Our attack - what's off?

[OB1]

I did say yesterday we are crying out for a player like Yaya. A big fucking beast of a man who can grab a game by the scruff and make it his own. Problem is they broke the mold when they made that fella.

Yaya is a once in a generation kind of player, as is Merlin.

I actually wish people would quit bemoaning the absence of players that have gone.

City have to build a team that functions well without such players and that means adjusting things.

We can create a revamped team that is excellent but not in quite the same way as before.

Other things have changed too, like how teams approach playing us.

At the moment, the team seems to be very focused on greater defensive solidity. Hopefully, that will produce a foundation that sooner of later gives us the springboard to start destroying teams again. However, maybe we won't score so many goals for a time. I think we need to wait and see how things develop.

 

[Blue Maniac]

We no longer have David Silva.

 

[Alcatraz]

Silva and Gundogan were a problem pace wise as well last season.

I seem to remember many on Bluemoon saying how Silva could not do it any longer even last season, so the signs were there.
but we didn’t replace him and clearly Pep does not see Foden playing left side midfield
In all probability, replacing El Mago was always going to be impossible, but signing Aouar would have been a good shout. Why did we not go for him ?
The other issue for me is CM ...Rodri does drive us forward and we know he not a Fernandino. We need someone with pace and the ability to drive us forward not keep interchanging passes with the back 4. he makes lots of passes, but how many are effective ?

 

[Alcatraz]

The big threat yesterday consistently came from Mane..his pace and strength gave Walker, who had been playing so well in previous games, big problems.
For City, you don’t see anyone with that pace or strength.
jesus was our striker and took his goal well, but most of the time was never up there. He drops off, he tries to link play, he runs himself into the ground. still feel he would be more of threat coming in from the left.
But we desperately need a strong quick No 9,

 

[Deleted member 77198]

All the problems stem from the midfield. We miss someone who links the midfield to attack, we lack any control and our 8s aren't doing enough to show for the ball when our wide players have it.

We can't play triangles because Gundogan can't do it, and Kevin looks exhausted. Add to that Bernardo is off form.

Its staggering we didn't move for Auoar.

We need Pep to sign a new contract, peak the interest of agents and get someone who’s absolutely mustard in midfield.

 

[Bluesince1979]

We just arent the same team as 2 years ago.
Silva, sane, Komps all gone.
Fern and serg old!
All replaced with lesser players

 

[91:23]

Yesterday was a prime example of when a team press us, we become stifled in attack and slow. Mane and Salah pushed up high cutting off the ball to Rodri. We also lose any momentum we may have had and allow the opposition to get back into formation. When we do happen to create a break, then because of our inverted wingers (fucking despise this system) we then stop altogether because the player wants to cut in on his natural foot. By which time he has 2 defenders to try and get through, inevitably losing the ball. We miss Sane direct approach and we miss Sterlings abilities on the right. we end up becoming narrow and trying to force our way through a defensive wall. I'm no coach but even I can see this. Pep needs to overcome this by being creative and flexible in his thinking. Yesterday was crying out for the flanks to be overloaded with naturally sided players, supported with over laps from full backs. Drag their attacking players back to support their overworked full backs. This wouldve created gaps in the middle for KDB to attack. In my humble opinion. In order to apply some balance if Pep is reading this hes quite welcome to nip to one of my sites and give his opinion on my project management skills. :)

 

[WallyA]

I think a 442/3142 fixes some of our issues in attack:

Defensive Block
------------------Ferran--------------Jesus
Foden/Silva---------Gund-----KdB----------Sterling
Cancelo-----------Laporte----Dias-------Walker

Attacking Phase
--------------------Ferran----------------Jesus
Cancelo-------Foden/Silva---------KdB----------Sterling
--------------------------Gundogan
--------------------Laporte----Dias-------Walker

My Thinking for it (purely on maximizing player potential)

1. Ferran plays better as a inbetween winger/striker, his dribbling, finishing and link up play are better than Sterling's, and combined with Jesus (who has the same assets), makes them a great pair up front to finish chances.

2. Chemistry between Ferran, Cancelo, Foden/Silva I think would be really good, Cancelo-Silva read each other well, and Foden-Ferran read each other well.

The idea would be to build up play on the left side, and utilize Sterling's speed and positioning on the right.

3. Somewhat fixes the Foden and KdB problem by making Foden play as a pseudo winger/midfielder, KdB can still operate a bit deeper and try his risky passes.

4. Player depth:
Mendy LWB
Ake, Stones CB
Rodri DM
Mahrez as Sterling back up, but also potentially up front as a creative striker (could redefine him)
Silva LM or RCM

 

[Blu3m00n91]

We no longer have David Silva.

This and Leroy. That left handed side was incredible for those 2/3 years

 

[Citycity76]

We just arent the same team as 2 years ago.
Silva, sane, Komps all gone.
Fern and serg old!
All replaced with lesser players

One of the bigger misses is Sane, no comp for places hence why sterling is way off