So why buy all those players? If you look at Chelsea who has hardly bought any new players... well they are beating everyone. 
Perhaps less greed and more concentrating on the team you have and bringing up new young players may have been more effective.

You obviously have to concentrate on quality when buying players with a view to bring some sort of competition in or you'll have players just willing to collect their cheques at the end of the week and not give 100% to the cause. It's a fine balance.

I don't think the younger players are getting a chance... I think theres more pressure on Mancini than he's letting on. Playing players because of their price tag and is scared to drop them. If we were judging on the players performance then Lescott, Santa Cruz, K.Toure, Vieira and Jo wouldnt be chosen on a weekly basis. Its that lot that are keeping Weiss, Nimely and Boyata out. Michael Johnson is also near full fitness so he should really be in there. Bought plenty of strikers aswell but all want to move about onto the wings. Tevez did that today, playing as a lone striker and moving onto the wing... then we have no one in the box. Its the same with Adebayor, he's supposed to be our target man but ends up on the wing. No idea whats going on with Silva... once Mancini accepted through second half that we were not going to win by playing so defensive he showed some bottle and took Vieira + SWP off and sent on Barry and Silva who both got far more forward, had they both been on from the start of the game we would of walked away with 3 points. Hopefully things will change when we get Balotelli, Boateng and Kolarov fit.

Chelsea are no different bringing in players. Ballack, Kalou, Shevchenko, Mikel, A.Cole, Essien, SWP, Carvalho, Drogba, Robben, Cech, Ferreria and more. We are trying to get into the champions league and we need all the experience we can get. We have bought players that have all played in the champions league in the past. We wouldnt even make the top 6 this season if we had used the team we had few seasons ago or used the youngsters we currently have. Its best having a mix. Every successful team has pretty much spent... the only difference is that the transfer market is more expensive than it was 6-7 years ago and that we are buying the players when they are at their peak.

Wonder why that is. Tevez always liked to be the player in the box or cutting in through. Gotta be the players that Mancini picks I guess and how they know each others game. Not surprised Mancini is under pressure though, he's gotta know his position of employment is disposable at any time. Gotta admit I thought Mourinho was gonna be your gaffer this season.

Michael Johnson looks like he's going to be a cracking player. 

I can see the FA capping that soon. Too many clubs going under financially.

You would think wouldnt you that Mourinho would be attracted to City... english club, loaded with money with very little to shout about over the years. Would of looked good on his CV. If there is any manager that could get you instant success, its got to be Mourinho.


I don't think it will work for him at Madrid, big history and done it all already... the club looks jinxed at the moment aswell Managers getting sacked there when it was actually the board who chose the players that come in... the Kaka one looked a disaster.

I wonder if he regrets his move. Too many cooks at Madrid imo.

This is the part that fascinates me. I don't see how the FA can become involved in a world wide football economy. The rest of us have had to put up with the market economy and when our employers went bust we were told that "You can't buck the market!" If football clubs can't run themselves properly the same should apply to them. If Manchester City are operating within their budget then I wish them luck. But teams badly run and  hopelessly in debt like Liverpool and Manchester United should have their money called in. If we were in debt they'd be taking our furniture.

I agree to a degree Joe, but it's happening so much now. I'm not suggesting that the fa dictate who and how much should be spent, only that someone or something has to be done. I wish my club wasn't in debt, coarse I do. But as I was discussing with Meaty the youngsters aren't getting a fair crack of the whip. Our national side is perfect evidence of this.

3-3, what a drama filled match LOL.



Glad West Brom got a point against Spurs...

I'm totally gutted Darlo, 3-1 up and we throw it away in injury time!

I totally agree with you both. But unfortunately the Premiership isn't structured to benefit the national side.

Good point Joe, the rich get richer.

Evening all
Really enjoyed my afternoon at the Emirates, even though I was in block 23 (Clock End) right against the away fans. There was a lot of banter flying back and forth.
We looked quite shaky at times today, I will watch the entire match back tomorrow. Didn't really see the tackle that got Cahill sent off as it was up the other end.
Kudos to the Bolton fans who applauded Jack Wilshere as loudly as we did when he was subbed.


Never mind Fergie conceding 2 late goals; Fergie Junior's Preston was leading Burnley 3-1 with 6 mins to go and Burnley won 4-3
*laughs like a drain*

got to wait until tomorrow to see how Liverpool go hate Sunday matches...

Villa... ouch.



That always happens to us

I had a feeling that was going to happen - again. We never learn, do we?

it's almost surreal, you know it's coming, your expecting it, yet when it happens, it shocks. don't Stoke always seem to do well against Villa ?

 Hi ya Rzb. Tonight's the night then, your first Champions league game proper. Good luck, hope you do well.  I'm hoping Rooney can score on the pitch tonight against Rangers.

hiya Monkey, I'm not sure who's fit, & who's fit to drop.  it's not worth playing guessing games as to who's playing, I would imagine Keane & Crouch will play, if fit, not sure if they both have C/L experience.

What a refreshing change!!11!! Tonight we snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. Normally it's the other way around.

Our new hero is called "kink!" you could not make it up.

I noticed that goal pop up very late last night Joe,  mind you they all count,  I'd imagine the chimes of doom must of been starting up before that goal for GS.  Mind you didn't Burnely get 3 very late goals on Saturday, swings & roundabouts I guess.

Oooooo just seen a photo of Valencia's leg  Poor fella.

Second horrible break within a few days - did you see Zamora's?  

Yeah, both were innocuous but man what a bad injuries. 
Just goes to show when players are really injured they don't roll around 10 times and exaggerate eh.

 If I'm watching footie and someone goes over, I can always tell whether it's real or fake. Fakers roll about all over the place, really injured players lie still..

Messi has just landed on Hackney Marshes (sky sport news)

I do. I roll around in agony. Obviously when it's a broken leg I wouldn't, but if you get whacked on the shin or on a muscle then sometimes rolling around seriously takes your mind off the sudden pain.

Yippee! Another Saturday, another game. I hope carry on with Tuesday night's form. Is anyone else considering remortgaging the house and placing the proceeds on a Rangers v Manchester draw? Whenever it is. Something rather suspicious about the first leg IMO.

United win/win was 7/4!! Thank you  Mr Berbatov! Touch n go mind!

I said this at the time to the Man U son who wasn't having any of it,


Hello all  Had to laugh at the kick in Fat Sam is getting over his comments both about AW and his claim that he'd win trophies if he managed a big club.

Have you got the same ads as me at the top of the page Veggie ?.

" Sunderland V Arsenal" watch the highlights on youtube"


IS the Barca/Real or Inter bound Fat Sam , but that's only if they need a manager to

do the double.

I always say that if someone asked me which Premier manager I would invite round for tea then it would be Wenger. I know that he would be able to talk sensibly about a wide range of subjects. However you must admit that he does let himself down sometimes with his whingeing.
I didn't realise that anyone had given Big Fat Sam a kicking, metaphorically or otherwise. Surely the person who deserves it most is Neil Warnock. The offensive git just keeps popping up all over the place.

and going on early form, he could well be popping up in the premeirship again next year,

 What a great second goal! Almost like his old Spurs days and he's smiling  Goal of the season contender me thinks.

Anyone see Leo Messi's leg?

I watched the game and it didn't seem all that bad at the time. But it looks horrific on the pic I seen earlier. Hope for the sake of football it's not too bad. Read somewhere that he'll only miss 2 games.... 2 games my arse, his leg was just about halved!

Here's the pic of Lionel's very Messi leg

Ouch! That does look bad Crunchy. I heard he was only out for two weeks, but like you say after seeing that I doubt he will be.