Shaelumstash
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 30 Apr 2009
- Messages
- 8,253
The only centre half we have at the club that suits our style of play is Kompany. To press so high up the pitch, the defenders need to be agressive, physical, read the game well, and have some pace. All of our centre backs have one or more of these attributes, but none of them have them all, except for Vinny.
That is why Nastasic is looking so poor this season. He's essentially an old fashioned sweeper, brilliant reader of the game, likes playing deep and reading the situation and dealing with it with intelligence and technique. Ask him to push up to the half way line and out muscle players with aggression and power, and he's well out of his comfort zone. Lescott is far too slow to play that high, and for me DeMichelis is too reckless, not strong enough, and also not exactly a whippet.
I think there might potentially be a solution at the club though; Micah Richards. Now before you laugh, I know he's woefully out of form, and been poor this season. I know many think he doesn't have the intelligence to play centre back and see him as a full back only. I understand that view, and setting up how we did last season, I'd agree. But playing the way we do this season, a centre back is needed that has many of Richards attributes: Pace, aggression, physicality, strength. All things we were looking for from Mangala, that Richards has in abundance.
I remember his spell at centre back under Sven, and he was magnificent. In fact, the derby at home is one of the best centre back displays I've ever seen by a City player. He has the tools to be a very accomplished centre back, particularly in the style we are playing this season, and with the world class Kompany alongside him.
His pace in the centre would allow us to push up and play aggressive, attacking football, and leave us far less vulnerable to counter attacks like against Chelsea. Far less vulnerable to direct balls over the top like against Cardiff and Watford.
I remember before Arsenal's Invincibles season, Wenger was desperate for a new centre half. He scoured the world and couldn't find one. Then he woke up one morning and thought, our young right winger has all of the attributes to be a centre half, and he coached him in the being one. Kolo Toure went on to play centre back in the best Arsenal team in history. Micah is far more capable now than Kolo was when Wenger had his brain wave.
That is why Nastasic is looking so poor this season. He's essentially an old fashioned sweeper, brilliant reader of the game, likes playing deep and reading the situation and dealing with it with intelligence and technique. Ask him to push up to the half way line and out muscle players with aggression and power, and he's well out of his comfort zone. Lescott is far too slow to play that high, and for me DeMichelis is too reckless, not strong enough, and also not exactly a whippet.
I think there might potentially be a solution at the club though; Micah Richards. Now before you laugh, I know he's woefully out of form, and been poor this season. I know many think he doesn't have the intelligence to play centre back and see him as a full back only. I understand that view, and setting up how we did last season, I'd agree. But playing the way we do this season, a centre back is needed that has many of Richards attributes: Pace, aggression, physicality, strength. All things we were looking for from Mangala, that Richards has in abundance.
I remember his spell at centre back under Sven, and he was magnificent. In fact, the derby at home is one of the best centre back displays I've ever seen by a City player. He has the tools to be a very accomplished centre back, particularly in the style we are playing this season, and with the world class Kompany alongside him.
His pace in the centre would allow us to push up and play aggressive, attacking football, and leave us far less vulnerable to counter attacks like against Chelsea. Far less vulnerable to direct balls over the top like against Cardiff and Watford.
I remember before Arsenal's Invincibles season, Wenger was desperate for a new centre half. He scoured the world and couldn't find one. Then he woke up one morning and thought, our young right winger has all of the attributes to be a centre half, and he coached him in the being one. Kolo Toure went on to play centre back in the best Arsenal team in history. Micah is far more capable now than Kolo was when Wenger had his brain wave.