Player Topic: Vincent Kompany (2015/16)

[cibaman]

We will only win the league if Kompany regains something like his best form. Our centre backs do not get adequate support from our midfield players, our collective defending isn't great. There doesn't appear to be an upgrade to the left back position on the horizon. Our other centre backs aren't capable of carrying us to a title at this stage in their careers.

Vinny shouldn't get a free pass, if he isn't playing well enough he should be be dropped. But getting this guy back to his best is the most important challenge facing Pellegrini this season.

 

[RichardDunneOwnGoal]

Kompany was poor yesterday, but I think a lot of you are overlooking how culpable Mangala and Kolarov were in those goals.

Mangala rushed out to win a header in midfield for the third (IIRC), that was never his to win, and just left an enormous void at the back, that's why Vinnie went over to the left to track the man that ran into the space.

Then, Kolarov just did his usual pathetic stand off your man and let him play a pass/cross, and he obliged and dinked the ball past all 3 of them who got drawn out there - and the Stuggart lad who was played in was clearly offside anyway.

I'm not making excuses for him, his performance was poor, the fourth was a clear individual error from him, but there were others culpable in that defensive shambles yesterday.

Personally I can't believe we're going into the season with Kolarov seeming to start again, left back has to be a priority for us, no idea why we aren't focusing on it.

 

[Steve68]

You're right. It was an all too familiar collective shambles. Not a lot of comfort there but I'm hoping for the best.

 

[Sergio Picasso Aguero]

You don't go from being the best center back in world football to a liability overnight. Unless he is just simply past his best which I hope is not the case because I can't imagine a City team without Kompany, he has been massive for us in 2 title wins not just with his performances on the pitch but as a leader off it and I would hate to think that is coming to an end.

 

[Dax777]

You don't go from being the best center back in world football to a liability overnight. Unless he is just simply past his best which I hope is not the case because I can't imagine a City team without Kompany, he has been massive for us in 2 title wins not just with his performances on the pitch but as a leader off it and I would hate to think that is coming to an end.

Actually you can. Fernando Torress was a better forward than Kompany was a defender.mand he lost it overnight ( well really over a 2 year injury plagued period)... It can happen. Hopefully it's not what has happenned to Vincent. But let's not pretend it's not possible. It is.

 

[supercity88]

Our defence isn't good enough as a single unit. It doesn't matter if you've the worlds best centre back when the other three defenders can't defend. No one player can do it on his own. It's the same old problems as last season. Some are pressing and others aren't. The high press system only works when all players are pressing. Kolarov likes to allow about 200yards to the man he should be pressing and then there's so much space our defence is up against it.

It's quite a simple solution for opposition teams. Allow three out of four city players press them, then pass to the man without pressure, he is then in acres of space with which to attack our defence. They then have to decide whether to go to the ball or stand off, and all take different decisions. We have had the same old defensive problems for a while and it's because only part of the team is pressing. For me, it's up to Pellegrini to solve this. If he knows that Kolarov can't implement that style then he should be saying to the board that he wants him out. Or, he should be changing the system. We'll get ripped to shreds if we continue to play so poorly.

 

[Steve68]

Actually you can. Fernando Torress was a better forward than Kompany was a defender.mand he lost it overnight ( well really over a 2 year injury plagued period)... It can happen. Hopefully it's not what has happenned to Vincent. But let's not pretend it's not possible. It is.

This is very true. The loss of half a yard of pace, loss of self belief, loss of faith in team mates or manager. Private stuff, head stuff. It can happen to the best of players, just like as you say, it happened to Torres.

Kompany is the best centre back we have had in decades. I'm backing him to turn things around. But like people say, it's up to his team mates to do their part, it's up to the defensive coaching and it's up to management tactics. Kompany is a great footballer, not a Marvel superhero.

 

[Keeper!]

This is very true. The loss of half a yard of pace, loss of self belief, loss of faith in team mates or manager. Private stuff, head stuff. It can happen to the best of players, just like as you say, it happened to Torres.

Kompany is the best centre back we have had in decades. I'm backing him to turn things around. But like people say, it's up to his team mates to do their part, it's up to the defensive coaching and it's up to management tactics. Kompany is a great footballer, not a Marvel superhero.

He is no superhero, but maybe the problem is Vinnie thinks he is.

Is nickname in the Belgium national squad says a lot about him.

Time to take a break from the captains arm band, and back to basics.

 

[capiloton]

back four needs protection. Pelle are too naive to play 4-4-2 with just 2 CM in the middle. we need the 3rd one, true ball winning midfielder. too bad we let Kondogbia go to Inter Milan. don't forget Fernando also shit in this system.

 

[Steve68]

He is no superhero, but maybe the problem is Vinnie thinks he is.

Is nickname in the Belgium national squad says a lot about him.

Time to take a break from the captains arm band, and back to basics.

I hear what you're saying. Guess part of the problem is that our system levels defenders so exposed to pace and quick breaks they are tempted into diving in. I just don't know. I'm not an expert. Sometimes it just seems our centre backs dive in a bit impetuously but for all I know they are being told to get in and win the ball as quickly as possible. It looks that way sometimes but like I say, I don't know squat.