Football 2015/16

[TheGayTent]

22 minutes ago, thetime said:

You would have to say a top 4 of Leicester, spurs, arsenal and west ham is a big possibility.

Not unless we start getting the smooth to go with the rough...

[Guest]

2 hours ago, pink_triangle said:

I don't think he is a great manager or a fucking useless one. I also think blaming the manager when things aren't going well is sometimes oversimplistic. Players have to take some responsibility. I don't think city lost yesterday because of their manager any more than I think Liverpool blowing a 2 goal lead was down to klopp 

As I have said I think city are paying the price for poor recruitment over the last few years. A lot of money spent and little to show for it, only De Bruyne really stands out as a great signing during that period. At the same time despite their deep pockets they still haven't found a centre back better than lescott.

As I have said how much pelligrini is responsible for transfers, I don't know. Maybe the likes of Mangala and delph will look world beaters under pep and I have misjudged them. City still great when everyone fit, but without the squad to cover when not.

Was the managers fault pure and squarely yesterday. It was him that  bought Demichelis, and it was him that picked him yesterday. The whole world could see that he has lost his legs yet he still picked him. Worse thing is he sent Denayer out on loan at the expense of keeping Demichelis

All United had was a bit of pace up front, everyone could see that. Did Manuel do anything to protect his tortoise of a centre back? Did he bollocks, he set up exactly as he always does and totally ignored the strong points of the opposition.

City started well, then United got behind, exposed Demichelis and that was the end of that. Demichelis then should have given a penalty away before he crocked Joe Hart.  When he eventually takes Demichelis off, United did not get a sniff. Problem was the damage was already done.

When we need a goal, he brings Bony on who is utterly useless instead of Iheanacho who has been absolutely magnificent all season. Pellegrini is utterly woeful and nowhere near good enough to manage a top team.

Fair play to united, they done a job on us yesterday

[The Nal]

29 minutes ago, eastynh said:

Was the managers fault pure and squarely yesterday. It was him that  bought Demichelis, and it was him that picked him yesterday. The whole world could see that he has lost his legs yet he still picked him. Worse thing is he sent Denayer out on loan at the expense of keeping Demichelis

All United had was a bit of pace up front, everyone could see that. Did Manuel do anything to protect his tortoise of a centre back? Did he bollocks, he set up exactly as he always does and totally ignored the strong points of the opposition.

City started well, then United got behind, exposed Demichelis and that was the end of that. Demichelis then should have given a penalty away before he crocked Joe Hart.  When he eventually takes Demichelis off, United did not get a sniff. Problem was the damage was already done.

When we need a goal, he brings Bony on who is utterly useless instead of Iheanacho who has been absolutely magnificent all season. Pellegrini is utterly woeful and nowhere near good enough to manage a top team.

Fair play to united, they done a job on us yesterday

Utd all of a sudden having dangerous pace is a shock to everyone. Rashford looks the biz though.

City need a bit of a clear out. Few jaded players there. Whats the latest on Hart?

[eFestivals]

1 minute ago, The Nal said:

Utd all of a sudden having dangerous pace is a shock to everyone. Rashford looks the biz though.

getting lucky thru injuries tho

The team still looks as shit, just with a player with no fear (which won't last too long, is how it normally goes).

 

Edited March 21, 2016 by eFestivals

[The Nal]

6 minutes ago, eFestivals said:

getting lucky thru injuries tho

The team still looks as shit, just with a player with no fear (which won't last too long, is how it normally goes).

Oh they are shit, no question. But nice to see Rashford (18), Lingard (23) and Martial (20) being the three best players. Apart from Dave obviously.

[Guest]

15 minutes ago, The Nal said:

Utd all of a sudden having dangerous pace is a shock to everyone. Rashford looks the biz though.

City need a bit of a clear out. Few jaded players there. Whats the latest on Hart?

No idea mate, I went to bed. Had a brief read of the forums last night and the natives are not happy. 

Have had a leak in bathroom to contend with this morning so not had chance to have a look.

[strummer77]

3 hours ago, eFestivals said:

Liverpool: schizophrenic

Yep. Looked every bit a top four side in the first half and should definitely have been four or five, then extremely midtable the second half to say the least...

Skrtel and Benteke came on second half. Just saying...

[The Nal]

6 minutes ago, strummer77 said:

Yep. Looked every bit a top four side in the first half and should definitely have been four or five, then extremely midtable the second half to say the least...

Skrtel and Benteke came on second half. Just saying...

Benteke looks lazy and unenthusiastic. He has no energy or drive in that LFC team. Think he'll be one of the first out the door.

What did you make of Klopp having a go at him on the pitch?

[TheGayTent]

21 minutes ago, eFestivals said:

getting lucky thru injuries tho

The team still looks as shit, just with a player with no fear (which won't last too long, is how it normally goes).

 

But surely based on the stats Rashford is potentially better than Ronaldo and even Tony Daley? 

[strummer77]

1 minute ago, The Nal said:

Benteke looks lazy and unenthusiastic. He has no energy or drive in that LFC team. Think he'll be one of the first out the door.

What did you make of Klopp having a go at him on the pitch?

Think it was fair enough. Didn't run and missed a huge chance at 2-1 which probably finishes the game.

I completely understand he doesn't naturally fit the style, and that isn't his fault that he isn't a long-term fit, but he could at least try and be a short term one. Also, his finishing with his feet is dire when it's just him and the goalkeeper.

There were actually lots of positives yesterday in a weird way and over the past few weeks. But there's also a few who I am sure have just about waved goodbye as well. It's going to be an interesting summer.

[mjsell]

I would love it if City don't get Champions league football next season. I imagine Pep is pulling his tiny hairs out about City's results currently, must care more for them than Munich's (except in the CL). 

Massive win for Leicester at the weekend. If that last minute chance for Palace goes in then it's a whole different picture. 

I would guess that Leicester can drop points in 3 matches and still be confident of winning the league. With fixtures against West Ham, United, Chelsea and even Everton to come then these games now are vitally important for them. They are handling them very well. 

[TheGayTent]

5 minutes ago, Scruffylovemonster said:

Newspaper rumours that Henderson is out come the summer??

Is his contract up?

Can't see a long list of clubs willing to part money for him

[eFestivals]

1 minute ago, Scruffylovemonster said:

Newspaper rumours that Henderson is out come the summer??

if he is, I suspect that has as much to do with his (as good as permanent) injury as it might his playing. While well short of fantastic he's been one of the few who've been above average and consistent with it. Goals is where he falls noticeably short.

I haven't have the idea that he's one of Klopp's least-favoured players, tho I think he might have one of the highest wages (I remember he signed a new contract about this time last year) ..  so perhaps there's a 'name' lined-up for his position and that needs Hendo's wages gone.

[pink_triangle]

2 hours ago, eastynh said:

Was the managers fault pure and squarely yesterday. It was him that  bought Demichelis, and it was him that picked him yesterday. The whole world could see that he has lost his legs yet he still picked him. Worse thing is he sent Denayer out on loan at the expense of keeping Demichelis

 

I think you would have to explain the city transfer policy to make a full analysis. Someone earlier said he wasn't in charge of transfers, yet you say he has chosen players. Is it some sort of committee like Liverpool? 

While we agree that Demichelis and Bony aren't ideal candidates to be playing, that's not purely down to tactics and selection. Its still down to recruitment, because why don't city have significantly better players in the squad so they don't need to play these players? Why do city have a decent first 11, but then fall apart when they lose key players? I have looked at their bench at times this seasons and its been threadbare for one of the richest clubs in world football.  Why is a club that is building towards being an elite club regressing in strength of squad.  When they won the league first they had Aguero, Balotelli, Dzeko and Jovetic,, now they have Bony as the backup.  As I have said despite their wealth they haven't bought a top centre back since Kompany, yet have spent big amounts in trying. Whoever is scouting and making final decisions (whether manager or above) really are failing in the transfer market and city are paying the price.

Edited March 21, 2016 by pink_triangle

[strummer77]

24 minutes ago, Scruffylovemonster said:

Don't think so. Can't remember which paper it was but it was mentioned yesterday on BBC website. Probably paper boll#x but you never know

Spurs linked for £25m

[pink_triangle]

23 minutes ago, Scruffylovemonster said:

Some chances he's missed this season have been woeful, but I agree, that aside he's pretty consistent. 

Fine as a key midfielder at a mid table premiership club, or a squad player (like Butt or Fletcher) at a side with greater aspirations.  However not at the level to be a key player at  side looking to challenge at the top end.

[TheGayTent]

13 minutes ago, pink_triangle said:

When they won the league first they had Aguero, Balotelli, Dzeko and Jovetic,, now they have Bony as the backup.

Don't think any of those were alive when they won the league first

If you're referring to the 2011/12 season it was Tevez who was their 4th striker (once him and Mancini had kissed and made up after the whole substitute incident). Jovetic didn't arrive until the beginning of the 2013/14 season. 

[thetime]

19 minutes ago, pink_triangle said:

 As I have said despite their wealth they haven't bought a top centre back since Kompany, yet have spent big amounts in trying. Whoever is scouting and making final decisions (whether manager or above) really are failing in the transfer market and city are paying the price.

Where are these top class defenders? 

[The Nal]

53 minutes ago, thetime said:

Where are these top class defenders? 

At other clubs! 

Godin, Thiago Silva, Ramos, Boateng, Bonucci, Chiellini, Pique, Hummels etc.

Silva the only realistic target though when he left Milan. Both Manc clubs and Chelsea dropped a bollock there. 

[strummer77]

1 hour ago, pink_triangle said:

Fine as a key midfielder at a mid table premiership club, or a squad player (like Butt or Fletcher) at a side with greater aspirations.  However not at the level to be a key player at  side looking to challenge at the top end.

Basically agree with this and he's better without the pressure- like in 13/14. My main worry is he doesn't seem to have recoevered at all from his injury yet. A different (and worse) player to the past couple of years.

[TheGayTent]

20 minutes ago, The Nal said:

At other clubs! 

Godin, Thiago Silva, Ramos, Boateng, Bonucci, Chiellini, Pique, Hummels etc.

Silva the only realistic target though when he left Milan. Both Manc clubs and Chelsea dropped a bollock there. 

Ogbonna 

[pink_triangle]

1 hour ago, TheGayTent said:

Don't think any of those were alive when they won the league first

If you're referring to the 2011/12 season it was Tevez who was their 4th striker (once him and Mancini had kissed and made up after the whole substitute incident). Jovetic didn't arrive until the beginning of the 2013/14 season. 

Yeah I wondered when I wrote if I had the right 4. Still no doubt there has been regression compared to last 2 title winning teams. I don't know enough about the club to know who should take responsibility for that.

[pink_triangle]

1 hour ago, thetime said:

Where are these top class defenders? 

They may not find the next Nesta or Canavarro. However there are better than Mangala, otemendi and demichelis. City should have a scouting structure in place to find them.

[sdvruxk]

To be fair, Otamendi was brilliant last season for Valencia. Obviously it's a different league and what not but as others have said how many 'top' CB's are there? Who are also available? 

It's easy in hindsight to say they've got it wrong but at the time no one questioned it. 

Mangala on the other hand...

[pink_triangle]

23 minutes ago, sdvruxk said:

To be fair, Otamendi was brilliant last season for Valencia. Obviously it's a different league and what not but as others have said how many 'top' CB's are there? Who are also available? 

It's easy in hindsight to say they've got it wrong but at the time no one questioned it. 

Mangala on the other hand...

How many had heard of kompany before he signed . The reason city invest big sums into a scouting system instead of paying the likes of us, is they are meant to see what we don't.