Napoli's 5-4-1

[lyons07]

lee honest, they were ALOT better than we expected, but I don't think many teams have the same pace as they did the other night.

[Beefymcfc]

We played very well and had the most shots (on, off and blocked), most possession, most territorial advantage etc, but we tried to hard to get the goal and got caught out. Shit happens sometimes and this was one of them nights. Their tactics did work to an extent but the fact that we had 4 clear cut chances and 2 off the bar shows that all we needed was a more clinical finish; take Edin's turn and shot for instance. On another night this game could've been 5-2 and people wouldn't say a thing.

Napoli played well, granted, but if other teams try the same I reckon 9 out of 10 times we would be out of site within the 1st half.

[andyblue]

3 centrebacks, wing backs that tuck in, a midfield that manmarks Silva and is fluid enough to block the channels, and a fast counter attack. Have Napoli shown the Prem how to play against us at home? How many managers will follow suit? Does Mancio have the solution to unlocking it?

I think that Napoli played very very well - I don't expect them to be able to do that to us at home. Also they benefit from great pace among the front players - most Premier League teams won't be able to break as quickly as they could. It was a great game and it was interesting to see how much better Napoli were than all the other teams we have faced so far this season.

[failsworthblue]

Mancini picked the wrong team, nothing genuis about it.

Richards and Clichy would have give us better overlap options and inturn freeing up space for Nasri and Silva.

To cautious again!

Playing for second in the group already

[Scorchio]

How many teams have the quality of players comparable to Cavani, Lavezzi and Hamsik? Not many. Gargano had a good game as well. Back that up with a typical Italian defense and I think that Napoli are a top team. Never going to be a walkover, a step up in class to what we have played in the league so far.
Lescott still isnt good enough, Savic needs a chance. As for Tevez, strolled through the warm up, as he did the game. Little closing down or runs. Cant afford passengers at this level.

[Ted Hughes]

How many teams have the quality of players comparable to Cavani, Lavezzi and Hamsik? Not many. Gargano had a good game as well. Back that up with a typical Italian defense and I think that Napoli are a top team. Never going to be a walkover, a step up in class to what we have played in the league so far.
Lescott still isnt good enough, Savic needs a chance. As for Tevez, strolled through the warm up, as he did the game. Little closing down or runs. Cant afford passengers at this level.

Vinny was much worse than Lescott & Savic is nowhere near as good as either of them. Also, lmo the players you mentioned were nowhere near as good as most top 6 Premier Lg attacks would be if given the same time & space. A 4v4 breakaway in the PL is a goal half the time. They wasted almost every one they had. Imo if we'd defended as a team against Spurs like that, we would have been hammered & will be hammered by Everton & Bayern if we do it next week.

[Crossie]

They have played 2 and won 2 in Serie A, including beating AC Milan 3-1 at home so far.

So, maybe it was a good result afterall? Early days though.