Not had much time on here recently so only just had chance to put a proper reply together.

So you're saying that Ranger will 'never make it in the Premiership' mainly based on what someone has told you about him? That's a staggering statement to be honest, especially when you've barely seen him for yourself. This is also a 19-year-old we're talking about, so to write him off so easily is equally staggering. From what he's shown so far, he's very good with his back to goal, can hold the ball up very well but has pace to boot. His big issue so far is his finishing. I put that down to lack of game time as he fires them in for the Reserves but when chances have come his way, they've mainly been late on in a game when he's only been on the pitch for a short amount of time. If he keeps working hard and overcomes a few of his attitude problems (nothing serious, just what seems to happen with young footballers these days), he has every chance of becoming a good Premier League player. For what it's worth, Harry Redknapp wanted to take him to Spurs last season but decided against it in the end due to some stories he'd heard about Nile (the attitude issue).

Coloccini is the most composed member of our squad, especially with the ball at his feet. Nobody looks as comfortable as he does and he's also technically excellent. Sometimes he's loses concentration and his lack of pace doesn't help him but he reads the game very well which makes up for the lack of pace. You've mentioned that incident at Old Trafford which is fair enough, but he shouldn't have been put in that position in the first place.

Routledge has been really good so far and was Man of the Match against Wolves. He ran them ragged and made some superb runs, not just out wide but also through the middle which caused them problems all game. He's also looking better with Perch behind him rather than that piece of garbage Simpson. Perch isn't the best defensively at the moment although he is improving (barring that one tackle against Wolves) but has shown some good signs going forward.

If Ranger or Lovenkrands had been brought on instead of Ameobi against Wolves, I reckon we'd have won it. We created some brilliant chances but Nolan couldn't convert them. We lacked a bit of pace to get in behind the defence and had they been given the chances Nolan had, I'm positive one of them would have bagged.

Agree with pretty much everything there. The only thing I'd question is whether it's a risky signing - we have nothing to lose from it in my opinion. We have him on loan until the end of the season and hopefully we'll sign him permanently after that. I know you've said it will be dangerous if we become dependent on him to keep us up but I don't think that will be the case. We've looked impressive so far and have the chance to build on that in the coming weeks with him and Tiote coming into the team. I think we have the players to keep us up, with or without Ben Arfa, although I'm much happier to have him in their than not as he gives us a much better chance.

The club is currently brimming with confidence and optimism at the moment, a lot of which comes down to the team spirit. I think it will help Ben Arfa settling in entering such a friendly environment and hopefully bring the best out of him without having to worry about his attitude.

As for the Wolves game and the Barton incidents, it was pretty much a disgrace what went on. The treatment of Barton was nothing short of disgusting. Every time he got anywhere near the ball, Karl Henry was on top of him and then proceeded to chop him down. Mick McCarthy no doubt instructed him to do so but it was embarrassing how much he got away with. Could and should have been booked about five times - an absolute joke how he stayed on the pitch.

Another England kit FFS. and it's worst!

England usually change their shirts in April so I wouldn't bet on it.

Ryan Babel when given the chance as scored goals, played well and shown the glimes of brilliance he has in his locker. He just needs that game time and then the confidence will come, I personally wouldn't mind seeing him start in a Liverpool line up all week, he'd bag goals...

Reina
Konchesky Carra Dagger Johnson
Babel Gerrard TBD (Lucas not good enough) Cole
Kuyt Torres

The bitterness and envy is strong in you. I guess you are a dipper by birth.

I guess we could have signed a tramped nicknamed 'the drinker' for £8m, who hasn't even played in a top league competition.

Thank you for making me smile. Should we ignore the fact that Busquets' father being Guardiola's closest friend or highlight the fact that he is Catalans. Or that 90% of Barca fans on there most popular forum wanted him picked ahead of Busquets. Maybe you also forgot how he ran the midfield against top sides in Europe and that he and his previous club were about to receive large sums in relation to appearance bonuses or that Guardiola wanted to keep him. I guess you cannot remember that he was so poor that he even looked top class playing centre half in some games during the final stages of the CL.

I have referred to Yaya Toure being a brilliant footballer well before he joined us. Name me a team in the Prem he would not start.

I honestly believe that if someone doesn't rate Yaya Toure then they simy don't know anything about football. Thank you for proving my point. You're not alone I here though

Have we had a debate about his mental health previously? Ifnot was there a time when I was obliged to make reference to it?

I just find it funny that the day after Robinho signs for AC Milan you are making reference to him having a mental illness, when it never came up in the two years he was a Citeh player.

You were never obliged to make reference to it. But you aren't obliged to suddenly make reference to it now he's gone. The fact that you do shows what a to55er you are IMO.

So anyone who doesn't rate Yaya Toure as a footballer doesn't know anything about football

interesting logic there. So we're not allowed opinions either now?

Of course everyone is entitled to their opinion over Toure.

I just thought it a bit of a shame that Tevez's howler on sunday meant that Yaya's stunning break was completely overlooked.

Really? WHich "forum" may that be? The english speaking one frequented by "fans" who watch the odd game on sky? Because the official spanish speaking forum couldnt wait to see the back of him. As for running the midfield against top sides in europe, this is a complete fallacy, engineered to save face about signing a reserve player for £24 million. Toure has never "ran" a midfield at all. Its not and never has been his job to "run" a midfield. Ive seen every single Barcelona CL game for years and not once has he ever "ran" a midfield.

www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footba ... -125k.html

www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footba ... -125k.html

Anyone who disagrees with a City fan are just bitter of their money.

I think we should await judgement on Toure. If he makes a great impact and runs games then i think it can be classed as a successful transfer. Until then, i shall wait and see.

Do clubs see other rich clubs coming and up their prices for players because they can afford to?

Speaking of city, how long have they called their reserves "The Elite Squad" for? That little gem must have completely passed me by.

It would be very embarrassing if that was the name of the squad but it is actually called the Elite Development Squad. Which is only mildly embarrassing. Meh, it's just cheesy if anything. Judging by the young talent we have been bringing into the club in the last few months, the name may be more appropriate. My understanding is that the best juniors will play in that team rather than the academy. Still cheesey though

My apologies. That's much better

. When did this actually start?

Opinions without reasoning don't deserve respect.

Now please tell us all, what are the weaknesses in Toure's game. When have you seen him play poorly? What did he do wrong? Tell me, what kind of midfielder is he?

The summer, mate. I don't think Elite Development Squad sounds as bad because it intimates that the team is young. Not all reserve teams are young though. In the reserve derby the other week United had Neville, Brown, Carrick and three or four other players with international experience. Scared of losing?

Cheers. As far as I'm aware the reserves have long since been used to give players a bit of match fitness, internationals or not. Not sure about how "Elite development Squads" operate mind you. Scared? Possibly, I heard a rumour that Phelan wanted to rename the team "The League of Extraordinary Gentleman" to try & out-psyche you.

Old news that aint it?

We could've got him for free in May when he joined his club. Shows how much Fergie still rates Quieroz' opinion even after he's gone.

Tell me when I said any of the above about Toure? I haven't said I've seen him play poorly, I haven't actually said he's a poor player either. All I did was say I didn't think he was a top, top player as you claimed. But feel free to make things up

It could be worse, the official colour for their new away kit could be 'dark side of the moon.'

Oh, hang on...........

It will never be old, it seems to get funnier and funnier the more I read about the signing.

He could turn out good, but it seems a really 'unprofessional' signing by a club that has one of the best scouting systems in world football.