What Did We Think Of Our Midfield Today? A Lot Going On?

[Barcon]

A lad in the match thread said Foden was terrible for spatial awareness and passing, which edges it I reckon.

Not a Blue Ghana?

 

[citymad]

I just saw a rerun of Erling‘s first goal and I hadn’t noticed in real time but the back spin Nico put on the ball to Cherki was class.

 

[simmo]

The motd analysis by Carrick was very good and explained the movement to outwit the Bournemouth press. Very interesting when they highlighted the roles of Nunes and O'Reilly.

 

[Stoned Rose]

Carrick paid our midfield a lot of compliments in his MOTD analysis tonight. Good to hear and an interesting listen for once on there. Compare and contrast with Micah's infantile waffle.

Carrick one of my favourite non-City players. Rag I know but he had a cracking football brain on him. His intelligence very apparent in his recent punditry.

 

[flook]

I made this post in the Squad Planning thread the other day, after the Villa defeat.

Weird to see it come to life today with that narrow 4-2-3-1 formation, with Bernardo dropping to support Gonzalez and Cherki & Doku tucking in to get closer to Haaland.

From June this year, ok some names have changed but its good to see Pep reads the forum and knows a tactical genius when he sees one :)

 

[flook]

Incontestably the most over-rated English midfielder of the early 21st century..

Mason Mount and Deli Alli say hi

 

[Scaring Europe to Death]

Individually they all played well, but collectively, it wasn't quite balanced and would struggle against the elite teams, particularly when not in possession.

 

[Ilovehappyendings]

Carrick paid our midfield a lot of compliments in his MOTD analysis tonight. Good to hear and an interesting listen for once on there. Compare and contrast with Micah's infantile waffle.

Agreed. I thought I was watching a different channel. I have never heard such a positive and insightful analysis of us on Motd

 

[asahartford1]

A few well known posters on here went to town on Rodri that first season.

It's a bluemoon tradition. David Silva, Gundogan, Rodri, Sterling, the Flat track bully and more.
Plenty of thick skins.

 

[Brightwell Bros.]

Not a Blue Ghana?

That's them!

 

[the blue panther]

I don't give a fuck what non-blues say; so long as we appreciate Phil Foden, fuck 'em.

It's great to see the team/midfield evolving so positively, and great to see that Pep seems to have found other ways to skin cats - freeing up the beast that is Erling Haaland. It's sublime watching him race clear and bear down on goal. Long may it continue.

 

[daveiw01]

Totally idiotic thing to say after today.

Some always need their boo boys.

 

[Bigga]

Awful take, agree he's still getting there but he was top yesterday and will definitely start against Liverpool.

I think if we start with the same team as yesterday we won't have any issue against them.

"An awful take"?

Do you think I said that just taking the Bournemouth game in isolation? So, you think in the upcoming game against the Dippers with their mobile mid of Mac Allister, Szoboszlai and Gravenberch with Gakpo dropping in, he's ready to control it? You think Foden, Cherki with Doku dropping in matches it?

And I have the awful take...??

He defo needs Rodri playing in that game.

 

[Gaz76]

I don't give a fuck what non-blues say; so long as we appreciate Phil Foden, fuck 'em.

It's great to see the team/midfield evolving so positively, and great to see that Pep seems to have found other ways to skin cats - freeing up the beast that is Erling Haaland. It's sublime watching him race clear and bear down on goal. Long may it continue.

Thought foden was shite yesterday,

 

[The Fat el Hombre]

Carrick one of my favourite non-City players. Rag I know but he had a cracking football brain on him. His intelligence very apparent in his recent punditry.

I thought Micah would have been on MOTD and that was honestly partly why I did this thread - I knew there would be better insight from people on here!

But yea Carrick was a much better watch and he made a big point of Doku being very central (they've just shown Doku's heat map on SSN now and it's night and day compared to his previous heat maps where he's been wider), but also how fluid and interchangeable the midfield was. Was good stuff.

Doku's heat map:



I'm not totally convinced by him playing more central myself - I think he made a few bad decisions yesterday either carrying or holding onto the ball when he should have released it earlier. Definitely one of his better games of late though

 

[JCB001]

Carrick paid our midfield a lot of compliments in his MOTD analysis tonight. Good to hear and an interesting listen for once on there. Compare and contrast with Micah's infantile waffle.

I still think MOTD /Sky Sports have Mica on for his 'Infantile Comedic' waffle ...basically to ridicule him

 

[the blue panther]

Thought foden was shite yesterday,

Good for you.

 

[marpleman]

González turns like an oil tanker.

That’s actually a load of bollocks

Against Everton and Bournemouth, he took four opposition players out of the equation, by quickly changing direction at the point of receiving the ball, all because he’s now weighing up his options by having a good look around and having the presence of mind to do so.

He’s become remarkably reliable as cover for a fragile Rodri and deserves a lot of credit.

 

[BringBackSwales]

I think we should call Nico G just Gonzo. No room for Bobb in there? 9 from 11 then with Kova seemingly permacrocked.

Sorry I fucking forgot somebody, I’ve drank more in the last two days than normal, and my memory has been fucked since the stroke, please excuse me for forgetting Oscar Bobb and make that 9 from 12

 

[BringBackSwales]

Thought foden was shite yesterday,

I think you’re shite all the time, joyless pillock