City post match

[Vermilion]

What formation did we play last night, I obviously missed the match? Was it a flat 4-4-2, with Kuyt and Meireles on the 'wings' or more like Kenny's 4-2-3-1 formation with Suarez off Carroll? I've noticed Meireles and Kuyt playing more like 'wingers' lately.

Tucking in when needed.

edit: Although, don't take my word for it, my eyes might not be so good.

[Vermilion]

It did come off the defender, onto Carroll and in.

Ahhhh, it's the nick off Carolls head i'm missing.

[RedReet]

I don't know if anyone saw it but The Kop Magazine did an article on "Kenny's 7 for the future" in the April issue. The article was on the back of Sterling and Coady being included in the squad for the Sparta Prague game, basically they give their views on who they consider to be the 7 best prospects, the list was:
-Sterling
-Coady
-Wisdom
-Suso
-Flanagan
-Robinson
-Ngoo
I found it an interesting read

I did read that edition actually, purely for that section on the kids. They were pretty spot on, even if there was nothing particularly insightful in it. I did think the went a bit OTT on Sterling, but suppose that has to be expected on the back on the 5 goals.

[Lecter]

Thanks

I know it's difficult in making the step up, I don't really watch the reserves or youth teams so I have to go from what other people say as most of my opinions are based on observations.

The changes in manager don't help, but in general the management of the reserves and youth team has seemed very inconsistent (perhaps due to internal politics at times), which makes it difficult to figure what was going on or how well players seem to be regarded.

I got the impression that Eccleston was highly regarded given that he seemed to be involved in the first team a bit at one point, but I never got the impression from his performances that he was going to make it. Robinson was a bizzare one as well he played one game a year ago but hasn't been in the squad again until last night, which seems odd. Ince seemed to be getting positive reports a while back things seem to have gone quiet again on him.

My view is that of all the youngsters out on loan only Ayala seems like he could get near the squad at the moment, but like I say this is based on very little evidence. i've read very positive things about a number of the current youngsters I think it's important that we manager their development correctly (something we haven't done in the past). Hopefully Kenny having been involved in the youth team set up and now managing the first team will help this be achieved.

They rate Robinson highly but I've heard they (the coaching staff) think he needs to be more "aggressive", I suppose that comes under the physically/mentally ready bracket

They NEVER expressed those sort of concerns about Flanagan it was always a case of when not if with him. Its the same for Wisdom & Coady from what I am told

[Lecter]

JimmyRiceWriter Jimmy Rice
If Man City finish fifth and win the FA Cup, there will be an extra Europa League place for whoever finishes sixth in the league #lfc #mcfc

I think that is incorrect

The FA Cup runner up will get the 5th place spot if that scenario happened

[Neil Young]

Ahhhh, it's the nick off Carolls head i'm missing.

Tbh I'm not sure that's the only thing.

[RedReet]

What formation did we play last night, I obviously missed the match? Was it a flat 4-4-2, with Kuyt and Meireles on the 'wings' or more like Kenny's 4-2-3-1 formation with Suarez off Carroll? I've noticed Meireles and Kuyt playing more like 'wingers' lately.

Was gonna ask the same.

I was convinced we started off 433 as Suarez was often wide left and Meireles tucked inside a bit. As the game went on it definitely looked more like a 442, especially after the goal. It was hard to tell in the end as Kuyt was popping up everywhere as was Suarez.

[jono]

I don't know if anyone saw it but The Kop Magazine did an article on "Kenny's 7 for the future" in the April issue. The article was on the back of Sterling and Coady being included in the squad for the Sparta Prague game, basically they give their views on who they consider to be the 7 best prospects, the list was:
-Sterling
-Coady
-Wisdom
-Suso
-Flanagan
-Robinson
-Ngoo

I found it an interesting read

I don't think anyones mentioned Pacheco yet. Is he no longer highly rated?

[Lecter]

Wisdom would have broken through this season if he hadn't got that bad injury away with England in my opinion.
Coady could very easily develop from his midfield role into a centre back so with him, Wilson, Ayala and Wisdom we are spoilt for choice potential wise.
It's easier for defenders/defensive minded players to break through. Physically they tend to develop earlier and things like decision making, confidence etc.... is easier to protect -see Flanagan last night with Kuyt in front of him and Carra beside him.

Lads like Sterling, Suso and Morgan (typically) need a season or so longer.

I've said this elsewhere but as a club we need to make early decisions for next season on which young lads to keep in and around the squad and which ones to get out on 6 month or season long loans to the right clubs.
We don't need to keep them all for next season and another year playing reserve team football will slow their progress.

Good post

Only thing I would say is that Coady will more than likely make it as a holding midfield player

[Darkon]

I don't know if anyone saw it but The Kop Magazine did an article on "Kenny's 7 for the future" in the April issue. The article was on the back of Sterling and Coady being included in the squad for the Sparta Prague game, basically they give their views on who they consider to be the 7 best prospects, the list was:
-Sterling
-Coady
-Wisdom
-Suso
-Flanagan
-Robinson
-Ngoo

I found it an interesting read

would be a goodread, anywhere online ? I'm guessing Kelly and Wilson are not included because they are alredy somewhat established first team players?

Also interesting that they do not include Pacheco that many fans have had high hopes for...

[Neil Young]

There's a fine line between Flanagan and Insua and yet Pacheco currently straddles it.

[RedReet]

I don't think anyones mentioned Pacheco yet. Is he no longer highly rated?

The article was about up and coming youngsters whereas everyone knows about Pacheco and I dare say he's already had a fair few columns in the paper.

I'm convinced Pacheco is still rated highly at the club otherwise they would have cashed in when there was a good bit of interest.

[McDermotX]

the slowest midfield in the world, meireles, spearing, lucas, kuyt - well **** me they were just outstanding - Kuyt for me was man of the match - he was just everywhere - but lucas ran the show and little jay spearing, who i'm a critic of, was superb

Kuyt was excellent last night, but the midfield as a whole were peerless.

Lucas ruled the midfield for me, but Spearing was a huge part of the success last night

Need to watch the game again, but there was one moment in the 2nd half I think, where City were moving towards the box and had evaded Lucas' tackle and Spearing jumped over Lucas in order to chase after the City player (might have been Yaya)........made me LOL, the ****in' size of him.

[Lecter]

The article was about up and coming youngsters whereas everyone knows about Pacheco and I dare say he's already had a fair few columns in the paper.

I'm convinced Pacheco is still rated highly at the club otherwise they would have cashed in when there was a good bit of interest.

I think Pacheco comes in the not physically/mentally ready category

The lads made some major **** ups by being late for/ missing training / coaches for away trips and things like that do not go down well no matter how good a player you are

[Shaggy]

JimBoardman Jim Boardman
#LFC have now won 7 out of their 12 games under Kenny. They only won 7 of Roy's 20 games in charge.

JimBoardman Jim Boardman
#LFC scored 24 goals in Roy's 20 league games. Under Kenny they are 3 short of that after just 12 games.

JimBoardman Jim Boardman
#LFC's goal difference after 20 league games under Roy was -3 (minus three). Under Kenny, after 12, it's +10 (plus 10).