The system is the right one 3-5-2. Elmo was exposed, but he's exposed in a back 4 as he can't defend. The Spurs full backs have so much pace and caused us a lot problems. A new right back/wingback is must in January.
Somebody said the other day that we're looking for a right back, a winger and a striker in January. I'd agree that they're the most problematic areas right now.
I think we need two strikers as a minimum. Where is Lenihan? Isn't he a RB? Is he injured (again), missing in action or just not up to the job? I thought he looked OK in the 1 game I've seen him play.
No, it has flaws though and is not a magic formula that'll transform our season. With the squad we have, no simple solution. Horses for courses
If we are flirting with 3 5 2, we need 2 centre backs. Macguire is n't good enough and some more cover. When cb's start getting suspended later in the season. The amount of games Davies (and others) has played will have an impact later in the season.
I mentioned it before. He sits near me at home games and I often pass him as he's limping down the stairs. Still looks injured.
Sorry, I've been working a lot and haven't had a chance to reply. I'm not really sure where I said Marshall was at fault/fall guy/call it what you want, I just said he was flat footed at points, which he is, he made a couple of decent saves, but we've needlessly spunked 5 mil, he's not worth anywhere near that. And yes, I am a Jak fan, but I haven't been unreasonable imo. Maybe the Jak would have capitulated, but we won't ever find that out, I don't think I never said Lloris made less saves than Marshall ffs! I said if it hadn't been for Lloris we may have had a draw, he made 3 brilliant saves from Jake, and that was my point. Clucas was effectively a left winger in the match, so not really sure what your point is there. And the winger on the bench was Maloney, who played on the left wing for the majority of the time he played for Celtic, as well as occasionally a striker, so again really unsure what your point is there. Here are the latest stats, you make your own mind up. I know what they say to me, but everyone's different.
It's ridiculous it's the same every transfer window, we won't get anyone or anyone decent in the janurary window. I wouldn't be suprised if the window closes and we are still saying we need a striker. I'm sure lenihan is at Blackburn
And herein lies the problem .. seemingly obvious decisions to the majority have been pondered on for too long by Phelan .. look at Klopp .. saw what was happening and changed the keeper .. Pepp saw that Hart wasn't doing what he wanted of the keepers.. changed it .. it's been the same with his reluctance to change the system .. pondered on it far too long and for me wasted opportunities to pick up points
He played his first game back about a month ago for the U23's and looked very good at right back, since then he has not featured, I assume injured again.
That's one area where you and I always agree. It's City tradition to lack strikers. Every four or five seasons we have a decent striker partnership which lasts six months before being broken up. You look at other clubs and they have strikers in their stands who would walk into our team. Boro had Nugent and Rhodes in the stands against us, and Traore on the bench. Palace had Campbell as a backup. Swansea have had their World Cup winning striker in and out of the side. While we have just Diomande. And we're lucky he's been much better than last year.
I completely agree with you. Let's be honest whatever system we play we are going to be exposed because our team isn't good enough. The issue isn't the system its the chronic under investment in players in the summer, and the misspending (is that a word) of what funds we did have. I like 3-5-2 as it allows us to have two strikers on the pitch, or two forward thinking players, without leaving ourselves exposed in midfield as when we only play two centre mids we look exposed. The issue with it is that we leave our full backs exposed as they have no cover, and quite often there are three centre backs marking one striker. I just want us to stick to one system, whatever Phelan thinks is right, and purchase players in January to suit that system. Rather than purchasing players then figuring out how the heck to fit them into whatever system we decide to play that week.
