They spent like 100 million on those two players alone.

 

Exactly.

 

 

City have invested well, for his lack of technical skills that will develop, Sterling has given them a real directness.

 

KDB has enough technique for the other 19 teams in the league combined.

 

Silva and Aguero out injured, unbelievable squad. Id have them take the league over Arsenal (I really couldnt survive an Arsenal league win)

 

I wouldn't say they invested well with that kind of money spent on them.

 

They've overpaid to get them. Good players, nonetheless.

Edited November 4, 201510 yr by Zinc

We know what will happen if sterling improves any more. Real madrid or barcelona will come calling and it's unlikely he'll say no to that. He is already a little mercenary so i see that happening. All dependent on how he develops of course.

I'm glad some opposition fans can see how good Smalling has become. He has been mocked a lot in his earlier years as he has not been that great on the ball and would often struggle to move a few yards with it at his feet.

I have no idea what has happened, but since that red card at City, he has become an absolute beast. He's also driving through and pushing forwards, which is a very good skill to have. Even his passing is ok now.

For me he is the best CB in the league at the minute, though I know many will disagree (usually based upon his reputation as a younger player).

Probably agree with you on being the best cb in the league. Stones isn't at that level yet, but if he develops into a cb as good as smalling and chelsea get him, i will be ecstatic. I never thought smalling or jones were any good, but over the past 1.5 to 2 seasons they have both improved, smalling more so of course but isn't jones still 22/23? So plenty time for him to get better too.

We know what will happen if sterling improves any more. Real madrid or barcelona will come calling and it's unlikely he'll say no to that. He is already a little mercenary so i see that happening. All dependent on how he develops of course.

We want English players going abroad and playing to be honest.

I think Smalling's rapid improvement as a player is more down to Van Gaal's boring system and style of play then Smalling getting much better as an individual. Man U style of play is very defensively oriented at the moment thus there hasn't really been many opportunities where the CB have been exposed, making it a lot easier for a CB to put in a solid performance (goes the other way for attacking players just look at Rooney and Depay). That being said he has been performing very well and deserves credit, but I don't think he is close to the finished article yet.

 

They spent like 100 million on those two players alone.

 

I'm not sure if you are saying this as a criticism or not? 

 

City had their spending limited last season to "just" £50m because UEFA deemed that they hadn't complied with FFP, despite being able to invest they still made a good go of it in the league (see our own troubles this season through a lack of new investment). 

 

They identified their targets and pursued them aggressively but go what they wanted and needed, Meanwhile we were left with our dick in our hands because we fannyed about not paying the asking price for Stones. 

 

Like we did last year, City played the market brilliantly this summer and like it was for us last season, it could be what wins them the title. 

I mean yeah we could (or should) also throw 50 million at players, Just don't think its some brilliant move or investment. 

Edited November 4, 201510 yr by Stim

Worth mentioning they also made around £50m-£60m in sales, which would have covered Sterling or KDB's fee. The Otamendi transfer was more or less a swap for Negredo seeing as Valencia still owed them the money, I think City would have only paid around £10m as Valencia were meant to pay £22m for Negredo. Of course in the books the £20m difference will still be noted, waiving a £20m debt is the same as giving someone £20m, but from a transfer point of view, I would say it's good investment considering the squad they now have. 

Edited November 4, 201510 yr by Remodez

I think Smalling's rapid improvement as a player is more down to Van Gaal's boring system and style of play then Smalling getting much better as an individual. Man U style of play is very defensively oriented at the moment thus there hasn't really been many opportunities where the CB have been exposed, making it a lot easier for a CB to put in a solid performance (goes the other way for attacking players just look at Rooney and Depay). That being said he has been performing very well and deserves credit, but I don't think he is close to the finished article yet.

Could say the same about terry last season though, he was protected by matic and our full backs. However, smalling has definitely improved as a player.

Otamendi was a great buy for city. We should have considered him in the summer, then stones in jan or next summer and we would have had a solid pairing who could have interchanged with terry and zouma.

Loved the City fans booing the "CL theme tune " sounded like the Seville fans were joining in..GOOD

There's an interesting article in today's 'i' newspaper to the effect that Stevie G is in talks with Klopp to leave LA Galaxy and to return to Anfield for an unspecified role that may include playing.

Great - just when we thought he'd gone...

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/steven-gerrard-set-for-amazing-return-to-liverpool-after-holding-talks-with-jurgen-klopp-a6720306.html

So when we come to Anfield it's all set up for Steve Gerrard Gerrard to slip on his f**king arse and give it to Eden Hazard.

I mean yeah we could (or should) also throw 50 million at players, Just don't think its some brilliant move or investment.

League table suggests otherwise.

The players they're investing big on are early twenties or younger, they'll get 8-10 years playing time on their investment.

Seems pretty smart to me.

Benzene up on charges over extortion over a France teammate's sex tape. Makes sense now why Wenger always wanted him on his team.

League table suggests otherwise.

The players they're investing big on are early twenties or younger, they'll get 8-10 years playing time on their investment.

Seems pretty smart to me.

 

I agree, I'd rather spend £50m on a young player with bags of potential than £30m on a player in his thirties.

I really wish we had gone for Sterling admittedly his attitude is poor but he is only going to get better and he is already one of the better wingers in the league.

zero  room for error there

Bayern Munich 5. Arsenal 1. :-)

Now we just need to hope they get 3rd rather than 4th so they are at least spending midweeks in the Europa league

So ai don't want Arsenal to go out of Europe completely as it will keep them fresher for the league so I hope they get 4 points from their next two and qualify for EL.

Ar5ena1 ha ha, Wenger's European record is embarrassing. f**k of out of the CL again you spineless selfie taking w**kers.

Did neymar turn Jewish? Or what is that hideous thing doing on his head?

So I make it that Olympicacos just 1 one point to qualify and Arsenal will probbarly finish 3rd. They are 9 points and Arsenal on 3. Correct?

I think Smalling's rapid improvement as a player is more down to Van Gaal's boring system and style of play then Smalling getting much better as an individual. Man U style of play is very defensively oriented at the moment thus there hasn't really been many opportunities where the CB have been exposed, making it a lot easier for a CB to put in a solid performance (goes the other way for attacking players just look at Rooney and Depay). That being said he has been performing very well and deserves credit, but I don't think he is close to the finished article yet.

 

 

It is part of it, but that's more relevant as a comparison to the shambles we have been at the back in the last few seasons. Although we do have a lot of possession and give opponents comparatively few chances, we are often susceptible on the break and if it was not for Smalling and De Gea we would be much further down the table.

 

Smalling has undoubtedly improved as a player - his ability on the ball for a start is so much better than it was. He has always been solid defensively, but he is looking like he can match any attacker for pace or strength now. 

 

If you think that he is not close to the finished article, it would be interesting to see who you do think is. In terms of individual defensive performances I cannot think of many better.