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Welcome to Manchester City, James Milner. No deal has been agreed, but that's the only reasonable expected outcome after Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill essentially threw Milner under the proverbial bus with a statement on the official Aston Villa website - so no possible claim that the former Celtic boss was misquoted.
It is, frankly, a quite an extraordinary way of doing things. In making the statement that Milner and his representatives have asked to go and said that they will not sign a new contract, O'Neill has created an atmosphere where it will make it impossible for the English international midfielder to stay. It would be fascinating to see City pull any offer off the table and watch the relationship with Milner and O'Neill, because it's completely done.
You only make this sort of comment, as far as I can see, if the intent is to force the issue. Rumours abound, and you know how much credence I give those, but it is said by the Guardian that Villa would like Stephen Ireland as part of the package.
Villa can have the Stephen Ireland of last year. The Stephen Ireland of 2008-09 should cost Villa Milner plus cash. If the Irishman goes and if O'Neill gets the best out of him it will be a stunningly good bit of business by Villa. Couple of ifs in that sentence but O'Neill is a good manager.
Which is what makes this statement so bizarre.
And the addition of Milner throws into question the whole issue of formations. The acquisition of Small Berries, Boateng and Silva leads to the reasonable conclusion that Mancini is looking to play his Inter Diamond formation. However, Milner doesn't fit such a formation. Does this speak to a more traditional 4-4-2 formation with Small Berries going into the middle of defence and Milner partnering either Barry or de Jong in the middle of the park?
Does Milner go to the right side of Midfield, Adam Johnson to the left with Silva one of the options up front? I honestly don't know. City seem to have too many players and even if a clear out sees Ireland, SWP and Bellamy leave there is still no obvious formation. How would a 4-3-3 look for example? What if Robinho came back and he, Tevez and Silva played up front with Adam Johnson, de Jong/Barry and Milner as the three in midfield? That's mind boggling.
I am, I freely admit, rather stumped by this. Milner is a very good young player and I've been a fan since his Leeds United days but how does he fit or Landon Donovan of whom Mancini spoke publicly?
Certainly I don't expect Robinho back and would like Bellamy to stay. A 4-3-3 with that personnel would be fascinating. Last year City played best with a modified 4-2-3-1 that saw Tevez drop back into the AMC role as needed. And that was wise because Tevez is not a lone striker type of player.
You could play Tevez up front, Silva in the AMC, Adam Johnson on the left with Milner on the right. That would leave a central DMC pairing of Barry and de Jong. Such a set up works although the team would lack a physical presence up front.
This all speaks to my comments about Liverpool and Manchester United over the past couple of days. United have a recognizable first team and a squad with complimentary parts. Liverpool in 2008-09 had a great first team but no squad depth and this impacted them last year. In each case fans of Liverpool and Manchester United can tell you who the best starting team will be.
We can't do this at City and that leads to unhappy players just as Tevez was at United when sitting on the bench. This is going to be a very interesting year in the EPL.
Comments
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Posted by Cody on 07/22/2010
I agree with you completely about O' Neil. I've never seen a manager so quick to throw a player under the bus like that. Even Hughes didn't do that with Robinho! He said that he thinks milner said no to a new contract and that milner "intimated" that he wanted to go. no direct language and no direct proof of milner actually forcing o'neil's hand. that being said milner is useful to us for the english rule and I think he'll be the one playing up the middle in the diamond (i feel like he'll play like cesc plays for arsenal).
Hart
Boateng Kompany Kolo/Lescott Kolarov
Yaya
Johnson Milner Silva
Tevez Adebayor
that way we have an excellent passing link in the middle with milner and two good players on the ball on the wing who can do something special and take it inside. I see de jong and barry getting thrown in a couple games, but toure gets the nod there simply because he is a much better passer than de jong and a much better overall player than barry
Wallace Reply That's an interesting take on Mancini's Inter diamond formation where he used three DM but I like it. A very aggressive attacking formation.
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Posted by Frosty on 07/22/2010
Villa fan here, being totally honest Milner will not get you into the top 4.. infact he wouldn’t get into the Spurs team. Mancini isn’t stupid which leaves me thinking all your doing is trying to weaken those around you with your financial muscle ( ie Milner, Donovan and which ever Arsenal / Spurs players you try to disrupt ).
No bitterness, I would gladly take 24m for him but talk about buying success lads, it’s all so wrong.
Wallace Reply It's funny, I thought that was exactly the club's transfer policy last year when we did indeed seem to target those clubs around us. Not sure about that this year.
Every club buys success, at the time for example 10 million for Ashley Young seemed like a complete joke. It turned out to be rather a good acquisition of course. I think where City have upset fans of other clubs is that in trying to get to the Champions League as quickly as possible the club has been very aggressive in rebuilding the entire team. It doesn't seem so bad when a club does it over a 4-5 year period but when a club does it in 18 months it appears that the club is bullying the other clubs with their financial power.
Villa have some very good youngsters, I'm not sure if you would consider Fabian Delph, once healthy, the natural successor to Milner in the Villa midfield. Delph of course was bought, from Leeds United. Should we condemn Villa for such a move? Frankly I think it was a very smart piece of business by O'Neill grabbing him before Arsenal or City both of whom were said to be interested.
I understand the natural antipathy from opposing fans concerning City's new found wealth. I felt somewhat the same when Abramovich bought Chelsea and it became obvious that the rules of the Premier League had changed forever.
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Posted by bob on 07/22/2010
im glad someone else finally sees that if we put ireland in the deal it wud be a ridiculously good deal 4 the villians. as u said it would take milner AND cash to take the stephen ireland on his top form. i personally hope we keep ireland as i rate him highly but this now looks like milner is on his way and ireland has already spoken of his desire to leave and i fear this will only push him further. i feel milner is good but overrated and as someone we dont need it would be nicer to give a product of our own academy more time to shine and show the same kind of persistence we are by insisting michael johnson is stayin.
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Posted by LingBah11 on 07/22/2010
I disagre I think we are 2-3 players away from having 2 quality players in every position be it 4-3-3 or as I believe we will play 4-2-3-1...
GK Hart (given), LB Lescott (bridge) CD Kompany (richards) CD Toure (onuha) RB Boateng ( zabaleta).
DM Djong(barry) DM Yaya (viera). ML Silva(bellamy) AMC Tevez ( ireland) MR Johnson (Sw Phllips).
CF Adebayor (santa Cruz)
I cant wait for the season CTID!
Wallace Reply Looked at that way, that is rather pleasing!
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Posted by KinkDan on 07/22/2010
Milner hasn't put a transfer request in is basically what the agent said (few players do in his position) but i'm sure he's made it pretty clear that he would like to move on and thats what Martin O Neil is basically saying. Milner is probably bricking it that he will get a Barry reaction (pound notes at vulla park again?!). The agent saying this to create a rift and force villa to sell! Really dont rate him highly and I hope we pull out.
Wallace Reply I've always consider him one of the good young English talents... looks like I might be in the minority on this one again!
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Posted by Rey on 07/23/2010
Hey Wallace,
I've been looking around, and I feel like I missed it. Why is Yaya called Small Berries? I've been following your posts almost religiously waiting for the start of the season, but after an unsuccessful google search and an even more embarrassing wikipedia search, I still could not find why you refer to him as Small Berries. Can you fill us in?
Wallace Reply You have not lived until you have seen Buckaroo Banzai...
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Posted by Daniel on 07/23/2010
Wallace, I don't think you're alone in rating Milner highly.
I do think however the sudden interest of City in Donovan, Ramirez, Arteta, and a rumor of a surprising bid for Sneijder (using Robinho as part of the deal) were a message to Villa that City wasn't in the mood to be blackmailed for something idiotic such as 30 million plus Ireland. Viewed in that light, this would be O'Neill trying to force the issue by unsettling a player he thinks is going anyway. If he agitates Milner enough--and reports indicate that Milner is furious over this--and City doesn't move hard enough then he can poison the well as far as Milner's feelings about City, and if City is moving on and weren't going to pay the ludicrous price, O'Neill can push Milner to put in a transfer request and have other clubs get into a bidding war driving the price up.
It might be conspiratorial but look at some past transfer matters. This is looks like brinksmanship to me.
Wallace Reply Rather a devious way at looking at things... I love it!
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Posted by Pete on 07/23/2010
As a City fan I must say that this article was very well thought out and balanced. Cheers Mr. Poulter. Onto my feelings about the move. I honestly believe that Milner would be a good man to rotate in the team. We know there will be a rotation system. This team will have to play possibly 50+ matches this season. You will need every player fresh and ready to play. You will also need depth. City will have that.
My main worry is identity. City need a true ID.
My plan would be to place Silva and A. Johnson on the wings. Johnson is one of the best at running at defenders. He frightens defenders at times. He also draws penalties with intelligent runs. For his age, he has remarkable football knowledge. Silva on the other wing would make defenders miserable. Those 2 feeding Tevez or Adebayor would make for some entertaining football.
Mancini is not stupid, he will pick his squads well. I think we are in for a good year in sky blue. The Past is Red...the Future is BLUE.
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Posted by Jon on 07/23/2010
Wallace,
Good article as always; I've been curious this entire summer, who plays. I understand the need for a big squad with all the competitions we will play in this season, but it's gotten quite ridiculous. I want Craig Bellamy, Steven Ireland and Adam Johnson in the team, but I'm worried the former two will be shipped out (I'm still grumbling about Martin Petrov being allowed to leave). I have heard all this Milner business and quite frankly, although I rate him, I don't see where he fits into the City team (not to mention when does Michael Johnson get to play when he gets back?).
The squad seems far too large for the players to be happy, and that is the major worry for me. I want the club to do well, and am highly concerned that players who have put in a major effort to put the club in the position we are in (Bellers, Ireland, and SWP mostly) will be forced out, and that would be in no way fair at all.
Wallace Reply I'd like to see SWP, Ireland, Michael Johnson and others who are't going to be in Mancini's plans to be sent out on loan rather than sold. If my expectation is met Mancini is going to be under the microscope at the end of the season and the last thing the club needs is a new manager coming in with the perfect player having left earlier in the season, see Hughes, Elano and Mancini.
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Posted by Zak on 07/23/2010
Villa fan here. Milner is decent. He was definitely our best player last year. However I really don't think he's worth 20 plus million. If we can get Ireland plus 15m then that's a really good bit of business I think. We can then go and buy Keane and Bently/Parker and have a much better squad IMO.
Course youre trying to buy the league! But then who isn't??? Surely that's the idea! Doh!
UTV
Wallace Reply I'm a big fan of Keane, great goal scorer and very unselfish worker. Berbatov excelled because of Keane. Bentley was very good a couple of years ago. If O'Neill can get him back up to his best ten that would be a great acquisition.
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Posted by NYCRed Devil on 07/23/2010
I agree that if O'Neill bags Stephen Ireland, it will be a great bit of business of for Villa. Say what you will about Martin, but he's not stupid. Personally, I'd like to see Ireland in a proper red shirt across town, but I doubt that's likely.
Wallace Reply Well we certainly hope not! lol. It would be just our luck for Ferguson to get the best out of him.
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Posted by Angelo on 07/23/2010
sorry man, I pay attention to football news quite a bit, but who the hell is small berries?
Wallace Reply Just my name for City's latest player. Harkens back to a movie by the name of Buckaroo Banzai.
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Posted by faizan on 07/23/2010
I think these transfers are just forcing City under more pressure!!So many transfer rumors and linkages.
Mancini is under pressure because he'll be sacked if he doesn't deliver this year. So he is spending more. Thereby Owners are paying more money, so their desire to succeed will be more over-powering. And as a result pressure is increasing.
I still think over some years, the present team can gel together to become Champions. Instead of instant cash, this team should be given some time.
If Mancini is sacked, the new manager would be under hell of a pressure to deliver with the same stars, he may offload some and find some new...again making things unstable..the problem similar to Real Madrid's...
So, my say for owners is to have some patience, instant cash may worsen the conditions.
From inside, I want City to excel with all these stars. Hope this team can gel together with least ego-clashes and least number of Robinhos.
Milner will be a good addition though, i guess.
Wallace Reply City are collecting great players but it is not yet a team. Hughes was building a team. It was not one I agreed with, especially the departures, but Hughes had a plan. I don't see Mancini's overall plan yet.
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Posted by Allen on 07/23/2010
Who is this Small Berries? I just did a couple different google searches and couldn't find anything.
Wallace Reply Small Berries is just one of my quirks along with Ruud van Falldowninthebox, The Clueless One, Old Purple Nose and various others. It's an obscure reference to Buckaroo Banzai.
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Posted by rich on 07/23/2010
Although I thought he had a very good season last year I see him as having reached his ceiling... as for 24M + Ireland... if O'neil manages this then he truly is a genius.
I really think this year will be extremely open title race;
Chelsea look a bit thin (and old... injuries already coming thick and fast)
Arsenal need a keeper badly... plus the Fab business is doing us no good...
Man Utd... just look too similar to last year.
Liverpool is a work in progress.
City - lots of new players.
Spurs - Need a world class striker.
Everton - settled and look really solid to me and Beckford on a free could be an interesting signing... (could they?)
Wallace Reply Exactly Rich. Throw in Villa - will be interesting if O'Neill figures out not to have the lull in form at some point in the season and you have eight legitimate teams fighting for not only four Champions League places but given the right set of circumstances even the league title.
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Posted by UFmegood on 07/23/2010
It's not too shocking though is it? O'Neill did the same thing with Gareth Barry last summer. If Milner doesn't want to play for Villa, then let him go. We'll gladly take Stephen Ireland + cash as we can bolster our attacking options. Here's a big sign for you, Mr. Milner: Villa were still challenging for 4th with 3 weeks left in the season. You want to leave that club for a diminished role in a better (on paper) side? Be our guests.
You may have won the young player of the year award over Fabregas, but even Villa fans know that wasn't really deserved. You're a good player, lad, but don't expect anyone to like you when you're only capable of staying at a club for 2-3 years.
Wallace Reply Barry wanted to leave, I'm not sure Milner did, or does. The impression I get is of a young player wanting to see what his opportunities were, rather than someone itching to leave.
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Posted by Bryan on 07/23/2010
James Milner is a good prospect he has had one breakthrough season & already he is worth ÂŁ20-30million is players like Milner who dont even start for their national side are worth that much then i dont blame premier league clubs bringing in foreigners. English players are over priced & most are overrated... Man City is going 2 be a club full of cliqs e.g Mancini Big names signings vs The players from the previous regimes... People say Chelsea did the same as city but Chelsea built a team that would excell beyond what they used to achieve thatz why they are relatively still the same they didnt buy left right & center like city & now you are gona have a situation were good players sitting on the bench & Mancini losing the dressing.. I predict he'l be gone be by January unless the players are fine with getting alota money & not playing
Wallace Reply My biggest fear is too many players of similar ability which will lead to problems.
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Posted by Greg on 07/23/2010
Wallace,
Is Mancini the type of manager who will change formations depending on his opponents style of play? I do not have a problem with the talent of our targets, but like you I am having trouble seeing where we are trying to go. Got me to wondering if the plan might be, for example, to play the triangle with 3 dmf's against a team with a strong midfield, but play a 4-3-3 against a team that has trouble defending the wings. I do not follow Italian football so know little about Mancini as a manager. Thanks to you, and the others for great comments.
Wallace Reply Great question Greg and we saw a little of that last year where there were 4-4-2. 4-2-3-1 and a diamond occasionally. At Inter, as far as I could tell research wise, Mancini preferred to play the diamond.
I always remember Emlyn Hughes (what a great player and character he was) talking about how Liverpool always played their own style. They didn't worry about how they matched up against other clubs they let other clubs worry about how to match up with them. I'd love for City to get to that point.
I'm really looking forward to the first 6-10 games of the season to see if the mixing of formations is exactly what Mancini is going to do.
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Posted by Trey on 07/23/2010
As a Yank, looking at the speculation surrounding Donovan going to City, I see it as a blatant attempt to sell more Manchester City jerseys in the US...especially when you couple that with the preseason tour that they are doing over here.
City might have the deepest squad in the EPL at the moment, and they especially have a wide array of wide and attacking mid options. This would make Donovan nothing more than a squad player, ultimately not a good career move.
As with the Milner saga, O'Neil is simply making a point to the rest of his squad that he will not tolerate a player trying to force his hand.
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Posted by Sweel on 07/23/2010
As great as it is that we are getting milner, he simply doesnt fit into a starting line up for city.
Hart
Richards Toure Kompany Kolarov
De Jong
Yaya Barry
Johnson Silva
Tevez
That seems to be the best formation for us, as i cant see one of barry, de jong, or yaya on the bench. tevez as a lone striker is a bit iffy though, and maybe adebayor up at striker with a diamond midfield would work better with silva at CAM and maybe johnson and milner at the wings. both barry and de jong would be left out in that case to make room for yaya.
How Mancini will choose his midfield starters is beyond me. So many options and so much room for error!
Wallace Reply And not a great passer amongst them. Can you imagine the devastation that Ali Benarbia could have brought with this line up. Best footballing brain I've seen in a City shirt.
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Posted by Jolly on 07/23/2010
You are absolutely right about O'Neill.
He is the the biggest hypocrite in my book.
Why?
Because when Garrett Barry made his intentions known on a potential move to Liverpool, O' Neill was quick to blame Liverpool for making overtures to a player under contract.
Yet he did the same thing when he pried Milner from Newcastle.
Hopefully, like you said, City pulls the offer off the table and
plays bluff.
It's about time O'Neill gets exposed.
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Posted by Patrick on 07/23/2010
Wallace -- Spurs supporter here. I just wanted to say that I love reading your blog. Love it. And, no offense, I do not think too highly of City at the moment (the nature of football), so that is saying a lot. Always well thought out, opinionated, informative and well scribed. As nothing much has gone on at the Lane this transfer period, I am transfixed with the City saga and only too happy to read your blog. Keep up the good work. And for the record, as a young lad I saw Buckaroo Banzai thrice on the big screen, and have been a member of the cult following since (own it on just about every format). Classic, I've been chuckling the whole time. May I pass along my congratulations for your great interdimensional breakthrough. I am sure, in the miserable annals of the Earth, you will be duly enshrined.
Is anybody out there not having a good time?
Wallace Reply lol Thanks and glad you got a chuckle out of it.
Regular readers know I have a bit of a soft spot for Spurs. I've always followed football as a whole rather than just one club and so occasionally clubs and players catch my attention. The great Leeds and Liverpool teams of the 70's, Crystal Palace for Malcolm Alison, the local team which was Hartlepool. Exeter and Cheltenham for family reasons, Motherwell because of Willie Pettigrew (always wondered how he would have done in England).
When I moved to London Hoddle played for Spurs and I'd go to White Hart Lane just to see him play. Class player. Archibald and Crooks were great to watch especially on the box with Brian Moore commentary.
So frankly of all the teams to pip City to 4th last year, Spurs were the last one on my list if I was going to complain. If it had to be someone then Spurs it should be.
Spurs have a challenge this year. It's a great team, with the emphasis on team although with Bale and Modric in particular there is some serious talent on the field. The problem is that in some ways I think the Champions League football came a year to early. Give them this year to mature and challenge in the league and next year Spurs would have been very interesting. This feels a little like Everton the year that they got to the Champions League and it seemed to stall their trajectory forward.
But I'll be watching and cheering on Spurs in the CL. Good club and a good manager.
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Posted by Patrick on 07/23/2010
Also, agree with your views on Keano/Berba and Bents. In my heart I hope Keane stays, but who knows what ol 'Arry is thinking these days. We need the depth to be certain. I know, I know, off topic.
Wallace Reply Haven't figured out 'Arry and his strikers. Keane to me is one of the better strikers in the entire league, I love the way he plays. And what am I missing about Pavlyuchenko? Everything time I've seem him play for Spurs I thought he was excellent. That last second goal two seasons ago against Liverpool is one of the more exciting moments that I've seen. Crowd went potty. Speaking of which, Danny Rose vs. Arsenal, goal of the season - at least in terms of context of who the club were etc.
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Posted by Lo Sconosciuto on 07/23/2010
If Yaya is Small Berries, who's Big Booty?
Mancini at times at Inter ran a typically Italian 4-2-3-1, with Zanetti and Maxwell more as wingbacks and 2 DMFs as 'filter'. Don't see him trying the same at City, though, especially without an Ibra up front.
You're right on one thing Wallace, it's a midfield full of sideways passers and hoofers (even Barry). Silva is not sturdy enough to play as a AMC.
Wallace Reply lol... I figured if I called him that he'd hunt me down.. Small Berries is much safer! Funny you should mention wingbacks in that in the first half against Bolton last year Bridge and I think Zabaleta were operating in a similar fashion in support of a diamond and at times CIty were playing almost a 2-3-2-1-2 (or 2-5--1-2) which was very interesting.
City need the player with the vision to make the killer pass. I don't see it yet.
Funny yo
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Posted by TommyGunther on 07/24/2010
Poults - keep up the good work! Makes a change from the ManU blogger's morbid outlook on life (and who can blame him!)
ANyway as for your lack of a great passer - Ireland WAS that great passer 2 seasons back. If Milner can't pass like Ireland did do we need him??
How bout this
Hart/Given
Boateng/Kompany/Lescott/Koralov (or Richards)
Toure/DeJong
AJ/Ireland/Silva
Tevez
I'd love to fit Ade in there somewhere as I have a lot of time for him. Maybe just play Toure in front of the defence and have Ade up front as well
With this team u have strength/ball winners behind Ireland - pace down both flanks and Tevez and Ade running onto Ireland's through balls...
We might let in a few more but we'd score 7!!
I'd rather put Ireland out there with AJ and Silva on the wings with Toure and De Jong behind him, Tevez
Wallace Reply I am going to have to see if I can find video of Ireland from a couple of seasons ago because my recollection is that he was never the instigator of the creative process. I'd love to be wrong because that would certainly solve what should be the club's biggest concern.
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Posted by Bryce on 07/24/2010
Great article Wallace. I think a big piece of the puzzle is in securing either Dzeko or Balotelli. Ade's form depreciated with the season, and I have a feeling the aspirations and depth-building of the club is going to turn him into a ticking time bomb the moment his playing time diminishes. Also, I wasn't too impressed with Kompany at centreback last season. I'd like to see us pick up another centreback that could challenge him for a position or a right back if Mancini feels Boateng better suited for the middle. This is what I'd like to see, but I generally trust Mancini to put out something offensively fluid and defensively stable.
Not sure how he's going to handle having two defensive midfielders on the par of Yaya and De Jong. When the transfers settle and figuring we land Milner and Balotelli/Dzeko, this would be interesting..
GK- Hart/Given
LB- Kolarov
CBs- Toure, Lescott
RB- Boateng
LM- Johnson
CM- Yaya
RM- Milner
Trequartista- Silva
ST-Tevez
ST- Dzeko/Balotelli
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Posted by JJL on 07/24/2010
Mancini and City are heading straight into Leeds/Newcastle territory. Buying players they don't need. Burying promising young players in favor of big names. Paying through the nose both in transfer fees and wages. God forbid the owner loses interest or experiences financial calamity.
Had Dunne and Kompany. Bought Kolo and Lescott to upgrade. Lots of money, marginal improvement (if any). Had Bridge and Richards. Bought Boateng and Kolarov, neither proven in the Premiership. Good luck with that one. Dunne was sold, but no one else!
De Jong, Barry, Vieira, both Johnsons, SWP, Bellamy, and Ireland in midfield. Now adding Yaya, Milner, Silva, and maybe Donovan on huge wages. I will be shocked if Michael Johnson or Ireland see the field. Nor are they being sold! Just Petrov.
Tevez, Adebayor, Santa Cruz, Caicedo, Jo, and Robinho up front. Now maybe Balotelli added for huge wages. RSC, Jo, and Robinho have to go. But I wouldn't be hopeful if I'm Adebayor or Caicedo either. So much waste!
Wallace Reply It's not I feel fundamentally something City are doing or doing wrong but rather a by product (or should I say buy product!) of 3 managers in a short space of time. We have Sven's signings, mostly now out of the club, Hughes completely different philosophy buying established Premier League players with winning experience and now Mancini looking for quality all over Europe. Throw in the ironic fact that the club has a great youth set up and we end up with something of a mess.
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Posted by Macca on 07/24/2010
how on earth does lescott make it into some of these recommended line-ups? i thought kompany was far better last year. not too sure on how i'd have their defence, is richards good enough for RB? he never seems comfortable on the ball but i do like how powerfull he is. if not then Boateng there, otherwise him in CB with kolo instead of kompany. kolorav at LB. yaya and dejong holding mid. AJ and silva on the wings with tevez just behind adebayor, i think he is a must, without an AM in that line up means they'll go with their excellent wingers who will need ade in there to finish crosses.
can't understand why city want milner at all when this price is being thrown about, villa are asking for more than barca are prepared to pay for cesc. just can't quite get my head around how that works...
Wallace Reply I try not to be too overly critical of Lescott but yes I agree. I'm curious to see where Boateng plays, and Small Berries for that matter, as they both have CB experience. Lescott is a useful squad member in that he can play a decent LB as well.
If it was me I'd keep Bridge until January to make sure that Kolarov is the player the team think he is and then sell of Bridge. Keep Lescott as a back up at CB and LB and pack Garrido off on loan to either another Premier League side or maybe high level Championship. Garrido has some potential and I'd not want to give up on it.
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Posted by Lo Sconosciuto on 07/24/2010
@bryce - If you think Adebayor is a ticking time bomb, let me introduce you to the unstable nuclear reactor that is Mario Balotelli. I know racism has been eradicated in the English game, but some visiting Eyetalians only need to say one wrong thing to set him off.
That central defense you posted is pretty sketchy, at least based on last season's performances. Like I said above, I don't think Silva is physically up to a trequartista role in the EPL. Tevez could operate there.
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Posted by Rowan on 07/24/2010
I think you're right about the three DM approach Mancini likes; I think buying the players they have bought suggests the following (very Italian) plan.
Given
Boateng-Toure-Kompany-Kolarov
Yaya-De Jong-Barry
Silva-Johnson
Tevez
Turning into:
Given
Boateng-Toure-Kompany-Kolarov
Silva-Yaya-Barry-Johnson
Tevez
Adebayor
or even:
Given
Toure-Kompany
Boateng-Yaya-Kolarov
Tevez-Silva
Johnson-Adebayor-Bellamy
when they need a goal. Two substitutions to turn a very defensive team to a hugely attacking one.
I think Small Berries is more of a passer than people give him credit for, but you're right, they lack a real playmaker.
On the subject of Milner, I rate him, and suspect that Mancini wants him because he can play CM or RW equally well, which would make shifting tactics without substitutions easier - something that Italian coaches are very fond of. Also, he is mature and stable, so his attitude would be welcome in the squad - more quiet hard workers will help City gel faster.
Wallace Reply Wish I'd written that! Very nice.
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Posted by Hector on 07/24/2010
I'm not a Dutch but how is Barry ahead of De Jong in all these team selections?
Wallace Reply I suspect we will see Barry, de Jong and Small Berries in the line up at the same time
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Posted by Daniel on 07/24/2010
Wallace, I've started to think that perhaps Mancini is hoping to manage 4th place by the old strategy of beating the teams you should beat (and beating them well for Goal Difference) and tightening up and playing for a draw/win against the teams they don't match up with very well. As an example, look at the last set of games from last season. City trounced Birmingham, Burnley, and a couple of other small teams, and then played not to lose against Arsenal, United (If only Ireland would have played like he wanted to be there!), etc. If 4th is achieved, then go for the high quality passer in the middle because there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of them around.
If City is trying that route, what do you think of there potential in points next season. I realize it's impossible to predict well, but I appreciate educated guesses!
Wallace Reply I suspect Mancini will do very well to get City to 4th this year, this has all the makings of a huge dog fight. In fact without that passer at the moment I don't think he'll get the club there.
Points wise, I think 70-72 should secure fourth this year.
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Posted by fazil on 07/24/2010
Hart
Boateng-Kolo-Lescott-Kolarov
Yaya-Barry
Johnson-Robinho-Silva
Tevez
Robinho..please come back..
I like to see Robinho in this team..
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Posted by Liverpool FC on 07/24/2010
At this point, Man City's second string could demolish lesser teams given the right management (and maybe Liverpool too). A 4-2-3-1 would be best to cover for all the flying winger combinations (plus Robinho, of course).
Given (Hart), Richards (Boateng), K.Toure (Kompany), Lescott (Onuoha), Barry (Y.Toure), De Jong (Viera), Silva (Wright-Phillips), Tevez (Ireland), A.Johnson (Bellamy), Adebayour (Santa Cruz).
That's not even counting Jo, Pablo Zabaleta, Kelvin Utuhu (maybe James Milner?) or for Vladamir Weiss and Michael Johnson who are more than capable of taking up positions in midfield. That's one 4-2-3-1 with plenty of (OPTIONS).
Oh, and don't forget Robinho.
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Posted by keith on 07/24/2010
Wallace,villa fan here i think that O'neil is a very smart manager he's just telling all in premier league that Milner is available at a smart price,he knows that he has to sell before he can buy, by talking up Milner hoping to get a good deal, then buy possibly 2 quality players with similar ability.
Wallace Reply I saw such a theory on a Villa board. Not convinced it is so, but sneaky if it is.
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Posted by Saikat on 07/25/2010
may be it will be the formation.
Hart
richards/kompany,boteng,kolo/lesscot, korlov.
Yaga-barry/de jong.
Adam-silva-millner.
Tevez/belotti.
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Posted by dean on 07/25/2010
OK Villa sell Milner for 25m + S.Ireland and then put in a bid for parker who West Ham say hes available at 20m, what do you think about that?
Wallace Reply An Ireland and Parker midfield would be an interesting one. A 4-2-3-1 which included also Petrov and Young and Agbonlahor with Carew up front would be very interesting or move Agbonlahor up front and move Downing on the left.
With Dunne and the under appreciated James Collins in the centre of defense that looks a scary good team...
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Posted by Chiuke on 07/25/2010
I see a 4-3-3 formation Mancini wants 2 top class players in each position and with that there are enough players to do so with Bellamy, Santa-Cruz and Viera the only third men in their positions. CDM being held by Yaya and Dejong and big CF being held by Adebayor and Balotelli the 4 forwards on the flanks Tevez, Robinho, Silva and A Johnson. Barry, SWP, Milner, Ireland as the 4 CM and the rest is self explanitory.
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Posted by Justin on 07/25/2010
Yeah, although I'm not a man city supporter, I am really confused as to what mancini is doing...
is he just spending the money to show that he has great pull...?
i mean barry and de jong are pretty good and toure isnt much better so to have three in that spot and then on the wings why have silva, johnson, milner, as well as the existing players...
but never the less milner is pretty awesome
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Posted by citizen indiana on 07/25/2010
@Liverpool FC:
with new prem league regulations, city won't be able to have all those players... 25 and then unlimited youth(21 and down). we are looking at the sale of a few very good players (29 non youth total = 4 must be sold). it will be tough for mancini to choose.
however, we can predict that players like micheal johnson and craig bellamy, joleon lescott, stuart taylor, and wayne bridge will not be leaving as the team is required to contain 9 (or is it 8?) non-youth english or welsh players. we have 8...
things to think about! the squad will be forced by the league to offload. . . we will definitely see the likes of boyata, nimely, cunningham, ibrahim, and im hoping several other youth, the likes of which we have yet to see...
wallace, why do you refer to yaya touré as Small Berries??
i dont know what it means but it sounds slightly mean-spirited. i also noticed you describe his mid-fielding as "cavalier charges" ..he used to play attacker in the greek league you know!!!
Wallace Reply I can assure you that Small Berries is in no way mean spirited. It's a Buckaroo Banzai reference.
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Posted by Sam on 07/25/2010
Great article! The mysterys of Man Citys transfer market continue. With all the rumour swirling around it is tough to see what the team may look like by the end of it! At Inter Mancini was not known as a tinkerman, he generally stuck with his guys and formation occasionally rotating when the team played a number of games. I think they may make a couple more buys but Mancini will be keen to trim the squad. He had a good 7 or so players he will want to get rid of before the window closes including some big names so expect some action!
For me Milner is a great player but not worth what they are wanting for him, anything over 20mil is a lot. Balotelli is a great player and will be worth easily 25 to 30 mil (euro) if Mancini can walk the tightrope of his ego, behaviour and skill, he is also known to be disruptive to the team. Should be an interesting month but once the sales start then the teams shape should appear, for me a 4-2-3-1 is it, aiming to use the ball and play possession.
Wallace Reply I constantly reference the game against Bolton because City played a diamond formation with the full backs moving into the space on the wings as supporting wing backs. Essentially the need for a playmaker was negated by the movement of the players in support of each other. If Mancini plays that way then that's one thing, any other set up requires a quality passer which CIty still do not have.
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Posted by Ron Artest on 07/26/2010
Why is anyone surprised with Mancini's spending habits & how he buys his players? His only other experience was at Inter under another uber-rich owner. If anyone's followed Inter's transfer policy before Mourinho came, this perfectly matches it. It's just a throw it at the wall & see what sticks philosophy.
Also, they're also at a disadvantage with how many managers they've had in such a short time. Chelsea got VERY lucky when they chose Mourinho, cause even with all that money not too many managers could have controlled that dressing room. The difference though was that when Chelsea bought players, they knew they were either buying a starter, a direct sub, or a squad player. With Man City, like was said earlier, they're paying out the nose for not much of an upgrade or difference in what they had before. Plus, they have yet to fully realize the potential because they haven't become a "team" yet either.
Wallace Reply Agree that City are not a team and it will hurt them this year.
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Posted by AK on 07/26/2010
Massive City fan here--Great article as usual Mr. Wallace.
Well I look at all the recent signings with serious trepidation. We have too many players, and yet no team or vision (as you pointed out). I thought we had extremely decent team last year that was barely kept out of 4th place. All we needed is some fixing in the defense (our absolute weakest link). I love addition of Boateng and Kolarov and I think Yaya will do great for the team (although at a ridiculously high price).
I definitely don't think we need Milner as he showed his utter uselessness during the World Cup. Our midfield wasn't the issue at all: people already forgetting that after Adebayor's ban, and before Tevez blew up, Bellamy was our best player for part of the season. Johnson was growing nicely into the team, and maybe Ireland and SWP regain their old glory.
My line up (with current team):
Hart (Given)
Boateng/Kompany/Toure/Kolarov
Yaya (DeJong)
Silva/Ireland/Johnson (Bellamy)
Ade/Tevez.
Let them grow!
Wallace Reply Still think City need a truly World Class central defender. Only one in the Premier League at the moment and unfortunately he's situated just outside of Manchester.
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Posted by Jon on 07/26/2010
Laughed myself out of chair when I read Small Berries...have secretly thought the same every time I hear Ya Ya but cannot share the joke with anyone seeing that not many know the joy of Buckaroo. John Many Jars checking out!
Wallace Reply The people making that movie had too much fun...
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Posted by JJL on 07/26/2010
The big issue that few seem to be thinking of is the 25 player rule. City have such a bloated squad--which is about to get more bloated if Milner and Balotelli join--that players will be forcibly rotting without any chance of playing, BY RULE. A 25-man squad fills up quickly:
Given, Hart, Taylor, Boateng, Bridge, Kolarov, Kompany, Lescott, K-Toure, Richards, Zabaleta, Barry, Y-Toure, De Jong, Silva, A-Johnson, SWP, Milner, Bellamy, Adebayor, Tevez, Balotelli.
Already 22 players. Notice that Hart, SWP, and Richards are the only academy products, none of whom are expected to be starters!
So only 3 spots left. I expect Mancini to choose Vieira and a striker, say Caicedo. That leaves only 1 spot for players like Onuoha, Boyata, Garrido, Ireland, M-Johnson, Etuhu, Weiss, and Tutte.
Looking at the squad, what jumps out at me is a lack of quality depth at centre half and centre midfield. With so many wide players, Milner must be seen as a centre midfielder.
Wallace Reply Remember that anyone under 21 doesn't count against the 25...
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Posted by Adam on 07/26/2010
I do not see Milner as an upgrade over SWP Ireland Johnson Johnson Silva De Jong Barry or Yaya in the midfield. Especially for that price.
I read that City will need to unload around 12 guys before the transfer window closes. Who will go? Does loaning guys out count, so they can keep young talent with potential in the club like weiss or michael johnson or others. Lastly will they cut ties with robhino, who says he does not want to return to city.
Wallace Reply There is a lot of confusion over the 25 man squad and there's a great article by Norman Hubbard on the front page that looks at this issue. Suffice to say City do not have to unload a lot of players.
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Posted by dude on 07/27/2010
if playmaking is an issue, perhaps city can buy diego or van der vart for the job.
the new 25 men rules made it easier for mancini to offload the average players. city won't get much money from them but that at least that 25 players are truly competitive players.
i'll stick with robinho if possible. out of city current offensive players, i will keep tevez, adebayor and robinho. there aren't much good striker better than these trio around available at price
for the new season, city success really depends on how the midfield players work.
Wallace Reply I was pushing for Diego to come to City prior to the Brazilian leaving Werder Bremen for Juventus last season. Again the issue of Brazilians and their lack of success in the Premier League is an issue, but he's a player that would seriously worry me if he went to one of the top clubs in the Premier League.
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Posted by Jeremy on 07/27/2010
------------- - Given -
- De Jong - Toure - Lescott - Kolarov -
--------- - Toure - Barry -
----- - Silva - Tevez - Robinho -
------------ - Adebayor -
Hart
Kompany
Boateng
Zabaleta
Viera
Johnson
Bellamy
Wallace Reply Boateng will start at Right Back.
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Posted by FRED Daka Kamwada on 07/27/2010
well MILNER HAD A GOoD SEASON BUT i dont thnk that he has a slot at city anymore .,,given the number of signings at the moment.
so onela could have done the job for other clubs not city.
instead its mancini who has thrown craig bellamy under the bus, dont you think so?
Wallace Reply If Hughes lands at Fulham, which I always thought was a good fit, then I expect Bellamy, RSC and a couple of other City players to end up in London before the transfer deadline.
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Posted by Justin on 07/27/2010
Big question right now...Given or Hart? Neither will be happy on the bench! Everyone's "lineups" are mixed on this thought. Brutal choice, as i'm sure that nearly any team in the Prem would take either one at this point.
Wallace Reply Hart. Although this may be one team and situation where given the games that the team should play that you could see both keepers playing regularly. I'm not usually a fan of that, however Mancini is known for his Cup pedigree so I think City will end up using both. By this time next year Hart will be the clear number 1.
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Posted by Matt on 07/27/2010
I have a feeling City is done spending at this point. They won't go up 30, and I hope we don't settle for anything less. Milner is an extraordinary player, and I would love to see him stay with us. Just because O'Neil made an ass out himself, doesn't mean the fans don't want him to stay. I think we all know that it's probably time for Milner to move on, but how much play would he really get at City?
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Posted by Brendo on 07/28/2010
Lets face it Villa need to sell either Milner or Young to strengthen the middle of the park. As talented as he is, Milner is too slow for the middle. O'neil doesn't swap the team much so there is no point keeping Downing, Milner, or Young on the bench.
Delph will develop, and O'Neil will use the money to buy 2 or 3 bargain buys that he will get the best out of. Ireland fits this bill, so does Bellamy, shame we didn't snag Beckford as well.
Wallace Reply If Villa can get 20 million and Ireland I think it is a great deal for them and especially if that money was used on Parker. Villa in a 4-2-3-1, although I don't know if O'Neill would play it that way, would be very dangerous.
Posted by mario on 08/04/2010
city have a like robhinio so swap him for jesus navas or robben
Wallace Reply I'm a huge fan of Robben. People talk about Mourinho and a negative style but not when he had Robben at Chelsea. Some of their football was breathtaking.
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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.
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