I prefer to see players with quality using their brain and awareness of space to intercept and put us on the front foot.
Read what you posted yesterday.It's the truth, end of. He was good but that just proves that the previous 2 performances were on him, he's shown he can play at that level so that should be the norm, we shouldn't have to dress up the 2 very mediocre performances before it and be grateful that he turns in a performance we expect for once.
Read what you posted yesterday.
So you didn't mean 50/50s you meant stealing the ball by pinching it. Make your mind up what you are arguing about. A hack down is not a 50/50, its a foul and nothing to be proud of. Kev and David were fouled more often than go in for 50/50s because of their ability to steal the ball and then were hacked down because they were too clever.By 50/50 it's the ones that often him and Mahrez are favourites for but it means sticking their foot in and risking a clattering to win the ball back, so they hesitate or flinch and the opposition nick it and break, whereas Dave and Kev take the kick on the ankle and soldier on.
That being said, cracking hack down last night so he can do it when he fancies it.
You just make stuff up to suit your divisive narrative.So you didn't mean 50/50s you meant stealing the ball by pinching it. Make your mind up what you are arguing about. A hack down is not a 50/50, its a foul and nothing to be proud of. Kev and David were fouled more often than go in for 50/50s because of their ability to steal the ball and then were hacked down because they were too clever.
The best defenders you will ever see will hardly ever make a tackle, they don't have to because of positional awareness and reading of the game means they intercept. Colin Hendry was loved by City fans because he would fly into tackles, that just meant he was a poor defender because he was out of position and had too. Look at someone like Alan Hansen, he was magnificent, hardly ever made a tackle, because he read the game so well. Midfielders are the same, the best don't have to tackle, its why players like Grealish, Gow and the likes of Vinnie Jones are not around anymore because football is different, players read the game better, they are more tactically aware and the technical ability means 50/50s are rare. If you love 50/50s go watch a game in the park between the Dog and Duck and the Little stow on the Wold river dredgers third eleven.
So you didn't mean 50/50s you meant stealing the ball by pinching it. Make your mind up what you are arguing about. A hack down is not a 50/50, its a foul and nothing to be proud of. Kev and David were fouled more often than go in for 50/50s because of their ability to steal the ball and then were hacked down because they were too clever.
The best defenders you will ever see will hardly ever make a tackle, they don't have to because of positional awareness and reading of the game means they intercept. Colin Hendry was loved by City fans because he would fly into tackles, that just meant he was a poor defender because he was out of position and had too. Look at someone like Alan Hansen, he was magnificent, hardly ever made a tackle, because he read the game so well. Midfielders are the same, the best don't have to tackle, its why players like Grealish, Gow and the likes of Vinnie Jones are not around anymore because football is different, players read the game better, they are more tactically aware and the technical ability means 50/50s are rare. If you love 50/50s go watch a game in the park between the Dog and Duck and the Little stow on the Wold river dredgers third eleven.
It's funny, I watched the game last night and thought he was probably MOTM. I posted that in the post match thread and loads of people agreed, and there was a lot of discussion about how good he was. In fact, go back 5 pages and it's full of praise, with just some saying they wish he played like that every game.
Now, I look at this thread 12 hours later and it's the usual suspects saying he was shit. What fucking game were you watching?
I think it's become very apparent that a section of this forum doesn't even watch him play, they've decided before kickoff that he's shit and they won't hear anything different.
After seeing @PannickAtTheDisco's rant about him being a "coward" yesterday afternoon, one of the most obvious things in this game was that he went in for half a dozen 50/50s, hacked a couple of people down and made some intelligent tactical fouls as well.
There lies the problem, one good performance in six makes him a definite shoe in for the next few games, when his performances will be average at best.
Why on earth is putting a positive slant on a players performance, role and ability divisive? And if that is your answer rather than challenge my points with reasoned debate then why are you bothering commenting at all.You just make stuff up to suit your divisive narrative.
I don't see why Rhodri gets blamed for Gundog looking poor? Does KDB look poor when he plays in the same team as Rhodri ? Are you saying he only looks good when someone is next to him doing part of the job he should be doing?Don’t agree pal. I know that he usually looks poor in the same team as Rodri, but that’s not his fault.
Probably better to compare him with the midfield players we have had the past 10 years, not when we were 2 divisions down. I guess he wouldn't be so high up the pecking order then?Why on earth is putting a positive slant on a players performance, role and ability divisive? And if that is your answer rather than challenge my points with reasoned debate then why are you bothering commenting at all.
Is it because i don't agree with your slant and you want everyone to see football in the same narrow minded tunnel visioned way that you do.
I have seen hundreds of midfielders play for City over the years, the vast majority of which are nowhere near Gundogan's class, ability or technique, in fact there are only a handful that are in front of him, because he has that very rare thing, he makes a complicated game look simple. Not many players in the PL history have been able to do that, not many i have ever seen can do that, but you carry on with campaign you will not be changing my mind. I know football.
I voted him as my MOTM, for clarity. All I want is last night to be his base level, as opposed to Porto and West Ham which he slips down to far too often. He does duck out of things too often, and is proven he's willing to do it and perform at that intensity and tempo. Last night shows that when he steps it up he can deliver and that's need to be the baseline, that's all I'm asking of him. Not going back to the West Ham and Porto performances which, honestly, was really mediocre.
I think he ducks out of key tackles and interceptions too often, I've sat at the Etihad and watched him do it for 3 years, it's my honest view. He can stick his foot in and nick it back and save us from dangerous counter-attacks, when he does it, we're a different team because he springs us on the front foot, when he ducks out we're often up shit creek without a paddle, though Dias, Walker and Laporte are forming a stronger partnership which protects us a bit better, but any injuries back and we'd be back in trouble.
It's the same with Bernardo getting back to 18/19 form, we've seen these guys best and they give it us in glimpses recently, but it's not consistent and they need to get back there to avoid another season like last season.
You seem to think those who question his lack of aggression and tackling are yearning for the days of cloggers. That’s why you’re divisive. But you carry on thinking he’s the dream midfield player. I’ll continue to question his purpose in the team. It’s a football forum. That means folk share opinions.Why on earth is putting a positive slant on a players performance, role and ability divisive? And if that is your answer rather than challenge my points with reasoned debate then why are you bothering commenting at all.
Is it because i don't agree with your slant and you want everyone to see football in the same narrow minded tunnel visioned way that you do.
I have seen hundreds of midfielders play for City over the years, the vast majority of which are nowhere near Gundogan's class, ability or technique, in fact there are only a handful that are in front of him, because he has that very rare thing, he makes a complicated game look simple. Not many players in the PL history have been able to do that, not many i have ever seen can do that, but you carry on with campaign you will not be changing my mind. I know football.