CITY v Bolton - Official Matchday Thread

[blueyes]

Its really no surprise that when we played the likes of Bellamy and SWP from the start, we won matches.

Its really no surprise that Johnson was our MOTM

Its really no surprise that Johnson was our biggest threat

Its really no surprise that we looked more balanced and stable when SWP came on

Its really is a surprise that Mancini is choosing to play so narrow, so defensive and with all our creative force on the bench. Fuck the sneaking win approach, we can blast through the majority of teams with our attacking talent.

"we can blast through the majority of teams with our attacking talent"

All well and good, but until he gets the back four settled into some sort of order that is going to work consistently then we ain't going to be a real top 4 team. I didn't say reach the top 4, I meant having a team that is going to go out there and blow bottom half teams away week-on-week. I liked what he did today with Toure. Personally I want to see him move Toure out of CB and let him and Zab fight it out for starting honors at RB. The problem is we have Zab how proves how shit he can be too often, we've got Lesscot who is just back from injury, we've got Bridge the same who has shocking days as well, and Kompany who has just slotted nicely back into CB. So in my opinion that leaves us with:

---Zab or Toure-----Kompany-----Lesscot----Bridge--

and with the above, both LB and RB are still shit! So until something gells, Mancini has a problem.

 

[Benarbia]

I wouldn't let Toure anywhere near the team

 

[blueyes]

Interesting when you look at things with hind sight. Could not see the game against Bolton live so did something different. Before I could see a replay, which I just did, I went through this match-day post page by page, all 70 plus. All I can say is thank fu*cking god most of the supporters here will never be involved in coaching,,, EVER. Most would have had Viera replaced by SWP!!!!!! and most would had Adebayor thrown out of the stadium for being lazy. Really what the fuck are you idiots doing following Man City if you don't appreciate the finer points of the game. The goal by Adebayor from Viera's chip was coming all bloody game, to see it come off in replay was so fucking sweet. I just hope the bulk of supporters can get inside players heads a little better to understand the real tactics in the game, I dont want to say it, but rag supporters do it better, and I hope we can see more of it here. Adebayor was not lazy last night, but played a lone striker floating up front coz Mancini had Tevez working the left and Johnson working the right. Viera was commanding in holding a central midfield which allow the entire shape of Man City to finally change for the good this season. We might not have kick 5 goals, but we did deserve to win and deserved an extra couple of goals on those we earn't. CTID

 

[paulgmurphyhumphries]

BLUEEYES, I agree that most points of view from fans are simplistic,and for the most part crass.

However playing AJ as a new young player in a role he has little experience with was a bad mistake by the coach.

He wants to play with 3 midfield , a deep forward and then two other roving forwards with the full backs providing width.
I think you need a full pre season for this to work, pretty it may be on the the training ground, cannot see it working with the present squad.

 

[blueyes]

BLUEEYES, I agree that most points of view from fans are simplistic,and for the most part crass.

However playing AJ as a new young player in a role he has little experience with was a bad mistake by the coach.

He wants to play with 3 midfield , a deep forward and then two other roving forwards with the full backs providing width.
I think you need a full pre season for this to work, pretty it may be on the the training ground, cannot see it working with the present squad.

Agree totally. Mancini has 3 month of work to do and literally no time, what 3 days after each game. If we do secure 4th it will be against the odds, and if we don't there will be fans rubbishing him for it. I was not a Hughes out, because I was willing to give him a go, but Mancini is really working the grey matter at a 150%, something Hughes appeared to be missing was risk taking that is the hallmark of Mancini and Morinho. Having been a player for many years, I know the sort of computations your going through on the field at any given time. I was always a mid fielder, so you want everyone in there place ready to react to various scenarios. I find that far more difficult to do from the sidelines. So watching Mancini choose his squad, set up the starting team and making rolling changes is turning out to be fresh air compared to Hughes, but as mentioned earlier, the challenges here are insurmountable.

 

[kist160]

Rate players' performance in game versus Bolton
http://www.voteplayers.com/Matches/Manchester-City-vs-Bolton-Wanderers-02092010-4161.aspx

 

[blueyes]

--------------------Given------------------

Richards------Toure-----Lescott----Bridge----

------------------Veira--------------------
SWP-------------------------------Johnson
-----------------Ireland--------------------
-----------Adebayor------Tevez------------

and that's exactly where I woud have them playing too. Let Ireland drift directly in front of Veira, and have Sweep and Johno diving in as shallow wings. The three of them should form a tight triangle rather than deeper wing runs, attacks should come in from the points of the box, time and time again with Veira directing traffic from behind. Leave the back to do their job, we need and want goals.

I wouldn't play Ireland and De jong together, neither is creative and controlling at the same time. Veira is the midfield leadership I hope we can finally get. Ireland needs someone to give him direction, once he's got the run off play I think he'll return to his best form.

Interesting: Read the following with quotes from Ireland. The above I posted for Bolton could be the basis for first team to solidify our team going into the run for final four. DJ could be used behind Veira instead of Ireland in front when we need a defensive boost, but, you know what. I would still start with this 11 every game if injury is not a problem. Stability in the first team is the first step in Mental toughness. The sooner Robby Manc can set the first team, the better....

Stephen Ireland has hit out at Mark Hughes, claiming he feels "the chains are off" now that he has gone.

Ireland says he was shackled by the former Manchester City boss because he played him out of position at Eastlands.

The Irishman's favourite role is as the second striker and he says he couldn't hit top form in the first half of the campaign because Hughes kept moving him around.

Last season's runaway Player of the Year has lost his starting place and has managed just three goals in 20 appearances.
Click here to find out more!

Ireland feels Hughes is partly responsible for his struggles and says he feels liberated since the Welshman was sacked.

"The last six months under Mark Hughes were very frustrating for me," he said. "I was played out of position. I was played as a holding midfielder, a left winger, a right winger and it wasn't me.

"Part of me said I had to adjust and say 'I have to do it', but if you want the best out of me, you have to play me in my best position. Then I can be myself. Now I feel the chains are off."