Are City a better all round team without Haaland?

[JWCH-99]

Pep decided after 18/19 and the constant counter attacks we were facing that the name of the game would be control. He achieved that with a false 9 tactic which over the last two years produced phenomenal football and 2 premier leagues that we should all be grateful of.

The truth is that it is pretty obvious this year that the introduction of haaland has meant the spare man we had for build up is now firmly in the box and running in behind. The team aren’t used to this and it has changed the team dynamic. It is going to take time. It may require new personnel also. The truth is there is no better manager than pep to evolve the team again! I get it may be boring atm but even if we win nothing this year it’s hardly grounds for huge protest after the success in recent years and I’m confident that whatever needs correcting to thrive with the best no.9 in the world pep will be able to achieve.

 

[nellyonthewing]

to get the best out of Haaland we need the winger closer to him. to get the wingers closer to him we need overlapping fullbacks. to have overlapping fullbacks we need better midfielders

Spot on

 

[Edghill OG]

Week by week we are going backwards.

Pep had him dropping into midfield today , he looked like a fish out of water.
time and again we’re not using his runs in behind - must be on instruction but why is Haaland still making them ?

Don’t get why Pep was all over Aguero when he first arrived saying he has to be more involved and can’t sit on the last man all the time. What’s his plan for Haaland ?

this needs sorting and quick

Say this too. Think he had a chip on his shoulder with Aguero for some reason.
Seems happy for Haaland to have little involvement in the game but took exception with Aguero doing the same. Very hypocritical.
Admire the way Sergio handled it to be honest. Could easily have sulked and wanted away.

 

[Dicko69]

Peps tactics are often about creating one v one's, usually winger v fullback. Problem with inverted wingers is as soon as they cut back the only option is passing backwards, to fullback or often all the way back to centre back. Rinse and repeat.
Let's get back to left-footed left wingers and right footed right wingers.
Get the one v ones, have a go at them, round the outside, get crosses in to Haaland or win corners if the defender blocks the cross

 

[eastmanc]

Next season you watch us
Pep will sort this

Sort it now . For some reason we have become far too cautious, but we are still letting goals in on the break whilst at the same time, because of this careful approach, we have stopped making chances. Second half yesterday we were a lot better but we still didn't create enough in the final third. Pep will sort it but we need to as Pep has said in the past play football with courage.

 

[bluemc1]

Week by week we are going backwards.

Pep had him dropping into midfield today , he looked like a fish out of water.
time and again we’re not using his runs in behind - must be on instruction but why is Haaland still making them ?

Don’t get why Pep was all over Aguero when he first arrived saying he has to be more involved and can’t sit on the last man all the time. What’s his plan for Haaland ?

this needs sorting and quick

See what you’re saying but I could maybe also be Pep knew Aguero was capable of impacting in the build up play

 

[Tolmie scores]

to get the best out of Haaland we need the winger closer to him. to get the wingers closer to him we need overlapping fullbacks. to have overlapping fullbacks we need better midfielders

He is made for counter attacking teams. We are not that. Silly idea getting him from the off. Before any shout easy to say now this has been thought before we got him. Basically getting 9 great players to change their game! In weeks!!

 

[Withnail]

He made some brilliant runs yesterday,there were at least half a dozen situations wher the early ball into him would have caused havoc.....yet he was completely ignored in favour of the safe sideways pass elsewhere.

Spot on, but he was making these runs earlier in the season and we were passing to him eg goal against West Ham when KDB passed to him. Pep needs to be more flexible to get the best out of Haaland, hopefully things will change.

 

[Tolmie scores]

Pep decided after 18/19 and the constant counter attacks we were facing that the name of the game would be control. He achieved that with a false 9 tactic which over the last two years produced phenomenal football and 2 premier leagues that we should all be grateful of.

The truth is that it is pretty obvious this year that the introduction of haaland has meant the spare man we had for build up is now firmly in the box and running in behind. The team aren’t used to this and it has changed the team dynamic. It is going to take time. It may require new personnel also. The truth is there is no better manager than pep to evolve the team again! I get it may be boring atm but even if we win nothing this year it’s hardly grounds for huge protest after the success in recent years and I’m confident that whatever needs correcting to thrive with the best no.9 in the world pep will be able to achieve.

He also thought his current players could pick him out quicker. They clearly can't barr KDB occasionally. He made two great movements first hslf yesterday,, needed a quality ball over the top. I think Bernie had it when best onevwas on. Pep hates losing possession soni bet Bernie calculated the risk and opted elsewhere. Either we take risks and sacriice possession or get rid and get false 9 back

 

[Tolmie scores]

He also thought his current players could pick him out quicker. They clearly can't barr KDB occasionally. He made two great movements first hslf yesterday,, needed a quality ball over the top. I think Bernie had it when best onevwas on. Pep hates losing possession soni bet Bernie calculated the risk and opted elsewhere. Either we take risks and sacriice possession or get rid and get false 9 back

Spot on, but he was making these runs earlier in the season and we were passing to him eg goal against West Ham when KDB passed to him. Pep needs to be more flexible to get the best out of Haaland, hopefully things will change.

Some of this must be down to Pep. You can't berate players for taking risks when as you starte we need to take them to play Haaland in. I bet he is fked off as well as he did show a few times firstbhalf, tiny quarter step then great arching run when he knew there was space behind..but...no pass played