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Finding 'balance' at Man City

Premier League Manchester City
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"If ever there was a side striving to find a balance to their starting line-up, it is Manchester City."

That is the view of Match of the Day 2 pundit Lee Dixon, and a record so far this season of four wins, two draws and seven defeats in the league suggest he is right on the money.

One problem appears to be the midfield. The selection of Shaun Wright-Phillips, Steven Ireland and Vincent Kompany would appear to lend itself to a team full of attacking intent.

And when they get it right going forward, there is no doubt City are a threat, says Dixon.

news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foo...

This was typified by an opportunistic double from Ireland against Hull yesterday - and by the fact that only Chelsea have scored more league goals that Mark Hughes's side so far this term.

However, when things don't click in attack, Kompany has often been left exposed in midfield this season, with teams able to overwhelm the City backline.

So can Hughes afford to continue to play to the strengths of the likes of Robinho and Wright-Phillips? With the personnel available to him, does he have much choice?

Or perhaps the Welshman has to sacrifice one of two of his attackers in favour of a more defensive set-up? If so who would you bring in?

Finally... the question we all love... who should Hughes target in the January transfer window and why?

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posted Nov 17, 2008

sirchampion

______________

Not second team, Dixon is a blue.


As for Hughes i'll always back him but playing Vass over Elano is suicidal. Can't wait for Johnson to be fit or Diarra to come in Jan.

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posted Nov 18, 2008

here we go - yet another article on city and hughes trying to find the right balance

if this carries on and we don't get the right balance - can we still be debating like this

if hughes does not know what to do - will all his experience - then what is the alternative

please can someone tell me ??

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posted Nov 18, 2008

I reckon Vassel will be the one to go, he's out of his depth now with contenders. Johnson might be able to play a covering midfield role, but as for buying a good DM I would splash some cash on a Mascherano type...maybe Palombo from Sampdoria? We could get him for a decent wad. Or De Jong? Both young but with experience, and both are hard-working, ball winning passing machines. As for a world class CB...I can only think of a few and I dont think any would come to City, or any club outside the CL.

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comment by BigFAn (U5237915)

posted Nov 18, 2008

yes there are many choices , first , every one has to admit that Man city No 10 the famnous 3o0 million pound sign off by an owner who never heard about premier league if his royal life before is useless Get rid of him , every one just pass the ball to him and there are no team play at all

Steven Ireland is a genius not invincible but a great footballer , good luck , just a tip , are you aware that you are in the wrong club with the wrong owners , nest time they will ask you to play for a shiek team

Jo , are you sure you play football or beach football , English premier league is not a beach football mate , wake up or go home , or trust me you will fit the sheik team

Dunn – enough is enough

WP , you are such a good player , best of luck , but remember you need the silver ----- Man city will get non of it , not this season or the next or the next to get the story short , Never , you should be in you know the team
MH – I have nothing to say , khaldon is giving you hard time , yes , he is paying just check when you score he was sleep

In the end 14 points from 13 games , I don’t know why is all the fuss , just stick around boys hopefully you will not play against stoke /west brom next year

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comment by 01mcfc (U13699301)

posted Nov 18, 2008

this is the team we should play (When everyone is fit):

Schmeichel
Zabaleta Richards Onuoha Garrido
Kompany Johnson
Wright-Phillips Elano Petrov
Robinho
Sturridge

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posted Nov 18, 2008

Lee Dixon is such a pr*t - Ian Ashbee 'drooling at Ribinho' lining up alongside him in the tunnel before the game ? - you're having a laugh ! - Ash has never 'drooled' over anyone let alone an overpriced squad player deemed surplus to requirements by Real Madrid.

And 'with respect' to Man City, we will and have met better opposition this season than Cit-eh.

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posted Nov 19, 2008

strinestiger (U12379787)
posted 14 Hours Ago

Lee Dixon is such a pr*t - Ian Ashbee 'drooling at Ribinho' lining up alongside him in the tunnel before the game ? - you're having a laugh ! - Ash has never 'drooled' over anyone let alone an overpriced squad player deemed surplus to requirements by Real Madrid.

And 'with respect' to Man City, we will and have met better opposition this season than Cit-eh.

_____

suddenly with 3 months experience all Hull City fans are experts

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posted Nov 19, 2008

Citymikeok.. not sure where you're coming from on this.

Lee Dixon is a pr*t and a pompous one at that on the basis he shows us no respect at all but follows the stereotypical 'journalist' - not that he would have actually written the article.

As for experience, personally supporting my Club for 40 years is experience enough do you not think, the majority of which has been in the second tier.

In any event this is a personal view and not that of 'all Hull City fans' as you seem to infer.

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posted Nov 20, 2008

...further to

3 months prem experience

and hull city fans think they are experts ....

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posted Nov 20, 2008

Although I am a Manchester United fan, it would be good to see someone challange the 'top 4'. Before the man city money, Tottenham were the nearest on paper, but there threat clearly never materialised

Now Aston Villa, perhaps the 2008/09 5th place performers, and the breeding ground of Englands national future are set to be the next contenders. But can anybody really see that lasting?

But now Manchester City have semi LETHAL quantities of money and have to go on the look, maybe they should consider taking these up and coming England stars (as well as the brazilians and spaniards etc) and turn them into World Stars.

They need balance right? Matthew Upson, Gareth Barry, Wayne Bridge, Glen Johnson, Aaron Lennon and then even up front Agbonglahor, Defoe, Crouch and Heskey...the unsung hero's who bring you that solidarity in the team is what they need so Robhino, Wright Phillips, Jo and Ireland can get to stepping and provide the flair.

These are players with potential that may never be realised unless they play in the top class. Manchester City could turn Englands national into a World cup contender, as well as improve their overall balance I think if they adopt these players. Benjani and Vassel are good, but not good enough to be the European players of the year. Get some brits in the squad, get some balance, and challange the top 4!

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