Blue Moon Rising [Official Manchester City Thread]

[Anthony]

So when we said that the real measure of a commitment to a youth policy was actually giving the young players an opportunity with the side, that just got ignored? Appointments and words are no more of a genuine commitment than signing up youth players, spending some money or giving the reserves a fancy name. Having a genuine commitment comes down to giving those players a genuine chance with the club.

As I said before, I believe what I see. And what I see is that the club had a genuine chance to show that commitment this summer. When Mancini was whining about needing squad depth, the club could have shown genuine commitment to developing their own youth by having the manager make use of the existing youth players on a regular basis. Instead, they do the opposite and buy several players.

Mancini is the key and why a genuine commitment to developing the young players probably won't happen. Which is not a condemnation of the manager but rather recognition of his circumstance. He's under pressure to win now. Consider the Sheik patient all you want, but there is every indication that if City don't consistently get the expected results, Mancini is gone. And so long as he has the authority to select the squad, he's going to pick the best possible side to get results. His continued employment hinges on that. So what does he really care about developing players that will come good in 3-4 seasons, if committing to that could get him fired this season? As kyhadley pointed out, that's one of the major reasons that Chelsea has never really followed through on its youth policy, because managers there are always under pressure to produce results.

Its never a bad thing for a club to work on its infrastructure, but there are elements of the club culture that will have to change for it to be truly effective.

Youth costs can be deducted from operating costs to help a team get into the black to meet Financial Fair Play rules. It's the same reason City decided to build such a massive training setup.

You're right, until youth players actually get brought into the first team setup, it's all talk.

As far as trying to turn the City youth setup into a replica La Masia, City are going to run into a lot of issues. Barcelona trialled over 4,000 players in 2011 and selected about 80 to bring into their setup. Barcelona have over 200 youth players all trying to move on to the next age group. In Spain they don't have to worry about work permit issues, in fact, kids from former Spanish colonies in South and Central America are granted Spanish citizenship after just 2 years. You also have to consider that nationally Spain simply produce better youth players than England on the whole and while Espanyol compete with Barca in Barcelona for local talent, it's not the equivalent of having United right down the street.

You guys might find this piece about La Masia interesting...

http://www.thepathismadebywalking.com/002%20Journal/la-masia-article.html

[seaplus]

should have saved the "told you so"

here is how i see things happening ...
- i eventually get tired of VSN and stop posting for a few years (like i did before)
- City have uber awesome youth development like the world has never seen!!! evarrrr!!!!!
- i come back for one last post to rub in City's 3 straight CL trophies and elite academy
- ?????
- profit

in all seriousness, i would have tried to argue against you Bigpapa but Anthony destroyed the argument i would have had and everything else i want to state will just be me regurgitating my previous posts. i'm game to keep arguing my point but i assume this going in circles thing is annoying for other posters who are coming here for new information and opinions. like i said in the other thread, i'd love to VM or PM with you or anyone else about the topic so others don't have to suffer my City bias. let me know

[Bigpapa42]

Nice read. I've read a few pieces on La Masia and its a fascinating process. But you are absolutely correct, Anthony, that there are going to be issues in trying to replicate it. Same as there have proven issues in trying to replicate the youth development process of Ajax, which is probably second to Barcelona.

Manchester City are limited by FA rules so they can't recruit nationally. I believe Spain can, even though they tend to attract players out of the Catalonia region. Even if they are limited to that, the city of Barcelona itself has a population of 4.5m, compared to 500k for Manchester, where they are competing against United. Barcelona have created a continuity in style of play and it was a significant factor that Pep had worked to develop many of the players that came through during his run in charge. Even a factor such as Barcelona "being more than a club" to the Catalan people, which is actually legitimate rather than just a slogan.

[seaplus]

only undefeated team in the EPL

[seaplus]

Micah Richards Out 3-4 Months

He was stretchered off in the second half of the 1-0 win over Swansea just four games into a comeback after missing two months with an ankle problem.

...

"I have a brace on it and I am using crutches. I can’t do anything at all for the next four to six weeks and I am probably looking at 12-16 weeks before I am back in action."

...

The latest injury comes at a time when the 24-year-old was looking forward to getting stuck into the meat of the season having made a big impact following his return from a problem picked up in the Olympics playing for team GB.

[Rudi]

That really fucking sucks about Richards.

[seaplus]

Mario is the face of this month's TIME Magazine

He adorns this month’s cover and in an in-depth interview with one of the world’s longest running publications talks about a wide range of issues including his relationship with Roberto Mancini and his thoughts on racism in football.

VIDEO HERE

[Rudi]

Very disappointing result when we could have went even with United on points. As much as I love Dzeko, he was downright awful today. He did nothing, his touches were bad and he never made any headway. Tevez was great. Still lacked that final pass to breakthrough and get a goal.

[seaplus]

City Wins 2 Football Business Awards

The Blues picked up top marks in the Best/Most Innovative Use of Technology category and the our partnership with EA Sports was also lauded in the Club Sponsorship/Partnership of the Year award.

...

City were also finalists in three other categories at the awards; Best Club Marketing Campaign in the UK, Best use of Social Media in Football and Best Corporate Social Responsibility Scheme.

LINK to other winners

[1ke]

Good thing all that statistical analysis from EA helped them get out the group stage........

Sent from my MB865 using Tapatalk 2

[seaplus]

:kompany:

[RyanLeaf16]

The super-sub strikes again. Edin Dzeko saves the day for City!!!

[Rudi]

Edin Dzeko truly is remarkable. He continues to keep saving City's ass and stealing points. Mancini went to the 3 man back line again but this time it worked...Bleh.

[seaplus]

[seaplus]

Going with a very British 4-4-2

GK- Joe Hart
Say what you will about his mistakes in the Champions League but he and Cech have both played well in the Premier league this season and it's really a toss up between the two. I do think that maybe Ben Foster is finally getting the plaudits he deserves.
LB- Leighton Baines
Easy enough? Jose Enrique has been playing well also, but Baines is pure class.
CB- Branislav Ivanovic
Despite the John Terry mess going on at Chelsea, Ivanovic has continued to be a solid defender with the ability to chip in the odd goal.
CB- Gareth McAuley
Who? Despite all Shane Long has done for WBA, McAuley has quietly established himself as a solid defender. He's probably not going to end the year in the Premier League best 11, but he's in it now. Also considered are Jonas Olsson, Rio Ferdinand, and Winston Reid.
RB- Rafael
Looks like the light has come on for Rafael. Looks like a much more mature player, and is doing quite well in not only getting forward but in defending as well. It's strange. For as bad as Evra has gotten over the past two years, Rafael has improved by that same measure.
LM- Eden Hazard
Raise your hand if you thought Hazard would struggle? Seriously... raise your hand so I can laugh at you.
CM- Juan Mata
If he's not in your 11, punch yourself in the face for being an idiot.
CM- Marouane Fellaini
I think his form has dropped a little lately, but he's still a do it all player. Narrowly edges out Cazorla for me. Really wanted to put Kevin Nolan in here but couldn't.
RM- Santi Cazorla
Normally plays as part of a midfield 3, but in a 4-4-2 he can play out wide. He's got to be in this 11 somewhere.
ST- Robin van Persie
Great season thus far, but showed that without Rooney he may be in over his head.
ST- Luis Suarez
Hands down the best player in the league right now. Wanna argue that point? Check out his goal against Newcastle.

seems about right to me and i can't really find a spot to replace with a City player. with the talent City has, the club should have more players on these type of things ... which shows me we haven't played to our potential. being at the top of the table and not playing the level City should is great. hopefully the recent 5-0 win is a positive trend and play continues to pick up over the course of the season