Player Topic: Eliaquim Mangala (2015/16)

[TFC]

I think unfortunately the last few performances from Mangala will see a gradual shift to a Kompany/Otamendi partnership in the middle, especially in the 'bigger' games. Even against Palace I had to look twice a couple of times as he looked a little shaky and lost markers too easily (most notably the Puncheon header/Joe save where he was nowhere to be seen).

No player is perfect and he hasnt been helped by the fact that Kolarovs early form looks to have gone in the shitter...playing on the left side with a sometimes non existent LB must be frustrating as fuck...once Clichy is fit I expect he will definitely start and Mangala will start to look more solid again, but we are going to see over the next few weeks just why Otamendi was bought and it wasnt to sit on the bench.

I want the lad to succeed so badly at City, but we have a team now where we are so loaded with attacking options, our defence might just be the weak link and also the most important unit on the field. In the majority of games they are only going to get tested a few times a game and if we arent well drilled and ready back there, the possibility of falling into the 'trap of last season' is obviously still alive and kicking after yesterday.

 

[City Raider]

I'm not sure on exact stats but, West Ham aside, we seem to keep a lot more clean sheets when he plays.

 

[kunaguero10]

I had assumed the partnership when everyone's fit would be Kompany and Otamendi, but after seeing Otamendi's rashness today I'm not so sure.

 

[KinkyGeorgian]

I had assumed the partnership when everyone's fit would be Kompany and Otamendi, but after seeing Otamendi's rashness today I'm not so sure.

The Argies were all miserable in defense today, a real shocker. Mangala gets endless stick, despite the fact that since he came to City he has been a part of more clean sheets than any other defender (15 if my memory serves). He has adjusted to the league, but Otamendi is gonna take time to settle still. Any idea about Eliaquim's "muscle injury"? Where it is and how long before he returns?

 

[J_Bow]

Kompany and Mangala is rightly our best partnership right now, sadly both are out.

 

[come-on-barney]

We miss Mangala when he is out and lol at the stats when he plays. Him and Kompany are our best CB pairing. Do not get the Otamendi purchase at the fee we paid waste of money. Rather have kept Denayer. Need you back Mangala and soon!

 

[Vienna_70]

I finished work just as the match started, so I listened to the first ten minutes or so in the car on the way home.

At one point, the commentary mentioned that today's centre-back pairing was short of pace and something that would be rectified if Kompany were in the team.

But nothing about Mangala, who makes Vinnie look like a snail.

Now, if I didn't know better, I would think that the commentator had completely disregarded Eli because of all the negative publicity the lad has received since he's been at City.

 

[BlueAnorak]

His pace digs us out of so much trouble. Especially on the left.
Without him we are very average defensively.

 

[come-on-barney]

We need him back quickly !

 

[George Hannah]

Out until after the international break - back for Bournemouth on the 17th October at the earliest.