Can we get something from Man City?

So...

-------------Krul-------------

Simpson Taylor Coloccini Taylor

-----------Tiote--------------

Ben Arfa Cabaye Guthrie Gutierrez

-------------Ba---------------


Just brainstorming with the idea of Ben Arfa in the RW position, not sure though because hes apparently better in AM and having him on the wing has the potential to leave us exposed at the back.

 

I'm in two minds.

Part of me wants us to play five in midfield and try and contain them. But the other part of me thinks **** it - they don't look invincible and maybe if we go at them we'll have a better chance...but then I'd be worried about the likes of Silva and Aguero exploiting the extra space that'd leave them.

On balance, Guthrie, Tiote and Cabaye in CM gives us the best chance of a point given the sheer work rate of each of them. They wouldn't give the City engine room a second on the ball.

 

Drop Guthrie deeper too.

 

Or we could just put everyone on the line in a row, could be Pardew's newest genius tactic

 

Thats one tactic that would utilize Brambles strengths if we still had him!

 

IMO we could have a chance of nicking a point but only if City have an off day. City at their best are just simply too good for most teams in the league. I do think this is probably the best possible time to play them though - most of their squad are internationals whereas most of our players will have had a two week rest.

 

Good news is that David Silva will probably be rested, as he's off to costa rica midweek, and will face a struggle to get prepared in time for your game. Your best hope is to do what england did today, defend, and hit them with a set piece. Man City have struggled getting clean sheets this season, so if you defend resolutely enough, there is a slim chance of taking all three points, even if you lack attacking options.

 

Napoli showed everyone how to effectively play at our place and we were very lucky to come away with a draw.They played 433 but dropped the three midfield players in the space between Silva and the back four and we found it impossible to get through.It also made it easier for Napoli to play on the break and it's the most stretched we've been.Everton just came to kick our players off the park and it took a while to get round that tactic with no help from the referee.Teams have tried man marking Silva to little effect as he drops very deep to collect the ball and tends to pull you out of shape,it's far more effective blocking out the space in front of the back line.Should be a good test for us as Pardew has Newcastle playing very disciplined and Ba is looking a handful,perhaps Collocinni needs a drug test as surely that's not the form of an accident waiting to happen as I seem to remember him?

 

Colo has been nothing less than brilliant this season, him and Taylor have formed the best CB partnership in the Prem.

I'll pass this info onto AP, I'm sure he'll appreciate it.

 

Nope, Napoli play a 343, with three CBs, two wing backs who essentially work the entire flanks, two holding/defensive mids two wide AM/FWs and one Cavani upfront. They then sit deep and play counter attacking football. We wont be able to mimic their style.

 

My worry is who we play RM. Ben Arfa is unlikely to help Simmo out much so I would rule him out. Gosling looks extremely unfit, which isn't suprising considering how long he was out. There is Raylor who you put RM and put Santon LB, but then that disrupts the defence. Or we could just put Santon RM which IMO will not work.

Anybody heard any news on Marveaux?

 

I wouldn't want to disrupt the Jonas / Taylor combo down the left.

Santon could do a job on the right, no problem there in my opinion. But I also think we could play Ben Arfa there as Tiote, Guthrie and Cabaye in midfield could help Simmo when needed.

 

This is the sort of game we could use Obertan in, as our best chance is hitting them on the counter attack and he's one of the fastest players in the league. I think we'll set up like we did at Stoke - defend, frustrate them and leave Cabaye & a quick player up the pitch to hit them on the break.

 

Yes but Stoke have scored 8 league goals compared to Man City's 39, going to be a lot tougher. Still if we get them on the right day you never know.

 

Aye that's true, but principle is the same. Tiote and Cabaye are necessities to get a result. Would be tempted to stick Guthrie in there as well and play for a draw.

 

What's the latest on the fitness front with are middle two? Did Cabaye feature for France this weekend? (not even sure of they played).

 

think he was on the bench (not sure - dont even know when they played tbh). if he was, thats good news for us

 

Tiote didnt travel with Ivory Coast and all I've heard on Cabaye is:

 

Sounds promising for Yohan. If we have at least one of them back I will be 10x more confident at the weekend, we seemed to have much less confidence playing out of defense 2nd half against Everton. Have a feeling Mancini will rest one of their wingers as they have Napoli midweek, hopefully helping out RM crisis.

 

I think if we have Tiote and Cabaye in the middle, then we may be able to get something, but we have to go there without any fear. I doubt we'll get anything like but if we give a good account of ourselves then i 'll be fine with a defeat, i just don't want us to get hammered.