eph12:

You honestly think Pep will just expose his midfield like that? When has he played 1 DM and 2 AM before? Even when David Silva and Fernadinho was there, Pep didn't play 1 DM and no CM

That's why the defence is exposed when they play opponents that have very fast and pacy forwards. But his style ensures that the ball is recovered ASAP before it gets to Rodri's zone (CM + DM), dont forget that Fernandino doubles as a CB and DM when City attacks which means Rodri can easily become a CM on the pitch.

You have easily forgotten how exposed City can be when they don't quickly snuff out opponents' threats before they get to the midfield.

eph12:

Pogba still has no single assist in 15 apps in the league. So much for forward passes

Eph, I am not interested in assists and goals from Pogba. It's about the overall play, a proper CM will make us play better, and ensure that Bruno's numbers don't become useless to the team/club.

We are playing this same Newcastle on Sunday. Watch us play rubbish against them. Of course, our people will come here to say that we should blame everybody except the manager. Newcastle have better players and an average manager, while Utd have useless players, a stvpid transfer dept, a stingy board, and a 'very good and successful' manager.


God airpus!

nitrogen:


That's why the defence is exposed when they play opponents that have very fast and pacy forwards. But his style ensures that the ball is recovered ASAP before it gets to Rodri's zone (CM + DM), dont forget that Fernandino doubles as a CB and DM when City attacks which means Rodri can easily become a CM on the pitch.

You have easily forgotten how exposed City can be when they don't quickly snuff out opponents' threats before they get to the midfield.

I'm not sure I understand your point here

eph12:

I'm not sure I understand your point here

I don't even know the season he is referring to. Certainly not this season.

eph12:

I'm not sure I understand your point here

My point is when City attacks (which they do 60-70 percent in a game), they have one of their CBs become a DM while Rodri turns to a CM + DM. The remaining two midfielders are AMs throughout, the style of play ensures that they snuff out threats/risks before they get escalated. When almost all your players are in the opponents' half, the reasonable option when you lose the ball is to recover it ASAP, if you don't, then the midfield/defense gets exposed especially when the opponent has fast forwards and are good with counter-attacks.

Rodri suffers the most when the opponent is able to transition quickly beyond City's front men. See the picture below. Laporte had to step in to help, the other midfielders are in the front.

nitrogen:

Nah, I disagree. He plays as a AM for City.

Don't be deceived by his goal scoring exploits..Gundogan is a controller...Man City are very dominant that's why he is always up the pitch together with the fact that he mostly played as an 8 whilst he was with Dortmund...

patrickmuf:
Don't be deceived by his goal scoring exploits..Gundogan is a controller...Man City are very dominant that's why he is always up the pitch together with the fact that he mostly played as an 8 whilst he was with Dortmund...

City's set up before KDB became injured. Check the space between Gundogan + KDB, and Rodri. When they are in the opponent's half, one of the CBs steps up to the midfield to 'support' Rodri.

nitrogen:
We are playing this same Newcastle on Sunday. Watch us play rubbish against them. Of course, our people will come here to say that we should blame everybody except the manager. Newcastle have better players and an average manager, while Utd have useless players, a stvpid transfer dept, a stingy board, and a 'very good and successful' manager.


God airpus!

The truth is that most of them only watch Manchester United...

I saw West Ham dispatch Sheffield United and now, see Chelsea winning against Newcastle...I am very impressed with how Tuchel sets Chelsea up, he is a very good coach...

patrickmuf:
The truth is that most of them only watch Manchester United...

I saw West Ham dispatch Sheffield United and now, see Chelsea winning against Newcastle...I am very impressed with how Tuchel sets Chelsea up, he is a very good coach...

Well, we must win the league this season sha, we still dey second on the table. We are on course.

nitrogen:


City's set up before KDB became injured.

I watch most matches and I see the position the players take rather than depend on all those site...

Check livescore for a line up in a particular match day then check Flashscore and other sites and you will notice how all of them interpret the lineup differently...

When City are in the ascendancy, Gundogan pushes up the pitch whilst their fullbacks cover for him by tucking into the midfield...It's all about the tactical flexibility of Pep and not necessarily about Gundogan's starting position...

patrickmuf:
I watch most matches and I see the position the players take rather than depend on all those site...

Check livescore for a line up in a particular match day then check Flashscore and other sites and you will notice how all of them interpret the lineup differently...

When City are in the ascendancy, Gundogan pushes up the pitch whilst their fullbacks cover for him by tucking into the midfield...It's all about the tactical flexibility of Pep and not necessarily about Gundogan's starting position...

I agree that it's tactical flexibility, but the fact is Pep uses two AMs. When they attack, Gundogan pushes forward, what about when they are chasing the ball? Do you think that Gundogan and KDB/Silva recover quickly to the central midfield to ultimately help/support Rodri? No. The gap is always there, what they typically do is try to press and collect the ball back ASAP or have one of the defenders step up to support Rodri. I think I watch City more than you do.

We all know how Pep's team suffers when they face a team that breaks and transitions easily from defence to attack, reason he tries to rely mostly on one of the CBs to support Rodri, since most times, the AMs are closer to the opponent's box.

WE ARE COMING, BEWARE!

nitrogen:


I agree that it's tactical flexibility, but the fact is Pep uses two AMs. When they attack, Gundogan pushes forward, what about when they are chasing the ball? Do you think that Gundogan and KDB/Silva recover quickly to the central midfield to ultimately help/support Rodri? No. The gap is always there, what they typically do is try to press and collect the ball back ASAP or have one of the defenders step up to support Rodri. I think I watch City more than you do.

We all know how Pep's team suffers when they face a team that breaks and transitions easily from defence to attack, reason he tries to rely mostly on one of the CBs to support Rodri, since most times, the AMs are closer to the opponent's box.

Even when David Silva was still at City, whenever he and De Bruyne starts, one of them takes up a more slightly withdrawn role...

The dominance of City will make you think Cancelo is a winger but it's really not the case...If we get Pep, you'll find Pogba further up the pitch because he will dominate games forcing our opponents to retreat to their own half...In such instance, you'd think we are playing with two CMs...Pep is that good, he will make sure his LB and RB push up forcing your wingers to go on the defensive and this frees up one of their CB to push further up the pitch while his CM pushes up the pitch...

When you watch City play you will realize the importance of a good coach...

nitrogen:


I agree that it's tactical flexibility, but the fact is Pep uses two AMs. When they attack, Gundogan pushes forward, what about when they are chasing the ball? Do you think that Gundogan and KDB/Silva recover quickly to the central midfield to ultimately help/support Rodri? No. The gap is always there, what they typically do is try to press and collect the ball back ASAP or have one of the defenders step up to support Rodri. I think I watch City more than you do.

We all know how Pep's team suffers when they face a team that breaks and transitions easily from defence to attack, reason he tries to rely mostly on one of the CBs to support Rodri, since most times, the AMs are closer to the opponent's box.

And don't forget to add that for all his qualities, Rodri is not Fernandinho or Casemiro

patrickmuf:
Even when David Silva was still at City, whenever he and De Bruyne starts, one of them takes up a more slightly withdrawn role...

The dominance of City will make you think Cancelo is a winger but it's really not the case...If we get Pep, you'll find Pogba further up the pitch because he will dominate games forcing our opponents to retreat to their own half...In such instance, you'd think we are playing with two CMs...Pep is that good, he will make sure his LB and RB push up forcing your wingers to go on the defensive and this frees up one of their CB to push further up the pitch while his CM pushes up the pitch...

When you watch City play you will realize the importance of a good coach...

So tell me something. If a manager says Gundogan is a CM, but during games that they dominate, the guy is closer to the opponent’s box, what does that tell you?

It means the formation has changed, and since they mostly dominate games, there is no CM. Maybe on paper, he is a CM, but on the pitch of play, he has become an attacking midfielder.

How come when they lose the ball, you still won’t see Gundogan in the middle, how come the space is still there?

Forget, Pep plays double AMs, on paper it might look like double CMs and 1 DM, but when playing, it becomes 2 AMs and 1 DM.

Another team like LCFC that does not dominate play every time, only one AM is playing, you typically have a CM that supports the AM, but still maintain his CM position and a DM that stays.

nitrogen:


So tell me something. If a manager says Gundogan is a CM, but during games that they dominate, the guy is closer to the opponent’s box, what does that tell you?

It means the formation has changed, and since they mostly dominate games, there is no CM. Maybe on paper, he is a CM, but on the pitch of play, he has become an attacking midfielder.

How come when they lose the ball, you still won’t see Gundogan in the middle, how come the space is still there?

Forget, Pep plays double AMs, on paper it might look like double CMs and 1 DM, but when playing, it becomes 2 AMs and 1 DM.

Another team like LCFC that does not dominate play every time, only one AM is playing, you typically have a CM that supports the AM, but still maintain his CM position and a DM that stays.

0ep plays with a 4, a 10 and an 8...Busquet, Xavi and Iniesta...

At City, Rodri is Busquet, Gundogan is Xavi and KFB is the attacking midfielder, Iniesta...Gundogan joins the attack because City dominates most times and they don't have a certain Messi that creates and scores such that the AMF isn't overburdened...

In all, Pep's tactics sees them recover the ball high up the pitch and force their opponent back 2hilst pushing up to close up the spaces...Only team with fast attackers and good dribblers will trouble Pep but even then, he now isn't as he'd of starting Fernandinho against such team to nullify their treat on the counter...

CapitalCee:


Martial has Ole's nudes, I think Lindelof too.

Martial in the left he couldn't do anything, Maguire and Shaw were running the show in his wing, from where Shaw assisted the goal but ole want them "Antho" to have the space all to himself.

Martial through the middle is Zero, 34 year old Cavani bought as a back up is benching him, but still cannot score, press or make oe even do anything to save his life. But our uncle Ole want Bruno who has score 18 and assisted 13 to leave the space for "Antho". Where exactly is martial good at? Ole is a Bastard i swear.

At this point, Senior players like Cavani, Bruno, Pogba etc has to cause a revolt and get the clueless Ole out.

Lol. Now u're relying on senior players to get Ole sacked?
I thought you were going to trend Ole Out on twitter? What happened ur concerns never reach Woodward?

patrickmuf:
0ep plays with a 4, a 10 and an 8...Busquet, Xavi and Iniesta...

At City, Rodri is Busquet, Gundogan is Xavi and KFB is the attacking midfielder, Iniesta...Gundogan joins the attack because City dominates most times and they don't have a certain Messi that creates and scores such that the AMF isn't overburdened...

In all, Pep's tactics sees them recover the ball high up the pitch and force their opponent back 2hilst pushing up to close up the spaces...Only team with fast attackers and good dribblers will trouble Pep but even then, he now isn't as he'd of starting Fernandinho against such team to nullify their treat on the counter...

If there is no Messi, then Gundogan is not Xavi, he plays a completely different position. Xavi does not join the attack every time because there is Messi, but at City, Gundogan is always attacking, if city loses the ball completely, the central midfield becomes open because Gundogan and KDB are still trying to recover to bridge the gap.

At that point the defence comes in to help in the midfield. So technically, KDB and Gundogan are AMs.

Leyqute:
Ole’s nepotism will be his downfall. He didn’t learn his lesson with Lingard.

Obviously Bruno has been the one carrying the team. But you’ve been restricting him from getting into positions you’ve reserved for Martial. Spaces that Martial is too lazy to attack.

No wonder Bruno’s goals have dried up of late. Yet he still finds ways to influence game.

Continue o. FoooLLL

I have never understood managers and favoritism especially when said player is constantly underperforming.

I remember Mourinho's 2nd time at Chelsea and how he always chose Ivanovic over Azpi despite Ivanovic dropping disasterclass worthy performances every week and i'm just there like shey these managers no dey see ni.

nitrogen:
We are playing this same Newcastle on Sunday. Watch us play rubbish against them. Of course, our people will come here to say that we should blame everybody except the manager. Newcastle have better players and an average manager, while Utd have useless players, a stvpid transfer dept, a stingy board, and a 'very good and successful' manager.


God airpus!

You don't even want God to help you guys.

airmark:


You don't even want God to help you guys.

Son of man is tired niii

Lana1:
I have never understood managers and favoritism especially when said player is constantly underperforming.

I remember Mourinho's 2nd time at Chelsea and how he always chose Ivanovic over Azpi despite Ivanovic dropping disasterclass worthy performances every week and i'm just there like shey these managers no dey see ni.

It’s perplexing. Showing belief in one player shouldn’t spoil your relationship with other players. I don’t know why that is so hard to grasp.

Even the player you’re trying to stick with know they’re currently shit.

nitrogen:


My point is when City attacks (which they do 60-70 percent in a game), they have one of their CBs become a DM while Rodri turns to a CM + DM. The remaining two midfielders are AMs throughout, the style of play ensures that they snuff out threats/risks before they get escalated. When almost all your players are in the opponents' half, the reasonable option when you lose the ball is to recover it ASAP, if you don't, then the midfield/defense gets exposed especially when the opponent has fast forwards and are good with counter-attacks.

Rodri suffers the most when the opponent is able to transition quickly beyond City's front men. See the picture below. Laporte had to step in to help, the other midfielders are in the front.

This is due to Peps tactical prowess. It doesn't change the fact that Cancelo is no more the RB because you see him in the midfield and attacking positions. They didn't start the match in those positions

nitrogen:


I agree that it's tactical flexibility, but the fact is Pep uses two AMs. When they attack, Gundogan pushes forward, what about when they are chasing the ball? Do you think that Gundogan and KDB/Silva recover quickly to the central midfield to ultimately help/support Rodri? No. The gap is always there, what they typically do is try to press and collect the ball back ASAP or have one of the defenders step up to support Rodri. I think I watch City more than you do.

We all know how Pep's team suffers when they face a team that breaks and transitions easily from defence to attack, reason he tries to rely mostly on one of the CBs to support Rodri, since most times, the AMs are closer to the opponent's box.

I watched City's matches against LFC and Tottenham. I even mentioned it here how those guys form 2-3 walls without the ball. Every player, including the striker falls back to their half when they lose the ball and are unable to recover it in their opponent's half

Trevor012:

When the so called attacking Midfielder we have is camping inside the opponents 18 yard box instead of linking the Midfield with the attack what do you expect.

This is literarily not true. Infact he did the opposite during the game ,and dropped deep to be collecting ball and initiate attack. At some point in the game he became a winger and was initiating crosses that Martial and Rashford refused to do because they were busy trying to dribble 9 men in the box

It's either you didn't watch the match or your usual Bruno hate won't let you resist to urge to slander the guy

timay:


This is literarily not true. Infact he did the opposite during the game ,and dropped deep to be collecting ball and initiate attack. At some point in the game he became a winger and was initiating crosses that Martial and Rashford refused to do because they were busy trying to dribble 9 men in the box

It's either you didn't watch the match or your usual Bruno hate won't let you resist to urge to slander the guy

Stop watching back of television. Even Ole had to tell him to stick to his space and stop evading other attackers place. This is not the first time their is a big gap within the Midfield and attack because our so called attacking Midfielder is not doing his job instead he is masquerading as a striker.

nitrogen:


So tell me something. If a manager says Gundogan is a CM, but during games that they dominate, the guy is closer to the opponent’s box, what does that tell you?

It means the formation has changed, and since they mostly dominate games, there is no CM. Maybe on paper, he is a CM, but on the pitch of play, he has become an attacking midfielder.

How come when they lose the ball, you still won’t see Gundogan in the middle, how come the space is still there?

Forget, Pep plays double AMs, on paper it might look like double CMs and 1 DM, but when playing, it becomes 2 AMs and 1 DM.

Another team like LCFC that does not dominate play every time, only one AM is playing, you typically have a CM that supports the AM, but still maintain his CM position and a DM that stays.

This right here is the summation of the debate
Guardiola always exploits the half space..

So he needs his 2 AMs getting into that position, and what they mostly do is to whip in dangerous low crosses...

You always see Debruyne exploiting the half space mostly as an AM, and when you see him running to deliver that dangerous cross.... you'd think he is a winger.

nitrogen:


That's the main thing, we need to play as a team, we don't need a lot of assists and goals from Pogba, he is not the AM or one of the attackers, it's team play that he should be helping with. Of course, we need to sort out our style of play, everything I am saying makes no sense until OGS becomes sensible. The team has been relying on individual brilliance for goals.

Midfielders (CMs, DMs) are judged by number of passes, the accuracy of passes, interceptions, tackles, overall play, and not goals and assists. The forwards will take care of those. Even AMs should not be scoring lots of goals, but yeah, the game has changed, you see an AM trying to compete with his strikers for goals. Check Liverpool, City, and other top teams in Europe, their midfielders facilitate plays and not drag goals with forwards (also, you wont see proper DMs and CMs dragging assists with AMs and forwards).

Ole has no defined pattern of play, this is so visible to the blind. But one mudman want us to believe its Bruno fault, why Olesexuals what us to blame the players.



I dey decking dey observe tinz.....

Lana1:
Lol. Now u're relying on senior players to get Ole sacked?
I thought you were going to trend Ole Out on twitter? What happened ur concerns never reach Woodward?

Him trend no even pass Nige not to talk of Nigeria

TrebleChamp:
Ole has no defined pattern of play, this is so visible to the blind. But one mudman want us to believe its Bruno fault, why Olesexuals what us to blame the players. I dey decking dey observe tinz.....

Tuchel that just joined chealsea has implemented his pattern in less than two months.
Baba wey spend 2 and a half years still no get yet the fanboys think he is the man for the job.

lmao!

A team with the most goals in the league relying only on individual brilliance??
Why will hate just dey and cover your eyes like this na


If ole doesn't sort our defense up, he will never achieve with this team.

We are the freaking top 2 team with the highest goal conceded in the top 5 leagues.

Make ole sort this defense out na