Man City's tactic, similar to Barca's?

[Gelsons Dad]

Theres was a blog about this about 4-5wks ago, it was really interesting. The formation is referred to as the WW formation as the players line up like two W ontop of each other. The formation relies on possession of the ball, probing the opossition and only taking good chances as not to lose possession, when the opposition has the ball all the team must press to retain it.

If this is ww we're back in the 50's. That's the last time it was popular.

 

[scenecreamer]

Theres was a blog about this about 4-5wks ago, it was really interesting. The formation is referred to as the WW formation as the players line up like two W ontop of each other. The formation relies on possession of the ball, probing the opossition and only taking good chances as not to lose possession, when the opposition has the ball all the team must press to retain it.

If this is ww we're back in the 50's. That's the last time it was popular.

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WORTH READING.

 

[oakiecokie]

You still can`t beat the old 5-5 formation !!
Book,Doyle,Heslop,Oakes,Pardoe.
Summerbee,Bell,Lee,Young and Coleman.
Give me a wing back and an inside forward anyday !!

 

[1.618034]

I think the comparison holds up. Obviously we're not at Barca's level yet but the style we play which is possession/passing based.

An interesting comparison is with the away records.

Barca have won 6 out of 6 away and we have the 2nd best away record in the PL, to Arsenal who also play a very similar style and formation.

I think it works away from home better because it allows us/them to exploit teams who attack us and who generally play 2 up front. This gives us an extra man in midfield and the fluidity of the system allows plenty of possession and quick counter-attacks.

We and they struggle more when teams "park the bus", especially at home, as we don't have that aerial threat which would need a big CF and traditional wingers that can supply a stream of good crosses which teams like Chelsea and utd do. But if we can adapt of style with the addition of a target man (Dzeko ?) then we may be able to overcome that problem...?

Barca are certainly the team to emulate when it comes to style so it's not a bad comparison.

It'll be interesting to see how Stoke set up tomorrow as I've seen on their websites that they're wondering whether they'll go with 1 or 2 up front. If they go with 2 then I think we can handle them and if they go with 1 then it might be a very tight game although I still reckon we should have enough with Balo, Tevez and Silva to undo them.

We'll see.

 

[blue b4 the moon]

If we played the Barca way all the idiots would be screaming to get the ball forward. Half our 'fans' have little tactical knowledge

For what it's worth OP I agree with your theory and I do think that style is the template for our upcoming success. (Fingers crossed).

 

[Sleeping_Easy]

The OP makes a very good point. A mate who's an AC milan fan mentioned it to me the other day and thinks were not that far off being the best team in the league. He reckons we just need someone with great passing (like xavi) to replace barry to take the team onto that next level.

Any ideas who our xavi could be??

 

[scenecreamer]

Any ideas who our xavi could be??

Schneider would be nice, but I think Silva could do that role admirably if we can replace him on the right. If a world class rightback (Alves??) is signed we could move Zab up to RM and play Silva in the middle

 

[Sleeping_Easy]

Any ideas who our xavi could be??

Schneider would be nice, but I think Silva could do that role admirably if we can replace him on the right. If a world class rightback (Alves??) is signed we could move Zab up to RM and play Silva in the middle

I think maybe silva could play that role in la liga but not in the prem. Its requires a more physical player. If you look at the likes of fabregas even he has some strength to him and is good at tackling. I think we'd be taking away from silva's game if we started asking him to preform this role. Sneijder could preform this role if we dropped yaya back to were barry plays and put Sneijder in there. Or we could play Schweinsteiger in there instead of barry. He displayed a great range of passing during the world cup and i'm sure he's in some contract dispute at the min.

On the moving zaba up to right mid thing i dont think this would work as he does posses a good enough attacking threat to play this role

 

[1.618034]

Schneider would be nice, but I think Silva could do that role admirably if we can replace him on the right. If a world class rightback (Alves??) is signed we could move Zab up to RM and play Silva in the middle

I think maybe silva could play that role in la liga but not in the prem. Its requires a more physical player. If you look at the likes of fabregas even he has some strength to him and is good at tackling. I think we'd be taking away from silva's game if we started asking him to preform this role. Sneijder could preform this role if we dropped yaya back to were barry plays and put Sneijder in there. Or we could play Schweinsteiger in there instead of barry. He displayed a great range of passing during the world cup and i'm sure he's in some contract dispute at the min.

On the moving zaba up to right mid thing i dont think this would work as he does posses a good enough attacking threat to play this role

Schweinsteiger?

In a few years it might be Joan Roman from the EDS..? Or even, whisper it, Michael Johnson. He's got the ability to make that position his own if he can eventually get and stay fit.

 

[Akira]

With regards to the passer, I think Schweinsteiger is a good call, but are we forgetting Milner?