GloryIsaac:


With their technical limitations?

Have you seen how McTominay behaves when the ball is passed to him?

To play as AM no be for mouth

He will do better than this if he has the right coaching staff

nitrogen:


Gundogan, technically plays as an attacking midfielder at City. If a team dominates for 60-70 minutes out of 90 and a CM mostly plays in AM position throughout the game, then the initial position does not matter.

One question, how come there is a huge space for Rodri to cover when City surrenders possession (completely)?

If there's one thing Pep has learnt is that he never allow the opposition counter City. I really don't know if we have been watching the same team but City have been hardly cut out on the break since that loss to Spurs or thereabout...They're now more compact without the ball so this your talk of Rodri having to cover huge space is strange to me...

Rodri that isn't pacy how on earth will he cover a huge space?

eph12:

I am confident he will still do well. I only have problem with people looking for other players to blame for his current situation.

We currently have attackers who always rush their passes, instead of the patient build up VDB is used to. Maybe if injury strikes and he spends some time on the field, he will get used to the system faster.

I saw OGS last presser. Thankfully he recognized the different systems the team have had to play between last season and now and hopefully he finally settles with one and everyone understands their role or get in players that can do the job

We have to get Mc or Fred to handle the McFred position effectively (easier said than done, could be impossible and a new arrival might be the option) for another AM-CM hybrid player like VDB to slot in easily into the team

eph12:

He will do better than this if he has the right coaching staff

The limitations aren’t about coaching staff.

McTom is 6’4 and most players good with ball at feet are usually less taller, also he doesn’t have the typical soccer player stature (legs in this case). However, his height gives him the advantage in duels.

Fred is 5’6 and has good ball at feet abilities, but can hardly win duels due to body stature.

And such team setup needs a player with good ball at feet abilities and who can also win duels and play dirty.

GloryIsaac:


With their technical limitations?

Have you seen how McTominay behaves when the ball is passed to him?

To play as AM no be for mouth

McTomminay can make intelligent passes forward. I’ve seen him do this a number of time this season. But is he very good at it? I don’t think so.

Don’t know about Fred.

Leyqute:


We have to get Mc or Fred to handle the McFred position effectively (easier said than done, could be impossible and a new arrival might be the option) for another AM-CM hybrid player like VDB to slot in easily into the team

This is the summary of everything.

Though there are still two culprits at the back

Leyqute:


McTomminay can make intelligent passes forward. I’ve seen him do this a number of time this season. But is he very good at it? I don’t think so.

Don’t know about Fred.

He needs space, and time to think on the ball, unlike the other guys who play it quicker and are very mobile.

Even Pogba with his excellent ball-playing skills, which is obviously raw talent, also occasionally faces similar height problems.

It’s not easy as a tall person (6’3 above) to maintain very good ball-playing skills. Unlike the others, Messi and Co who mesmerize everyone with same skills.

See interesting talk wey dey go on for this thread
Kai!!! I am really excited

Keep em coming lads!!!

Leyqute:


We have to get Mc or Fred to handle the McFred position effectively (easier said than done, could be impossible and a new arrival might be the option) for another AM-CM hybrid player like VDB to slot in easily into the team

This right here makes sense. McFred cannot do DM and CM and still support attackers.

We need one of them to become the sitting DM, then another midfielder to support Bruno, and once in a while move back to the CM position.

patrickmuf:
If there's one thing Pep has learnt is that he never allow the opposition counter City. I really don't know if we have been watching the same team but City have been hardly cut out on the break since that loss to Spurs or thereabout...They're now more compact without the ball so this your talk of Rodri having to cover huge space is strange to me...

Rodri that isn't pacy how on earth will he cover a huge space?

You still don’t get it. I already said that one of the CBs step up to to support Rodri when they are caught out on the break.

eph12:

Nitrogen said midfielders should not be scoring goals, that we should check other top teams. He goofed by mentioning City, so I brought up Gundogan's stats. Someone that has only 1 assist in a free scoring City side

I did not goof abeg. Check my posts. Maybe City is an exception. I said that most AMs don’t score lots of goals (more than 10 league goals in a season) but provide assists. Of course KDB at city is a very good example. Pep has only decided to have Gundogan as an AM and/or 8 because he is very prolific, moreso, City don’t have a striker. Jesus has not replaced Agusto yet!

You do not see Liverpool or Chelsea fans (of late) trying to mirror City's formation and play because their respective coaches have their own pattern which is very effective...

Whatever it is Ole trying to do, he should do it ASAP...He talked about finding the right balance between pressing high up the pitch and remaining compact like we were prior to this season but it seems to be taking forever...

patrickmuf:
You do not see Liverpool or Chelsea fans (of late) trying to mirror City's formation and play because their respective coaches have their own pattern which is very effective...

Whatever it is Ole trying to do, he should do it ASAP...He talked about finding the right balance between pressing high up the pitch and remaining compact like we were prior to this season but it seems to be taking forever...

Agree. I am not in any way saying that OGS is doing great. He needs to find the right balance ASAP.

nitrogen:


Agree. I am not in any way saying that OGS is doing great. He needs to find the right balance ASAP.

the right balance begins with having a quick partnership at CB. the midfield can still be managed but if we must choke opponents who park the bus, then speed at the rear is open secret.
let him find two fit Baillys and move on.

Na matchday be this, why no discussions?..Or are we not confident?

nitrogen:


Agree. I am not in any way saying that OGS is doing great. He needs to find the right balance ASAP.

You no fit even get mind talk that kind thing...

If we don't beat Newcastle then we should write off the season and start using Mjebri, Diallo and Shoretire...

As for today, I hope Diallo gets some minutes...It's a shame VDB isn't part of the traveling squad...

GloryIsaac:


He needs space, and time to think on the ball, unlike the other guys who play it quicker and are very mobile.

Even Pogba with his excellent ball-playing skills, which is obviously raw talent, also occasionally faces similar height problems.

It’s not easy as a tall person (6’3 above) to maintain very good ball-playing skills. Unlike the others, Messi and Co who mesmerize everyone with same skills.

He can maybe improve on his mobility, awareness and vision and that’ll improve his position as a CM-AM hybrid. Of McFred and VDB, the Dutch possesses the most skill set to make it as an AM-SS. He only needs to improve his creativity, reading and understanding of the game.

nitrogen:


This right here makes sense. McFred cannot do DM and CM and still support attackers.

We need one of them to become the sitting DM, then another midfielder to support Bruno, and once in a while move back to the CM position.

Exactly. I don’t even mind if they rotate the CM/AM and DM/CDM position amongst themselves. It’s just detrimental to the team to have two men handle the job of one man. It would be understandable if we’re playing a top team at their home tho

CrystalTiger:
Na matchday be this, why no discussions?..Or are we not confident?

LMAO! This was so funny to read.

From we are winning the league to utmost silence on Match Days. Empty Fvcking Barrels shout the loudest!

GloryIsaac:


This is the summary of everything.

Though there are still two culprits at the back

LooooL. Maguire and Lindelof. A good, mobile CDM who can smell danger and snuff it out like Kante will help their cause greatly.

Unfortunately Fred likes getting dribbled up the pitch and McTom isn’t mobile enough.

nitrogen:


You still don’t get it. I already said that one of the CBs step up to to support Rodri when they are caught out on the break.

Nitrogen is right
Here is a visual presentation of Manchester City´s recent 2-3-5 system emphasises in their positional attacks.
But the Full backs invert rather than the Cb coming out to support the CDM. Wingers keep the width of the pitch and whatever position they are on the pitch they will have numerical advantage and can create overloads 2v1, 3v2 easily because of their positioning. It's almost impossible for them to get caught on the counter or out of position.

Panther7:
Nitrogen is right
Here is a visual presentation of Manchester City´s recent 2-3-5 system emphasises in their positional attacks.
But the Full backs invert rather than the Cb coming out to support the CDM. Wingers keep the width of the pitch and whatever position they are on the pitch they will have numerical advantage and can create overloads 2v1, 3v2 easily because of their positioning. It's almost impossible for them to get caught on the counter or out of position.

Excellent analysis, but from the picture, a 4-3-3 with a good passing midfielder and pacy attack will catch them out of position which will force the full backs who become inverted midfielders to stay away from the middle.

patrickmuf:
You do not see Liverpool or Chelsea fans (of late) trying to mirror City's formation and play because their respective coaches have their own pattern which is very effective...

Whatever it is Ole trying to do, he should do it ASAP...He talked about finding the right balance between pressing high up the pitch and remaining compact like we were prior to this season but it seems to be taking forever...

This has nothing to do with Olé or mirroring formation.

This is simply the continuation of a discussion weeks prior concerning utilizing Van De Beek effectively.

The team has had a good spell playing Bruno / McFred or Bruno / Pogba / Matic last season, so I expect that will continue till whatever balance is discovered.

This only came up because a number of us are ‘disappointed’ in what VDB has offered so far.

So it’s about accommodating VDB in the team, and taking advantage of what he has to offer.

Oasis007:

You even put effort.. oh well

Panther7:
Nitrogen is right
Here is a visual presentation of Manchester City´s recent 2-3-5 system emphasises in their positional attacks.
But the Full backs invert rather than the Cb coming out to support the CDM. Wingers keep the width of the pitch and whatever position they are on the pitch they will have numerical advantage and can create overloads 2v1, 3v2 easily because of their positioning. It's almost impossible for them to get caught on the counter or out of position.

Exactly. Even notice the ‘W’ player positioning for both front and back 5.

Roland17:


Excellent analysis, but from the picture, a 4-3-3 with a good passing midfielder and pacy attack will catch them out of position which will force the full backs who become inverted midfielders to stay away from the middle.

The only team that plays a 4-3-3 with pacy attack in England is Liverpool and they lost badly to City, even if Manchester city did lose a game it won't be as a result of Pep being tactically outclassed it will be as a result of suspension, their levels dropping or complacent.
Maybe in Europe they can meet their match but not in England.

Which one be ball at feet ability again?

Shey then dey use hand dey play ball?

GloryIsaac:


This has nothing to do with Olé or mirroring formation.

This is simply the continuation of a discussion weeks prior concerning utilizing Van De Beek effectively.

The team has had a good spell playing Bruno / McFred or Bruno / Pogba / Matic last season, so I expect that will continue till whatever balance is discovered.

This only came up because a number of us are ‘disappointed’ in what VDB has offered so far.

So it’s about accommodating VDB in the team, and taking advantage of what he has to offer.

It has everything to do with the poor tactics of Ole if not, we wouldn't be having this discussion...

odizeey:
Which one be ball at feet ability again?

Shey then dey use hand dey play ball?

Lol.. you can just ‘mention’ me rather than taking side shots.

I meant ball-playing skills. How good a player is on the ball.

patrickmuf:
It has everything to do with the poor tactics of Ole if not, we wouldn't be having this discussion...

Apparently, your mind is made up, and only good team performances going forward will soften it, so no need.

Kingalabi how are you today?