47 | Phil Foden - 2023/24

[kaz7]

Could be talking bollocks (been known to happen) but he still seems a bit lightweight, I get that he'll never be big but think a bit more of a physical presence could help.

Erm, dave

 

[jimharri]

Could be talking bollocks (been known to happen) but he still seems a bit lightweight, I get that he'll never be big but think a bit more of a physical presence could help.

You never saw SWP in action then, I take it. At least in his first spell with us. A stiff breeze would blow him into the next postcode. But he didn't too badly for a little 'un.

 

[MadchesterCity]

Needs to up his game for City, expecting big things this weekend

 

[Claytop]

Erm, dave

Dave was more aggressive tbf, feel like he used his body to better effect.

 

[Craig]

You never saw SWP in action then, I take it. At least in his first spell with us. A stiff breeze would blow him into the next postcode. But he didn't too badly for a little 'un.

Not sure about that in the slightest. SWP was tiny but really strong and could ride tackles brilliantly.

 

[Craig]

Dave was more aggressive tbf, feel like he used his body to better effect.

Shielded the ball miles better

 

[bluealf]

Erm, dave

Dave had a large er central balance :)

 

[jimharri]

Not sure about that in the slightest. SWP was tiny but really strong and could ride tackles brilliantly.

I was replying to the poster who implied that Foden is a bit too lightweight. My point being that being small didn't hamper Shaun. And won't hamper Phil.

 

[cleavers]

Needs to up his game for City, expecting big things this weekend

Why ? He's been largely excellent in most games so far.

 

[applejuice]

If Foden technically played on the left then you could still play him much further inside. I hate seeing him out on the wing near the touchline. You want him in and around the box as much as possible.

As for set-pieces, I would always start either Maddison or JWP who are both set piece specialists. Against sides you want a bit more control and more protection for the defence I would play Ward-Prowse alongside Rice with Bellingham free to roam. Against lesser sides then you can play Rice as a lone anchor player and play both Maddison and Bellingham as attacking midfielders. Against better sides your midfield would be exposed but against lesser opposition you could get away with it.

Some people seem to think that JWP is only good for set-pieces but he's also a very tidy player that's technically sound and covers a lot of grass.

For the first point, yeah I would love to see Phil coming more inside as well but with Bellingham and Kane in the middle, left half space will be quite crowded already. Like what we saw when Madison Bellingham and Kane all playing.

JWP is an interesting point. I thought that he was quite closed to get into WC squad but he was dropped and never called up again. Honestly I don't have an idea why...


My first point is still there. If Saka and Phil both start, who will come on in 70th minutes to play on the right wing? From pure England perspective (not City perspective) Rashford/Sterling LW + Foden/Saka RW start and then sub on another pair bring out the most value (of course everyone in form). Better than Foden + Saka start then sub on Sterling + Rashford.

 

[normskih]

Not sure about that in the slightest. SWP was tiny but really strong and could ride tackles brilliantly.

He could actually, he could skip over players like a hurdler, whereas not sure Foden does. Was it in 2003, when we managed to get into Europe, we played against some Polish team, they had a really long name? We were in the away leg, think we drew at home, and some big cart horse of a defender smashed SWP into the hoardings at the side of the pitch. The big, ugly sod had been at him all match. I remember feeling absolutely incensed at the time. SWP didn’t stand a chance that night as the referee didn’t help one bit.

 

[MadchesterCity]

Why ? He's been largely excellent in most games so far.

I expect much more from him, he's only scored once and 3 assists in the league so far from 7 starts.
Alvarez with almost the same minutes has 3 goals and 5 assists. He needs to deliver much more goals and assists now that we don't have Gundogan and Kev is out.

 

[SouthernPlastic]

He could actually, he could skip over players like a hurdler, whereas not sure Foden does. Was it in 2003, when we managed to get into Europe, we played against some Polish team, they had a really long name? We were in the away leg, think we drew at home, and some big cart horse of a defender smashed SWP into the hoardings at the side of the pitch. The big, ugly sod had been at him all match. I remember feeling absolutely incensed at the time. SWP didn’t stand a chance that night as the referee didn’t help one bit.

Foden certainly used to skip past players. Peoples bodies change at different rates and in different ways. I don’t think he’s as agile anymore, problem is he hasn’t gained the physique to adapt his game. Same as Sterling imo, he lost some pace and agility. Just think it’s happening earlier to Phil.

 

[Colin Bells Boots]

Foden certainly used to skip past players. Peoples bodies change at different rates and in different ways. I don’t think he’s as agile anymore, problem is he hasn’t gained the physique to adapt his game. Same as Sterling imo, he lost some pace and agility. Just think it’s happening earlier to Phil.

Wonder if the people at City, who presuably monitor such aspects , would confirm your thoughts ?

 

[TrentGrisham]

Our best player today and despite what this thread would have you believe, he's been our second most consistent attacking player behind Alvarez. Put in a shift defensively on top of it.

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

Best player on the pitch for me. He’s been class most of the season. You wouldn’t know that based on some of the comments on this thread. As soon as he has an average game (all players do) the knives come out

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

Foden certainly used to skip past players. Peoples bodies change at different rates and in different ways. I don’t think he’s as agile anymore, problem is he hasn’t gained the physique to adapt his game. Same as Sterling imo, he lost some pace and agility. Just think it’s happening earlier to Phil.

What a load of rubbish. He was skipping past players for fun today and has done in quite a few games this season. I think he’s being taught to control and slow the game down.

You need to go to spec savers

 

[SouthernPlastic]

What a load of rubbish. He was skipping past players for fun today and has done in quite a few games this season. I think he’s being taught to control and slow the game down.

You need to go to spec savers

Sniff sniff

 

[MCFCFanTX]

Stylistically the best player in Europe.

 

[Gundogan's Moustache]

He just needs to add consistency to his game.

This season has been a mix of him being the best on the pitch to then a couple to average to poor games