We Have The Weaponry - The City Masterplan

The Clint Blues Experience sent us his appraisal of the situation within City's squad and what needs to be done right now to address limitations and maximise expectations. A great read...

We Have The Weaponry - The City Masterplan

Following the defeat at Hull, time for a very clear and objective focus on matters City.

This Needs To Happen:

GK: Shay
LB: Bridge
RB: Zab
CB: Vinny
CB: Ned
DM: De Jong
FM: Ireland
LW: Petrov
RW: SWP
CENTRE (not right or left): Tevez and Adebayor

Subs: Bellamy, Johnson, Richards, Viera, Barry, Taylor

This team needs six games to stick together - just a month in our current log jam season - blank Saturdays earlier in the year, the administrators allow this to frustrate clubs at all levels of English football.

I digress.

Bobby Manc's achilles heel seems to be wingers not playing on their natural sides. This then influences centre forwards avoiding centre ground to develop a pattern of play. Think of the potential we have in Ade and Carlos. Lets not do what Portsmouth did to Defoe, who should be one of the first getting his yellow fever and rabies jabs for summer.

The Rationale Behind The Team Above

Bellamy unlucky not to make it. Rigsby has his chance to stake a claim with Bellers a victim of Brightwellium flexibility being able to back up our middle two - I like Bellers out wide but his real game is central.

Ade needs a chance to do what he is good at and not be everyone else or just give up. Ade needs footy in his life more than most, money being the secondary issue it is to most fans, and probably most footballers if the peddlers of greed could have been kept in check with stronger administration.

Adam Johnson is a good new addition and should provide vitality and zest to the squad, good signing and a key strength of our striped custodian in freshening up with youth and potential.

Zab shades it because we still lack real quality at the back, although he is yet to be as convincing at right back as he is in his more forward midfield role. He has shown his mettle and appetite for the fight for the Blue cause enough time to warrant another punt.

Richards needs work for him to make the step into a professional footballer of the highest quality - I fear hitherto his exposure to our erstwhile captain of morality and co in the England set up will have done him more harm than good.

- What the furore has to do with Bridge, unless he was extending his counseling prior to the break up with Madame Fatale detracts from the real hurt party in Mrs T (who has provided the benefit of the doubt, beyond doubtless in an attempt to keep some Endemol viewers created 'Dad of the Year' in the sanctity of marriage), beats me - another diatribe I fear, I move on.

Lescott needs to prove himself in the reserves before he makes the squad for me. De Jong has done more than enough to hold his own, despite a dip at Hull, before Viera can earn his way in, if he still has it. Barry's left sided nature gives him a chance in the squad, but he needs to get rid of the lard arse and stop taking the well worn track Fowler, Seaman and MacManaman carved before him - exasperated by cash in the Arabs now.

Toure is not a leader, a decent number two defender at best. Lescott is not as good as Dunne, but has youth and height in his favour. However, he is a follower too. For me, Vinny Kompany is captain and gives a feck about this club, as too, De Jong. SWP is getting a lucky berth, a chance to work his way back to form in a consistent set up.

Boyata has done a good job and should now be rested.

Too many times have Tevez and Adebayor been beyond over relied upon. Just because they are outstanding goalscorers in their own right, they should not have to do the work of wingers or midfield - admirable work rate coming back is different from absolving striking duties because you are covering skill gaps elsewhere. Repetition, no less.

Ireland is again lucky to make the grade. However, he has a favoured forward position where he can do damage from the centre.

These are our strengths.

Dynamics will enforce changes and will also allow opportunity for other squad members in the course of events. We are in a season of sorting the wheat from the chaff. Note Vassell, Benjani, Garrido (please) and others falling by the wayside. However, the ethic is far from there. Vieira could be just that catalyst, but it is a risk - one he has probably earned, although the first sign of traffic cop displays should see him lose his badge!

Right, that's off my chest. Now get on with it Bobby Manc!

Very Many Thanks to The Clint Blues Experience for this thought provoking analysis.

JOIN VITAL MANCHESTER CITY

Vital Manchester City was the fastest growing independent City Website of 2009 with a worldwide membership of over 2,100 Blues strong. Thank you for your support! Get on board both here and in our buzzing forums as we prepare for our mate Kev Davies and Bolton!

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.