247 replies to this topic

[teddykgb]

He did. The annoying part is that he was correct, but as I believe I said in this thread earlier, it's really just not something I like to see. I really don't know how to fix the problem, though, as the EPL/BPL reffing keeps approaching the quality and consistency of the NBA, right down to the equally ridiculous stance of "our refs never make mistakes"

[Zomp]

Between Lescott's elbow and Balotelli trying to curb stomp Parker, City are lucky to still have 11.

[teddykgb]

No way on balotelli. These commentators are out of their minds, balotelli is trying to regain footing there, not stomping on anyone.

[Zomp]

Unbelievable.

[teddykgb]

I really don't care what the media try to make of this, that was never a red for Balotelli, and if Gareth Bale does that it doesn't even get brought up. City deserved those 3 points, they were better today save for a mistake by a very young CB who shouldn't even be playing if it weren't for a bad decision in the first place and a great strike from Bale. You can argue about Lescott's intent, but I wouldn't buy it, and I think it's absolutely deplorable to see what they're trying to do in the Balotelli incident. The guy is falling and tries to put his foot to ground, what's he supposed to do there?

I don't think I've ever been so angry after a win.

[ElUno20]

That was very Suh-like by Balotelli, i was watching with no sound so I dont know how crazy the commentators went but his ass will sitting for a while.

[Zomp]

I really don't care what the media try to make of this, that was never a red for Balotelli, and if Gareth Bale does that it doesn't even get brought up. City deserved those 3 points, they were better today save for a mistake by a very young CB who shouldn't even be playing if it weren't for a bad decision in the first place and a great strike from Bale. You can argue about Lescott's intent, but I wouldn't buy it, and I think it's absolutely deplorable to see what they're trying to do in the Balotelli incident. The guy is falling and tries to put his foot to ground, what's he supposed to do there?

I don't think I've ever been so angry after a win.

Then you need to calm down. I don't think its fair on Spurs to say City deserved the 3 points. Spurs absolutely took it to them once they were down by 2 goals and were the better side for the last 30 minutes. Savic goal was a mistake but Lescott's goal wasn't exactly the prettiest either. Deplorable? There is no way he's trying to regain his footing, he threw his second leg out on purpose. Do you also believe Rooney tried to regain his footing when he stamped on the guys nuts in the world cup?

City got two goals from players who should have been sent off (I know Lescott did it after he scored), and were Gareth Bale bad pass away from losing , City stole it. But thats okay, take it. I've witnessed my team steal plenty of games. You should be relieved, no angry.

[Zomp]

Come on teddy, really?

[teddykgb]

Then you need to calm down. I don't think its fair on Spurs to say City deserved the 3 points. Spurs absolutely took it to them once they were down by 2 goals and were the better side for the last 30 minutes. Savic goal was a mistake but Lescott's goal wasn't exactly the prettiest either. Deplorable? There is no way he's trying to regain his footing, he threw his second leg out on purpose. Do you also believe Rooney tried to regain his footing when he stamped on the guys nuts in the world cup?

City got two goals from players who should have been sent off (I know Lescott did it after he scored), and were Gareth Bale bad pass away from losing , City stole it. But thats okay, take it. I've witnessed my team steal plenty of games. You should be relieved, no angry.

It's obviously not Spurs fault that Kompany is on the bench for a shit decision. I really, really don't agree on Balotelli. A player who is spinning and falling is putting his foot down to regain balance. I honestly believe it's a natural movement and I honestly don't believe that's my fandom speaking. The video has already been shut down, but I've seen it plenty of times. I honestly can't believe anyone is describing it as "unnatural" and I think the announcers going crazy about it was about the only thing that was unnatural.

My point on the match is really the way it had gone--the flow really. At 2-0 City is completely on top and pressing for a 3rd, and that useless nothing long ball gets played into a goal by Savic, who is on because of that awful Kompany decision that I simply can't get over. Suddenly it's 2-1 and it's a game. Spurs gain in confidence and Bale pulls another off of a beautiful strike that is again pretty much something from nothing.

I'm really not trying to denigrate Spurs, and it's true that if Bale connects with his striker there I'm probably much more furious. City absolutely dodged a bullet and it's on them to find a replacement for Savic ASAP as we're obviously completely cooked if an injury occurs to Lescott or Kompany, especially while the stupid ACON is going on.

I am without a doubt a guy who believes that we give these players way too much credit for their ability to determine a course of action in the fraction of milliseconds. I've probably got over 50 posts in this forum calling things "not a card" that others have felt were offenses against both god and football. I think it's extremely silly when we decide from slow motion replays that someone is intentionally doing things to hurt someone else..it's simply not my experience playing sport that these types of things are possible. In this instance, this is driven to the extreme because you're talking about a player who is undoubtedly falling to the ground and off balance. I think it's a complete stretch of reason to think that Balotelli is dealing with that and simultaneously deciding to take the opportunity to stomp on Parker.

[ethangl]

Falling forward, thrust your leg backward to maintain your balance. Okay.

[DrewDawg]

And then score the winner!!

That should have been the team's second red of the day.

[Zomp]

Balotelli charged. Not surprising to anybody not named teddykgb

[Tony the Pony]

Bu why did Modric stomp his own teammate? Parker must be quite the wanker that even fellow Spurs players hate the guy

[Seven Costanza]

I wish football was more like hockey and Modric rushed over and started throwing fists towards Balotelli's face, Thornton style.

What a dick move.

[teddykgb]

Retrospective ban: 0 games


0 games




Can't embed this one, but a stomp from Huddlestone @8:37 Retrospective ban: 0 games
http://www.epltalk.c...tv-replay-26453

Of course you can probably do this all day, and it's not an entirely new point to bring up that the FA is completely ridiculous and inconsistent. I don't think there's a conspiracy against Man City, that is absolutely absurd. I think that the media completely made this into something and the FA capitulates because it's Balotelli. There is really no way you can prove the intent of the player here, and the ref is staring right at it. Balotelli's antics have gone beyond catching up to himn at this point. He comes into the game and gets a yellow on a nothing foul, now this... this is just not remotely in line with how these things have been handled in the past.

[Zomp]

Will Teddy come in and make a sniper comment about Adam Johnson?

[Zomp]

I've never seen the ref call for shovels so many times.

[teddykgb]

Will Teddy come in and make a sniper comment about Adam Johnson?

I was in Colorado all week on a rock skiing adventure, so I missed the match and missed being called out.

I haven't seen the play, but it seems like AJ dove from the general consensus, so it's obviously not something i'm a fan of. given the last 2 months of FA discipline, I'm more Ok with it than I would otherwise be, but I'm really not a fan of it.

As far as City goes, it seems important to keep an eye on the United v Liverpool match this weekened. A result for Liverpool will really give City a chance to drive the title hopes the rest of the way. If united are gifted another two penalties from their 12th man (and Baconface bitching about refs after the game is classic), then the title race is really going to be a tight march that may even end up being decided in a Derby.

Ultimately, every team is going to drop points to a squad they shouldn't drop points to. City just had one of those games against Everton, and they'll slip up once or twice more in the run in. What's critical right now is to try to open a gap while their schedule isn't so bad and many of the other big squads are playing each other. United's run in after they play Spurs are about as easy as they're going to get. There will be a silly draw or loss in there, but City is going to need to build a points lead over the rest of this month if they want to have some wiggle room down the stretch. April 28th certainly seems like it may prove to be a decisive day.

[LTF]

Huge win over Villa Sunday. On Tuesday, a shocking return. This is like the club signed a striker during the transfer window. However, not quite sure what to expect out of him since he hasn't played in nearly four months.

http://www.guardian....manchester-city

[Zomp]

How do you guys feel about that? Him returning?

[teddykgb]

I'm surprisingly OK with it because I think at this point it's obvious what it is all about. For the team to be better off, he needs to re-establish some value so that we can get something in the transfer. For him to get out of his contract, he needs to re-establish some value so that he's worth the transfer. Finally, everyone's interests are aligned and he knows he's got to play his way out of town.

I won't cheer for him in the way I cheer for the others, but it is impossible to argue the logic that the only way we can truly move him and receive compensation is for him to play and play well. Now, that's still going to have to be mostly cameo bench subs and an occasional start, but they could surely use someone in that role, especially with Balotelli getting himself sent off once a month.

The only thing that would make me really hate it is if the locker room had said negative things about him, which is one thing nobody ever really did after the fallout in Munich. It seems like the players don't really give a shit, so if he's not going to disrupt chemistry and he's obviously motivated to solve his "problem" of a lack of restaurants in manchester, then it's overall a good thing to add him in for this stretch run and reap the benefits now and in FFP when we sell in the summer.

[DLew On Roids]

I'm interested in how they use him. There's a little-invoked FIFA rule that allows a player to declare himself a free agent if he doesn't get into a certain percentage of his team's matches (it's either 5 or 10, I can't recall), and Tevez may be positioning himself where he can use it if he doesn't get to play.

[Zomp]

Tevez says in the interview today Mancini treated him like a dog, that he didn't believe he did anything wrong, but if he did he's sorry.

Not exactly someone who comes across as humbled.

[soxfan121]

If there's a chemistry problem in the Man City locker room, my money is on Kolo Toure as either the cause or the solution.

[MarkInLondon]

Tevez says in the interview today Mancini treated him like a dog, that he didn't believe he did anything wrong, but if he did he's sorry.

Not exactly someone who comes across as humbled.

The dog in our household gets fed twice a day, taken for long walks in the countryside and has a nice comfy bed next to the radiator. Admitedly he gets bathed against his will everytime he rolls in something maloderous, but he always gets a good rub down afterwards, and then gets to sit in front of the log fire to dry off.

[AusTexSoxFan]

Hello City fans. Shameless plug time.

I did an interview with City Football Development Exec Patrick Vieira a few weeks ago for ESPN.com. Here's the article. Have a look!

http://espn.go.com/s...w-arch-bell-epl

[teddykgb]

Good interview, AusTex. It's sort of weird how much Vieira has embraced City, but he seems really happy in his new role and I can't discount how valuable that may prove for City long term. Although not exactly a City legend, he's a football legend that young players seem to really respect and look up to, having him out there pushing the Academy and furthering the team's interests seems like a serious no lose proposition.

City with a pretty comfortable 3-0 this weekend. United of course scored in Fergie time to pull a win out against Norwich. City are in the driver's seat and simply have to keep winning relentlessly. Also drew a weaker Portuguese team in the Europa, it's too bad flights to Lisbon are so expensive or I'd have tried to make a trip out of it with my father.

[Zomp]

So City should have had 4 goals in the first 10 minutes. Bolton, who is playing American Tim Ream in the midfield, looks like a pub team.

[teddykgb]

that it only ended 2-0 was the real miracle. City was extremely wasteful in front of goal, Balotelli played like he was out at the strip clubs in Liverpool (which was what the papers reported). Nonetheless, got the points and now it's time to pop some corn and become a Spurs fan for a day

[Zomp]

Was very impressed with the Toure brothers. Particularly Kolo, who I don't necessarily see as a right back.

[teddykgb]

He was constantly out of position defensively, but I had no idea he could be so effective going forward, looked like he had a lot of fun out there. It's too bad the Kolo to Yaya to Kolo move didn't result in a goal it would have been cool

[SoxFanInCali]

LTF's greatest fantasy has come true.

Noel Gallagher interviews Mario Balotelli

[Zomp]

...

[fletcherpost]

Shit. Terrible defending by Savic, what the fuck was he doing? A point wouldn't have been a disaster.

Edited by fletcherpost, 11 March 2012 - 10:57 AM.

[Apisith]

Fletch, man.

[bosox4283]

How does a team with this much talented put forth such a sad effort?

[teddykgb]

it's a heck of a question. I was fortunate enough to have to be somewhere yesterday and not have to watch this game.

First off, Swansea is no push over, so that has to be said. City had a bit of Liverpoolitis and hit the bar a few times, a little luck goes their way and we're probably not having this discussion.

I think, overall, City just haven't found the right mix of complementary players yet, which is a tough thing to do. With Kompany and Lescott both injured, Mancini played a defensive 4-5-1 and had both De Jong and Barry out there. Strangely, this resulted in no possession. Makes no sense. Balotelli has himself to blame for this, but he can't buy a call from a ref in the PL right now, so playing as a lone striker leaves him really in a lot of trouble. With the overall defensive lineup, City were unable to find much of an incisive pass, and add onto that that Silva had one of his worst games...the result starts to at least make a little more sense.

Realistically, it all boils down to Silva and Nasri for me. This team tends to be as good as Silva plays, and as a result, they're often pretty damn good. I think Mancini envisioned Nasri adding that 2nd dimension another player with ideas and maybe one with a bit more pace and dribble, really stretching teams to account for the playmaking. Nasri has been pretty much a complete failure in his first season at City. He hasn't fit in. It seems like Mancini wants him to dribble less and pass more, and he's just killing momentum and not taking to the task. As a result, when Silva has a bad day, the best City can do is hope for Yaya to make some deep runs or bring on Adam Johnson and hope he can make something happen down a wing. It becomes sort of desperate. In some regards, seeing City play with Pizarro, who hasn't played much but brings a real quality when he does opened my eyes a bit to their need for more of the regista type. In many ways, both Gareth Barry and Nigel De Jong may be in trouble of losing their place, as I think the team City aspires to be requires a deep lying playmaker to make up for the fact that City isn't leveraging wing play. The ball has to move quickly from the back to forward positions if you're not going to send it out wide.

Overall, I think the team Mancini is trying to build is coming together, but a defiance against wing play means you can take away what City is trying to do. I think there's a fair debate about how to best play this game, but one thing that has to be accounted for in the favor of sending it wide is that you pretty much can't take it away. United have essentially endured this season by relentlessly getting the ball forward and into wide positions and pelting the box with crosses, the vast majority of which fail, but in the long run the odds tend to work out for them and result in a ball ping ponging where it needs to be to score a goal. So I guess the summation is that City are trying to win with a very high degree of difficulty, and you don't get points for doing that. Most days they can pass and pick their way through a defense, but when the opposing team really parks the bus, they can really lack for ways around it as things get far too congested, especially if Silva isn't working his magic. What's most concerning about yesterday's loss is that Swansea really aren't that kind of park the bus team, and City still struggled to break them down. A few too many of those "just a bad day at the office" games and City will finish an unfortunately distant 2nd.

edit: I can't write this post and neglect to mention Savic. He was bought to provide young cover for the CB position, and he's probably the difference in the title race right now. You can make a credible argument that swapping Savic with some pedestrian PL capable CB gives City an additional 6-9 points. He's made that many key mistakes that lead to goals. If I have any real criticism of Mancini, it would be his troubling European record as an overall criticism and I really can't believe he didn't buy CB cover in January.

Edited by teddykgb, 12 March 2012 - 11:49 AM.

[Zomp]

I said at the beginning of the season if there is one flaw with Mancini its that he plays to defensive, I mean, yeah, in Serie A it made sense but in this league its not so much what you do against the big teams, its what you do against the mid and bottom table teams. City hasn't taken advantage of getting max points versus weaker teams and if they lose the title it won't be because they aren't as good as United (or Chelsea, Spurs, etc...), it will be because of losses like against Swansea and Sunderland and a draws against West Brom.

I dunno, I think City have a great mix of players and a squad thats up there with anyone with the exception of Barcelona. If I were a City fan (puke) I'd want to be patient with Nasri. Silva he is not but he has all the tools to be a truly exceptional player, and showed glimpses of that with Arsenal.

It will be interesting to see what happens with the squad in the summer, even if they win the Premier League. I don't think their Champions League exit was anything other than a sign of inexperience and bad luck (toughest group). City's owners have done everything right so far, so I'd be optimistic that there wouldn't be a squad overhaul. If they buy anything more than 2 players in the summer I'd start to get worried about gelling.

Teddy, regarding United. They have always played that way, ever since I can remember. Its always been based on spraying the ball out to the wings and getting it up field as fast as possible, then trying to dictate the game from the opponent's half.

[teddykgb]

I said at the beginning of the season if there is one flaw with Mancini its that he plays to defensive, I mean, yeah, in Serie A it made sense but in this league its not so much what you do against the big teams, its what you do against the mid and bottom table teams. City hasn't taken advantage of getting max points versus weaker teams and if they lose the title it won't be because they aren't as good as United (or Chelsea, Spurs, etc...), it will be because of losses like against Swansea and Sunderland and a draws against West Brom.

I dunno, I think City have a great mix of players and a squad thats up there with anyone with the exception of Barcelona. If I were a City fan (puke) I'd want to be patient with Nasri. Silva he is not but he has all the tools to be a truly exceptional player, and showed glimpses of that with Arsenal.

It will be interesting to see what happens with the squad in the summer, even if they win the Premier League. I don't think their Champions League exit was anything other than a sign of inexperience and bad luck (toughest group). City's owners have done everything right so far, so I'd be optimistic that there wouldn't be a squad overhaul. If they buy anything more than 2 players in the summer I'd start to get worried about gelling.

Teddy, regarding United. They have always played that way, ever since I can remember. Its always been based on spraying the ball out to the wings and getting it up field as fast as possible, then trying to dictate the game from the opponent's half.

He hasn't been all that defensive this season, to be honest. City have played predominantly a 4-4-2, even away from home. I think the 4-5-1 yesterday was just trying to provide cover for a woeful set of CBs, which is fair enough in my eyes, I can see the logic in getting NDJ on when you've got your 3rd and 4th CBs on the pitch. I think you could make a convincing argument that aggressiveness cost us in the CL, that a few more 4-5-1s may have helped us get through that group.

But I'm really not blaming the manager, I agree that the CL was a really tough draw and inexperience cost the squad. I think the players have to execute and in general I think Mancini is a better manager than the vast majority of them are. I think his tactics are a tough way to win reliably, in terms of using fullbacks who bomb forward to supply width, and that's a very difficult skillset to find, which is why the team struggles when the (oft injured) Micah Richards is out for a few weeks. But I'm not against playing that way, it just means that you really have to find a group of players who can play well in tight spaces and have the vision to see through packed defenses. I'm not dying to see City play it wide and fire it in, I love this team and I love watching them play, but when the other team organizes well they really struggle, which is why they've struggled with some of the bottom sides, IMO. I think it's just the next evolution for this team to learn to shred a bottom table side who is simply playing to not concede. That probably tests a team's patience and ability more than anything else, and they're just taking a bit too long to figure that last aspect out. I do think that it is important to not change the side much so that this can develop.

As far as Nasri, I'm not saying he needs to be sold or anything of that sort, he's clearly talented, he just hasn't fit in this year. More just an observation of how they got to this point than anything else. My biggest concern is that the Arsenal fans basically said the same things about him, so you have to start to wonder if it's possible to really unlock him to his fullest potential. But I think you have eto play him and try to find a way to incorporate him into the squad, if he can find form with this team it really will set them up to accomplish a lot of things.

Believe me, I'm aware that if one of your primary complaints is that Samir Nasri just isn't playing great, you've got quite a luxury on your hands. City probably should have won the title easily this year, and a few things have prevented them from accomplishing that, mostly as you said some very poor results against some very poor sides. I suspect there will be less upheaval in the side this summer, Tevez will go and I can't help but wonder if Dzeko will as well. I'm sure another Striker will come in and like I said I think a defensive playmaker will be on tap, but more than anything these players have to find a way to get some continuity and flow to their game. One thing I will say is that Mancini seemed to want a speedy winger in the last summer, and maybe they'll look to incorporate some wing play if they can pull it off in this summer. I'm quite happy that our consolation prize was Aguero, but they were after both lavezzi and sanchez, both of whom probably would have occupied more of a wide role to add a dimension. So when I talk about a mix of players, I guess I just mean that I think Mancini's vision for the team isn't yet fully realized, in spite of the amount of money spent. I think they're getting very close, though, and another window or two should give us a much better verdict on Mancini as a manager. Until then I think it is imperative that we stick with him and really try to work this system.

[Zomp]

One thing about Dzeko, and really any striker you'll bring in. I agree he may look to leave as he isn't getting the minutes a player of his calibre deserves. IMO, its better to establish a dominant striker pairing (or 3 upfront if you are playing that way) and bring in role players who'll know they aren't going to get many games and play when called upon. Perhaps an older striker who's experienced to know how to play once every few games.

United have been lucky this year that Berbatov and Chicharito haven't made a stink about playing time. Dzeko hasn't either, as far as I'm aware, but you know its gotta be killing them not playing every week.

One of my favorite signings over the past few years has been Larsson a few year's back for United. Knew his role and played SO effectively. So for City Aguero has to be #1 and Balotelli #2? The only thing that worries me about Balotelli is he's a psycho and could go off at any time. But if you were to sell Dzeko and Tevez I'd look to bring in someone who will know he won't be playing in big games and be happy with that role. Who, i have no idea.


Of course, if Van Persie comes you throw what I say out the window.

[Seven Costanza]

One of my favorite signings over the past few years has been Larsson a few year's back for United. Knew his role and played SO effectively. So for City Aguero has to be #1 and Balotelli #2? The only thing that worries me about Balotelli is he's a psycho and could go off at any time. But if you were to sell Dzeko and Tevez I'd look to bring in someone who will know he won't be playing in big games and be happy with that role. Who, i have no idea.

Michael Owen comes to mind.

[LTF]

City have played predominantly a 4-4-2, even away from home.

I'm still getting a handle on this tactic stuff, but haven't we seen more of the 4-4-2 only lately? I thought they were mostly employing a 4-2-3-1 during the first half of the season, particularly when they were scoring goals by the bushel.

[teddykgb]

No, if you look at the game logs here: http://soccernet.esp...?id=382&cc=5901 You can see that we started the campaign with a lone striker, then Aguero subbed in. From that game forward we play with two strikers every match until the loss to Bayern. At that point, Tevez and Dzeko are in hot water, and I think Balotelli was suspended or injured as well, so Mancini was forced into playing more midfielders. A few weeks later we're back to starting two strikers regularly and even did so in the 6-1. Which is why it's just untrue to characterize this season as one that has been too defensive. Mancini has obviously been under tremendous pressure to get games for all of his strikers. What's also interesting is that early form coincided with a pretty regular pairing of Aguero and Dzeko. Those two were quite a partnership the first few months.

[LTF]

So this is where I suppose I rely too much on what I'm being told is going on down on the pitch. (Or people just being wrong; I'm looking at the link I had regarding the Spurs match, which said they were in a 4-2-3-1, when I remember Aguero and Dzeko both scoring.) Because those first few months of the season, I recall the 4-2-3-1 (with Aguero often in the hole behind either Mario or Dzeko) frequently being discussed pre-match, as well as during play and after the final whistle:

Swansea: http://blogs.soccern...it_so_wrong.php
Spurs: http://www.people.co...02039-23506936/
Blackburn: http://www.dailymail...ter-City-4.html
Wolves: http://www.skysports...3407933,00.html
QPR: http://www.thesports...down-gritty-qpr

Like I said, I'm still trying to wrap my head around all this. Someone with better firing synapses would certainly pick it up quicker.

[EP Sox Fan]

Seems to me that City is having a tough time in the center of the pitch. Specifically, linking the defense to the excellent strikers you have playing up top. When Silva was consistently pulling the strings, the offense was clicking and City was scoring on a consistent basis. Once teams started figuring out that Silva was the key and marking the crap out of him, the offense became increasigly more inconsistent. IMO, Nasri was supposed to take off some pressure from Silva and provide another playmaking option in the midfield. For whatever reason, he just hasn't played the part effectively. Without that second option, there really is no one dynamic in the center of the field on a consistent basis. That chokes off the service to Aguero / Bolotelli / Dzeko or forces them to drop back deeper to get the ball. Further from the goal, they are easier to defend. I also think that teams figured out that they need to drop deep, compress the field and clog up the passing lanes in order to better defend against City. Earlier in the season, City was just carving up teams when there was a lot of space on the field. To borrow a basketball analogy, this is a fast break, transition team who are constantly stuck in a half court offense.

[teddykgb]

It's largely media laziness, they don't want to give up on the idea that Mancini is a defensive minded Italian coach, but it's also sort of a fact of the matter that 4-2-3-1 and 4-4-2 aren't particularly different formations. If you withdraw a striker to the midfield, your 4-4-2 becomes a 4-5-1 or 4-2-3-1 pretty quickly.

I think it's safe to say that in general City line up in a pretty non traditional 4-4-2, especially if Aguero is paired up with Dzeko. The wildcard in all of this, and it was mentioned even in a few of your articles there, is that Mancini will at times put Balotelli on as more of a midfielder, which he did in I think one of the games you linked to. In this case, it becomes more of a 4-2-3-1 with Aguero or Dzeko a lone striker, but lately Balotelli has been played high up the pitch and been more of a straight 4-4-2.

What's non traditional about our 4-4-2 is that Mancini doesn't favor wingers at all, so he technically lines up Silva and Nasri as wide players, only they rarely stray out wide. Mancini expects his fullbacks to overlap Silva and Nasri, who tend to run essentially in line with the edge of the box and in, in order to provide width and play in crosses. A more traditional 4-4-2 like Spurs often line up in has wide players who are fast and run down the wings firing in crosses and playing a lot of counter. The fact that we don't want to play this way is a reason why someone like Bellamy is at Liverpool instead of giving us the best of his cranky knees--he's just not the type of player Mancini wants to play in his formation. It's also why someone like Adam Johnson can't get in the squad much, and even seems to disappear for large portions of the game, since our team just doesn't play the ball into wide positions all that often, and when we do it's usually after the primary attack has been thwarted, leaving Johnson to take on a fullback and a midfielder to try to pull off one of his tricks.

[LTF]

What's non traditional about our 4-4-2 is that Mancini doesn't favor wingers at all, so he technically lines up Silva and Nasri as wide players, only they rarely stray out wide. Mancini expects his fullbacks to overlap Silva and Nasri, who tend to run essentially in line with the edge of the box and in, in order to provide width and play in crosses.

Yeah, and it's led to discussion here on how frustrating it's been trying to find dependable players for those positions, with what the injuries (like Richards, as you mentioned), inconsistency (Kolarov, Boateng), and total suck (Bridge).

On a side note, I'd like to basically mimic what someone in the "fan origins" thread said regarding being a foreigner (in their case, English) and following the Sox, and how deeply connected you can feel to a team outside your country thanks to the Internet, but at the same time, how that connection can only emphasize all the geography between over here and over there. It's been awesome witnessing City's ascent and their title race against United this season, but ultimately, not being there leaves me lacking. (But not that lacking, of course; we are still talking about Manchester, England.) To be in a city where the two biggest clubs are partaking in football's version of a pennant race (only in this case, it's much more drawn out), to be there for the discussion and discord and whatnot at home and in the workplace and in the pubs and on the streets, to be there for the matches, to be totally immersed in it ... Well, it must be pretty cool.

[Zomp]

Have you lot seen this?




Fucking awesome.

[LTF]

FAKE

[teddykgb]

I'm sure that wonder strike ensured Hughes' team a draw