Fernandinho needs to go back into midfield

[Colin Bells Boots]

Maybe he needs to change his mind is the point.....messge boards/forums are about opinions so just shutting them down with commetns like this are just exaclty what forums are NOT for

I seriously doubt that Pep reads them , and to be honest I for one don't blame him , if that is true.

The experts on BM whilst well intended simply don't count in the real world.

 

[ChicagoBlue]

Well, it won’t be happening anytime soon now, with Stones injured again, so I think we can put it to bed.

Fernandinho is the “smart guy” at the back who helps mop up the trouble, and is playing with Rodri in front of him to help him learn the system. I think Rodri has been outstanding in his first season in the most pivotal role in the team (see what I did there?!), and I think Pep sees that 90% of teams play 1 up against us, so Ferna plus AN Other at the back is all that is needed. This allows him to push the FBs into RM and LM and helps overload the opposition defence with a 2-3-5 formation. The problems arise when the two FBs get outside and we get the fast break against us, because we basically play with one controlling CM/DM who is quickly overrun. Ferna’s strength was either stopping that play or making the foul to allow us to get back...hence the “tactical foul,” even though everyone does it. It was noticed more for us because we were always overexposed on the fast break and it happened so often by the same player.

Ferna is Pep’s new defensive ball player and the chances of that changing now, with two CBS out, is slim and none. Time for Garcia to step up, IMHO.

And, in case you missed it, Ferna plays in midfield for a good portion of the game, it’s just that the rest of the team is camped out around the penalty box! Check his Opta average position!

 

[alexmcity]

Fernandinho turns 35 in May. It's pointless to delay the inevitable. He can prolong his career by helping in defence.

Better to give time to Rodri to learn the league and his role better. He's the future.

 

[Fast Forward To The Past]

I highly doubt playing Fern in midfield would improve us at this point.
The problem isn't midfield. The back four looks as protected as before but just can't stop making mistakes. Especially on the left.
We had a very long run with Gundo as DM last season and looked as secure as ever. Gundo doesn't "protect" the back 4 better than Rodri.
They're just full of mistakes this season.

 

[Stoned Rose]

Fernandinho is coming to the end of his City career and Rodri needs to get used to playing the number six role in this team. We need to get him acclimatised as soon as possible so we can see the benefits next season. Given that the title is already gone, I don't see the point in delaying that transition.

Taking the long term view, you are spot on.

It's just extremely frustrating in the here and now to see Fern being forced to play at CB.

But, Rodders does need to play DM and get acclimatise.

 

[simon23]

I seriously doubt that Pep reads them , and to be honest I for one don't blame him , if that is true.

The experts on BM whilst well intended simply don't count in the real world.

oh dear....so why are you even on here then? is it just to give posts like that or is (as forums are for) to have reasoned debates about what could be better, what could be done differently or what is going well.....

or is it just for people saying - the manager makes decisions and we just have to take it? If thats the aim of a forum Id say its pretty pointless and would question why ANYONE would come on here (or any other message board for that matter)

And by saying that no one on the message board counts just belittles everyone- including yourself -which is just a bit strange....
Ill go back to talking and debating the team i love and their performances.

 

[Tricky_Trev]

Pep said it isnt happening. End of discussion.

It’s not the end of the discussion though. If we can only talk about things Pep has said he’ll do, what’s the point? It doesn’t look like Pep will play Fernandinho there any time soon, but more than enough people want him back there for it to be a worthwhile discussion. This is a fans forum, not a team meeting at the Etihad Campus.

We have a squad of players, and discussing how to arrange them on a football pitch seems like exactly the kind of thing this forum exists for.

 

[simon23]

Well, it won’t be happening anytime soon now, with Stones injured again, so I think we can put it to bed.

Fernandinho is the “smart guy” at the back who helps mop up the trouble, and is playing with Rodri in front of him to help him learn the system. I think Rodri has been outstanding in his first season in the most pivotal role in the team (see what I did there?!), and I think Pep sees that 90% of teams play 1 up against us, so Ferna plus AN Other at the back is all that is needed. This allows him to push the FBs into RM and LM and helps overload the opposition defence with a 2-3-5 formation. The problems arise when the two FBs get outside and we get the fast break against us, because we basically play with one controlling CM/DM who is quickly overrun. Ferna’s strength was either stopping that play or making the foul to allow us to get back...hence the “tactical foul,” even though everyone does it. It was noticed more for us because we were always overexposed on the fast break and it happened so often by the same player.

Ferna is Pep’s new defensive ball player and the chances of that changing now, with two CBS out, is slim and none. Time for Garcia to step up, IMHO.

And, in case you missed it, Ferna plays in midfield for a good portion of the game, it’s just that the rest of the team is camped out around the penalty box! Check his Opta average position!

Maybe try one of the kids? With our season deteriorating quickly we have litle left to lose than blood Garcia and Taylor HB at times.

 

[iwasthere1968]

Pep said it isnt happening. End of discussion.

This is and only this .Close the thread.

 

[ninjamonkey]

We all know it should happen but Peps adamant it isn’t going to happen. Fernandinho is now solely a centre back. Rodri’s problem is his lack of athleticism, he’s just too slow to do the role Fernandinho has done for the last few seasons and he isn’t going to get faster.

It’s not the end of the world, gareth Barry showed you don’t necessarily need pace to be an effective holding midfielder but on his part his reading of the game needs to improve substantially and ultimately, our style and formation needs to alter slightly to suit him. Can’t keep asking a guy to do a job he’s not physically capable of.

Don’t see the point in switching it now unless we drop so dramatically that the top4 becomes a doubt. Need to use the season to him fully acclimated but we can only do that if we evolve the system, throwing him in expecting him to do what’s being asked of him now is doing nothing for anybody.