MCFC-Alan88

Correct.

We're obviously gutted about going out, but we didn't go out last night, we went out when we lost in Naples. Most of us came to terms with it then. Quite simply, Villareal were never going to get anything out of Napoli. Tough group and our first year in the CL and I'm not really disappointed, just proud that we went out with a bang. Life moves on, roll on the next game.

I think this is the only time every teams supporters (Except Pool) truly hate a player. We hated Ronaldo because he was so good for the scum, but Suarez - I truly, truly despise the little cretin beyond reason.

Hey, No worries and good post, regarding Ireland. Ireland's biggest problem has and will always be his mental stability. He had a great season where he got our player of the year 08-09 (I think) when Robinho and Elano where in the team with him but after that, no matter how many opportunities he was given, he just couldn't do anything, he stopped making his runs in to the box, he stopped linking play. He stopped doing everything that he was good at and so, got dropped. Then he blamed Hughes (Who he had his best season under) for his form, then he blamed Mancini for not giving him a chance (he gave him 8 games, did nothing whatsoever). He never accepted any responsibility for his own problems and never had the balls to say so. In the end, getting effectively £8m off of the Milner price has been fantastic. Took him a season to settle in, but now, he's part of my first choice midfield.

Not wanting to start an argument here, but I just want to clarify a few things regarding TheWestWayWonder's comments on City. Lescott has been one of our best defenders this year, he's playing like what we expected of him when we got him. We got Milner for 16m and Steven Ireland, personally, that's a great deal since Ireland was a headcase and not worth half of that. Kolo has struggled and I wouldn't play him against top opposition but he can do a job against the lesser sides. Regarding Jo. I'm not entirely sure but I don't think we ever actually paid the full 19m, I think that was the total figure if you calculated all of the bonuses that were to be paid if he played so many games/scored so many goals etc. Can't really argue with the rest.

Hey, first post here. I do agree with you, but I don't think it's a case of opting for the switch, it's a case of adapt or get left behind (imo). We got a lot of stick last year for our defensive displays but I think most people would agree that you can't really build a winning side without having a solid defence that understand each other, how each other play and who will cover who when certain situations arise. Mancini, having drilled all this information in to each players head has basically just taken the break off, there were glimpses of the end product last year that those of us who watched every game, could see that was what he was working towards. I just hope that AVB is given the time at Chelsea to implement his tactics, strategies and is given the backing of RA to rejuvenate what is an ageing squad with incompatible players for the system that he wants, but like Mancini, you can see what he wants the end product too be. A lot of teams are working towards the "finished product". Primarly being City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool. You can see what they want to do, but they aren't there just yet, all playing different systems that need tweaks here and there. Anyway, I'm rambling and I need to get back to work!