Archive for August 2013

Outlook for the new season!

After a long pre-season with just a handful of friendly matches to feed the appetite the season is almost upon us. The excitement grows; so many questions, so much change, huge opportunities and the chance to see a handful of top players live for the first time.

I’ll have to admit to being very sad to seeing Mancini leave and was pessimistic that this was the correct approach to follow. I think it was partially the manner in which he was sacked and the grey cloud it put over the FA Cup Final and that he was the most successful manager in our recent history and I’m a believer that change is not always the best answer.

When Pelligrini was announced as manager I was unsure that this was the correct acquisition and the man to lead us to future victory. So I decided to investigate more about the man; watching his press releases, watching coaching videos, YouTube videos of Malaga and Villarreal and tactical methodologies. Now I’m sure he is the man for the job and I am thrilled that he is our new manager.

I will miss the blasts of Mancini around the grounds but it’s time for City fans to take heed of the following aphorism “The king is dead, long live the king!”

There have been summer transfers to ponder, there was the prolonged saga surrounding the Isco signing, reading 10002 of pages on the Bluemoon Forum and watching all his YouTube super skills videos. Isco was marked as Pellegrini apprentice and most fans thought we were nailed on to sign him. I think unfortunately for us he had an amazing U20 World Cup for Spain, his stock grew and interest from Madrid increased. After the Initial disappointment when we missed out on him to Real Madrid (but we must not be disheartened) which we shouldn’t be surprised about; he is Spanish, they are one of the top teams in the world and they were willing to pay his Dad 4 million for agent fees . I think the concern was we missed another top target and it reminded many of the previous year’s sagas with Eden Hazard and Alexis Sanchez

Some of our bets business has been signing our stars up to longer contracts, YaYa, Silva, Kompany and Aguero all signing new deals. Sad we can’t sign the YaYa Kolo song, let’s hope Liverpool fans return the banter twice a season as this would be class!!!

We have made some fantastic signings to boot, rather than signing players to mould into a team we look to have assessed the squad and sought to fix the issues which were clear to most fans, notable pace out wide and pace and bite in the centre of the pitch. Fernandinho and Navas have pace and bags of it, Fernandinho has the ability to break out of midfield with devastating pace and skip past a few challenges rapidly turning Defence into attack. Navas is just the player we have been missing out wide since Adam Johnson left, Navas though is a World cup winner and a level or two above the ability of Johnson, Navas; the type of player that makes you stand at matches and you eagerly anticipate him skipping past players and stretching play. If played consistently Navas could be top of the charts in assists for the Premier League this season. Losing Tevez and Balotelli were hard for me to swallow. I’m a bit of as romantic when it comes to football and I had visions of Balotelli becoming a true world great, I will always remember fondly him ripping United a new one at Old Trafford in the 1v6 J

But we must move on and that we have, Jovetic and Negredo look good signings and we haven’t spent crazy money in getting these players signed, most importantly the view from the board is that wages are now staggered performance based and these signings have fallen into this category. Initial performances in friendlies have been promising, Jovetic looks to be direct, have a nice touch, technically astute, capable of picking the correct pass and splitting defences. Negredo has 2 excellent feet, is big and strong, can pick a pass and looks to be able to get on the end of chances which is so important for a striker.  I commented in the last match that I hope he isn’t an unlucky striker after the keep made numerous saves, he hit the woodwork and narrowly missed; no longer than the words came out my mouth and he got his first City goal, Yaaaas!

To sum it up, Overall I think we have done fantastic this season in the transfer window, this is obviously just an opinion and only time will tell if these players will fulfil their potential.

Going into the new season Player you get the feeling that certain players will flourish under Pellegrini, I hope Dzeko will be one of the main beneficiaries of the new style of play, for me he is a real top Striker and with the best service available and right amount of game time could be looking at over 40 goals a season in all competitions. I know this won’t happen as he is unlikely to get this much game time but I’m sure he could be close to a goal a game statistically.

Let’s not kid our self there have been a few disappointments on the injury front, Aguero and Nastasic look to miss the start of the season. There is talk that we will sign a Centre Half, we have been continually linked with Pepe; I like the Jeans but not the player!! I hope we don’t make a signing and look to develop Richards as a Centre half; we still have Lescott! Boyata and Rekik are promising youngsters and the new holistic manta is about blooding youngsters so this would be a step in the right direction.

Pellegrini has some job on his hands keeping the squad happy, we certainly aren’t lacking in talent!

My view of our current squad, taking into account injuries to Aguero and Nastasic. Enough to make 2 teams and no space in either for Garcia, Sinclair or Guidetti

Expectations for this season are as follows:

  • Fast Attacking football
  • Challenge for the League
  • Improved performance in the Champions League

Exciting times ahead, petty we have to wait until Monday but can’t wait to get down to the Etihad and get behind the team.

Bluemoon, you saw me standing alone!!!

Dave