GHoddle said:
stony said:
The system you're playing bears more than a passing resemblance to how Mancini set us up when he first came here.
He got pelters from the media for being a typical defensive Italian, and from Spurs fans on all their forums for being a boring defence minded coach. The ridicule from Spurs quarters, who at the time were being lauded as the best attacking team in the Prem, was quite vociferous.
That all changed of course at the start of the 11/12 season when we comprehensively dismantled you at the lane.
The difference in the two teams is that we had the luxury of players like Silva, Toure and Aguero who can change a game in an instant. I don't think you have the same quality in your attacking line up, and since Bale left, you have no one who can change the game with a moment of individual brilliance.
I've thought about that comparison as well, in some ways it does seem apt. Imo we've been more focused on creating a solid defense and employing an effective high line than we have been in creating good attacking play. Hopefully that will click at some point like it did for you at the beginning of the 11/12 season.
I think we do have players who can be that good for us, especially Eriksen and Lamela but both are still very young and new to the league.
It's certainly too early to write them off yet. When I see you struggling to break teams down with a slow measured build up, it reminds me of City under Mancini everytime.
I suppose the big question is will the fans give him enough time. Considering the contempt you held us in for the same style of play, and considering that over the last few years you've been used to fast attacking football, how soon before the boos start ringing out ?