Noisy Neighbours - the Man City thread

[hhyftrftdr]

Toure fit into a guardiola side? Especially shit toure that he is now
No full backs being signed?

I had Silva in there originally but it just looked too unbalanced. I think Fernando could still get some decent game time, he's our only (fully) defensive minded midfielder.

You ask 100 City fans what position needs the most attention, and 99 will say the full backs, but we've yet to really address that looks like Kolarov and Zaba are moving on to pastures new, so we need something. Denayer can cover right back and this new Ukraine lad can apparently fill in at left back, but its too soon for both of them. I quite like Sagna and Clichy, but both are the wrong side of 30 and although reasonably solid, they are hardly spectacular. The problem is, who's available and feasible?

One way to solve this is a Pep favourite, 3-5-2....

[rinswun]

Doubt Nolito starts to be honest. He's pretty average, surprising signing really. He'll be bit part at best like Bony and Jovetic were. Iheanacho is already a better player.

[hhyftrftdr]

Doubt Nolito starts to be honest. He's pretty average, surprising signing really. He'll be bit part at best like Bony and Jovetic were. Iheanacho is already a better player.

I think the jury is out on him. Certainly not a player I'm overly familiar with, but did read he was La Liga's most creative player last season. I think what is key is that he's worked with Guardiola before, and Pep knows exactly what he's getting and Nolito knows exactly what is gonna be expected of him. Pep loves versatile players and I understand he can play pretty much any position in the final 3rd. At 29 he isn't one for the future but one for now and not waiting 2 years to see if he can develop.

The signing has raised a few eyebrows over on Blue Moon, but I trust Pep's judgement over any of them lot I won't be putting him in my fantasy football team though

[Karabiner]

That back five doesn't look like the securest of units, in fact it fills me (and I'm sure many others) with hope.

This is undoubtedly Pep's biggest test to date imo.

[hhyftrftdr]

That back five doesn't look like the securest of units, in fact it fills me (and I'm sure many others) with hope.

This is undoubtedly Pep's biggest test to date imo.

Getting and keeping Kompany fit is crucial, he really is the glue that holds the defence together. I'm hoping that under Pep our ball retention is gonna be much better; too many times in recent seasons we'd give it away in bad areas and just invite pressure on the back 4. Inevitably this leads to mistakes and goals going in your net. Stop this issue at source and I suspect we might run a tighter ship this coming season. Gundogan is gonna be an important player in this respect, keeping things ticking over in the middle of the park. Defence has been somewhat of a weak link for a while now, regardless of how much money we chuck at it, but as alluded too some of these problems stem from further up the pitch.

Looking like Kolarov and Zabaleta out by the end of the week, and Peres from Torino in. Interesting times. Think we've cooled our interest in your guy Bellerin for now though.

I don't think anyone would disagree with that last comment; this is far and away his biggest challenge, but I'm sure he's more than up for it

[POWWWWWWWW]

Surely a quality ball playing centre defender is top of Pep's shopping list? Who do we think are the candidates?

[hhyftrftdr]

Surely a quality ball playing centre defender is top of Pep's shopping list? Who do we think are the candidates?

I'm doing fuck all tonight so feel like I'm on call to field any questions

Stones.

Think Laporte was first choice but his new contract at Bilbao rules him out, at least for the time being. Everton hate doing business with us (Lescott) and fully expect them to play as much hardball as possible over Stones. I'm quite relaxed about him personally, but the rumours refuse to go away. Barnsley have a decent sell on clause which is only pushing his price further up.

[POWWWWWWWW]

Do you think City will be willing to pay whatever Everton's new owners want for him? They don't even have to sell at any price now, some ridic fees being banded around for Lukaku as well.

[hhyftrftdr]

Do you think City will be willing to pay whatever Everton's new owners want for him? They don't even have to sell at any price now, some ridic fees being banded around for Lukaku as well.

No, I imagine we'll have a figure in mind we're happy to pay, a sizeable figure, but won't be held to ransom over him. They don't like dealing with us, so can deffo see a deal not materialising due to the clubs being poles apart on their valuations. Them not needing to sell only complicates things, and it might need Stones to push for something to force their hand. Apparently we've cooled our interests in both PEA and Pogba because of the sheer sums involved, so whilst we might not be short of a few quid I don't think that automatically means we'll pay whatever any selling club demands (I still think PEA has legs, Pogba just isn't gonna happen though)

I better put 'in before City splash out £200m on Stones and Pogba' next week to make me look a fucking idiot wouldn't be for the first time!

[TightEnd]

John Stones has told Everton he wants to join Pep Guardiola's Manchester City http://dailym.ai/29hkeD7

[Sportshead]

Also bid £38 mil for Bonucci

Personally think Nolito will start regularly , suits Peps style perfectly

[rinswun]

Also bid £38 mil for Bonucci

Personally think Nolito will start regularly , suits Peps style perfectly

Just can't see it. He's worse than Sterling and Navas - albeit offers more of a goal threat than the later. Be massively shocked if he started 20 games and scored more than 5 goals.

[hhyftrftdr]

Also bid £38 mil for Bonucci

Personally think Nolito will start regularly , suits Peps style perfectly

Just can't see it. He's worse than Sterling and Navas - albeit offers more of a goal threat than the later. Be massively shocked if he started 20 games and scored more than 5 goals.

My dad offers more of a goal threat than Navas, and he retires this month.

Agreed with above though, I think he'll start quite a few games as he is in the Pep mould, and the gaffer obviously wants and trusts him. Just waiting on Arb to throw down some odds after a few Stellas tonight.

[TightEnd]

Pep Guardiola ready to embrace a culture shock at Manchester City http://dailym.ai/29B3ply

[arbboy]

Pep Guardiola ready to embrace a culture shock at Manchester City http://dailym.ai/29B3ply

Guardiola knows the English game through anecdotes only — and the odd visit on European nights, which are hardly representative of a trip to Middlesbrough in February.

Stoke have now officially arrived in the top part of the EPL and respected now.  M'boro have replaced Stoke as the 'cold, wet tues night trip'.  Awesome scenes.