As every game is unique, we will never know whether it was tactical, or City mental weakness. It is impossible to determine. We definately made big changes and we definately had them on the back foot. They went into counter attack mode. We were launching long balls to Felligol (Fellaini striker alter ego) and Zlatan. who knows?It means a lot, given that even Stoke and Wham looked much better in the second half vs Citeh, compared to what they showed in the first half. They looked like different teams altogether. The narrative that we struggled in the first half only because of tactical blunders is very naive, IMO. The problems run deeper. Only time will tell though, maybe I'm wrong.
As every game is unique, we will never know whether it was tactical, or City mental weakness. It is impossible to determine. We definately made big changes and we definately had them on the back foot. They went into counter attack mode. We were launching long balls to Felligol (Fellaini striker alter ego) and Zlatan. who knows?
"He had the best game Pep has ever seen."to be honest I thought their keeper had them on the back foot as much as anything, what a clown Pep's signed there. Bet Bravo doesn't last until Christmas and Caballero will be their first choice keeper.
"He had the best game Pep has ever seen."
And he is not wrong, Pogba has no discipline, Deschamps calls him out for it all of the time concerning the national side. He's a young, half complete CM and should not be relied upon to contribute very much defensively. Paying 90+ million for him was a glaring error if we wanted
someone with any defensive qualities. Matuidi at about a third of the price was a far bettter option.
i watched the games, just didn't make much comment as far as I can recall. For the France games, I've seen every one since about 1985, attending about 30% personally, and about half of Juve's games in the last 10 years or so...Enough for you...
If what you postulate is true, the doesn't it seem like the correct tactic would be to sit tight in the first half, defend well and hit them in the second half when they 'slump' to average?Citeh have been average in the second half of every league game so far, nothing to do with United, IMO.
In the second half vs
Sunderland - 1:1
Stoke - 2:1 (the result flattered them though)
Wham -1:1
United - 0:0
Then that's makes your remarks even more stupid as you will have seen first hand Pogba's influence grow on both French and Italian football.
If what you postulate is true, the doesn't it seem like the correct tactic would be to sit tight in the first half, defend well and hit them in the second half when they 'slump' to average?
Why go head to head in the beginning? We don't have to go flying out of the stalls every time.
Well different strokes for different folks then. If it were me, I would rather withstand the pressure in the first half and hit them in the second if I knew that was their weakness.The correct tactic is to match the intensity of their pressing and play in the first half: something which is admittedly very difficult to be done, especially for a a team with Fellaini, Rooney, Zlatan who are not particularly mobile and quick over short distances. Another tactic is just to play anti-football and rely on luck but this is not an option for the top teams. I think that even the best teams in Europe would struggle to outplay Citeh in the first half. Their CL games vs Barca would be instructive in this regard. Liverpool are currently the only team in the EPL that can match the intensity of their play but they have obvious defensive issues and cannot stop Citeh's attack. The drawback is that Citeh may get tired and lose form in the second half of the season. Their squad isn't big enough and injuries may cause them big problems. Besides, many of their players are in their 30s.
Well different strokes for different folks then. If it were me, I would rather withstand the pressure in the first half and hit them in the second if I knew that was their weakness.
Its funny because there were times in the game where it was boring when they had the ball.Completely agree. City can feck off and Pep to with his boring football.
It's not that he doesn't possess any defensive qualities; he's got great strength and stamina, is a tough tackler and also a monster in the air. Frankly he has the raw materials to excel in just about any midfield role you choose to give him. The problem is that he's accustomed to playing in a midfield three, rather than within the restrictions of a midfield two.
If Mourinho wants to turn him into a deep-lying midfielder, I'm sure with time and training he'd adapt very well, although I think that would be a waste of his biggest strength - running the ball from midfield.
you're digging yourself a trench here. I have not said Pogba isn't a fair old player, I've said he's being used wrongly and that he has been openly criticised before for his poor defensive qualities and going missing or doing whatever he wants on occasions. This is what Carragher said and as I said he is not wrong.
We should have played with 3 in midfield.
Pogba and Fellaini are not disciplined enough to play in a 2 man midfield against top sides. It is not also their best positions based on previous seasons and clubs where they thrived.
Carrick or Morgan are best suited to play a holding role with Pogba and Herrera/Fellaini given more of a licence to play more to their strengths without hurting the team if we lose shape.
For me we are still trying to find the right system whilst playing against one of the best teams in Europe. The problem is there are still question marks against some players too. I'm not convinced about Blind or Valencia. Nor am I about Rooney at 10. I'm not seen enough good and consistent performances from the other midfielders to know if the are capable after all, they certainly weren't for the last 2 seasons....
Completely agree. City can feck off and Pep to with his boring football.
What would he be doing 'better' than Fellaini based on the last 4-5 games...?
Yeah I wish we had a manager who made us lump it up to the big lad up front.
is that what you have analysed Mourinho's style to be?
Fellaini is fine when we're playing a poor team but against City, Chelsea or even Arsenal, I don't think he can do anything that will have an impact on the game. Herrera can keep the ball and doesn't constantly give away fouls.
In comparison to the idiotic statement that pep's football is boring, yes.
personally I have never liked tiki taka football. I am used to direct attacking football. Win the ball in midfield and let the forward players put teh team to the sword.
The only other system I have admired is Total Football by Cruyff's Ajax.
The great man understands what I mean.
Let me ask you a question, did you prefer city's football or United's football on Saturday?
Also pep doesn't play tiki taka, he hates that style of football.
I did not see anything City played that was to be adopted.
I was pissed we did not do our job.
There is nothing magical about your team. You are not a wonder team. Sunderland would have easily taken a point of you if Moyes had kept his head.
@Cityfaninpeace
Do you think that based on one match that City are a superior footballing side to United?
I can understand your supporting your team.
What I find difficult to understand is fans who claim to support United are falling over themselves to worship Pep and some of his players. Quite odd.
Think they should follow their hearts to your ground.
I think you're flying off the handle mate. I was responding to a poster who said pep's team was boring. Now given our clubs have both played each other very recently and our respective systems were tested against one another I responded along those lines.
But based on your question here, yes I do think city are a superior footballing side but no not based on one game. Part of that is based on my personal taste of football and I personally much prefer pep's style to Jose's. That's not to say United aren't a good team or Jose isn't a good manager.
In comparison to the idiotic statement that pep's football is boring, yes.
Let me ask you a question, did you prefer city's football or United's football on Saturday?
Also pep doesn't play tiki taka, he hates that style of football.
I don't enjoy tiki taka football, so I find it boring and you don't nothing wrong in that. For the record Bayern was the most entertaining team in the world before pep came there.
He doesn't play tiki taka? Common mate!?
Mark Clattenburg