I'm interested in 'different types of players to the ones we have already got'. What does that mean? Older, I imagine, and better. As much as I love getting players who are yet to peak (de Jong, Kompany, Zabaleta) or very good peaking players (Wright-Phillips, Bridge, Bellamy) what we may go for is the top level: world-class peaking players. Hughes probably knows that he may not be here for 2011/12 unless he wins something before then. So to which players does this point? Samuel Eto'o? Esteban Cambiasso? John Terry??"We just need a couple of strong signings to address conspicuous issues in the team.
"Maybe the acquisition of different types of players to the ones we have already got will leave us in better shape.
"We are like most squads. The first 11 is very strong but if we get injuries, especially two in one position, we don't have enough strength in depth to cope."
Or have I missed the point?
4 comments:
I think Hughes is looking for for players who are mentally strong. Its a subject he and Robinho have mentioned before and now we are seeing Stevie Ireland also talking about the very same subject.
One quality that all the players signed by Hughes have in common is that they are mentally tough and fiercely competitive players. One thing City seem to suffer from as long as I can remember is an "over my dead body attitude". There is a quiet almost collective self-doubt that seems to creep into the side at critical moments (away to Aalborg for example) and we saw that away to Hamburg.
I'm not saying that seasoned City players like Dunne, Richards, Onouha are not competitive players but they have been at a club that for years has struggled and under-achieved. Until last season and this one they have played in sides whose main ambition was EPL survival. Suddenly that has all changed but the problem is that while we have immensely talented players, few if any are used to consistently competing for silverware. Even of the new signings only Robinho, and Kompany (when he played for Anderlecht) are used to playing in sides that regularly compete for silverware.
This is the biggest issue Hughes has been trying to rectify and I believe given patience (something we as City fans seem to be lacking at the moment) he can transform us from pretenders (which is what were under the affable Swede) to contenders. Those who doubt need only look at Sparky's record as a player. The man is a stoic competitor and consummate professional.
Those who doubt need only look at Sparky's record as a player. The man is a stoic competitor and consummate professional.
what relevance does that have to anything? wenger, fergie mourinho where they the stoic competitors of yesteryear?
I am not sure who he will go for, but I trust him with the signings of players.
What we really need is a 20 goal a year striker, saying that in the strikers grave yard that is City, that might be waste of time.
Odacious I think Pj is trying to point out that Hughes is programmed to succeed and will breed this mentality into his players, or buy players with that frame of mind.
Odacious P.
My point was to bring attention to the man's character and what it brings to the table. Look at the incredible transformation of Stevie Ireland this season. Much of it he credits to Hughes and I don't think its incidental or ass kissing praise.
I'm aware you don't think too highly of Hughes and that's fine by me. I don't agree with every decision he makes either and I certainly don't think he can walk on water but even if he could i think some City fans would slag him off for not being able to swim.
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