tyklip

Money was the single biggest factor of success in the league a long, long time before we were taken over or even Chelsea. It's no coincidence that a "Big Four" has developed over the last 30 years, because as your rightly point out, if your best player has a chance to join a title winning team which one will he join? And if two teams come up against each other and one has the vastly superior team, then who is more likely to win? And winning gives you more money than taking part. Vicious cycle and little to do with us in terms of causation. I think we're taking advantage of it but after sat there watching our Academy lads be sold out for richer clubs for quite a few years then my acceptance that this is a City based problem isn't exactly high. I said "while not alone". I'm perfectly aware of the history. But it's simple for me: it's anticompetitive and your acknowledgement of that and of your I'll will to having your Academy products sold in the past stands in stark contrast to your attitude here with respect to Delph. And just for the record, you do admit that city has made the situation worse, right? (I mean they haven't improved parity)

Here what? As in the Delph transfer? I think it will have no impact at all on the overall health of football. You don't see this as a larger problem that city, while of course not alone, has exacerbated? You have poached our captain for nothing. And it is because of money (not just the money he will get but the money that buys trophies. And yes, money is the single biggest factor of success in this league).

The false assurances are what are this particularly galling. But the larger point about loyalty...I don't know... Should we not expect some? Wouldn't the game be better and far more competitive with it, and thusly be a far better product? The stunning lack of parity (as exemplified here) is just pathetic. Imagine a bpl where any of 20 teams could win it each year. (I know it's not possible)

Do you see Delph getting anywhere near that much playing time? He's a decent player, and certainly good for us, but I can't see him being first choice at Man City. He's no Jimmy Milner. I think in a 60 game season then he can hope for 30 appearances or so. We do opften lack a bit of energy in midfield and even Lampard could get that for us last year despite being pretty terrible past Novemberish. We're weak in the centre mid spots so he has as good a chance as any. It's a bit like John O'Shea at United. Did he expect to play every game? No probably not but it was more fulfilling to be part of a medium sized part of a winning squad that collects medals than a big part of a squad that doesn't. Again, I'll ask: is what is happening here (as a microcosm) good for football?

You're a relegation threatened club who has just sold their best player and a team that has won 2 titles in 4 years has just put in for him. If you think this is about money then you're just not paying attention. to be fair you didn't win one of them you just got lucky that QPR hate Man U as much as the rest of us Oh right, seems I was fooled by the trophy presentation, giving medals out and subsequent open topped bus parade into thinking that we won it. wow are you still here? Don't you have your own team forum to talk uninteresting bollocks on? I do but I'm busy reading the uninteresting bollocks on VT at the moment Broader point: do you really think city (and others like them) is good for the league? Do you really think this instance here with Delph is a favorable reflection of the state of football in general?

I disagree. Any player that feels he will be a bit part player at Man City when they are in for him shouldn't even be in the game. He has earned his move and will trust his own ability. He will play and train alongside some of the best players in the world which will only help him improve as a player. He will also test himself against the best players in the world. Had he turned this move down I would have personally thought they guy not only had no balls and ambition but had also lost the plot. I said previously that if they came in for him he was gone. But I didn't expect the 8M clause to be true. I admit that surprised me. But the naivety shown by fans to suggest he would turn down a move to Man City surprised me even more. Also before you point to Rodwell and Sinclair, no way were that at the level Delph is at. They were both every poor Mancini signings and many said it at the time, Delph is now an established England International!! We're speculating over motives, of course, so you're welcome to that interpretation. And we will certainly see how it turns out. The one part here that I take issue with, is the part about ambition. Him staying here would not at all be a knock on his ambition. There many great things he can do for this club that, in many ways, are more ambitious. Further, if he plays in, say, 20 games next year, will the move be proof of his ambition?

Edit: this is in response to vive la villa I'm sure there are many reasons. Even so, does every player want to win things from the bench? No guarantee, but vastly more likely that he will be a fringe player there. Here, he's integral, without question. So I don't think it's even as simple as winning things. More satisfying as a player to bring up a struggling club or a bit part player in a successful club?

Oh come on. How can you compare that to winning things in football and being an England great?? 1) I spoke only about the money, so don't put words in my mouth. 2) even so, he's more likely to be an England great at man city?

To all those who say that they don't begrudge him doing it for money and that we would all take the offer if given to us, I honestly wouldn't. Not just for money. As he is, he's already rich. I make far less, but am happy with my job and if some other school (I'm a teacher) cam in offering double what I earn, I wouldn't feel a strong inclination to take it. You see, I feel a sense of loyalty to the organization I currently work for. I don't think that it crazy. Sure if I hated my job or the people I worked with, I'd snap at a new opportunity, but that is not how it seemed to Delphi at all. So, with respect, if the extra pay is one of delph's main reasons for jumping ship, I will hold that against him (mind you, how can we know?)

You serious? 4 decent months and you want him to captain the team! Wow expectations for the team really have fallen more than I realised. More about the person than the ability (although Clark had a better season than Delph imo), Clark seems much more vocal and acts more like a leader out there than Delph (not a dig at Delph). I don't have a problem with Delph being captain, but if you asked me who was more suited to being the captain I'd say Clark. I, as a fan, feel more unqualified to judge who should be captain than just about any other player assessment. How can you really judge who's better to be suited as Captain? Because one player yells? Not convincing to me. Has no bearing upon respect in the dressing room, which should be the key component (and a regular on the pitch of course).

Beat me to it

Great move by Sinclair too, to pull the defenders

Happens when you think your getting a great player who probably won't be dropped anyway Can you give an example where this has happened? Genuine curiosity.

I am not intimately familiar with the premier league, but i would downright shocked if any manager in any sport would ever agree to a clause that guarantees that a player plays. It would be beyond idiotic for countless reasons and would total undermine the authority of any manager.

Play for the goal starts with a nice tackle by Senderos. Just fyi

Just curious, but do you have any idea what makes the quality of those linked videos so good? It's phenomenal.

Two white posts, a crossbar and a net. They are fairly traditional in Mansfield. Well done, Trent.

Anyone care to describe the goal?

better team won. But might be best to take a deep breath.

And David Luiz big ups James at the end. Class.

32% of world cups have been won by the home team. That's why they call it home field advantage.

really? Who'd have guessed??

Every VT poster who can see Brazil are getting preferential treatment seems to say otherwise perhaps? preferential treatment? Okay. The ref is making and missing calls for Both teams.

The breathless complaints about the Ref are misplaced. There have been no atrocious decisions. Some bad calls for Both sides. As always.

exactly. The anti-brazil bias here blinds many here.