|
|
 |
|
Still all quiet on the transfer front. Yes I know the press is frothing at the mouth about a possible move for Parma's Kenyan midfielder McDonald Mariga but nothing has actually happened. It's all speculation. I don't understand the clubs at this time of year. The transfer window closes at the end of August and teams have four months to figure out what they will need at the club when the January transfer window opens. And what happens? Nothing.
Instead we get this end of transfer window panic where clubs flap around at the last minute rushing players up and down the motorway to take a medical. Why? Where is the advanced planning, the identification of prospects, the moving for players that the club needs in the first week of the transfer window not the last 48 hours?
Does the hierarchy at the club seriously think that this is a squad that can qualify for the Champions League? Because it isn't. It's relatively deep, possibly the deepest in the Premier League but it lacks the upper echelon of quality and it lacks a play maker. The quality will probably have to wait until the Summer however a play maker is such an obvious need it is agonizing seeing the club linked to potential here and there. This is worse, far worse than being mid table. City are so close to being able to accomplish their goals and yet there appears to be a total lack of action other than the ability of senior executives to run their mouth off.
Here's a tip to Chief Executive Garry Cook. Shut up. I don't want to hear a single additional public utterance until the club has either qualified for the Champions League or won some silverware. Cook is apparently well thought of in business circles. Great. Go work on the business side of things. Accomplish success. Build the brand. This isn't Nike. City aren't the top in their industry. That the club can be in time is wonderful. Until then all the City fans want to here is one thing, that City have signed a play maker.
Comments
 |
Posted by Waqas Azeem on 01/30/2010
As always, well put Wallace. Alas! another day went... I really don't see anyone coming. This will hurt City. But I seriously don't get it. Why don't they understand it? why? You do, I do... why don't they?
|
Posted by Collin on 01/30/2010
|
Posted by Falastur on 01/31/2010
The idea I was given from various things I've read is that City are leaving it late if not at all largely to avoid pumping money into the transfer market, which could both provide funds to rivals, and is what the press moans at us for anyway...but I really don't know.
Wallace Reply That's not a bad thought.
|
Posted by Blue_heart on 01/31/2010
Wallace get over yourself.
Things are thought of in advance they just can't be done quickly because players and selling clubs want loads of time to consider their options. They are the ones that like to hold out for more money and manipulate the market to the same ends. It's not down to the buying club at all, the selling club likes to wait for late bidders to bump up the transfer fee.
No one at the club as far as I have heard has mentioned the equation City's Squad = Champions League so why are you getting your knickers in a twist. Are you listening to the media too much?
Everyone knows we are not ready yet to win the Premier League.
As for Garry Cook he is a sound bloke to have as Chief Executive. It's the press again that want him as they want the club to fail. Have you not noticed how everything City is welcomed with the sign of the cross by the media. They are determined to paint us anything but good and that includes the chairman, the manager probably even the tea lady
Wallace Reply lol... well put in my place.
I disagree with your second point as the exit of Hughes seemed all about reaching the Champions League this year. If not there was no reason to get rid of Hughes mid year, the club was "clearly" going to be in the fight for a Europa League place with Hughes in charge.
I don't deny Garry Cook's business acumen. I have connections into Nike that speak highly of him. But being a senior executive at a major corporation is very different from that of a football club. Clubs are a part of the social and cultural fabric of a city in ways that other corporations can never be, even ironically one as connected to a metropolitan area as Nike is to Portland/Beaverton.
|
Posted by CCCracker on 01/31/2010
If you really want to do a number on Man U. It's simple - get Rooney. Without Rooney Man U are a mid-table side. And with Rooney Man City are Champions League material. Yes it may seem impossible but just imagine the stir it would cause just to make the attempt. And believe me, offer a hundred million to the Glazers and double Rooney's wage and would it be impossible? At the very least it would really rub the Man Us nose in their debt and place them in the position of the paupers they actually are.
Wallace Reply Yeah, I've always thought this was a wonderfully insidious idea that would have the potential to cause all kinds of mischief in Salford. Putting aside whether the club would want Rooney (despite his quality) because of his previous United connections or even if Rooney would entertain such a move (and I can't fathom any way he would) just to see the reaction from United at the board room level would be fascinating.
At the very least the need to address the wage on offer would disrupt the United pay structure.
So yes it's one of those to chuckle about.
Now step back from the rivalry between the two clubs and I know I'm being a bit of a killjoy but it would be bad for football. It's becoming more apparent that Football's wage structure has the potential to be ruinous for the league. The Big Four have spent their way to the top and their is no reason why City, or anyone else can't do the same. That being said it might behoove football fans to be careful what we wish for. Portsmouth imminent cratering is just the start I fear.
I'm not suggesting City shouldn't prosper from the club's new found wealth. Just that there's a line between good fortune and blowing up the entire system.
|
Posted by Martin Nazimek on 01/31/2010
I did not see this transfer window so lackluster for city...or anyone for that matter. We have great needs; playmaker, LB!!!!!! Im not a scout of manager, but even a regular fan can see that Garrido is NOT the answer to our lb problem. Bridge isnt either for that matter. Where is Lahm or someone better than what we have? Unless we have someone great in the youth system who mancini will give a chance to like Boyatta. There is a lot of season left to play and it would be easier with a solid lb and playmaker. Even us lonely fans see the holes. Well put wallace. CTID
|
Posted by Stevie Boy on 01/31/2010
Have to say Wallace, love your blog and the balanced perspective you put on your articles. Mancini has a system of play that the current squad do not have depth in quality to deliver. As against M U we were desperate for a playmaker to hold the centre of the pitch but we will have to wait till summer for him to have access to the level of quality he needs. If we get 'big mac' then I feel we may see solid effective football to gain enough points for a CL place and the quality and excitement will come next season.
|
Posted by lonzi on 01/31/2010
Mancity needs a strong midfielder like parma's Mac Donald Mariga so as to attain a top four position in the EPL.Signing Viera was a waste of money what mancity require at this time is Mariga.
|
Posted by T.J.Ochieng' on 01/31/2010
Man city fans need not agonise any further for the playmaker.It always takes alittle-known to do the trick rather than the usual recycled have-been-arounds.For us Kenyans the signing of Mariga is a breakthrough.Trust some defections to the city of Manchester stadium.
|
Posted by Shane--Toronto City Fan on 01/31/2010
Totally agree. With City so close to finishing top four this year, the silence this transfer window is unacceptable, and completely negligent. If Mancini needed more time to negotiate moves, he should have been hired much sooner.
|
Posted by pavari on 01/31/2010
Sometimes I agree with you, and sometimes I don't. This is one of those times I don't.
"This is worse, far worse than being mid table." Are you for real? Is it a fact that we will not finish top 4 without a transfer coming in this window? I didn't think so. I'll take top 6 and challenging for top four EVERY season over counting up to 40 points each season to avoid a relegation scrap.
Your other argument is that we have plenty of depth but need a top tier signing, but in the next breath you acknowledge that is is almost impossible in the January window. So another Benjani signing for you then?
Relax and enjoy the ride. No need to sign someone just to say we did - it can cheer the fans temporarily but if it isn't quality we're just wasting our money - and sooner or later money will matter.
Wallace Reply There is a need for a quality Left Back, Centre Half and an Attacking Midfielder. Lahm is said to be unhappy at Bayern which is one way to get quality now. The club needs a play maker now. It can almost certainly get better quality in the summer but I don't see the club challenging if an AMC isn't brought in the next 24 hours.
|
Posted by Ken Aguko on 02/01/2010
Sure you better sign Mariga as soon as possible, before the likes of ManU,R-madrid,Barca... take notice of him.He is a midfield-maestro that could easily earn you a place in the CHAMPS league. Move quickly and quietly Fergie is listening next door.
Wallace Reply In retrospect Kenya's national side being outside the top 70 teams was always going to be an issue
|
Posted by Masha... on 02/01/2010
MARIGAAAAAAA........watch ouy for him, he will rule that midfield. I hope his deal goes thru'
|
Posted by Byreh on 02/01/2010
we need Mariga in the mid field,it will go along way into making the club rise to top 4 position...
|
Posted by Mike G on 02/01/2010
WALLACE, did you watch Stephen Ireland against Pompey. I know it was a lackluster game in general, but he was the exactly what City needs attacking in midfield. He set up the opening goal with a (signature, perfect, beautiful, early) ball to Adebayor. He also made the defensive play of the game defending from an attacking midfield position. I agree in that they probably need some cover in this area, as Stevie does tend to be injured, but come on, I know you miss Elano, but Stevie is the answer. Why have we been linked with so many midfielders though, even with that said, it seems to me like left back is the only true glaring need, and (I cant believe Im saying this) maybe a young striker, especially if Benjani goes and Santa Cruz continues to be made of straw.
Wallace Reply Ireland is so much better when he plays with a creative midfielder with vision but if he can step up and play the role it would be a massive boost to the club. As you say, the pass for Adebayor was excellent even if we can admit that under the new rules Adebayor was offside (there was no separation and in the old interpretation he would have been given the benefit of the doubt but under the new interpretation it should have been called)
|
Posted by Neil in California.. on 02/01/2010
City just signed Johnson so Petrov's days are number's me thinks. He's a good player but like some others ,doesn't like to do the 'grunt' side of the work ! I am starting to see 'Petrov's bad atitude starting to come out just like Elano,Robhino etc(why do these type players think they are entitled to play "every game" is beyond me)....Lets just cut our loss's & move on with some of these players....
Moving on ... Any team who can put a 10 to 12 winning streak on before the end of the season can break in to that 4th place Champs Lg spot....I think City have the squad "right now" to grab this . NOW is the time Wallace !!!
Wallace Reply yes Petrov rarely tracks back. next 3 gamea re important. If City get 9 points against Hull, Bolton and Stoke then I may start to believe that 4th is in reach.
|
Posted by Stan on 02/01/2010
Well, folderol. A work permit issue prevents the transfer of the Parma midfielder. Did they not start working on this in early January?
I wonder if he'll still be an option come the summer?
Wallace Reply Alas no, he signed a long term deal with Inter.
|
Posted by Justin on 02/01/2010
Wallace-
I'm sure the end of the window post is coming, but it appears that we missed out on two talents. Gago needed a change of scenary and I like the prospects of him playing with Tevez and Zabby as you said Argentinians do better then Brazilians in the EPL. However, "Typical City" as the rumour is they couldn't get a hold of the Sheik to make sure the money was released. Gago could have been that Alonso role we were missing. MacDonald would have been a great young talent that we could have brought in, but the deal was canned due to a work permit issue as kenya is not in the top 70 in FIFA...harsh, seems that we could have worked harder rather then hand him over to Inter. I'm happy with Johnson...and he should develop into a wonderful winger as Petrov gets older.
|
Posted by Foxy on 02/01/2010
Adam Johnson is and has always been a winger, but can he play CAM?
Posted by Michael on 02/02/2010
I totally agree with Wallace, I'm so disappointed about City lack of transfer activity. They desperately need a playmaker, a superstar like Kaka. They should have also tried for Ribery, Silva, etc....all that money for what???
Posted by James on 02/02/2010
So, is Adam Johnson the end of Martin Petrov?
And, do you think Mancini has the technical acumen to negate the lack of an attacking mid? The fact that he seems to collect defensive mids seems to show his (very Italian) concern is in not ceding goals, and not necessarily in making them.
Wallace Reply I think so, on both...
| |
Post your comment |
|
|
|
|
|
About
Wallace Poulter is an award winning video game producer, designer, industry consultant and writer. He has been a football fanatic since the day he moved in next door to Brian Clough. "Cloughie" being the acknowledged genius that he was promptly moved out and went to manage Derby. A serviceable senior school left-back in his youth, Poulter played one season of Sunday league football as a striker proving conclusively that he was a serviceable senior school left-back! Today Poulter remains involved with football as a licensed referee and most recently as a consultant on a Football MMO.
|
Categories
Recent Posts
Archives
|
RSS feed