14 Aug 2023 10:53:00
Hey ed001 you have great football knowledge and wanted to ask how come the system we are implementing works for City i. e John Stones/ Ake / Lewis etc. yet we are struggling to implement it. Is it simply a case of personnel and that we don't have the players to fit it.

{Ed001's Note - they don't use the same system, they tweaked it away from the way we are trying to do it because it didn't work for them either. That is why they play a backline that all are comfortable as centre-backs and full-back. So they just drop in, rather than trying to go from midfield into full-back areas.}

1.) 14 Aug 2023
14 Aug 2023 11:26:57
I guess that's why Cancelo kicked up a fuss as he lost his position in that role.

2.) 14 Aug 2023
14 Aug 2023 11:37:02
It is so so strange watching TAA tackling an opposing player on the far left-hand side line, when in midfield. How do the others (Robbo, Gakpo and Diaz, on that side yesterday) know what to do when this is happening? Does one of those 3 run over to the right hand side to cover the gap TAA has left? You reap what you sow. This system and set up needs serious review.

3.) 14 Aug 2023
14 Aug 2023 11:41:26
One of the biggest changes from Guardiola over the last 12 months is that the team is happy to give up possession for periods in the game and just do a bit of defending for a period. They seem to have adapted.

4.) 14 Aug 2023
14 Aug 2023 12:14:20
Trent alluded to what ed1 said in His post match interview last night, he said it’s sometimes quicker for him to go CB and konate to go RB, but Trent ain’t no CB!

5.) 14 Aug 2023
14 Aug 2023 12:38:37
CB drifting over to cover the RB shouldn't be a new thing. actually there were plenty of moments last year where it felt like the CBs on both sides were passive in coming across to provide cover. Either that or they wouldn't anticipate the pass through to a winger, where if they did they could have cut a pass out or at least competed for the ball.

anyways, back to the system. Feel like this system requires so much precision across the pitch to keep the ball that if we're not 95% onto it and lose the ball then we're vulnerable. that doesn't feel like a solid way to set-up and won't be sustainable across the season.