*OFFICIAL* Jerome Boateng signs

[dazby]

I think Jerome has been signed as a squad player. Hope he finds his feet quickly and pressures the established players.

[btajim]

A bit like A. Johnson, then? I think you've answered your own question with the inevitable departure of Ned.

Not one bit like Adam Johnson. After Robinho's departure, winger was a position of need. Anyway, you need to have at least two capable wingers on both flanks as wingers are probably the most injury prone and also they don't often last full 90 minutes because of the exhausting nature of the position. One of the reasons why SWP is so valuable, he is one of the few wingers who has stamina to run at full speed for full 90 minutes.

Centerbacks on the other hand statistically are much less injured AND they last for full 90 minutes almost without an exception.

Every bit like Adam Johnson. City have signed a young player with lots of potential who is still a bit raw / unproven at the top level.

A Centre Half is needed if Ned departs. Let us not forget the "sign before we sell" policy that the previous Manager also went with.

*sings*
"Elano or Hughes and I'm still here
Tra La La La-La"

[fangsanalsatan]

Toure had a dodgy first season but you don't go from being a regular at Arsenal to losing all your defensive abilities overnight. There was a problem somewhere.

Malaria, injuries etc.

[Slim]

Toure had a dodgy first season but you don't go from being a regular at Arsenal to losing all your defensive abilities overnight. There was a problem somewhere.

Malaria, injuries etc.

Terry shaggin his missus.

[btajim]

Toure had a dodgy first season but you don't go from being a regular at Arsenal to losing all your defensive abilities overnight. There was a problem somewhere.

Malaria, injuries etc.

He was considered fit enough to play, though.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Regarding the last sentence, Mancini doesn't have years to wait. The knife were already sharpened by certain sections and slow start to the season and he'll be out by christmas. I have my doubts whether Boateng can help us in that time scale but we'll see. There's the problem of Director of Football doing these deals, he can affrd the luxury of waiting for few years since there seems to be no pressure involved with that position.

So what you're saying is that Mancio should just plan for today, and not for tomorrow? As Jerome said in his statement, it was Mancio himself who talked him into joining, with the vision of the future and by making him a better player. Mancio has to look to the future of the club and I for one am impressed that he is looking at this long-range, rather than believing he will be out by Christmas, as you said. If he had that attitude, then we would be well and truly fucked. Thank fuck we are changing eh!

Right, well, I myself hope we plan for the future. I have my doubts though whether Mancini can afford that luxury.

[john@staustell]

Regarding the last sentence, Mancini doesn't have years to wait. The knife were already sharpened by certain sections and slow start to the season and he'll be out by christmas. I have my doubts whether Boateng can help us in that time scale but we'll see. There's the problem of Director of Football doing these deals, he can affrd the luxury of waiting for few years since there seems to be no pressure involved with that position.

So what you're saying is that Mancio should just plan for today, and not for tomorrow? As Jerome said in his statement, it was Mancio himself who talked him into joining, with the vision of the future and by making him a better player. Mancio has to look to the future of the club and I for one am impressed that he is looking at this long-range, rather than believing he will be out by Christmas, as you said. If he had that attitude, then we would be well and truly fucked. Thank fuck we are changing eh!

Right, well, I myself hope we plan for the future. I have my doubts though whether Mancini can afford that luxury.

Mancini exudes the confidence that he believes, no assumes, that he will be here for at least 3 years if not the longer term. One of the tranfer bollox headlines is about 'Mancini desperate for Milner' or something. I dont believe he is desperate about anything. If not Milner he will buy someone else, simple as. He has the confidence and calm of a man who has dome it before and will do it again, and make all the buggers work hard to achieve it, morning AND afternoon Carlito.

I must admit that personally I have found a good improvement in a team that obviously lacks quality in certain areas and, without wanting to get into the other thread and it's insults, it is the results and performances against the likes of Burnley, Birmingham and other lower teams toward the end, and away performances at Fulham, Chelsea yes AND Arsenal, where we always lose. You can always lose by the odd goal to Scum.

Given the right reinforcements I believe he is right to be confident.