Width and pace

[dasein]

We've done it with every single player we've signed under Pellegrini. Players that have shown pace, ability to make clever runs in behind and the ability to run at and commit players seemingly have it all drilled out of them within a few weeks. Sterling took players on and made fantastic runs in pre-season and the first few games in the league. Now he does nothing but retain possession. Navas the same, remember him playing against Bayern pre-season when we signed him and he torn them apart, since then he's never made a run inside the fullback or took a player on. It's starting to happen to KDB too. First few games he wasn't afraid of making those 3rd man runs and shooting on sight. Not seen him have a shot from the edge of the box for the past few games. The players do what is asked of them. The problem is, what they are being asked to do is crap.

Is this why kdb has been poor in last few games (maybe poor is a bit harsh, but ineffective)

 

[Rolee]

I'd have to agree that we miss Zab and Kolorov for there attack minded style of play. Raheem especially looks lost without AK supporting him

We're just missing that spark we had for the first 5 or so games in general though thanks to our annual winter injury list and a fairly stubborn manager at the helm when it comes to using different tactics and studying and adapting our style to the different opposition.

When was this that Raheem looked especially lost? He played central when he came on against Juve.

I've been watching Raheem check back constantly and waiting for Kolarov's overlap, it seems to me to be stunting Raheem's natural game of taking defences on. Looking forward to seeing him playing in front of Clichy as we may see him take on his fullback more often with Clichy more reluctant to offer the overlap.

 

[City_Sean]

They played with a back 5 that is very difficult to break down, even so we created quite a few chances that we poorly missed.

 

[prestonibbo_mcfc]

Yaya control all the pace of our midfield generally. He slows the game down too much, IMO.
Samir gets pelters for this. We will not have this dynamic midfield we all want, whilst he plays.

 

[Deleted member 58678]

I'd have to agree that we miss Zab and Kolorov for there attack minded style of play. Raheem especially looks lost without AK supporting him

We're just missing that spark we had for the first 5 or so games in general though thanks to our annual winter injury list and a fairly stubborn manager at the helm when it comes to using different tactics and studying and adapting our style to the different opposition.

And also without Silva, the three of them tie up together well on the left. Silva is so intelligent that he holds the ball in areas that brings two players from the other team to him which creates space for the other two down the left and we look far more dangerous. It's not that Kolarov and Sterling are particularly great, it's that Silva makes them look that way. Give any player space and he'll look good.

One of the things with us is that we have very specialist players. Our best system cannot be replicated by stand-in players as they are so different to the first choice equivalent. Basically meaning we can only play the way we want when everyone is fit.

 

[Deleted member 58678]

Yaya control all the pace of our midfield generally. He slows the game down too much, IMO.
Samir gets pelters for this. We will not have this dynamic midfield we all want, whilst he plays.

Yaya and Nasri are perfect when we're two or three goals up; chasing the game and it's a different proposition.

 

[prestonibbo_mcfc]

Yaya and Nasri are perfect when we're two or three goals up; chasing the game and it's a different proposition.

i agree. I should have added about Yaya, that i meant his current play. We all know what he is
capable off. Why is he not producing it. We play him further forward and he seems to get wound up
if he's not seeing enough of the ball and drops deep again.