47 | Phil Foden - 2022/23

[BerkshireBlue]

it would help playing with a left back at left back instead of centre back at left back

 

[JTFactsPlz]

it would help playing with a left back at left back instead of centre back at left back

It would help both our LWers immensely to play with an overlapping LB. Unfortunately the club failed to buy one last summer (Gomez clearly isn't up to it yet), so both Jack and Phil are taking pelters for the club failing to have a Plan B after the Cucurella deal went tits up.

Also, they're both better centrally but neither are allowed to play their best position most of the time because KDB, Bernie and Gundo are favoured for MF.

 

[BerkshireBlue]

It would help both our LWers immensely to play with an overlapping LB. Unfortunately the club failed to buy one last summer (Gomez clearly isn't up to it yet), so both Jack and Phil are taking pelters for the club failing to have a Plan B after the Cucurella deal went tits up.

Also, they're both better centrally but neither are allowed to play their best position most of the time because KDB, Bernie and Gundo are favoured for MF.

yep it's why I was worried about winning things this season. It's like going into games with one half of the team not able to attack properly

 

[Tomblue]

Looks completely disinterested at the minute. I really don't think his cause is helped by playing as a left winger but who am I to question Pep.

Just hope he comes out the other side of this rather than we see a further deterioration of his status in the squad, our most talented player on his day.

 

[supercity88]

Azpilicueta just knows how to deal with Foden. Gets tight, puts his arms all over him and doesn't let him turn him. The one time Foden did him, he made sure he didn't get anywhere and we got a free kick, but Foden wasn't comfortable and looked to get rid of the ball every time he got it rather than tie him in knots. We need Foden to rise to the challenge more when he's up against someone like that, look to take them on, get past them, get them booked and then cause them to panic everytime you get it - turn the tide.

 

[Dazzle84]

All players have their rocky patches and Phil is having one in my opinion.

Whether the WC has made a difference, I don’t know but class is always permanent.

Back him to come through it and be a better person at the end.

Whilst I agree with the sentiment, this rocky patch is lasting a while now. His really impressive performances have been the exception rather than the norm this season

 

[Silva2021]

Whilst I agree with the sentiment, this rocky patch is lasting a while now. His really impressive performances have been the exception rather than the norm this season

Is that from too many different positions?

I felt all the time as the false 9 would have really rounded him as a player.

I do feel last night, if it had been vice versa (Phil replacing Jack) he would have done well. The momentum of City as a team had completely changed.

Agree however, he was a problem in that first half and whilst you could say Bernardo was unlucky to be subbed (Phil was not).

 

[domalino]

Not a winger.

Not this shite again.

He's literally played hundreds of games and won a dozen trophies and personal accolades playing as a winger.

You can count on one hand the number of games he's played in central midfield for City. If he's not a winger, he's nothing.

 

[Dazzle84]

Is that from too many different positions?

I felt all the time as the false 9 would have really rounded him as a player.

I do feel last night, if it had been vice versa (Phil replacing Jack) he would have done well. The momentum of City as a team had completely changed.

Agree however, he was a problem in that first half and whilst you could say Bernardo was unlucky to be subbed (Phil was not).

False 9 was a good education for him and he did that role as good as any.

His versatility might be hindering him slightly, but conversely it's potentially a huge advantage, with him having more opportunities

 

[Deleted member 77198]

Hmmmm

Fame and fortune gone to his head?
"Was he ever all that?"
Tired after a few hrs in the World Cup?
The System?
Needs a consistent run in the team?
Just a blip?
Time he started taking responsibility for himself?

The Our Phil conundrum.

He just needs to play football.

He’s not been injured at all this season, yet he’s only played 666 minutes of football since the middle of October from 1,260 minutes available to him. He’s completed just one 90 minutes in the Prem for City since 11th October.

He has no rhythm at the moment, no form, looks rusty, can’t get going. He won’t rectify that with being a bit-part player.

He had a great stat to the season, scoring 6 goals and getting 3 assists in the opening 10 Prem games… but he played in 843 minutes of the 900 available minutes in those opening ten games. City’s best two performances of the season came when he was at his best.

I have no doubt that after a decent run of games, he’ll be back playing well again.

 

[Deleted member 77198]

It would help both our LWers immensely to play with an overlapping LB. Unfortunately the club failed to buy one last summer (Gomez clearly isn't up to it yet), so both Jack and Phil are taking pelters for the club failing to have a Plan B after the Cucurella deal went tits up.

Also, they're both better centrally but neither are allowed to play their best position most of the time because KDB, Bernie and Gundo are favoured for MF.

I’m glad we didn’t sign Cucurella in the end. Chelsea fans say he’s been abysmal for them and he was the worst player on the pitch last night

 

[JOGAMIGMOG]

Azpilicueta just knows how to deal with Foden. Gets tight, puts his arms all over him and doesn't let him turn him. The one time Foden did him, he made sure he didn't get anywhere and we got a free kick, but Foden wasn't comfortable and looked to get rid of the ball every time he got it rather than tie him in knots. We need Foden to rise to the challenge more when he's up against someone like that, look to take them on, get past them, get them booked and then cause them to panic everytime you get it - turn the tide.

This. Probably been told by Pep to get the ball and pass it backwards. That’s how it seems anyway. Both him and Grealish are football mavericks who deserve to be set free and run at players, play with a smile on their faces and basically become world class. It’s like they’re both playing with their shoelaces tied together and it’s frustrating.

 

[wolfie1988]

Miles off it

 

[bobbyowenquiff]

Looks completely disinterested at the minute. I really don't think his cause is helped by playing as a left winger but who am I to question Pep.

Just hope he comes out the other side of this rather than we see a further deterioration of his status in the squad, our most talented player on his day.

Foden usually has a stormer in the Derby match so let's hope he regains his form at the swamp. I really hope Pep starts him there. It could be just what he needs. I thought he was unlucky and had no service last night. Playing on the left side is not easy at City because we still do not have a proper left back.

 

[Tomblue]

Not this shite again.

He's literally played hundreds of games and won a dozen trophies and personal accolades playing as a winger.

You can count on one hand the number of games he's played in central midfield for City. If he's not a winger, he's nothing.

You do have to admit he looks shoehorned in there rather than being a natural winger though despite the trophies which ofcourse are all that matters.

He isn't a tricky player more good at receiving the ball on the half turn and ghosting past players for me.

 

[mcfc_ms]

Play him on the right with Grealish on the left. We will see the best of him

 

[CityBluez]

Not a winger.

I would agree. I mean he can play at wings and is decent there but he will never be an elite Winger. Maybe give him some runs in the middle to see what he can do.
But he is out of energy for some reason at the moment. Hopefully regains form soon.

 

[Manc123]

really want to see foden back on the right which is where his best performances have come this season. Him on the right with grealish on the left is my preference. We havent played that combination since the derby in october and maybe thats part of our form issues.

 

[Protein Junkie]

He’s one of our own and for that reason I’m giving more patience than anyone.
He is an excellent player too and capable of so much.
As a previous poster said , his forte is ghosting past players and for that I don’t think hugging the left touchline is not much use imho.

 

[Trojan1962]

The danger is of course if he doesn’t get more game time and his confidence really goes the club may listen to offers for him and there will be no shortage of clubs who will buy him. Pep doing him no favours playing him like he does.