Yaya

[fatbloke]

Maybe, but what if KDB or Sterling have one of their fairly frequent off-days? You're losing a match winner and replacing him with an energetic but fairly mediocre player.

When you lose 'ability' in the middle in favour of 'solidarity and energy' it hinders the other technical players in the team because firstly, they have nobody to help them control the game through possession, and secondly teams can easily double up on them knowing they don't really have to focus on Fernando, Fernandinho or Delph because neither will hurt you with the ball.

Do you not think some of our forward players look scared, ok maybe scared is too strong a word, maybe hesitant in possession? Always looking for the safe pass rather than expressing themselves and committing defenders.

Now, look at it from another point of view. The team is so unbalanced with Yaya in central midfield and so vulnerable to counter attacks, do you not think that hesitation or fear of losing possession stems from that lack of confidence in the rest of the teams ability to regain possession?

 

[Esteban de la Sexface]

Do you not think some of our forward players look scared, ok maybe scared is too strong a word, maybe hesitant in possession? Always looking for the safe pass rather than expressing themselves and committing defenders.

Now, look at it from another point of view. The team is so unbalanced with Yaya in central midfield and so vulnerable to counter attacks, do you not think that hesitation or fear of losing possession stems from that lack of confidence in the rest of the teams ability to regain possession?

It's the lack of movement which leads to this stagnant passing, too often in the final third our wide players are static, hugging the line with our full backs literally standing on their toes, everyone comes short, leaving Sergio in the box on his own.

We are obsessed with getting our full backs in on the overlap. It works, but when it is your only attack then teams can stop it.

We are actually really good at regaining possession most of the time, we have some excellent ball winners. It's just we are so slow and ponderous at times it doesn't seem like it.

 

[Dax777]

Yaya hasnt physically declined like some are saying on here..

He is currently lacking fitness which has resulted in weight gain..

He has been carrying injuries all season which probabily means he cant train intensely, this is probabily the reason he has gained weight..

Whenver you see him train on CityTV he is just jogging around lightly,its no wonder he has got heavier..

It wouldnt surprise me at all if Yaya was still a pivotal player in our team next season..

Fully fit there not not many better players around and as he has shown this season, he can still win a game..

Lol, you sound like one of those David Silva apologists. Yaya normally doesn't get the 'Injury excuse' exception, that normally is reserved for Silva, Aguero and Kompany; You know, the Injury prone guys we bend over backwards to not call out when they perform poorly. :)

This is the first time I'm seeing Yaya in this group.

 

[Phil1]

Lol, you sound like one of those David Silva apologists. Yaya normally doesn't get the Injury exception, that normally is reserved for Silva, Aguero and Kompany; You know, the Injury prone guys we bend over backwards to not callbout when they perform poorly. :)

This is the first time I'm seeing Yaya in this group.

Seems a bit weird you doubting the validity of Silvas problems when there's been a 10 page thread started on it only today.

Calling folk apologists for backing the most successful players in our history also reflects poorly on you as well.
All in all a shite post Dax - expect better from you.

 

[Dax777]

Seems a bit weird you doubting the validity of Silvas problems when there's been a 10 page thread started on it only today.

I'm not doubting the validity of Silva's problems. I'm suggesting their are fans who use the Injury excuse whenever he plays poorly. Same with Aguero and Kompany. It's the go too card. 'Oh, he is still injured' that's the de facto standard. For Yaya, 'he can't be arsed' is the de facto standard.

The truthfulness or lack thereof of the Injury is irrelevant. The application of the exception to certain players and not to others, is what's relevant.

 

[Phil1]

I'm not doubting the validity of Silva's problems. I'm suggesting their are fans who use the Injury excuse whenever he plays poorly. Same with Aguero and Kompany. It's the go too card. 'Oh, he is still injured' that's the de facto standard. For Yaya, 'he can't be arsed' is the de facto standard.

The truthfulness or lack thereof of the Injury is irrelevant. The application of the exception to certain players and not to others, is what's relevant.

Well considering the three players you mention have all suffered mid - to long term injuries it's a fair argument to make when discussing their respective form when coming back from said injuries.
To my Mind Yaya hasn't suffered any long absences due to injury in his time here so yes, it's a bit of a surprise to hear he's been playing at less than 100%.

 

[fatbloke]

It's the lack of movement which leads to this stagnant passing, too often in the final third our wide players are static, hugging the line with our full backs literally standing on their toes, everyone comes short, leaving Sergio in the box on his own.

We are obsessed with getting our full backs in on the overlap. It works, but when it is your only attack then teams can stop it.

We are actually really good at regaining possession most of the time, we have some excellent ball winners. It's just we are so slow and ponderous at times it doesn't seem like it.

I think we're slow and ponderous because we haven't got a central midfielder willing to make runs either for himself or to create space for others, Yaya demands that everything is played into feet and it slows the tempo. You put Delph in with Fernandinho and it doesn't matter who goes and who stays, they're both capable of getting into the box, they're both capable of getting straight back afterwards. Neither has the silky touch or elegance of Yaya but we'd be able to play a higher intensity, higher energy style for 90 minutes, not just 5-10 minutes spells.

 

[Shaelumstash]

I think we're slow and ponderous because we haven't got a central midfielder willing to make runs either for himself or to create space for others, Yaya demands that everything is played into feet and it slows the tempo. You put Delph in with Fernandinho and it doesn't matter who goes and who stays, they're both capable of getting into the box, they're both capable of getting straight back afterwards. Neither has the silky touch or elegance of Yaya but we'd be able to play a higher intensity, higher energy style for 90 minutes, not just 5-10 minutes spells.

We could pick up a load of soldiers from the army for free if all our midfield needed to do was run forwards, get back, and play at a high energy.

Unfortunately football isn't as simple as that. You need players who can play too. Especially at City's level you need a central midfielder who can dictate a game, pick a pass, penetrate the oppositions midfield, find our attacking player's feet with sharp, incisive passing.

As was evidenced by the Liverpool away and Stoke away games, when Yaya isn't there, we really struggle to control the game. Fernandinho is a brilliant player, probably our playerof the season, but in terms of dictating play, he's light years behind Yaya.

 

[Clercqs]

On his day he's the best CM in the world but the thing that makes him so important is that we doesn't have another deep lying playmaker. Delph can dribble past a couple of player but isn't that great at passing. Fernandinho can't fill his role either. If Yaya leaves this summer we need to buy two deep lying playmakers if Pep thinks it's to early for Aleix Garcia.

 

[juhanni]

We will be blessed if Yaya stay another year with the best subs,,,,,,
Subs,,,Yaya Otamendi Gundogan lewandowski Kompany