It's Quiet 18 - Wanna ring the bell?

[Goater101]

The board needs to pull their fucking fingers out. When pep says he needs player they better deliver.

 

[supercity88]

Saturday merely highlighted once again the blatant hole in our squad in central midfield - giving up 17 shots and numerous free runs at goal to West Ham.

No holding midfielder and until that is addressed we wont be beating any half-decent sides.

1 week in and despite 3 months advance notice, still no sign of any improvement in this area. Utterly bizarre.

It's not about the holding midfielder, it's about the team not defending as one. Even with Rodri on the pitch we would be conceding so many chances. He's read the game better and make sure he was in a position to cover better than the options we've currently got. But if Haaland, Foden, De Bruyne, Bernardo and Savinho all press but that half a second too late then it's a simple pass and you've cut out 5 of the team and we're left with Kovacic and 4 defenders trying to deal with the situation. That's what the issue is at the moment. We've either got to stop pressing completely and just sit in or everyone has to be bang at it so we win the ball back high up the pitch.

 

[cheekybids]

Pep still has the fire in his belly his press conference was immense.

I loved his response to the question about “the fans seemed nervous” & he simply said the fans can see what we’ve done & how we aren’t doing it now.

 

[spinney]

It's not about the holding midfielder, it's about the team not defending as one. Even with Rodri on the pitch we would be conceding so many chances. He's read the game better and make sure he was in a position to cover better than the options we've currently got. But if Haaland, Foden, De Bruyne, Bernardo and Savinho all press but that half a second too late then it's a simple pass and you've cut out 5 of the team and we're left with Kovacic and 4 defenders trying to deal with the situation. That's what the issue is at the moment. We've either got to stop pressing completely and just sit in or everyone has to be bang at it so we win the ball back high up the pitch.

Nail on head

Its the whole midfield not just rodri gone missing

 

[mosssideblue]

The board needs to pull their fucking fingers out. When pep says he needs player they better deliver.

Good grief

 

[oldius]

It's not about the holding midfielder, it's about the team not defending as one. Even with Rodri on the pitch we would be conceding so many chances. He's read the game better and make sure he was in a position to cover better than the options we've currently got. But if Haaland, Foden, De Bruyne, Bernardo and Savinho all press but that half a second too late then it's a simple pass and you've cut out 5 of the team and we're left with Kovacic and 4 defenders trying to deal with the situation. That's what the issue is at the moment. We've either got to stop pressing completely and just sit in or everyone has to be bang at it so we win the ball back high up the pitch.

Bang on. Rodri's positional sense and physical stature mean that he cuts out a lot of the danger but none of the front players is currently pressing in the way that they have previously done, and none appears to be making the same effort to get back once the press has been beaten.

This is a collective thing, not just one player's absence, though he is a significant player. It remains the case that Foden, Bernardo, Gundo, Kovacic, and KDB, are naturally more attack minded than defensively minded.

 

[Ajm1985]

It's not about the holding midfielder, it's about the team not defending as one. Even with Rodri on the pitch we would be conceding so many chances. He's read the game better and make sure he was in a position to cover better than the options we've currently got. But if Haaland, Foden, De Bruyne, Bernardo and Savinho all press but that half a second too late then it's a simple pass and you've cut out 5 of the team and we're left with Kovacic and 4 defenders trying to deal with the situation. That's what the issue is at the moment. We've either got to stop pressing completely and just sit in or everyone has to be bang at it so we win the ball back high up the pitch.

It's both. Kovacic's positioning isn't good enough and he is often caught further forward than he should be - his talent is carrying the ball forward, which isn't what we need from the 6 in this current team. The rest of the team press is as you say

 

[Dazzle84]

Clear the decks and build us centurions 2 pep ..

Still my favourite City side, despite the success of the treble winners

 

[Mancityphilfo2000]

It's not about the holding midfielder, it's about the team not defending as one. Even with Rodri on the pitch we would be conceding so many chances. He's read the game better and make sure he was in a position to cover better than the options we've currently got. But if Haaland, Foden, De Bruyne, Bernardo and Savinho all press but that half a second too late then it's a simple pass and you've cut out 5 of the team and we're left with Kovacic and 4 defenders trying to deal with the situation. That's what the issue is at the moment. We've either got to stop pressing completely and just sit in or everyone has to be bang at it so we win the ball back high up the pitch.

It's about the lack of cover in front especially when gvardiol is left back as he leaves the defence exsposed.hence why ake will now stay there until we got mobility in midfield or a defensive mid.

 

[supercity88]

It's both. Kovacic's positioning isn't good enough and he is often caught further forward than he should be - his talent is carrying the ball forward, which isn't what we need from the 6 in this current team. The rest of the team press is as you say

It's very hard to position yourself when there's so much space and so many players to cover. Rodri's reading of the game is so much better so he'd help, but Kovacic is left covering huge areas of midfield and often it's a split second call whether to step up or drop off. I don't put much blame on his shoulders, because when you see how poor our front four are at closing the gaps and putting the opposition under pressure he's got no chance. If they've not got the legs then we have to sit off. You can't give the opposition time to pick a pass and then press them or you're just playing yourself out of the game.

 

[deano ou812]

Still my favourite City side, despite the success of the treble winners

Some teams were beaten before they stepped onto the pitch against that side frighteningly good and seriously bad luck not to have added a champions league as well ..

 

[pavelsrnicek]

It's very hard to position yourself when there's so much space and so many players to cover. Rodri's reading of the game is so much better so he'd help, but Kovacic is left covering huge areas of midfield and often it's a split second call whether to step up or drop off. I don't put much blame on his shoulders, because when you see how poor our front four are at closing the gaps and putting the opposition under pressure he's got no chance. If they've not got the legs then we have to sit off. You can't give the opposition time to pick a pass and then press them or you're just playing yourself out of the game.

Definitely a huge issue with our press and Kovacic is left with a huge amount to do but he is still out of position a lot. In fairness this may be he feels he has to press further forward because others don’t. He doesn’t have great defensive instincts though, he stood off Doucoure allowing him time and space to cross for Everton’s equaliser.

A decent 6 beside him would help him and close up some of the gaps in midfield.

 

[leighton]

The transfer window is always a wait and see. We have generally been lucky we haven't needed to go into the market this time. I do think a full back could be got if we want it. A holding midfielder who knows what will happen there. A back up for Haaland we need if he goes with a injury we will struggle. I look at the squad and think KDB he's a smart player can he sit in alongside Koavic until we find the solution. Or will Stones be available any time soon to play the holding role. Yeah we need another holder but getting our main targets never are easy this time. As I said a proper left back would give more options at centre back which would help. If that's what we only get in.

 

[robbieh]

Fulham readying 40 million for McAtee. Maybe newspaper nonsense.

 

[richards30]

Fulham readying 40 million for McAtee. Maybe newspaper nonsense.

Lets be honest, we`re going to accept that arent we?

 

[Ajm1985]

It's very hard to position yourself when there's so much space and so many players to cover. Rodri's reading of the game is so much better so he'd help, but Kovacic is left covering huge areas of midfield and often it's a split second call whether to step up or drop off. I don't put much blame on his shoulders, because when you see how poor our front four are at closing the gaps and putting the opposition under pressure he's got no chance. If they've not got the legs then we have to sit off. You can't give the opposition time to pick a pass and then press them or you're just playing yourself out of the game.

That's the point though, he often does play himself out of the game. It was similar in the Leicester game as he would break forward with the ball or press CBs, leaving a chasm behind. He needs to show more positional discipline or, ideally, just play alongside an actual 6

 

[xMatMcC]

Fulham readying 40 million for McAtee. Maybe newspaper nonsense.

Lets be honest, we`re going to accept that arent we?

I sure hope not. Why are we still selling these young lads when our squad is so thin... we would be after them if they were playing elsewhere. Need 70m to start considering a move for McAtee for me. He is our future Bernardo Silva. This role takes an abundance of experience and will not happen overnight, but McAtee is farther along at this age than Bernardo was. Hold firm.

Same applies to Jacob Wright and Oscar Bobb. Not for sale right now please. Stars in the making. Just another Palmer waiting to happen. This is not hindsight tax either - was saying the same thing about Palmer.

 

[SWPISHOME]

I sure hope not. Why are we still selling these young lads when our squad is so thin... we would be after them if they were playing elsewhere. Need 60m to start considering a move for McAtee.

Same applies to Jacob Wright and Oscar Bobb. Not for sale right now please. Stars in the making. Just another Palmer waiting to happen. This is not hindsight tax either - was saying the same thing about Palmer.

This might not go down well, Personally I think McAtee should move on for his on future, Football career is really short so best to make the most of it.

He cant get a kick other than a few minutes in games and that's with a massive injury list, He will stand absolutely no chance of getting first team football when we have a full squad back.

I said in the summer I'd love to see McAtee succeed at City as myself along with many others love youth players making it to the first team being successful, Unfortunately it's not going to happen for the lad.

I think if an offer does come in for him that the club feel is right then we'll accept it.

 

[xMatMcC]

This might not go down well, Personally I think McAtee should move on for his on future, Football career is really short so best to make the most of it.

He cant get a kick other than a few minutes in games and that's with a massive injury list, He will stand absolutely no chance of getting first team football when we have a full squad back.

I said in the summer I'd love to see McAtee succeed at City as myself along with many others love youth players making it to the first team being successful, Unfortunately it's not going to happen for the lad.

I think if an offer does come in for him that the club feel is right then we'll accept it.

Hard disagree - the role he profiles best is massively important and hard to master. He's well on his way. Will be a mistake unless we have a buy back.

 

[richards30]

This might not go down well, Personally I think McAtee should move on for his on future, Football career is really short so best to make the most of it.

He cant get a kick other than a few minutes in games and that's with a massive injury list, He will stand absolutely no chance of getting first team football when we have a full squad back.

I said in the summer I'd love to see McAtee succeed at City as myself along with many others love youth players making it to the first team being successful, Unfortunately it's not going to happen for the lad.

I think if an offer does come in for him that the club feel is right then we'll accept it.

Pep has mentioned before that Mcatee just doesnt seem to trust himself and believe he deserves to be with our squad? If they could near enough get the Marmoush fee for Mcatee then i`m sure the club would do that.