Mole_Toonfan

Many City played it vs Gooners in their friendly in China but they have Kompany But we have Captain Colo

As talented as Marveaux is we can't count on him at the moment due to his injury problems. Ba had a handful of poor games but generally played well out wide and was very unlucky in front of goal a number of times. Agree with that, the problem though seems to be that Ba doesn't want to play out wide, Pardew has pretty much said as much. That's a concern for me like. Last night Ba played almost in the hole at times, wonder if that's the plan? Cabaye Tiote Ben Arfa. Ba. Marveaux Cisse With Jonas able to play out left or in CM. Looks so like the way City line up, not just in system but personnel too. 2 wide players that come inside, strikers that take turns in dropping deep, fullbacks provide the width etc etc. We could actually use 4-4-2 and keep possession well just because of the personnel in the team in this scenario, although we would rely on keeping Marveaux fit which is unlikely.

Yeah it's fine, just the whole my posts words getting twisted to the opposite end of what i'm saying so i have to explain myself 5 times over is a bit annoying. For it's worth i agree with what you say, my point was Ba is a much better overall footballer while Carroll is better at holding the ball up and better in the air. I have no problem with Carroll's ability, he clearly has the ability if used right. I have said before that Carroll's technique isn't an issue its fine for someone his size and i don't think hoof ball would reign supreme if we signed him. My issue for Carroll's signing is and always been financial and tactical, not for ability reasons. Lastly there's a lot of people who say people have forgot how good Carroll was before he left for Liverpool, but on that same token i feel people have forgot how good Ba was before Cisse joined.

If he was someone would have bought him for £7m. Who needs a striker in this league apart from Spurs that are better than us? it's pretty obvious why no one has come in for him, because club's above us don't need a striker. But Carroll is not even close to Ba, even Carroll at his best isn't close. Massive pile of rubbish. In terms of technique and ball playing ability, Ba is a better player than Carroll yes. But by the same token Carroll can do things that Ba can't do, he's vastly more powerful and better in the air. I can see why people don't want Carroll back, but this need some people seem to have to act like he's just a big powerful donkey who can't play football at all is ridiculous. Ah the usual take my post and reverse my words to the complete other end of the spectrum i come across on here I never said Carroll is a donkey who cant play football, but Ba is much better. Because Ba is much better doesnt mean Carroll is f*cking useless in the technical terms just i rate Ba a lot higher in this regard. I actually think he's a better finisher too for that matter.

If he was someone would have bought him for £7m. Who needs a striker in this league apart from Spurs that are better than us? it's pretty obvious why no one has come in for him, because club's above us don't need a striker. But Carroll is not even close to Ba, even Carroll at his best isn't close.

Same but i'm getting the feeling that the club is pushing for Anita over a CB and that's not just Douglas reports, it just seems to be a wide spread opinion over last few weeks that our main targets are a RB, DM and a striker.

Very, the only real concerns so far is when we have used 4-4-2 we have struggled to keep possession. But i'm sure having Debuchy and Santon as fullbacks will help with that and the fact Marveaux and Ben Arfa come in side a lot we could end up having 4 in the middle which would help with possession. The other concern i have is Ba and Cisse clicking as a pair because atm they both don't really look like a natural fit. Actually considering the players in that system that 4-4-2 could be a lot like City's 4-4-2 and they don't really struggle with possession due to the wide players coming inside and the fullbacks providing width. Let's and wait and see.

Don't think we will sign 4 players, reckon we will see Anita, Debuchy and a striker who that striker is i'm not sure. I would still be happy with that mind.

Doesnt help when the fullbacks are Raylor and Simpson and Cabaye doesnt play. for example i think 4-4-2 would work a lot better if we had Marveaux and Ben Arfa on the wings, Tiote and Cabaye in the middle and Debuchy ( if we sign him) and Santon at fullback. I would still think 4-3-3 is the way to go but 4-4-2 with that personnel could work in certain games IMO. But overall, I still can't get away from the feeling that we're trying to find a way of playing Ba and Cisse together, and it's not quite happening. Definitely agree.

Absolutely f*cking class, i'm already imagining the possibilities of having Marveaux and Ben Arfa on the wings if we are going to play 4-4-2

Doesnt help when the fullbacks are Raylor and Simpson and Cabaye doesnt play. for example i think 4-4-2 would work a lot better if we had Marveaux and Ben Arfa on the wings, Tiote and Cabaye in the middle and Debuchy ( if we sign him) and Santon at fullback. I would still think 4-3-3 is the way to go but 4-4-2 with that personnel could work in certain games IMO.

So glad it's pre season

Marveaux and Hatem out wide with Santon and Debuchy supporting them

Debuchy's love bite.

You obviously haven't heard of Rob Elliot.

Need to work out a system of wheeling out Shola solely for penalties. Bring Shola on for Pens alone, good plan.

So Ba and Cisse are both shit at pens then? get Hatem to take them for now on

Quality from Marv to win the pen there.

odds on another penalty draw?

Now now, lets not go crazy.

I think he looks more of a central midfielder than a natural wide man. Could easily play the advanced role Cabaye had during our winning run if Cabaye couldn't play for what ever reason. Also Bimpy

Stewart Robson, he did Southampton v Ajax on CH5 earlier, total arseflake. I don't think there's a commentator i hate more than him, not only is he a clueless twat, but he acts like he knows his stuff and constantly criticizes players for no reason to make it sound like he knows what he's on about to the clueless drones. f*cking c*nt he's worse than Ray " my word " Wilkins ffs.

It's a good point tbh, especially with all the games coming up. Depends what sort of price Pieters would go for.