Backing Off Attackers

[Mase]

Why have we suddenly started backing off attackers and letting them have a free shot at goal?

Tonight wasn't the first instance this season. Both Southampton goals could have been stopped if we'd closed down the attacker as well.

Do we need to go back to when Bob first came and we played for the 1-0 every games and kept it solid??

[london blue 2]

Why have we suddenly started backing off attackers and letting them have a free shot at goal?

Tonight wasn't the first instance this season. Both Southampton goals could have been stopped if we'd closed down the attacker as well.

Do we need to go back to when Bob first came and we played for the 1-0 every games and kept it solid??

I think so yeah if the defence is shit fix it!

[bobadji]

on the other hand they had a lot of long range shots but barely any 1 on 1 situations

[Mase]

on the other hand they had a lot of long range shots but barely any 1 on 1 situations

They had a lot of long rangers because that's what we let them do. Just stood off and invited them.

[Grandad Rosler]

on the other hand they had a lot of long range shots but barely any 1 on 1 situations

They had a lot of long range shots, mid range shots close range shots without us closing them down

Not the way to win games or as it happens to even get a draw

[london blue 2]

I miss Nige

[shawzy]

I miss Nige

Me to..The guy was a rock..I really hope Garcia can add more to the team but on tonight's showing i would have preferred Nige. Its early days and we should dig in and show some faith in the new boys..At the moment we just dont look resilient enough compared to last season

[Ted Hughes]

I miss Nige

Me to..The guy was a rock..I really hope Garcia can add more to the team but on tonight's showing i would have preferred Nige. Its early days and we should dig in and show some faith in the new boys..At the moment we just dont look resilient enough compared to last season

Nige would have struggled tonight. We were disorganised all over the pitch.

[Goataldo]

Must admit I shouted 'when did we start defending like this?' - the resounding answer was 'this season'. Chopping and changing we might be, but standoffish is hard to excuse.

[shawzy]

I miss Nige

Me to..The guy was a rock..I really hope Garcia can add more to the team but on tonight's showing i would have preferred Nige. Its early days and we should dig in and show some faith in the new boys..At the moment we just dont look resilient enough compared to last season

Nige would have struggled tonight. We were disorganised all over the pitch.

I know what your saying bud..Real are a fookin good team but Nige has been our best to break down play. Bit of a hearbreaker tonight, and like you said we should have been better all over the pitch. Too many stupid mistakes, in defense especially..Mancini needs to sort it out because its not just this game we have let in stupid goals this campaign.

[Lev Bronstein]

I wonder if the number of "easy" yellow cards we've been given has something to do with it?

[ronk]

It's fixable. But it needs to be targeted.

There can be a tendency to retreat in some situations. We were right back after we went ahead and we let them right in front of the goal. It was weakness.

Strangely for Ronaldos goal, we were packed in tight but couldn't spare someone to help Zabaleta.

[Martinez]

Imo it's a symtom caused by a mixture of new players coming in, uncertain form and playing zonal defence. Sometimes it feels like we are more concerned with our teams defensive shape than the opponant players. Against a team with equal or more individual skill than us we will get punished. We should consider though that RM are becoming experts at facing other "playing" teams, they are basically built for winning Classico's and I think that just suits us badly

[Blue In Bolton]

It was driving me up the wall on Wednesday night as was the lack of protection for the full back. However, I don't think Maicon did himself any favours by allowing that greaseball to cut in on his favourite foot for most of the night instead of showing him down the line on his weaker left foot. I think that it is probably a case of the new fellas coming in and slightly upsetting the defensive shape and rhythm but it does need slme ntensive work doing on it before the visit of the Arse this Sunday.

[Tokyo Blue]

I wonder if the number of "easy" yellow cards we've been given has something to do with it?

I'm glad it was someone other than Beefy or myself who said this.

[spiny]

Imo it's a symtom caused by a mixture of new players coming in, uncertain form and playing zonal defence. Sometimes it feels like we are more concerned with our teams defensive shape than the opponent players.

This. Plus enough players not busting a gut to get back, win the ball and retain possession. RM hustled and harried like most teams now do against us, except they also have better players than most teams. City players must work harder and play smarter.