Both Grealish and Doku on the bench with Foden at left wing.

[7sisters]

The squad depth of City is insane.
It’s a miracle if us or Liverpool even get close come May.

[WES]

The squad depth of City is insane.
It’s a miracle if us or Liverpool even get close come May.

That's what billions will buy you, 7s, as long as the authorities let you, anyway.

I still think we win the league last year if Saliba stays fit, it would have been an incredible accomplishment. And I think we'll run them close this year, albeit to fall at the last hurdle.

Just nice to be in the race in Feb, the latter Wenger years appear to be behind us. Being out of the league in Dec was sh1t.

[PSRB]

That's what billions will buy you, 7s, as long as the authorities let you, anyway.

I still think we win the league last year if Saliba stays fit, it would have been an incredible accomplishment. And I think we'll run them close this year, albeit to fall at the last hurdle.

Just nice to be in the race in Feb, the latter Wenger years appear to be behind us. Being out of the league in Dec was sh1t.

Although Chelsea currently proving that's not always the case!!

Very nervous about West Ham away this weekend.

[redgunamo]

Although Chelsea currently proving that's not always the case!!

Very nervous about West Ham away this weekend.

Thing is, we are actually a very good side.

Dunno about that third kit though. Foul.

[PSRB]

Thing is, we are actually a very good side.

Dunno about that third kit though. Foul.

Definitely 2nd or 3rd best. Squad depth again is the issue.

West Ham should also have been at least 1 up before United scored, they're a decent side and because of Rice they seem to give more against us.

[redgunamo]

Definitely 2nd or 3rd best. Squad depth again is the issue.

West Ham should also have been at least 1 up before United scored, they're a decent side and because of Rice they seem to give more against us.

True. They've spent the money well too, of course.

Can't complain about our squad depth though; we just beat the league leaders without our first and second choice strikers (where IS Jesus anyway?!).

[redgunamo]

The squad depth of City is insane.
It’s a miracle if us or Liverpool even get close come May.

The Premier League has an opportunity to show that it really is the best in Europe by stopping Manchester City winning.

:-|

[Peter]

True. They've spent the money well too, of course.

Can't complain about our squad depth though; we just beat the league leaders without our first and second choice strikers (where IS Jesus anyway?!).

Is Jesus our first and second choice? The good thing about your strikers not being great is you miss them less :-)

[Peter]

Although Chelsea currently proving that's not always the case!!

Very nervous about West Ham away this weekend.

Also, United. They've spent a fortune. I think the biggest thing a football club has to get right these days is the relationship between coach and director of football/sporting operations/spending/whatever you call it.

In business terms I believe this would be described as synergy between strategy and operations. But I wouldn't know about such affairs.

[redgunamo]

Is Jesus our first and second choice? The good thing about your strikers not being great is you miss them less :-)

Well, he apparently does move in mysterious ways his wonders to perform.

But no, I meant young Eddie as second choice.

[redgunamo]

Also, United. They've spent a fortune. I think the biggest thing a football club has to get right these days is the relationship between coach and director of football/sporting operations/spending/whatever you call it.

In business terms I believe this would be described as synergy between strategy and operations. But I wouldn't know about such affairs.

Well, yeah. That and water polo :-\

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manuel_Estiarte#:~:text=Manel%20Estiarte%20Duocast ella%20(born%20October,water%20poloists%20of%20all %20time.

[Peter]

Well, he apparently does move in mysterious ways his wonders to perform.

But no, I meant young Eddie as second choice.

Young Eddie was on the bench. Seems to have dropped below the non specialists in the pecking order.

Strikers- old hat, dinosaurs of the game.

[redgunamo]

Young Eddie was on the bench. Seems to have dropped below the non specialists in the pecking order.

Strikers- old hat, dinosaurs of the game.

:-\ Just imagine; if Nketiah had had the same career path as Ivan Toney till the age of 26/27, people would NOW be demanding we buy him for a hundred million quid.

Big clubs kill young strikers. Or sell them.

[Peter]

:-\ Just imagine; if Nketiah had had the same career path as Ivan Toney till the age of 26/27, people would NOW be demanding we buy him for a hundred million quid.

Big clubs kill young strikers. Or sell them.

Well someone has to :-)

[7sisters]

:-\ Just imagine; if Nketiah had had the same career path as Ivan Toney till the age of 26/27, people would NOW be demanding we buy him for a hundred million quid.

Big clubs kill young strikers. Or sell them.

Didn’t Chelsea just try that with Broja ? Oh how we laughed as their demands slid from £50m to essentially driving him to Fulham in a chauffeured car for a free loan. :)

[redgunamo]

Well someone has to :-)

You're probably right, of course. Unfortunately, Pep sold everybody his pup called tiki-taka, and everyone bought it, impoverishing the game as a result. All the while enriching himself with an array of unrivaled, world class goalscoring talent.

Blast him.

[Peter]

You're probably right, of course. Unfortunately, Pep sold everybody his pup called tiki-taka, and everyone bought it, impoverishing the game as a result. All the while enriching himself with an array of unrivaled, world class goalscoring talent.

Blast him.

And then he went and bought himself an old school centre forward :-(

Should we all buy one now? Where is Niall Quinn when you need him?

[redgunamo]

Didn’t Chelsea just try that with Broja ? Oh how we laughed as their demands slid from £50m to essentially driving him to Fulham in a chauffeured car for a free loan. :)

Something like that, yeah :-\

[redgunamo]

And then he went and bought himself an old school centre forward :-(

Should we all buy one now? Where is Niall Quinn when you need him?

Indeed. Paul Mariner (RIP) and Alan Smith too.

May have said this before but, sadly, strikers are a solution for which we have forgotten (or cleverly circumvented, depending on your view) the problem. Suffice to say the only way we throw a hundred million pounds at one now is if we don't win
anything this season. Or if we do.

Once upon a time, such individuals were an integral part of any squad-building project, like a competent goalkeeper and a fist-pumping captain. Nowadays, the less you need one (City, for instance), the more likely you are to get one. And vice versa (us) :-\

[Peter]

Indeed. Paul Mariner (RIP) and Alan Smith too.

May have said this before but, sadly, strikers are a solution for which we have forgotten (or cleverly circumvented, depending on your view) the problem. Suffice to say the only way we throw a hundred million pounds at one now is if we don't win
anything this season. Or if we do.

Once upon a time, such individuals were an integral part of any squad-building project, like a competent goalkeeper and a fist-pumping captain. Nowadays, the less you need one (City, for instance), the more likely you are to get one. And vice versa (us) :-\

Oh, I think it is the last thing we need. Some clod-hopping ego maniac throwing his arms in the air and pointing every time he makes the wrong run or is standing offside.

We just need a bit more of everything else. And a midfield *******. Declan Rice is a nice guy, so we need (and can afford to have) a total arsehole alongside him.