Just seen this from Glen from earlier this week: City’s best X1 Assuming no fitness issues it looks about right to me.
A good side. Fish and Joel Colwill might disagree with the selections. For the front 3, I would like to see Kellyman play before passing judgement. Hope he has some pace. When everyone is fit we will have a very strong squad with double cover at a good level in most areas. Left back looks the only gap.
Well whatever unless he’s going to bring a non contracted player in (Deli Ali) BBM will have to make do with what he’s got; which is a very decent squad.
He'd need to be quick. Modric speaking to Ali on behalf of the Swans. Surprised Wrexham aren't in there.
Well that's a change in Opinion Ninian.......... A few weeks back you and others were saying we're going to struggle with a load of youngsters unless we recruit some serious experience. We already had Trott at that time, and grant you we've got in a good CB since, but apart from an unknown quantity from Chelsea on loan who's in the same age group as our youngsters, we've now got a "very decent squad". My my, how a few results and admittedly excellent performances changes things......
I was one wanting a bit more experience, especially at CB. Im now wondering how he gets in to the team. Fair play to the young guns, fair play to BBM. Still a long way to go, but exceeding expectations. I was hoping for mid table after 10 games and top third by Christmas to give us a chance of top 6 by the end if the season. Expectations are growing. We've had managers in the past that have talked the talk. BBM has had the courage of his convictions, built a good support team around him and walked the walk. He's not getting carried away and is calmly heading in the direction he planned, confident in his vision and his execution. The players seem totally bought in. Even some who were questioned last year have stepped up. Just need to keep on doing what they're doing.
In my view, this is all down to BBM. In the main, the players were already here but they've got a real sense of purpose and belief which has been instilled by the manager and his assistants.
BBM is the prime mover but is always keen to divert the acclaim to others, including the players. I think whats made it easier for the youngsters, is it's similar to the way they play anyway. Just a few tweaks. So half the team are instantly up to speed. It comes naturally. As we've mentioned before, the one who has benefitted least is Salech. Im still confident he'll come good. What I like about BBM's approach is the small squad and players who can play more than one position. It keeps them interested. Most recent managers have wanted more and more players meaning many just sat on the fringes and then aren't up to speed when called upon. Still too easy to get carried away, but what a different feeling when compared to the last few seasons.
Salech's "struggles" is down to the crossfield diagonal balls and the recipient cutting inside on his "correct" foot rather than giving Salech the service he requires. Salech will continue to cut an unhappy figure with the lofted straight ball down the middle that he needs to get under control with opposition CB's breathing down his neck.
Salech is regularly facing the wrong way when he receives the ball. His back is towards the goal and he needs to fend off defenders and turn. His game is strength in the opposition box when facing the goal. He doesn't get that from open play, only set pieces like corners and wide free kicks.
Totally agree Sparks and that’s why he cuts a sorry figure at the moment. I think he needs to get some distance between himself and the defender to be able to turn him. Colwill senior is really good at this in midfield. Hopefully the new lad will be able to get some crosses in from the wing which Salech can convert.
Salech seems to relish the physical struggle and enjoys softening up defenders. They certainly know they have been in a game after playing him. While he is not scoring he certainly makes space for those around him. From memory the only one who I thought dominated him last season was McGuinness for Luton at our place. Maybe he looks a bit dejected after not scoring but it must be a good feeling to be top of the league after last season's demise.
6 league games played, 16 points on the board, one goal conceded, lots scored and two cup wins. A great position to be in while moaning about the poor service to our striker.
Are we being pedantic?........probably yes............... However, on a personal level, there are more goals in Salech given the right service.
Not disagreeing with our league position Remote or the standard of our football. Last Saturday I witnessed one of our best footballing performances in many years. The point I was making was that Salech is being overwhelmed by his markers and this is affecting his game. Hopefully he starts to click soon because we have a wealth of young talent waiting to prove themselves.
Its still early days. BBM has only had a couple of months to change the direction of the club. He's implementing his vision and the players are embracing it. Plan A is taking shape and producing results. I'm hoping that as things bed in and Plan A becomes 2nd nature to the players, BBM can start thinking about Plan B, or start changing things within a game. To become less one dimensional (albeit a successful dimension). Mixing up Plan A with periods of getting early crosses over would help Salech and put pressure on oposition defences. In the short term, Salech might need to just suck it up. BBM needs to practice his man management skills and put an arm around Yousef. He will be an important asset as the season progresses.
And to think when the clowns were fannying about with Ramsey BBM was possibly going to be lost to Plymouth
What I liked about the just closed transfer window is that despite the lack of numbers coming in, BBM seems to have got precisely who he wanted in footballing terms and not players forced on him by City scouts and clueless directors. He knew both Trott and Osho previously, and has a closeness with Maresca from his Man City years that enabled him to bring in Kellyman from Chelsea. Trott has sorted the keeper position, but the test will be integrating Osho and Kellyman into what is essentially a successful home grown set up. He'll also have to balance the merits of earlier imports like Turnbull and Robertson let alone Ng and Chambers. They will want game time. That will be a test of his managerial skills as well as his tactical awareness. In the meantime, just keep winning games by making the right decisions and the rest should take care of itself.
