The English Football Thread

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

I'm not but in Manchester City's case, they are not exactly the most hardworking and tactically disciplined of teams to begin with. So, to consistently play 4-4-2 against the bigger sides, especially in Europe, is ridiculous particularly when Pellegrini doesn't look to have drilled his players in any way for the matches.

A midfield of Toure, Silva and Nasri with Aguero and Dzeko ahead of them is not exactly the most hardworking team in the world, true. I understand the thinking behind it though. It's not easy for a player like Aguero to play up front on his own because of his size. He's a better player with a partner.

But in the 2nd half, it has to be said, Pellegrini brought on Milner for Dzeko and they looked far worse. Against Barcelona last season, they played a 4-2-3-1 in both legs and still got outclassed twice. They've also beaten many strong teams with a 4-4-2 before.

The point is, it's not about the formation but about the personnel and a lack of a more conservative approach from Pellegrini sometimes, not 4-4-2, 4-3-3 or whatever.

[Special Juan 27,528]

Henderson and Coutinho's goals were brilliant.

[Jase 43,479]

A midfield of Toure, Silva and Nasri with Aguero and Dzeko ahead of them is not exactly the most hardworking team in the world, true. I understand the thinking behind it though. It's not easy for a player like Aguero to play up front on his own because of his size. He's a better player with a partner.

Maybe but Aguero isn't exactly a one-trick pony. He has played as the lone striker before and done well. Play the ball to his feet, make him work the channels and have the likes of Silva, Milner etc link up with him.

But in the 2nd half, it has to be said, Pellegrini brought on Milner for Dzeko and they looked far worse. Against Barcelona last season, they played a 4-2-3-1 in both legs and still got outclassed twice. They've also beaten many strong teams with a 4-4-2 before.

The point is, it's not about the formation but about the personnel and a lack of a more conservative approach from Pellegrini sometimes, not 4-4-2, 4-3-3 or whatever.

Not sure about City looking worse after going just 1 upfront because nothing appeared to change really. They were still getting outplayed and outrun by a side who only returned from Turkey on Friday.

City have beaten many strong teams with 4-4-2 before but most came in domestic matches and not in Europe. Even then, they have never looked solid at all with that and this season, more teams are taking advantage of their deficiencies.

Agree that formations are more about how one sets up the side but for starters, playing with an extra man midfielder could prevent City from being overrun in midfield.

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

Maybe but Aguero isn't exactly a one-trick pony. He has played as the lone striker before and done well. Play the ball to his feet, make him work the channels and have the likes of Silva, Milner etc link up with him.

Not sure about City looking worse after going just 1 upfront because nothing appeared to change really. They were still getting outplayed and outrun by a side who only returned from Turkey on Friday.

City have beaten many strong teams with 4-4-2 before but most came in domestic matches and not in Europe. Even then, they have never looked solid at all with that and this season, more teams are taking advantage of their deficiencies.

Agree that formations are more about how one sets up the side but for starters, playing with an extra man midfielder could prevent City from being overrun in midfield.

If City changed their formation from 4-4-2 to a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3, it won't make a lick of a difference whether domestically or in Europe, case in point, vs Barcelona last season. They still got outclassed and overrun in midfield. This same core of players also failed in Europe under Mancini and he never played a 4-4-2. What was the excuse back then? It's just funny to me how much weight is being given to a mere formation by some of these terrible pundits.

And I never said Aguero was a one trick pony. It's a well known fact he's a better player with a partner.

[Jase 43,479]

[Jase 43,479]

If City changed their formation from 4-4-2 to a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3, it won't make a lick of a difference whether domestically or in Europe, case in point, vs Barcelona last season. They still got outclassed and overrun in midfield. This same core of players also failed in Europe under Mancini and he never played a 4-4-2. What was the excuse back then? It's just funny to me how much weight is being given to a mere formation by some of these terrible pundits.

To say City got outclassed by Barcelona last season is OTT. There was nothing in the game, especially in the first leg, and it all only changed when Demichelis got the red card. And if I remember correctly, Pellegrini played with just one upfront at Bayern last season and did alright and they only lost the game to a last minute goal.

And I never said Aguero was a one trick pony. It's a well known fact he's a better player with a partner.

Doesn't mean he can't do a good job playing as the lone strike.

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

One of the reasons is probably that he's had to do with a lot of new players settling into the side at the early stages of the season. He's turned things around brilliantly. I rate Brendan extremely highly as a manager.

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

To say City got outclassed by Barcelona last season is OTT. There was nothing in the game, especially in the first leg, and it all only changed when Demichelis got the red card. And if I remember correctly, Pellegrini played with just one upfront at Bayern last season and did alright and they only lost the game to a last minute goal.

Over the two legs they got outclassed. Barcelona were dominating the game prior to the red card. City were extremely poor in that 1st leg but were slightly better in Barcelona, I remember that clearly. That was all 4-2-3-1 not 4-4-2, but nobody in the media was moaning about the shape back then. I just find it a very surface level analysis and even a cop out for some of City's big name players. It was the same under Mancini, but no one was moaning about the formation back then cos he never played 4-4-2 and they still got out-classed. i.e http://www.whoscored.com/Matches/667761/Live/Europe-UEFA-Champions-League-2012-2013-Ajax-Manchester-City

[Jase 43,479]

Over the two legs they got outclassed. Barcelona were dominating the game prior to the red card. City were extremely poor in that 1st leg but were slightly better in Barcelona, I remember that clearly.

But hardly created anything meaningful. Things were always going to be different in the second leg when City needed to overturn the 2-0 deficit.

That was all 4-2-3-1 not 4-4-2, but nobody in the media was moaning about the shape back then. I just find it a very surface level analysis and even a cop out for some of City's big name players. It was the same under Mancini, but no one was moaning about the formation back then cos he never played 4-4-2 and they still got out-classed. i.e http://www.whoscored.com/Matches/667761/Live/Europe-UEFA-Champions-League-2012-2013-Ajax-Manchester-City

The mentality and the way that team is set up. Mancini was too cautious and Pellegrini is almost too gung-ho-ish. No balance.

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

The mentality and the way that team is set up. Mancini was too cautious and Pellegrini is almost too gung-ho-ish. No balance.

So now is it formation (4-4-2) or mentality? Because Mancini played a different formation and had a far more conservative approach than Pellegrini, but still got outclassed in Europe.

[Paul1970 250]

Liverpool :blue scalf:

now wash yourself with jayes fluid.

[Unionjack 7,531]

Doesnt your heart just bleed for Citeh! I needed a mate to kick me after I shouted out "Come on you Reds" after the score came out. I dont really get why Mou was pissed after one of the coachs blurted out the score because Id have thought it would have given the lads a boost.

I dont like relying on other teams to take points from rivals normally but right now Ill take them any which way we can.

Now bring on the Hammers! Another step closer to the title.

[We Hate Scouse 10,287]

Apparently Adam Johnson has been arrested for having sex with a 14 year old

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/6352633/Adam-Johnson-arrested-over-sex-with-schoolgirl.html

[lucio 5,418]

Chuck him in a cage and forget about him if true.

[Jase 43,479]

Apparently Adam Johnson has been arrested for having sex with a 14 year old

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/6352633/Adam-Johnson-arrested-over-sex-with-schoolgirl.html

What the hell..?!

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,920]

Wait isn't he married?

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Apparently Adam Johnson has been arrested for having sex with a 14 year old

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/6352633/Adam-Johnson-arrested-over-sex-with-schoolgirl.html

Wow. Disgusting if true.

[nyikolajevics 2,602]

Wait isn't he married?

Not only married, his son was born in January. Disgusting if true, let's rot in the jail Adam. I hope they will hook up with you there just like you did with a child.