A quick word on something that I saw in the Mirror today. Now, yes, it's the Mirror so grain of salt and all that but one of the comments was that Hughes was planning to buy both Santa Cruz and Tevez because he wanted to go to a formation with one central forward and two on the wing in support. Similar it would seem to Chelsea under Mourinho the first year when they were entertaining and devastating.
This has me fascinated. If you postulate Robinho and Tevez supporting Santa Cruz up the middle then how does the midfield go together? Does de Jong sit in front of the back four while Barry and Ireland roam in front of him? Does City play three across the park with say Petrov, Barry and Ireland?
Chelsea's use of such a formation which had Lampard rampaging forward was very successful and you could envision such a role for Barry.
Do you, and I can't believe I'm writing this, get rid of Robinho and Elano and instead go with a Tevez, Santa Cruz, SWP front line with de Jong, Barry and Ireland in midfield?
The formation plans of Hughes seem to me to be by far the most important part of what we learn as the new season starts.
This really has me curious and looking for hints as we move forward.
Comments
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Posted by Noah Wexler on 06/22/2009
I have been puzzled by this as well. I think one important consideration is where Hughes decides to use Ireland. Ireland can be use directly behind the stiker(s), a little deeper in central attacking midfield or as a right-sided middle fielder. Petrov is great at creating down the wing, but for a professional footballer, his utter lack of a right foot is baffling and at times quite funny to watch. I think this weakness renders him only effective on the perimeter or when the ball falls on to his left side in front of the box at which point he becomes deadly. If Tevez comes in I would like to see the following line up:
Santa Cruz (ST)
Tevez (CF)
Robinho (LM/LW)
Ireland (RM/RW)
Barry (CAM)
DeJong (CDM)
Zabaleta (RB)
Richards (CB)
Kompany (CB)
Bridge (LB)
Given (GK)
Bench:
Elano (CAM)
Wright-Phillips (RW/RM)
Petrov (LW/LM)
Bojinov (ST)
Bellamy (ST)
Onuoha (CB)
Jo and Hart out on loan, sell the rest. Purchase a top tier veteran Center Back.
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Posted by AddiB on 06/22/2009
Hughes can't bench Robinho. How do you continue to attract top players if you offer an example of benching your top signing? It would be excited to see Robinho and Tevez supporting Santa Cruz in the middle with Ireland, de Jong (or Elano), and Barry in the middle. Tevez is a much better fit in this formation than Eto'o would be. There's no doubting this formation wouldn't be explosive and exciting at least, but it can't be successful without upgrading the defense as well. I'm interested in seeing what Hughes and Co. have in mind for the defense.
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Posted by Joseph Leo on 06/22/2009
With the new signings, I hate to say it but Elano's days are over for City. Kompany should be moved to defense with Zombaletta. Even though Hughes loves de Jong because he signed him, he should be second to a Barry, Irland, SWP and Petrov midfield. It would be a shame if he ignores the talents of a left winger like Petrov.
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Posted by mikail on 06/22/2009
Santa Cruz (ST)
Bellamy (CF)
Robinho (LM/LW)
Wright-Phillips(RM/RW)
Barry (CAM)
DeJong (CDM)
Zabaleta (RB)
Richards (CB)
Kompany (CB)
Bridge (LB)
Given (GK)
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Posted by adad on 06/23/2009
Santa cruz [st]
Bellamy [st]
Robinhho[st]
barry [cm]
de long[cm]
fernandes[cm]
bridge[dl]
dunne[dc]
richards[cd]
zabaleta[dr]
given [gk]
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Posted by Pete on 06/23/2009
Any way you look at it...City are miles ahead of where they were 2-3 years ago. Remember the days when us City fans would drool over a 6 or 7 Million pound buy??? Its a new era....I say we all just enjoy the ride!
Posted by andrew on 07/12/2009
GK: Given
LB: Bridge
CB: Onuoha
CB: Dunne
RB: Richards
LM: Robinho
CM: Barry
CM: De Jong
RM: SWP
CF: Ireland
ST: Santa Cruz
Posted by Sav'h Slim on 07/13/2009
Honestly it's an embarrassment of riches when you can potentially put Elano, De Jong, and Bellamy on the bench. Anyway I would go with:
Given
Bridge - Dunne - Richards - Zabaleta
Ireland - Barry - Wright Phillips
Tevez - Robinho
Santa Cruz
Posted by john patkinson on 07/19/2009
Given
Bridge Richards Dunne
Barry
Wright Philipps Ireland
Tevez Robinho
Santa Cruz
Adebayor
Posted by elavarash on 08/02/2009
Given
Bridge - toure - Richards
Ireland - Barry - Wright Phillips
Tevez - Robinho
adebayor
Santa Cruz
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Wallace Poulter is an award winning video game producer, designer, industry consultant and writer. He has been a football fanatic since the day he moved in next door to Brian Clough. "Cloughie" being the acknowledged genius that he was promptly moved out and went to manage Derby. A serviceable senior school left-back in his youth, Poulter played one season of Sunday league football as a striker proving conclusively that he was a serviceable senior school left-back! Today Poulter remains involved with football as a licensed referee and most recently as a consultant on a Football MMO.
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