A breakdown of what has gone wrong (and why we’ll be back)

[Marvin]

Leroy Sane became a spectacular impact sub last season because his pace against dogged but tiring defences was very useful to City. He probably didn't enjoy being a sub too much, but I always felt a sense of anticipation when Leroy came on.

I think City's attacking game has improved in recent weeks. KDB, Mahrez and Bernardo are playing at a very good level now, and Jesus did a great job whilst Aguero was out, but there's one thing that I don't really understand is the reluctance of Pep to use Foden. I can understand why Bernardo and KDB start. They've been really outstanding in recent weeks, however in a busy holiday programme why not use Foden as a sub a lot earlier? Foden and Jesus were on for only a very few minutes against Sheff Utd but I think in general they add a lot to City's game. Their speed and technique is outstanding and it's very very difficult for the opponent to build-up play when those two are on the pitch. They also combine together very well. I hope to see this a lot more in 2020.

I think in 2019-20 our intensity dropped a little, in part due to Fernandinho dropping into defence and David Silva getting older. Bernardo, Foden and Jesus help address that drop in intensity.

The media as usual don't seem to be too positive about City at the moment, but I think our attacking game at the moment is really very good. Sterling's game has dipped a little but it will come back.

If you add Laporte (with Stones) into this City side I think City will be at the level we were at last season, and we have players who are going to grow into this side (Foden, Jesus and Mahrez).

Mahrez has been really very good recently and it's possible to see him being used centrally now with Bernardo out wide or the two interchanging position.

We may have dipped to 3rd in the league but that's largely Laporte related and I think providing his game recovers fully we can be very strong in 2020.

 

[Marvin]

I can assure you that if you took Van Dijk out of Liverpool that there would be a negative impact to their results.

The same is true of Laporte at City. Not only does he add his own defensive qualities to the side, he improves the centre half who plays along side him. He is also very efficient at covering the left back spot when the full back is caught further up the pitch.

I appreciate this isn’t what you want to hear.

When Rodri played deep v Sheff Utd in the 2nd half his passing game reminded me of Laporte. That is where for me Laporte beats VVD. His progressive passing is outstanding.

 

[mike1923]

Great post - thanks for taking the time to write it

 

[Thomas Hearns]

I can assure you that if you took Van Dijk out of Liverpool that there would be a negative impact to their results.

The same is true of Laporte at City. Not only does he add his own defensive qualities to the side, he improves the centre half who plays along side him. He is also very efficient at covering the left back spot when the full back is caught further up the pitch.

I appreciate this isn’t what you want to hear.

Any centre half worth his salt covers the left back spot, it’s basic defending. And similarly any centre half worth his salt improves his partner too. They work in tandem.

Before all the virtue signalling super fans jump all over me, I wasn’t criticising Laporte, merely pointing out that his return won’t solve all the other problems we have and hence won’t change much.

The van dijk comparison is irrelevant and in any case unproven.

 

[Thomas Hearns]

He’s on a pedestal because he’s immense. How people are missing this is head scratching. His return will change everything, not least releasing Fernandinho to his proper position giving us even more cover at the back, which has been fucking shambolic for the best part of three months.

True about Fern but he may be gone come next season so we need different solutions. Rodri / Gundo haven’t been shambolic in that role just not up to his standards. We attack as a team and defend as a team and our defensive falloff this season is as much down to the deterioration in our press as anything else

 

[Marvin]

People are putting Laporte on a pedestal. He’s a very good centre half but his return alone won’t change much.

Good to have someone being sceptical. It's always good is someone takes on that role.I am going to disagree with you though.

I think it's clear that City are in the process of losing 3 players:

Kompany, David Silva, Fernandinho.

They were world class players but Laporte is a world class defender, and Bernardo, KDB (or Foden) is an exceptional attacking midfield.

We are creating a lot of chances, and scoring a lot of goals. We lead the expected goals chart. And that is despite City putting ourselves under pressure in games by conceding goals.

I think if Laporte returns, carrying Stones alongside him, we will be back at the level we were last season. The defensive aspect of our game is the only area of our game that is weak. Our midfield intensity has fallen - but only when David Silva is in the side. I think when Bernardo and KDB are in the midfield we are OK.

 

[HelloCity]

Any centre half worth his salt covers the left back spot, it’s basic defending. And similarly any centre half worth his salt improves his partner too. They work in tandem.

Before all the virtue signalling super fans jump all over me, I wasn’t criticising Laporte, merely pointing out that his return won’t solve all the other problems we have and hence won’t change much.

The van dijk comparison is irrelevant and in any case unproven.

Unproven?

Have a look at Liverpool’s league record before and after he signed that season.

Also, it may be basic defending but it’s basic qualities our current centre backs aren’t capable of, at least to a high level.

Having the 2nd best centre back in the league return to our defence is guaranteed improvement. That’s before we even go into how important his forward passing was to our team last season.

Again, I appreciate this isn’t what you want to hear.

 

[Thomas Hearns]

Unproven?

Have a look at Liverpool’s league record before and after he signed that season.

Also, it may be basic defending but it’s basic qualities our current centre backs aren’t capable of, at least to a high level.

Again, I appreciate this isn’t what you want to hear.

Those players have grown and improved mentally and tactically. Take him out of that team now and in all probability they keep on rolling.

 

[Rolee]

Those players have grown and improved mentally and tactically. Take him out of that team now and in all probability they keep on rolling.

It would be a massive psychological blow to them.

 

[HelloCity]

Those players have grown and improved mentally and tactically. Take him out of that team now and in all probability they keep on rolling.

Of course they’d still be a good side but they’d have less points.

But let’s face it, they’ve not suffered close to the player losses we have, which is an even bigger deal overall.