Midfield Goals

[brite blu sky]

I know it is early days yet in terms of how Bob will set us up to play. However some patterns have emerged one of which is playing keep ball and compressing the opposition back into their own half, ( we even did this to Spurs in the second half ).

So it has made me think that however many strikers we employ we are going to need the midfielders to take turns trying to run into the area and get shots in. What can we expect or hope for in goal contributions from the midfielders for the season.
In addition to the obvious ones like AJ, SWP, Silva and Balotelli* whos games are to do that anyway.. already we have seen Yaya storming forward, Barry trying to get in there and perhaps most surprisingly deJong looking to get in shooting positions. We know that Milner gan get on the score sheet and is good for maybe 6 goals.

What do you expect or hope for as a goal tally from which midfield players?

AJ 5
SWP 6
Silva 5
Barry 5
Milner 6
DeJong 2
Yaya 6
Balotelli* 10
Kolarov* 3

*not really midfielders but wtf

[Moonchesteri]

de Jong 2! Now that's optimism!

Take 2 or 3 out of everyone's goal tally and we may be closer to the truth.

[Dubaimancityfan]

In 3 matches we have scored 1 goal in open play, Barry against Liverpool. The other 2 were from a corner kick and from a penalty.
So our midfielders are actually doing well so far.
I'll expect goals from Barry, SWP and Milner. Silva has scored quite a few including internationals, so he will get on the score sheet.
Yaya should score a few if he continues to play in a more forward position.

Don't know yet about AJ, did he score much at Boro ?

And as for Mario, I don't think we can term him as a midfielder so I expect him to score at least 10.
And since you included Kolarov, I expect Micah to score 4 or 5 from corner kicks (he has actually scored one already but it was given to Tevez).

[brite blu sky]

i thought this might bring out a bit of scepticism.. and thats why i put early days yet. If for instance deJong keeps having a crack he will get one or two eventually.
The main thing is though in reference to the way we seem to be set up to play, imo we are going to depend on the Midfielders having a go in open play. We dont have a Lampard type character, as yet, who may get 9 or so goals from midfield (or pens), but imo we look like our midfield will get their chances during games.. more so than they have in the past at city or for their previous clubs, Silva aside.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

i thought this might bring out a bit of scepticism.. and thats why i put early days yet. If for instance deJong keeps having a crack he will get one or two eventually.
The main thing is though in reference to the way we seem to be set up to play, imo we are going to depend on the Midfielders having a go in open play. We dont have a Lampard type character, as yet, who may get 9 or so goals from midfield (or pens), but imo we look like our midfield will get their chances during games.. more so than they have in the past at city or for their previous clubs, Silva aside.

The safest bet for Nigel is no league goals this season The man I hope to get a bunch would be Yaya. He has got into some great positions already but failed each time so far but the goals will come from him I am sure.AJ 5 minumum and Silva 6, Milner 8 plus a few from the others here and there.

[ant london]

The man I hope to get a bunch would be Yaya. He has got into some great positions already but failed each time so far but the goals will come from him I am sure.

I was thinking that the other day as he gets into some excellent positions and has a hell of a shot...but then I checked his stats and he's not exactly a goal machine (although, granted, for Barca he was much more deep lying to less likely to be in a position to score other than from distance).


2001–2003 Beveren 70 apps 3 goals
2003–2005 Metalurh Donetsk 33 apps 3 goals
2005–2006 Olympiacos 19 apps 3 goals
2006–2007 Monaco 27 apps 5 goals
2007–2010 Barcelona 74 apps 4 goals
2010– Manchester City 3 apps 0 goals

[Ted Hughes]

I think Yaya, Silva, AJ, Milner, SWP are all capable of 7-8 goals but whether they'll get them is another matter. I expect Vieira & Barry to pick up 3-4 over the season. DeJong is working on shooting so I recon he'll score at some point (which will be fun!).

Against Sunderland, none of the players were looking for shooting chances from the edge of the box, they were looking sideways under pressure or taking 2 touches. 1st time shots, even if they get deflected, are essential in those kind of games, especially if as a team you don't do crosses/headers. Otherwise you can only score from a perfect goal or a set piece. Arsenal have recently proved that style alone doesn't win trophies. If you don't buy a ticket you don't win the raffle.

I see Balotelli as a wide striker like Bellamy rather than a midfielder & with his shooting power, physical presence, free kicks, I'm actually expecting 15-20 goals from him. I'm only expecting the same from Tevez in his present role though.

[brite blu sky]

So at least some people are a little optimistic about our Midfield strike capacity. In my OP i was taking into account that the new to the prem boys may take time to get going.. ie Silva. In theory he is good for about 10 goals, but i wouldn't really expect that this season, so if he bagged about 5 or 6 i would think he has done well given the circumstances.
Yaya is the one that could surprise us, i think he knows we have brought him in to be one of those players that turns games and hence makes our season. He used to be more attacking with Monaco and as Ant lays out he got more goals there per game than anywhere. His Barca days dont count at all as he was their anchorman.
I think Barry could also surprise this year because for the first time at City he is now afforded more space by Yaya's presence and deJong looking more 'complete'. This could be Barry's year to shine a bit.. especially as he has both the help and competition from Yaya and Milner.
AJ is the one that i have no idea about, he obviously has the ability to shoot and score and i think that he i used to cut in a lot will give him the chances.. remains to be seen if he can bury them. SWP we know if he gets on some form he will bag goals simple as. So 5 or 6 or even 8 are possible from him if he is getting playing time.

I included Balotelli as he seems like he might be the type of player to be difficult to pin down, ie drifting out of the game a bit on the sides but then showing up where the action is on cue, a real wildcard who if he finds his game could be knocking them in for fun.
Kolarov also because of his comfort actuallly playing in midfield and running through players could very easily end up bagging 4 goals not including free kicks. I am hoping he is fit for Chelsea as i can see him being able to take advantage if they are pressing us and lose the ball he can take full advantage by just running for goal.. i could really see that happening.

I am sure we will have a target of over 70 goals this season if not even 80!
If Uncle Tevez is targeting 30 and could get 20-25, Ade should be aiming for more than 10, Mario looks like he would better that.. 15 say, then the rest of the crew need to target about 35 between them.
Big season for all concerned.

[Ted Hughes]

Balotelli could be the key to the whole season. It was obvious how the whole team went up several gears when he came on & even Adebayor suddenly looked lively. I think it'll be a bonus if Tevez scores at the same kind of rate he did last season, he's not known for it. Ade is a great player but a total nut job & can't be trusted. We need someone to make the attack tick & at the moment at least, Silva isn't up to it. Balotelli could be the one that makes everyone else play & gets them scoring because he's a real handful who will occupy the attention of the oppo.