Wow it's like night and day compared to our other preseason games. The starting lineup was especially interesting with the 4-3-2-1 formation or whatever it was. Tevez and Silva roaming behind Ade is terrifying for defenses. One of the opposing centerbacks either have to pull out to mark one of them, creating space for the other to run into alongside Ade, or the opposing center mids have to sit right on the toes of their backline, which leaves a gaping whole for Yaya and Barry to exploit. Pretty clear that Kolarov and Boateng will be able to exploit room out wide with dangerous crossing too.
Micah has played pretty well but I do think he represents our biggest dilemma at the moment. I've watched him for the past 5 years and I don't think I've ever seen him put in a cross like Boateng's today, and I saw B put in a couple like that in the 3rd place WC match as well so it wasn't a fluke. However, I don't see Mancini starting Micah in the middle alongside Kompany, even though Kolo and Lescott aren't clearly better at the moment. It would be a shame to sit Micah but Boateng is clearly the better option at fullback.
What seems clear is that we have a lot of depth and some fairly versatile players that give Mancini lots of options for formations and tactics. Should be interesting to see what kind of looks he puts out in the second half. Also should be telling for those who don't get any playing time (Stevie, Jo, Bellamy?).
The season's almost here and I'm a hell of a lot more excited about it than I was 45 minutes ago!
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