|
|
 |
|
The confirmation that David Silva is out of the Arsenal game, and possibly a couple more, is extremely bad news for City. Kompany has been a rock at the back all year and Nigel de Jong may be the single most important player that City have. But it is the Spaniard who is City's best player and the team will greatly miss the work rate and vision that Silva brings to the table.
The issue will be one of tactics. There appear to be three formations open to Mancini, 4-2-3-1, 4-3-2-1 or the Inter Diamond.
• What price the Champions League?
The most likely of these given the players available is the Christmas Tree 4-3-2-1 with Milner and Johnson playing the 2 and Tevez as a lone striker up front. It's not the most exciting formation and would play more like a 4-5-1 when Arsenal have the ball attempting to clog the midfield.
Normally the 4-2-3-1 is the perfect counter attacking formation and against an Arsenal side used to going forward this would be the preference if City had a fully fit side. How City could use Bellamy and his speed right now; indeed there's an argument to be made that a recalled Bellamy could be the one player that allows City to make a legitimate challenge for the title. But for now, we'll presume that isn't on the cards. In a 4-2-3-1 there are a number of choices. Again Milner and Johnson could play on the wings and Yaya Toure could move forward into the pivotal Attacking Midfield (AMC) role.
An alternative would be to play Milner on the left, SWP on the right and use Johnson as the AMC. A really adventurous option would be a version of the 4-2-3-1 that City played at the end of last year. Then Bellamy and Johnson played on the wings, Tevez ended up playing the AMC role and Adebayor was the striker up top. If Adebayor is available, and I've seen no current injury reports on the Togolese forward, then substitute Milner for Bellamy in that line up and see if the club can replicate the Chelsea result of last year. Even the use of Jo instead of Adebayor in such a scenario would be an interesting wrinkle.
Lastly City could play the Inter style diamond with 2 players up front. Here you would see Johnson play as the AMC with Tevez and Adebayor/Jo up front.
If City come out in a 4-3-2-1 then a draw is on the cards. A 4-2-3-1 would indicate an attempt to snatch a win on the counter attack. Given the way the club played tactically against United earlier in the year, I'm expecting the Christmas Tree and for City to be pleased if they come away from the Emirates with a draw.
 
Comments
 |
Posted by Mick on 01/04/2011
Wallace
Great to see such regular postings from you! Your articles are better than most of the stuff in the newspapers.
I read a report from the City training session on Monday that said Adebayor is looking very sharp. Even if we let him go in this transfer window, personally I would like to see him given some playing time against Arsenal. Ade's biggest problem seems motivation. He would certainly be up for this one. This could be his swansong?
|
Posted by Jack on 01/04/2011
Refer to the team that was was so extraordinary in beating Fulham at the cottage a few weeks ago.
Wallace Reply Except Silva played in that game...
|
Posted by simon on 01/04/2011
Wonder how many maimings De Jong will get away with on Wednesday?
Wallace Reply Depends on the referee. Silva is out two weeks and no card from Clattenburg for the foul so it really depends on who the man in the middle is. de Jong is a brilliant player and yes, he has at least one tackle a game that is out of line. If he can curb that tendency City will be even better.
|
Posted by Mick on 01/04/2011
Apparently the Ref is Mike Jones. He gave Tevez a yellow card when he scored a "legitimate goal" against Birm. in the 0-0 draw earlier this season.
|
Posted by CiTyBlUe on 01/04/2011
Dejong and Yaya will take on Fabregas and Nasri, Johnson will be made to cause the problems for Arsenal and Milner will help out in midfield.
Counter attacking with Yaya, Johnson and Tevez, that is probably what will happen.
|
Posted by Micah on 01/04/2011
As an Arsenal supporter I am absolutely petrified every time we play against City (and Newcastle and Birmingham) not b/c i'm afraid we'll blow it and lose (we could do that against anyone) but because I have nightmares for the week leading up to the match of a De Jong tackle on Fabregas that ends his career. This man has no place in professional football.
Wallace Reply de Jong has, I think, a somewhat undeserved reputation based on a couple of incidents rather than the entirety of his play. That being said he needs to stop the occasional lunging tackle which is what you are referencing.
|
Posted by aaron mark hendrix on 01/04/2011
hey wallace,i've always respected your opinions,even tho i dont necessarily agree with them at times.i knw this is a city blog,but since ur always objective in your opinions,i was wondering whts your thoughts are on man utd.i personally think tht we've under performed,hv a mediocre squad at best,and could do with a few good players to add to the squad.questions to you would be who do you think would be good additions,who should we get rid off and where do you think we'll end up in may?again,i knw this is a city blog,but i consider you a football fan,as opposed to a biased club supporter,and would love to hear wht you think,if you would be glad to oblige..thanx
Wallace Reply Says a lot I think that the perception could be that United have under performed and yet be leading the league. And yes I think they, and Chelsea and Arsenal have all under performed this year and the current table is more those three coming back to the back rather than a massive improvement by City and Spurs.
However I do disagree with you concerning a mediocre squad. I think United have a wonderfully balanced squad with, in general, just the right balance of experience and youth. Certainly there is room for improvement and I think United will address that in the summer.
I think Right Full Back is an area of concern and someone like Philipp Lahm would solidify the position for the next five years. United also need a left winger and Arjen Robben is also at Bayern. You add those two players, who will both be 27 at the start of next season and United would be formidable.
|
Posted by Marty on 01/04/2011
I would be shocked if we line up in anything other than a Christmas tree formation. Mancini could be called a lot of things, but adventurous would not be among them. Still, I'll happily take a 0-0 and move on.
Wallace Reply Yeah I know...
|
Posted by Greenjob on 01/04/2011
Wallace, I have serious reservations about playing both Gareth Barry and Yaya in the middle just for tommorow at least. They both appear cumbersome and both have the turning circle of an ocean liner. Against Wenger's rapid attack and M/F surely we need a bit more guile and brute force. I would consider Milner or Barry in the centre with Nigel DJ and poss SWP out right with Johnson on the left. And possiblly even consider slippping another centre half (Kolo or Lescott) to play in front of the back four with NDJ. The trick here I believe is to not get beat rather than all out attack and get caught on the counter - what do you reckon?
Wallace Reply I think we'll see Barry and Yaya playing just in front of de Jong with Milner and Johnson tucking in tight as well from the wing positions.
|
Posted by Yahga on 01/04/2011
For a very long time, I have read so much bad press about De Jong. To tell you the truth everybody, would love to have a De Jong on their team. he makes you think twice when you see him coming. disrupts the play.
I do not like to see injury in Football, but at the same time. Having a player that is feared by the other team is great for any team. Cesc and Nasri will not have time on the ball to put in the killer pass, when De Jong is near.
Wallace Reply de Jong is vitally important. I remember City getting grief because they paid his out clause rather than wait until the summer when they could have got him for a lot less but it was a good deal then and keeps being a great deal.
|
Posted by Hari on 01/04/2011
Wallace
Silva's absence i think will help us test our capability to perform in the absence of key players-we cant afford to be too dependant on one player,can we?
And I'm glad to see that at least some pundits understand the value of De Jong. would it be an overstatement if I said that city lost to everton because of his absence?
Wallace Reply I wondered who else had noticed that. I didn't cover the Everton game for a variety of reasons but the Barry-Milner central partnership didn't work in that game; a little strange because Barry plays the de Jong role for England but was unable to revert to such form when placed in the position against the Toffees.
|
Posted by Don-X on 01/04/2011
Mon Cher Wallace,
You point out in writing something that I have been thinking and screaming but no one is considering it at city ! Bellamy should of stayed at city ! Beside Tevez, Bellamy is the only guy I know who works very hard on the pitch and he closes down space of an opponent very quickly while the ball is on the opponent's side ... he is quicker than most ! and a constant danger on the counters.He always wants to win. He is surely missed ! That was an option that Man city should of kept ! or they should seriously consider to get it back !!! .. As for the game tomorrow, if the Mancity players want it bad enough, strong enough for the whole 90+ minutes and close down Arsenal's spaces quickly enough, with a 4-2-3-1 and with good clinical finishes on our opportunities in front of goal ... they will come out there with a win .(period)
Wallace Reply Indeed, the game against Arsenal is one where Bellamy would thrive and would be a much better option than Adam Johnson (although I'd play both) because of his defensive tracking back in addition to speed and play.
|
Posted by Sam on 01/05/2011
I cant understand where all these Bellamy lovers come from. The guy obviously has problems as he can never seem to settle. Maybe you appreciate his speed and skills but obviously as part of the team set up he is a hinderence and it is a positive that he is not there. For me he is like Joe Cole, big reputation but constantly fails to live up to expectations. Maybe they are just not as good as we would like them to be.
|
Posted by Eze agha on 01/05/2011
Be rest assured that Arsenal will defeat Manchester city today again, Irrespective of their position in the EPL.Gunner 4 Life!
Wallace Reply Wouldn't be surprised if Arsenal did. I think most if not all City fans would happily take a draw from this one, especially with Silva out.
|
Posted by Don-X on 01/06/2011
Wallace,
I've watched the game ! and to follow up on what we'd discussed before ! I would take Bellamy in place of Milner instead of Jhonson !
Today ! against Arsenal ..The performances of Milner and Jo were dreadfull .. lazy .. they were not in the mood to play ball !... were they having a bad day !? .. Bad start choices from Manciny today !!! Jo and Milner should of been on the bench ! it seems they were not there to play to win ! ... sad really !
anyway ! it seems this year ManU will take the PL trophy... let's wait and see !
|
Posted by Alvin on 01/06/2011
What does Adam Johnson have to do to get a place in a starting 11?! Jo ahead of Johnson?! I sometimes do not understand how Mancini chooses his line up.
Throughout the game, Jo was a fringe player at best and contributed nothing while the moment Johnson stepped on, he was running the defence and causing problems.
|
Posted by David Smith on 01/06/2011
For all the drivel you lot post about tactics this and tactics that, one thing is perfectly clear: rather than spending hundreds of millions of pounds on mercenaries (who three years ago had never heard of Manchester City, let alone considered signing for them) and setting out the stall at home to United and away to Arsenal, why not actually have-a-go and try and win that first piece of silverware in 35 years? Seems to me if you're gonna waste all this money on trying to be Manchester United (minus a glorious history, etc, etc, etc), why not be adventurous and get in the Arsenal half? You lot show more punch (no pun intended) in training than you ever did last night. I mean let's have it right; even the Arsenal fans were calling you after the final whistle. I do, however, disagree 100 per cent with the Zabaleta sending off. I can see Sagna going, but the Citeh lad was hard done by, no doubt. Wallace, who do you like in the United-Pool match and will they have a new manager by then?
Wallace Reply Drivel! lol.. And don't be so quick to dismiss City and history, it's something United fans do a lot. United certainly have the more recent history in terms of trophies but a look back, especially the 50's and 60's will be educational.
Regarding Liverpool it will be interesting. Liverpool have the players to play a very effective 4-2-3-1. There's only two problems with that. Hodgson plays a 4-4-2 and United match up very well, better than anyone in the PL, against a 4-2-3-1. Which means I have a hard time seeing any chance of a Liverpool victory.
|
Posted by karan on 01/06/2011
will david silva return for d game against leicester city in d fa cup or will be back for d home clash againsta wolverhampton wanderers???????
| |
Post your comment |
|
|
|
|
|
About
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.
|
Categories
Recent Posts
Archives
|
RSS feed