That side lacks balance for me, Oggy.

In this league it's all about winning the midfield battle, where it's playing extra midfielders or asking a forward to drop back and graft, it's key to win the midfield battle. I don't think Barry on his own can do it, and I think asking Ireland to do it takes away a part of his game that City will need if they want to be at the top.

Man City will struggle to make the top 7 imo.

Not good enough. Midfield isent strong or good enough and no pace in the attack. Santa Cruz, Tevez and Adebayor are all very similiar.

How is Adebayor similar to Tevez?

Well indeed.

As for this:



Sorry, but that's risable.

After being done out of roughly £20-25 million by Madrid in the last few years (Macca went for free when he was worth £10-15 million and Owen went for £8 million when he was worth closer to £20 million) I don't think Liverpool can be seen letting a third player leave for less than what they want for him. I know it wasn't Madrid's fault that they got Macca and Owen cheap but some fans would feel like we were getting stiffed again. However, Alonso isn't worth more than £20 million and if that's what we get I'll settle for it. Wouldn't mind some of the millions being handed out though, the amount Madrid have attempted to turn Alonso's head this summer.



I'm afraid I have to agree. I think Alonso seems to be a decent chap and thinks that by not requestiong a transfer, he will be seen to be doing the right thing by the fans. He's wrong. I'd rather he admitted one way or the other how he felt and we could bring this charade to an end. We're 3 weeks from the start of the season and we need to restructure out team if he goes. Lets get on with it.

I

My jaw had dropped that far after the initial rubbish that I managed to miss the midfield bit.

Hardworker? Check
Creative player? Check
Mongrel? Check.

I'm not sure what City will do this year, I don't care frankly. To pick on their midfield and attack is clueless though. They'll have arguably the best set of strikers in the Prem and the midfield isn't too shabby at all.

I'd forgotton how slow Robinho, Wright-Phillips and Tevez were as well.

I know where you are coming from. I just think there's so much happening at City for the future, just get somebody for the now. Get a centre half who's decent in the air, has got a voice, will rollock you if you lose your man at set pieces etc, an old fashioned type defender, get a defender who wants to defend like.

FWIW, I think Ounouha may be this, I know he's young, but there's no messing with him, I don't think he's too fussed about bring the ball out, he just gets on with the basics, that's what City need.

You see, I'd take Taylor before Bassong at Newcastle, I think there's a decent defender in him, I'm just not sure we'll ever see it. He's got that Terry about him, in that he'll throw himself in front of anything, that bravery etc. He just seems to be missing something, maybe a brain.

Forgetting the whole 'leaving players out' problems. If City were to play the Chelsea style 4-3-3 of the Mourinho days, I think they'd have great balance.

De Jong sitting a la Makelele, Barry & Ireland as Essien & Lampard. Say, Robbie, Adebayor and SWP. Looks strong & balanced to me, check the bench too.

You're flattering him.

Poor midfield? We have Barry, Ireland, De Jong, Kompany, Johnson, Elano and Zabaleta who can all play in the centre of midfield.


Robbie Rotten - you're spot on (again) about our midfield.

I would imagine we will be playing 433. I think you are right about our midfield line up. My main worry is De Jong's distribution. He does everything else very well.

I don't think you are right about front three. I would think that Tevez, Adebayor and Robinho will be first choice. With SWP, Bellamy and RSC as back-up