How to Deal With The Bale Threat

[The Original Special One]

I haven't watched too many of their recent performances but no matter what people say about Modric or even Van der Vaart, for me its a case of keep Bale quiet and we beat Tottenham
(assuming our strikers don't get in each other's way, of course)

Micah Richards seems to have been particularly injury prone this season and if as it appears he's shaken off his latest injury he'll get a start, I'd like to have him partner Lescott at centre back, with Zaba at right back.
Richards is obviously quicker than Zaba and, on the face of it might seem the ideal choice to counter Bale's threat, and then he can keep Bale occupied, with his charges down their left flank.

But he still has a horrible tendency to switch off, or fail to cut out crosses, and if and when he does, we have only the unsteady Savic, inside him, who, although he gave an improved performance against Wigan, the fact remains that it was only toothless Wigan, and he still had some shaky moments

With Zaba, on the other hand, while we surrender pace, and a better offensive threat, we do have a fully committed defender

[Beefymcfc]

We out-did them tactically last time out, I see no reason to change a winning system. Bale isn't the biggest player for them, he's just the fastest, and we'll need to keep an eye on their central players who will try and pull the strings. Just watch and see them drop deep, lull us in and try and hit us on the break with the speed of Lennon and Bale to back up the precision of vd Vart and Modric. I can see plenty of balls over the top with Defoe firing from all angles.

Our fullbacks will have a hell of a job on their hands, and it won't be just down to Bale.

[bigblue]

he doesn't show up for big games, problem solved

[The Original Special One]

he doesn't show up for big games, problem solved

I seem to recall him giving us a fair old roasting at the Lane, last season!

[Nigels Tackle]

chuck him a banana?

[bluej]

Stop the supply to him. If we control the middle of the park, then he's mo longer a problem.

[carl_feedthegoat]

chuck him a banana?

Tire on a rope?

[razor400]

Inject him with the AIDS virus.

[The Original Special One]

Lets hope the 'jokers' here don't end having the laugh on the other side of their face, come Sunday afternoon!

[Tokyo Blue]

he doesn't show up for big games, problem solved

I seem to recall him giving us a fair old roasting at the Lane, last season!

Ah, the game when they battered us and won 0-0.

All we need to do is take our chances. If we score 5 again, gaylan will be irrelevant just like he was last time.

[phips]

i tend to agree with the OP..Richards with Joleon at the back and Zaba at RB.

[carl_feedthegoat]

Lets hope the 'jokers' here don't end having the laugh on the other side of their face, come Sunday afternoon!

Bale will still look like a fucking chimpanzee whatever the result.

[DoomMerchant]

chuck him a banana?

Tire on a rope?

my wife just walked by as i was reading this and said (and i quote): "City fans are funny." I'm not sure she was 100% serious. She does have an advanced graduate degree as well.

Advice?

[bigblue]

chuck him a banana?

Tire on a rope?

my wife just walked by as i was reading this and said (and i quote): "City fans are funny." I'm not sure she was 100% serious. She does have an advanced graduate degree as well.

Advice?

get a new wife

[The Original Special One]

he doesn't show up for big games, problem solved

I seem to recall him giving us a fair old roasting at the Lane, last season!

Ah, the game when they battered us and won 0-0.

All we need to do is take our chances. If we score 5 again, gaylan will be irrelevant just like he was last time.

.....the game where Joe Hart made himself England No. 1

[john68]

Lets hope the 'jokers' here don't end having the laugh on the other side of their face, come Sunday afternoon!

Jeez, I have read more optimistic stuff written by rags than some of the stuff you come out with.

Sat top of the League = City are shit.....explain.

[john@staustell]

Watched them against Wolves. Bale hit two of the highest shots I've ever seen. Over rated in the extreme. Modric and Parker make them tick.

But it's them that should worry about us. The huge volume of bluster coming from WHL right now suggests they are.

[Nigels Tackle]

chuck him a banana?

Tire on a rope?

my wife just walked by as i was reading this and said (and i quote): "City fans are funny." I'm not sure she was 100% serious. She does have an advanced graduate degree as well.

Advice?

shorten her leash to make sure she stays in the kitchen

[ashton287]

Stop the supply to him. If we control the middle of the park, then he's mo longer a problem.

Not easily done without yaya. We can try and assert some pressure maybe with Barry and Milner in the middle but they will both have to be on top of their game for 90 minutes. We need to be very patient, no long balls. Grab a goal early on and then keep the ball until they start leaving space looking for an equaliser then exploit it.

Not sure if I'd prefer to play dzeko seen as he has just got a goal and the memory of whl will probably inspire him on and the spurs defence might stick to him and give aguero more space or play balo just because when he makes the effort he is miles better than dzeko.

[Beefymcfc]