Re: Football Chat Thread : Fri Jun 17, 2011 2:28 pm  

The interesting thing about the fixture list from a City perspective is how it interacts with the champions league. We have 6 relatively straightforward home matches before the CL group stage matches, with 6 away matches the following weekend, including trips to OT, Anfield & Stamford Bridge.

Looks like the draw has marginally improved our CL prospects but weakened our league prospects.

Re: Football Chat Thread : Fri Jun 17, 2011 2:33 pm  

Roddy B wrote:

Reminds me of the old Xabi Alonso debate. Many felt that because he didn't directly produce much, he was useless, but it's effectiveness in balancing the side, whilst adding immense technical skills, that make Xabi so great. Similarly, van der Vaart probably wouldn't have been as productive if he didn't have Modric behind him. Modric makes everybody else better, whilst his ability to combine the craft and flair of a playmaker, with the tenacity and discipline of a midfielder, makes him a rarity. £35m may be overpriced, but that's the market.

Exactly, because he doesn't score regular or set up a shed load of goals people overlook him. Brilliant player and no wonder Spurs rejected the bid, they'd be a much much worse side without Modric in the team. A bit like Carsley used to be

Re: Football Chat Thread : Fri Jun 17, 2011 3:23 pm  

Cibaman wrote:

Silva would play a floating role just behind the strikers and in a wide position as he did all last year, Modric would play a bit deeper.

Its the obvious position that City need to fill. For most of last season the main criticism of the team was the lack of creativity in midfield, the "3 holding players" accusation. Whilst a midfield trio of De Jong, Barry & Yaya does lack a bit of craft, substitue Modric (or Fabregas or Sjneider) for Barry and we'd have one of the best midfields outside of Barca.

I just don't see Mancini playing them both in midfield, it's not in his nature.

Re: Football Chat Thread : Fri Jun 17, 2011 3:27 pm  

Dan_FC wrote:

Exactly, because he doesn't score regular or set up a shed load of goals people overlook him. Brilliant player and no wonder Spurs rejected the bid, they'd be a much much worse side without Modric in the team. A bit like Carsley used to be

Opposite ends of the talent scale, but a fair point

Re: Football Chat Thread : Fri Jun 17, 2011 3:52 pm  

PAUL M wrote:

Aye, I mean what about Silva?

Fixtures are out, Tough first half for Utd but after Christmas it's a bit better, the run in looks very kind with only the City game away in late April looking really tough out of the last 10 games.

Cue the tedious "Utd always improve after Christmas" card from media/fans/players during the first half of the season.

Re: Football Chat Thread : Fri Jun 17, 2011 3:59 pm  

PAUL M wrote:

I just don't see Mancini playing them both in midfield, it's not in his nature.

I sort of get your point, Mancini is a fan of big players, especially in midfield. I remember Liverpool beating Inter, and he turned up with Julio Cruz and Ibra up front. Baffling. However, Modric is an energetic player who can play deeper in midfield, you know, like, if you have a strong destroyer next to him, he'll get on just fine. I could imagine a de Jong, Toure and Modric midfield, you get just about everything with that, whilst Silva is perfectly capable of playing anywhere further up the field.

Besides, City don't sign players to create the perfect XI. It's obvious Mancini likes to change things around to suit the game, we've seen 4-4-2's, 4-5-1's, sometimes a formation that acts like a 4-6-0 (when he plays Tevez up front, who generally drops deep/doesn't play as a conventional striker. If having Modric means he can add creative ability that is also versatile, I can see why he's keen to add him; he's far superior to Barry.

Re: Football Chat Thread : Fri Jun 17, 2011 4:45 pm  

PAUL M wrote:

I just don't see Mancini playing them both in midfield, it's not in his nature.

Playing who? Silva & Modric?

Silva doesnt really play in midfield for City. He starts out wide but has freedom to roam behind the strikers. Positionally his role is similar to Messi at Barca.

If City sign a playmaker, be it Modric, Sjneider, Fabregas or someone else, that player would take over from Yaya Toure as the more advanced of the midfield trio. Yaya would drop back and replace Barry. Silva's role would be largely unaffected. The balance and shape of the team would be much the same, we would still have plenty of power and steel with Yaya & De Jong, we would just have added more skill. We'd also improve our ball retention capabilities which is what Mancini really craves. Whats not to like?

Re: Football Chat Thread : Fri Jun 17, 2011 5:30 pm  

ash4hullfc wrote:

On Nolan, I absolutely love the bloke and he'll forever go down as a Newcastle legend for me. He's been a key figure in one of the most enjoyable periods I've had as a Newcastle supporter. We owe him a hell of a lot for where we are now and I'll never forget what he's done for the Club. If it wasn't for him, we'd probably be in the Championship or League 1 at this point. Still, you can't go around paying a player of his ability £60k a week for another five years when he looks like he only has another year or two left at the top level. He moves on with my best wishes and I hope he returns in a coaching capacity one day.

That is a very good post, agree with all of it.

Wouldn't have minded him staying at Newcastle as back up but pleased to see him go as it finally shows the management acknowledge he is replaceable within the side and I wish him well at West Ham.

Risky business from West Ham as far as the money is concerned but if it comes off, it will be the best part of £20m well spent.

Re: Football Chat Thread : Fri Jun 17, 2011 6:00 pm  

UEFA to punish players asking for yellow or red cards with two-match ban.
A small but significant step to rescue soccer.

Re: Football Chat Thread : Fri Jun 17, 2011 6:16 pm  

Nobby Nolan wrote:

That is a very good post, agree with all of it.

Wouldn't have minded him staying at Newcastle as back up but pleased to see him go as it finally shows the management acknowledge he is replaceable within the side and I wish him well at West Ham.

Risky business from West Ham as far as the money is concerned but if it comes off, it will be the best part of £20m well spent.

Not really risky, they've paid a few million to Newcastle to sign the player and they're paying him a decent wage. This £20 million you speak of will be spread of 4/5 years so not really risky. I imagine Demba Ba's on a few quid a week.