8 - Pedri

[JamDav1982]

It's because we had no room to also get that done effectively. Have to wait for the team to get more complete.

No once again you miss the point.

The had 'no room' as spent the money had in other areas.

That was their decision not to spend it on full back area.

I had this specific discussion with you before saying Raphinha and Dembele in same team is over kill as both better on right and that money better spent on full backs.

They spent 120m+ on Torres and Raphinha... dont then complain as if had no money to spend on other areas that are as weak as full back.

 

[serghei]

No once again you miss the point.

The had 'no room' as spent the money had in other areas.

That was their decision not to spend it on full back area.

I had this specific discussion with you before saying Raphinha and Dembele in same team is over kill as both better on right and that money better spent on full backs.

Because other areas were bad as well. You missed the period when we had an attack formed of Jutgla, Demir, Abde etc.?

It's like that tale when you have a blanked that is too short. If you cover your neck, the feet are exposed. If you cover your feet, not enough to keep you could above the elbows. It is what it is.

 

[JamDav1982]

Because other areas were bad as well. You missed the period when we had an attack formed of Jutgla, Demir, Abde etc.?

Nope not even close.

Other areas such as wide players were far stronger than full backs.

They chose to spend 250m and improve that area over others.

The wide player options would be Ferran, Dembele, Fati, Auba and Depay before sign Raphinha.

That is light years ahead of fucking Alonso, Alba, Roberto and Bellerin.

It was shit planning and once again not adressing a serious weak point in the squad.

 

[soul24rage]

Terrible game today. Looked very sluggish.

 

[serghei]

Nope not even close.

Other areas such as wide players were far stronger than full backs.

They chose to spend 250m and improve that area over others.

The wide player options would be Ferran, Dembele, Fati, Auba and Depay before sign Raphinha.

That is light years ahead of fucking Alonso, Alba, Roberto and Bellerin.

It was shit planning and once again not adressing a serious weak point in the squad.

Hello? Injuries? Christensen, Araujo?

 

[BusiTheKing]

Amazed that we our passing game was so slow. Look, we even have two on-pitch managers, directing the passes!

https://imgur.com/a/GH6KxIZ

 

[Luftstalag14]

I am not that emotional and I would just switch to a style that is bringing titles.
But as seen during Valverde, our fans are proud and stubborn and they won't accept that.

So, there are only 3 options:
1. continue this way = and stay mediocre and outdated for decades
2. improve our team and reach heights as during Messi, Xavi and Pep = 99% never gonna happen
3. move to a new style = fans won't allow that

So, the number 1 is the only possible solution.
We will continue this way for years.

I think we have become the victim of our past success and our perceived identity (how we play football) to a certain degree and there is a great reluctance within both the club and among the fanbase to resist any changes. However, I'd think people will become more practical, if we don't win games and trophies in a prolonged period, I'd think they will be open to changes. Clubs like Madrid which don't have any clear identity or ways of playing football have been thriving, easier for them as they are more pragmatic, but I think in the long run all clubs will shift toward finding ways to win, more or less.

Currently:
1. City has the best manager out there
2. they have way better players
3. they are buying players with a long term plan of their manager. So, every player "makes sense". Our signings are on the other hand chaotic and impulsive.
4. their players are more technical and more physical

So, a better team on all levels.
They are now what we were on our peak in 2009-2011.

We are, on the other hand, what Arsenal or Liverpool were during our peak.

You didn't really answer the question but I'd guess you are saying it is "something else", something innately with the club that is making us so?

 

[KingLeo10]

I am not that emotional and I would just switch to a style that is bringing titles.
But as seen during Valverde, our fans are proud and stubborn and they won't accept that.

So, there are only 3 options:
1. continue this way = and stay mediocre and outdated for decades
2. improve our team and reach heights as during Messi, Xavi and Pep = 99% never gonna happen
3. move to a new style = fans won't allow that

So, the number 1 is the only possible solution.
We will continue this way for years.



Currently:
1. City has the best manager out there
2. they have way better players
3. they are buying players with a long term plan of their manager. So, every player "makes sense". Our signings are on the other hand chaotic and impulsive.
4. their players are more technical and more physical

So, a better team on all levels.
They are now what we were on our peak in 2009-2011.

We are, on the other hand, what Arsenal or Liverpool were during our peak.

What is the only common factor between 09-11 Barca and City?

Guardiola. The guy you said was found out 3 years into his City tenure, and who will win 3 EPL in a row since that

 

[JamDav1982]

Hello? Injuries? Christensen, Araujo?

What relevance does that have?

Wide area of team was light years ahead of FB area and FB area has been left once again in a state.

They chose to adress other areas of the team ahead of it.

 

[serghei]

I think we have become the victim of our past success and our perceived identity (how we play football) to a certain degree and there is a great reluctance within both the club and among the fanbase to resist any changes. However, I'd think people will become more practical, if we don't win games and trophies in a prolonged period, I'd think they will be open to changes. Clubs like Madrid which don't have any clear identity or ways of playing football have been thriving, easier for them as they are more pragmatic, but I think in the long run all clubs will shift toward finding ways to win, more or less.



You didn't really answer the question but I'd guess you are saying it is "something else", something innately with the club that is making us so?

Good post as usual. Exactly what is happening. If this rebuild will fail with a Barca-style manager, we will probably have a go at a different approach. Hell, rumors say Guardiola wanted a German manager last time I checked.

 

[JamDav1982]

Barca are not playing in a typically Barca way though.

That is not anything but excuses from Xavi when he tries to claim that.

 

[serghei]

Maybe you can't play in a "typical" Barca way without unreal players like Xavi, Iniesta, Messi, Alves etc. Or a genius manager like Guardiola.

 

[Luftstalag14]

Yup, we haven't been playing the Barca way, the fluid, non-static, with lot of inter-changing positional changes, quick release of the ball and creating space etc., at least how I think of the "Barca way" in a long time.

Perhaps going back to the basics and revisiting the real "Barca way" is a way out. Not sure if we can though.

 

[serghei]

Yup, we haven't been playing the Barca way, the fluid, non-static, with lot of inter-changing positional changes, quick release of the ball and creating space etc., at least how I thin of the "Barca way" in a long time.

I think the aim is not that team but a more classical team like the Rijkaard Barca. But even for that you need monster players like Ronnie, Eto'o etc.

City play it close enough, but they have the real architect of modern fluid positional game and unlimited funds to support him. We have neither and don't look like getting them anytime soon.

No matter what we do we will have some years of low success. How well we work with the board and staff will determine if fewer or more.

 

[JamDav1982]

Rikaard team was also built on a lot of power, more attacking full backs to let wide players have more freedom.

Xavis appoach is not really anything like that.