2016-2017 English Premier League

[PeteEU]

The only thing City is out of, is winning the title. And that is mostly because Chealski are going so well. It is Chealskis to lose.

That leaves City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham to fight for 2nd to 4th place. Arsenal will do its usual crash in a month or so, especially with Sanchez and Otzil wanting to leave the club. Liverpool, like City and Tottenham are hot and cold.

Problem with City is not the manager.

1) Age of team. If you look at who the manager plays, the age is up there. There are simply no replacements for them. More on this later. You see this happening in all teams sooner or later.. City is in a generational change and if you cant find the right players then you get into problems. I have seen this so many times. After the glory years of the Laudrup brothers and the 1980s team, the generational change was painful for Denmark and we have never really recovered. To be honest the 92 euro win was a total fluke.

2) Club stature. No offence meant Andalublue, but City are Manchester´s second club, with United being the first... at least in the eyes of those outside Manchester. That is why you have seen United getting Pogba, Zlatan and are attracting others. United have the long history and tradition that people know. City does not. This means when players are offered to play in the cold wet Manchester, then they would rather go to United than City, which means City has to offer higher wages.

3) To attract players, City have had to pay high basic wages for frankly often average players. Some have grown with the job.. Yaya for example, and others like Kun were taken there to start a legacy. Others are no where near the quality of the two, and yet there is nothing there to replace them. This has meant that the wage budget has been high (over 100% for some years) and that in the long run, even with a filthy rich owner.. is problematic. That is why we have not really seen many sensnonational signings and most money have been spent on expensive young players. If they work, then you have 5+ years of less buying..if they dont, then you got a problem. At the same time you have United down the road that can match any wage City can pump out because United have the turnover that City does not. Stones, Sterling, Jesus, Sane and De Bruyne are getting there, or in the start, but this takes time. However Stones is the only defender, a position City really needs strengthening and has needed it for years.

It is not an easy job to be running a place like City and PSG, where the costs far outstrip the income and you have to find creative ways to make up the difference.

I understand what kind of football Pepe wants to play, but he does not have the players. Because of Kompany being broken more than he is fit, then he is limited in the central defence to 2 players and had to draft in Zabaleta to play there. He is a work horse but he is not a natural centerback. Stones is still raw, and Otamendi has always made stupid mistakes. On the goal front, personally I believe Hart is no better than Bravo. Only real difference is experience in the long ball UK game. When you combine a shaky Stones, out of place Zabaleta, a rash Otamendi and a "newb" like Bravo, then you will throw points. Hart has been throwing points away in Italy like mad.

If it was up to Pepe, then he would like to play like Chealski. 3 5 2... the traditional "Barca" style of his playing days... but it is damn hard in the modern game to find the players for that.... let alone quality players. Chealski have been lucky as **** with re-engineering average players into new positions where they shine (at the moment).

City will be fighting for top 2-4 that is for sure, and will go far in the CL. Only one I am certain that wont is... Arsenal!

 

[Higgins86]

Its been nearly a week but I'm still grinning. So amazing to see young English players tearing apart a team as good as City.

 

[austrianecon]

Funny, you think Swansea were wrong to sack Bradley sitting at the bottom of the table, but City should sack Guardiola sitting 5th. I agree that Swansea were stupid to chop and change managers as much as they do. They seem to think that it's managers who are the only important factor in the success of a team. We know that's not true. You don't cut and run on any manager after less than 6 months. To do so doesn't reflect badly on the manager but on the club.

1) Bob Bradley was hired in October, sacked in December. He has no transfer window. That rarely happens.

2) I never said anything about firing because he's sitting 5th. I said he should be fired if he missed Champions League and gets no silverware this year after spending in the Summer transfer window and who knows what else in Winter Transfer.. £149,570,000 (current total).. including spending 15m of that on Claudio Bravo.

Yes, Swansea looks a fool right now. But they may stay up and look like geniuses. But if Man City spends over £150,000,000 and don't win **** and only make Europa League. That's gonna look foolish too.

 

[Andalublue]

The only thing City is out of, is winning the title. And that is mostly because Chealski are going so well. It is Chealskis to lose.

Amazing what you can do when you're only playing domestic footie. Klopp and Mourinho should be assessed in that light.

Problem with City is not the manager.

If City ends the season with no silverware and/or no CL place then it really is the manager's/DoF's fault, since we won a trophy and made the CL semis and qualified for this year's CL. Pellegrini achieved all that with the same resources and same difficulties as Pep has. If Pep can't, whose fault is it?

1) Age of team. If you look at who the manager plays, the age is up there. There are simply no replacements for them. More on this later. You see this happening in all teams sooner or later.. City is in a generational change and if you cant find the right players then you get into problems. I have seen this so many times. After the glory years of the Laudrup brothers and the 1980s team, the generational change was painful for Denmark and we have never really recovered. To be honest the 92 euro win was a total fluke.

Nonesense, the team is not that old. The full backs are fairly old, but Pep chose not to buy a FB in either transfer window.

2) Club stature. No offence meant Andalublue, but City are Manchester´s second club, with United being the first... at least in the eyes of those outside Manchester. That is why you have seen United getting Pogba, Zlatan and are attracting others. United have the long history and tradition that people know. City does not. This means when players are offered to play in the cold wet Manchester, then they would rather go to United than City, which means City has to offer higher wages.

Just very silly.

3) To attract players, City have had to pay high basic wages for frankly often average players. Some have grown with the job.. Yaya for example, and others like Kun were taken there to start a legacy. Others are no where near the quality of the two, and yet there is nothing there to replace them. This has meant that the wage budget has been high (over 100% for some years) and that in the long run, even with a filthy rich owner.. is problematic. That is why we have not really seen many sensnonational signings and most money have been spent on expensive young players. If they work, then you have 5+ years of less buying..if they dont, then you got a problem. At the same time you have United down the road that can match any wage City can pump out because United have the turnover that City does not. Stones, Sterling, Jesus, Sane and De Bruyne are getting there, or in the start, but this takes time. However Stones is the only defender, a position City really needs strengthening and has needed it for years.

United used to be streets ahead of City, now they are the second most successful club in the city. Nothing you can say can alter that fact, it just makes it look like you're trolling.

It is not an easy job to be running a place like City and PSG, where the costs far outstrip the income and you have to find creative ways to make up the difference.

The problem with your 'analysis' is that on the latest available accounts published, City are turning a profit and United are making a loss.

I understand what kind of football Pepe wants to play, but he does not have the players.

He's known what kind of team he was taking over for over a year. If he wanted wholesale squad change he could have made it. His mentor, Beguiristain has been at City for many years now. Who are you wanting to blame for Pep's inability to adjust his style to his available squad? He took over the 3rd/4th best squad in European football according to achievement/performances in the CL. You think he expected not to have to work for his astronomical salary?

 

[PeteEU]

Amazing what you can do when you're only playing domestic footie. Klopp and Mourinho should be assessed in that light.

Dont disagree.

If City ends the season with no silverware and/or no CL place then it really is the manager's/DoF's fault, since we won a trophy and made the CL semis and qualified for this year's CL. Pellegrini achieved all that with the same resources and same difficulties as Pep has. If Pep can't, whose fault is it?

The core of the team is the same, and a year older... hence the problem. The core of the team are over 30 or close to 30. That is a problem no matter how you look at it, especially if there are no real replacements.

Nonesense, the team is not that old. The full backs are fairly old, but Pep chose not to buy a FB in either transfer window.

Sagna 33, Bravo 33, Zabaleta 32, Toure 33, Fernando 29, Kolarov 31, Clichy 31, Silva 31, Fernandinho 31, Navas 31... most of these are regulars or on the bench. Just saying, age is a problem, especially in the central midfield.

It is not that he did not choose to buy a FB... was their one available of any quality that was willing to live and work in Manchester..

United used to be streets ahead of City, now they are the second most successful club in the city. Nothing you can say can alter that fact, it just makes it look like you're trolling.

The fact that you can say that City are the more successful club in Manchester shows the real troll

The problem with your 'analysis' is that on the latest available accounts published, City are turning a profit and United are making a loss.

City are getting "cash injections" via sponsorship from family members of the owners. United had a 68 million profit last year. City had a 20 million profit last year, but I as I have always said... it is questionable in my opinion. But saying that, the fact they finally have a profit also means they have changed the way they buy players, hence no superstars joining the last few years.

He's known what kind of team he was taking over for over a year. If he wanted wholesale squad change he could have made it. His mentor, Beguiristain has been at City for many years now. Who are you wanting to blame for Pep's inability to adjust his style to his available squad? He took over the 3rd/4th best squad in European football according to achievement/performances in the CL. You think he expected not to have to work for his astronomical salary?

No he could not. City has average players on massive salaries. This means if they have to get rid of them, then it will cost an arm and a leg. So a wholesale change is near to impossible.

 

[Arkantos]

Liverpool's squad is the worst of the top 6. Klopp does wonders with it.

 

[PeteEU]

Just me, or is this seasons EPL kinda boring? Chealski have all but won the title by New Years and the rest are fighting for CL places for next year.

 

[Higgins86]

Barcelona got an absolute smashing tonight. Feels like an end of an era kind of match. They no longer to the fundamentals like they used to, arrogantly playing players out of position, defenders are poor and the youngsters coming through are no where near the golden generation. You also see how important Xaxi was to them.

 

[Higgins86]

Just me, or is this seasons EPL kinda boring? Chealski have all but won the title by New Years and the rest are fighting for CL places for next year.

Title isn't over yet by any means, relegation battle is tight and there is nothing between 6th and 2nd.

 

[Andalublue]

It would kill Pete to say anything positive about the EPL. Why worry?

Chelsea's to lose, but I'm hoping my boys will give 'em a run for their money whilst maintaining their eye on what is clearly Pep's priority this season - the CL. Bummer about our two major injuries. We'll have to see out the season without Pep's two star purchases and two of the best performers of the season: Gundoğan and Gabriel Jesus.

 

[Higgins86]

It would kill Pete to say anything positive about the EPL. Why worry?

Chelsea's to lose, but I'm hoping my boys will give 'em a run for their money whilst maintaining their eye on what is clearly Pep's priority this season - the CL. Bummer about our two major injuries. We'll have to see out the season without Pep's two star purchases and two of the best performers of the season: Gundoğan and Gabriel Jesus.

I still think there is a twist in the tale but you're right its Chelsea's to lose. Everton sitting in 7th right now which could be a spot in Europe depending on if United win the league cup or the Europa.

 

[PeteEU]

Title isn't over yet by any means, relegation battle is tight and there is nothing between 6th and 2nd.

Okay lets look at history.

No team has blown an 8 point lead at this stage of the season. Alone that is a big hint that it is over.

Add to that, the teams trying to catch Chealski have a tendency to blow hot and cold one week vs another.

And of course on top of that, Chealski are drawing or winning when they are playing like ****.. just saying, that is the sign of a winner team. Just look at Spain this year, chances are Real will win alone because of this even though it is relatively tighter in La Liga than in the EPL at this point in time. Yes Real have 2 games in hand, so the margin could be 7 points.. but they still have to win those games, which certainly aint a certainty in this years la liga.

But yes the relegation battle does look far more interesting and of course the battle for CL places. Wonder how far Liverpool will fall before they regain their groove, and wonder if Man U can keep scraping out wins. Any bets on Arsenal will end 4th? and behind Tottenham?

 

[Higgins86]

Okay lets look at history.

No team has blown an 8 point lead at this stage of the season. Alone that is a big hint that it is over.

Add to that, the teams trying to catch Chealski have a tendency to blow hot and cold one week vs another.

And of course on top of that, Chealski are drawing or winning when they are playing like ****.. just saying, that is the sign of a winner team. Just look at Spain this year, chances are Real will win alone because of this even though it is relatively tighter in La Liga than in the EPL at this point in time. Yes Real have 2 games in hand, so the margin could be 7 points.. but they still have to win those games, which certainly aint a certainty in this years la liga.

But yes the relegation battle does look far more interesting and of course the battle for CL places. Wonder how far Liverpool will fall before they regain their groove, and wonder if Man U can keep scraping out wins. Any bets on Arsenal will end 4th? and behind Tottenham?

six matches remaining United were eight points ahead of City in 2011/12

 

[Andalublue]

six matches remaining United were eight points ahead of City in 2011/12

Beat me to it. Also, don't I remember Newcastle under Keegan blowing a 12-point advantage at this stage of the 1995-6 season?

I don't think anyone will catch Chelsea though. I think we could have caught them, had we had a fully-fit A-team, but I think our injury list and our (self-inflicted) goalkeeping disaster have done for our title challenge. No one else will get close.

 

[PeteEU]

Crazy CL this year.

 

[Higgins86]

Crazy CL this year.

Yeh that was a crazy game, school boy defending and some ruthless finishing

 

[PeteEU]

When will Arsen leave the gunners....

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

 

[Andalublue]

Lovely, fairly easy 0-2 victory for my boys today. Two great goals and a real bonus, given the nasty injuries to 2/3rds of our new signings, Leroy Sané is turning out to be a brilliant left-sided midfielder and Kun is hitting form just at the right time. Even the defence is looking comfortable. I'll take 2nd in the Prem, the FA Cup and the CL titles and call it a season.

 

[Andalublue]

When will Arsen leave the gunners....

End of the season, and apparently they want Koeman to replace.

 

[PeteEU]

End of the season, and apparently they want Koeman to replace.

Must be a rumor then.. cause I have not seen it in the news. As for Koeman.. depends if Barca wants him.

 

[Andalublue]

Must be a rumor then.. cause I have not seen it in the news. As for Koeman.. depends if Barca wants him.

Depends if he'd want to a) leave Everton or b) manage Barca. They might not dare to voice it, but I reckon Pep and Luis Enrique might well advise against it. There's a big job to do there; a whole new generation to bring through.

 

[PeteEU]

Depends if he'd want to a) leave Everton or b) manage Barca. They might not dare to voice it, but I reckon Pep and Luis Enrique might well advise against it. There's a big job to do there; a whole new generation to bring through.

I agree some what.. The new barca manager has to know the club, and this cuts down the amount of candidates. He also, I suspect, needs to be good at bringing up players internally instead of buying constantly. That will be the tricky part. Barca needs a generational change that is for sure (but so do most teams these days it seems), and there is talent in the academy but you need someone with balls to actually play with them.

But Juves Allegri seems to have agreed to take over after the season according to "sources" today.

 

[Andalublue]

He also, I suspect, needs to be good at bringing up players internally instead of buying constantly.

True. Barca used to be principally a nurturing club, bringing through most of its talent via the cantera, but it hasn't been that for sometime now. I think there's only Messi, Busquets, Iniesta and Sergi Roberto in the main squad who came through from the youth set-up. Perhaps the upper management want to change back to not being a buying club, but I haven't read anything to that effect. What makes you think there's a change of strategy in the air?

 

[PeteEU]

True. Barca used to be principally a nurturing club, bringing through most of its talent via the cantera, but it hasn't been that for sometime now. I think there's only Messi, Busquets, Iniesta and Sergi Roberto in the main squad who came through from the youth set-up. Perhaps the upper management want to change back to not being a buying club, but I haven't read anything to that effect. What makes you think there's a change of strategy in the air?

Costs.. pure and simple. Having Neymar and Messi on the wage bill at the same time is expensive as hell. So either they get rid of one, and invest in new players, or they promote from within.

Barca has invested quite a bit in youth but not gotten much out of it since the golden generation. Either the best talent gets stolen by British teams (/rude Arsenal), or they never really get the chance and choose to leave /wave Thiago.

Like it or not, most new players to a team needs 5-10 games in a row to "get into the team". Take Paco Alcacer.. he has the talent and the skills but he gets 1 maybe 2 games in a row, rarely from start. Hard to get into the flow of things and does not exactly do wonders for ones confidence. Look at Leroy Sane. He was rubbish at Man City the first few games, but as soon as he got a good amount of games in a row then he blossomed into something special.

Barca is in a pickle. They need a "new" midfield. A replacement for Iniesta and in the long run one, for Busquets. They still have not found a replacement for Xavi. Now saying that, Denis Suarez could be Iniesta 2.0.. they play similarly. Problem is Denis Suarez does not get enough play time even when Iniesta is injured!. Andre Gomes was seen as a possible Xavi replacement but no... not enough vision or strength. Rakatic is better controlling the midfield than Andre Gomes.

Now on the youth team there are quite a few very talented players, but they never get to play against the big boys since they got dumped into the 3rd division 2 years ago. Looks like they will get promoted back to the Segunda Division this year (presently nr 1 in their division), so we shall see.

 

[Andalublue]

Now saying that, Denis Suarez could be Iniesta 2.0.. they play similarly. Problem is Denis Suarez does not get enough play time even when Iniesta is injured!.

Ironically, stolen from City's youth academy. What were you saying about Arsenal?