The only place to be

No reason for you to call members dumb simply because they believe that City should be punished for not playing by the same rules that we have over the last few years.

You realise that FFP is not only supported by us, it actually benefits us as well. Firstly, infrastructure costs (stadiums, training areas etc.) still don't count towards FFP. City can't be allowed to do the same because the rules have changed. It's not fair, which is kinda why we supported them in the first place. The fact is that we, along with other clubs, have since changed our practices in order to meet these new criteria so why shouldn't City as well? It might not be fair, but that's life. Have you even bothered to look at our finances over the last few years? Of course we've reduced spending in accordance with the first monitoring periods of FFP.

Technically they haven't been tested in a court of law ergo the validity is uncertain in that sense. It may well be pathetic to you, but these are the rules that UEFA set out in order to protect clubs. Personally I think that's bollocks but it's their rules. Ultimately it benefits us, but the simple fact is that we've curtailed our spending in order to meet these criteria so other teams shouldn't therefore be able to get away with not following them.

Actually they're in contravention of a set of rules that other clubs have established and agreed to follow. But no, it's not a crime.

Gross or net? Personally I think we're a decent striker away from winning the league especially with the young players we have coming through. I think you're being massively pessimistic which is in vogue amongst 6 or 7 posters on here.

The thing is it's not just the authorities they have to worry about. Arsenal and us are also very serious about FFP. The simple fact is that clubs like us have potentially limited our shot at success by adhering to these rules so I have no doubt that we would probably look to take some sort of action as well if City aren't punished appropriately.

I think it's harsh to say he went back on his word. Jose has already said that he felt we needed to change the way we played and I think he had higher expectations of Luiz as a central defender. He had to drop him twice so in his mind I think he stopped being a CB option and had to be utilised elsewhere. Throw in the injury to Van Ginkel and the decline of both Mikel and Essien and it was a pragmatic move to make. But I agree that it's probably a good thing not to have him in midfield next season despite the fact I think it's his best position in the Premier League. I think people have vastly different definitions of charisma too. Selfies, thumbs ups and sticking your tongue out whilst being a bit of a clown is one type of charisma. Bobby Moore, Roy Keane, JT etc. had a different type of charisma, but one that would inspire others. I'm not saying that Luiz isn't capable of that (indeed he's shown aspects of being a leader in the past) but I think his more exuberant personality is what some people find appealing.

I think this transfer saga has a few twists and turns in it. The fact that he's agreed terms is almost meaningless - he'll have a rate and Barca have probably just said that it's ok in principle. There will be other teams aware of this though. What happened to Bayern in the CL is great for us because it might mean they re-examine their personnel and look to spend big. PSG could also be in the running although those reports of the FFP sanctions could go either way. If they have to sell to buy then Cavani becomes a possible option because for all his talent and profile, he ain't Zlatan. The other wrinkle is the World Cup. If he plays to his potential then his value could really increase, but Barca will be aware of this. It might be prudent to pay over the odds for a player now in case he increases even more when his face is plastered across the world lifting the World Cup. It's a fascinating story.

If the league finishes as it is then it's probably a fair representation of where we are as a team. City are a team at the peak of their development with an established spine before the season started (Hart, Kompany, Zab, Toure, Silva, Aguero) and Aguero has only started 19 league games for them, missing almost half of them. We're a team in the process of being built. Coming into the season we probably one had two players who would remain as part of the spine all season long - Cech and Hazard. JT was by no means the player he is now and Cahill didn't lock down that spot until December. Even Ivanovic was used as a CB as much as a right-back last season. In that sense this season has a fair amount in common with Ranieri's last season in charge....hopefully the comparisons continue.

I don't particularly like Rami as a starter but I think it is possible to win the league with him in the team if we make signings elsewhere and players like Oscar and Willian become more consistent. I'd really love for us to give the young players a chance though. We've got Van Ginkel, Chalobah, RLC and Baker (more of a 10 but still...) to try alongside Matic....just one of them has to make it.

4 Premier League goals. Eto'o has started ONE more game and scored 9 goals. Schurrle has started the same number of games as Torres and scored 7. Torres is a busted flush and the day he leaves will be one of the best days in this club's history. The single worst transfer in the history of football, not just for what he's failed to produce on the pitch but because of the financial cost off it. He was literally too expensive to sell because of the way FFP works. Never seen such a weak-willed, softcock, shell of a man play football in my life.

Just imagine if we had a decent striker in our team and not the useless cunt in your avatar - once that parasite is removed from the club we'll be much better.

We've got Ivanovic as third-choice CB with Kalas and Zouma needing game time. Then there's Ake and Christensen, as well as Chalobah and Omeruo on-loan. The reality is that Luiz simply isn't trusted by Jose as a defender and I personally don't think he's a £20 million+ midfielder.I'd rather we invested in someone like Vidal or stuck with Ramires and Van Ginkel whilst developing Chalobah, Baker and Loftus-Cheek.

Selling our third/fourth choice CB and our third choice midfielder (behind Matic/Ramires and hopefully a new signing next year) for about £25 million is good business. As for him giving his all, watch the Cardiff game or the Newcastle away game. He was dropped twice and not chosen to play in CB when Terry and Cahill were fit for the rest of the season for a reason. How anyone is surprised by this I'm not sure.

One more thing he's dropped tonight. Although in fairness he was very secure in the second-half and his kicking was absolutely top class.

There are some real gems in that team as well. Loftus-Cheek and Christensen are probably the best known ones but Dasilva might be the best left-back to have come through in some time with a bit more time there. Aina is a bundle of energy, Musonda is prodigiously talented, Solanke is a natural scorer, Colkett can pick a pass probably better than anyone and then you've got the likes of Kiwomya and Boga who weren't involved. Now we need the under-21s to do the business against United in the final.

Never been overly impressed with Izzy but he did well tonight. Looked a lot more decisive than he has done previously and that was a nice ball into Colkett. Actually rate Colkett too. It's like having a second crack at developing McEachran. Would certainly like us to have a crack at Fulham's number 10. Reminiscent of Lallana.

This is OUR fucking cup. Get the fuck in. Best thing is that it should be paraded at the first home game of next season too. Brilliant work lads, Solanke the difference.

Come on....looked offside but great play by Colkett and Solanke is a born finisher.

Get in. Who knew a decent striker could be useful against packed defences????

Fuck's sake. Dasilva perhaps showing a little inexperience at left-back but that's a good finish.

2-1 Houghton. Proper little grafter but that's a great finish with his right. It was a great ball from him that put Musonda away for the first as well.

Fucking Beeney. Seems worthwhile mentioning that he's the son of the academy goalkeeping coach and owns his own pair of gloves, hence him playing.

Add Palmer to that list too. Colkett, Loftus-Cheek, Christensen, Dasilva, Musonda, Solanke and Colkett should just play it amongst themselves. Not sure why Aina isn't starting at full-back. Had a busy week but still.

I do sometimes wonder if people forget that Roman's first season here was with Claudio as manager, not Jose. That team was pretty good (JT, Lamps, Makelele, Duff, Gallas, Cole, Eidur would be key players the next season) and Jose just took us to that next level with some key signings elsewhere. We aren't there yet. This is the season where we lay the foundation, that was always the case. I think you're spot on that it was unreasonable to expect instant success because the reality is that it wasn't instantaneous in his first stint here. We're talking about 2-3 signings to really cap this team off (arguably only the striker is an essential purchase if we want to properly challenge for the league).