Time catching up with Zabaleta?

Dax777 said:
Now if it is true he has only used it 7 times in 150 matches; I know you were using that as an hyperbolic example. That said, calling someone a buffon for pointing that out, as you go on to guess why he doesn't use it more ( unless you are saying Pep told you that :p), is a bit of fuzzy logic, is it not?
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If the cap fits, wear it.
 
Neville Kneville said:
Another consideration imo is that Pep likes 343. Now some stats gobbling buffoon will probably come on & tell me he's only used it on 7 occasions in the last 150 matches or something, but imo he likes it & fancies using it more, but can't due to the players at his disposal.

That possibly enters the thinking slightly as regards which fullbacks might stay & also which midfielders could be useful dropping back into a 3, as Pep will potentially have more influence at City than he did at the other clubs.
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Did someone say stats gobbling buffoon? It's funny you should mention 3 at the back because I was looking at it just yesterday.

As far as starting formations go, Pep has used 343 only 8 times in the last 2 seasons. However, more pertinent to your line of discussion about Zabaleta - he's played 3 at the back 26 times in 2 seasons. So it is definitely something we will see.

I completely disagree with your idea that he doesn't have the players to play 343 though, as he's got the perfect squad for it.

It's worth pointing out that he didn't use it in his first season as well - so either he adapted to the Bundesliga and his squad, and played 3 at the back because it suited them - or he waited 12 months until the players were all comfortable with his ideas, and they had the basics sorted before he started complicating things.

IMO we will play 4141 mostly aka 433 with a single pivot. It's by far Pep's most used formation over his career and this season. Gundogan as pivot, 2 attacking midfielders in front of him, full backs tucking in to support the pivot and out and out wingers staying wide.
 
Can we all just agree that for £6 million? Zabba has been a credit to himself and his country and if he goes this summer or stays for a year or two while our squad evolves lets hope he gets the send off he deserves.

Been a pleasure having him play for our club.
 
worsleyweb said:
Can we all just agree that for £6 million? Zabba has been a credit to himself and his country and if he goes this summer or stays for a year or two while our squad evolves lets hope he gets the send off he deserves.

Been a pleasure having him play for our club.
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Thats universally accepted,its not even a debate,the man is a fucking legend!.....we are simply discussing whether his glorious period with us is now close to an end.
 
worsleyweb said:
Can we all just agree that for £6 million? Zabba has been a credit to himself and his country and if he goes this summer or stays for a year or two while our squad evolves lets hope he gets the send off he deserves.

Been a pleasure having him play for our club.
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Absolutely, goes without saying.
 
domalino said:
Did someone say stats gobbling buffoon? It's funny you should mention 3 at the back because I was looking at it just yesterday.

As far as starting formations go, Pep has used 343 only 8 times in the last 2 seasons. However, more pertinent to your line of discussion about Zabaleta - he's played 3 at the back 26 times in 2 seasons. So it is definitely something we will see.

I completely disagree with your idea that he doesn't have the players to play 343 though, as he's got the perfect squad for it.

It's worth pointing out that he didn't use it in his first season as well - so either he adapted to the Bundesliga and his squad, and played 3 at the back because it suited them - or he waited 12 months until the players were all comfortable with his ideas, and they had the basics sorted before he started complicating things.

IMO we will play 4141 mostly aka 433 with a single pivot. It's by far Pep's most used formation over his career and this season. Gundogan as pivot, 2 attacking midfielders in front of him, full backs tucking in to support the pivot and out and out wingers staying wide.
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Ok Sir, enough with it. Stop polluting this discussion with your stats and common sense. We don't need any of that around here.
 
domalino said:
Did someone say stats gobbling buffoon? It's funny you should mention 3 at the back because I was looking at it just yesterday.

As far as starting formations go, Pep has used 343 only 8 times in the last 2 seasons. However, more pertinent to your line of discussion about Zabaleta - he's played 3 at the back 26 times in 2 seasons. So it is definitely something we will see.

I completely disagree with your idea that he doesn't have the players to play 343 though, as he's got the perfect squad for it.

It's worth pointing out that he didn't use it in his first season as well - so either he adapted to the Bundesliga and his squad, and played 3 at the back because it suited them - or he waited 12 months until the players were all comfortable with his ideas, and they had the basics sorted before he started complicating things.

IMO we will play 4141 mostly aka 433 with a single pivot. It's by far Pep's most used formation over his career and this season. Gundogan as pivot, 2 attacking midfielders in front of him, full backs tucking in to support the pivot and out and out wingers staying wide.
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I'm pretty sure Pep won't be forcing 343 on us regularly but it seems to me that, when he gets yhe chance, it's something he does. I recon he likes it & he likes the kind of players who can switch to it. He started with it at weekend when resting players & appeared to change back again.

For such an attack minded manager it was interesting to see him at times using 6 in a line when defending long balls. Being Pep though this quickly transitioned to 8 upfront. Formations are more of an 'on paper' thing. Usually he has loads of players dominating in key areas. The opposite of us.
 
He's my favourite player at the club. He seems to have a strong affection for the club, and understands what the fans feel about the club. However he is slowing down now. He was very lucky not to get a red card today, and it was disappointing to see his reaction when he was being subbed. Not sure how he'll figure much under Pep next season, if I'm honest.
 
Feel gutted inside about it but he's finished as a FB at City, just hope he sees another year with us under Pep who may just reinvigorate him- but you can't hide the fact that the legs have gone .
 
He got skinned today by Pedro and rightfully, got hooked before he saw a second yellow or a red card.

His reaction to that was not needed from him.
 
jimharri said:
He's my favourite player at the club. He seems to have a strong affection for the club, and understands what the fans feel about the club. However he is slowing down now. He was very lucky not to get a red card today, and it was disappointing to see his reaction when he was being subbed. Not sure how he'll figure much under Pep next season, if I'm honest.
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Zabs reaction i imagine was born from frustration,there will be no one more aware than him that he isnt the player he was.
 
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