MNF

[hgblue]

He won't displace Aguero or Negredo and I don't think he plays in midfield.

His best position is behind the striker. But he can also play in midfield, On the left or right.

I'd play Jovetic on the left and Silva on the right against Barcelona.

Pellegrini. “Stevan can play as a forward or a midfielder. "

Had a couple of nice touches last night. Looks to have lost a bit of weight as well.

With regards the Barca match, I think it's a no brainer that at home Pellegrini will go with two centre forwards. I'm actually beginning to think if everyone's fit he'll do the same at the Nou Camp as well. Kun/Negredo, provided they both work hard in protecting the midfield, will cause the Barca back 4 endless problems.

It's a no brainer that he will, the debate is about whether he should, and MNF showed that it's a debate that's happening throughout football, and not just on here. I thought the discussion between Carragher and Neville put both sides of the argument very well.

 

[Anonymous]

I thought the discussion between Carragher and Neville put both sides of the argument very well.

I thought Carragher came off looking like a football remedial. I also thought Neville although better, was equally culpable of ignorance since they both used the Bayern home game without acknowledging the Bayern away match, or in fact the numerous other times this season our forwards have worked hard in midfield to help control games.

 

[6one]

To pack the midfield and play only Aguero up front would take away our key strength. We would be scratching for a goal rather than creating lots of chances. And it's unlikely we'd stop barca anyway.

 

[OB1]

His best position is behind the striker. But he can also play in midfield, On the left or right.

I'd play Jovetic on the left and Silva on the right against Barcelona.

Pellegrini. “Stevan can play as a forward or a midfielder. "

Had a couple of nice touches last night. Looks to have lost a bit of weight as well.

With regards the Barca match, I think it's a no brainer that at home Pellegrini will go with two centre forwards. I'm actually beginning to think if everyone's fit he'll do the same at the Nou Camp as well. Kun/Negredo, provided they both work hard in protecting the midfield, will cause the Barca back 4 endless problems.

Last night was the first time i've watched him live and although it was a brief display you could see very quickly he'll be hand in glove with our system.

You don't have to see the lad live to know his first touch is sublime and he comes close to matching Silva in that department but what i noticed more than ever last night was his movement off the ball was intelligent and create space for others to operate, he's also constantly showing for the ball to feet and at times, dare i say it, desperate for it.

If/when he gets match fit he'll fill Nasri's boots with ease and i'll expect him to start against Barca alongside Yaya, Dinho and Silva in the midfield with Kun and Negredo up top.

His first two touches were a delight, nothing fancy but they had the deftness that signals real quality.

 

[Didsbury Dave]

His best position is behind the striker. But he can also play in midfield, On the left or right.

I'd play Jovetic on the left and Silva on the right against Barcelona.

Pellegrini. “Stevan can play as a forward or a midfielder. "

Had a couple of nice touches last night. Looks to have lost a bit of weight as well.

With regards the Barca match, I think it's a no brainer that at home Pellegrini will go with two centre forwards. I'm actually beginning to think if everyone's fit he'll do the same at the Nou Camp as well. Kun/Negredo, provided they both work hard in protecting the midfield, will cause the Barca back 4 endless problems.

Last night was the first time i've watched him live and although it was a brief display you could see very quickly he'll be hand in glove with our system.

You don't have to see the lad live to know his first touch is sublime and he comes close to matching Silva in that department but what i noticed more than ever last night was his movement off the ball was intelligent and create space for others to operate, he's also constantly showing for the ball to feet and at times, dare i say it, desperate for it.

If/when he gets match fit he'll fill Nasri's boots with ease and i'll expect him to start against Barca alongside Yaya, Dinho and Silva in the midfield with Kun and Negredo up top.

He looks like a nice footballer. Maybe a bit short of pace but with the touch and short passing that the new city build everything on. I cannot believe for a second that he's going to play against Barca, though, either leg. Unless he goes on a run of exceptional performances over the next few weeks he hasn't done enough to earn a start in a game like that yet. I think his only chance is a couple of key injuries.

There are only two small question marks for that game I think. Left sided centre half and left back. I think he will go with demichelis and kolorov, although I'm not sure either is right for me.

 

[toffee balls]

I thought the discussion between Carragher and Neville put both sides of the argument very well.

since they both used the Bayern home game without acknowledging the Bayern away match

I think people need to re assess the Bayern home game also.

We should have been dead and buried but in the end if Boateng hadn't fouled Yaya and Silvas freekick was 2" lower we could have come away with a draw.

They took their foot of the gas and we came back at them in both legs.

 

[franksinatra]

His best position is behind the striker. But he can also play in midfield, On the left or right.

I'd play Jovetic on the left and Silva on the right against Barcelona.

Pellegrini. “Stevan can play as a forward or a midfielder. "

Had a couple of nice touches last night. Looks to have lost a bit of weight as well.

With regards the Barca match, I think it's a no brainer that at home Pellegrini will go with two centre forwards. I'm actually beginning to think if everyone's fit he'll do the same at the Nou Camp as well. Kun/Negredo, provided they both work hard in protecting the midfield, will cause the Barca back 4 endless problems.

It's a no brainer that he will, the debate is about whether he should, and MNF showed that it's a debate that's happening throughout football, and not just on here. I thought the discussion between Carragher and Neville put both sides of the argument very well.

I must admit I missed the debate. But from what I understand Neville was advocating the continuation of the 4-4-2 and my personal belief is we should not shoe horn our best players into a system or lose a heavily influential player (Negredo) to adjust our team to suit an opponents style of play.

I honestly do not believe this is the best Barca side of recent years and think they can be got at particularly if we get on the front foot. Playing two up top, squeezing them high up (with a two) could prevent their midfielders receiving possession and could prevent them dictating the game.

 

[Jack Wills]

Play to our strengths. We're doing incredibly well playing 4-4-2 at the moment so don't change to accommodate the opposition, let them worry about us!

 

[Anonymous]

I honestly do not believe this is the best Barca side of recent years and think they can be got at particularly if we get on the front foot. Playing two up top, squeezing them high up (with a two) could prevent their midfielders receiving possession and could prevent them dictating the game.

I think the key for me if we go 442 will be one of Aguero or Negredo sitting on Busquets when we don't have the ball. Pressing him effectively via one of our forwards will give Yaya/Dinho a chance against Xavi and Fabregas or Iniesta.

 

[OB1]

I honestly do not believe this is the best Barca side of recent years and think they can be got at particularly if we get on the front foot. Playing two up top, squeezing them high up (with a two) could prevent their midfielders receiving possession and could prevent them dictating the game.

I think the key for me if we go 442 will be one of Aguero or Negredo sitting on Busquets when we don't have the ball. Pressing him effectively via one of our forwards will give Yaya/Dinho a chance against Xavi and Fabregas or Iniesta.

That of course could just free Pique up to stride forward or Mascherano. You do have a point though. Fact is, without the ball, we will have to be organised and cover both their players and the spaces. Both sides have 10 outfield players each but I have seen plenty of games where it looks like Barca have more than that.

I do feel as though our players are doing a progressively better job of covering for one another when team mates have moved out of their normal zone. Negredo last night was filling in for Navas at one point and, even though he failed to track properly - resulting in a goal - Dzeko was seen filling in for Kolarov on Saturday and a right back in another recent game. It's not quite the same as someone matching up to Busquets but in terms of working hard for the team and defending, it gives me encouragement that we can face up to Barca in the right way.