Can We Use A 3 Man Midfield?

[Eaglechief]

We should just go back to the 4-2-3-1 formation that won us the league.

There was nothing drastically wrong with how we played even last season, except for the pace of the build up.

All we needed was a slight tweaking to zip the ball around faster and for the players to provide more off the ball movement etc

But no, our hapless manager decided to rip up everything and implement a whole new strategy with players who clearly can't fulfill his high pressing game.

The end result.........a team lacking in confidence and looking vulnerable everytime the oppostion attacks.

We'll be no more than a midtable team with this idiot in charge.

 

[Walkbustaxi]

Hate to say it but Yaya and Fernandinho against Bayern reminded me of Carrick and Fellaini against us. Sitting pointlessly on the CBs and then being so deep they could barely make it through the centre circle with the ball.

And with Nasri seeming to wilfully join in with their deck chair shuffle in the middle it left Clichy dangerously exposed.

 

[Jumanji]

Hate to say it but Yaya and Fernandinho against Bayern reminded me of Carrick and Fellaini against us. Sitting pointlessly on the CBs and then being so deep they could barely make it through the centre circle with the ball.

And with Nasri seeming to wilfully join in with their deck chair shuffle in the middle it left Clichy dangerously exposed.

And you remember the rags improved when they went 3 in midfield against us?

Another factor was we let foot off the gas but it did change the dynamics of the play.

 

[Walkbustaxi]

Watched the game back tonight and looking at how Pep has changed the team he inherited, who also happen to be Champions of Europe. The one thing that struck me the most was the transformation of Lahm into being their one holding midfielder, sitting behind Kroos and Schweinsteiger.

 

[argyle]

Another reason why getting rid of Barry was so stupid. Fernandinho with Barry and Yaya behind the striker would have been a better option in Europe.

Instead we really have no options-Garcia can't play football, Rodwell is always injured and Milner lacks class and any pace.

Said this repeatedly during the summer before the window shut, it's crazy that the manager and the Spanish two couldn't see it.

I would re-phrase that Milner lacks class, I think he is a good solid player but at the top level he is second best.

 

[NQCitizen]

Watched the game back tonight and looking at how Pep has changed the team he inherited, who also happen to be Champions of Europe. The one thing that struck me the most was the transformation of Lahm into being their one holding midfielder, sitting behind Kroos and Schweinsteiger.

They've turned a right back into a cdm with ease but if we ask a line of international defenders to play a few yards further forwards we let Cardiff and Villa put 6 past us.

 

[bluethunder]

Hate to say it but Yaya and Fernandinho against Bayern reminded me of Carrick and Fellaini against us. Sitting pointlessly on the CBs and then being so deep they could barely make it through the centre circle with the ball.

And with Nasri seeming to wilfully join in with their deck chair shuffle in the middle it left Clichy dangerously exposed.

we played with a straight line in midfield. they played with a diamond.

straight line vs diamond .... diamond always wins.

pellegrini claims that he could not change anything because silva was not 100% fit. BULLSHIT ! all he had to do was put nasri in front of toure and fernandinho and put aguero on the left. dzeko upfront on his own. and navas on the right. pellegrini is proving to be a disaster. everton this saturyday is going to be a big , big test for him. if he fails to deliver, i think he will be sacked.

 

[Walkbustaxi]

Watched the game back tonight and looking at how Pep has changed the team he inherited, who also happen to be Champions of Europe. The one thing that struck me the most was the transformation of Lahm into being their one holding midfielder, sitting behind Kroos and Schweinsteiger.

They've turned a right back into a cdm with ease but if we ask a line of international defenders to play a few yards further forwards we let Cardiff and Villa put 6 past us.

Not any old right back either but one of the top 3 in the world. Schweinsteiger also played great in the further forward position alongside Kroos who is a quality player but I've always thought lacked pace. He only let this show when giving the yellow card away for a foul on Navas.

Then another midfielder playing as the frontman. No wonder Gomez moved on, Mandzukic couldn't get on and Gotze played about 5 minutes. Javi Martínez wasn't even in the squad (don't know if he's injured?) All this and Lewandowskis joining them next year!

 

[NQCitizen]

Watched the game back tonight and looking at how Pep has changed the team he inherited, who also happen to be Champions of Europe. The one thing that struck me the most was the transformation of Lahm into being their one holding midfielder, sitting behind Kroos and Schweinsteiger.

They've turned a right back into a cdm with ease but if we ask a line of international defenders to play a few yards further forwards we let Cardiff and Villa put 6 past us.

Not any old right back either but one of the top 3 in the world. Schweinsteiger also played great in the further forward position alongside Kroos who is a quality player but I've always thought lacked pace. He only let this show when giving the yellow card away for a foul on Navas.

Then another midfielder playing as the frontman. No wonder Gomez moved on, Mandzukic couldn't get on and Gotze played about 5 minutes. Javi Martínez wasn't even in the squad (don't know if he's injured?) All this and Lewandowskis joining them next year!

Said it in another thread but I think Muller may be pound for pound the most complete footballer around. He's not a total superstar, yet is so good at everything.

 

[daxman]

Watched the game back tonight and looking at how Pep has changed the team he inherited, who also happen to be Champions of Europe. The one thing that struck me the most was the transformation of Lahm into being their one holding midfielder, sitting behind Kroos and Schweinsteiger.

They've turned a right back into a cdm with ease but if we ask a line of international defenders to play a few yards further forwards we let Cardiff and Villa put 6 past us.

Not any old right back either but one of the top 3 in the world. Schweinsteiger also played great in the further forward position alongside Kroos who is a quality player but I've always thought lacked pace. He only let this show when giving the yellow card away for a foul on Navas.

Then another midfielder playing as the frontman. No wonder Gomez moved on, Mandzukic couldn't get on and Gotze played about 5 minutes. Javi Martínez wasn't even in the squad (don't know if he's injured?) All this and Lewandowskis joining them next year!

Martinez was injured. And Guardiola does these type of tweaking all the time.