Lack of pace on the wings

[SatOnTheWall]

Even though I agree with much of what you said... But the point vs Everton was NOT a good one under any circumstance. It was bad. Period.

If we win the league by less than two points, it’s a fucking belter, mate.

 

[Agueroooo9320]

hope we get leao. he looks amazing.

 

[Dax777]

hope we get leao. he looks amazing.

He and Bellingham plus a left back are the 3 necessaries.

I am assuming Gundo and Bernardo are leaving. And Phil is moving into the midfield.

 

[mcfcbill91]

I feel like this is part of a wider debate on how we play and also how opposing teams decide to set up too.

Worth seeing Brighton's first goal last night and comparing how exposed the full back was, compared to Saturday. Once he's out of the way, Mitoma gets up to some speed and it's job done. Newcastle got nearly ripped apart early yesterday, until Joelinton dropped right off to help his full back and nullify the space for Saka to run.

Compare this to Everton at the weekend, with a full back being helped by a centre back. No space to get up to any speed at all, it's having to be done from a standing start. Even the quickest players will struggle, especially having to beat two or three players in 18-20 yards.

Well worth flicking through our games and looking at how many teams use a 5-3-2 or 5-4-1 once against City, then revert to their 'normal' playing style for the next game. Everton got thrashed last night partly because Lampard went back to a 4-3-3 against one of the best possession teams in the league.

This new system has been good so far (look at our chance creation v Liverpool & Leeds), but maybe it needs tweaks to cope with teams using 5 man defences.

The Sane & Sterling combination was devastating because we often had more space, but we also had David Silva, who provided a controlling balance to KDB's more risky passing.

City wouldn't be anywhere near the team we are without imposing control over the games. Occasionally teams will play like Everton and score their only chance, other times we win 1-0.

 

[Saddleworth2]

I feel like this is part of a wider debate on how we play and also how opposing teams decide to set up too.

Worth seeing Brighton's first goal last night and comparing how exposed the full back was, compared to Saturday. Once he's out of the way, Mitoma gets up to some speed and it's job done. Newcastle got nearly ripped apart early yesterday, until Joelinton dropped right off to help his full back and nullify the space for Saka to run.

Compare this to Everton at the weekend, with a full back being helped by a centre back. No space to get up to any speed at all, it's having to be done from a standing start. Even the quickest players will struggle, especially having to beat two or three players in 18-20 yards.

Well worth flicking through our games and looking at how many teams use a 5-3-2 or 5-4-1 once against City, then revert to their 'normal' playing style for the next game. Everton got thrashed last night partly because Lampard went back to a 4-3-3 against one of the best possession teams in the league.

This new system has been good so far (look at our chance creation v Liverpool & Leeds), but maybe it needs tweaks to cope with teams using 5 man defences.

The Sane & Sterling combination was devastating because we often had more space, but we also had David Silva, who provided a controlling balance to KDB's more risky passing.

City wouldn't be anywhere near the team we are without imposing control over the games. Occasionally teams will play like Everton and score their only chance, other times we win 1-0.

At last. Some sense. Well done mate.

 

[simon23]

Pep is a big fan and Estiarte has also spoken to him about him.

Oh god please no

 

[Norman kneejerk]

I feel like this is part of a wider debate on how we play and also how opposing teams decide to set up too.

Worth seeing Brighton's first goal last night and comparing how exposed the full back was, compared to Saturday. Once he's out of the way, Mitoma gets up to some speed and it's job done. Newcastle got nearly ripped apart early yesterday, until Joelinton dropped right off to help his full back and nullify the space for Saka to run.

Compare this to Everton at the weekend, with a full back being helped by a centre back. No space to get up to any speed at all, it's having to be done from a standing start. Even the quickest players will struggle, especially having to beat two or three players in 18-20 yards.

Well worth flicking through our games and looking at how many teams use a 5-3-2 or 5-4-1 once against City, then revert to their 'normal' playing style for the next game. Everton got thrashed last night partly because Lampard went back to a 4-3-3 against one of the best possession teams in the league.

This new system has been good so far (look at our chance creation v Liverpool & Leeds), but maybe it needs tweaks to cope with teams using 5 man defences.

The Sane & Sterling combination was devastating because we often had more space, but we also had David Silva, who provided a controlling balance to KDB's more risky passing.

City wouldn't be anywhere near the team we are without imposing control over the games. Occasionally teams will play like Everton and score their only chance, other times we win 1-0.

Agree Davud Silva was a big part of that, might be my imagination but we always seemed to be operating in the opposition box probably durme to his great close control but we often seem to be 10 or 15 yards back now with a wall in front of us Just my impression.

 

[Blue Tooth]

I feel like this is part of a wider debate on how we play and also how opposing teams decide to set up too.

Worth seeing Brighton's first goal last night and comparing how exposed the full back was, compared to Saturday. Once he's out of the way, Mitoma gets up to some speed and it's job done. Newcastle got nearly ripped apart early yesterday, until Joelinton dropped right off to help his full back and nullify the space for Saka to run.

Compare this to Everton at the weekend, with a full back being helped by a centre back. No space to get up to any speed at all, it's having to be done from a standing start. Even the quickest players will struggle, especially having to beat two or three players in 18-20 yards.

Well worth flicking through our games and looking at how many teams use a 5-3-2 or 5-4-1 once against City, then revert to their 'normal' playing style for the next game. Everton got thrashed last night partly because Lampard went back to a 4-3-3 against one of the best possession teams in the league.

This new system has been good so far (look at our chance creation v Liverpool & Leeds), but maybe it needs tweaks to cope with teams using 5 man defences.

The Sane & Sterling combination was devastating because we often had more space, but we also had David Silva, who provided a controlling balance to KDB's more risky passing.

City wouldn't be anywhere near the team we are without imposing control over the games. Occasionally teams will play like Everton and score their only chance, other times we win 1-0.

Balanced, objective and sensible. You won't last round here ;)

 

[JewelZee]

I’ve sat on the fence with Grealish and was even defending him the other day but Palmer could do what he does for free and is more dangerous in front of goal.

He's not a wide player. Play him more centrally and then we can have a chat. Otherwise it's a relentless waste of time.

 

[LongsightM13]

I feel like this is part of a wider debate on how we play and also how opposing teams decide to set up too.

Worth seeing Brighton's first goal last night and comparing how exposed the full back was, compared to Saturday. Once he's out of the way, Mitoma gets up to some speed and it's job done. Newcastle got nearly ripped apart early yesterday, until Joelinton dropped right off to help his full back and nullify the space for Saka to run.

Compare this to Everton at the weekend, with a full back being helped by a centre back. No space to get up to any speed at all, it's having to be done from a standing start. Even the quickest players will struggle, especially having to beat two or three players in 18-20 yards.

Well worth flicking through our games and looking at how many teams use a 5-3-2 or 5-4-1 once against City, then revert to their 'normal' playing style for the next game. Everton got thrashed last night partly because Lampard went back to a 4-3-3 against one of the best possession teams in the league.

This new system has been good so far (look at our chance creation v Liverpool & Leeds), but maybe it needs tweaks to cope with teams using 5 man defences.

The Sane & Sterling combination was devastating because we often had more space, but we also had David Silva, who provided a controlling balance to KDB's more risky passing.

City wouldn't be anywhere near the team we are without imposing control over the games. Occasionally teams will play like Everton and score their only chance, other times we win 1-0.

A short but determined burst of acceleration and pace against a low block got us 2 of the 3 goals that won us the title v Villa
Pep seems determined to suck the pace and athleticism out of this team in favour of possession for its own sake
Anything less than three points on Thursday and we are facing a crisis moment similar to West Brom at home during the lockdown.
Like then, he needs to ignore his inner smart arse, display some humility again and go back to what we do best. And then we’ll be just fine