[quote=“therock67”]It’s not so much Man City’s lack of tradition that’s galling, it’s the fact that they haven’t earned their progress by shrewd management and pushing themselves beyond their abilities each season until they became a renowned name.
Clubs like Bayer Leverkusen and Valencia in recent seasons threatened to break into the European elite by assembling fine squads under excellent managers and working their way to the top. Chelsea just blew that out of the water and City are trying to do the same. Not good for the game.[/quote]
Both those Clubs nearly went to the wall shortly after their attempts, Valencia in fact will do well not to go to the wall still.
[quote=“KIB man”]Ya didnt realise Samba or Nelsen were household names prior to him signing them.
Dunn was washed up at Bolton but was turned around. Santa Cruz was a bit part player at Bayern. McCarthy had been touted around for a few years but Hughes was the one that actually took him.[/quote]
Santa Cruz scored 5 goals in 5 years prior to Hughes punt on him, hardly stellar form.
[quote=“therock67”], it’s the fact that they haven’t earned their progress by shrewd management and pushing themselves beyond their abilities each season until they became a renowned name.
QUOTE]
What progress Rock? Man City are doing worse than last year.
[quote=“therock67”]It’s not so much Man City’s lack of tradition that’s galling, it’s the fact that they haven’t earned their progress by shrewd management and pushing themselves beyond their abilities each season until they became a renowned name.
Clubs like Bayer Leverkusen and Valencia in recent seasons threatened to break into the European elite by assembling fine squads under excellent managers and working their way to the top. Chelsea just blew that out of the water and City are trying to do the same. Not good for the game.[/quote]
That’s a fairly decent synopsis. I know there’s always been money in football and some clubs will always have more than others and be more powerful in the transfer market as a result. But it’s the gulf in financial strength between the elite and the rest that’s now leading to a situation whereby clubs aren’t necessarily relying on growing organically through good managment/coaching, progressive training ground work and a good youth system, allied with a few strategic acquisitions. It’s gone to the stage where certain clubs can just blow other teams away in the transfer market without having to concern themselves with building the club up from within.
I’d prefer to see Tottenham relegated. Really enjoying the way Harry Houdini is cracking at the moment. The folly of the Jol dismissal is all the more relevant by the week.
[quote=“KIB man”]Ya didnt realise Samba or Nelsen were household names prior to him signing them.
Dunn was washed up at Bolton but was turned around. Santa Cruz was a bit part player at Bayern. McCarthy had been touted around for a few years but Hughes was the one that actually took him.[/quote]
I dont know how “far from unknown” equates to being “household names”. :rolleyes:
Nelson was captain of New Zealand as far as I was aware at the time he was signed, and was on the MLS team of the year a couple of times.
Samba was a punt, no doubting that, but it was more a gamble than anything that worked out.
McCarthy had won the UEFA cup and CL at Porto and was their top striker.
Santa Cruz looked like his career was floundering alright, and was a great buy, at what 3/4m. Great purchase. he was dogged with injuries in his last 3 years at Bayern.
and presume you mean Dunn at Birmingham. But he is that sort of player, and as well as he has done at Blackburn, he is not consistant at all.
thats hardly right. it wasnt that bad of form he had.
edit: he scored 20 goals in his last 5 seasons at Bayern, and started 50 odd games in that time. through bad form and injury, but he certainly failed to live up to expectations
He wasn’t great at Bayern but I remember saying on here that I couldn’t understand why Pizarro was the big thing for Chelsea but Santa Cruz was only deemed good enough for Blackburn.
[quote=“Gman”]I dont know how “far from unknown” equates to being “household names”.
Nelson was captain of New Zealand as far as I was aware at the time he was signed, and was on the MLS team of the year a couple of times.
Samba was a punt, no doubting that, but it was more a gamble than anything that worked out.
McCarthy had won the UEFA cup and CL at Porto and was their top striker.
Santa Cruz looked like his career was floundering alright, and was a great buy, at what 3/4m. Great purchase. he was dogged with injuries in his last 3 years at Bayern.
and presume you mean Dunn at Birmingham. But he is that sort of player, and as well as he has done at Blackburn, he is not consistant at all.[/QUOTE
If playing in the MSL and captaining New Zealand gives a player that most enviable of status ‘far from unknown’ fair enough.
I would be of the opinion that Nelsen was known only by football anoraks* prior to Hughes signing him after a trial.
or those who play with shite teams on the Playstation.
[quote=“Gman”]thats hardly right. it wasnt that bad of form he had.
edit: he scored 20 goals in his last 5 seasons at Bayern, and started 50 odd games in that time. through bad form and injury, but he certainly failed to live up to expectations[/quote]
Rafa Honniegstein said otherwise recently on Football Weekly. He said it was 5 in 5 years and named him as the worst player in the Bundesliga in Santa Cruz’s last season there.
Some quotes from Slaven Bilic on the Anas Sharbini character - Celtic are reported to be in preliminary talks over a €3m deal:
"Trust me when I say it’s a GREAT fee for Celtic. No-one outside of Croatia knows Sharbini - but I know him, I’ve worked with him and I can see he is a genius on the ball, terrific going one-on-one with a defender and a fantastic all-round player.
"If a player of his ability was on the market in Italy, Spain or England his transfer fee would be FIVE times greater than the value put on him in Croatia. A fee of 3 million euros is nothing if a player is moving from one club in England to another club in the Premier League.
"But in Croatia it’s still a big sum. However, it’s a VERY good price for such a talent. Just because no-one sees Croatia football on SKY or CNN doesn’t mean we have a shortage of good players. He reminds me of a young Prosinecki in terms of ability – although he doesn’t smoke!
"He’s quick, alert and a genius on the ball. I took him to Euro 2008 as a non-playing member of the squad to let him get used to the set-up, but he wasn’t out of place.
The latest from the BBC or some Arabian business website?
Manchester City have sensationally withdrawn their bid for Kaka, and will instead unveil another signing from Serie A in the next 48 hours - “not in the Kaka league”. (Arabianbusiness.com, 0915 GMT)
I can exclusively reveal that Shay Given will join Manchester City before the end of the transfer window. The deal regarding Given is done but the only stumbling block is that Newcastle want City to sign Michael Owen as well. They are telling City either buy both or none.
I can exclusively reveal that Shay Given will join Manchester City before the end of the transfer window. The deal regarding Given is done but the only stumbling block is that Newcastle want City to sign Michael Owen as well. They are telling City either buy both or none.[/quote]
Poor ol Shay, one shambes to another. The only difference being the City shambles is a wealthier one than the Newcastle one.
But in fairness City will get out of this shambles and probably go on to challenge for honours in the medium term…If they can get a decent centre back to play beside Dunne and with Given and Bridge they will start picking up points…
