WickyWain
Well-Known Member
Prophet of Doom by name
Prophet of Doom by nature
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The Title Race - 2024/25
- Thread starter MCFC1993
- Start date
Prophet of Doom by nature
Mancityphilfo2000
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 12 Jan 2021
- Messages
- 243
- Team supported
- City
What a bad mistake selling Cole player was still upset this happened.
wolviedinho
Well-Known Member
We might not be in the title race this season. Far too early anyway to make bold decisions. Close the thread until Jan/feb and see what’s what then.
Nobody talks about it because of the fee received, but selling Alvarez without buying a replacement was another mistake. Echeverri is not at the level yet.What a bad mistake selling Cole player was still upset this happened.
Let it go ffsWhat a bad mistake selling Cole player was still upset this happened.
"Echeverri is not at the level yet."Nobody talks about it because of the fee received, but selling Alvarez without buying a replacement was another mistake. Echeverri is not at the level yet.
He is not even in the *ucking building yet!
Nobody talks about it because of the fee received, but selling Alvarez without buying a replacement was another mistake. Echeverri is not at the level yet.
Bobb is a wonderful talent, probably with a higher ceiling than Alvarez. We didn't want to block his path and have another Palmer situation. It's impossible to predict everything, mistakes happen.
I'm relaxed because it's normal to have a bad season after 4 consecutive great seasons and a Treble to boot. But with Pep and these players, you never know...
supercity88
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 9 Aug 2009
- Messages
- 13,893
The current tactical approach needs changing. It's been obvious since Rodri's injury how easy it is to get at us without him. We dominated Arsenal, had them pinned in when he was on the pitch. He reads the game exceptionally well and mops up any out ball. That gives our attacking players the confidence to press intensely and allows us to overload the midfield without an issue.
That's not the case now.
The press isn't very good. There were so many times where there was an easy outball and the pressure was taking too long to come. Kovacic can't read the game as well, Rico is high up the pitch and then we're scrambling. Gundogan just doesn't have the legs to play in the middle without Rodri either. He needs to either play where he presses on the front foot - as a 10, or have an extra player sat in behind him. It's so easy to lose him as a marker and he can't get back.
Personally, I think we have to play Nunes in the middle. He's got the best energy in the squad, can cover the ground and whilst he's nowhere near the level of Rodri energy is vital if we're to win without him.
That's not the case now.
The press isn't very good. There were so many times where there was an easy outball and the pressure was taking too long to come. Kovacic can't read the game as well, Rico is high up the pitch and then we're scrambling. Gundogan just doesn't have the legs to play in the middle without Rodri either. He needs to either play where he presses on the front foot - as a 10, or have an extra player sat in behind him. It's so easy to lose him as a marker and he can't get back.
Personally, I think we have to play Nunes in the middle. He's got the best energy in the squad, can cover the ground and whilst he's nowhere near the level of Rodri energy is vital if we're to win without him.
Solving the Rodri position is the key. For the second goal last night, the sight of Bernardo running back in the CB position to cover the transition summed it up. Pep has been able to solve almost all challenges, no left back, no striker etc. Now he has to solve this and he hasn’t found the answer yet, but I’m pretty sure that when he does it will help the forwards to, having a solid back line gives you so much more confidence and freedom. At the moment Haaland will be feeling the weight of the world, because if he doesn’t score we lose - the team and the manager need to fix these problems and then the goals will flow again.
We need a solid defensive 4 now. Given Walker's decline and Lewis's weaknesses, the best back 4 for big games is Akanji at RB, Stones and Dias at CB, and Gvardiol.
Then we can go with Kova/Gundo plus Nunes in front of the back 4, with Foden behind Haaland and Grealish/Doku and Savinho on the wings. This team can defend and counter attack. It may cede possession to some extent, but without Rodri our possession play is too open and vulnerable. Of course, KDB and Bernardo may feature, too. Bernie may/will start at Anfield instead of Savinho.
Then we can go with Kova/Gundo plus Nunes in front of the back 4, with Foden behind Haaland and Grealish/Doku and Savinho on the wings. This team can defend and counter attack. It may cede possession to some extent, but without Rodri our possession play is too open and vulnerable. Of course, KDB and Bernardo may feature, too. Bernie may/will start at Anfield instead of Savinho.