9 | Erling Haaland - 2023/24

[Jimbo_the_blue]

For me it's fairly simple, he isn't getting the service, and we aren't playing to his strengths. I kind of feel like we are carrying KDB at the moment. Is it time to get him a bit further back in midfield to dictate play and keep the game ticking, whilst also giving him freedom to play Haaland in more over the top?

 

[chris85mcfc]

I hope he's reading and listening to all the shit people are saying about him

Hoping it gives him the motivation to get stuck into this last part or the season

 

[jimmygrimblesboots]

Haaland get a lot of criticism from the media , they are all jumping on the band wagon , this is a player who will probably end up with 90 goals in his first two seasons , only the British media could give shit to a player with this record.
We all know he is not a great all round striker , but he is a great goalscorer , takes most of his chances , is hardly ever offside because he has the nous , but he does struggle against packed defences and we face them nearly every week , he also keeps both centre backs occupied with his runs which does create havoc.
The negative media will only make him more determined , he has that type of character nothing bothers him and at the end of his time at City he can show the dickheads in the media his medal haul and they can then compare that to Kane's , Barn Door Nunez , Toney , Salah , Watkins and all the other pretenders to his crown as the best striker in the world.

 

[Bettys Bell]

Erlings having a temporary dip in form . Let’s all get behind him he’ll be back .

 

[malg]

Second Division player. Jesus fucking Christ.

 

[ChicagoBlue]

For me it's fairly simple, he isn't getting the service, and we aren't playing to his strengths. I kind of feel like we are carrying KDB at the moment. Is it time to get him a bit further back in midfield to dictate play and keep the game ticking, whilst also giving him freedom to play Haaland in more over the top?

Yes, it is.

We are currently flogging KDB to death, when the likes of Alvarez and Foden could be doing all that heavy pressing!

 

[ChicagoBlue]

If you binge the Together: TR3BLE documentary, look at all the different types of goal opportunities we created for him, and look what he’s been receiving recently.

Therein lies the problem.

 

[Newman Noggs]

If you binge the Together: TR3BLE documentary, look at all the different types of goal opportunities we created for him, and look what he’s been receiving recently.

Therein lies the problem.

Indeed. The problem is the system, not the player. I do wonder if the slower, more deliberate, system we developed last season to win the treble, once encountered, is easier for the opposition to predict and then stifle than the systems we'd used in previous seasons. Or, to operate properly, the system required certain player qualities we no longer have. The only thing I'm sure about is that the blame shouldn't be laid at the feet of individual players.

 

[Blue Maverick]

If you binge the Together: TR3BLE documentary, look at all the different types of goal opportunities we created for him, and look what he’s been receiving recently.

Therein lies the problem.

Also other players picking up the slack, Haaland towards the end of the season didn’t pull us through Gundogan did, Everton, fa cup final and a few others. Foden had been doing that earlier but since KDB came back has been moved out wide when he was running games and scoring goals. At the moment for me I’d be putting Foden back in the middle and bringing KDB on later on in games to exploit the tiredness of teams, both him and Haaland seem to be struggling to get back fitness levels.

 

[ChicagoBlue]

Also other players picking up the slack, Haaland towards the end of the season didn’t pull us through Gundogan did, Everton, fa cup final and a few others. Foden had been doing that earlier but since KDB came back has been moved out wide when he was running games and scoring goals. At the moment for me I’d be putting Foden back in the middle and bringing KDB on later on in games to exploit the tiredness of teams, both him and Haaland seem to be struggling to get back fitness levels.

KDB is a RM, whereas Foden has shown himself to be the best second striker/advanced CM in the team.

I think if we allowed KDB some modicum of relief instead of flogging him senseless chasing shadows as a second pressing striker, it would help him and the team.

But, in Pep We Trust…right?!