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OK, the Kinkladze and Betty Noir threads got me thinking about which older City players would be good for our current squad.

To stop everyone saying Colin Bell, you need to pick a player who didn't win anything for City (which still leaves a lot to choose from). You also have to say who'd he replace in the squad, preferably the first team - hey, we have to think about FFP.

My initial thoughts -

Paul Lake alongside Kompany. Means Nasti to the bench and Lescott on the transfer list, but they'd be an excellent partnership.

Kinkladze to replace Nasri. Both disappear from games at times, but Kinky when he was with us offered more than Nasri has. And maybe this time we could keep him off the Ferrari's and pies.

Edit - One last condition: they have to be the same age and condition as when they played for City. So you can't have a 25 year old Pearce at left back and if you want Fowler, you get the overweight landlord, not the goal machine from his early career.

Replace Rodwell for Michael Johnson.

Jonno was homegrown talent, plagued with injuries like Rodwell. But Jonno seemed to have something special, he was a fantastic player when he was fit and burst on the scene.

I reckon another good rule would be that you have to have seen them play live. I wouldn't like to say anyone who I never saw properly in the flesh; I only have very vague memories of Paul Lake, for example (I was born in April 1985).

Pretty slim pickings from my lifetime. We were in decline from when I was 8 until I was 14. Then we yo-yo'd when I was 14-17. From 17-24 we were up and down the Premier League between 8th and 16th, and since then (and Bobby) the rest is history.

So, thinking about it... I'd have the Garry Flitcroft who left for Blackburn ahead of Javi García and Peter Beagrie in for Scott Sinclair.

As for those we've loved and lost recently, I'd definitely have Mario back for Edin.

Shauny from the days before he left to Chelsea to replace Nasri

or

The Shauny who came back to replace Scotty

Moonchesteri wrote:Shauny from the days before he left to Chelsea to replace Nasri

or

The Shauny who came back to replace Scotty

Do both for a mindfuck.

Top call on Peter Beagrie was telling my lad on Saturday he was the last City player who took a decent corner (I'm sure there's been others since, Benarbia?) & had to explain his summersault celebrations.

Kinkladze is probably the one player for me, he was the most talented City player I've ever seen no one else has had feet as magic as he did.

Might also chuck Tony Coton at his peak in if only to keep Hart on his toes.

Nick Anelka, Paulo Wanchope, The Goat, would all score shed loads

Lev Bronstein wrote:Nick Anelka, Paulo Wanchope, The Goat, would all score shed loads

Yeah, Anelka for Edin would also work. Can't believe I didn't think of that. In terms of ability, I wouldn't sacrifice any of our current squad for The Goat or The Chop, mind (and The Goat is my all-time hero).

Van buyten for nasty


Benarbia for nasri or Sinclair

Schmeichell for hart or panty

Michael Brookes wrote:Van buyten for nasty

Benarbia for nasri or Sinclair

Schmeichell for hart or panty

Which Schmeichel (considering Peter was about 40)

Agree with other two

Lev Bronstein wrote:Nick Anelka, Paulo Wanchope, The Goat, would all score shed loads

Anelka's pace would definitely come in useful.

I do think The Goat could do Edin's job - come on with 15 to go when we're chucking everything at the opposition and get on the end of stuff.

Blue Since 76 wrote:
Which Schmeichel (considering Peter was about 40)

Agree with other two

The 40 year old machine! He saved Gerard's thunderous drive just be looking at it!

David White for sinclair,
Paul Lake for anybody, he was that good, imo
There are lots that would fit within the present squad, but probably not better than we have. Like Ali Bernabia, Colin Hendry , Uwe Rosler, Paul Walsh and The Goat

Kaziu Deyna for Sinclair and Rodney Marsh for Dzonkey.Anelka and Hendry were good shouts.

Elano for Garcia :)

Petrov, swp, David white or berti for Sinclair.

Stephen Ireland for Nasri.

It still hurts that Stevie never got to play with Dave Silva. They would have terrorised the league.

Sweep for anyone on the right.

peter barnes for nasri or sinclair

Doyle in midfield sitting behind yaya, bell, tevez, silva and kun and corrigan for pantie in reserve for joe

Quinn for Dzeko.

a 22 year old david white
tony coton would give joe a run for his money
94/95 season george weah - not the one who turned up on loan in 2000

oh.... how about players that got away?

back in the early 90s i remember us being linked with a young portuguese player from sporting. of course nothing came of it but i often wonder what direction we'd have gone in with him and the crop of youngsters we had at that time. down probably given that we'd still have been run by swales.

oh, the player was luis figo.