That Missing Centre Half

[ManCitizens.]

Does anybody think Bayern would be in for a left centre half if they already had Nastasic and Rekik? We need to start improving our own players.

 

[Bpughh]

Buying and playing van Dijk when our own academy player, Rekik, is considered ahead of him by their country seems like a slap in the face to our entire academy.

completely different type of defenders. for our system-- van dijk > rekik, *10.

 

[ChicagoBlue]

Does anybody think Bayern would be in for a left centre half if they already had Nastasic and Rekik? We need to start improving our own players.

While I completely agree with the premise, the problem in England is that it is very difficult to blood young players in the Prem, because the games are so competitive and MOST GAMES are decided by a single goal. If City were double digit points ahead of everyone else, we could blood the friggin EDS.

Same happens in nearly all the other leagues in Europe, especially for the one or two top teams in each country. In England, the Top 6 can't afford to drop a point to those below, which happens EVERY WEEK, yet there are very few games where the Top 6 team can even afford to have a young un on the bench!

 

[Hart of the Matter]

We need a certain type of CB to play the MP way. I believe Demichelis has brought some new learning to our current crop. He no longer has the legs to do it but his style of play is now more evident in others. We now play defensively on the front foot. Stooping in to intercept where we can. This requires good reading of the game and your defensive partners to anticipate this and be prepared to cover when it goes wrong. Last season we retreated and soaked up pressure. I for one have thrilled at VK stepping forward and pinching the ball then moving forward. It hastens our pace and provides better attacking momentum. Lescott was even at it against Barca. The risks in this approach need to be mitigated, a settled back four who can work together on this is therefore essential. What we need therefore is a good reader of the game ( not nasty), good at passing ( not lescott) and legs to support recovering mistakes ( which are inevitable with this style of play) - no longer Demichelis. Above all we need stability. Look at arsenal defence last season and the improvement this season. Same CB pairing but better understanding.
Kompany was amazing against Barca. He still made mistakes but covered every position. We could not work with a second Kompany. We need some one to compliment him, cover him when he roams forward and hold the centre when he gets drawn out wide ( Lescott and Nastasic both get pulled out of position too often when this happens) it is difficult to know how a CB will do in this style of play until they play it. Vincent has stepped up another level again this year. If we were to change manager and therefore style of play we may already have players who fit the bill.
In short we are looking for a younger, quicker thinking Demechelis. Not sure which players out there fit the bill. Not many teams play defensively on the front foot. One thing is for sure, we need to establish a reliable and consistent partnership and quickly.

 

[Harvster]

Left footed, cultured, fast, tall - anybody heard of a bloke called Distin?
(Think he's only 37 too, so a few years left in the tank)

 

[aguero93:20]

Left footed, cultured, fast, tall - anybody heard of a bloke called Distin?
(Think he's only 37 too, so a few years left in the tank)

Didn't we used to have a song about him?
Distin, distin what's the..... Can't remember the rest.

 

[stonerblue]

Shawcross

 

[Platini Pollock]

Left footed, cultured, fast, tall - anybody heard of a bloke called Distin?
(Think he's only 37 too, so a few years left in the tank)

Was discussing him with some fellow blues the other day.....we reckoned if we had got him in the summer ( which on paper appears seems feasible ), then we reckon we would have won the league a lot easier.

Knows the PL, the club etc. I reckon he would have slotted in nicely for next couple of seasons.

That said.....not sure he would be first choice this close season, but if our first choice targets don't come off, then I would be happy to see him back in a City shirt.

 

[carlos tevez is a blue]

Winston Reid is probably the best centre half I've seen at Upton Park, our player of the season last year. If he was playing for a 'glamorous' club all the top teams would want him

Better than Wio was?

 

[Dave Ewing's Back 'eader]

Pique

Pique would give away penalty after penalty, yellow cards galore, and a sprinkling of red cards the second he donned a sky blue shirt. He's crap but gets away with it 'cos he plays for Barca! Goal scoring opportunity denied to Dzeko t'other night. Red card and off. But not to a Barca player at the Nou Camp. Wouldn't last long at The Etihad playing the way he does.