City- Post match thread.

[Redspin]

alonso wasnt a defensive midfielder at all.

He was a midfielder who played deep and had more influence on our team than most realise.

He had the ability to defend really well, but his strength was his playmaking.

He was probably at the start of pretty much every one of our attacks. He didnt get final assists or many goals but he was quietly brilliant.

Xabi's contribution can be summed up by saying that me made us tick. Not my words but those of Steven Gerrards.

God we miss him.

You're welcome to your opinion but the fact remains that he was and is a defensive midfielder.

How many times does he cross the half-way line? How many times does he get in the final third? How many times does he score? How many times does he make goals?

The answer to all of them is "not a lot"

We never really missed him when he was out - he only played 27 league games last season for example. It's just that some people have now re-invented him as a Kaka-esque vibrant, incisive player, which he never was. He sat alongside Mascherano and broke up play and gave the ball to more attacking players.

He's doing exactly the same at Madrid where, it must be said, he hasn't exactly been tearing up trees this season

[Redspin]

Man U have won plenty of league titles playin ugly scrappy football, last minutes goals etc.... Particularly in the Prem, it shouldnt matter how you win (cheating and diving aside), as long as your winning.

Exactly. They had an astonishing 11 1-0 wins in the league last season, often playing badly. If we'd done the same we'd have been described as functional and cautious but because it was Man U everything was hunky-dory as far as the pundits were concerned. As it happens, we comfortably outscored them, gave them a good beating twice, played some terrific football, yet it's Rafa who's "cautious" while Fergie plays the game "the right way". It's a funny old game

[the rev leeroy brown]

You're welcome to your opinion but the fact remains that he was and is a defensive midfielder.

gotta say your welcome to your opinion too but the fact is xabi was never what you would class as a defensive midfielder. he was and still is a playmaking central midfielder. he sat in front of mash ever so slightly and played the passes from there.

[The Birdman]

You're welcome to your opinion but the fact remains that he was and is a defensive midfielder.

How many times does he cross the half-way line? How many times does he get in the final third? How many times does he score? How many times does he make goals?

The answer to all of them is "not a lot"

We never really missed him when he was out - he only played 27 league games last season for example. It's just that some people have now re-invented him as a Kaka-esque vibrant, incisive player, which he never was. He sat alongside Mascherano and broke up play and gave the ball to more attacking players.

He's doing exactly the same at Madrid where, it must be said, he hasn't exactly been tearing up trees this season

I'm with you 100% on this one, we have missed Alonso this season but only because injuries have disrupted the players still with us.
When Alonso plays for Spain it's in the Senna defensive midfield role not as a replacement for Iniesta or Xavi

[-V-]

Just to be an arse can I point out that Alonso is not a defensive midfielder. He is one of a handful of world class players in football that don't fit into any specific category. But if you were to ask me I think of him as a deep-lying playmaker

[Armchairkopite]

He is a defensive midfielder , his goals and assist ratio say it all really.

[Craig_H]

You're welcome to your opinion but the fact remains that he was and is a defensive midfielder.

How many times does he cross the half-way line? How many times does he get in the final third? How many times does he score? How many times does he make goals?

The answer to all of them is "not a lot"

How is Lucas any better/different?

I'm sure you think we're better off with Lucas than Alonso.

[Craig_H]

Exactly. They had an astonishing 11 1-0 wins in the league last season, often playing badly. If we'd done the same we'd have been described as functional and cautious but because it was Man U everything was hunky-dory as far as the pundits were concerned. As it happens, we comfortably outscored them, gave them a good beating twice, played some terrific football, yet it's Rafa who's "cautious" while Fergie plays the game "the right way". It's a funny old game

Call it whatever you like, Ferguson wins PL titles, Rafa doesnt.

[Craig_H]

He is a defensive midfielder , his goals and assist ratio say it all really.

By this logic, Emile Heskey must be a defensive midfielder too.

[-V-]

Alonso's primary objective is always to collect the ball from deep and then create attacking play. Thats what he does, thats why he's a deep-lying playmaker and not a defensive midfielder. Defensive midfielders are the Mascheranos and Viera of this world who defend the defence and battle for the ball

[Exiled_red]

By this logic, Emile Heskey must be a defensive midfielder too.

[Craig_H]

Alonso's primary objective is always to collect the ball from deep and then create attacking play. Thats what he does, thats why he's a deep-lying playmaker and not a defensive midfielder. Defensive midfielders are the Mascheranos and Viera of this world who defend the defence and battle for the ball

It shouldnt have needed clarification, but as is often the case, you're spot on.

[Guest]

By this logic, Emile Heskey must be a defensive midfielder too.

hahahaha

[Armchairkopite]

By this logic, Emile Heskey must be a defensive midfielder too.

Whats the logic in comparing a World Cass player to a mediocre one? do you think Alonso was an attacking midfielder or are you just going to make smart comments about other peoples opinions?

For the record

Heskey 39 goals in 150 games Decent Player
Alonso 15 goals in 138 games World Class player

[Craig_H]

Whats the logic in comparing a World Cass player to a mediocre one? do you think Alonso was an attacking midfielder or are you just going to make smart comments about other peoples opinions?

For the record

Heskey 39 goals in 150 games Decent Player
Alonso 15 goals in 138 games World Class player

Your post suggested that, due to Alonso's low goals and assists tally, he had to be a defensive midfielder. Which is silly.

V's post explains everything perfectly, Alonso's no more a defensive midfielder than Heskey is.

Do you think Pirlo's a defensive midfielder too?