Why we struggle to break down compact defences [VIDEO]

[Shaelumstash]

Here's my article on this…

<a class="postlink" href="http://bestofthebets.com/premier-league/features/city-need-time-not-width" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://bestofthebets.com/premier-league ... -not-width</a>

No doubt this is fascinating analysis from Neville, but I think it's a short-term vs long-term debate. It's up to the players to solve their own problems within the system and the team will grow stronger as a result. It's the same system home and away, so why the big difference? It all comes down to belief.

No matter who comes to the club, players should always have to adapt to Mancini, not the other way around. Short-term compromises lead to long-term instability.

Hope me posting the above link doesn't cause offence.

You make some excellent points in your article, the vast majority of which I agree with. However, your point about tactics being of secondary importance lacks credibility with the line "Not once has the system altered from the Italian's preferred 4-3-3 with two holding midfielders." This is completely wrong.

Last season in the vast majority of games we played this system and we were criticised for being too slow in our build up play and not creating enough chances. This season Mancini has altered the system to a variation of 4-2-4, two holding players in Barry and Yaya, two wide players who drift inside, often Silva and Nasri, and two up front.

The change of removing a defensive midfielder in De Jong for an attacking player in Nasri has seen the side create far more chances, score far more goals and win far more games, particularly at home, than last season.

It is true to say mentality and experience play a hugely important role, but your fundamental misunderstanding of our shape makes your point about tactics lack credence.

 

[citymad]

Bloody hell im going to go and lay down for a while. Im actually impressed with what ratface did there, good analysis and great use of the technology. The only thing is its free coaching to the opposing managers. I hope Bob was watching and made him realise we need to us the attacking full backs more often to mix it up.

 

[FeedTheGoat10]

Play Kolarov and Dzeko together more often? We know Kolarov can whip a ball in and Dzeko has a tendency to get on the end of things. Maybe even Tevez in the box to get on the end of low crosses.

 

[WyongBlue]

Just watched the clip of Neville, talking about our tactics and what he said made sense as to how we need to get the ball out wide and stretch the defence's instead of allowing them to just sit in the middle and just try to absorb the pressure from us................we need to get back to the basics.............