With all the present news about Cornelius, Ince, Wanayama etc what are peoples views here on the likelihood/desirability to add to the defensive side of the squad? For what it is worth, my opinion is a back 5 of Marshall, Taylor, Hudson, Turner & McNaughton/Connelly will be far too frail. Marshall is likely to be tested much more than he was last season; granted he was superb last season but next season? he still is like a rabbit in headlights with crosses coming in. Plus I am unsure what Lewis will be like as he didn't play a Championship game. I recall him being poor when he was down here for Posh. McNaughton is just simply not good enough. I cannot believe he has been given a new contract. He can run his heart out but he can't stop wingers getting crosses in, and certainly cannot cross or pass accurately. The jury will still be out on Taylor. Just anybody's guess what he'll be like. Hudson and Turner. Great last season but like the others, will they have the game to step up? They may be too ponderous and their distribution needs to improve. Connelly. Again what can you say? 2 former employers have shut the door on him once they got promoted. I reckon City need a better reserve keeper, 2 full backs and at least one quicker centre back. Leon Barnett is one name mentioned but if he could not hack it at Norwich, will he struggle at PL level? There is no point spending huge money on 2-3 individuals up front and in midfield without strengthening the back. Teams like Chelsea, Man C & Man , Arsenal & Spurs will probably enjoy playing against the aforesaid defensive unit. It's teams like Fulham, S'land, S'ton, Norwich, swansea, WBA, Hull, Palace, Stoke etc against whom City will need to pick up points and if MM gets the a decent back 5, the big guns in midfield and up top should secure us valuable points. Interested to know your views
Pretty much the same as i think, perhaps MM has his eye on a few Freebies for the defence, as he seems to be spending all of his pocket money on attacking midfielders and strikers, and i have to say MM is more than a little defensively minded, and i for one am a bit suprised with some of the names we are allegedly linked with. Perhaps he has more money to spend than we thought, as i would imagine that we will be trousering a fair few quid from sponsors in Malaysia and beyond. Just a thought.
Nobody knew Malky had his sights set on Cornelius, so I hope he has his targets set for a couple of defenders and central midfielders also. We were caught out a few times last season because of our defense, the Brighton game springs to mind, we were peppering their goal with shots from everywhere but could put one in the back of the net, and then 2 quick breakaways by Brighton and we were 2-0 down. We definately need at least 2 premier level defenders, and at least one central midfield/defender.
It will be tough but if the defence has decent support from the midfield then I think a CB and a right back (better than current defence) and we'll be ok. Downside who's available!
NIN - We definitely need a better keeper than Lewis as back up, and possibly a better keeper than Marshall as first port of call to be honest. I realise that might seem ungrateful after his heroics last season, but we just can't stand still in this vital position. As far as the back 4 are concerned, I've already said we need a pair of good wing backs and at least a top notch CB brought in. As good as he was, we simply have no right to expect Hudson to have another season like last year, and with just Connolly and young Nugent available, it doesn't sound anywhere near strong enough for the Prem. Midfield is another matter, and someone to sit in front of the back four in a Makalele sort of role should also be on our radar.
I said at the end of last season when we knew we were up that we needed a first choice RB, the same or at least cover at LB, Another CB and two hold up strikers with anything else a bonus. I still feel the same way. Certaily hope MM looks more at the back 4 than the midfield.
David Marshall will be one of the best keepers in the PL. He made save after save last season that Joe Hart wouldnt have got near. No idea if Joe Lewis is good enough. Lets hope Marshall stays fit. Apart from De Gea I wouldnt swap him for anyone. I think we need 2 full backs a centre half , 2 wide midfielders. I did think we needed a strong central midfielder but Gunnarsson was outstanding at the end of the campaign so maybe he can step up.
Must agree with you there Hilts and im a bit miffed why a City fan has slagged off Marshall,he made some brilliant one to one saves and was player of the yr closely followed by Hudson .Mucngget deserved his one yr extension as he has a heart of steel . Agree we need some new blood but please ,please lets not slag off our hero`s from last season who can and will do a job for us in the Prem .
Marshy has improved his game every season and I see no reason why he can't adjust to the top flight. He's improved his weak areas and is a better keeper now than when he first joined us. Yes the premier league is a higher league but I think Marshy will be fine. Not sure about Lewis though...
Apart from Nin's brief comment in the OP, I don't see anyone slagging off Marshall. He was one of the main reasons last season why we are where we are right now. That doesn't mean he couldn't repeat his previous patchy flapping period. I hope he's got through that, but I remember the times when many on here were calling for Heaton to be given the gloves. Heaven forbid if he does - with only Lewis to call on, we'd be stuffed. We need someone to push him hard and not just put his name at the top of the sheet automatically if his form does drop. No one is irreplaceable - when you try to stand still in this game, you go backwards. As to who, we'd best leave that to Malky and his team - we'll just pay to watch it.
I think that MM is to a certain extent rewarding some hero's from last season, particularly Marshall. I also think that he's going to give them 'till the January transfer window to see how things pan out. If the attacking force can keep us in a decent league position then that may attract the calibre of defenders that we need to push on.
It takes time to build a team unless you're very lucky. No need to destroy what we have, but to ignore the challenges of this coming season will see us back where we came from. Sentiment is one thing and I wish it were all that mattered, but reality has a way of smacking you in the face. If Malky not only wants to keep his job but also enhance his reputation for the future, he will do everything he needs to ensure the vast amount of money Vincent Tan is entrusting him with is utilised properly to keep us in the Premier League. That's the first thing - the second will be to push on. With youngsters like Cornelius and Ince (hopefully), he is addressing the future issue - now we need some experience at keeper, the back, midfield, and even maybe up front to add some grit. If we can find the rearguard, Cardozo would be an amazing signing up front.
Surely Cardozo will have a better offer than us. Liverpool should be looking at him if Suarez is going to do one and I've seen Man City linked. He's a top 6 PL striker, if MM did get him it would be an incredible signing. Possibly the highest ever profile player signed by a newly promoted club. I think it's massively unlikely to happen but it the cynic in me thinks being linked to a player of that profile can't do any harm whilst talking to the players who might actually sign for us, MM must know he can't/wont afford the fee and wages of such a proven quality player. The only question that does pose is if we can afford (we had simultaneous bids in for them) Cardozo, Wyamma (sp?), Ince and Cornelius, plus whilst obviously needing defenders on top. How much bloody money has VT given Malky?!?
Heard a rumour that City may be looking at Wayne Hennessy on a seasons loan. is he fit? Is he good enough?
