mighty__mag

Cass ?

81 Million on a front 3 with 1 goal?

Feels like Cabella and Thuavin all over again.

Bizarre that both him and Almiron are or have played as a 10 or attacking midfield, and neither are playing in positions they might likely be suited to. Its unlikely Joelinton will improve in the formation Bruce as has adapted from Rafa, the way Bruce is trying to use this tactic isolates Joelinton and it's only slightly improved since ASM has been in the side bridging the gap between the midfield and Joelinton. Personally I think if Joelinton is to improve we ditch the tactic, but it will not happen.

This system will ruin him as a footballer. Every bit of attacking promise he showed last season is being sapped away by how deep he's playing. Even Messi would struggle to score 10 goals a season playing with that much pitch between him and the opposition goal. True, thinking of him at the world cup with Argentina he couldn't adapt

It looks like this might just come down to keeping Shelvey out of the team, and that might make a massive difference. Maybe. If we're lucky. Fair point

ASM the only hope

So we showed up for 16 minutes.

Brig on maxi for Atsu, Carroll for Willems, go four at the back drop Joelinton into CAM and have Almiron and Maxi wide in a 4 411

This formation and game plan

Possibly worse than McClaren football.

Pre match a lot of hype about us winning this easy? It's been evident in every game this season we do one thing, camp the defence and midfield on top of one and other and leave Joelinton 50 yards away wondering what the fuck is going on.

Think we should sit back and panic, then hope for a half chance.

It's not good to watch, but I'm not sure we'd do any better if we pressed higher up the pitch. If you do that, you need players who can score goals because you will be a lot more open to counters. Didn't worry Norwich with half their squad out embarrassing the champions. If we are going to approach games with a we'll lose anyway mentality or if we lose let's not make it by 6 or 7, we may as well stick out the under 23s. I read in one of the other threads that Norwich only had 31% possession though. Seems like they changed their approach to a more defensive one as well. That's a reasonable amount of possession against City. When we played Man City in 2017 and camped on our goal line, the first half saw City with 85% possession. A newly promoted side like norwich didn't approach this game any differently, so far in the games they have played they have approached them all the same, especially at home, their attitude so far has been to have a go at sides. They embarrassed us at their place, they had a right go at Liverpool lost 4-1 but with 42% possession? At home they dont seem to care who's put in front of them. Before anyone else adds anything, I'm never claiming we should be beating this Liverpool side away, but equally im not expecting a newly promoted injury ravaged side to beat the most expensive side in football. But im impressed with their approach to games and that they didn't go into it thinking well probably lose this regardless.

It's not good to watch, but I'm not sure we'd do any better if we pressed higher up the pitch. If you do that, you need players who can score goals because you will be a lot more open to counters. Didn't worry Norwich with half their squad out embarrassing the champions. If we are going to approach games with a we'll lose anyway mentality or if we lose let's not make it by 6 or 7, we may as well stick out the under 23s.

Good post ??

See we're still happy to have the enormous gap between the midfield and forwards. Basically sit you're midfield on top of your back five, leave Almiron as some sort of box to box headless chicken with Joelinton like the rest of us wondering what the fuck he's supposed to do. It's no wonder a fullback scored today and our second best chance fell again to a fullback, because on occasions they are the only attacking outlet. Pure shit to sit through.

Can't believe some our fans. Hypocrites.

Still cant get over Dolberg to Nice for such a low fee, and Bas Dost for 6m is ridiculous.

The game where Watford kick start their season. We will bottle it with Deulofeu and Sarr running at us.

The bank holiday traffic was bonkers, it most definitely had some impact on the players.

Really? Wanting to be shat on. Cleaning someone's arse with you're tongue, and wanting to be humiliated by a massive rubber cock. Fucking bizarre.

Yeah cause, but I also dont think Al was on about just that scenario with Ritchie, I took it as players particularly forwards should be getting in the box. Header,tap in,scramble or whatever. I think also he used Almiron as the only link between Joelinton and the midfield three, as the scapegoat for the huge gap between attacking and creativity evident today and vs Arsenal last week. Probably more so calling him a forward because Bruce named him in a front two. We need to go 433 for me, using ASM and Miggy as inside forwards around Joelinton.

He hardly said that. He said he should be gambling? I'd rather a forward gamble than think ah f*** it I'm to small to go for that cross..... But surely, the tactics should not be let's see if Almiron can get on the end of a cross No they're probably not, but is there any difference in the goal Sterling scored being similar height and build to Almiron, and Shearer highlighted that Both Aguero and Sterling both know to move when they see De Bruyn cross, they had seconds on spurs defenders because they gambled. Just a guess but I would reckon the net spend since Man City's owners took over would be a big difference. Which is what i was trying to say, City's "crosses" are more like passes across the box, ours are a hopefull punt in from deep, and expecting a 5 foot 7 player who isn't good in the air to "gamble" is f***ing ridiculous tbh. I don't think Al will make a manager You might as well say stick Almiron on the half way line every time we have a corner if he's no chance of scoring from aerial balls. Like I said anything can happen in the box. f***ing ridiculous man Well you don't really want him on the keeper, on the edge of the box maybe, why is it ridiculous? Mate I cant help you anymore with this one. And you keep creating scenarios to suit your agenda. I agree with Shearers sentiment. I'm finding it comical you cant grasp hes just saying get in the box, not get in the box and score a header week in week out.

He hardly said that. He said he should be gambling? I'd rather a forward gamble than think ah f*** it I'm to small to go for that cross..... But surely, the tactics should not be let's see if Almiron can get on the end of a cross No they're probably not, but is there any difference in the goal Sterling scored being similar height and build to Almiron, and Shearer highlighted that Both Aguero and Sterling both know to move when they see De Bruyn cross, they had seconds on spurs defenders because they gambled. I can see what you are saying. But i'd say there is, City pretty much always build attacks so they are overloading the oppositions defence, most of Sterlings goals from "crosses" are tap ins at the back post from low driven crosses, not aerial ones, that was a one off. The one Shearer highlighted with us was Ritchie putting a hopefull cross in from deep with next to no chance of Almiron getting there, it was hardly a structured attack. Its not what I'm saying, but im saying I can see Shearers point. He'd expect players to gamble, anything could have happened in the box where possible it did fall to feet? I mean rewind to the earlier cross and miss from Krafth, the ball goes over everyone and lands with the full back who's got forward (gambled) a bit of composure from him and that was one nil, but he gave himself no time at all. By the way, none of this is in defence of Bruce, I'm just saying Shearer highlighting players should be gambling particularly forwards, is not really looking out for his pal Bruce. I reckon he would say that of any player in any side not being hungry when the balls coming into the box, you know what he's like, he's obsessed when he thinks of a player not hungry for a goal, it's all he knows, the reason he loves the Harry Kanes of this world, desire to get in the box and sniff around for anything. It isn't Almiron's game though, he wants the ball at his feet running at defenders, not gambling on a fucking (aerial) punt into the box from Ritchie. But tjat's Bruce for ya. You're the only one who thinks it must be his game though? Shearer and anyone who can see his point is basically saying, get in the box pal, see what comes of it. You keep thinking it's about Miggy emulating Kevin Davies if you like.