TFC
Well-Known Member
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.
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.