Hughes last night (SWP + Richards)

[mcs]

This to me has become a cliche.

If you're an attacking fullback there may be times when the opposition break at you. the key is the rest of the defence cover for you.

He had a very good game.

but again there were times when he is walking back into position, even when he was only 10 yards up-field

Its not a cliche when it happens almost every time he plays. As someone on another board mentions, he seems to go into 'dozy' periods during a game. He is an athletic, powerful fit young man. He should comfortably be able to storm upfield and then quickly get back into position if the ball is lost. Too often he just sits and has a cup of tea somewhere in the opposition half, or just wanders back like he has all the time in the world. I know there are times when you are playing as an attacking fullback that you will get caught out, but the problem with Richards is too often he creates these times not through quality opposition play but through sheer laziness.

 

[MonsallBlue]

Ok, we were only playing the Arse kids. But they can be tricky little fuckers with intricate passing around the box. We handled it very well. So all in all I am happy with the defence last night.

No big attacking threats from corners or close range free kicks to deal with though. Different matter on Saturday. Which is a problem Hughes will have to deal with.

 

[lionheart]

Other than occasional positional lapses by Micah, my only criticism relates to Adebayor's failure to get back when the opponents break away. He invariably meanders back slowly and frequently stands in an off-side position, preventing a quick counter-attack when we do retrieve the ball. It was noted by the TV pundits on more than one occasion.

 

[Didsbury Dave]

but again there were times when he is walking back into position, even when he was only 10 yards up-field

Its not a cliche when it happens almost every time he plays. As someone on another board mentions, he seems to go into 'dozy' periods during a game. He is an athletic, powerful fit young man. He should comfortably be able to storm upfield and then quickly get back into position if the ball is lost. Too often he just sits and has a cup of tea somewhere in the opposition half, or just wanders back like he has all the time in the world. I know there are times when you are playing as an attacking fullback that you will get caught out, but the problem with Richards is too often he creates these times not through quality opposition play but through sheer laziness.

"laziness" is on overused term by football fans.

Richards is prone to occasionally not getting tight enough.

But there's this myth built up that he "wanders" back, as you put it. As I said, teams will break at us with out fullbacks in attacking positions - it happens to all teams - could happen to Chelsea on Saturday.

It's up to the rest of the back 4 and the deep midfielders to cover.

 

[Fat Chance]

Richards played better than shit but on three occasions he got the ball stuck under his feet, took an eternity to sort it out and flapped left and right when an opponent had clocked his shortcomings....to make it worse he simply punted the ball forward, twice it went out of play and once directly to an opponent further up the field. He could'nt skip left or right with an opponent closing on him....that might sound a touch harsh but it does beg what you actually get served up nowadays for £50k a week. Twice an Arsenal player got down his flank and put a cross in with Richards in close attendance and failing to offer an attempted block with any part of his body....if someones forgot to tell him thats his job then it's poor....if they have and he either simply can't be arsed or forgets....then thats double poor. If folk rate him going forward then Bridge is Maradonna class....Micahs alright with ten yards of open space infront of him, he tries very hard to be a cool cat and the reality is he's a flapper inside. That said the name of the game is competition and hopefully this will bring Zab on....which hopefully will bring Richards on.. plenty more.

 

[zeven]

CIty totally lacks an offensive attacking strategy. This becomes more and more clear, we put our trust in individuells. MH is not a good enough manager! you guys will probably cut my head off! but seriously tell me how City attack strategy works then!

 

[masterwig]

We did little different last night to the past few games. But the individual errors were cut out and we took our chances. It's amazing what a result and good performance do to people. Hughes did look more positive in terms of being up off the bench and maybe that helped but the overall strategy has changed little.

Great result and it should give the players plenty of confidence, just what we needed.

 

[Didsbury Dave]

Richards played better than shit but on three occasions he got the ball stuck under his feet, took an eternity to sort it out and flapped left and right when an opponent had clocked his shortcomings....to make it worse he simply punted the ball forward, twice it went out of play and once directly to an opponent further up the field. He could'nt skip left or right with an opponent closing on him....that might sound a touch harsh but it does beg what you actually get served up nowadays for £50k a week. Twice an Arsenal player got down his flank and put a cross in with Richards in close attendance and failing to offer an attempted block with any part of his body....if someones forgot to tell him thats his job then it's poor....if they have and he either simply can't be arsed or forgets....then thats double poor. If folk rate him going forward then Bridge is Maradonna class....Micahs alright with ten yards of open space infront of him, he tries very hard to be a cool cat and the reality is he's a flapper inside. That said the name of the game is competition and hopefully this will bring Zab on....which hopefully will bring Richards on.. plenty more.

There is proof that Richards has become so much a victim that anything he does will be magnified.

It's always fucking right backs at City, too. Why is this?

He has played very well since he's come back in.

He's better than Zableta in my opinion.

 

[Sultana of Brunei]

Richards played better than shit but on three occasions he got the ball stuck under his feet, took an eternity to sort it out and flapped left and right when an opponent had clocked his shortcomings....to make it worse he simply punted the ball forward, twice it went out of play and once directly to an opponent further up the field. He could'nt skip left or right with an opponent closing on him....that might sound a touch harsh but it does beg what you actually get served up nowadays for £50k a week. Twice an Arsenal player got down his flank and put a cross in with Richards in close attendance and failing to offer an attempted block with any part of his body....if someones forgot to tell him thats his job then it's poor....if they have and he either simply can't be arsed or forgets....then thats double poor. If folk rate him going forward then Bridge is Maradonna class....Micahs alright with ten yards of open space infront of him, he tries very hard to be a cool cat and the reality is he's a flapper inside. That said the name of the game is competition and hopefully this will bring Zab on....which hopefully will bring Richards on.. plenty more.

There is proof that Richards has become so much a victim that anything he does will be magnified.

It's always fucking right backs at City, too. Why is this?

He has played very well since he's come back in.

He's better than Zableta in my opinion.

Yeah, How many Arsenal goals was he responsible for?

I'm all for constantly improving but the "eternal quest to find the mythical perfect right back" is getting on my tits after 30 years to be honest.

 

[Didsbury Dave]

At the end of season awards we should have the "Richard Edgehill Trophy" for the most victimised right back at Manchester City.