Interesting as I've been saying this to the lads I watch with for a little while that I think he's finished as a starter. He's also started losing possession in dangerous positions quite frequently now. I know Gundogan doesn't have a huge physical presence but his ability will make us much more dangerous going forward, and less liable to giving the ball away at the back, and those two alone offsets the slight extra physicality Fernandinho has, and his extra bit of energy - which isn't hugely improved on Gundogan in either asset.
It's Quiet - a new dawn
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Agreed. There's a reason we barely saw fern in the middle as soon as Yaya got fit last year, and when we did, we weren't good.
the worry is that Peps not playing Yaya for some reason and if that's going to persist through the season then we're relying totally on Gundogan being fit and KDB adapting to the deeper role.
uwe rosler 28
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4-2-3-1 is the way forward for me when all fit
Ederson
Walker. Vinny. Stones. Mendy
Diniho. Gundogan
Bernardo. Silva. Kdb
Jesus
Ederson
Walker. Vinny. Stones. Mendy
Diniho. Gundogan
Bernardo. Silva. Kdb
Jesus
I agree that we need a better/faster/younger/more-consistant Fernandinho (as much as I like the guy) but it's surely not Stones. I'm only just getting used to him playing half decently as a defender in the time his played this summer. It's a huge leap to think of him actually playing in midfield.
It may be contrary to popular opinion but he isn't a good passer of the ball (IMO). You can tell by his tempo. He doesn't make quick decisions, his passes are relatively slow/imprecise and they're one dimensional, i.e. no triangles or ambition. Compare that to the likes of Garcia who's constantly looking for the ball in order to move it intelligently and his passing is crisp and snappy.
If Stones is to live up to not be a complete waste of money then I hope he proves himself to be a decent central defender and leaves the midfield to midfielders. If no one has faith in him as a defender then let him go on loan somewhere to try to improve or sell him.
It may be contrary to popular opinion but he isn't a good passer of the ball (IMO). You can tell by his tempo. He doesn't make quick decisions, his passes are relatively slow/imprecise and they're one dimensional, i.e. no triangles or ambition. Compare that to the likes of Garcia who's constantly looking for the ball in order to move it intelligently and his passing is crisp and snappy.
If Stones is to live up to not be a complete waste of money then I hope he proves himself to be a decent central defender and leaves the midfield to midfielders. If no one has faith in him as a defender then let him go on loan somewhere to try to improve or sell him.
Thaksinssoldier
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I still think we've no need for that type of player when utilising a back 3/5. David Silva could easily play that role and do it well enough to not worry about trying to look like a DM.
Robinho's Subbuteo
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Has this turned into the tactics/Stones thread?
OB1
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Until, IIRC, Garcia replaced him to bring home the bacon.
pavelsrnicek
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So far this season he has only had the choice of Fernandinho and Yaya and he has picked Dinho 3 times. It will be interesting to see what happens when Gundogan is fit. I think Fernandinho's days are numbered with us and we'll only offer him an extension if we can't get the right upgrade.
TRUE BLUE NO1
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Genuine question.......so is this a positional weakness at DM or a weakness in Pep's system, that he's going to have to change?
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