***Transfer Rumours Thread*** [ALL RUMOUR TOPICS MERGED]

[Ted Hughes]

I think we'll be using 4-2-3-1.

I think you are spot on

Me two and I hope so. I laid out the formation I hope we adopt on this thread last week.

However, there is a good example of two predominantly holding midfielders playing in a 4-4-2 and being successful, Petit - Vieira.

97/98 Arsenal side was first that I thought used proper 4-2-3-1 actually. Bergkamp dropped behind Anelka to essentially act as a playmaker. Neither Ljungberg nor Overmars had any defensive duties whatsoever. I didn't think they ever lined up as traditional 4-4-2 with two holding midfielders.

As mentioned earlier, neither Toure nor Barry are essentially holding midfield players, they just do so if asked so they could play 4-4-2 if asked although imo our wide players are nowhere near effective enough to get the best out of it.

I think we'll aim for a 4-2-3-1 or a variation of it , as we did initially under Hughes but I think we'll find DeJong playing in many games in that system. The main reason we changed imo was because the fullbacks turned out to be below average getting forward & were also getting it hopelerssly wrong sometimes leaving the defence exposed. Mancini ended up with 4-4-2 for the similar reasons & unless we get some new fullbacks, or the forwards play exceptionally well, I could see us having the same problem with that system next season.

I also think we may try 4-3-3.

[Slim]

Absolutely not. I mean proper attacking playmaker. Tevez for me would be on the wing in that system as the two wingers should be extremely attacking players when we have two holding midfielders. I'd line them up something like this:

---------------------------------Given
Zabaleta--------Kompany-------Lescott.......Bridge
-----------Yaya Toure------------Barry
-------------------NEW PLAYMAKER/Ireland
Tevez-------------------------------------------Johnson
---------------Adebayor/NEW CENTERFORWARD

When we have the ball, either Toure or Barry joins the attack. Tevez and Jinky would have little defensive duties so they'd be essentially out and out attacking players on the wing. The wingers would also have freedom to cut in and generally roam around in attacking areas. Playmaker would act as a link between defensive midfielders and three out and out attacking players. If I'd ever see that Centerforward on our side of the pitch I'd substitute him immediately and slap him in the face.

No offence mate, but god I am glad you aren't the manager. Tevez was our only consistent plus about last season, and that was entirely because City gave him the freedom to roam all along the attacking line, 90% of the time inbetween the defence and midfield of the opposition. Now you want to limit his opportunties by shuffling him right, and having Ade completely marked out of the game playing against two centrehalves. If you are giving Tevez the freedom to roam around, then you are playing with zero width to the right which will tighten up their defence.

I have a feeling we can call it what we want, but 4-4-1-1 or 4-4-2 will be the way we set up.

[Ted Hughes]

Absolutely not. I mean proper attacking playmaker. Tevez for me would be on the wing in that system as the two wingers should be extremely attacking players when we have two holding midfielders. I'd line them up something like this:

---------------------------------Given
Zabaleta--------Kompany-------Lescott.......Bridge
-----------Yaya Toure------------Barry
-------------------NEW PLAYMAKER/Ireland
Tevez-------------------------------------------Johnson
---------------Adebayor/NEW CENTERFORWARD

When we have the ball, either Toure or Barry joins the attack. Tevez and Jinky would have little defensive duties so they'd be essentially out and out attacking players on the wing. The wingers would also have freedom to cut in and generally roam around in attacking areas. Playmaker would act as a link between defensive midfielders and three out and out attacking players. If I'd ever see that Centerforward on our side of the pitch I'd substitute him immediately and slap him in the face.

No offence mate, but god I am glad you aren't the manager. Tevez was our only consistent plus about last season, and that was entirely because City gave him the freedom to roam all along the attacking line, 90% of the time inbetween the defence and midfield of the opposition. Now you want to limit his opportunties by shuffling him right, and having Ade completely marked out of the game playing against two centrehalves. If you are giving Tevez the freedom to roam around, then you are playing with zero width to the right which will tighten up their defence.

I have a feeling we can call it what we want, but 4-4-1-1 or 4-4-2 will be the way we set up.

Tevez wouldn't have to play out wide in a 4-2-3-1 or anything similar, he'd just roam around like he normally does.

[Ted Hughes]

Absolutely not. I mean proper attacking playmaker. Tevez for me would be on the wing in that system as the two wingers should be extremely attacking players when we have two holding midfielders. I'd line them up something like this:

---------------------------------Given
Zabaleta--------Kompany-------Lescott.......Bridge
-----------Yaya Toure------------Barry
-------------------NEW PLAYMAKER/Ireland
Tevez-------------------------------------------Johnson
---------------Adebayor/NEW CENTERFORWARD

When we have the ball, either Toure or Barry joins the attack. Tevez and Jinky would have little defensive duties so they'd be essentially out and out attacking players on the wing. The wingers would also have freedom to cut in and generally roam around in attacking areas. Playmaker would act as a link between defensive midfielders and three out and out attacking players. If I'd ever see that Centerforward on our side of the pitch I'd substitute him immediately and slap him in the face.

No offence mate, but god I am glad you aren't the manager. Tevez was our only consistent plus about last season, and that was entirely because City gave him the freedom to roam all along the attacking line, 90% of the time inbetween the defence and midfield of the opposition. Now you want to limit his opportunties by shuffling him right, and having Ade completely marked out of the game playing against two centrehalves. If you are giving Tevez the freedom to roam around, then you are playing with zero width to the right which will tighten up their defence.

I have a feeling we can call it what we want, but 4-4-1-1 or 4-4-2 will be the way we set up.

Tevez wouldn't have to play out wide in a 4-2-3-1 or anything similar, he'd just roam around like he normally does.

Edit: that's why it needs attacking fullbacks.

[justlurkin]

Absolutely not. I mean proper attacking playmaker. Tevez for me would be on the wing in that system as the two wingers should be extremely attacking players when we have two holding midfielders. I'd line them up something like this:

---------------------------------Given
Zabaleta--------Kompany-------Lescott.......Bridge
-----------Yaya Toure------------Barry
-------------------NEW PLAYMAKER/Ireland
Tevez-------------------------------------------Johnson
---------------Adebayor/NEW CENTERFORWARD

When we have the ball, either Toure or Barry joins the attack. Tevez and Jinky would have little defensive duties so they'd be essentially out and out attacking players on the wing. The wingers would also have freedom to cut in and generally roam around in attacking areas. Playmaker would act as a link between defensive midfielders and three out and out attacking players. If I'd ever see that Centerforward on our side of the pitch I'd substitute him immediately and slap him in the face.

No offence mate, but god I am glad you aren't the manager. Tevez was our only consistent plus about last season, and that was entirely because City gave him the freedom to roam all along the attacking line, 90% of the time inbetween the defence and midfield of the opposition. Now you want to limit his opportunties by shuffling him right, and having Ade completely marked out of the game playing against two centrehalves. If you are giving Tevez the freedom to roam around, then you are playing with zero width to the right which will tighten up their defence.

I have a feeling we can call it what we want, but 4-4-1-1 or 4-4-2 will be the way we set up.

Tevez wouldn't have to play out wide in a 4-2-3-1 or anything similar, he'd just roam around like he normally does.

Edit: that's why it needs attacking fullbacks.

Ted/Slim, I agree with most of what you are saying and I think Mancini wants to go down the road of Brazil's tactics at the moment. That is two holding mids and two strong centre halves with two attacking fullbacks. He obviously doesn't rate both Bridge/Garrido and Zabaleta/Richards/Onouha so he's bought Boateng for the right and has yet to buy somebody for the left. We're being linked to Alves which makes me think he'll play Boateng in the middle and move Lescott to the left. This would mean both of those would have to do the Maicon/Bastong(I think) roles. The only thing is that Brazil have two very good holding mids and two very good centre halves so we'll see.

[Ted Hughes]

Absolutely not. I mean proper attacking playmaker. Tevez for me would be on the wing in that system as the two wingers should be extremely attacking players when we have two holding midfielders. I'd line them up something like this:

---------------------------------Given
Zabaleta--------Kompany-------Lescott.......Bridge
-----------Yaya Toure------------Barry
-------------------NEW PLAYMAKER/Ireland
Tevez-------------------------------------------Johnson
---------------Adebayor/NEW CENTERFORWARD

When we have the ball, either Toure or Barry joins the attack. Tevez and Jinky would have little defensive duties so they'd be essentially out and out attacking players on the wing. The wingers would also have freedom to cut in and generally roam around in attacking areas. Playmaker would act as a link between defensive midfielders and three out and out attacking players. If I'd ever see that Centerforward on our side of the pitch I'd substitute him immediately and slap him in the face.

No offence mate, but god I am glad you aren't the manager. Tevez was our only consistent plus about last season, and that was entirely because City gave him the freedom to roam all along the attacking line, 90% of the time inbetween the defence and midfield of the opposition. Now you want to limit his opportunties by shuffling him right, and having Ade completely marked out of the game playing against two centrehalves. If you are giving Tevez the freedom to roam around, then you are playing with zero width to the right which will tighten up their defence.

I have a feeling we can call it what we want, but 4-4-1-1 or 4-4-2 will be the way we set up.

Tevez wouldn't have to play out wide in a 4-2-3-1 or anything similar, he'd just roam around like he normally does.

Edit: that's why it needs attacking fullbacks.

Ted/Slim, I agree with most of what you are saying and I think Mancini wants to go down the road of Brazil's tactics at the moment. That is two holding mids and two strong centre halves with two attacking fullbacks. He obviously doesn't rate both Bridge/Garrido and Zabaleta/Richards/Onouha so he's bought Boateng for the right and has yet to buy somebody for the left. We're being linked to Alves which makes me think he'll play Boateng in the middle and move Lescott to the left. This would mean both of those would have to do the Maicon/Bastong(I think) roles. The only thing is that Brazil have two very good holding mids and two very good centre halves so we'll see.

Not sure any of the people we have as fullbacks at present (including Boateng?) are good enough going forward to make that system work as it should though. I would have thought we'll see 2 attacking fullbacks come in if we're genuinely planning on that kind of formation. Impossible to tell who's coming in at this stage though, in the middle of a World Cup.

[Slim]

I would prefer an organic growth of our play as opposed to an overhauling style change. We know what works and what doesn't, we need to improve on the abilities of what is already in place without reverting back to 08-09 type form which is exactly what will happen if we do.

Tevez, Barry, Kompany, AJ, Bellamy all worked, now we just need to fit the pieces around them.

In a completely different angle, if we do play Yaya/Barry in the midfield and de Jong get's left out, he would work at rightback IMO and do a great job of shutting down cocky left wingers who think they will have the run of the park.

[justlurkin]

Yeah Ted, I'm just basing my opinion on an article I read about Alves which stated that this is mancini's plan. I agree that we don't have those fullbacks and I've yet to see what Boateng is like. I also agree that Yaya is not a def mid but only playing there for barca. I remember seeing him playing against us for Olympiakos a few years ago and saying to myself that guy is like a young Vieira in that he was very good both defensively and offensively and I was hoping we would sign him. I suppose if he does go that way, it will be interesting to see a) who he brings in to play ahead of the def mids and b)who gets left out. As we'll have four comps to play in next season there'll be a lot of chopping and changing based on who we're playing and whether we're at home or away. An interesting and hopefully successful season ahead.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Ted/Slim, I agree with most of what you are saying and I think Mancini wants to go down the road of Brazil's tactics at the moment. That is two holding mids and two strong centre halves with two attacking fullbacks. He obviously doesn't rate both Bridge/Garrido and Zabaleta/Richards/Onouha so he's bought Boateng for the right and has yet to buy somebody for the left. We're being linked to Alves which makes me think he'll play Boateng in the middle and move Lescott to the left. This would mean both of those would have to do the Maicon/Bastong(I think) roles. The only thing is that Brazil have two very good holding mids and two very good centre halves so we'll see.

Not sure any of the people we have as fullbacks at present (including Boateng?) are good enough going forward to make that system work as it should though. I would have thought we'll see 2 attacking fullbacks come in if we're genuinely planning on that kind of formation. Impossible to tell who's coming in at this stage though, in the middle of a World Cup.

From what I've seen of him, Boateng is definitely NOT attacking fullback in mould of someone like Lahm.

[CityGer]

I think that people think that they know too much when really they know fuck all.

Yeah, more posts like yours are what the forum needs.

[Slim]

I think that people think that they know too much when really they know fuck all.

Yeah, more posts like yours are what the forum needs.

He's just grouchy cause he's been ill.

[Chinners]

Being Ginger is not an illness .... apparently

[avoidconfusion]

[Slim]

What with his funky shadow?

[Dameerto]

That photo looks more like an iron-on-transfer

[Sister of fu]

City have been given the green light to talk to David Silva according to the BBC. Not sure if covered already??

[Sister of fu]

City have been given the green light to talk to David Silva according to the BBC. Not sure if covered already??

Where does it say that?

Was on 5live before the start of the 2nd half of the England game.

[Sister of fu]

City have been given the green light to talk to David Silva according to the BBC. Not sure if covered already??

Where does it say that?

Was on 5live before the start of the 2nd half of the England game.

It's now being covered on Sky Sports also.

[Sister of fu]

Manchester City have been given permission to hold talks with Valencia winger David Silva over a move to the Premier League.

Cash-strapped Valenciahave already been forced to sell David Villa to Barcelona this summer and now look poised to offload Silva.
The 24-year-old, who is currently with the Spain squad at the World Cup finals, has repeatedly been linked with a switch to England, with the likes of Liverpool and Manchester Unitedmooted as admirers.

Champions Chelsea are also rumoured to be fans of Silva, with the attacking midfielder recently admitting he would be open to a move to Stamford Bridge.

However, it now appears City have stepped up the hunt for Silva after being given the go-head to discuss a deal with the player.

[Mark (Blue Army)]

Manchester City have been given permission to hold talks with Valencia winger David Silva over a move to the Premier League.

Cash-strapped Valenciahave already been forced to sell David Villa to Barcelona this summer and now look poised to offload Silva.
The 24-year-old, who is currently with the Spain squad at the World Cup finals, has repeatedly been linked with a switch to England, with the likes of Liverpool and Manchester Unitedmooted as admirers.

Champions Chelsea are also rumoured to be fans of Silva, with the attacking midfielder recently admitting he would be open to a move to Stamford Bridge.

However, it now appears City have stepped up the hunt for Silva after being given the go-head to discuss a deal with the player.

Get him signed City!!!