January Transfer Window

[Tony Elsby]

the gopher?
flash?
bennett?
gay?

I'm certain "Harry" Levein will sort his own playing staff out to his own satisfaction in the coming weeks.

What the club will have to do is make sure they are in a position to match Levein's own ambition.

City never had enough credibility for Martin O'Neil to resist the temptation of Celtic in favour of trying to lift us into unexplored territory and I'm not sure he would have succeeded in the circumstances.

Somehow the City directors have to tackle this credibility deficit and attract a playing staff (and publicity) to match the facilities and the obvious capability of their manager.

The academy is vital. We really must develop talent a la Manchester United. Wanton chequebook spending a la Taylor is wilful irresponsibity and a potentially permanent disaster.

We must develop players, sell some and keep some. If Crewe can get where they've done on crowds that wouldn't fill a decent express train there is everything to work for at City.

I just hope that Levein is strong enough and committed enough not to walk away once he's done his building. In some ways the easy part's the initial construction. The hard part is doing what Wenger's done and keeping it all going and improving.

Only then do you give your name capital letters in the history books and that's what I look forward to. A true managerial great who takes City to places we never expected to go.


PS Why the "Harry" nickname. Harry Levine was a famous boxing promoter. With Craig's reputed right hook it just seemed top of the bill!

 

[PFKAKTF FOX]

Another fantastic post Mr Elsby, totally agree with you we have appointed an excellent manager lets hope he is given the time and opportunity to build a club from top to bottom and not just look at building a team for a season.

We need long term plans and objectives instead of the short term fixes that have been implemented over recent years. We have a superb academy but what we need to see is some younger players coming through the ranks.

I believe in Craig Levein we have a manager who can deliver a successful club not just a team lets hope he is encouraged to stay around long enough to see it through.