mikeyp102

He is pretty much the same as Nzog, will have a few good games and then be atrocious after that.

^Agree with what you have said. Moyes must've known the squad though and should've acted earlier in th transfer market, bringing in feliani early doors (and cheaper) as well as a couple of others would've seriously strengthened the side.

A Man Utd "fan" that I know has put on fb that he is glad his second team (WBA) won yesterday...he has never mentioned them before, didn't take long for the glory supporting to wear off

Torres looked to have got that drive and hungerness back. Showed some lovely runs. However, disgraceful behaviour scratching vertonghan. Unlucky red though

We've probably been outplayed in midfield every game this season with or without Westwood

I was meaning the same mid three.. Westwood has to earn his place back. The three in possession of the shirt haven't done anything to lose it.

He has a good presence and plenty of energy. Not the best on the ball, and did get caught in possession a few times. That being said we definitely perform better with him in there and has to keep his place for next match

Westwood has to earn his place back, at the moment he will be on the bench in my eyes

Since that defeat to us arsenal have been very very impressive. Ramsay is showing the potential he had pre the leg break, ozil is an awesom player and will bring out the best in others. Still a question mark over the squad size if they get any injuries, but I expect ten to sign someone else in January.

Changed the tactics and got the result. It wasn't pretty and city probably should have scored more first half, but they all count so credit to Lambert for that. Concerns about corners and the zonal marking and the fact that we have everyone back, which I think brings more pressure onto us.

Too be fair that was more down to the system than the individual player. Both goals came from zonal marking and the city players were left open

Not as skilful, but definitely harder working than the Benteke, played for the team well today

Very good performance today. Great freekick, great assist. Deserved m-o-m

Cracking finish. Ran his arse off, was probably the most comfortable on the ball. Good performance

No De Bruyne again.. He should be first choice

On current form what is belgium's strongest line up?

At times we do try to play football, but when our initial attempt doesn't get us anywhere then yes in my eyes we do revert to long ball tactics. Unless we get a fast break away, in which we are very dangerous.

And yet some people seem to think that it is the most ridiculous statement to say we use long ball tactics

Lambert says he doesn't think injury as bad as first thought and hopefully should be back ready after international break.. It was on official Facebook news so can't link sorry

Unfortunately can't see anything but a heavy defeat in this one. They're starting to get used to the pellegrini way, and our defence is always poor against sides who have good movement and can thread passes through. I think it'll be 0-3/4. Be interesting to see how we line up, just a decent performance at home would be nice (obviously a positive result is better). One thing that may favour us is city will attack, so we could use our counter capabilities.

Aye definitely. Personally, like I've touched upon in another thread today, I'd actually go a little bit outside the box on Saturday and play: ------------Kozak------------ Bennett--------------Lowton -Delph--Sylla--Westwood- Luna--Baker--Vlaar--Bacuna -----------Guzan------------- What?? Bennett and Lowton on the wings? Effectively playing with 6 defenders(if Bacuna rb), wasn't McLeish slaughtered for that type of tactics?

Any news on this supposed bust up?

Most of the time he is not under pressure though, it is when there isn't enough movement from the outfield players. The fact that it it was the most successful passing combination last yr (for us) would indicate that our tactic more often than not is to hoof it up. Given they were both almost ever presents, the ratio will be high. Its probably the same for most if not all teams given the amount of times a keeper kicks over the half way line so I wouldn't put too much faith in that particular statistic. Regarding being under pressure, he always has angles either side of him & when not under pressure, that's where the ball goes. It is only when under pressure that it goes long. We'll have to agree to disagree on this one. If you really think that Guzan goes long when its passed back to him and is not under pressure then not only shall we disagree but we clearly watch 2 different games. Success rate of a ball out to a defender 99%? Success rate of a hoof into the opponents half 20-30% Must be watching different, but then I'm not the only one who has said this. Those stats also prove nothing (not sure where you have got them from). As I said the initial pass can be to a defender but then it is passed back to Guzan when the opposition sit back and we have a lack of movement so guzan then launches th ball towards Benteke. It may be different on Saturday, as Benteke isn't there, but I'd be very surprised if it is (even though saying that city do press high so guzan will probably be under more pressure than usual).

Most of the time he is not under pressure though, it is when there isn't enough movement from the outfield players. The fact that it it was the most successful passing combination last yr (for us) would indicate that our tactic more often than not is to hoof it up. Given they were both almost ever presents, the ratio will be high. Its probably the same for most if not all teams given the amount of times a keeper kicks over the half way line so I wouldn't put too much faith in that particular statistic. Regarding being under pressure, he always has angles either side of him & when not under pressure, that's where the ball goes. It is only when under pressure that it goes long. We'll have to agree to disagree on this one.

Most of the time he is not under pressure though, it is when there isn't enough movement from the outfield players. The fact that it it was the most successful passing combination last yr (for us) would indicate that our tactic more often than not is to hoof it up.