Mancini (cont)

[moomba]

Had Wigan not been a serious threat during the period, Mancini would not have decided to scrap the formation after 13 minutes.

I think it was more that it wasn't resulting on us being any more effective going forward.

As I said I don't think we were any worse with a back three than any other part of the night.

Although I did fear what would happen if Kone starting running behind Garcia as he just couldn't keep up. From me again it was more a problem with the people playing in the back three rather than the fact it was a back three.

 

[Skashion]

Always makes me smile when people post "THIS" or "+1".

Are they not aware of how vacuous it makes them appear?

 

[mancityvstoke]

Always makes me smile when people post "THIS" or "+1".

Are they not aware of how vacuous it makes them appear?

ahh some humour.......nice one

(oops sorry THIS plus one)

 

[Dextersmate]

Always makes me smile when people post "THIS" or "+1".

Are they not aware of how vacuous it makes them appear?

+1

 

[kaz7]

Always makes me smile when people post "THIS" or "+1".

Are they not aware of how vacuous it makes them appear?

THIS AND +1!

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

Had Wigan not been a serious threat during the period, Mancini would not have decided to scrap the formation after 13 minutes.

I think it was more that it wasn't resulting on us being any more effective going forward.

As I said I don't think we were any worse with a back three than any other part of the night.

Okay, that's your view- it's wrong - but we'll leave it there ;)

To take my issue with three at the back forward, why does Mancini continue to believe he has the personnel to deploy it effectively?

Outside of the FA Cup defeat to United last season, it has been shambolic.

I can see why Ajax were able to pick it apart during another crazy few minutes.

 

[dancity19]

Always makes me smile when people post "THIS" or "+1".

Are they not aware of how vacuous it makes them appear?

^

 

[NipHolmes]

Malaga will be hammered because they have no CL next year because of ban by UEFA and their owner is pulling cash back out of club. Valencia have been in trouble even before now, they've been in a mire for 5 years or so now. Villa, Silva and Mata have been sold in recent times and they were pivotal players and Valencia were in the CL!

The bubbles burst in Spain and England is well suited to go in and poach the best players for decent prices. As I said, the likes of a newly promoted Cardiff have better spending power than established top La Liga teams, it's a sign of how poor that leagues finances have become.

yet interestingly, taking the two samples, la liga and the premier hip, the gap between second and third is larger in the premiership than in la liga.

Even though the premier league's finances aren't as one-sided as the Spanish league, we are quite significantly further ahead of Chelsea (proportionately) than Real are of Athletico.

I would, however agree with the main part, if anything these stats suggest over achievement by Athletico, but interesting none-the-less.

If anyone was wondering by the way, in individual samples, Real have had a marginally better season than us (by .001%)

How do you work this out?

They are in a domestic up final the same as us, but they are semi finalists in the Champions League! Hardly marginal is it?

They have a better squad but lets not twist truths to suit here.

As for their league, imo it's filled with much more talent and teams actually play to win. Here the objective for many clubs is defend a point and try to pinch the other 2. Get to 40 points and seasons a success. Any cup runs are a bonus but league is first and foremost. In Spain it's different, you will see Sociedad and Betis for example completely take the game to Real or Barca, that's what football is meant to be played like.

People think our league is best because they are told it's best and are to ignorant to compare themselves. Bundesliga is equally as exciting and have two teams of better quality than us and United. Spain itself is a hotbed of talent, they have teams playing good football from bottom team to the top. The only problem is how the mobney is distributed, if the evened it up it'd make the league even better!

Athletico are over achieving for the squad strength but their best eleven is a match to anyones. Bilbao thrashed United, Athletico battered Chelsea in the Super Cup and they won the UEFA Cup. Both Spanish teams are in the semis of CL final. I think that justifies my high ranking of their league.

 

[plongo]

3 at the back is Mancini's achilles heel

It does not work here, only his stubborness won't allow him to see it

 

[Deleted member 52846]

I see he went three at the back last night for all of 13 minutes.

During which time, Kompany went from thoroughbred to third-rate.

Did he? I wouldn't have thought so, was more worried by Garcia against Kone myself. But I can't remember them having any chances during that time.

To be honest we were rubbish all game last night, but certainly no worse (or better) for the short time we played with three at the back.

Three times Komps was dragged out to the right to challenge Maloney, three times he was left tackling fresh air.

Had Wigan not been a serious threat during the period, Mancini would not have decided to scrap the formation after 13 minutes.

Wigan were never more threatening than during this time and thankfully, Mancini could see it and rectified the mistake.

Something needed to change. He tried a few different things - not just reverting to 352 - and in the end we won and they didn't score.