how are we going to make top 4?

[weejh]

we shouldn't need to be relying on the bad form of others

Let's be honest here, this is one of the poorest prem leagues there has been for years, I think u*****d are 15 points worse off than last season, all teams around us are dropping points and it's that reason that think we will scramble over the line in 4th spot.<br /><br />-- Tue Mar 22, 2011 5:06 am --<br /><br />

For the first time in my life I'm grateful for the international break- as they say a change is as good as a rest.

The players can have a break from each other and regroup when they get back!

Are you kidding? After the insipid shite I've seen for the last two months I'd be running the arse off them.

Are you suggesting bobby needs to work them harder?!!! Ridiculous, totally agree they med a break from each other, double training sessions and dare I say it Mancini. They will hopefully come back recharged

 

[Chippy_boy]

You might have caught me defending Yaya on a few threads. But I will not switch Barry for anyone on our squad. The man plays consistently in most games and does a nice job.

Our problems are systemic, not individual. And the individuals most responsible for this systemic malfunctioning do not include Barry!!!

-- Mon Mar 21, 2011 5:16 pm --




You might have caught me defending Yaya on a few threads. But I will not switch Barry for anyone on our squad. The man plays consistently in most games and does a nice job.

Our problems are systemic, not individual. And the individuals most responsible for this systemic malfunctioning do not include Barry!!!

You need a bit more than to players in centre mid playing square passes and an attacking midfielder who manages about 3 runs forward a game if you are wanting to ever take on the top sides.

And not meaning to just jump on the bandwaggon, but Barry's passing has been very poor for a while now. I lost count of how many times he gave the ball away on Sunday. Yes, you can't fault his commitment and work rate, but he does make many mistakes.

On the other hand, does Yaya tackle? Surely that is a requirement of a holding midfield player. Not sure I have seen him tackle much.

 

[Ntini77]

how are we going to make top 4?

By winning games?

 

[Dax777]

I don't disagree. I personally believe we are carrying too many limited players. Players who are good at one thing or the other but not well rounded. The list includes
Hart, Micah, Lescott, Yaya, De Jong, Tevez, AJ, Balotelli, Viera, Kolo, Jo Boateng, Kolarov and SWP

On our squad the well rounded players are Kompany, Silva, Boyatta, Dzeko, Barry, Milner and MJ. Now they might not be the most talented or most experienced on the team, but their game is generally well rounded. They can defend, attack, distribute and play team oriented football properly. The former often have exceptional qualities in one area or the other, but their all round game are limited.

Of the limited folks, Boateng is most likely to become an all round player. It is his energy that is laacking. And that might just be a function of getting up to speed. Others have deficiencies that inhibits team oriented football. If we can reduce the number of limited players, and add more well rounded players, we will be a better team, and the limited guys with exceptional qualities will actually look better for the extra they bring to the squad. But with so many limited players. Play gets bogged down and we look worse.

garreth barry lescott kolarov richards all average albeit lescott ;richards performing better of late play 4.5.1lwith this line up
1.gk .hart
2.rb.boateng
3.lb zabaleta
4.cb boyata quicker and more comfortable with the ball than lescot
5.cb.kompany
6.def mid de jong
7.def mid yaya toure
8.att mid milner more energy than yaya
9.left mid silva
10.stri tevez
11.right mid a.johnson

I see where you are going with this. And we might head that way eventually. But not this season.<br /><br />-- Tue Mar 22, 2011 5:02 am --<br /><br />

You need a bit more than to players in centre mid playing square passes and an attacking midfielder who manages about 3 runs forward a game if you are wanting to ever take on the top sides.

And not meaning to just jump on the bandwaggon, but Barry's passing has been very poor for a while now. I lost count of how many times he gave the ball away on Sunday. Yes, you can't fault his commitment and work rate, but he does make many mistakes.

On the other hand, does Yaya tackle? Surely that is a requirement of a holding midfield player. Not sure I have seen him tackle much.

Again this is simply a function of pre-existing bias. On Sunday only De Jong and Kompany lost the ball fewer times than Barry. De Jong lost it once and Kompany 4 times. Barry lost it 7 times. Less than Kolarov, Micah, Milner, Silva, Yaya, Dzeko, Hart and Lescott.

As you can see, he was better than most of the other players who never get criticized for losing passses. He has off games like others (i.e. against Wigan he was poorer than most) but for most of the season, he is actually usually amongst the top passers in terms of not giving up possession, and also in terms of activity on the ball. Hence why wonder why so many always try picking on him.

 

[cinnamon blue]

how are we going to make top 4?

By winning games?

priceless !