When do these 25 man squads have to be finalised?

Day after the window shuts I think

Sure is.

Listening to Lou Macari on SSN talking about Hernandez, I can't believe he didn't release himself. I think he'll definitely climax once he starts describing Balotelli. Alongside Silva, Balotelli is the best signing this summer.

I agree Silva has the potential to be a massive signing. I'm not too convinced by Ballotelli yet though, think it's far too early to start saying he is the signing of the summer with the hefty price tag. He's got a really poor attitude and potential could be a very moody player who could easily kick off if Mancini doesn't keep him happy.

There's nothing wrong with being moody, Cristiano Ronaldo was a stupendous ego who was very moody, but his own determination to win things made him the second best footballer on earth.

I think Balotelli's attitude has been made worse by the way Italians have reacted to him, I think the Citeh fans will immediately be on his side - as well as Mancini - which should make things easier going for him. I think talent-wise, alongside Silva he's the best who's been signed. Both players have question marks over them, though: will he play Silva in the middle over Tevez? Will he play Balotelli up front of Adebayor? If he uses Balotelli as a winger, will he turn the formation to a 4-3-3, so Barry can cover the full back on the left instead of Balotelli tracking back?

As good as some of Citeh's signings are, I don't know exactly what Mancini is aiming towards formation-wise. The big question mark is Tevez, I don't really like him and I don't see where he fits, he's obviously gifted, but the 4-4-2 is dying, will he be moved out wide or continue to play through the middle?

Man City are still at the 'look at us, we're rich we can sign loads of players' stage of their false evolution. A lot of attacking players but no real team structure or overall strategy.

You are only allowed 25 players so god knows why they are buying three players for every position. They are going about everything very poorly. Inflating wages to sign players, in escence compensating them for the lack of Champions League football by throwing money at them is just stupid. They will really struggle to sell players for years as the players who have signed for City are all mercinary types who won't want to take a paycut to move elsewhere.

We started playing a 4-3-2-1 against Valencia. Tevez & Silva behind Adebbayor. I think Balotelli will be vying for Adebayor's position and if Milner signs he'll take either Barry or De Jong's position depending on who/where we play. As in the Valencia game I think we'll occasionally switch to 4-4-2 with Johnson and SWP as subs.

I doubt that the formation will settle down for a few weeks. Silva isnt match fit and he needs to play to make the 4-3-2-1 work.

Jordi Cryuff always had Jordi. Granted it's his first name but still....

I think City will play a 4-2-3-1 formation this season. Something like this :

Given/Hart

Boateng
Kolo Toure
Lescott/Kompany
Kolarov

Barry
Yaya Toure

Balotelli
Tevez
David Silva

Adebayor