marcofisher

Lots of clubs seem to be signing up midfielders, I do wonder if Alex sees better opportunities for himself next summer.

I don't fit he fit the way we wanted to play until Pearson came in. LJ seemed to sign him more as a potential player rather than for the team. Pearson was fair with HNM in my opinion, he had his chances was playing regularly enough under NP until it was clear he had already decided he wanted to be elsewhere.

Just to clarify - You're not in favour of retiring his shirt number?

Both of these players are retired and left City a long time ago. I think it might be time to draw a line under it and move on?

What if I can't?

Show the e-ticket?

Here's presuming they will do the same for Membership cards? I would much prefer an e-ticket than a physical one.

Disagree, not the league it used to be and playing for a title and Champs League every year. 2 good seasons there and he is making a move like Bellingham has this summer.

True, but their forwards were so much more than big brutes that didn't move and just held it up. They could press defences, cause havoc and make runs in behind too.

I think it's the first season I can remember, certainly in a while, where I see us being competitive in all 46 games.

True, but he will also argue that he had an opportunity, not because the club afforded him it because with injuries there was no real choice, and he took it. Maybe this summer is the one chance he will have for a big move whereas a few more years and he will not be a young centre half. I don't blame him, he is a smart lad, and has been with us for a long time. It's not unheard of that someone may simply just think a fresh start may be good for them and their career.

Agreed, although maybe he is waiting to see if any reported interest in him leads to a bid. I think he may well sign on later in the transfer window/just after it shuts if nothing comes about.

Both Atkinson and Kalas have been victims of long-term injuries. Naismith had a lot of niggles las season too, and I think we may see him more in front of the back four. I think we will try to keep Vyner for these reasons.

Or my favourite when we are in a bad run of form - "I'd change formation and keep it simple in a 442".

Haaland may be good. But can he do it on a warm Tuesday night in Riyadh?

Could be good for Gary. Stock was high after keeping them up and think second season syndrome could easily set in next season.... Gets a nice payoff I presume too and may be able to bide his time to pick the right suitor.

True. I think however our summer recruitment plans will be based off the previous assumption that he would be going back to the continent.

I don't really think it affects us at all. He has practically already left, we are just seeing what compo we get. As far as squad planning goes and impact on the team, he is not even a consideration.

That means we must be signing Cole Palmer then!

You’d think his agent would be picking up the phone and calling them!

True, but if some of these “second tier” Premier League clubs, i.e. Brighton, West Ham, Wolves take this approach, the risk is that a bigger club could come in later for him when he has a year left on his contract and take them out of the running.

Methinks Brighton had identified him before going to Swansea, and seeing his style at Swansea confirmed it. I can't remember what the actual squad situation was at Swansea when he left. I do seem to remember a lot of overpaid and not all that good players... If I'm correct they had Wilfried Bony on the books and he didn't even play once for them in the Championship?

In fairness to Potter, what he did in Sweden was nothing short of incredible. You could see Swansea were a team on the up with Potter too and were early on in a project. I don't see the same pedigree with Martin...

Maybe his development wasn't as expected, but they are still getting back a 21-year old with 100+ apps at a good level and is already incredibly familiar with the club. For a pittance as well. Not much to lose for them.