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.
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.
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"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.
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.
"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.
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Dzeko and Mario to solve City’s away blues
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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
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
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.
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