We can't play like that against the top teams....

[Legend10]

I've read it and read it and read it after the game today! Can't play without defensive midfield players, can't play with 2 up front, can't play 442, can't do this and can't do that against the top teams as we'll be badly exposed and beaten, so naive, so stupid!

The top 8 teams have pretty much gone clear now and it's quite likely come the end of the season it will still be the top 8. So how have we fared against the other 7 in the top 8 with our defensive midfielders and 1 up front that it would be such a crime to change and have a go at them like we did today:

Home:

Liverpool - Lost 0-5
Chelsea - Drew 1-1
Newcastle - Lost 0-1
Man UTD - Drew 2-2

Played 4 - Won 0 - Drew 2 - Lost 2 - For 3 - Against 9 - Points 2 - GD -6

Away:

Man City - Lost 6-0
Arsenal - Lost 1-0
Everton - Drew 0-0

Played 3 - Won 0 - Drew 1 - Lost 2 - For 0 - Against 7 - Points 1 - GD -7

Overall:

Played 7 - Won 0 - Drew 3 - Lost 4 - For 3 - Against 16 - Points 3 - GD -13


Not been going too well with our DM's & 1 up front against the top teams has it, so I don't see why we can't go and have a go at these teams. For sure Sandro would likely come into the frame and also we would hope to be stronger at CB. But I see no problem with us standing toe to toe and fighting with these teams, it's not exactly like we'll be abandoning a system that's been reaping the rewards against them so far this season is it!

Incidentally we've won 1 game this season against a team in the top half:

Southampton - Away 3-2

Which was also the first time we've scored more than 2 goals in a league match in 25 games.

 

[noggen]

Man Utd won the title last year with 2 strikers. City will do it this season. So why not?

 

[Legend10]

Man Utd won the title last year with 2 strikers. City will do it this season. So why not?

Said all along City will win the league playing 442!

Take that team today and play Sandro & Dembele in front of the 2 CB's and we're in business!

 

[TheGreenLily]

I've read it and read it and read it after the game today! Can't play without defensive midfield players, can't play with 2 up front, can't play 442, can't do this and can't do that against the top teams as we'll be badly exposed and beaten, so naive, so stupid!

The top 8 teams have pretty much gone clear now and it's quite likely come the end of the season it will still be the top 8. So how have we fared against the other 7 in the top 8 with our defensive midfielders and 1 up front that it would be such a crime to change and have a go at them like we did today:

Home:

Liverpool - Lost 0-5
Chelsea - Drew 1-1
Newcastle - Lost 0-1
Man UTD - Drew 2-2

Played 4 - Won 0 - Drew 2 - Lost 2 - For 3 - Against 9 - Points 2 - GD -6

Away:

Man City - Lost 6-0
Arsenal - Lost 1-0
Everton - Drew 0-0

Played 3 - Won 0 - Drew 1 - Lost 2 - For 0 - Against 7 - Points 1 - GD -7

Overall:

Played 7 - Won 0 - Drew 3 - Lost 4 - For 3 - Against 16 - Points 3 - GD -13


Not been going too well with our DM's & 1 up front against the top teams has it, so I don't see why we can't go and have a go at these teams. For sure Sandro would likely come into the frame and also we would hope to be stronger at CB. But I see no problem with us standing toe to toe and fighting with these teams, it's not exactly like we'll be abandoning a system that's been reaping the rewards against them so far this season is it!

Incidentally we've won 1 game this season against a team in the top half:

Southampton - Away 3-2

Which was also the first time we've scored more than 2 goals in a league match in 25 games.

It has been just one game and we still have a million problems. But our problems have never been about the formation we play, but the urgency in which we played our games, passing back rather then a positive cutting forward ball, scared to support Soldado in the box, let alone get the ball to him. AVB could have played a 4-4-2 and it still would have been negative as the poor man was too scared to lose as he had massive pressure put on him by the board.

Whilst your post was interesting, I find it rather damn stupid to base anything after one game. We could easily have lost today, especially with out first half performance, which was f-ing awful.

 

[SlickMongoose]

They don't like it up 'em! No Sir!

 

[Legend10]

It has be just one game, we still have a million problems. But our problems have never been about the formation we play, but the urgency in which we played our games, passing back rather then a positive cutting forward ball, scared to support Soldado in the box, let alone get the ball to him. AVB could have played a 4-4-2 and it still would have been negative as the poor man was too scared to lose as he had massive pressure put on him by the board.

Whilst your post was interesting, I find it rather damn stupid to base anything after one game. We could easily have lost today, especially with out first half performance, which was f-ing awful.

Interesting that you can't realise it's not based on one game but our performance in 7.

Nothing to do with having 2 up working in tandem, ok!

 

[Jody]

Said all along City will win the league playing 442!

Take that team today and play Sandro & Dembele in front of the 2 CB's and we're in business!

Or sandro and eriksen....

 

[WhiteHart4Ever]

Man Utd won the title last year with 2 strikers. City will do it this season. So why not?

Sure, but we were playing 4-1-3-2 today, with a rather soft forward-turned-midfielder in the holding position. Sandro and Dembele/Paulinho/Capoue is completely different from Dembele and a purely attacking midfielder. And City play possibly the two best CMs in the league and they're quite conservative going forward.

Having said that, I'd take 4-4-2 and 3-2 over 4-2-3-1 and 1-0 every day of the week. Still, we can't go to Old Trafford with 5 attacking players and one CM who's better going forward than holding. But I'll be happy to see it against West Brom Boxing Day..

 

[worcestersauce]

and when Adebayor loses interest again what then? I'm an Adebayor fan and I spent two years defending him against that accusation so just be prepared and get a plan B which won't be to play like that.

 

[Black]

As long as sandro or capoue is playing in the next game we shouldn't look so open

 

[Ribble]

Screw playing Dembele, he's Mr Inconsistency and even at his best his passing is rank average.

Sandro + creative player if 4-4-2 is the way we're going.

 

[TheGreenLily]

Interesting that you can't realise it's not based on one game but our performance in 7.

Nothing to do with having 2 up working in tandem, ok!

I think our best performance of the season was against Cardiff, when they was on a high at the start of the season and fought for every ball and defended like dogs.

We only had one up front that day, it was away and that performance smashed today's... So what's your point?

It is how you go about the game, not the so much the formation... Positive attacking football or negative crab or pass back football to maintain possession... 4-4-2 or 4-3-3... Take your pick

 

[ackie]

No, we probably can't play like that every game...but we have to credit Sherwood today.
He got balls!
He picked a side and there were some very impressive display.
1. Ade - also scoring a brace.
2. Ade with Soldado - At last we see the two of them playing together. More of that please.
3. Risked not putting a Defensive midfielder and went in an attacking formation.
4. Two really good subs in Chadli and Bentaleb - We must have all thought he's mad when he sent the young man on instead of Capoue or Holtby.
5. Sending Defoe on when we were winning. Most would have sent a midfielder to close and protect the game. He went for it!

Unfortunately, our keeper was at fault for one of the goal and our defense was very poor. Chiriches did not play well today.
Lamela needs time to settle BUT Chadli was very impressive.

No, we can't do that in all games but im at least impressed that he showed some balls and made us discover Bentaleb. We should be seeing some more new faces too.

AVB could have given those players a chance at least in Europa!

Anyhow, let's see the next two games. Until then COYS and Merry Christmas to ALL

 

[poc]

Honestly, I just do not get people's opinions on Dembele. Is it because he is so good that people are disappointed he doesnt seem to be able to push on to super stardom? As someone said on another post today which I thought was very apt, he is Majestic on the ball. I always see put Sandro in with this one or Capoue in with that one at the end of the day an injury free Dembele is the best central midfielder we have imo. He has been nursing this injury for a while now but still turns in a shift and has actually had a few near mom performances (the weeks where walker was I think).

I mean calling Dembele Mr inconsistency in our team this year is not really a revelation I mean who has been fucking consistent? Sandro? Walker? Lloris?

 

[idontgetit]

Said all along City will win the league playing 442!

Take that team today and play Sandro & Dembele in front of the 2 CB's and we're in business!

That's going back to our old problems though, no passing centrally from deep to set off counter attacks or split defences. Dominant but not cutting

 

[Shadydan]

Remember when we used to play 4-4-2 against the big sides under Harry and everyone used to moan saying we're to open.

Yeah....

 

[Legend10]

I think our best performance of the season was against Cardiff, when they was on a high at the start of the season and fought for every ball and defended like dogs.

We only had one up front that day, it was away and that performance smashed today's... So what's your point?

It is how you go about the game, not the so much the formation... Positive attacking football or negative crab or pass back football to maintain possession... 4-4-2 or 4-3-3... Take your pick

What's my point? Read the OP and take a guess.

 

[kendoddsdadsdogsdead]

It's fashionable to write of 4-4-2 as a dead formation but thats complete rubbish imo. If the players you have suit that, then thats the way to play. The chances Southampton had were down to poor individual defending as much as anything and at times we've given chances and goals like that when playing one up front.

 

[TheGreenLily]

What's my point? Read the OP and take a guess.

And I am saying playing 4-4-2 or any other formation makes no difference...

It has nothing to do with formation, but the way you approached the game.

 

[Legend10]

That's going back to our old problems though, no passing centrally from deep to set off counter attacks or split defences. Dominant but not cutting

I don't agree, change the personnel as you see fit but system:


..............Sandro.......Dembele...........

.....Lamela.......................Eriksen......

...............Soldado....Ade.................

And push the FB's round the outside like we managed at times today, plus Vlad & Verts as the CB's greatly enhances our passing ability from deep.