moomba said:If we play the Chelsea formation in the tougher games away, I think the results will improve and we're still more than capable of playing attractive football.
I wasnt too downhearted after that game as I thought we'd showed a bit of flexibility and pragmatism.
Its a pretty obvious solution for me, I'd actually play it against Arsenal next week.
No I didn't go. But I watched it live and I have seen highlights. Southampton did not create more than we did.Exeter Blue I am here said:Marvin said:Strange conclusions. We beat Swansea, and Everton and were comfortable at Southampton (maybe we struggled after a good opening to create but so did they, and that's a tough a place to go). We will be challenging Arsenal, and are improvingExeter Blue I am here said:Thank you.
I think our problem away from home stems from trying to impose a game plan that we don't have the personnel for against certain teams (Southampton, Liverpool, Everton, Swansea etc). If you're gonna set yourselves up to press you need players who are mobile, quick and technically adroit enough to make it work, and ditto when the opposition tries it on you. Ya Ya, magnificent player though he is, just isn't built for shuttle running, and Milner, though fit as a butcher's dog, is very one paced. Chuck Kolarov and Di Michelis into the mix, and we were little better off yesterday than we were last season when Barry, Garcia, Lescott and Dzeko wilted in the face of the same onslaught. The player I felt sorry for yesterday was Fernandinho, who resembled the boy with his fingers in the dike.
Contrast with Lallana and Shaw, both of whom I'd happily buy like a shot, who had the pace, skill and athleticism to go past our players like they weren't there.
I suspect Pellegrini will want to make changes next summer. My hope, with away trips to Goodison, Klanfield, WHL, Swansea and the Emirates still to come, is that we will gather enough points at home to ensure CL qualification in the meantime
You clearly weren't there yesterday if you think we were comfortable! I mentioned Swansea and Everton as they are teams who will press you, and grounds where we have struggled in the recent past. I don't expect this season will be any different, irrespective of whether we beat them at our place
Marvin said:City have not been dominating the midfield in many games this season eg Swansea and Spurs at home so why should we at Southampton?
The objective is to do something with that possession rather than make it the objective in of itself. Last season we dominated every game possession wise but it became an end in itself, and we rarely threatened teams. This season.....look at the goals scored.
It was significant for me that we defended very well at Southampton. That was an improvement. It took a special goal to beat us.
We should be growing in confidence because we looked very solid at the back, and it wont be very often that we fail to click going forward.
The cost of moving players out of midfield - which is correct, that's what we have done - is that for the most part of this season we are packed with goals.jay_mcfc said:We have to go back to 4-2-3-1, the 4-4-2 isn't working. We are overrun by teams that pack the midfield and have no answer to it. We can play 4-2-3-1 a couple of different ways. Aguero can be the lone striker of if Negredo plays then Aguero can sit behind him in a Rooney kind of role or he can go wide left and let Nasri/Silva/Yaya play in the hole. If Yaya plays in the hole let Milner play alongside Fernandinho. Milner wasn't playing well yesterday but I didn't understand the way he made the subs. He should have brought Navas on for Negredo and put Milner in the middle. There was no need for Garcia to come on because on immobility in the middle remains the same.
jay_mcfc said:Marvin said:Was a bit typical of our luck away from home that Southampton scored their individual goal of the season. What can you do about that.BillyShears said:I tend to think we created better chances than they did. Most of their so called chances were lucky bounces of a second ball after a clash between two/three players. Their real moment of magic they scored from. Otherwise defensively we were relatively comfortable no matter how much of the ball they had.
However Kompany's return coincided (and probably caused) with a solid defensive display, and that's the cornerstone for winning games away. Mourinho and Chelsea would kill for that. They've just conceded 6 in 2 games at Sunderland and Stoke
Let's not go overboard. It was a Southampton team missing a few players and Kompany didn't have the best of games, nor did Demichellis or Zabaleta. They didn't cut us open but they had enough of the ball in the right areas to win the game. Yes we missed a few chances but I'm not going to take that performance as some kind of victory. It was a hard earned point at a fairly difficult place to go whilst not playing at our best. Still not nearly good enough though when you look at the contrast to our home form.
Marvin said:The cost of moving players out of midfield - which is correct, that's what we have done - is that for the most part of this season we are packed with goals.
This team has goals in it. No issue there?
moomba said:If we play the Chelsea formation in the tougher games away, I think the results will improve and we're still more than capable of playing attractive football.
I wasnt too downhearted after that game as I thought we'd showed a bit of flexibility and pragmatism.
Its a pretty obvious solution for me, I'd actually play it against Arsenal next week.
BobKowalski said:waspish said:Danamy said:Bullshit!
He played 4-2-3-1 at Malaga and i'm convinced it'll be more beneficial for us to play this system?
Ok clam down ;) why isn't he playing it then?
The makeup of squad coming into the season included 3 frontline strikers with Jovetic as the 4th. If the intention was to play with a lone striker then we would not have made provision for 4 strikers. Logically the only answer is that we intended to play this season with 2 strikers in a 442 system. The fact that bar 1 game we have played with 2 strikers in a 442 system (or 4222 or whatever) does rather bear this out.
I do recall that prior to the season started those that knew everything there was to know about Pellers were confident that it would be a lone striker job and possibly in a 433 formation which only goes to show there is nothing certain in life except death, taxes and at some point looking like a total tit on Bluemoon.
simon23 said:will the return of silvs sldo help????
gk
back four
navas silva ferd yya nasri
kun
not in that formation and you could swap navas for milner or nasri (though he has been playing very well and doesnt deserve dropping...plus when jovetic is fit he can play in the hole behind the main striker....maybe this would allow amore solid formation in midfiedl without stopping our attacking flow????
BillyShears said:simon23 said:will the return of silvs sldo help????
gk
back four
navas silva ferd yya nasri
kun
not in that formation and you could swap navas for milner or nasri (though he has been playing very well and doesnt deserve dropping...plus when jovetic is fit he can play in the hole behind the main striker....maybe this would allow amore solid formation in midfiedl without stopping our attacking flow????
I think that's the best lineup/formation for tougher games. I'd play Nasri central and Silva from the left and Navas from the right.
BillyShears said:simon23 said:will the return of silvs sldo help????
gk
back four
navas silva ferd yya nasri
kun
not in that formation and you could swap navas for milner or nasri (though he has been playing very well and doesnt deserve dropping...plus when jovetic is fit he can play in the hole behind the main striker....maybe this would allow amore solid formation in midfiedl without stopping our attacking flow????
I think that's the best lineup/formation for tougher games. I'd play Nasri central and Silva from the left and Navas from the right.
simon23 said:BillyShears said:simon23 said:will the return of silvs sldo help????
gk
back four
navas silva ferd yya nasri
kun
not in that formation and you could swap navas for milner or nasri (though he has been playing very well and doesnt deserve dropping...plus when jovetic is fit he can play in the hole behind the main striker....maybe this would allow amore solid formation in midfiedl without stopping our attacking flow????
I think that's the best lineup/formation for tougher games. I'd play Nasri central and Silva from the left and Navas from the right.
so why isnt the manager doing it?
ok he has had injuries but he could use other players in the same formation
he was brought in and we were partly sold on him becuase of his tactical nouse..........he must be able to see it but why isnt he changing it, especially as it is regularly failing!!!!!!!!!
He might now silva is fit.simon23 said:BillyShears said:simon23 said:will the return of silvs sldo help????
gk
back four
navas silva ferd yya nasri
kun
not in that formation and you could swap navas for milner or nasri (though he has been playing very well and doesnt deserve dropping...plus when jovetic is fit he can play in the hole behind the main striker....maybe this would allow amore solid formation in midfiedl without stopping our attacking flow????
I think that's the best lineup/formation for tougher games. I'd play Nasri central and Silva from the left and Navas from the right.
so why isnt the manager doing it?
ok he has had injuries but he could use other players in the same formation
he was brought in and we were partly sold on him becuase of his tactical nouse..........he must be able to see it but why isnt he changing it, especially as it is regularly failing!!!!!!!!!
BillyShears said:simon23 said:BillyShears said:I think that's the best lineup/formation for tougher games. I'd play Nasri central and Silva from the left and Navas from the right.
so why isnt the manager doing it?
ok he has had injuries but he could use other players in the same formation
he was brought in and we were partly sold on him becuase of his tactical nouse..........he must be able to see it but why isnt he changing it, especially as it is regularly failing!!!!!!!!!
Because of injuries to so many players. I think that's patently obvious.
BillyShears said:simon23 said:will the return of silvs sldo help????
gk
back four
navas silva ferd yya nasri
kun
not in that formation and you could swap navas for milner or nasri (though he has been playing very well and doesnt deserve dropping...plus when jovetic is fit he can play in the hole behind the main striker....maybe this would allow amore solid formation in midfiedl without stopping our attacking flow????
I think that's the best lineup/formation for tougher games. I'd play Nasri central and Silva from the left and Navas from the right.
BillyShears said:simon23 said:will the return of silvs sldo help????
gk
back four
navas silva ferd yya nasri
kun
not in that formation and you could swap navas for milner or nasri (though he has been playing very well and doesnt deserve dropping...plus when jovetic is fit he can play in the hole behind the main striker....maybe this would allow amore solid formation in midfiedl without stopping our attacking flow????
I think that's the best lineup/formation for tougher games. I'd play Nasri central and Silva from the left and Navas from the right.
You're all actually agreeing that style is a necessary but not a sufficient condition of continuing success. Twenty minutes per game of the good stuff and a sprinkling of the brutalities will see us through.BillyShears said:It's glaringly apparent mate. Not sure why anyone would try and argue the contrary - particularly after the owners appointed Pellegrini, Txiki, and Ferran.Cobwebcat said:No I think Billy is right in what he's saying. The owners want exciting football and to win trophies but they believe the first is more important. I don't know their reasoning but it is that way around.Skashion said:Translation: I can't argue because the facts are against me. Txiki and Soriano have set trophy targets and that is a fact I cannot escape.
They could've taken Mourinho for trophies. Hell Benitez would've been a sure fire bet to win things with our squad. Why Pellegrini? Because the style comes first.
OB1 said:Blue life said:Exeter Blue I am here said:If you'd spent more than 5 minutes on this site you'd know that I'm a fairly staunch supporter of Pellegrini. Clearly then you haven't and you don't. Next clever dick please!
Opinions are like arseeholes, we all have one
In my opinion then if you are behind MP your seeking attention. you are quite clearly a nervous wreck
Ha, ha, ha. He is a worrier.
Blue life said:Well here we go!Exeter Blue I am here said:Just got home from St Mary's. Desperately disappointing stuff. Not as bad as last year, but not far off, as we again failed to cope with quick tenacious opponents pressing us high up the pitch. Sadly Pellegrini was every bit as culpable as Mancini with his formation. You cannot set up against half decent, mobile, opponents like Southampton with a 4 man midfield and especially not when one of them is a stroller like Toure. Bar an excellent opening 15 - 20 minute period, we were completely overrun in midfield, and worsted in every 50:50 tackle by a team who engineered space by the expedient means of sprinting at our unprotected back 4 again and again and again. I'm a Pellegrini fan, but he made the same mistake against Munich and took 45 minutes to rectify the same error against Swansea recently. When we play teams who favour a good passing game and opt for a 5 man midfield (or 4 plus a deep lying forward), we have to match them numerically, and especially on our travels. The only time we have done so however is away at Chelsea, which barring Hart's aberration, worked very effectively.
The hope that the Beast would give us an outlet sadly lacking last season when Dzeko repeatedly miscontrolled the ball straight back into Southampton hands, proved a vain one. He was barely in the game, lacked midfield support and it was no surprise when he was eventually hoicked.
Nasri and Aguero earned their corn, but Negredo, Ya Ya and Milner were all ineffective, when what we needed was big performances. All got deservedly taken off.
Very lucky to get a point
Lets get rid off MP ams put you in charge ! Wow another fifa14 and computer manager! Jesus you need to come back to the real earth soon
Kippaxstreetheadache said:OB1 said:Blue life said:Opinions are like arseeholes, we all have one
In my opinion then if you are behind MP your seeking attention. you are quite clearly a nervous wreck
Ha, ha, ha. He is a worrier.
Exeter Blue wrote a thoughtful and well considered post, one which I wholeheartedly agreed with. It is not acceptable that a two bit moron can retort with throwaway jibes and insults as per;
Blue life said:Well here we go!Exeter Blue I am here said:Just got home from St Mary's. Desperately disappointing stuff. Not as bad as last year, but not far off, as we again failed to cope with quick tenacious opponents pressing us high up the pitch. Sadly Pellegrini was every bit as culpable as Mancini with his formation. You cannot set up against half decent, mobile, opponents like Southampton with a 4 man midfield and especially not when one of them is a stroller like Toure. Bar an excellent opening 15 - 20 minute period, we were completely overrun in midfield, and worsted in every 50:50 tackle by a team who engineered space by the expedient means of sprinting at our unprotected back 4 again and again and again. I'm a Pellegrini fan, but he made the same mistake against Munich and took 45 minutes to rectify the same error against Swansea recently. When we play teams who favour a good passing game and opt for a 5 man midfield (or 4 plus a deep lying forward), we have to match them numerically, and especially on our travels. The only time we have done so however is away at Chelsea, which barring Hart's aberration, worked very effectively.
The hope that the Beast would give us an outlet sadly lacking last season when Dzeko repeatedly miscontrolled the ball straight back into Southampton hands, proved a vain one. He was barely in the game, lacked midfield support and it was no surprise when he was eventually hoicked.
Nasri and Aguero earned their corn, but Negredo, Ya Ya and Milner were all ineffective, when what we needed was big performances. All got deservedly taken off.
Very lucky to get a point
Lets get rid off MP ams put you in charge ! Wow another fifa14 and computer manager! Jesus you need to come back to the real earth soon
I thought this was a place for discussion and debate?
I recognise the irony in calling Blue Life a two bit moron, but when all you can contribute is such a mindless comment in response to a thoughtful and considered one, then what else are you?
Really frustrates me. This is a place for discussion and debate, when people are contributing in that manner, it isn't acceptable for someone to drag the thread into the abyss if they're incapable of articulating their disagreement.
OB1 said:Kippaxstreetheadache said:OB1 said:Ha, ha, ha. He is a worrier.
Exeter Blue wrote a thoughtful and well considered post, one which I wholeheartedly agreed with. It is not acceptable that a two bit moron can retort with throwaway jibes and insults as per;
Blue life said:Well here we go!
Lets get rid off MP ams put you in charge ! Wow another fifa14 and computer manager! Jesus you need to come back to the real earth soon
I thought this was a place for discussion and debate?
I recognise the irony in calling Blue Life a two bit moron, but when all you can contribute is such a mindless comment in response to a thoughtful and considered one, then what else are you?
Really frustrates me. This is a place for discussion and debate, when people are contributing in that manner, it isn't acceptable for someone to drag the thread into the abyss if they're incapable of articulating their disagreement.
Listen up. The only one being moronic is you. If you had the remotest observational ability, you might know that I know Exeter, indeed we exchanged views in person at the game yesterday. And I can assure you that he is the first to admit to being a worrier and would have taken my light hearted quip in the spirit that it was intended. Anyone who has spent any time in this thread knows that I hold my friends views in high regard so why don't you mind your own business.