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| |  Posted 27/10/2006 19:56:35 | |
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| | I'm don't want to start up yet another load of negative bile towards our current situation, because looking at the table tells me we are in fourteenth and that one win, as emphatic as the loss suffered on Saturday, would take us up to a possible tenth. We've yet to concede at home, having played Arsenal and Portsmouth, and despite people's comments, I'm pretty sure that before the season started, posters were pretty pleased with the squad we'd assembled. Let's not forget that our first team boasts Isaksson, Richards, Dunne, Distin, Trabelsi, Barton, Dabo, Beasley, Vassell, Samaras; all bar Richards, Barton and somehow, Distin capped players for fairly high profile international countries. We've also got another great crop of youngsters coming through. How people are saying the squad is not good enough is beyond me, though they obviously are less than the sum of their parts at the moment. The other thing I'm finding difficult to understand is that people are complaining about being fourteenth - most people were predicting a lower-mid-table finish before the season started, though I think that when it becomes reality it is harder to withstand. Looking at it as objectively as I can, It's not all that bad. You'd think that all we need is some luck and for the injuries to clear up, and we should finish where our squad would suggest. And yet you just get the feeling it won't turn out that way. I still honestly don't feel we'll get relegated this season, but i'm having difficulties summoning up some optimism. There still seems to be too many problems - we seem to have no guile, no trickery in midfield, no-one who can beat a man and storm into the box, and we seem to have given up trying to actually play football, in favour of big boot. We just seem to refuse to play it into feet, and the worst of it is that the two players who I've seen actually trying to do that this season, Corradi and Dickov, don't score enough to sustain a lengthy run in the team, while Samaras is too unpredictible, despite how good he looks at times. The strikers we have just simply don't look like they can paper over the cracks, as Darren Bent did last season at Charlton, by scoring often enough to gain us some points, because as much as I like Vassell, how many will he get realistically without the ball played to feet? Five? And for me it's horrible to watch Hamann play - I thought he was a mark of real quality, someone who could really link midfield and attack but he's given up hasn't he. He's already put his feet up. He's one step up from lighting a pipe when he's playing for us. And I can't believe it sometimes to watch us defend. How can players who have played with each other pretty consistantly for three seasons not be better than they are. I know we missed Distin on the weekend, but we've still conceded eleven goals in five away games. It comes back to the question I can't get away from - why can't Stuart get us to play? I accept he's still learning his trade, and I like him a lot as a person, but every weekend it feels like deja vu - whether success or failure he comes out and talks about "the dirty stuff" and "fifty-fifty balls" and you get the feeling it's his lack of nous which is going to drag us down in the end. I also hate the fact that should he begin to blossom as a manager and succeed, he's not tied down to a contract which means he can leave as soon as the first good offer comes in. But despite all that, I know that all of this is the stuff that you have to get through. I love City and know that this will in some way dissipate in the face of a confidant victory over Middlesbrough on Monday. I do think we should keep the faith and stick with Pearce in the hopes he will come good. Martin O Neill wasn't an instant success at Wycombe. If I could see Pearce backed in the january transfer window and see us get a poacher like Freddy Eastwood or a creative, combative midfielder like Clint Dempsey or a great finisher like Nicky Maynard or somehow a flashy leftback like Garath Bale, or, god willing if he's real, SWP, I could start so see the light again. And, so as not to leave on a negative note. I hope someone hasn't already posted these. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XuEGHHoZGM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuEP27ff6Qc
It's practically Christmas today! |
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| | | Posted 28/10/2006 12:33:13 | |
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| I share all of your concerns, as do most on here. In respect to the lack of creativity (of which the unattractive football is a symptom), at least we can point to the fact that SP has tried to bring in certain players who can address the problem. So far he's been unsuccessful but thats not to say he wont find someone in January. We were all praising him for not throwing money away at any old rubbish just for the sake of it. He wont pay over the odds for any player, and that has as much to do with the fact we haven't found the right players yet as anything else. Patience is the key here. A couple of decent players in January, and a few more next summer and we might just start playing the way we'd like to see us play. There was much work for SP to do when he took over, and I think sometimes we forget that. A lot of the things we were praising him for in the beginning he is now being criticised for. We owe it to him and ourselves to give him a while longer to see if he can put it right. We'll get nowhere fast changing our manager every 2 years. Having said all that, what concerns me most is the defence. We've barely kept a clean sheet for two and a half seasons. That, for a team that struggles to score goals, is a very worrying trend. I'm hoping Isaakson is the sort of keeper than can both command and instill confidence in his defence. That would be a start. Weaver is not the answer. It may also be worthwhile SP employing a defensive coach, though you'd think SP would know well enough what is required. Anyhow I, like you, want SP to be given more time despite my concerns. Tis a funny old game football, and you never know whats round the corner. We could well end up beating Boro by 3 or 4 and get ourselves back on track. SP in, for now.
Sometimes I wish that I could stop you from talking when I hear the silly things that you say |
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| | | Posted 28/10/2006 12:54:43 | |
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Used to be SB, you know
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| Good post, MRAMB, I don't really have anything to add to that but thought I'd acknowledge your post seeing as so much effort obviously went into it
Keeper of the heretic's fork of doom. |
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| | | Posted 28/10/2006 13:00:31 | |
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| We keep talking about buying in January, but we bought lots of players who haven't really played together because of injury etc. People have made criticisms based only on one or two appearances. I would like to see players play more before we start to criticise them too much. Buying means off loading to balance the wage bill so who would you offload,if anyone wants them. And conversely , who will come if our position gets worse not better?
you do not mess with Jack Reacher |
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| | | Posted 28/10/2006 13:08:48 | |
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| Bert Trautmanns neck brace (28/10/2006)
We keep talking about buying in January, but we bought lots of players who haven't really played together because of injury etc. People have made criticisms based only on one or two appearances. I would like to see players play more before we start to criticise them too much. Buying means off loading to balance the wage bill so who would you offload,if anyone wants them. And conversely , who will come if our position gets worse not better?We need creativity though Bert. That is a must.
Sometimes I wish that I could stop you from talking when I hear the silly things that you say |
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| | | Posted 28/10/2006 14:47:25 | |
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| Born Unlucky (28/10/2006)
I share all of your concerns, as do most on here. In respect to the lack of creativity (of which the unattractive football is a symptom), at least we can point to the fact that SP has tried to bring in certain players who can address the problem. So far he's been unsuccessful but thats not to say he wont find someone in January. We were all praising him for not throwing money away at any old rubbish just for the sake of it. He wont pay over the odds for any player, and that has as much to do with the fact we haven't found the right players yet as anything else. Patience is the key here. A couple of decent players in January, and a few more next summer and we might just start playing the way we'd like to see us play. There was much work for SP to do when he took over, and I think sometimes we forget that. A lot of the things we were praising him for in the beginning he is now being criticised for. We owe it to him and ourselves to give him a while longer to see if he can put it right. We'll get nowhere fast changing our manager every 2 years. Having said all that, what concerns me most is the defence. We've barely kept a clean sheet for two and a half seasons. That, for a team that struggles to score goals, is a very worrying trend. I'm hoping Isaakson is the sort of keeper than can both command and instill confidence in his defence. That would be a start. Weaver is not the answer. It may also be worthwhile SP employing a defensive coach, though you'd think SP would know well enough what is required. Anyhow I, like you, want SP to be given more time despite my concerns. Tis a funny old game football, and you never know whats round the corner. We could well end up beating Boro by 3 or 4 and get ourselves back on track. SP in, for now.Your right regarding the defence...it's ironic that a lot of people still class it as our strongest part. If it is we are fucked. Not sure Pearce will get till January anyway, we might have to deal with another managers signings
From Manchester with love |
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| | | Posted 28/10/2006 18:15:48 | |
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Used to be SB, you know
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| Apparently Wardle is ready to give SP (or whoever  ) more money in January, although personally I'm not 100% convinced that is exactly what he means by what he says in the article. They describe it as a 'hint' that he will give him more money, and tbh that is all it is, at best. Manchester City chairman John Wardle is ready to offer Stuart Pearce yet more cash in January to help the Blues steer clear of relegation.City could find themselves just a point clear of the bottom three with a defeat to Middlesbrough on Monday night, with Pearce under pressure to turn things around. However, Wardle is refusing to panic and has hinted Pearce may be handed another transfer warchest to ensure City remain a top-flight club for a fifth successive season. "With the new TV deal commencing next season, we are all conscious of the importance of the current campaign," Wardle said. "We have already further invested in our wage bill, even though football has once again experienced wage inflation. "And, while our financial position continues to improve, the board are aware that we need further investment to maintain our challenge in an increasingly-competitive and high-finance Premier League
Keeper of the heretic's fork of doom. |
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| | | Posted 28/10/2006 18:32:28 | |
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| To attract anyone to take Wardle's cash we need to be in a better position bvy January. I understand what BU means re creativity, but we need proven creativity, not second hand creativity from some obscure Slovak. We will not get an Ali or Eyal or Kinky for the brass we have in the position we will be in.
you do not mess with Jack Reacher |
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| | | Posted 29/10/2006 12:10:18 | |
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| Don't know how true this is, as it was in the People, but there are rumours that we are actively pursuing investment from this bloke. Not a football fan though apparently - I'd want someone with a good understanding of the game to get involved (if it is a deal to take overall control - less important if it is just investment), though beggars can't be choosers I suppose.MANCHESTER CITY want to sweet-talk mobile phone billionaire John Caudwell into pumping some of his fortune into their ailing club. Chairman John Wardle is looking for new investment and contact has been made via a Manchester-based corporate Mister Fix-it. Caudwell, who sold his business empire for a staggering £1.46billion, is not even a fan of the game. But his football-loving son has dragged him along to see Liverpool a few times. However, City are hopeful that the strength of the links between Caudwell and Manchester-based legal firm Eversheds, who are involved in the 'fishing mission', could lead to a much-needed windfall. Under-pressure boss Stuart Pearce is desperate for funds for new players in the next transfer window. Wardle would like someone to help out financially and could yet sell his stake in City - estimates are that it would cost £80million to take over the club. Potteries-born Caudwell, 51, began life sweeping floors but is now in all the rich lists. He founded Phones4U and for a time the company name was emblazoned on Birmingham City shirts before he sold out to Vodafone for £405m. Despite owning a £250,000 Bentley, Caudwell often cycled to work. He is a big fan of Tour de France legend Lance Armstrong. Caudwell has a £7.5m Tudor home in Staffordshire as well as all the trappings of fabulous wealth - helicopter, private plane and luxury cruiser. He has a reputation as a hardnosed operator, but for the first time has no company to run.
Keeper of the heretic's fork of doom. |
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