Deep Lying Midfield Stones

[SamTheGuru]

I don't want to associate this with the Real Madrid thread but I thought we were all but in control of the game with the back 2 split and Stones lying deep. I also liked the way we were playing from a deeper position, the game was also made a lot wider through Grealish and Bernardo. It seems like Pep has retracted from playing that way in the last 2 seasons but It felt safe and in control with Stones playing in that position.

 

[ufo]

Stones is a liar ?eccle blue is coming after you , run

 

[theres only one carlito]

I don't want to associate this with the Real Madrid thread but I thought we were all but in control of the game with the back 2 split and Stones lying deep. I also liked the way we were playing from a deeper position, the game was also made a lot wider through Grealish and Bernardo. It seems like Pep has retracted from playing that way in the last 2 seasons but It felt safe and in control with Stones playing in that position.

I don’t think we were. Real cut through us at will in early stages and were close to walking it in the net. I don’t see the point in having probably our best center half playing in midfield. Just play a fukin decent midfielder or 2. Sick of no full backs and center half’s playing as dms

 

[SamTheGuru]

I don’t think we were. Real cut through us at will in early stages and were close to walking it in the net. I don’t see the point in having probably our best center half playing in midfield. Just play a fukin decent midfielder or 2. Sick of no full backs and center half’s playing as dms

Stones in that position provides us the ability to play the style we play. It is normal for the away team to cut through for the first 15-20 mins, and then it is a waiting game. What is a decent midfielder or 2?

 

[Corky]

City were in control in the middle of the game, but were walked through at the start and could have been a few down. It wasn't a great endorsement.

 

[Mr Blue Moon]

This title sounds like a medical condition…

 

[CheshireExpat]

I think they pass after a while, bit painful though

 

[SamTheGuru]

This title sounds like a medical condition…

Whilst trying to be subtly poetic. I hoped that was obvious :)

 

[bobbyowenquiff]

Stones in that position provides us the ability to play the style we play. It is normal for the away team to cut through for the first 15-20 mins, and then it is a waiting game. What is a decent midfielder or 2?

It is worth persisting with as long as Stones stays fit. We did well against Madrid after the first 20 minutes. Akanji going off was a huge blow.

 

[paulchapo]

It is worth persisting with as long as Stones stays fit. We did well against Madrid after the first 20 minutes. Akanji going off was a huge blow.

There's the problem right there in your first sentence.

 

[Mifred]

Whilst trying to be subtly poetic. I hoped that was obvious :)

He could play either side of the spine

 

[01cravend]

What was good about him there is he didn't go walkabout like Kovacic constantly does, leaving a Bonnie Blue sized hole in the middle of the park.
He wasn't great defensively but he was always present and as a result Bellingham was a ghost.

 

[Ajm1985]

We were better with Stones at DM - his positioning & passing is just far superior to Kovacic. We weren't in control (we had good spells where we looked like old City) as they cut through us easily on multiple occasions, but Stones is only 1 man - Bernardo & KDB were completely ineffectual.

Pair him with Nico in a double pivot and it would be much better. I also think there's legs in playing wingbacks with Stones as the middle CB of 3 - pushing him forward in possession, so that we can do a 2-3 buildup.

 

[blueparrot]

We were better with Stones at DM - his positioning & passing is just far superior to Kovacic. We weren't in control (we had good spells where we looked like old City) as they cut through us easily on multiple occasions, but Stones is only 1 man - Bernardo & KDB were completely ineffectual.

Pair him with Nico in a double pivot and it would be much better. I also think there's legs in playing wingbacks with Stones as the middle CB of 3 - pushing him forward in possession, so that we can do a 2-3 buildup.

I agree, but to be fair those Madrids forward can cut though teams at times in any game,and their teams in the past have cut through us at times even when we were at our best.

 

[Moss Side's Finest]

This thread sounds like an ailment

 

[MCFC1993]

Been calling out for it since Rodri got injured.

He's our 2nd best player in that position (not including Gonzalez until I've seen more).

 

[Feed the Elk]

There's the problem right there in your first sentence.

No doubt, had he been fit, he would have played a lot at CDM

 

[stonerblue]

There's the problem right there in your first sentence.

He's not fit enough now to play that position. I noticed him unable or unwilling to stretch into tackles a few times on wednesday.

 

[Ajm1985]

I agree, but to be fair those Madrids forward can cut though teams at times in any game,and their teams in the past have cut through us at times even when we were at our best.

Very true

 

[Centurions]

After the early teething issues (and acknowledging that this was against RM) I thought we looked good. Given the lack of fullbacks and injuries in general, having Akanji and Gvardiol move up and in (so in effect a 2-3-5 formation) made us look more solid whilst still having plenty of threat, even more so when Gvardiol rampaged forward. Of course with Akanji and possibly Ake injured (I've not been keeping up) we're maybe back to square one :(