The balance of the side still doesn't feel quite right. There also seems an obsession with players who are under performing. Give the energy of some of the youngsters I think a 4231 formation, something I've wanted for a couple year, would be the way to go. It then comes down to that phrase a lot of pundits use, transition. 4231 gives us a defensive stability out of position with the chance to get bodies forward when in possession. 442 or 433. In the absence of Colwill (a couple of these 'minor' injuries seem to be dragging on) maybe Sang as the central AM should be tried. Without Robinson who the 1 would be is a headache. Still to see Adams play a competative game which might help. LB has been a problem position since Collins was ruled out but Bagan would be ahead of Nkounkou for me. Something like Romeo Ng Kipre Bagan Rinomhota Wintle O'Dowda Sang Philogene Harris (until Robinson back)
I don't disagree with the principle Remote and we don't have many other options up front but Harris is simply not a goal scorer. Etete doesn't seem to fit the bill either so we will continue to live off crumbs until Robinson returns.
Remote - I don't think there's any way that Huds will drop Ralls unless he's not fit. I love Rhino's energy, but he's not going to play through the lines. Ralls can do that and will if given the chance.
I would hope with Harris' endeavour and getting the 3 moving forward there would be opportunities for others to score, not just Harris. I know he's not a natural scorer, but he would pull defenders about and create space for others. We have suffered with a few key injuries that have exacerbated our woes, not just up front but at LB and with creativity in midfield. Its a concern that we havent got Preferred formation and starting 11 given we're 17 games in.
Our problem is scoring goals. City’s defensive set up including the defensive nature of central midfield is 7th best in the league with eg Hull conceding 32 to our 19. It’s up front - only 13 goals of which 6 came in 2 away games - which is the obvious problem. Burnley have scored 32. Our lack of success (100%) from scores of corners is another problem. Another is a combination of our forwards not making decent enough runs to convert crosses from wide and poor delivery from said crosses. So it’s in the opposition final third which needs a massive improvement. Are Hudson and his team proficient enough in that area?
Harris will definitely pressurise defenders unlike Ojo who wants too much time. He's got a touch but is slow and lacks drive - you might be aware that I'm not a fan of his. Harris can get into the right positions but there's something lacking in his decision making - he takes the wrong option far too often for me. Robinson hasn't a particularly high scoring record through his career, but I can see something in him that could change that. Watters and even Etete are peripheral players for me. The sooner Colwill and Zak Davies are back in the frame the better.
Still doesn't solve the problem of sticking the bag of wind into the onion sack. Ninian summed it up well statistically and one of the guys I sat with yesterday said exactly the same. Is your name Mike, Nin, and have you just got over covid? Putting it more succinctly, we are crap at scoring. Not an easy task but this must be addressed in January. Hugill, if available, will take the knocks, hold the ball up well and make space for others but, again, he doesn't score many. Can Robinson substantially increase his tally playing alongside him? Do we give a other of the young guys a go? Crole looks a regular scorer but can he step up? Before and since Moore this has been our biggest issue and while we may do enough to stay up we have to get someone in who can score more often? I see there's a young lad called Haaland who seems to know what he's doing.
Just finished watching the full 90. Cant disagree with what is said above. I like the composure on the ball of the defenders, working nice triangles with tge midfield. A world away from last year and before. There seems more awareness between players and their positions. Men available for a pass and players picking the passes, especially down the channels and running in behind. Then it gets more tricky. Even though we had 19 attemts, most were half chances at best. No clear cut chances and no conviction with the finishing. We need too many attempts to score, which is stating the obvious. Clearer chances and better finishing would turn some defeats into draws and some draws into wins and a climb up the table. Easily said, not easily done.
Apart from the results, we're getting what we've been asking for this past half dozen years. Morison deserves the credit for instigating it, and to be fair the "suits" for allowing it to happen. I'd suggest it was as much about cutting expenditure and going for the "cheaper" player options as a strategic policy shift, but whatever, it's working. Adding goals is now the project because although not perfect by any means, the basics are there.
A significant improvement in style, no doubt sparkey. Goals have been a problem for years, even in promotion seasons. Easier on the eye than the last few years, certainly. I'd be really worried if we weren't creating chances, but we are. Is it a skill thing? Confidence? Concentration? I know the top scorers have a real knack of being in the right place at the right time and of scuffing the ball into the net, besides the quality strikes. We're struggling to get the ball on target with any conviction and even converting what look like straight forward oportunities.
