We Go Again! The 2014/15 Premier League Thread

[Crimey]

First topic message reminder :

Who would have thought that Liverpool's strength would be the defence after the start to the season!

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Do City risk sacking Pellegrini now and have a caretaker manager until the end of the season, but possibly lose fourth or wait until the end of the season but know that the manager will have lost the confidence of the fans, players and management? There's no way he's lasting beyond the summer and with the form the way it is, City look like they could really easily fall out of the top four which would be a total disaster.

Unless Benitez is their planned next manager then I dont think they'll move.

[Duty281]

Though I would love City to fall out of the top four, they do have a nice cushion above fifth, and the run of fixtures till the end of the season is quite gentle.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Is he though, Raf? Look at him up top recently, his goals and United's performances. He's doing the job

[FootballLight]

Do City risk sacking Pellegrini now and have a caretaker manager until the end of the season, but possibly lose fourth or wait until the end of the season but know that the manager will have lost the confidence of the fans, players and management? There's no way he's lasting beyond the summer and with the form the way it is, City look like they could really easily fall out of the top four which would be a total disaster.

Sometimes a potential caretaker manager can boost some confidence into the side. That might just be enough to see City get 4th spot which they should rightfully do now anyway. If they don't, its crisis for them which isn't what they want. I think someone just in until the end of the season just to see City through to 4th and then look for top name in the summer will be best.

[Crimey]

There's no way City can overhaul this squad in just one summer either. Of the current first team squad, who is a player who won't be replaced? Hart, Zabaleta, Aguero and Silva are the only ones I can think of who will be sure they won't be sold on. The squad is just so old that they might have to keep some players that normally would be sold such as Mangala, Dzeko, Clichy, Navas, Nasri just because the older players like Demichelis, Toure, Lampard are going to be moved on. 

The FFP regulations and the fact that the players they'll want to move on won't bring in big transfer fees means they may be stuck rebuilding for two or three years. I'm expecting them to look something like this next year.

Hart

Zabaleta Kompany Mangala (New LB)

Fernandinho (New CM)

(New RW) Silva (New LW)

Aguero

Possibly could be: Betrand, Pjanic, Sterling, Reus to fill those positions. That would give them a good first team but the squad just looks poor and would lack depth.

[FootballLight]

I think the sky commentators summed Rooney up at the start of the game. If LVG is looking for a 20 goal striker, he has one that has just been playing in midfield for the majority of the season in Rooney. RVP is past his prime now and isn't worth it anymore and Falcao has been useless. They need to invest in a new striker, someone that can fill the whole there and score some goals. Insgine would be a decent choice if I was at United personally.

[Crimey]

I'm expecting City to be saved by their fixture list, only Southampton at home or Tottenham away look dangerous, but with both those sides likely to be fighting for nothing by those points they should be able to get through them. Liverpool obviously still have to play Chelsea.

[kingraf]

I reckon, yeah. To be honest, I'm not the biggest Rooney fan, but in the middle his industry and can do attitude is better rewarded. He's been an EPL pro for over a decade, and he's only broken 20 goals twice. Sure part of that is because managers spend large amounts of time playing him deeper, but that's because (I think) they agree with my diagnosis of him being better as a 10 than a 9.

[NickisBHAFC]

Still can't believe city paid 32 million for Mangala 

[Gregers]

Still can't believe city paid 32 million for Mangala 

Poor man's Zoum,  always has been

[Hero]

Daring to ask it: Are Utd back? And could they realistically challenge for the title next season (with expected transfers coming in)

[Dolphin Ziggler]

City need to invest in their squad as much as anything, get some youth and hunger. Sterling, Kouyate, Perez. Pjanic, Koke, Isco. Chase pure quality like Pogba too, but I think they could grab some second tier players to surround the world class quality.

[Hammersmith harrier]

Hard to say Hero but it's as if the team has suddenly gone;

"Oh look it's a trick run, do you teams not realise we're Manchester United we'll show you just how tricky these matches really are".

The psychological blows we've dealt to Tottenham, Liverpool and City in recent weeks can't be underestimated, we're not going to be looked at with mocked humour next season. The smaller teams will start to realise this isn't Moyes' United any more and they can expect a hammering if we hit form.

LVG has shown he's not a mad man who doesn't know what he's doing, if you do what he asks of you then all will be fine and dandy. There's no surprise that Blind, Carrick, Rooney and De Gea have performed for him but what's more pleasing is to see the more maligned guys like Valencia, Smalling, Herrera, Fellaini, Young and Mata buying into a system that suits them all.

[Fernando]

Daring to ask it: Are Utd back? And could they realistically challenge for the title next season (with expected transfers coming in)

I will be dubious on the basis that you may have a Liverpool style season (suffering with Europe) since that's not been an issue this year...But if sign the right players i don't see why not.

[Hammersmith harrier]

City need to invest in their squad as much as anything, get some youth and hunger. Sterling, Kouyate, Perez. Pjanic, Koke, Isco. Chase pure quality like Pogba too, but I think they could grab some second tier players to surround the world class quality.

The question is where do they get the money from to overhaul the squad under FFP, do they run the risk of neglecting European football just to get back to the top of the league?

[Hero]

It's just bizarre, only a couple of months ago it looked another season of woe and potentially with CL football again yet suddenly everything just clicked into place.
The swagger appears to be back.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

I reckon, yeah. To be honest, I'm not the biggest Rooney fan, but in the middle his industry and can do attitude is better rewarded. He's been an EPL pro for over a decade, and he's only broken 20 goals twice. Sure part of that is because managers spend large amounts of time playing him deeper, but that's because (I think) they agree with my diagnosis of him being better as a 10 than a 9.  

I think they probably know they can guarantee secondary goals and work rate, rather than thinking hes better there.

[FootballLight]

City need to invest in their squad as much as anything, get some youth and hunger. Sterling, Kouyate, Perez. Pjanic, Koke, Isco. Chase pure quality like Pogba too, but I think they could grab some second tier players to surround the world class quality.

I don't think signing a boat load of players will make any difference. Pellegrini did the same this summer signing and selling and it just hasn't worked for him. I think City need a new man in the summer that will get shut of a couple of players and bring a couple more in. Navas must be one to go. I think Isco or Pjanic would be a good replacement for him. Then I'd say they would need a solid LB or to get more out of Clichy.

[Hero]

How much can City net spend to avoid FFP clamping down on them again?

[Hero]

Pellegrini brought a load in last summer yes, but for the most part they were gash or old.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

See, they need to replace the older balance in their squad with a younger one. Which is what those kind of players do. Milner, Yaya, Nasri, Clichy, Kolarov are all likely to be gone, so too Demichelis, Dzeko, Navas, obviously Lampard. You move them out (all on big wages and many who will get a decent fee) and bring in younger players who are hungry

[FootballLight]

However, I don't see why we are all saying Pellegrini will get sacked like it is guaranteed. He said 5 trophies in 5 seasons and so far has 2 in 2. Yes, the target each season is to win the title, but if he can claw this back in the next week or so and as long as he can get some points and try and gain a position, I think he might just stay this summer. Although, not guaranteed by any means.

[FootballLight]

See, they need to replace the older balance in their squad with a younger one. Which is what those kind of players do. Milner, Yaya, Nasri, Clichy, Kolarov are all likely to be gone, so too Demichelis, Dzeko, Navas, obviously Lampard. You move them out (all on big wages and many who will get a decent fee) and bring in younger players who are hungry

I see sense in what you are saying, however, you have lost a lot of experience from that team there. They are having to replace a lot of players. They need to keep Toure. He has carried the team this season and has done ok, not great, but his experience could be pivotal. All of them I wouldn't want to keep, but you can't just sell them all in one summer. Its just like a merry-go-round.

[Guest]

I'd be stunned if Pellegrini is still there next season. This team has gone the same way as Mancini's did. He's toast.

[Hammersmith harrier]

Pellegrini is as good as gone, there is no saving grace of clawing back a few points once the title has gone.

[FootballLight]

It is unlikely that he will stay, I'm just putting it out there that it might not be a set in stone just yet.

[Hammersmith harrier]

In which case you'd be wrong very wrong.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

See, they need to replace the older balance in their squad with a younger one. Which is what those kind of players do. Milner, Yaya, Nasri, Clichy, Kolarov are all likely to be gone, so too Demichelis, Dzeko, Navas, obviously Lampard. You move them out (all on big wages and many who will get a decent fee) and bring in younger players who are hungry

I see sense in what you are saying, however, you have lost a lot of experience from that team there. They are having to replace a lot of players. They need to keep Toure. He has carried the team this season and has done ok, not great, but his experience could be pivotal. All of them I wouldn't want to keep, but you can't just sell them all in one summer. Its just like a merry-go-round.

Id say its been the opposite. Hes been appalling, mainly in his attitude, and his become a "moments" player rather than a consistent game runner. He produces the odd bit of quality nowadays, but otherwise takes no responsibility on the field. He is the first name i'd shift out, endemic of the malaise that has hit City

[FootballLight]

See, they need to replace the older balance in their squad with a younger one. Which is what those kind of players do. Milner, Yaya, Nasri, Clichy, Kolarov are all likely to be gone, so too Demichelis, Dzeko, Navas, obviously Lampard. You move them out (all on big wages and many who will get a decent fee) and bring in younger players who are hungry

I see sense in what you are saying, however, you have lost a lot of experience from that team there. They are having to replace a lot of players. They need to keep Toure. He has carried the team this season and has done ok, not great, but his experience could be pivotal. All of them I wouldn't want to keep, but you can't just sell them all in one summer. Its just like a merry-go-round.

Id say its been the opposite. Hes been appalling, mainly in his attitude, and his become a "moments" player rather than a consistent game runner. He produces the odd bit of quality nowadays, but otherwise takes no responsibility on the field. He is the first name i'd shift out, endemic of the malaise that has hit City

I think 50% of this downfall has come from Toure's appearance in the ACON this season. He hasn't found his rhythm since he has come back but he is no different to the rest of the City players. He may not have been a good this season on the pitch, but his influence showed in January when he was missing. Someone with some experience to guide that team through.

[GSC]

When Yaya feels like it, hes immense.

You cant build your team around a player like that though

[mystiroakey]

How much can City net spend to avoid FFP clamping down on them again?

I think they are still under the same sanctions that they can not increase there wage bill. Not sure on net spend though. That will be determined on what profit/loss they post and offcourse whateverFFP do not consider a legitimate revenue(like a proportion of owner sponsorship)

[Guest]

It's Yaya's birthday next month. I predict a serious bake-off for this one.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

See, they need to replace the older balance in their squad with a younger one. Which is what those kind of players do. Milner, Yaya, Nasri, Clichy, Kolarov are all likely to be gone, so too Demichelis, Dzeko, Navas, obviously Lampard. You move them out (all on big wages and many who will get a decent fee) and bring in younger players who are hungry

I see sense in what you are saying, however, you have lost a lot of experience from that team there. They are having to replace a lot of players. They need to keep Toure. He has carried the team this season and has done ok, not great, but his experience could be pivotal. All of them I wouldn't want to keep, but you can't just sell them all in one summer. Its just like a merry-go-round.

Id say its been the opposite. Hes been appalling, mainly in his attitude, and his become a "moments" player rather than a consistent game runner. He produces the odd bit of quality nowadays, but otherwise takes no responsibility on the field. He is the first name i'd shift out, endemic of the malaise that has hit City

I think 50% of this downfall has come from Toure's appearance in the ACON this season. He hasn't found his rhythm since he has come back but he is no different to the rest of the City players. He may not have been a good this season on the pitch, but his influence showed in January when he was missing. Someone with some experience to guide that team through.

And look how they're playing with him now. Is he any sort of leader? Even without his form, is he busting a gut to work for them? Is he worth his place currently? I'd say no to all of those things. At least Kompany tries and does lead, even when he personally isnt on form. Toure cares about Yaya Toure.

[GSC]

But yeah, Toures been lethargic at best

[Guest]

Yaya to Inter will be a dead cert, Kolarov & Jovetic to Italy also. Lampard to MLS, Navas back to Seville or whoever has some money. Nasri won't go anywhere, seeing as he's signed a five year deal & is on ridiculous money. Not a massive overhaul, just the essential exits

Manuel stated a big english player will be signed, has to be Sterling or maybe Barkley.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

They need younger, hungrier players. Cresswell types, Kouyate's, Schneiderlin, Ayoze Perez as a third choice, Sterling would be grand.

They need some English players too. Maybe Walcott, Stones, even Kane, Berahino should be looked at. Theyve got a world class spine, they just need to add the right players to it, not fancy names. And into their squad too. Delph, for example, would be a good signing without scaring anyone. Team ethic needs to return

[Hero]

They're starting to look like Utd circa SAF leaving and it dawning on the club it was in need of a big overhaul.

[NickisBHAFC]

Walcott isn't good enough for arsenal so I doubt city would be intrested. But i agree, young hungry English players needed. Sterling would be the obvious starter. They should 100% keep Milner, think he's been one of there stand out players this season.

[Hero]

There really isn't a world class spine to the team either. Kompany is desperately out of form, his partner options are woeful, Fernandinho is the only decent CM/DM and he's 30 in a couple of weeks. Barring Hart, Silva and Aguero the rest are pretty replaceable.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Kompany is out of form, but hes in the bracket of world class in the current era cos defenders are not amazing. He'd get into every team in the Prem, so that keeps him in the elite list for this purpose

[Guest]

Can see City partnering Kompany with Alderweireld, he's available for about £8m & they should form an understanding, in helping Kompany return to his best. Sterling to join from Liverpool seems inevitable.

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