What Does Yaya Toure Actually Do?

[halnone]

Its got to the stage where I'm looking for us to consider every possible alternative; for example Zabaleta
Or Savic?
Or maybe re-jigging the shape of the team to somehow fit James Milner in, who's come on a ton this season, even if he's not a defensive midfielder and it would take him a while to 'unlearn' his natural instincts, despite his willingness and honesty.

The problem is, I think, that Mancini has invested too much of his reputation in Ya Ya: two other players that he's been keen on for years are Silva and Nasri. Obviously Silva has paid him back in bucketloads; hopefully Nasri will, also, although I think he'll probably frustrate us a lot before he does

we're joint top of the league FFS. Not the time to be messing around with stuff, just enjoy it and the players will gel together even more. And yeah, what has Mancini gotten out of Yaya besides an FA Cup win and qualifying for the Champs league. We've had the best start to the season since 77/78 and people are still whinging left and right

Everyone is happy I'm sure, but at the same time, if someone is not playing well then we're allowed to say that, regardless of where we are in the league. Yaya has been pretty poor this season. We're at the top of the league because Hart, Silva, Dzeko, Aguero, Richards, Clichy, to name a few have been on the whole excellent. Yaya has the ability, he showed that on occasions last season. But too many games just pass him by and that's not good enough for the team we want to be.

I think this widely held view that Yaya slacks off affects people's perception when they watch the game. He was great today. As Platt said, Yaya had tons of time on the ball but our players around him weren't in the right position or making the right runs. We win or lose as a team and there is too much singling out of individual players.

I've said it before a few pages back and I'll say it again: the fact that this thread is 11 pages long and hasn't turned sarcastic is a disgrace to this board and makes everyone here look like ungrateful idiots. Questioning what a world class player does reminds me of the same level of thought as this guy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3axNms17wak#t=4m30s

Well there's your problem right there...in my opinion, and others' on here it seems, he's not a world class player. World class = Messi, Ronaldo, Ribery, Silva etc.

Are you telling me Yaya fits into that group of players? He doesn't. People use the term 'world class' far too freely.

And what do you mean by 'this widely held view that Yaya slacks off affects people's perception when they watch the game' - it's not a perception, he actually does slack off and that does influence my opinion of him as players at that level shouldn't perform so half-heartedly so often. I'll admit, I thought Yaya had a decent game against Blackburn, and I hope he can improve moving forward. But please don't make out that Yaya is immune to criticism because he's 'world class', because he most definitely isn't 'world class'. People who say that just look like idiots.

you don't think Yaya is as good as Messi?

Do you have any other revelations to tell us?

[bigblue]

Well there's your problem right there...in my opinion, and others' on here it seems, he's not a world class player. World class = Messi, Ronaldo, Ribery, Silva etc.

Are you telling me Yaya fits into that group of players? He doesn't. People use the term 'world class' far too freely.

If you're going to compare players to Yaya at least name players of the same position. If I was going to make a functional 25 man squad of the best players in the world, Yaya would be in my team. That is my basic definition of world class. If you wouldn't include Yaya, who would you pick over him?

And if he slacks off so much, why is he consistently named in the starting lineup for a team joint 1st in the premier league? Surely Mancini would notice his lack of effort since we have enough squad players to replace him.

[aaron bond]

Well there's your problem right there...in my opinion, and others' on here it seems, he's not a world class player. World class = Messi, Ronaldo, Ribery, Silva etc.

Are you telling me Yaya fits into that group of players? He doesn't. People use the term 'world class' far too freely.

If you're going to compare players to Yaya at least name players of the same position. If I was going to make a functional 25 man squad of the best players in the world, Yaya would be in my team. That is my basic definition of world class. If you wouldn't include Yaya, who would you pick over him?

And if he slacks off so much, why is he consistently named in the starting lineup for a team joint 1st in the premier league? Surely Mancini would notice his lack of effort since we have enough squad players to replace him.

If you're picking Yaya to play the more defensive role, I'd have De Jong over him. He wouldn't get into my first 11 with City, I'd prefer to play Milner or Barry over him as well. For your 25-man 'world class' squad, if you're looking to play him in the more advanced midfield position, there are plenty of players I'd prefer - Hamsik, Sneijder, Ozil, Xavi, Fabregas, Iniesta.

To your second point about why he's consistently picked, I genuinely have no idea. Mancini clearly sees something I don't. Fortunately I know I'm not going mad as plenty of other fans aren't sure either!

We clearly see completely different things when it comes to Yaya. What, in your opinion, does he do so well that makes him better than anyone else out there in the position(s) he plays in? I'm not doubting he has some talent, but he just showcases any talent he has far too rarely.

[bigblue]

Well there's your problem right there...in my opinion, and others' on here it seems, he's not a world class player. World class = Messi, Ronaldo, Ribery, Silva etc.

Are you telling me Yaya fits into that group of players? He doesn't. People use the term 'world class' far too freely.

If you're going to compare players to Yaya at least name players of the same position. If I was going to make a functional 25 man squad of the best players in the world, Yaya would be in my team. That is my basic definition of world class. If you wouldn't include Yaya, who would you pick over him?

And if he slacks off so much, why is he consistently named in the starting lineup for a team joint 1st in the premier league? Surely Mancini would notice his lack of effort since we have enough squad players to replace him.

If you're picking Yaya to play the more defensive role, I'd have De Jong over him. He wouldn't get into my first 11 with City, I'd prefer to play Milner or Barry over him as well. For your 25-man 'world class' squad, if you're looking to play him in the more advanced midfield position, there are plenty of players I'd prefer - Hamsik, Sneijder, Ozil, Xavi, Fabregas, Iniesta.

To your second point about why he's consistently picked, I genuinely have no idea. Mancini clearly sees something I don't. Fortunately I know I'm not going mad as plenty of other fans aren't sure either!

We clearly see completely different things when it comes to Yaya. What, in your opinion, does he do so well that makes him better than anyone else out there in the position(s) he plays in? I'm not doubting he has some talent, but he just showcases any talent he has far too rarely.

I'd say the main asset that he has (which is better than almost any player in the world) is his ability to control the pace of the game when in possession. I don't mean simply driving forward from an attacking standpoint, but being able to slow the game down then suddenly speed it up to catch the other team out.

If you look at most of our longer spells of possession, most of the passing is played through Yaya. The ball is passed around the backline, to Yaya, to a wingback, to Yaya,to a midfielder, to Yaya... then a long or decisive pass from Yaya to put someone in a position to create a chance. All of these passes are played at the right tempo according to what we need in the game. If a team is camping out in their own 18 yard box, we play slowly around the center circle to make them impatient and draw them out. If they are stretched or too high, look to play someone in up top. Everyone clumped on the right; switch it to the left. Space in the middle; look for a combination with Barry, Nasri, or Silva. Watching him is like a flashback to the old Brazil where they controlled the tempo of the game to manipulate their opponents. Basically bore the other team to sleep then suddenly attack when they lose a second of concentration.

Against Blackburn Yaya probably played the best pass of the game about 45 yards across the field to Mario who hit the post. Also on Nasri's goal, the ball was headed back to Yaya who played it 1st time to Silva to start the fast break. Of course doesn't always work this way, but he is only 1 of 11 players on the field. This also never mentions that he is fucking gigantic and once he gets going, can power by almost anyone out there. Smart, disciplined, skilled, athlete.

[andyblue]

The reason YT is always picked is because of his passing. Look on Guardian Chalkboards and you'll see that his passing success is very high - i have seen > 80% several times.

[andyblue]

To your second point about why he's consistently picked, I genuinely have no idea. Mancini clearly sees something I don't. Fortunately I know I'm not going mad as plenty of other fans aren't sure either!

Just explain your logic again here. You can't see what Mancini sees, but you "know you're not going mad because plenty of other fans" can't see it either? Bear in mind that we pay Mancini £1m per year.

[andyblue]

To your second point about why he's consistently picked, I genuinely have no idea. Mancini clearly sees something I don't. Fortunately I know I'm not going mad as plenty of other fans aren't sure either!

Just explain your logic again here. You can't see what Mancini sees, but you "know you're not going mad because plenty of other fans" can't see it either? Bear in mind that we pay Mancini £1m per year.

[Slim]

To your second point about why he's consistently picked, I genuinely have no idea. Mancini clearly sees something I don't. Fortunately I know I'm not going mad as plenty of other fans aren't sure either!

Just explain your logic again here. You can't see what Mancini sees, but you "know you're not going mad because plenty of other fans" can't see it either? Bear in mind that we pay Mancini £1m per year.

And we're 2nd in the league with 19 points from 7 games.

He must have no fucking clue at all.

[aaron bond]

To your second point about why he's consistently picked, I genuinely have no idea. Mancini clearly sees something I don't. Fortunately I know I'm not going mad as plenty of other fans aren't sure either!

Just explain your logic again here. You can't see what Mancini sees, but you "know you're not going mad because plenty of other fans" can't see it either? Bear in mind that we pay Mancini £1m per year.

And we're 2nd in the league with 19 points from 7 games.

He must have no fucking clue at all.

I didn't say Mancini doesn't have a clue. If you're going to join the debate, at least challenge what I've said instead of making things up.

I'm a big Mancini fan and think overall he has done a very good job, but that doesn't mean I have to agree with everything he does. Yaya had a good game yesterday but before that he's been poor this season and, in my opinion, deserved to be dropped.

Because of our league position, are we not allowed to discuss the team and players any more?

[Bridge'srightfoot]

Any team in the world ( maybe bar Bacelona) would love to have Toure in their team.

[linwood]

Any team in the world ( maybe bar Bacelona) would love to have Toure in their team.

Not sure Bayern Munich would be too keen.

[Rag_hater]

I think yesterday was an example of what Yaya does.
He also did against Swansea,Bolton Spuds and Wigan.
He was average in the other matches probably with the exception of the game against Bayern where he was poor but so where quite a few others.
All this stuff about him being poor this season is exaggeration.
Last year he scored more goals and made more assists than he has done at any point in his career.
This year he is playing the role that he has most of his playing career which means he will not be scoring or assisting as many.
He is a DM first and foremost the fact he is good at other jobs is just an example of how good he is.

[Ted Hughes]

It's the defensive side of his game which has been the problem. When he's up against sides who aren't very good, it's less of a problem & his good points come through. When he's up against quality & workrate; he struggles to cope & imo isn't good enough to play that role; we need an extra man in there to cover for him.

[vandaliser]

Hello every one.

A longtime lurker here. This thread finally compelled me to register. I think alot of people here are failing to give Toure the respect he deserves. His defensive side is beig called into question. The problem here is that ever since he has come from barcelona he has been pushed to a more attacking field. This has went on for a year. As a result, his defensive abilities have gone rusty and that's why he struggled abit so far this season when he was asked to go back to his traditional role.

Yaya toure was the linchpin of the defensive side of barca when they won the treble. In all the cup final games and towards the end of the serason he played central defense when they were injuries to alot of barca personnel. He played as their defensive midfield anchor man in every single game prior to the injuries. In the champions league semi final against chelsea he man marked drogba out of the game. In the final against Manchester united, he repelled not just the world' best player at the time Ronaldo but also rooney, giggs and tevez. It was actually yaya's best ever match in a barcelona game. In a high pressure game where even the likes keita refused to volunteer to play central defense. Only Toure stepped up.

The guy does have defensive abilities and those questioning his tackling power or heading ability should watch that chelsea semi final match. The ability is there. The problem is that it takes time to adapt and regain the sharpness required because of being played out of position for a year. Inspite of all that he remains the one of the highest passers in the game and dominated games like the ones against spurs, swansea and napoli

Finally here is MOM performance in the el classico 09. Puts Nigel de Jong to shame

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1P4afFSkFA

[Beefymcfc]

The reason YT is always picked is because of his passing. Look on Guardian Chalkboards and you'll see that his passing success is very high - i have seen > 80% several times.

Nail on head. Like as been stated, when on the ball he can control a game and his awareness and distribution is excellent.

The only problem I have with Yaya is that he cannot give 100% when we've got a tough run of fixtures but that's what comes with the package. For me, I'd give him a game off prior to the CL so we could get the best out of him.

[halnone]

Hello every one.

A longtime lurker here. This thread finally compelled me to register. I think alot of people here are failing to give Toure the respect he deserves. His defensive side is beig called into question. The problem here is that ever since he has come from barcelona he has been pushed to a more attacking field. This has went on for a year. As a result, his defensive abilities have gone rusty and that's why he struggled abit so far this season when he was asked to go back to his traditional role.

Yaya toure was the linchpin of the defensive side of barca when they won the treble. In all the cup final games and towards the end of the serason he played central defense when they were injuries to alot of barca personnel. He played as their defensive midfield anchor man in every single game prior to the injuries. In the champions league semi final against chelsea he man marked drogba out of the game. In the final against Manchester united, he repelled not just the world' best player at the time Ronaldo but also rooney, giggs and tevez. It was actually yaya's best ever match in a barcelona game. In a high pressure game where even the likes keita refused to volunteer to play central defense. Only Toure stepped up.

The guy does have defensive abilities and those questioning his tackling power or heading ability should watch that chelsea semi final match. The ability is there. The problem is that it takes time to adapt and regain the sharpness required because of being played out of position for a year. Inspite of all that he remains the one of the highest passers in the game and dominated games like the ones against spurs, swansea and napoli

Finally here is MOM performance in the el classico 09. Puts Nigel de Jong to shame

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1P4afFSkFA

Good post
Being a defensive midfielder at Barca is probably easier than most teams.

[Ted Hughes]

When he played for Barca, they almost always had the ball & they have everyone working like fuck to get it back when they lose it. Therefore he didn't have to do any constant spells of running. In our team, against decent opposition, he sometimes has to run, without the ball, for several minutes.

He can't.

[andyblue]

The reason YT is always picked is because of his passing. Look on Guardian Chalkboards and you'll see that his passing success is very high - i have seen > 80% several times.

Sorry, I made a stupid typo before. I meant to say "> 90%". In the PL this season, he's only been under 90% successful in the Swansea game.

[freshie]

[youtube]y1P4afFSkFA[/youtube]

This is the kind of performance I want to (but have yet to) see from him in a City shirt

[King Kev]

[youtube]y1P4afFSkFA[/youtube]

This is the kind of performance I want to (but have yet to) see from him in a City shirt

We have Nigel to do that job at City and he does it extremely well.

As vandilser pointed out, Yaya did a different job at Barca than he is being asked to do at City.