Re: Football Chat : Thu Sep 23, 2010 9:13 am  

Lord God Jose Mourinho wrote:

I haven't seen the Wilkinson/Dembele challenge, but the ref did only give a yellow card for it.

But I will always defend Shawcross over the Ramsay challenge. The histrionics over that challenge were totally down to Arsenal's whining and scouse victimology.

I have seen video of Shawcross deserving a red card for chopping down Adebayor (?) and I don't defend him over that, but I've always felt Shawcross was an innocent party in the Ramsay injury.

Thats because he was an Arsenal player though. Would be different if it was a on Chelsea player.

Re: Football Chat : Thu Sep 23, 2010 9:35 am  

City are still well short of being capable of challenging for 3 cups and a CL spot in one season. Last year, when we weren't in the Europa League, it was worth having a crack at the Carling Cup. This year, with the current injury list, it isnt. Sensible team selection by Mancini for me.

Re: Football Chat : Thu Sep 23, 2010 9:52 am  

Cibaman wrote:

City are still well short of being capable of challenging for 3 cups and a CL spot in one season. Last year, when we weren't in the Europa League, it was worth having a crack at the Carling Cup. This year, with the current injury list, it isnt. Sensible team selection by Mancini for me.

But its probably the most realistic to win.

Re: Football Chat : Thu Sep 23, 2010 11:24 am  

Mark wrote:

I blame the owners.

Rafa's fault init.

Re: Football Chat : Thu Sep 23, 2010 12:18 pm  

Fresh Prince of Chesh-air wrote:

But its probably the most realistic to win.

It begs the question as to whether winning the Carling Cup and ending the 34 years, whilst finishing 5th or lower, is preferable to winning nowt and finishing 3rd or 4th. Personally I'd prefer the latter, albeit with a decent run in at least one of the other two cups.

Our problem is that we still dont have an established playing style and system in the same way as United, Chelsea and Arsenal. They can bring in reserves and juniors and still look the same, all of their players from juniors upwards are familiar with and comfortable playing in their system. If we make wholesale changes we end up looking like a completely different team. I think Mancini is making progress in imposing a style of play on the club, he's made quite a few changes to the first team this season without upsetting its balance. The trouble is that it still only works with his 15/16 best players.

Re: Re : Thu Sep 23, 2010 12:47 pm  

AvA wrote:

Having experienced the VIP hospitality at the Mestalla myself I hope Fergie took full advantage of it tonight and consequently didn't notice David De Gea's performance!

He's going to get you points on his own this year. Apparently Barça had an offer turned down while Laporta was still president.

Re: Football Chat : Thu Sep 23, 2010 1:39 pm  

D.D. wrote:

Given, Vidal, Boyata, Mee, Cunningham, Vieira, Johnson, Ibrahim, Guidetto, Santa Cruz, Jo.

That was the team last night. Seven of those would not get in the Barnet team.

That's a shocking team. I will say with confidence that 3 of that back 4 will not be good enough to play for a championship team. Boyata is the exception. He looks like he could become a terrific defender.

I must admit to hate watching Vieira. You can tell he has the intelligence and mindset of a world class player. It's just a shame his body is not up for the challenge.

I can't wait for Kolarov, Boateng and Balotelli to play for us. They will address
our weaknesses. I genuinely feel they will greatly improve the team. Hopefully, we will be more entertaining too.

Re: Football Chat : Thu Sep 23, 2010 6:04 pm  

Wire_85 wrote:

Rafa's fault init.

Was pretty funny listening to skysports last night, they made a point of telling you that this isn't Hodgesons squad and they were all Benitez signings. Sounds just like the last 5 years with them moaning about Benitez being stuck with Houliers signings.

Re: Football Chat : Thu Sep 23, 2010 8:16 pm  

Enfield Exile wrote:

That's a shocking team. I will say with confidence that 3 of that back 4 will not be good enough to play for a championship team.

Whats happened to city's world class youth policy?

Re: Football Chat : Fri Sep 24, 2010 9:30 am  

Karlos13 wrote:

Whats happened to city's world class youth policy?

The entire strategy behind City's academy has had to change in the last 2 years. Before the takeover the emphasis was on producing a conveyor belt of players. Some, such as Richards, SWP, Ireland & Johnson, were more than good enough for City's first team at that time. A larger number weren't but moved on to other clubs, mainly in the championship, for fees of £250-500k or so enabling the academy to fund itself and keep on churning out players. That approach met City's needs prior to the takeover.

Now the emphasis is changing to quality rather than quantity but that change in approach will obviously take time to have a noticeable effect.