Backup CM- Who would you play?

[Deleted member 58678]

Milner by a country mile.

Pellegrini has basically said Milner can't play holding role by virtue of him saying only Yaya can play there in the absence of Fernandinho and Garcia.

Loads of fans seem to think Milner is an expert midfielder. I don't see it. He had 1 good game there v Villa 2 years ago.

Spurs at home two years ago, man marked Modric out of the game.
Sunderland at home last season MOTM, great performance.
Second half at Sunderland this season he was better than Garcia was in the first half there.

He's rarely ever played there but looks like it's his best position when he is played there IMO. He must have a 100% 'played-well-rate' there as these three and the Villa game you said are about 100% of all the games he's played there for us and he's been excellent in every one.

 

[TrueBlue1705]

The idea that Milner couldn't play the holding role is an absolute nonsense - If a top professional footballer with the attitude and commitment of Jimmy Milner can't do a job for the team in that position then there's something seriously wrong....

... and seriously folks Yaya's defensive instincts are mixed at best ..... We are basically denying ourselves one of the best midfield attacking forces in the world right now when Yaya sits deep - makes no sense especially if the strikers are not firing on all cylinders and in Aguero's absence....

 

[Citizen in Pakistan]

No person with a footballing sense can doubt milners commitment,but he is not made for midfield,I think if rodwell is fully fit he should play

 

[TrueBlue1705]

With Garcia and Fernandinho out it has to be Demichellis. He's looked good there barring Chelsea.

Demichelis can't run mate!!! ... he's decent on the ball but can't cover the ground - him and Yaya in CM get overrun - Milner can run and run and run .... OK, he's not lightening quick, but he's quicker by some distance than Demichelis and he is one of the fittest players in the CIty squad, he'll do any job he's asked and is a consummate pro.

Unfortunately MDM is a favourite of Pellegrini and I dunno if he made promises to him before he came about how much he would play - I see week in/week out MDM playing ahead of other squad players at CB and CM when I really don't think he merits it .,,,, I just see an experienced player, who's legs have gone, is fairly comfortable in possession but nothing special and is not consistent. He looks decent in some games then in others he's a disaster area - in the first half vs Watford he had an absolute mare!!

 

[King Geedorah]

Milner, Toure and one of Garcia or Demichelis to sit.

Milner and Toure both create so there's no issue there.

 

[bluethai]

Rodwell's passing/controlling skill is by far the worst among this lot imo.

 

[TrueBlue1705]

No person with a footballing sense can doubt Milners commitment,but he is not made for midfield,I think if rodwell is fully fit he should play

OK fine - but don't just say Milner can't do it .... explain - back up your argument why not??? ... I rate Rodwell too but he's woefully short of matches this season...

 

[BigOscar]

The idea that Milner couldn't play the holding role is an absolute nonsense - If a top professional footballer with the attitude and commitment of Jimmy Milner can't do a job for the team in that position then there's something seriously wrong....

... and seriously folks Yaya's defensive instincts are mixed at best ..... We are basically denying ourselves one of the best midfield attacking forces in the world right now when Yaya sits deep - makes no sense especially if the strikers are not firing on all cylinders and in Aguero's absence....

I think people seriously underrate the mental side of the game, you can't just learn how to play a new position overnight. Positioning, discipline and tactical nous take time to develop, espeically to get the right instincts to make the right choices. Milner might have all the enthusiasm and willingness in the world, but that won't make up for him not knowing what he's doing.

England have been doing this nonsense for decades, throwing two midfielders who's natural games don't balance together in the misguided belief that it doesn't matter and that they have enough talent to make up for it.

 

[TrueBlue1705]

Milner, Toure and one of Garcia or Demichelis to sit.

Milner and Toure both create so there's no issue there.

That sounds Ok to me - Not the biggest fan of MDM but at least Milner has 'legs' and compensate for MDM's lack of mobility and leave Yaya with a completely free role to attack

 

[King Geedorah]

Milner, Toure and one of Garcia or Demichelis to sit.

Milner and Toure both create so there's no issue there.

That sounds Ok to me - Not the biggest fan of MDM but at least Milner has 'legs' and compensate for MDM's lack of mobility and leave Yaya with a completely free role to attack

Pretty much the logic behind it.

At the end of the day Yaya scores as many as most strikers so just the 1 upfront isn't a huge issue.