24 | Joško Gvardiol - 2023/24

[Dr Jacoby]

He’s not a left back.

 

[TrentGrisham]

Not on him today. I thought he was decent.

Not today... I've been far higher on him than many have been in past games but he was really poor today for me. On the ball and even more defensively.

 

[jamielowndes]

I think he had some really great moments, but there were points where you really realised you're watching someone blatantly out of position.

 

[WestGorton]

Not today... I've been far higher on him than many have been in past games but he was really poor today for me. On the ball and even more defensively.

I don't agree. No goals were conceded down his side. He was decent.

 

[TrentGrisham]

I don't agree. No goals were conceded down his side. He was decent.

Olise was still going past him like he wasn't there...

4 fouls committed (most) and a shocking 1/7 ground duels(lost the most of any) won on top of that.

It wasn't a disaster by any stretch, but I think the LB experiment may need to come to an end for the time being.

 

[applejuice]

Olise was still going past him like he wasn't there...

4 fouls committed (most) and a shocking 1/7 ground duels won on top of that.

It wasn't a disaster by any stretch, but I think the LB experiment may need to come to an end for the time being.

Lets buy a quality LB not some random cheap buy from nowhere

And let Josko play CB.

 

[01cravend]

Lets buy a quality LB not some random cheap buy from nowhere

And let Josko play CB.

 

[skillman]

Just wish he’d be given a go in his natural position!

 

[jamielowndes]

Lets buy a quality LB not some random cheap buy from nowhere

And let Josko play CB.

At some point I have to ask, is Sergio Gomez really that unplayable in comparison to what we are already trying?

 

[jrb]

Feel sorry for him. Pep stubbornness at keeping him at left back is killing the lad. He’s a great player in the wrong position.

 

[Saddleworth2]

Lets buy a potential worldy left centre back, then make him play left back and then make him play left wing. Just for kicks and giggles mind.

 

[freshie]

Who spends £80m on a centre back and then plays him on the left wing? Absolutely baffling decision

 

[jaiguruKun]

Looks like a rich man's Kolasinac at the moment.

 

[clarion]

Looks like a rich man's Kolasinac at the moment.

Kolasinac was at least a tank while defending.

 

[Middedon]

Feel sorry for him. Pep stubbornness at keeping him at left back is killing the lad. He’s a great player in the wrong position.

I just said it on the other thread. Are they just burning the money they spent on him? He’s missing out on development as a CB at an important age. He’ll be replaced at LB at some point (probably by another CB) then be out of practice for a year as a CB. Some will say it doesn’t matter because he’s not good enough. But with an older back line you’d think it would make sense to have some reserves. I don’t know. I just wonder what’s the point.

 

[nellyonthewing]

Its bizarre decision making to paper over the perennial left back vacancy by selling Laporte who as a CB could actually cover LB with some competency ditto Ake and then force Guardiol to play LB when he is clearly unsuited.

 

[Middedon]

Its bizarre decision making to paper over the perennial left back vacancy by selling Laporte who as a CB could actually cover LB with some competency ditto Ake and then force Guardiol to play LB when he is clearly unsuited.

The one thing I think was right was selling Laporte. He was a great servant to the club but older and injury prone. (Regardless of whether or not people like the replacement). A few months ago lots were fine with Laporte leaving and now he’s the greatest defender City ever had.

 

[Stiff Little Wingers]

The one thing I think was right was selling Laporte. He was a great servant to the club but older and injury prone. (Regardless of whether or not people like the replacement). A few months ago lots were fine with Laporte leaving and now he’s the greatest defender City ever had.

I was never happy with Laporte leaving thank you and was also sceptical about buying Gvardiol.That's not to say I'm not 100% behind him because he's got some good attributes and of course is a blue

 

[Middedon]

I was never happy with Laporte leaving thank you and was also sceptical about buying Gvardiol.That's not to say I'm not 100% behind him because he's got some good attributes and of course is a blue

That’s why I didn’t say all, or even most! I just find once players get close to 30 clubs often make a decision more with their heart than their head. Not saying this is the case here, but I’m generally more wary. I also thought without new signings Rico, Walker, Stones, Dias, Ake, Akanji and a smattering of Gomez would be fine.

 

[Legal Alien]

Pep wants most of his players to be versatile and be able to be comfortable in different positions, so i can see why he's doing it and playing him there.

We need to win games now though and can't afford to experiment, so i think he should be back at his most comfortable position if he's going to play.