Is Fergie falling for his own chicanery?

We all know that Fergie is the master of footballing psychology but I find his recent rants about Manchester City rather bizarre. In today's papers he accuses City of being a small club with a small mentality on the basis of one advertising poster in the centre of Manchester. He also accuses City of being fixated with United when all I've read about City is their plans for the future - no mention of United. In fact it is United who talk about City. Even Rio Ferdinand was at it in yesterday's Times advising John Terry not to go to a club that won't win trophies.

Now I've noticed that Fergie tends to publicly attack clubs he sees as real threats: Liverpool last season, Chelsea and Arsenal in the past. Is the chucter finally admitting City are his biggest threat next season? City is a club whose new team is yet unproven and yet the full force of the hair-dryer is being unleased. I guess it can't be easy having been the big fish to have lost your star player and have to replace him with a crock on a pay-as-you-go deal whilst your neighbours are spending cash KLF-style.

Are we seeing the beginning of the end for his empire?

I agree,  Fergie is losing it  imo,

Why is this on NON FOOTY ?

Yeah... NON-NON FOOTY...

Quoted from grimsby pete

I agree,  Fergie is losing it  imo,

Why is this on NON FOOTY ?

Well, I thought of putting it on Fishy Talk but was afraid that some may point out, quite validly I suppose, that it wasn't fishy talk, ie about the Town.

So I erred on the side of caution.

Quoted from kingofthekippers

We all know that Fergie is the master of footballing psychology but I find his recent rants about Manchester City rather bizarre. In today's papers he accuses City of being a small club with a small mentality on the basis of one advertising poster in the centre of Manchester. He also accuses City of being fixated with United when all I've read about City is their plans for the future - no mention of United. In fact it is United who talk about City. Even Rio Ferdinand was at it in yesterday's Times advising John Terry not to go to a club that won't win trophies.

Now I've noticed that Fergie tends to publicly attack clubs he sees as real threats: Liverpool last season, Chelsea and Arsenal in the past. Is the chucter finally admitting City are his biggest threat next season? City is a club whose new team is yet unproven and yet the full force of the hair-dryer is being unleased. I guess it can't be easy having been the big fish to have lost your star player and have to replace him with a crock on a pay-as-you-go deal whilst your neighbours are spending cash KLF-style.

Are we seeing the beginning of the end for his empire?

No you are just a hopeful Man City fan.

Will be stunned if Citeh finish in the top 4.

Can't see this being the end of his empire to be honest.

Quoted from mariner91

Can't see this being the end of his empire to be honest.

I never said this was the end of his empire, just the beginning of the end. History has shown all empire's eventually collapse and usually at their own hand.

United have sold their star player for £80m and invested precisely £0 in replacing him. A free crock on a pay-as-you-play contract is not what Fergie is used to. £70m a year in interest payments is an enormous sum to pay and I think it's beginning to hit home despite United's enormous turnover.

The telling thing is the level of vitriol Fergie is throwing City's way. City have splashed the cash but have yet to walk the walk - we all know that. However Fergie is doing his best in trying to belittle City. Why? You only expend energy in attacking what you perceive to be a threat, surely?

And what triggered this attack? One advertising poster. Bizarre.

I would not be surprised if city finish above united this season,

Fergie will then retire.

city wont finish above utd,

they have only signed 3-4 strikers and barry.

the majority of the team is the same as last season. If they were going to push on players like Terry/ronaldinho/Kaka would all be there, but they had to settle for Santa Cruz and Adebayor.

they will finish around 6th-8th

Quoted from kingofthekippers

I never said this was the end of his empire, just the beginning of the end. History has shown all empire's eventually collapse and usually at their own hand.

United have sold their star player for £80m and invested precisely £0 in replacing him. A free crock on a pay-as-you-play contract is not what Fergie is used to. £70m a year in interest payments is an enormous sum to pay and I think it's beginning to hit home despite United's enormous turnover.

The telling thing is the level of vitriol Fergie is throwing City's way. City have splashed the cash but have yet to walk the walk - we all know that. However Fergie is doing his best in trying to belittle City. Why? You only expend energy in attacking what you perceive to be a threat, surely?

And what triggered this attack? One advertising poster. Bizarre.

Yeah good point. I think Fergie maybe has 2/3 years left in him. I think he would rather fall on his sword than to slowly become less effective though.

City may have 'only' signed 3 strikers and Barry, but those players they brought in during January have now had a bit of time to adjust to the league, whilst the players signed this summer have all been in this league for at least 2 years.

Kompany and De Jong signed in January are excellent players in a variety of postions (mainly defensive mid and centre back). I can see Man City playing a very similar formation to Liverpool. If they can strengthen their two centre backs as they are trying to do at present with proven Premiership players then they could be in for a very good season.

I also think that Steven Ireland playing in a similar role to Gerrard would be an excellent thing. If the signings they have made play for the club and arent just there for the money then I wouldnt be surprised to see them finish in the top 4.

I seriously doubt that City will be above Uts this season. I'm happy if they are, but honestly, does anyone really think they will?!

I can also see SAF quitting after next year. With the finances restricted to him freom the Ronaldo sale (or so it would seem) he can't be happy with that situation. It also seems like the top players aren't interested in going there, more like Real Madrid and City for the cash. Pity, but there you go.

they are a bit like real madrid, in terms of transfers, they are buying more "forward" players, and seem to be neglecting there defence (forget john terry) Richard Dunne isnt capable of being a top 4 centre half

But they are trying to strengthen their defence. They have signed Kompany, De Jong, Zabaleta and Bridge in the last year. All of these players could form a back four, although Kompany and De Jong have played playing in midfield at the moment.

Hughes also wanted to pair Terry and Lescott together. I cant imagine many teams would turn down that partnership. Similarly Toure and Lescott would be a good partnership. I cant see Everton holding out for much longer and Toure appears to be almost a done deal. They will be very strong if they can get a leader.

I think Fergie comes out with this stuff when he feels his teams are weaker the usual.
Good for England that Rooney going to be playing down the middle!

i dont care either way but i would bet on town finishing higher in our division than city to in theirs

He's lost it.