NWMag

Disagree with this, I actually thought he was better than expected when playing there. Broke up play consistently as usual and just found the simple pass. Sure a few passes may have gone astray but it was a 7/10 minimum

I’d switch it up a bit for this, play similar to how we approached the liverpool game after popes red card (but will 11 men this time) have isak and ASM up top roaming freely a diamond of 4 CMs (J7 Bruno Longstaff Almiron) working hard off the ball and then the back 4 as usual.

Can the lad has real quality, think we will see it more when we surround him with players of similar quality

Think after watching us with 10 men on Saturday which was essentially a 432, I wouldn’t mind seeing a narrow 442 diamond. Pope Trippier Schar Botman Targett Bruno Longstaff Joelinton Gordon/willock Maximin Isak long term would see a new DM come in and bruno move higher up, but thought ASM and Isak linked up well and both drifted wide at times which would leave space for the AM to push on through the middle.

Really liked him and Isak as a front 2 today, got me thinking about how a 532 or a 442 narrow (4 CMs) would go. although I’m not suggesting we completely change the system based on one game.

Would be very happy if we did, did not think it was possible before the season.

Before the season started our sim was top 10 with an outside chance of sneaking into 7th. As it stands it we have a decent chance at a top 4 finish, and we are highly likely to finish in the top 6. There may be decisions that we all disagree with but in the grand scheme of things are we going to over achieve this season? Yes. it’s like now, everyone is moaning because we’ve drew 5 from 6. But it was also not long ago we won 6 in a row. If those results were merged and a few of the draws were placed in between the wins I doubt we would see as much moaning, but the points tally would be the same.

Everyone keeps saying we have 4 CM’s, we have 5. Howe has said Anderson is a CM so whether you think he is up to it or not, the clubs view is we have 5 CM’s, and if we play 4231 we only need 2 of them

Only bright spark today I thought. Played the deeper of the 3 midfielders and didn’t look like it was new to him.

Spot on mate yeah, then they have rules now to ensure it’s not an inflated amount I used to think related party transactions was just a football thing but it’s not, I think all UK companies have to disclose any related party transactions in their accounts

Sports direct would have been recorded as a related party transaction, there’s no trying to hide that this money came from Ashley. what City have done is find none related companies, giving those companies the money via the Abu Dhabi group, those companies have then given this money to Man City as though it was there own and it does not get recorded as a related party transaction, so a big difference.

I’m no expert but does it not show that the money City received from sponsors was actually money the sponsors had received from the Abu Dhabi group for that specific purpose? In essence City owners putting money into the club via a third party?

Interesting couple of emails in this thread

Half the problem I think is that because he’s so unpredictable the rest of our team don’t know what to do when he has the ball so he doesn’t have as many options. I think if he played regularly with Targett behind him it would be better as they had a decent relationship last season. Also he’s trying so hard to pass more than he seems scared to take anyone on, it’s like he has gone too much the other way. Not a criticism of him, I am sure he will find the balance with time.

If we do get Europe I feel we need 2-3 top class players and then 4-5 in the mould of a Targett/Burn (not expensive by any means but solid enough to come in regularly)

True. More to do with the fact that Howe spoke about his signing being handy due to Manquillo being injured tbh

Was surprised he wasn’t on the bench today

Not seen much of Smith-Rowe for a while, would take him

Thought he looked lively when he came on. Would have liked to see him get a little bit longer

When did he get banned? I thought he was driving a few weeks ago and the Everton fans were chasing him edit: just read the article, should have done this first I guess. also can’t we delete comments any more?

think we might have a second player charged with drink driving soon

Eddie would absolutely hate this

Is there no chance of the club getting big screens on the pitch and getting loads of fans in the stands?