chatting to my blue pal last night post game, he cant put his finger on whats going wrong, wrong in the sense of its mcfc second title defense and they dont seem up for it, I feel with the investment and resources at the clubs disposal they should be dominating, any United supporter knows its harder to keep it than it is to win it, Arsenal couldnt do it either so I dont think city should be walking it mind.
We were a laughing stock last season, at this stage we were 8 points off 1st in The Prem, had 9 points in the champs league, still in the league cup...
compared to city's season so far........
I'm of the opinion that the current mcfc team is at the end of its cycle, still few quality players in there, of course, but not much in terms of young players or comp for the likes of Vinne, Yaya, Nasri and Hart for example. could be FFP cos there was so many top players available this summer and city didnt go for any of them. You know your stuff Godotelli, im interested on your thoughts.
I don't think Utd were a laughing stock yet tbf. Also, we started off worse last year, at least in the league. Not too bothered personally about the CC exit.
Imo, the issues are:
1. Complacency in some games
2. Manager making too many changes in defensive areas
3. Manager playing Fernando out of position
4. Nasri injury
5. Yaya's form/mindset
6. Dzeko returning to his normal shit form - he's not good enough for anything other than an impact sub imo. Only people who don't watch him regularly disagree with me.
7. Jovetic injury and no Negredo meaning we've been too reliant upon Aguero
8. Mangala's tough start.
Mangala will need time to get used to the pace of the prem. He was immense against Chelsea - a more european side - but has found the more hustle and bustle of teams like Hull and WHU difficult.
On the transfer front, I think the signings this summer were good. Mangala aside, however, they were all squad players. If you don't count Negredo (who is a starter over Dzeko imo), we have only made one 1st 11 signing in Fernandinho since we brought in Aguero -Kun being the last 'marque' signing also.
FFP will definitely have had an impact. I think we'd have gone in for/signed one of Fabregas, Di Maria, Falcao, Sanchez if not for FFP.
I expect from now on we'll be looking at signing 1 or 2 big players a year+. We don't need any more squad players. Talk of Reus, Barkley, Pogba
Anyway, a derby is the perfect game to restart our season. If we are as complacent against Utd as we have been lately then I will start to worry.