Two victories against clubs that City should beat; more importantly two clean sheets for the maligned defense. Six points, five goals scored, Tevez on fire and huge optimism all around. And I'm going to talk about none of that...
Well sort of. What has struck me has been the tactics. Now normally when you hear talk about tactics what are being discussed are formations. The Premier League may be considered the best league in the world, but tactically there is very little evidence of sophistication.
You may recall Jose Mourinho talking about tactics when he moved to Inter. How within a game he had to change his tactics numerous times to counter the in game moves of the opposing manager. When at Chelsea Mourinho was notable for making specific nuanced moves depending on the circumstances of the game. And what was so striking was that you rarely saw that from other Premier League managers.
Yes this is a simplistic overview, but the sense is that in the Premier League a team formation is sent out. At half time changes may occur, maybe the odd substitution or the occasional formation change. However, much more likely is that the same formation that started the game also ends the game and the biggest change is a like for like substitution that brings on fresh legs.
Contrast this with Mancini. Against Stoke Petrov starts on the left and honestly I'm still not sure of the exact formation, other than Barry and de Jong anchoring, as there is a lot of movement and switching of roles. But quickly it is seen by Mancini that Petrov isn't working on the left. No waiting until half time instead a move is made immediately to switch the Bulgarian to the right. The result? A 2-0 lead at half time with the first goal scored by an unmarked Petrov coming in from the right.
Similarly against Wolves, alas a game I did not see, reports are of Bellamy being moved early in the game to play closer to Tevez with the resulting comfortable win.
I like this; a lot. I have no idea if Mancini is the long term answer for the club but we have seen in two games more tactical situation awareness than you normally see in an entire Premier League weekend.
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Posted by Martin Nazimek on 12/29/2009
I seen the same things wallace. Mancini is not afraid to change the flow of the match as well as the players and their roles. As you talked about Petrov, he does include Robinho and the next match puts in Bellamy (who played much better then Robo imo). Though I think he will give more chances to Robinho, Bellamy is a better fit as of right now. I like that he is not afraid to change up people in different positions. I really like Kompany in defense. Is it a coincidence that Lescott has not been in the lineup and there has been 2 clean sheets? Imo Kompany is much better at keeping his position that Lescott. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come with City. We love you city... we do.
CTID
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Posted by adamvalentine on 12/30/2009
i agree but i think lescott is better than kompany. people may say that mancini had to easy games, but when does city ever hold on to a 2 or 3 goal lead.NEVER. but now we do. i think he brings great character and charisma to the club and in my eyes mancity and mancini have many great thinks to come
COME ON YOU BLUES
Wallace Reply Kompany was a central defender at Hamburg who had the ability to step into a defensive midfield role. City have played him more in the DM role and I'd like to see him have some extended play, which he should get this month, to see how he does back in his regular position. This is also the reason I'd like the club to get Joris Mathijsen his central defense partner in Hamburg as a January signing.
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Posted by derek on 12/30/2009
tactics - great last 2games, no goals against and thats with lescott/bridge ??? 5goals for and thats without lazy adebayor/santa cruz ??? lets hope this isnt just the common change thats happens when a new manager arrives(players trying harder to look good for the new gaffer !!) and every team wins 2or3 games then struggle afterwards. ive got a good feeling this season and besides i had £100 at 16/1 we would win the league, COME ON YOU BLUE BOYS. CITY FOR-EVER .
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Posted by lex on 12/30/2009
Can't complain about the results: two wins, two clean sheets, five goals.
I'm always skeptical about initial form under a new manager, because there is almost always a galvanizing effect which eventually fades. To truly judge City under Mancini, we need to see how they're doing a year from now.
Still, fourth place will be most welcome.
Wallace Reply Agreed. The January schedule is very favourable to the club, Blackburn, Everton, Stoke and Portsmouth with Hull and Bolton at the start of February. It is not out of the question for City to win every one of those which would really make it interesting.
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Posted by Stan on 12/30/2009
If City DOES win all of those (this IS City we're talking about, after all), it'll be interesting to see what the table looks like then.
But one match at a time. I'm hearing Hughes' name pop up for the Bolton opening. I would be surprised if he took it, though. Talk about going from the penthouse to the tenement houses....
Posted by Roger on 12/31/2009
Mark Hughes was very reserved and inhibited during his tenure, that is an attitude you cannot take with you @ half time to a locker room filled with huge ego's and cocky players. Mancini gives the aura of a stern italian school master hell bent on sorting out his students and thats exactly what we need........( BTW on another note is it just me or does Mark Hughes looks significantly like George W Bush )
Posted by Outdoor Camp f on 08/02/2010
Brilliant stuff! Your article is really good, Im glad you took the time to share it.Thanks for sharing your opinion.
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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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