Peter Anderson ⚽ With another weekend light on sport content, I watched another documentary.

This time it was Drink it in: The Rise of Man City. 

I had seen it before, but watched it again to remind me of our glorious rise! The interesting thing about it was that City's rise was based largely on superb signings. In the beginning they made a few missteps, like the signings of Robinho, who thought he had signed for Man U, and Adebayor from Arsenal. But Gary Neville pointed out that they quickly started to get it right. 

Big City fan, Noel Gallagher, said that when they signed Gareth Barry, he knew they were on the right road. You can see from those early years the trajectory of the club by the signings, Yaya Toure, Vincent Kompany, Kun Aguero, David Silva, Pablo Zabaleta, Fernandinho etc Together these payers formed the backbone of the team and drove the side to success. 

Most of the docu maps out how this trajectory followed then eclipsed, United's culminating in the "Aguero moment" when Man City scored 2 in injury time to pip United for the EPL trophy. United players talk about the "noisy neighbours" and when they had to start taking them seriously. That team is now all gone, with Fernandinho's departure a few weeks ago, but it has been relatively easy for City to maintain their dominance by their signings, not least of all, Pep. Once that backbone was in place it was a question of adding more talent, and City have shown that skill by signing De Bruyne, Dias, Sterling, Bernardo Silva etc. 

When you look at recent transfer policy, some windows they have not managed to get their targets, so they don't move at all. One summer Mahrez was the only signing, another it was just Rodri and Cancelo. Last season they couldn't get Kane so they waited a year to land Haaland. Patience and a clear strategy are the key to City's success. It is a part of the modern game that United still haven't mastered. But it is obvious that Liverpool have and that is the reason City and Liverpool are the most successful. 

But what part of Liverpool and City's success is transfer strategy, and what part is it down to Pep and Klopp? One thing is for sure, if United don't get it right soon then their much-lauded new manager will be right up against it from the off. There are already rumblings from the United support that City and Liverpool have made major moves in the market while United dither. One story doing the rounds is that Eriksson received offers from Brentford and Man U and he is taking his time to consider his options! A few years ago, nobody refused United, how things have changed! While everyone talks about the signings of Nuñez and Haaland, the one I am most intrigued by is that of Alvarez from River Plate. 

I have little doubt that Nuñez will settle in to Liverpool, with Salah and Diaz beside him and I doubt Mané will be missed. In the same vein, Haaland should settle well at City, though it looks like Jesus and Sterling will be moved on. But my eye will be on Alvarez in the hope that he lives up to his superstar billing. Whatever happens, United will need to get things right in the market or they will be in for another torrid season.

Peter Anderson is a Unionist with a keen interest in sports.

Superb Signings

Peter Anderson ⚽ With another weekend light on sport content, I watched another documentary.

This time it was Drink it in: The Rise of Man City. 

I had seen it before, but watched it again to remind me of our glorious rise! The interesting thing about it was that City's rise was based largely on superb signings. In the beginning they made a few missteps, like the signings of Robinho, who thought he had signed for Man U, and Adebayor from Arsenal. But Gary Neville pointed out that they quickly started to get it right. 

Big City fan, Noel Gallagher, said that when they signed Gareth Barry, he knew they were on the right road. You can see from those early years the trajectory of the club by the signings, Yaya Toure, Vincent Kompany, Kun Aguero, David Silva, Pablo Zabaleta, Fernandinho etc Together these payers formed the backbone of the team and drove the side to success. 

Most of the docu maps out how this trajectory followed then eclipsed, United's culminating in the "Aguero moment" when Man City scored 2 in injury time to pip United for the EPL trophy. United players talk about the "noisy neighbours" and when they had to start taking them seriously. That team is now all gone, with Fernandinho's departure a few weeks ago, but it has been relatively easy for City to maintain their dominance by their signings, not least of all, Pep. Once that backbone was in place it was a question of adding more talent, and City have shown that skill by signing De Bruyne, Dias, Sterling, Bernardo Silva etc. 

When you look at recent transfer policy, some windows they have not managed to get their targets, so they don't move at all. One summer Mahrez was the only signing, another it was just Rodri and Cancelo. Last season they couldn't get Kane so they waited a year to land Haaland. Patience and a clear strategy are the key to City's success. It is a part of the modern game that United still haven't mastered. But it is obvious that Liverpool have and that is the reason City and Liverpool are the most successful. 

But what part of Liverpool and City's success is transfer strategy, and what part is it down to Pep and Klopp? One thing is for sure, if United don't get it right soon then their much-lauded new manager will be right up against it from the off. There are already rumblings from the United support that City and Liverpool have made major moves in the market while United dither. One story doing the rounds is that Eriksson received offers from Brentford and Man U and he is taking his time to consider his options! A few years ago, nobody refused United, how things have changed! While everyone talks about the signings of Nuñez and Haaland, the one I am most intrigued by is that of Alvarez from River Plate. 

I have little doubt that Nuñez will settle in to Liverpool, with Salah and Diaz beside him and I doubt Mané will be missed. In the same vein, Haaland should settle well at City, though it looks like Jesus and Sterling will be moved on. But my eye will be on Alvarez in the hope that he lives up to his superstar billing. Whatever happens, United will need to get things right in the market or they will be in for another torrid season.

Peter Anderson is a Unionist with a keen interest in sports.

2 comments:

  1. As a Chelsea-yehaw! (formerly Chelski) I'm left checking every bloody 5 minutes for us to sign someone. Heard Sterling and Raphina are on their way and if that's true Havertz must be moving to a more central role as a forward. At least Lukaku can go back to being a flat track bully in the Serie A. Can't wait for the new season. Can't stand the thought of a bloody winter WC in buttf**k camelshagg*ngistan wrecking the league halfway through.

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  2. If LFC sign two decent midfielders , they could hit the crazy , circa 100 points needed to win the title . Reds defence & strikers are the best in the Prem . LFC midfield - Hendo , Thiago , Naby , Fab scored 4 in the CL last season & 14 in the Prem #WeakestLink

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