Whilst I was slightly impressed with Hodgson's achievements at Fulham, appointing a British manager after 10+ years of continental management isn't the right move. British coaching is generally crap, there are the odd exceptions, but I've seen nothing in Roy that makes me think he's what we need.

I like his character, he seems genuine and he'll have my backing, but in terms of what I wanted, he'd have been about middle of the list.

Don't give Hodgson a lot of money to spend,this is a man that spent £5 million on Christian Dailly while at Rovers.

Roy is a yes man, he wont rock the boat.

"what really impressed us was Roy wanted to get the best out of the current squad and never asked how much money have I got to spend or said can I bring this player or that player in and he has a proven track record of doing just that"

Weareupcreek

Until you get new owners you haven't got a dime to spend. Moaning about it, won't do the manager any good, he needs to get on with it. Hodgson is ideal in that respect, he's good at signing unknown players who turn good and he's also good at getting the best out of average / decent player. Sure he's no Mourinho, but he should do a solid job with limited resources. He's got a pretty good playing staff to work with, especially if he can keep the likes of Reina, Carragher, Johnson, Agger, Gerrard, Mascherano and Torres.

I can see Mancini wanting to keep De Jong. It will take time for Toure to adjust to the PL and we do have the extra european fixtures. It wouldnt surprise me to see both Toure and De Jong line up in a 4-2-3-1 in the season opener at Spurs, when I expect Mancini to lay down a marker that we wont be a soft touch away from home. I think Barry's more vulnerable than De Jong.

I expect Robinho to move to a warmer country in a player exchange deal, probably in the last few days of the transfer window.

Petrov ... excellent signing.

Blake ... yeah, not sure what that's about.

Riquelme ... I take it that's the model from Paraguay

... Ilan seems to be a possible too.

I will be shocked if at least 2 of the players mentioned there are not sold.

I want to know who's side Roy is on before I get behind him.

Madrid have apparently turned their attentions to Sweinsteiger so Gerrard could be stuck at Anfield.

Unless we keep Torres and Gerrard we will be lucky to get 5th

Top 3

Mancs
Chelsea
Arsenal

Then you have City spending loads to get the 4th leaving us in a battle for 5th with Spurs and Villa.

I wish Woy had went to Milan the other week. Although in these days of discwimination, it is always nice to see a victim of pwonounciationism doing well!


On a more serious note, City could have a belting team if these new foreigners adapt.

Those foreigners like James Milner?

I know, I was joking. Milner will more than likely be one of them, though.

Silva is a superb signing but they need more of his calibre to drastically improve on last season's side.

Wonder if he can adapt to the Premiership. Hopefully from their point of view he will be successful like Spanish counterparts Torres and Villa and not an expensive flop.