I think the only confusion comes from defining Delph's position, otherwise what you state is the same to what he does. And Delph clearly was the furthest forward of our CMs, he basically occupied the same space as Silva did in the second half.The only problem with this, is that's not the shape we actually played in the first half!
We had 3 centre backs.
Clichy and Navas as wing backs.
A central midfield 3 of Fernando, Fernandinho and Delph.
Zinchenko pushed right up alonside Kelechi.
It was pretty fluid so it's tricky to put a telephone number on it, but it certainly wasn't 343. It was more like 352 if you had to pick one.
After watching yesterday, I was impressed with us without the ball, already good signs of us being able to press high up the pitch without leaving gaps that teams can cut through us with a couple of direct balls and it will only get better.
However with the ball I don't think we look anything like a pep team yet. His teams always have at least 2 or 3 pass options, always. I thought yesterday we mostly had just 1 option, sometimes 2 and we're very predictable with our build up play.
But it's still early doors and things will get a lot better and fast
We have some exciting times ahead
is that a serious reply ??? I reckon Mourinho logs on here every 10 mins just check what City are doingI would rather this wasn't posted here for all to look at, prefer if you did an analysis of Conte at Chelsea or Cunte at the rags!
I had been skeptical about us going after Stones AND Laporte but now... Looking at how Pep had us passing of defence was impressive, but I can see us needing a big turnover in players to get in people who can play this way without it being quite risky (Lots of misplaced passes yesterday and lucky not to get punished).
If I look over our squad, defenders/goalies are either technically decent but getting a bit long in the tooth (Kompany, Sagna, Clichy, Caballero, Zab), with technical question marks (Hart, Otamendi, Mangala, Kolarov) or unproven (Maffeo, Angelino, Tosin, Denayer, Gunn). Not one player I could pen into the team sheet for the next 3-5 years with real confidence.
I'm sure some of those unproven players will establish themselves, but I can see having a major turnover of defensive players over the next 12 months.
is that a serious reply ??? I reckon Mourinho logs on here every 10 mins just check what City are doing
Yes, because the top clubs around the world rely on social media to get an insight into the tactics of opposing managers instead of employing well paid professionals to do it for them.
that makes as much sense as your original replyHave you even travelled on the river?
I've not seen this posted elsewhere yet - apologies if so.
Here is an amazing, in depth analysis of our tactics last season and what Pep will want to change.
Previewing Pep Guardiola's Manchester City reign
I know, it makes good reading!Really interesting, thanks. Fleshes out a number of the glaring problems we had last season - lack of movement and urgency, lack of 'compactness', inability to keep a high defensive line, inability/unwillingness to press, limitations of Fernando and Toure etc..
Also hard not to be excited reading it - yes, there may well be teething problems, but fuck me, imagine how good we could be if he gets it right ...
Seems hit and hope to me tbh so far, the last lad seemed to have more of a plan.
I've not seen this posted elsewhere yet - apologies if so.
Here is an amazing, in depth analysis of our tactics last season and what Pep will want to change.
Previewing Pep Guardiola's Manchester City reign
Hope we dont allow Moyes to 'hem' us in. Watching Arsenal box us in as far back as our own corner flag was painful. Arsenal were gifted lots of opportunities from our willingness to over do it on our own 18 yard line. If we need in excess of 10 passes to reach the half way line we must be doing things wrong.
However with the ball I don't think we look anything like a pep team yet. His teams always have at least 2 or 3 pass options, always. I thought yesterday we mostly had just 1 option, sometimes 2 and we're very predictable with our build up play.
Fucking hell, my head hurts!!