Great win by 10 men, never easy especially with a rubbish ref like Clattenburg but fact is City almost lost a game they should never have lost in the 1st place. This season the only away game you looked comfortable despite going a goal down was at Fulham, the rest have been uncomfortable viewing even at Stoke.
It’s just a continuation of the second half of last season were the home form and a few marvelous away wins at Norwich & Newcastle sent City to the league title.
One thing stood out in the game against Westbrom at the weekend, the set piece threat this City side have is unbelievable especially with Richards back in the team.The delkiveriers were poor but onlt Cityu heads got to the end of the ball, we saw the same thing against Stoke.
I have always said tevez and Aguero wont work in away games especially against physical robust sides.Against Wigan or Swansea maybe but against the lkikes of Everton and Stoke Cituy will continue to be lucky to get draws.Even Wenger has changed hios approach, no point moaniong about it.Its the way these sides play and they are soo prepared for the tippy tappy stuff that Aguero and Tevez dish out such that you need to frighten them in the air.
you saw the impact when dzeko came on and in the 1st half only mario bothered the west brom defence.This is where dzeko and Mario come in.sadly mario is a liability but if his discipline does improve I can see City win points at grounds were other teams like Chelsea,united and Arsenal will struggle.
You have the personnel, Richards,Yaya,Kompany,Lescott,Mario and Dzeko are not just tall players they are huge units maybe except Dzeko maybe shoved off the ball.
These players should be used at your advantage.I have noticed in games against physical sides Mancini starts Aguero with either Dzeko or Mario but it would be interesting to see them both start.
Start winning games at the likes of Everton,Sunderland and Stoke then you can wrap up the league in April, if City keeps leaving points at such places then your league races will always go to the last day.
Dzeko and Mario to solve City’s away blues
posted on 22/10/12
To be honest, I think that continuing to play a 442 in physical away games has been the problem, more than the personnel used. I'd rather we play 451 and push yaya up the pitch. Mario or Dzeko can run the line by themselves, in fact I think in some games they look better for it.
Regardless of that, the more important position to get right in those games is not up front, it is the middle of the park. We really miss Barry when he is not playing and i'm still completely gutted that De Jong went. Still early days with Garcia though, let's wait and see.
posted on 22/10/12
I agree with Melton that 4-5-1, with Yaya pushed up has to be our preferred approach in physical away games - switching to that ultimately gave us our rewards vs Newcastle last season, but do we have the personnel now NDJ has gone?
I disagree that the Stoke game was 'uncomfortable viewing' though, I thought we dominated them and save a refereeing decision as bad as they come, would have left the Britannia with a deserved three points - a feat the top clubs have struggled with for years.
posted on 22/10/12
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posted on 22/10/12
"Only Silva and maybe Milner deliver decent balls from setpieces."
Not sure about that, it certainly feels to me like 9 times out of 10 Silva fails to even beat the first man from corners.
I see what you're saying, but I still think playing 5 in midfield with Yaya pushed up is generally enough to galvanise our midfield in tough physical games without switching to a 3-5-2 formation we have far from perfected.
It's still early doors, we haven't started in the same vein we did last season, but we have no reason to worry just yet - Chelsea have started well granted, but they've only really had to go to Arsenal and Spurs, fixtures United themselves generally win.
posted on 22/10/12
grated I have to agree with you about Silva his corners usually don't get pass the 1st man. What is need is a player who can whip them in for the likes of Richards, Kompany, Dzeko, etc.. With a player taking decent corners we would get at least 1 if not 2 goals a game and thus pick up alot more points and goals then we're currently are doing.
posted on 22/10/12
"I agree with being out numbered in midfield but your weakness is you at times dominate possession but have no clear cut chances or lack a cutting edge. The goals at Anfield were all the result of errors by the Liverpool defenders."
Just on this scrummy, playing 2 up top does not mean that we ergo have more of a cutting edge or a higher prospect of chances. What tends to happen then is that other teams sit deeper against us and so are difficult to break down. By playing 5 in midfield, it forces the other team further out from their goal, which then creates the space behind.
You are ring very harsh on Nasri by the way, have a look at the assists table for last season. Considering he played a lot of games in a wider position and was required to track back a lot more than he was at Arsenal, I actually think he did alright.