, then what we are seeing now is technically much better than what we saw back then, from a team perspective.

Some aspects not so though. Crossing & heading was technically better then.

[ant london]

Kinkladze would get into the current squad

You really think so???

[frankswift]

Agree with just about everything above. It's nice to think about a squad that also includes Skip, Colin, Buzzer, Doyley, etc. and yes, even Tony Coleman. If I weren't an atheist, I'd be a very good boy indeed in the hope that in heaven I'd get to see this. I'm sure the good lord would allow former Manchester United players time off from their shit shovelling duties down below for their inevitable annual aggregate 7-1 defeat.

[Mikhail Chigorin]

Agree with just about everything above. It's nice to think about a squad that also includes Skip, Colin, Buzzer, Doyley, etc. and yes, even Tony Coleman. If I weren't an atheist, I'd be a very good boy indeed in the hope that in heaven I'd get to see this. I'm sure the good lord would allow former Manchester United players time off from their shit shovelling duties down below for their inevitable annual aggregate 7-1 defeat.

Reminds me of the joke Bernard Manning told :-

A Manchester lad died and, at the Gates of Heaven, he was stopped by St. Peter who told him that to be able to pass through the Pearly Gates, he had to carry out a task.

St. Peter then gave the lad a bucket and told him to go and empty the Irish Sea with it. The lad said that such a task was impossible and begged for another to be set instead. St. Peter had a quick think and then said that, at that moment Manchester United were playing City at Old Trafford and he instructed the lad to go down and help Manchester United win the game..........

At this, the lad sighed and said "O.K, O.K. pass me the bucket".

[RodneyRodney]

Kinkladze would get into the current squad

You really think so???

Very definitely. I'm not saying he'd start every week - he'd have to fight for a place with Dave and Sam. But over a 50-60 game season he'd get his fair share of minutes

[RodneyRodney]

From the past, Corrigan, Watson, Bell, Lake, Hartford, Tueart, and possibly Kinkladze would get into the current squad. Corrigan would probably be first choice keeper. Watson alongside Vinny would be the best CB pairing on the planet.

Barnes, Owen, Lee, Summerbee, Young would all at least make the squad too.

I disagree about Barnes , Soccs. Talented , yes , but too inconsistent. 1 brilliant game then 5 anonymous ones.
Owen , good as he was without doubt, but I just think we've got better here.
Franny - too fat. Young - are you serious ?