Dzeko

[Mase]

Ade was better and we ran him out of town on a rail when he was twice the defensive player Dzeko is and about as committed going forward.

His head on a pike i guess is the only option.

Cavani?

also, i'm not sure Tevez leaves or not this summer. Conventional wisdom says of course he's offski, but...i just have a feeling, that somehow, just maybe this freak of nature flip flops around and does something to show us something we loved about him.

regardless we still need 4 strikers, don't we?

I wish city buys Cavani.

Just because he's doing well in SERIE A doesn't mean he'll do well in City. In a team where there is no through balls, no crosses, everyone plays their own game etc...

It was the same case with Dzeko. Different league -> different system/style of football.

Dzeko should leave in summer. There is no space for him in City and he doesn't fit in. I am afraid Aguero is going to leave too.

Cavani shows a hell of a lot more movement than Dzeko though. The guy works for the team.

[NorthernHope]

I would say that Dzeko, despite everything, works for the team.
Does anyone want to say that he did not clear a few dangerous crosses in our box, with his head.
Some of those clearances resulted in counter attacks.

Now, lets talk about that running from Aguero. Sometimes I wonder, what does it bring? Aguero ran, Balotelli tried, but with no result. Those runs are empty, yet - the fans like you aprreciate them.

Dzeko also did what he knew and as much as he could.. maybe he is smarter than all of us and maybe he knows in advance that running empty (without a ball, or chasing 2-3 defenders) in a circle wont bring much to his team. Maybe he saved his strenght for some good cross, which eventually never came?

Maybe he was trying by spoting himslef on a good position to receive a long pass, but the pass also never came?

We dont count the times when players wanted the ball, yet, we count how many did they "run their assses", because running wins games?

My point is, or maybe a question for debate... does running brings more than.. lets say what Dzeko does ... "trying to remain unmarked and in good position to receive a long pass or cross" ... Is empty running overrated? It obviously keeps the fans distracted from poor game overall, but...

[Ted Hughes]

Ade was better and we ran him out of town on a rail when he was twice the defensive player Dzeko is and about as committed going forward.

His head on a pike i guess is the only option.

Cavani?

also, i'm not sure Tevez leaves or not this summer. Conventional wisdom says of course he's offski, but...i just have a feeling, that somehow, just maybe this freak of nature flip flops around and does something to show us something we loved about him.

regardless we still need 4 strikers, don't we?

I wish city buys Cavani.

Just because he's doing well in SERIE A doesn't mean he'll do well in City. In a team where there is no through balls, no crosses, everyone plays their own game etc...

It was the same case with Dzeko. Different league -> different system/style of football.

Dzeko should leave in summer. There is no space for him in City and he doesn't fit in. I am afraid Aguero is going to leave too.

How in the name of God have we managed to score all these goals ?

EVERYBODY comes from a different style of football. They all have to work to fit in. WORK to fit in.

[Ted Hughes]

I would say that Dzeko, despite everything, works for the team.
Does anyone want to say that he did not clear a few dangerous crosses in our box, with his head.
Some of those clearances resulted in counter attacks.

Now, lets talk about that running from Aguero. Sometimes I wonder, what does it bring? Aguero ran, Balotelli tried, but with no result. Those runs are empty, yet - the fans like you aprreciate them.

Dzeko also did what he knew and as much as he could.. maybe he is smarter than all of us and maybe he knows in advance that running empty (without a ball, or chasing 2-3 defenders) in a circle wont bring much to his team. Maybe he saved his strenght for some good cross, which eventually never came?

Maybe he was trying by spoting himslef on a good position to receive a long pass, but the pass also never came?

We dont count the times when players wanted the ball, yet, we count how many did they "run their assses", because running wins games?

My point is, or maybe a question for debate... does running brings more than.. lets say what Dzeko does ... "trying to remain unmarked and in good position to receive a long pass or cross" ... Is empty running overrated? It obviously keeps the fans distracted from poor game overall, but...

No.

All the best players work hard in one way or another. When Dzeko had his one excellent game in the league (v Spurs), his goals came from trememdous hard work, one to get in front of a defender, another to get into position to score a header. He absolutely busted his bollocks to get there & his team mates responded by picking him out with passes.

His other excellent game was in the Carling cup v Arsenal where, once again, he ran his bollocks off for the whoile game & created a fantastic breakaway through sheer hard work, he didn't score but it didn't matter, he was brilliant & the main reason we won.

This PROVES he can do it. The excuses you people are making for him are utter bullshit. He has shown what a fantastic player he can be but like Berbatov at Utd, most of the time, he doesn't give a flying fuck & can't be arsed putting the work in. Just like you fanboys of his; he thinks that's all that matters is if he scores at a reasonable rate over the season.

Well Berbatov finished as top Premier League scorer last season & most Utd fans think he's a lazy bag of fucking shit.

[BlueinBosnia]

My point is, or maybe a question for debate... does running brings more than.. lets say what Dzeko does ... "trying to remain unmarked and in good position to receive a long pass or cross" ... Is empty running overrated? It obviously keeps the fans distracted from poor game overall, but...

An interesting point, I suppose.

I'd say that it's 'effort', and not 'running about' that English fans like in a player. If Dzeko was static, but physically held off other players, then that, too, would be appreciated.

As it was yesterday, he just seemed not to care. The close up of his face after he kicked the ball into touch under no pressure said it all. It was as if he was thinking "I've made a few mistakes tonight, the manager's going to sub me, and I've blown it for myself. I may as well take it easy.".

I think Dzeko's talent for loitering up top and waiting for the long ball that you see would only work in the Premier league for a lower-mid table club; Stoke, Sunderland or Liverpool.

On the fans comment- it may keep us distracted, but if so, it's done it for 30 years or more for a vast majority of members of this site. Don't you thinkthat some people would have realized it was some kind of trick before it was pointed out by someone who's been supporting a Premier League club for less than 2 years?

[Beeks]

Well Berbatov finished as top Premier League scorer last season & most Utd fans think he's a lazy bag of fucking shit.

So what are you saying Ruxpin?

That we should emulate them?

Or perhaps adapt a more sensible and less rag like attitude and support him..like you said..he is more than capable of working hard for the team..have you for one minute considered he might be a little low on confidence?

Would you rather Torres right now? Or Carroll?

I'd agree that as it stands he's probably third choice striker..even in Bobs mind

Not a bad haul for a third choice striker eh?

No matter what spin is put on it..this game is about scoring goals

And Dzeko does that

[Ted Hughes]

Well Berbatov finished as top Premier League scorer last season & most Utd fans think he's a lazy bag of fucking shit.

So what are you saying Ruxpin?

That we should emulate them?

Or perhaps adapt a more sensible and less rag like attitude and support him..like you said..he is more than capable of working hard for the team..have you for one minute considered he might be a little low on confidence?

Would you rather Torres right now? Or Carroll?

I'd agree that as it stands he's probably third choice striker..even in Bobs mind

Not a bad haul for a third choice striker eh?

No matter what spin is put on it..this game is about scoring goals

And Dzeko does that

I'd advocate getting rid of him unless he plays every game from now til May, with the attitude he showed v Arsenal.

I'm not remotely interested in how many goals he's scored as I think any half decent goalscorer will score goals in this team. I agree we could cross better to him (& Balotelli ) but imo, we want more from our strikers than just a finish; we want each player to do his part in the team. If all we want as 3rd striker is a goalscorer I would rather have the money from Dzeko's sale, buy another Silva type player, sign DeFoe for the bench & play 1 up front.

[NorthernHope]

I would say that Dzeko, despite everything, works for the team.
Does anyone want to say that he did not clear a few dangerous crosses in our box, with his head.
Some of those clearances resulted in counter attacks.

Now, lets talk about that running from Aguero. Sometimes I wonder, what does it bring? Aguero ran, Balotelli tried, but with no result. Those runs are empty, yet - the fans like you aprreciate them.

Dzeko also did what he knew and as much as he could.. maybe he is smarter than all of us and maybe he knows in advance that running empty (without a ball, or chasing 2-3 defenders) in a circle wont bring much to his team. Maybe he saved his strenght for some good cross, which eventually never came?

Maybe he was trying by spoting himslef on a good position to receive a long pass, but the pass also never came?

We dont count the times when players wanted the ball, yet, we count how many did they "run their assses", because running wins games?

My point is, or maybe a question for debate... does running brings more than.. lets say what Dzeko does ... "trying to remain unmarked and in good position to receive a long pass or cross" ... Is empty running overrated? It obviously keeps the fans distracted from poor game overall, but...

No.

All the best players work hard in one way or another. When Dzeko had his one excellent game in the league (v Spurs), his goals came from trememdous hard work, one to get in front of a defender, another to get into position to score a header. He absolutely busted his bollocks to get there & his team mates responded by picking him out with passes.

His other excellent game was in the Carling cup v Arsenal where, once again, he ran his bollocks off for the whoile game & created a fantastic breakaway through sheer hard work, he didn't score but it didn't matter, he was brilliant & the main reason we won.

This PROVES he can do it. The excuses you people are making for him are utter bullshit. He has shown what a fantastic player he can be but like Berbatov at Utd, most of the time, he doesn't give a flying fuck & can't be arsed putting the work in. Just like you fanboys of his; he thinks that's all that matters is if he scores at a reasonable rate over the season.

Well Berbatov finished as top Premier League scorer last season & most Utd fans think he's a lazy bag of fucking shit.

...and brought them a title. That's it. Nothing else will be rembembered.
Like Beeks said, its about goals, about the final score.

And you said, "one to get in front of a defender, another to get into position to score a header" - now, what would happen if there was no pass on that occasion, or if the pass was too high, or too low? Maybe in a few minutes later Dzeko would loose some ball and would be replaced at HT. -> Im saying this to emphasize the importance of crossing, passes. To have a good game as a striker, you need to get those passes in right areas, at the right moment. If you dont, none of the running your ass off, or controlling the ball perfectly and pass it back to your defender will not matter. It wont win the match. Great cross and a header will.

And lets not mention "Dzeko fan" anymore, Im not here either to defend Dzeko or to pretend Im a city fan for over 100 years.
Lets just talk about football.

[Im_Spartacus]

I would say that Dzeko, despite everything, works for the team.
Does anyone want to say that he did not clear a few dangerous crosses in our box, with his head.
Some of those clearances resulted in counter attacks.

Now, lets talk about that running from Aguero. Sometimes I wonder, what does it bring? Aguero ran, Balotelli tried, but with no result. Those runs are empty, yet - the fans like you aprreciate them.

Dzeko also did what he knew and as much as he could.. maybe he is smarter than all of us and maybe he knows in advance that running empty (without a ball, or chasing 2-3 defenders) in a circle wont bring much to his team. Maybe he saved his strenght for some good cross, which eventually never came?

Maybe he was trying by spoting himslef on a good position to receive a long pass, but the pass also never came?

We dont count the times when players wanted the ball, yet, we count how many did they "run their assses", because running wins games?

My point is, or maybe a question for debate... does running brings more than.. lets say what Dzeko does ... "trying to remain unmarked and in good position to receive a long pass or cross" ... Is empty running overrated? It obviously keeps the fans distracted from poor game overall, but...

No.

All the best players work hard in one way or another. When Dzeko had his one excellent game in the league (v Spurs), his goals came from trememdous hard work, one to get in front of a defender, another to get into position to score a header. He absolutely busted his bollocks to get there & his team mates responded by picking him out with passes.

His other excellent game was in the Carling cup v Arsenal where, once again, he ran his bollocks off for the whoile game & created a fantastic breakaway through sheer hard work, he didn't score but it didn't matter, he was brilliant & the main reason we won.

This PROVES he can do it. The excuses you people are making for him are utter bullshit. He has shown what a fantastic player he can be but like Berbatov at Utd, most of the time, he doesn't give a flying fuck & can't be arsed putting the work in. Just like you fanboys of his; he thinks that's all that matters is if he scores at a reasonable rate over the season.

Well Berbatov finished as top Premier League scorer last season & most Utd fans think he's a lazy bag of fucking shit.

...and brought them a title. That's it. Nothing else will be rembembered.
Like Beeks said, its about goals, about the final score.

And you said, "one to get in front of a defender, another to get into position to score a header" - now, what would happen if there was no pass on that occasion, or if the pass was too high, or too low? Maybe in a few minutes later Dzeko would loose some ball and would be replaced at HT. -> Im saying this to emphasize the importance of crossing, passes. To have a good game as a striker, you need to get those passes in right areas, at the right moment. If you dont, none of the running your ass off, or controlling the ball perfectly and pass it back to your defender will not matter. It wont win the match. Great cross and a header will.

And lets not mention "Dzeko fan" anymore, Im not here either to defend Dzeko or to pretend Im a city fan for over 100 years.
Lets just talk about football.

But we will never know will we, because he doesnt fucking do it regardless of service.

Lets ask Carlos Tevez how many of his goals come through running his arse off eh?

[Beefymcfc]

No service, no goals. You've played football ain't ya!

[gene_kelly]

if there's any truth about this van persie business, dzeko will be sold. they want tevez out the club for obvious reasons, and guideti will defo get a run out in the side after what he's been up to recently. we need four strikers, and sergio and mario ain't going anywhere.
dunno where his head was at thursday night, but it wasn't in the game. the poster who said he looked 'not arsed' was spot on, and there was a few shots of aguero looking increasingly annoyed with him. he probably still hasn't forgiven him for the goal edin screwed up a few weeks ago, the one with the amazing run (sorry, tired and can't remember who we were playing, but sure you know all know the one i mean). could have been goal of the season and edin ballsed it up for him

[Ted Hughes]

No service, no goals. You've played football ain't ya!

The only people who keep going on about goals are Dzeko's fanboys.

The goals aren't the problem, it's the fact the he's playing like a fucking fairy with arthritis.

[Bluemoon16]

If Dzeko continuous with such poor form and attitude, he'll probably lose his place to Tevez very soon.

[john68]

Consider this, in an average game, an average player will actually have control of the ball for about 2 minutes. A game lasts 90 (not including the added time.
A goal can take as little as seconds to score. If Dzekoscores a hat trick, it might take no longer than a minute or two.
The question about Dzeko is what he does for the other 88 minutes and how does he affect the game when not in possession?

For those of you that think putting effort in is about running your arse off, that is only a part of the picture. A player should run his arse off but only when the circumstances dictate he does. Drifting and drawing defenders, creating space for others, making dummy runs, taking up positions to give other players options, strategically moving to make defenders unsure whether to retain a position or cover his movements.

What is notable is that in a team that values possession highly as a basis of our gameplan, Dzeko's control is the cause of us losing itso often.

[Blue Since 76]

.
The question about Dzeko is what he does for the other 88 minutes and how does he affect the game when not in possession?

For those of you that think putting effort in is about running your arse off, that is only a part of the picture. A player should run his arse off but only when the circumstances dictate he does. Drifting and drawing defenders, creating space for others, making dummy runs, taking up positions to give other players options, strategically moving to make defenders unsure whether to retain a position or cover his movements.

John, I agree. And that's the problem with Edin. Losing possession or a bad first touch is only part of the problem. It's the lack of effort when he hasn't got the ball that is really annoying. Again, not running about dickov style but moving into positions that create space for others or give them an option for an out ball or just generally annoying defenders.

There is a difference here between those who watch him on TV and those who go to the games. If I watch an away game on TV I get a different perspective than I get at the home matches. On TV you generally only see the area around the ball or what the director wants to show you. In the ground you get a much wider picture and you'll often be drawn to off the ball movement, or lack of it as the case may be.

[Ted Hughes]

.
The question about Dzeko is what he does for the other 88 minutes and how does he affect the game when not in possession?

For those of you that think putting effort in is about running your arse off, that is only a part of the picture. A player should run his arse off but only when the circumstances dictate he does. Drifting and drawing defenders, creating space for others, making dummy runs, taking up positions to give other players options, strategically moving to make defenders unsure whether to retain a position or cover his movements.

John, I agree. And that's the problem with Edin. Losing possession or a bad first touch is only part of the problem. It's the lack of effort when he hasn't got the ball that is really annoying. Again, not running about dickov style but moving into positions that create space for others or give them an option for an out ball or just generally annoying defenders.

There is a difference here between those who watch him on TV and those who go to the games. If I watch an away game on TV I get a different perspective than I get at the home matches. On TV you generally only see the area around the ball or what the director wants to show you. In the ground you get a much wider picture and you'll often be drawn to off the ball movement, or lack of it as the case may be.

There was an instance v Sporting, where the ball looped up in the air towards Dzeko. He stood watching as it came down, making no attempt to head it, then made no attempt to control it with his chest, then finaly as it reached pitch level, he flicked a foot at it as the defender took it away from him & launched an opposition attack.

Why are some people suggesting that those of us who find this kind of thing unacceptable are being unfair to Dzeko ?

When have we ever accepted this from any player ?

[Bridge'srightfoot]

He's a good squad player, decent in the air and always capable of a goal or two and worth having but he's not good enough to be our main striker. That's about it really.

[DoomMerchant]

.
The question about Dzeko is what he does for the other 88 minutes and how does he affect the game when not in possession?

For those of you that think putting effort in is about running your arse off, that is only a part of the picture. A player should run his arse off but only when the circumstances dictate he does. Drifting and drawing defenders, creating space for others, making dummy runs, taking up positions to give other players options, strategically moving to make defenders unsure whether to retain a position or cover his movements.

John, I agree. And that's the problem with Edin. Losing possession or a bad first touch is only part of the problem. It's the lack of effort when he hasn't got the ball that is really annoying. Again, not running about dickov style but moving into positions that create space for others or give them an option for an out ball or just generally annoying defenders.

There is a difference here between those who watch him on TV and those who go to the games. If I watch an away game on TV I get a different perspective than I get at the home matches. On TV you generally only see the area around the ball or what the director wants to show you. In the ground you get a much wider picture and you'll often be drawn to off the ball movement, or lack of it as the case may be.

There was an instance v Sporting, where the ball looped up in the air towards Dzeko. He stood watching as it came down, making no attempt to head it, then made no attempt to control it with his chest, then finaly as it reached pitch level, he flicked a foot at it as the defender took it away from him & launched an opposition attack.

Why are some people suggesting that those of us who find this kind of thing unacceptable are being unfair to Dzeko ?

When have we ever accepted this from any player ?

i was really patient with Nery Castillo for that 15 minutes he played like that before some broke his soft arse in half.

cheers

[Blue Since 76]

There was an instance v Sporting, where the ball looped up in the air towards Dzeko. He stood watching as it came down, making no attempt to head it, then made no attempt to control it with his chest, then finaly as it reached pitch level, he flicked a foot at it as the defender took it away from him & launched an opposition attack.

Why are some people suggesting that those of us who find this kind of thing unacceptable are being unfair to Dzeko ?

When have we ever accepted this from any player ?

Ted,
Comment wasn't aimed at you, and not sure if you think it was. I didn't see the Lisbon game as I was away, so can't comment on that incident. Personally, I think his control and aggression around the ball are some of the worst aspects of his play. However, the comment was more a general discussion that TV and live give a completely different perspective of a game.

Those therefore who've only seen Dzeko on TV for City may think he's done better than those who also see his off the ball effort.

[Ted Hughes]

There was an instance v Sporting, where the ball looped up in the air towards Dzeko. He stood watching as it came down, making no attempt to head it, then made no attempt to control it with his chest, then finaly as it reached pitch level, he flicked a foot at it as the defender took it away from him & launched an opposition attack.

Why are some people suggesting that those of us who find this kind of thing unacceptable are being unfair to Dzeko ?

When have we ever accepted this from any player ?

Ted,
Comment wasn't aimed at you, and not sure if you think it was. I didn't see the Lisbon game as I was away, so can't comment on that incident. Personally, I think his control and aggression around the ball are some of the worst aspects of his play. However, the comment was more a general discussion that TV and live give a completely different perspective of a game.

Those therefore who've only seen Dzeko on TV for City may think he's done better than those who also see his off the ball effort.

No, I agree that most of his laziness goes unnoticed on tv, as he's usually out of the picture when the ball is passed forward to him.

The instance I'm talking about could be clearly seen on tv though & I don't know why any of his excusers find it acceptable that one of our strikers does that, when others in the past have been slaughtered for much less.