Im still not convinced that the City strike partnerships are balanced but I dont think that is Citys biggest problem, all 4 strikers are very talented, the biggest issue is creating chances and we have seen recently players with no goals like Tevez and Balotelli start to shoot from distance.Out side Silva and Yaya when he is on his game nobody is creating any chances through the middle.
The fullbacks are expected to provide the width so that mancini can have bodies in midfield however the deliveries are poor from Clichy and Zabaletta does send in good crosses to find nobody in the box as Sergio and Tevez come from deep but when Zab has to pass he passes it straight to the opposition.
Yaya has already been played behind the strikers but he comes so deep to collect the ball such that the strikers become isolated.I think the twin anchor man and release of yaya in the second half is still one of the best tactical formations and one City will have to continue using to get the best out of yaya.
Nasri failed to take his chance when Silva was struggling for fitness and because of his lack of directness should be sacrificed.I would love to see Milner given a chance.
Are garcia and rodwell playing to instructions because they barely move from the center line and the way Rodwell passed backwards or sideways was embarrassing.
How does he expect to win over the manager playing the way he is playing?Maybe he did just move for the money.
Still early days but the strikers need better service.Nice to see Hart actually justify the top billing.He was just awesome last night.
No Creativity,how does Mancini sort it out!
posted on 4/10/12
NYoung10
Totally agree
posted on 4/10/12
Mid way through the first half I though we were starting to win the midfield. Then Garcia got subbed and it all went a bit pear shaped. Also denied us the option of bring on another defensive player and pushing Toure forwards. At the end I was amazed we took a point - the only real positive is that Mario and penalties isn't football it's performance art. He doesn't take a penalty he desconstructs the keeper's personality.
posted on 4/10/12
With hindsight it would have been better to put on Milner rather than Rodwell, as Milner has alot more experience then what Rodwell has. It was from a mistake between Rodwell and Yaya that Dortmunds goal came from.
The subswere all wrong last night. When Garcia went off Milner should have come on rather than Rodwell. Then when Nasri went off it should have been Yaya because for the previous 10/15 minutes he was just hobbling around the midfield. As for Mario coming on I think tevez would have been beter because at leasst he would have been harring their defenders.
posted on 4/10/12
I don't think a lack of creativity is City's problems!!
Something isn't quite right with City atm, the nucleus of the team is still the same so what has changed?
posted on 4/10/12
The defence are taking a lot of flack but in truth the midfield was being overrun and RM should have acted by bringing on Milner and Barry and taking off Yaya and Nasri who were both useless and contributing little. Instead he brought on Rodwell and Kolarov? WTF?
I agree that Tevez might have been a better choice than Mario in normal circumstances but we spent most of the time passing the ball amongst each other in our own half mostly sideways and back to the CB's or Joe. Tevez would have been starved of the ball, at least with Mario and Dzeko they can take the ball on the chest as well as the feet and so long balls over the top can be played to them.
posted on 4/10/12
There's a common feel about United and City at the moment, both defences are getting a lot of stick but I think in both cases its the guys immediately in front of them that are not doing their job, thank god we have Joe hart or we would have had 2 major beatings in the CL up to now.
posted on 4/10/12
The_Red_Connoisseur (U9741)
No idea, mate. In one game I see the defence being run ragged, forcing midfield to play deeper and starve the forward line of chances. And then in another I see us overpower a team and fluff chance after chance. It all seems a bit disjointed and I suspect the constant tinkering isn't helping.
One thing's for sure, the criticism I had last season still stands. We're just not clinical enough in front of goal.
posted on 4/10/12
Like it or not it was a mistake big time to sell dejong
posted on 4/10/12
dejong made man city brick wall.
posted on 5/10/12
leopold I agree with you 100%, that RM'S constant tickering dosesn't help. The formation of playing 3 at the back will only work if you have Richards and Milner playing down either side. As they both can defend as well as attack the opposing defence.