City in talks for Adebayor

[red g]

Thats true but I think the other teams (Villa and Everton) dropped off and if they get into a suitable position unlike those two City will be able to bring in reinforcements in January.

City had form to challenge at home but now away I think they have players who could do better (Dunne, Richards etc.) and a lot of added players and could well make up a big number of points on the top 4. If asked to bet then I'd say they would be top 6 but not necessarily better than that. However I think they have a slim chance and shouldn't be written off.

slim chance agreed, but then so do Villa and Everton and unlike those 2 whose strength is in there team spirit, i cant see that happening at city, at all

[JohnDoe]

With the squad they are building it would be very naive to write off Citeh's chances of finishing in a CL spot next season. IMO they will have a better team than Villa and Everton, both of whom have been close to 4th spot in recent seasons.

They need two top class defenders before having a chance at 4th. If they get Terry and Lescott for example, I think Arsenal will have a serious cause for concern. Until then...

[Delinquent]

You said Adebayor's ****, not me! Although now you've mentioned it I think he is ****. I said that Ngog is a better player, and I stand by that. I bet you anything you like that Ngog's minutes to goals ratio next season is better than Adebayor's.

I can't quite figure out whether you're on a windup. Whatever, I'll humour you.

If Ngog's playing at Wrexham or somewhere, you might be right. If they're both playing in the Premiership however, Ngog doesn't have a hope of winning that contest.

[Craig_H]

Doesn't matter if you have world class players in your team or not, as long as you have a very good team.

Our major problem in the past has been the fact that we have had the odd world class player but not enough 8 out of 10's if you know what i mean.

City are buying a lot of excellent players (not necassarily world class), and are improving their team on a weekly basis.

Hughes has been very clever in recruiting proven premiership performers.

They will be a major force this season. Definate top 5 finish, with a outside chance at the title.

It matters though, when the top four have very good teams AND world class individuals to make the difference for them when they're not cruising to victory.

On the contrary, Liverpool have had a very good team, but the lacking ingredient has been world class players to win us games. One or two isnt enough to win you the league.

[-V-]

Great work again by Wenger. Bought him for £7m and selling him for £25m three years later.

[Craig_H]

That's all good, but they've also won nothing for ages.

[-V-]

Doesnt matter craig. Arsenal are building for the future, they have a massive stadium to fund. In that sense they are miles ahead of us. They are laying the foundations for the next 100 years

[Imy]

What a master plan by Hughes, buy endless amounts of strikers none of which can score goals on a regular basis

Hughes

[Joe King]

That's all good, but they've also won nothing for ages.

It's possible that Wenger's transfer policy has meant that they would sacrifice cup success to make profits on players. With Wenger's net spend consisting of only £2.5m, the business men at Arsenal would dread to get rid of him; he is consistently getting Champions League football, having a reasonably successful youth system and working on a shoe string budget.

[JohnDoe]

It's possible that Wenger's transfer policy has meant that they would sacrifice cup success to make profits on players. With Wenger's net spend consisting of only £2.5m, the business men at Arsenal would dread to get rid of him; he is consistently getting Champions League football, having a reasonably successful youth system and working on a shoe string budget.

I agree. Arsenal's board love Wenger because he gives the club profits. As long as he gets top 4, he's safe, but their complacency will be their undoing eventually.

[barnes10]

top 4 and titles are about consistency. that is what they didnt have last season and that comes from real team spirit and fighting for the cause.

[Craig_H]

Doesnt matter craig. Arsenal are building for the future, they have a massive stadium to fund. In that sense they are miles ahead of us. They are laying the foundations for the next 100 years

My point was more that it's about winning things, as opposed to simply making money on players. If it was monopoly, then Wenger's untouchable but trophies matter most in football.

[Craig_H]

It's possible that Wenger's transfer policy has meant that they would sacrifice cup success to make profits on players. With Wenger's net spend consisting of only £2.5m, the business men at Arsenal would dread to get rid of him; he is consistently getting Champions League football, having a reasonably successful youth system and working on a shoe string budget.

I dont dismiss all that, but it doesnt sound like the mantra of a big club to me.

[MrMichael]

Dunno though Mike, if they were so fussed about european football, would they have gone to City in the first place? Perhaps they can withstand one season in the domestic wilderness though, you might be right.

Imagine (and it doesnt take that vivid an imagination) that they dont qualify for europe next season. There could be a comical little exodus this time next year.

That is true of course, although I really meant it'll be even harder to keep them happy without all the extra games playing in Europe means as well as the prestige of the competitions.

[red g]

My point was more that it's about winning things, as opposed to simply making money on players. If it was monopoly, then Wenger's untouchable but trophies matter most in football.

exactly we exist to win trophies not to make profit