It seems that Guardiola is making changes in how they play to add more variety and flexibility. Stats say that they had only 52% possession last night but over 20 goal attempts. They are mixing up a possession-centred play with a counter-attacking style.
Varchester City 18/19 discussion
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) is joined by CEO Duncan Drasdo and Financial Director Andy Green from the Manchester United Supporters Trust for a special episode on all things behind the scenes at Old Trafford including a brief history of MUST and their aims today, views on INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe so far, and the Old Trafford regeneration.
I watched the highlights when I got back from the game. City looked frighteningly good. Shakhtar are not the greatest, but on their own turf, they’ll give most teams a game. City have a chance of winning it.
Depressing.
Shakhtar is not on the same level as last season. They lost 4 or 5 important players and so far their replacements don't look at the same level at all. Still true City completely rolled over them, but things need to be looked at that context.
That's true. Apart from losing players, Shakhtar had injuries to key players. No wonder they didn't beat Hoffenheim at home.
I know relatively well them because I like Fonseca and they looked significantly weaker vs Hoffenheim, nothing to do with their home performances last season vs Napoli or Roma for example.
Maybe in the future 1 or 2 of the new kids from Brazil will adapt but they clearly aren't prepared for this level, let alone City. Will be surprised if they qualify for the Europa League.
City's counter-attacks are one of the deadliest in Europe and this is because of the pace they,ve got upfront. Pep is just using the strengths of his players as best as he can..
First half was normal City we had 60% of the ball, 2nd half we had easily the least possession we've had in a half under Pep. I think we had less than 40% which is completely new for us. We attacked much quicker than usual and kind of relied on KDB to launch counters. Last night and Anfield have given me a little hope than we can go a long way this season, Pep seems to have learned more from the manner of his away defeats at big clubs in the last couple of years.
Shaktar are far weaker than in the last couple of years, the team we played in last seasons group stage would comfortably dispatch this one.
GD takes into consideration goals conceded, it's why your numbers lately have sky rocketed. It's not passed me by that you've had 6 cleans sheets from 9 PL games so far (same as Liverpool). It's not really surprising though, your entire team right now is a well oiled machine. Your possession stats are also ridiculous and the opponents get so few touches in your penalty area that it's extremely difficult to create chances let alone score.
City’s strength in depth is possibly the best the PL has ever seen.
I think we will see them smash the likes of Juve in the CL. I only see Barca and maybe Liverpool as obstacles for them.
I think we will see them smash the likes of Juve in the CL. I only see Barca and maybe Liverpool as obstacles for them.
A lot has been said about Liverpool's improvement at the back, but City can claim to have the best defense in the league so far.
Still one Fernandinho injury/suspension away from being in a difficult position. Fernandinho has a very good injury history, but he's 33 and is relied upon for pretty much every game (outside of the cups). I think the lack of rest will catch up with him in the new year, though he will get a break as he isn't away with Brazil in November.
A January DM signing could be the difference this season. I think it will be really difficult given the potential targets (De Jong, Neves, Ndombele), as clubs won't want to lose them half way through the season.
A lot has been said about Liverpool's improvement at the back, but City can claim to have the best defense in the league so far.
Well, as Liverpool conceded one more, City do have the best defensive record both in actual and expected goals conceded.
Full table: https://understat.com/league/EPL
A lot has been said about Liverpool's improvement at the back, but City can claim to have the best defense in the league so far.
On these stats its hard to argue but when you watch them in games how they ain't conceded is beyond me, like last night spurs should have scored at least 2/3 goals, Arsenal at the start of the season was the same. there back 4 still look shakey, although I think Laporte has been excellent this season.
Right, that was before this weekend's games.
If we're going off of chances that teams should have scored, City should have had 5 goals.
Laporte and Stones have been excellent. So has Fernandinho.
I still think the lack of a proper Fernandinho back-up will cost them in the CL if they go deep.
Fernandinho himself might struggle to maintain good form given he's 33. It's their biggest weakness.
They might buy in January, a new rule allows players who have already played in the CL this season to play for another club come February.
Unnoticed but Ederson had a hockey assist yesterday as he put Sterling through with a perfect goal kick pass. Dude is underrated for their offensive schemes.
Can see them going unbeaten in the league this year, sadly
No chance
Arrrgh, comments like these do my head in. Spurs should have scored, yes, but after scoring it’s 1-1 and the game changes. City, clearly the better team of the two, would change the game again and Tottenham would be happy to sit back, content with a super point. If Spurs score yesterday, the other chances won’t happen (and it’s not like there were many). Even at 0-0, City will be charging the game and Spurs will be on their back foot.
If you want to use this useless xG-thingy, at least interpret the information. Over time, the truths are in the results, not the biased statistics. Who scores first will always matter.
Still my favourites for the title but didn't understand the praise for their defence last night - Spurs could have had a couple.
As for the game in general, thought City looked like they were in cruise mode and Spurs looked absolutely shite, more than anything.
As for the game in general, thought City looked like they were in cruise mode and Spurs looked absolutely shite, more than anything.
I think with the state of the pitch last night both teams were just happy to play out a game and come out of it with no injuries
Painful how good they are. They weren't at their best yesterday but you could just tell they had several gears left.
Laporte and Stones were superb but the full backs both had poor games (Mendy in particular).
This can partly be put down to the bad pitch especially the strip that the NFL players and staff had occupied.
Both sets of FB's and wingers struggled on that strip which was well below acceptable standard for a game involving top players.
Everyone keeps saying the have an amazing squad, but if fernindino get injured or needs a rest, who would come in ? I can only think of Delph
Gundo can play that role and possibly Stones
Trying to disprove the quality of their squad by highlighting one player/position?
City won 3 matches (against Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs) when Fernandinho got 3 match suspension last season.
Delph, Gundogan, even Stones if needed. They'll twat 90% of the league anyway mind given the way they play.
No, just highlighting the one position they are very weak in.
Surprised pep didn't address it in the summer. Then again he tried getting Jorginho.
Amazed how under the radar it’s gone that we are where we are so far this season without De Bruyne too. Our most important player last season.
Chelsea with Hazard, Liverpool without Salah and it’s all we would be hearing about. I think it shows the depth of the squad here. Only an injury to Fernandinho would really concern me, and I think we’ll go big for a replacement in summer, if not January.
Chelsea with Hazard, Liverpool without Salah and it’s all we would be hearing about. I think it shows the depth of the squad here. Only an injury to Fernandinho would really concern me, and I think we’ll go big for a replacement in summer, if not January.
No one is impressed by it, when you have handfuls of 50m players warming the bench.
Some things you don't get credit for when you buy the league.
Nice dig but they don't have a single 50m player warming the bench (when Mahrez isn't there). Sane, Jesus, Gundogan and even B. Silva were cheaper. You, though, have a bench warmer in Keita who costs 50m.
How many City players would be firm starters in your current first XI? Walker (arguably), KDB...and? Liverpool fans say you have the better goalie, the better defenders, the better front 3.
If Liverpool fans are saying only two City players would get in their first 11, why are they are still saying they are not favourites for the title. Confused!
why ? yes and if it goes 1-1 who is to say City don't cave in ? quite simply you watch City and you can still get at the defence, is why stats are worthless in this instance.
its not saying they wouldn't get in there team its about swapping players in to it. I would take Aguero instead of Firminho for instance but I could understand Liverpool fans being more then happy with Firminho so hence they would bring them in to the team, but say a De bruyne ahead of any there midfield is a class above. well guessing that's how they would put it. what a better way is to say build a best 11 from the 2 sides and see how many get in from both sides.
mines would go
Ederson
Walker Van Dijk Laporte Robertson
De bruyne Fernandnho Silva
Salah Aguero Mane
but couldn't argue is the keeper was changed or if firminho was in for aguero as well.
I'd have Alisson over ederson, but otherwise that's what I'd pick. Probably sterling over mane too, though I can't make myself do it.
This. Man City aren't re-inventing the wheel; they are just outspending everyone by hundreds of millions with the obvious results.
If they don't win the league, there should be a steward's inquiry.
That's not to say money will always triumph, because it won't. But when you spend that much more than the opposition season after season, it will eventually tell. And it is doing so now.
VVD and Laporte are both left-footed and play the same position. And between Gomez and Stones you can trust most Liverpool fans to go with Gomez.
Further, Klopp's style needs more energy in midfield. John Barnes went so far to say that Klopp would prefer Milner to KDB (!). Same arguably would hold for Aguero and Firmino as Aguero is poor at pressing.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/f...opp-Milner-Bruyne-Silva-says-John-Barnes.html
Basically, when you include also Alisson, Gomez, Firmino and one out of Milner, Henderson, Wijnuldum, Keita, Fabinho, City will be represented by Walker, KDB and D. Silva. If you do that combined XI thing on RAWK, you can trust them with putting at least 7-8 Liverpool players in there.
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