Even if it was the other way round, 49 shots for us and 1 for City, I can still envisage us losing 1-0.
Fernandinho's positioning and awareness is the best there is. He'll get the ball before a foot race begins.
For a start I'm not convinced a full zonal marking set-up is the way to go for City considering they have such little height. Out of their starting lineup on Saturday only 3 players were 6"0 or above - Stones (6"2), Otamendi (6"0) and Rodri (6"3). When coming up with a zonal marking set-up, you obviously want your tallest players in the middle of the 6-yard area which City have done here (circled in blue). But by doing so they then create 2 massive weak links - either towards the near corner of the 6-yard area (where Norwich exploited) or the back-post area (Zinchenko 5"9 - although you run the risk of the keeper coming to claim which is why teams keep targetting the near corner instead). The alternative for City if they want to persist with zonal marking is to spread the 3 tallest players across the 6-yard area, but then they weaken the main danger area of the middle of the 6-yard area, so it's a catch 22. Alternatively, you can see they defend with 3 lines - the first line is the shortest players, they act as blockers to try and delay the attackers from reaching key positions (which in theory will allow the taller players to clear up relatively unchallenged), with lines 2 and 3 the main defensive presence. However, City have committed so many people as purely zonal markers it means the blockers are outnumbered meaning 2 or 3 players (depending on whether you attack with 5 or 6) have completely free runs to wherever they please, which if you have the overall height advantage, is still very dangerous - even if the main targetmen in the team gets blocked off. With 6"2 Stones now out, City can either bring in Cancelo (6"0), Fernandinho (5"9) or Garcia (6"0) - they can definitely be got at.
On the plus side, the tactical fouls he loves to give away (pulling an opponent back whenever they counter) become a lot more dangerous once he's in defense and potentially the last man...
Exactly what I was thinking. It's 99.9% certain we will lose this but if we are to have a chance we need pace on the break so these two should definitely start but would probably play them up front together and then have two banks of four behind them. No width so forcing them wide so a midfield of Hughes, Doucoure, Capoue and Cleverley
Back in the eighties we quite often aimed for a near post flick, normally Barnes, which then took out the players in the middle and allowed us to to attack the back post so looking your pictures then this maybe a decent option. Have Dawson attack the back post possibly, not sure who at the front post. The one slight issue with this is I'm not sure we are going to get enough corners, if any, to try this out!
Funnily enough, that's pretty much what I've suggested for the team I'm currently working with for their opponent on Saturday. That's most teams problem as well, City only conceded 2 corners per game on average last season - yet of all their goals conceded 17% came from corners so it's a pretty big issue for them.
Especially now that we have the beast in the air that is Dawson, who as we all know came with a reputation of being a real asset at set-pieces. Now, so far its been more of an asset to the opposition, but I think the point still stands.
Shakhter are 11.00 at some bookies. They're no Mugs at home. Stones and Laporte out. Far to tempting for me not to.
Shrewsbury Town pioneered this tactic under Graham Turner in their Third Division championship season of 1978/79. We then copied it and continued to use it for the remainder of GT’s first spell. The clinching goal in the 1984 Cup quarter final at Birmingham was a classic example. The drawback with it is it relies on an accurate flat delivery from the corner for the flick-on, which is easy to get wrong.
Guardiola has gone with Fernandinho tonight. This is what winds me up about modern football. What is the point in being a young CB at Man City? Or any top club really. A real crisis hits your club and you favour a 34 y/o midfielder over a young player who’s natural position it is.
Pep always does that. There was a time when the left backs were crocked and he went with Delph over Zinchenko. They rave about García but doubt he will get a look in. It’s utterly pointless having a top academy if you employ a cheque book manager like Pep.
Yep. Foden will never get a real look-in either. He should replace David Silva but I guarantee that Guardiola will use him leaving at the end of the season as an excuse to spend £100m on a replacement.
In press conference Pep said “we’ve only got one centreback”. Must feel great to be supposedly highly rated García!
Every time we've had a corner this season I've convinced myself Dawson is about to power a header in. Are you suggesting I'm wasting my time?
Note the judicious use of a capital "U", intended to head off any Wiki-led smartarsedness. Didn't work.
What have Watford & Real Madrid got in common?.................................. No clean sheet since February!
This is your defence? Messi debut 2004. Pep starts in 2008. Bog average Pedro and admittedly very good Busquets is your point from the best youth setup in the world? The guy was gifted a great squad and everywhere else he has had the golden chequebook.
Yes it is. I've placed my vote and whatever the damage it may do to my credibility, reputation or status, I'm sticking to it forever regardless of any other evidence or factors that may arise now or in the future to completely undermine or discredit my position or opinion. I'd rather take the whole world down with me than change my mind.
