A Responce to an Article from a Man City fan.

I don't know if anyone else occasionally peers into the bizarre world
that is Blue Moon, but it
does leave you thinking that all City fans are egotistical, Spurs-hating
morons.

I am ashamed to say that I, therefore, felt surprised
when I read an insightful and interesting article written by a City fan (Bloovic),
regarding Wednesday's game: Team
and Tactics v Spurs (home) Double Bumper Edition. Well worth a
read, and I couldn't help but want to write a similar article in
response to this, so here it is.

I could start by emphasising
just how big this game is, but I think we all already know - it's what
we've been building towards all season, and it's still in our hands.

These
were the line-ups when we beat City 3-0 at White Hart Lane back in
December, a performance which was probably in our top three of the
season (better than the 9-1 in my opinion, because the opposition are
that much better):


Mark
Hughes was the City manager on that day, and it's fair to say that
things have changed fairly significantly for them since then - Mancini
is now in charge, they've tended to go 4-4-2 with more regularity, Adam
Johnson and Patrick Vieira have come in, Robinho has
left, and Ireland has barely had a look-in.

Things have also
changed for us, though. Modric has recovered from his broken leg,
and has had some excellent performances, Pavlyuchenko
is now generally preferred to Crouch, and Kranjcar is
out for the rest of the season (and probably the start of next). The
most significant change, though, is the form of Gareth Bale. He was a
last minute substitute in the home game... I'd imagine that he will be
near enough the first name on the team sheet come Wednesday.

There
were two comments that stood out particularly to me from Bloovic's analysis:<blockquote>If
Spurs decide to park the bus, City's job will become that much more
difficult - we've struggled against this tactic on a few occasions - and
Mancini will likely have to alter his formation and approach while the
game is in progress to achieve victory.</blockquote>And:
<blockquote>I
think it's reasonable to say that if Redknapp decides to take a more positive
approach, then this will suit City's counter-attacking style more,
opening up the big Eastlands pitch and creating space for Tevez,
Bellamy and Adebayor
to exploit.</blockquote>The reason these stood out is probably clear -
he could quite easily be describing us. We too have had difficulty
breaking down teams that are prepared to play with two banks of four,
and not be too adventurous (Wolves, Stoke, Hull, even Villa) .
Conversely, we've had less issue with teams willing to attempt to come
at us (Burnley,
Wigan,
and even City themselves in December).

Obviously at Eastlands, the
tables will be turned somewhat. The pressure will be on City, as the
home side, to come at us and play an attacking game. For that reason,
and remembering that we only need a draw from this game, I'd imagine
that Redknapp
will be tempted to go with the majority of the team that soaked up so
much pressure against Arsenal.

His biggest decision in my opinion
is whether to select Palacios. We know that he is one of Redknapp's
favourites, and we also know that he likes him when we play away - even
at the expense of changing a winning team (United is a perfect example).
The organisation and intelligence of Modric and Huddlestone as
per the Arsenal and Chelsea games, or the combative, energetic Palacios? It's
a big call.

I have an inkling that he will go with one up top
(probably Defoe), push Bale and Lennon high up the pitch, and give Modric a free
role. Playing this way will mean that we won't be able to play long too
often, and we will need to ensure that our passing is short, crisp and,
most of all, high tempo. What it does give us, though, is defensive
solidarity - effectively a midfield three, with Modric
occupying the deepest lying midfield-player (presumably De Jong), and
Bale able to double-up on Wright-Phillips if necessary.

I do
worry about Bassong,
who hasn't had so much football lately, against a City strike paring
that seem to be re-finding their form, and I also worry about the
prospect of Ben Alnwick
in goal. Defoe's form concerns me too - only four league goals in 2010,
although two of them did come away from White Hart Lane.

This
game could be a classic - there will be plenty of pace and attacking
ability on display, and there is so much to play for. On the other hand,
with so much at stake, both teams could play a cagey game, and try to
grind out a result - especially as a draw for us would be seen as an
excellent result. I don't think that style suits us, so I hope we try to
play football.

The nerves are building in anticipation, and they
will only get worse. I just hope our players play to their true
ability, and do themselves and us proud. COME ON YOU SPURS!!



Posted by
Windy


at
11:38



























4
comments:









Anonymous
said...

It's a trap! Don't listen to them, we can't park the bus to save our
lives, it just isn't in our DNA.

Forward! Attack!!!!!!!!





3 May 2010 12:59












Anonymous
said...

JD always score against citeh ! it is always a big match for him! I
reckon 5 in midfield would ensure the point we need and give us the
chance to win it but only if lennon is a starter. COYS!





3 May 2010 13:01












Catcher
said...

No need to park the Bus, but five in midfield will help us control the
game. We only need a draw but God how i would love a win, to avoid any
last day howlers.





3 May 2010 13:08












Anonymous
said...

I predict a 1-1 boring draw, I just have a funny feeling on this one,
all they hype often produces a boring match. I see the last day of the
season being the true decider but even I am not willing to predict an
outcome as both teams have fluffed their lines this season. If both
sides had done the business at the right time, if both teams had
produced the goods week in and out, then the top four would have been
Chelski, MU, Spurs and MC with the inconsistent Arsehols in the Europa
league - but with the rise of the new dawn, next year that is how I see
things finishing, Liverpool have had their day, Villa will never quite
make it, Brum and Everton will yet again be also ran’s.






















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