Nick needs to compromise a bit

It’s funny how teams reflect the way their managers used to play.
Under Pearson we played dour, defensive and dull football because that’s the type of player he was. He knows little about attack and his tactics seem to be; ‘stop the goals going in and hope the forwards can work out the rest’.
Barmby on the other hand was / is a small attack minded player who made up for his height deficiency with energy, technical ability and movement (all very positive), so is it any wonder that these are the sort of tactics he favours as manager?
It seems there is now a much greater onus on our players to keep possession in order to build up pressure and gradually wear down the opposition with good passing on the deck, so chances are constructed through a more patient build up.
This is still very positive and reflects the beautiful game played by the likes of Barcelona and Arsenal, but it is also easy to defend against by opposition managers who can just park the bus then say; ‘Weave your way through that if you can.’
I think Nick needs to break out of his own mind-set a bit and have at least one attacker in the team who’s message is; ‘Get out of my f***ing way because I’m coming through!’ I’m thinking of a Jon Parkin type (when he was good).
The carnage that this type of player could produce would give Barmby’s tactics real teeth and I’m sure it would improve the goal output of the rest of our forwards.

 

I was going to post something similar, Barmby needs to develop a plan B, every team in the league is prepared for our plan A and can counter this all too easily now! This is we're a manager with tactical nowse and a deeper squad succeeds.

Fryatt was useless today, Stewart was nullified, Evans was ineffective as we're the rest of the team.

Barmby needs some quality players the current group are a mid table side, read Leeds, Watford, Derby, Portsmouth we aren't really better and currently will not make the play-offs

 

Bit harsh, think we are a top 6 side but the problem is there are about 8 teams now who think they are aswell.
We are better than most but need a couple of signings to pull us clear of the mid-table black hole.

 

We seriously need a new striker and soon. The football was good today the finishing was pure and utter ****e. This is the third match we have dominated and LOST. NEW striker NOW Nicky

 

Personally think Nick needs to interfere more during games instead of just standing there with his arms folded like nothing's happening.

 

On another thread someone posted that teams reflect the managers attitude. Nick comes across as a measured sort who doesn't get too excited, a little bit laid back even?

This is what we are seeing, we need some ****ing aggression, some purpose, some direction! He definately needs to jump up and down and get a reaction. Under NP the players feared the manager and he could get a reaction, Nick needs to learn from this, hold players accountable and inspire a marked improvement.

 

I dont think its any coincidence that we played our best football when we had adebola leading the attack in the formation we are currently playing. This formation needs a spearhead, not that im saying adebola is that man, but just someone who can hold the ball up and lay it off to our three attacking midfielders. Now who that man is im not too sure but we need someone bringing in fast.

 

EDIT: something went wrong here.

 

We are short in a few positions, Mcshane didnt even make the bench today I noticed so looks like a defender is needed very badly and a striker who can finish

 

Is McShane on his way out though?

 

Barnsleh?

 

Yes but unlikely

 

Some good points made in this thread - I think NIck Barmby is really making a positive impact and it's a pleasure to see some of City's approach play these days. There is obviously a tendency to overplay in the final third and sometimes the movement just seems a bit "one paced". The main disappointment is that we have two speedy and skilful wide players but that they tend to cut in towards the congested areas of the pitch rather than leaving defenders flat footed as they head for the dead ball line to deliver a really killer cross.
Absence of a "plan B" is a criticism you'll see on the majority of football forums and is more to do with squad depth - having enough players of sufficient quality to provide the range of different skills and physical attributes required. Nick really doesn't have much room to change the system at present and he clearly doesn't see Adebola as the answer.
Obviously, the previous management team have left a squad which is thin in some areas (threadbare in terms of fit goalkeepers!). Quick, strong strikers who can lead the line are about as common as rocking horse droppings and, as a result, tend to be too highly priced for us at the moment.

It's all grist to the mill though and I'm loving this season - keep up the good work City!