The case for the defence...

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To be fair to us, if we do we are just going in with the tactics of 2/3 of the division. If you go all out against these teams you will likely become unstuck. Unfornunitely as much as the romantic in me would like us to have a go and win 4-3, I think Newcastle put paid to AN romantic streak. I'm sure Arsenal and Chelsea won't care as they get confrunted by such tactics most weeks.

Bah!

Sadly you are correct. We have been caught being too gung-ho against the likes of Palace, West Brom and Leicester. Unfortunately the days seem to have gone where both teams actively go out to play attacking football to win a match with the result being you get some dire matches as we witnessed on Saturday. Even when playing teams I would consider of our level it still makes sense to bring them on and then hit on the counter as against any sort of well-organised defence unless you have one or two special players such as a Sanchez/Ozil or Harard/Fabregas Silva/Aguero then you will find it really hard to break a team down.and are still vulnerable to a quick counter yourselves.

That said I'll be utterly thrilled if we can keep a couple of clean sheets in our next two matches. If nothing else at least a good defensive display keeping a clean sheet guarantees you something out of the match and we could do with all the bonus points against the top four that we can pick up. Hopefully some of Chelsea's show ponies might pick up a little niggle on international duty or be a bit tired from all the travelling and we can go out and turn them over.
 
I may be wrong, but I'm still fairly sure that a three match suspension is only for violent conduct, not a handball in the penalty area. I've looked at the FA site and they have no City players currently suspended. The rules listed for suspensions are:

"Denying obvious goal scoring opportunity - 1 match
Offensive/insulting/abusive language or gestures - 2 matches
Serious foul play/violent conduct/spitting at an opponent or any other person - 3 matches"

Martin should be in the first category and thus available for Chelsea.
 
It's a bit amusing that praise is being heaped on a return to Hughton type tactics because it has produced a win and a good showing against both Everton and ManCity. AN has the advantage of having better counter-attacking options than Hughton had (Jerome, Mbokani, Brady, Jarvis and a more mature Redmond). I wonder if we might see 3 CBs against Chelsea and Arsenal, with Olsson and Brady as WBs again.
Bit late replying here but don't forget I was in the CH camp Rick and so it was not amusing in the way that you meant. But I agree that there are some bandwagon jumpers!
 
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Bit late replying here but don't forget I was in the CH camp Rick and so it was not amusing in the way that you meant. But I agree that there are some bandwagon jumpers!

It wasn't a dig at you Thurnby, but there are many on here who only judge progress by results, whether they reflect performance or not. Some only see the latest sprint (ie. result) rather than the 'marathon' Bill Shankly was referring to. I suspect many of those concerned might be wondering who I am talking about! :emoticon-0105-wink:
 
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