Nasri To City - Done Deal!

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Feed Me said:
Arsenal got their arses handed to them. Real got their arses handed to them. Say what you will, but when they turn it on, you're on a hiding to nothing.

I agree that we could have given a better account of ourselves in the final. But we've got a tendency to overstate our "problems" in the aftermath of being owned against Barca. The reality is that our midfield comprehensively dominated Chelsea's on three occasions in the run in. It's not as bad as is made out and there is room for considerable improvement just amongst those already there.
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No, that's just not true. We dominated Chelsea's midfield in the league game but we did no such thing in the two Champions League games. Carrick and Giggs played brilliantly in both games, don't get me wrong, but they certainly did not dominate Chelsea's midfield.

Indeed, Chelsea were the better team for very long periods in both games; they just could not deal with our back four and Van der Sar. We deserved to win as we were disciplined at the back and took our chances while they were toothless and lacklustre in attack but dominate them we didn't.
 
cina said:
And got dominated by Liverpool, City and Arsenal in the run in. Let's not even name some of the shitter teams either.

It always works both ways.
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Well, yer man Scholes played in a couple of those. And he's apparently one of the players we should be worrying about having lost...
 
Feed Me said:
I'm not utterly confused at all.

Losing Scholes is not a big loss on the playing side - his form in the second half of the season was poor. We're making the mistake of bemoaning the loss of Scholes circa 06-08. Same thing with Neville. Realistically, the only player who we'll miss on the playing side is VDS as he was still on top of his game. And I've every faith that De Gea will make the position his own.
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Are those 3 signings going to aide our shortcomings from last season when we were beaten and overwhelmed in midfield by teams?
 
Feed Me said:
Arsenal got their arses handed to them. Real got their arses handed to them. Say what you will, but when they turn it on, you're on a hiding to nothing..
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Inter under Mourinho proved that to not be true at all. With the right tools, they can be stopped. Problem is we never face them with the right tools. Having players over 36 in center midfield against them can't work.

Feed Me said:
I..... The reality is that our midfield comprehensively dominated Chelsea's on three occasions in the run in. I....
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It is also the same midfield that was relying on a 37 year old, to work magic and the same midfield that struggled away from home as a result. Not to mention having the likes of West Brom and Wolves torturing us in the center of the park at times doing the season.
Giggs and Anderson will need experienced or tested help. Not untested help that Cleverely would provide.
 
Siorac said:
No, that's just not true. We dominated Chelsea's midfield in the league game but we did no such thing in the two Champions League games. Carrick and Giggs played brilliantly in both games, don't get me wrong, but they certainly did not dominate Chelsea's midfield.

Indeed, Chelsea were the better team for very long periods in both games; they just could not deal with our back four and Van der Sar. We deserved to win as we were disciplined at the back and took our chances while they were toothless and lacklustre in attack but dominate them we didn't.
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They really weren't. We were comfortable.
 
Feed Me said:
Well, yer man Scholes played in a couple of those. And he's apparently one of the players we should be worrying about having lost...
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Well, so did Carrick, Anderson and Fletcher, apparently they're all going to get better again this season.

You're posting constant catch 22s.
 
cina said:
Are those 3 signings going to aide our shortcomings from last season when we were beaten and overwhelmed in midfield by teams?
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I'd be confident in asserting that Fletcher and Anderson are capable of stepping up to the plate. There's nothing crazy in having that view.
 
Feed Me said:
I'd be confident in asserting that Fletcher and Anderson are capable of stepping up to the plate. There's nothing crazy in having that view.
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That's not the question I asked.

Do you need me to ask you for the umpteenth time?

And for the record, neither stepped up to the plate last season so it's all predictions when it comes to shit like that. I could easily say Giggs will now not be able to do it against Chelski and co anymore.
 
Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber said:
Inter under Morinho proved that to not be true at all. With the right tools, they can be stopped. Problem is we never face the with the right tools.

It is also t same midfield that was relying on a 37 year old, to work magic and the same midfield that struggled away from home as a result.
Gigs and Anderrson will need experienced or tested help. Not untested help that Cleverely would provide.
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I don't think young Cleverley is an option against the majority of our matches. Maybe some CC and some odd CL group match at Old Trafford.
 
cina said:
Well, so did Carrick, Anderson and Fletcher, apparently they're all going to get better again this season.

You're posting constant catch 22s.
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I'll use the Liverpool game as a case in point - we went in with a ridiculously open formation. We played Scholes in a 4-4-2 and then compounded it by playing Nani on the flank - we were so open, it was untrue.

We've seen Carrick, Anderson and Fletcher form midfield trios that have worked an absolute treat in the past...
 
I agree with cina. Our midfield is the weakest part of the team and it hasn't really gotten stronger over the summer.
 
Siorac said:
But football doesn't work that way. Some players will improve, some players won't be able to reach the standards of the last season. Anderson might blossom but it's not out of the question that Carrick will be back to the disastrous form of 09/10.
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Well, it does actually.

Footballers in their early/mid twenties improve, year on year. This isn't guaranteed but will hold true for the vast majority.

Based on age alone, it's likely that we should get an improvement in most (admittedly, not all) of Rafael, Fabio, Smalling, Hernandez, Nani, Anderson, Valencia, Rooney and Evans.

Plus, it's highly likely that Rooney, Fletcher and Valencia (for different reasons, unrelated to their age) will make more of a contribution this season than they did in the last one.
 
Feed Me said:
I'll use the Liverpool game as a case in point - we went in with a ridiculously open formation. We played Scholes in a 4-4-2 and then compounded it by playing Nani on the flank - we were so open, it was untrue.

We've seen Carrick, Anderson and Fletcher form midfield trios that have worked an absolute treat in the past...
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Fergie doesn't seem to trust Anderson at all in away games.
 
Feed Me said:
I'll use the Liverpool game as a case in point - we went in with a ridiculously open formation. We played Scholes in a 4-4-2 and then compounded it by playing Nani on the flank - we were so open, it was untrue.

We've seen Carrick, Anderson and Fletcher form midfield trios that have worked an absolute treat in the past...
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Who did we play in midfield against Arsenal?
 
Siorac said:
No, that's just not true. We dominated Chelsea's midfield in the league game but we did no such thing in the two Champions League games. Carrick and Giggs played brilliantly in both games, don't get me wrong, but they certainly did not dominate Chelsea's midfield.

Indeed, Chelsea were the better team for very long periods in both games; they just could not deal with our back four and Van der Sar. We deserved to win as we were disciplined at the back and took our chances while they were toothless and lacklustre in attack but dominate them we didn't.
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Bloody hell you watched two completely different games to me!

When were Chelsea the better team in the second leg?
 
Oh and by the way FM. If you're picking that trio to play in games, that means we've only one and out out midfielder left to fill their shoes should they get injured or what not.

Cleverly.
 
cina said:
That's not the question I asked.

Do you need me to ask you for the umpteenth time?

And for the record, neither stepped up to the plate last season so it's all predictions when it comes to shit like that. I could easily say Giggs will now not be able to do it against Chelski and co anymore.
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I know exactly what you asked. To answer it, no, they don't strengthen the midfield because they're not midfielders. They do strengthen the squad though, which is all I've argued.

You're worried about us getting trounced in the middle of the park, and I'm offering a solution. Get Fletcher back up and running and get Anderson in after his first full pre season and we can expect an improvement right there.

Carrick, Anderson and Fletcher have produced good performances as a trio in the past and they're capable of doing so again. They're all good ages too.
 
cina said:
Oh and by the way FM. If you're picking that trio to play in games, that means we've only one and out out midfielder left to fill their shoes should they get injured or what not.

Cleverly.
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You're not reading my posts buddy.

I've stated, on more than one occasion, that I believe we're signing another midfielder.

And I don't think we'll be playing a central three all that often.
 
Feed Me said:
I know exactly what you asked. To answer it, no, they don't strengthen the midfield because they're not midfielders. They do strengthen the squad though, which is all I've argued.

You're worried about us getting trounced in the middle of the park, and I'm offering a solution. Get Fletcher back up and running and get Anderson in after his first full pre season and we can expect an improvement right there.

Carrick, Anderson and Fletcher have produced good performances as a trio in the past and they're capable of doing so again. They're all good ages too.
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I said the first team actually, not specifically the midfield. But you can go and twist that if you like. It's pretty evident the answer is no, no matter how you try and phrase it.

Carrick, Fletcher and Anderson have played together feck all because they've never all been fully fit at the same time and you must have a much better memory than me because they never worked that well. It was always regarded that Scholes needed to be put in there instead of one of them to make it actually do something.
 
7even said:
I don't think young Cleverley is an option against the majority of our matches. Maybe some CC and some odd CL group match at Old Trafford.
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Which emphasises my point all the more. Last season we had Gibson, Anderson, Scholes and Giggs for that role next to Carrick or Fletcher yet battled very hard to win the league. I can't see how with the opposition set to improve a lot we will better or equal last season with only Anderson and Giggs for the role whilst chasing glory on 4 fronts.

SAF may like a gamble but he isn't a foolish gambler.
 
Siorac said:
It is the point though; expecting organic improvement from the squad is fine, as long as it has many players approaching their prime.

However, our squad has many key performers who are past their supposed prime years, like Carrick, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Berbatov... They might keep up their performance levels, they might start to fade, we don't know that but they're unlikely to improve a lot.
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What are you thinking a player's prime years are? Because you've listed Rio alongside four players who are 29-30.

We do not have a lot of players who have the potential to do a lot better than they did, therefore significantly improving our fortunes without transfers. The Da Silva twins might be a tad more consistent but there wasn't much wrong with their performances anyway;
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So you think at age 20, the twins are as good as they're going to get? Fascinating.

it's their injury problems which give Fergie a headache and those are unlikely to go away.
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Why is that unlikely? Not only are they as good as they're ever going to be, but they're as healthy as they're ever going to be? Again, fascinating.

Smalling, Evans might improve but the defence is the strongest part of this team anyway, their job is to ensure a seamless transition from the excellence of Ferdinand and Vidic.
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Smalling and Jones, both U21 players, "might" improve.

Wow.

Up front? Hernández has plenty of room for improvement but he had as good a debut season as anyone could have hoped for, he'll unlikely to be significantly better just yet.
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:wenger:

The only player whose immediate improvement could make a very significant difference - because he was quite underwhelming so far - is Anderson. And maybe Fletcher who, at 27, has to be able to pull himself together after last season's problems. But even if both improve considerably, we'll still be light in numbers in central midfield.
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...oy
 
Feed Me said:
You're not reading my posts buddy.

I've stated, on more than one occasion, that I believe we're signing another midfielder.

And I don't think we'll be playing a central three all that often.
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I know you said that but what has "buying" (future tense) got to do with "we've considerably strengthened" (present tense).

You're also arguing that our midfield is perfectly fine right now, does that mean you don't think we need another midfielder?
 
Stop debating about our midfield! It's not good for my heart to see extra pages when I refresh and then this!
 
cina said:
I know you said that but what has "buying" (future tense) got to do with "we've considerably strengthened" (present tense).

You're also arguing that our midfield is perfectly fine right now, does that mean you don't think we need another midfielder?
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I have not once said our midfield is "perfectly fine". Stop putting words in my mouth to suit your argument. All I've said is that our midfield is no where near as poor as is made out, and that there is more potential there than is commonly perceived. I think we could do with another quality central midfielder. Then I'll be even more buoyant than I currently am. As things stand, I'm delighted with the work we've done so far.
 
Kelvin said:
you tell me, which realistic signing can we signed to better our first 11?
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Sneijder, Modric, Nasri, or even a couple of lads from the Spain under 21 team would improve our midfield. However, it's not that easy to pull off the transfers of these players.
 
I think we should move the "Should we add more midfielders/ Have we really strengthened" debates to another thread or people who wake up and see the expanded thread will get all excited for nothing.
 
Sultan said:
Sneijder, Modric, Nasri, or even a couple of lads from the Spain under 21 team would improve our midfield. However, it's not that easy to pull off the transfers of these players.
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Oh no, you were bitten by the Muppet Zombie too?!

 
Feed Me said:
I have not once said our midfield is "perfectly fine". Stop putting words in my mouth to suit your argument. All I've said is that our midfield is no where near as poor as is made out, and that there is more potential there than is commonly perceived. I think we could do with another quality central midfielder. Then I'll be even more buoyant than I currently am. As things stand, I'm delighted with the work we've done so far.
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But the problem is that you think we're not. I've constantly said throughout that they're all good purchases, my qualm was about you said we've considerably strengthened because of them which is such a massive overstatement it begs belief for me.

We're going in circles here now and ruining this thread so I guess we better call it a day because we won't see eye to eye on this. I'm tired.
 
cina said:
But the problem is that you think we're not. I've constantly said throughout that they're all good purchases, my qualm was about you said we've considerably strengthened because of them which is such a massive overstatement it begs belief for me.

We're going in circles here now and ruining this thread so I guess we better call it a day because we won't see eye to eye on this. I'm tired.
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:cool:

Yeah, I've got jobs I should be applying for.

Stupid, sexy transfer forum.
 
Our Centre Midfield is average at best.


But can someone tell me, after wading through this thread, is there any half-credible evidence that we're in for Nasri?


If there is; good!


Our CM was dominated by midtable teams on far too many occasions last season...
 
Sultan said:
Sneijder, Modric, Nasri, or even a couple of lads from the Spain under 21 team would improve our midfield. However, it's not that easy to pull off the transfers of these players.
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Sneijder - to expensive (fee+wages), so far nothing has happened. Coincidence?

Modric - Chelsea didn't get him and Levy has put himself in a corner. No!

Nasri - Wenger would be foolish to not agree his wage demands if he loose's Cesc and Clichy. Nasri would be ideal but it's hard to see this go true. Hope for the best but fears the worst.

Banega - Yes! Yes! Yes! This is what we need and I just ask myself why nobody don't see this except Ekeke and a few more. Are you all blind?

Goetze - You lived in piece for more then 65 years. And the boy is 18 years old. Time to break grounds and buy a player from Bundesliga who's not crocked.

Moutinho - On his way to Chelsea if we don't do something. Fit's the bill.

Some unknown South American - Why not, as long as he's cheap and follow the footsteps of Chicarito.
 
7even said:
Nasri - Wenger would be foolish to not agree his wage demands if he loose's Cesc and Clichy. Nasri would be ideal but it's hard to see this go true. Hope for the best but fears the worst.
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His "demands" may well be a smokescreen, he might want out, nothing Wenger can do then.
 
That and Evra talking about him, telling him to come to United.

I wonder if signing him would be a boost for Evra too
 
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