Winter is Coming wrote:

Casciavit wrote:Their issue is when they go down. They lack a natural scoring threat. This City compared to the 18/19 one runs less and passes more. It's all about control. They went from a front line of Sané, Aguero, Sterling to Foden, KDB, Mahrez.

So they control the games better now and when they go up its hard to beat them because they'll pass you to death. They've won all 18 games that they've gone 1-0 up in.

The lack of scoring threat comes into play when they go down. The players naturally become more aggressive and the game opens up more. When you don't have a reference up front other players need to fill that void which can lead to loose positioning. They've only won 1/5 of the games they've gone 1-0 down in.

It makes sense why they wanted Kane so bad last summer. He can do the dropping and link up Pep wants from his F9, but he's a world class 6'2 CF at the same time.

It makes no sense how they never went for a striker/goal scorer in the summer, perhaps they're limited to what may fit Pep style, but Kane was an obvious choice, 150m is a steep price, but for City it's nothing forking out 100m for Grealish was stupid, they should've just went all in for Kane. This season can come down to them losing it all due not having a goalscorer.

What you think about Gundo-KdB midfield? I don't like it whenever I see it. They don't have the same impact Bernardo brings. City best midfield has been Gundo-Bernardo, the run against Pool which they won by a point, there last season CL run consisted of this. KdB is better as a false 9 imo, also don't like Foden false 9 role either he's much better on the wings for them.

Seems to me like they weren't willing to make an investment for a CF unless it was a world-class one. They had two options. Invest in a player who could give them a few world-class years and fit their system like a glove in Kane, or wait a year and push for Haaland. Haaland will take longer to adapt, but he could be their CF for the next decade. I honestly think that was the right approach. If I was a director and I needed to sign a CF, I'd either sign one in their prime or sign a sure-bet who can perform for a decade. After all, leading the line for a top team is the outfield position with the highest pressure. Once it was clear Spurs weren't going to let Kane go, City probably thought it wasn't worth spending that same amount on Haaland, and waiting for an extra year to get him for 70M was the better choice.

Now it's not clear where Haaland will go. That's the problem. I honestly think he'll end up in Spain. So the question is who becomes City's third choice if Kane and Haaland were their first and second?

As for KDB, I think it's a funny situation because he's City's best player, but City's best lineup doesn't have him in midfield. They're technically more secure with Bernardo and Gundogan in midfield.



I've been saying it for a few years, but their biggest issue in the CL was they struggle to deal with the chaotic nature of the games. City isn't a team who's good in end-to-end matches, because they don't really have natural finishers upfront. KDB in midfield exacerbates that because he's always looking to create a chance when he has the ball, while Bernardo and Gundogan are much more patient in their approach. It's absolutely no surprise that City made their first CL finals with KDB playing as a false 9. When the game becomes end to end, Bernardo and Gundogan hold on to the ball those extra few seconds which kills the tempo and lets City build-up slower. That results in better positional play and a better counter-press and it lets them play more to their strengths.

Now against smaller teams or teams who park the bus KDB in midfield is helpful because he's one of the best creators in the world. If he doesn't get subbed off against Chelsea in the CL final, City would've looked more dangerous in those last 30 minutes. He's arguably City's best finisher so you want him on the pitch, especially against parked buses.

As for Gundo-KDB I think it depends on who the players surrounding them are. When Sterling and Mahrez play as wingers they're coming inside which narrows the pitch and can clog up the middle lessening Gundo and KDB's influence. Also when KDB plays, Gundogan is primarily responsible for deeper rotations, unlike when Bernardo is playing who rotates in deeper areas more than KDB. That allows Gundogan to play higher up the pitch influencing the final third more increasing his presence on the pitch.

Though generally, it's who plays around them that impacts them the most IMO. Pep has a rule that he needs at least one left-footed player on the left side (LCB, LB, LCM, LW). Last season the left side was Dias, Zinchenko, Gundogan, Foden. Having two-left footed players in Zinchenko and Foden opened up more space in the middle for Gundogan. This season it's Laporte, Cancelo, LCM, Sterling/Grealish. Cancelo and Sterling are coming inside which clogs up space in the middle. That's why in a lot of games you'll see Bernardo switch to the LCM position so he can at least underlap the LW as it lets City attack the byline with better crossing angles.

So yeah, in chaotic games I'd go with Bernardo and Gundogan in midfield. Against smaller teams, KDB is fine in midfield or if City is facing a parked bus you want his chance creation.

Winter is Coming wrote:

El Gunner wrote:nobody mentioned Luis Diaz yet... seems like Liverpool got themselves another legit attacking option

They have great depth now there. Diaz will be massive for there very impressive in his time at Porto. I think Casc spoke highly of him a year back or so.

First caught my eye in Copa America. I made a hype thread for him. Seems like he'll be a really good fit for the way Klopp wants his wingers to play.

Casciavit wrote:

Winter is Coming wrote:

Casciavit wrote:Their issue is when they go down. They lack a natural scoring threat. This City compared to the 18/19 one runs less and passes more. It's all about control. They went from a front line of Sané, Aguero, Sterling to Foden, KDB, Mahrez.

So they control the games better now and when they go up its hard to beat them because they'll pass you to death. They've won all 18 games that they've gone 1-0 up in.

The lack of scoring threat comes into play when they go down. The players naturally become more aggressive and the game opens up more. When you don't have a reference up front other players need to fill that void which can lead to loose positioning. They've only won 1/5 of the games they've gone 1-0 down in.

It makes sense why they wanted Kane so bad last summer. He can do the dropping and link up Pep wants from his F9, but he's a world class 6'2 CF at the same time.

It makes no sense how they never went for a striker/goal scorer in the summer, perhaps they're limited to what may fit Pep style, but Kane was an obvious choice, 150m is a steep price, but for City it's nothing forking out 100m for Grealish was stupid, they should've just went all in for Kane. This season can come down to them losing it all due not having a goalscorer.

What you think about Gundo-KdB midfield? I don't like it whenever I see it. They don't have the same impact Bernardo brings. City best midfield has been Gundo-Bernardo, the run against Pool which they won by a point, there last season CL run consisted of this. KdB is better as a false 9 imo, also don't like Foden false 9 role either he's much better on the wings for them.

Seems to me like they weren't willing to make an investment for a CF unless it was a world-class one. They had two options. Invest in a player who could give them a few world-class years and fit their system like a glove in Kane, or wait a year and push for Haaland. Haaland will take longer to adapt, but he could be their CF for the next decade. I honestly think that was the right approach. If I was a director and I needed to sign a CF, I'd either sign one in their prime or sign a sure-bet who can perform for a decade. After all, leading the line for a top team is the outfield position with the highest pressure. Once it was clear Spurs weren't going to let Kane go, City probably thought it wasn't worth spending that same amount on Haaland, and waiting for an extra year to get him for 70M was the better choice.

Now it's not clear where Haaland will go. That's the problem. I honestly think he'll end up in Spain. So the question is who becomes City's third choice if Kane and Haaland were their first and second?

As for KDB, I think it's a funny situation because he's City's best player, but City's best lineup doesn't have him in midfield. They're technically more secure with Bernardo and Gundogan in midfield.



I've been saying it for a few years, but their biggest issue in the CL was they struggle to deal with the chaotic nature of the games. City isn't a team who's good in end-to-end matches, because they don't really have natural finishers upfront. KDB in midfield exacerbates that because he's always looking to create a chance when he has the ball, while Bernardo and Gundogan are much more patient in their approach. It's absolutely no surprise that City made their first CL finals with KDB playing as a false 9. When the game becomes end to end, Bernardo and Gundogan hold on to the ball those extra few seconds which kills the tempo and lets City build-up slower. That results in better positional play and a better counter-press and it lets them play more to their strengths.

Now against smaller teams or teams who park the bus KDB in midfield is helpful because he's one of the best creators in the world. If he doesn't get subbed off against Chelsea in the CL final, City would've looked more dangerous in those last 30 minutes. He's arguably City's best finisher so you want him on the pitch, especially against parked buses.

As for Gundo-KDB I think it depends on who the players surrounding them are. When Sterling and Mahrez play as wingers they're coming inside which narrows the pitch and can clog up the middle lessening Gundo and KDB's influence. Also when KDB plays, Gundogan is primarily responsible for deeper rotations, unlike when Bernardo is playing who rotates in deeper areas more than KDB. That allows Gundogan to play higher up the pitch influencing the final third more increasing his presence on the pitch.

Though generally, it's who plays around them that impacts them the most IMO. Pep has a rule that he needs at least one left-footed player on the left side (LCB, LB, LCM, LW). Last season the left side was Dias, Zinchenko, Gundogan, Foden. Having two-left footed players in Zinchenko and Foden opened up more space in the middle for Gundogan. This season it's Laporte, Cancelo, LCM, Sterling/Grealish. Cancelo and Sterling are coming inside which clogs up space in the middle. That's why in a lot of games you'll see Bernardo switch to the LCM position so he can at least underlap the LW as it lets City attack the byline with better crossing angles.

So yeah, in chaotic games I'd go with Bernardo and Gundogan in midfield. Against smaller teams, KDB is fine in midfield or if City is facing a parked bus you want his chance creation.

okay Lokonga i see you

Casciavit wrote:Seems to me like they weren't willing to make an investment for a CF unless it was a world-class one. They had two options. Invest in a player who could give them a few world-class years and fit their system like a glove in Kane, or wait a year and push for Haaland. Haaland will take longer to adapt, but he could be their CF for the next decade. I honestly think that was the right approach. If I was a director and I needed to sign a CF, I'd either sign one in their prime or sign a sure-bet who can perform for a decade. After all, leading the line for a top team is the outfield position with the highest pressure. Once it was clear Spurs weren't going to let Kane go, City probably thought it wasn't worth spending that same amount on Haaland, and waiting for an extra year to get him for 70M was the better choice.

Now it's not clear where Haaland will go. That's the problem. I honestly think he'll end up in Spain. So the question is who becomes City's third choice if Kane and Haaland were their first and second?

As for KDB, I think it's a funny situation because he's City's best player, but City's best lineup doesn't have him in midfield. They're technically more secure with Bernardo and Gundogan in midfield.



I've been saying it for a few years, but their biggest issue in the CL was they struggle to deal with the chaotic nature of the games. City isn't a team who's good in end-to-end matches, because they don't really have natural finishers upfront. KDB in midfield exacerbates that because he's always looking to create a chance when he has the ball, while Bernardo and Gundogan are much more patient in their approach. It's absolutely no surprise that City made their first CL finals with KDB playing as a false 9. When the game becomes end to end, Bernardo and Gundogan hold on to the ball those extra few seconds which kills the tempo and lets City build-up slower. That results in better positional play and a better counter-press and it lets them play more to their strengths.

Now against smaller teams or teams who park the bus KDB in midfield is helpful because he's one of the best creators in the world. If he doesn't get subbed off against Chelsea in the CL final, City would've looked more dangerous in those last 30 minutes. He's arguably City's best finisher so you want him on the pitch, especially against parked buses.

As for Gundo-KDB I think it depends on who the players surrounding them are. When Sterling and Mahrez play as wingers they're coming inside which narrows the pitch and can clog up the middle lessening Gundo and KDB's influence. Also when KDB plays, Gundogan is primarily responsible for deeper rotations, unlike when Bernardo is playing who rotates in deeper areas more than KDB. That allows Gundogan to play higher up the pitch influencing the final third more increasing his presence on the pitch.

Though generally, it's who plays around them that impacts them the most IMO. Pep has a rule that he needs at least one left-footed player on the left side (LCB, LB, LCM, LW). Last season the left side was Dias, Zinchenko, Gundogan, Foden. Having two-left footed players in Zinchenko and Foden opened up more space in the middle for Gundogan. This season it's Laporte, Cancelo, LCM, Sterling/Grealish. Cancelo and Sterling are coming inside which clogs up space in the middle. That's why in a lot of games you'll see Bernardo switch to the LCM position so he can at least underlap the LW as it lets City attack the byline with better crossing angles.

So yeah, in chaotic games I'd go with Bernardo and Gundogan in midfield. Against smaller teams, KDB is fine in midfield or if City is facing a parked bus you want his chance creation.

Haaland may prefer Spain, but I do think Mbappe presences at RM could be one reason he doesn't join, maybe we have an outsides chance Ultimate I think he'll go to whoever offers him, Raiola and his father what they want in the money side of things, one of City more reliable journalist indicted they're willing to pay Raiola up to 50m in agent fees. I think which brand he signs with is going to be key, he has Adidas and Puma, one sponsors Madrid the other City. They'll both want them to pitch in regards to salary.

I think they go in for Kane if they miss out on Halaand, they'll give Spurs whatever they want imo I don't see anyone else out there, they were linked with Joao Felix as a false 9, but he has a 300m release clause. An outside chance they grab big Benz for short term if Halaand goes to Madrid.

Yeah I agree KdB seems ideal in specific games in midfield, particular lower quality teams who may defend deep. I saw how in the league City last 4 games VS Spurs was 1 win with 3 losses, all 3 losses were with KdB in midfield the only win came with Silva and Gundo which led them to a 3-0 win

Pep also won all 4 of his away games in the KO rounds with that midfield, lets hope he realizes this is the way forward for the current setup.

Spurs beat City then lose to Burnley

goat league

He sent Bentancur back to Turin with an injury pic.twitter.com/lfZ4c6vHkP

— Yavuz (@yavuzafc) February 23, 2022

ahhh Spursy Spursy Spursy, i mean we all knew they were gunna lose today

Best show on TV

IT'S BACK! One of the best segments in TV history...

This is 'In The Mixer' with Thierry Henry, @Carra23 and @MicahRichards, hosted by @kate_abdo pic.twitter.com/oZGJCZZx9k

— CBS Sports Golazo (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 22, 2022

Lol Micah reminds me of Tracey Morgan

lackofthreat is so washed

Firenze wrote:lackofthreat is so washed

holy fucking shit

what an ending

wtf man

crying here

MASSIVE RESULT!
THE MIGHTY ARSENAL!

Congratulations you Gunners

Artetaki

Leeds are getting pummelled mercilessly.

What is that shape Leeds ffs. The free spaces Spurs are getting is beyond words. Very questionable coaching to say the least.

4-0 Spurs. Would say game over but sadly the game was over well before first half.

Leeds have lost like the last 8 games by 3 goals at least. Will Bielsa last the season?

Vieira is doing a great job at palace

BarrileteCosmico wrote:Leeds have lost like the last 8 games by 3 goals at least. Will Bielsa last the season?

nah. talks of him being sacked by this week. Probably going to walk himself

Guys i don't want to scare you, but I'm checking Newcastle results/scores again

you can send RG and myself both 10 pounds for Willock

The passing by Utd is atrocious. They'd probably do well moving away from Ronaldo. Not that he was bad today (wasnt good either) but it feels like all their players bar Elanga have a chip on their shoulders when they play.

I am going to go on limb and assume we all are bleeding Everton tonight.

Lucifer wrote:I am going to go on limb and assume we all are bleeding Everton tonight.

Yeah I think we all are, all three active members.

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:Guys i don't want to scare you, but I'm checking Newcastle results/scores again

Should see Willock's goal.