Mac the Knife

[Thracian]

Did anyone notice McCarthy really giving Douglas a tongue-lashing?

Last time it was Stearman - this bloke is an Irish Braveheart and he's wound up to capacity for every game.

The more I see him the more impressed I am. And the biggest reason is he seems to listen and learn (when he's not dishing out the verbals himself).

His biggest step forward has been cutting out the constant fouling. This means, of course, that he is under less pressure and is therefore performing better.

Another thing is that while many were second best in the tackle against Southampton (especially second half) there was no sense of surrender from McCarthy. He was there to be seen at every exchange and there was no doubting his desire to win.

He's even started being a threat at set pieces and almost got in with another header at the death. He and Gerrbrand look the best defensive pairing I've seen at City for ages.

Now lets see Stearman and Sheehan in as a full-back pairing.

[Hullfox]

Now lets see Stearman and Sheehan in as a full-back pairing.

I wondered how long it would be!

[Nationwider]

....He and Gerrbrand look the best defensive pairing I've seen at City for ages....

Agreed.

In fact, with Dublin, Stearman, Sheehan, Kisnorbo and Gilbert (bless him) all able to slot into a variety of positions as well, I'd be willing to bet we finish with one of the best 3 defensive records in the league come next May.

[Hullfox]

Agreed.

Agreed Agreed.

Gerrbrand and McCarthy have the making of a fine partnership.

[Thracian]

I wondered how long it would be!

Don't worry. With another clean sheet there's no chance. I even hoped that the full-backs would be great against Southampton so I couldn't broach the subject but they weren't.

Being fair they did have their hands full and it was inevitable they'd be skinned a few times (which they were and with better finishing it would have been fatal).

But that's no excuse for such poor distribution when they have the ball. Kaamark is the benchmark for a City fullback and we're way short of that with Nils (who's best suited to central defence where presently there is no vacancy).

[Babylon]

I wondered how long it would be!

ha ha same here.

[Jimmy]

paddy mac future captain?

[Benji]

dammit gerrbrand is getting too popular, i might soon see other people with his name on their shirt noooo

[Anish]

paddy mac future captain?

I can definitely see that happening

[Babylon]

I can definitely see that happening

He's a young gerry, a few years and he'll be the main man at this club.

[Guest]

He and Gerrbrand look the best defensive pairing I've seen at City for ages.

Gerrbrand is a far more accomplished player than we've seen at the back for a long time, and it's inevitable that if Paddy doesn't get the chance to panic then his own game would improve.

[Guest Gist]

Im really pleased to see Gerrbrand playing regular now hes been solid in all his games our defence is definitly coming on well

[lush]

I think macarthy and gerrbrand are good solid CD`s, but i dont think CL go with them too ahead of johanson if/when we play a proper LB.

[Jonbluefox9]

I think macarthy and gerrbrand are good solid CD`s, but i dont think CL go with them too ahead of johanson if/when we play a proper LB.

Why? If a central defensive partnership has kept three consecutive clean sheets like the two Paddys have do you really think Levein, a former centre back himself, would split them up?

[lush]

Why? If a central defensive partnership has kept three consecutive clean sheets like the two Paddys have do you really think Levein, a former centre back himself, would split them up?

Its not just the 2 CB`s at CB that have kept clean sheets, johanson has helped out too, even playing at LB. If either macarthy or gerrbrand were better equiped to play LB, then johanson would play CB, because hes our best CB.

Managers make crazy looking decisions, playing dubs up front ahead of hume is a PRIME example. Playing a CB ahead of a LB at LB too.

I think its all designed to breed and build a defensive confidence base, in which to build an attack from, as he said yesterday, now we concentrate on attack.

[Jonbluefox9]

Its not just the 2 CB`s at CB that have kept clean sheets, johanson has helped out too, even playing at LB. If either macarthy or gerrbrand were better equiped to play LB, then johanson would play CB, because hes our best CB.

Ok, but in my opinion Johansson has been more of a hinderence than a help at times at left back. He is solid in the tackle and comfortable on the ball I agree but he doesn't look comfortable when he comes up against a quick or even just a tricky winger. His distribution of the ball has been average too but that shouldn't be used against him when judging how he has helped keep the clean sheets. So yes I agree he has been an important part of our solid backline but whenever I've seen him play with McCarthy in the middle, both of them have looked shaky whereas the two Paddys seem to know where each other are and which striker they're supposed to stick with.

[Scow]

Don't worry. With another clean sheet there's no chance. I even hoped that the full-backs would be great against Southampton so I couldn't broach the subject but they weren't.

Being fair they did have their hands full and it was inevitable they'd be skinned a few times (which they were and with better finishing it would have been fatal).

But that's no excuse for such poor distribution when they have the ball. Kaamark is the benchmark for a City fullback and we're way short of that with Nils (who's best suited to central defence where presently there is no vacancy).

I don't remember O'Neill playing 4-4-2 very often.

[Gené and Tonic]

3-5-2 would suit us really, as we do seem to have a weakness with the fullbacks (although I still want to see Sheehan and Stearman given regular starting places).

We have 3 genuinely good centre backs, and we should use them. I'd play Johansson behind the two to stop anything that gets past the other two (also Gerrbrand and McCarthy are quicker so there is no need for either of them to hang back as a sweeper.)

3 at the back would allow Stearman to develop in his natural position when one of the 3 is rested or injured, and Sheehan can also play at centre back, so we'd have plenty of cover.

Changing the formation would mean no place for Maybury, who has been underperforming this season anyway, so we could pick up a profit by selling him, and be able to get in a good, quality striker.

This is my proposed line-up:

----------------Douglas--------------------

--------------Johansson-------------------

-------Gerrbrand---McCarthy------------

Sylla---------Gudjonsson--------Hammil

-----------Hughes---Smith---------------

--------------Hume-MDV------------------

Subs: Henderson, Williams, Stearman, Kisnorbo, Hammond.

Williams, Stearman, Kisnorbo, Hammond, Dublin, Sheehan, Weso. All of these players can slot easily into that line-up. Levein should at least try it I think. What do people think of this formation?

I'm not sure whether to have Hammil and Sylla as wing-backs, or copy the Pass and Move formation on Football Manager and push them up to inbetween the midfield 3 and the strikers.

[Bert]

Did anyone notice McCarthy really giving Douglas a tongue-lashing?

Last time it was Stearman - this bloke is an Irish Braveheart and he's wound up to capacity for every game.

The more I see him the more impressed I am. And the biggest reason is he seems to listen and learn (when he's not dishing out the verbals himself).

His biggest step forward has been cutting out the constant fouling. This means, of course, that he is under less pressure and is therefore performing better.

Another thing is that while many were second best in the tackle against Southampton (especially second half) there was no sense of surrender from McCarthy. He was there to be seen at every exchange and there was no doubting his desire to win.

He's even started being a threat at set pieces and almost got in with another header at the death. He and Gerrbrand look the best defensive pairing I've seen at City for ages.

Now lets see Stearman and Sheehan in as a full-back pairing.

Maybe this is beacuse he feels safer witha player of Gerrbrand's quality playing with him, meaning he feels less need to commit silly fouls.

[Thracian]

3-5-2 would suit us really, as we do seem to have a weakness with the fullbacks (although I still want to see Sheehan and Stearman given regular starting places).

We have 3 genuinely good centre backs, and we should use them. I'd play Johansson behind the two to stop anything that gets past the other two (also Gerrbrand and McCarthy are quicker so there is no need for either of them to hang back as a sweeper.)

3 at the back would allow Stearman to develop in his natural position when one of the 3 is rested or injured, and Sheehan can also play at centre back, so we'd have plenty of cover.

Changing the formation would mean no place for Maybury, who has been underperforming this season anyway, so we could pick up a profit by selling him, and be able to get in a good, quality striker.

This is my proposed line-up:

----------------Douglas--------------------

--------------Johansson-------------------

-------Gerrbrand---McCarthy------------

Sylla---------Gudjonsson--------Hammil

-----------Hughes---Smith---------------

--------------Hume-MDV------------------

Subs: Henderson, Williams, Stearman, Kisnorbo, Hammond.

Williams, Stearman, Kisnorbo, Hammond, Dublin, Sheehan, Weso. All of these players can slot easily into that line-up. Levein should at least try it I think. What do people think of this formation?

I'm not sure whether to have Hammil and Sylla as wing-backs, or copy the Pass and Move formation on Football Manager and push them up to inbetween the midfield 3 and the strikers.

I've really seen enough of Sylla and Hammill to be convinced they are weak links in any of our line-ups for reasons I've explained.

Even with this system I'd prefer Stearman and Sheehan on the flanks but I just don't see why we need Nils as a third centre-back which would risk confusion.

We are conceding very little with just McCarthy and Gerrbrand.

So, given Levein's inclination to play Nils whatever how about this:

Douglas;

Stearman, McCarthy, Gerrbrand, Nils;

Smith, Hume, Hughes/Joey, Sheeehan;

MDV, Chambers.

The more I consider it the more I believe that to be the strongest all-round City team I've written down yet. Not only can it win. It also looks like the makings of a properly balanced football team.

Hume would be fluid and Sheehan would operate as an old fashioned wing half which would suit him fine cos it's a role he's been playing (basically) in the reserves of late and he's bloody good at it.

[Gené and Tonic]

I too like that line-up, but I don't think we will see Chambers until he turns 16, I love the idea of trying Sheehan at left wing, and Hume in the centre of midfield.

Hughes and Hume would work well at home, but in the second half one would have to be given strict instructions to drop back when the other goes forward.

It's all very well suggesting these teams, but I doubt very much that Levein will ever play Smith on the right, Sheehan at left wing, and Hume in the centre. It's just too radical for him!

[Thracian]

I've really seen enough of Sylla and Hammill to be convinced they are weak links in any of our line-ups for reasons I've explained.

Even with this system I'd prefer Stearman and Sheehan on the flanks but I just don't see why we need Nils as a third centre-back which would risk confusion.

We are conceding very little with just McCarthy and Gerrbrand.

So, given Levein's inclination to play Nils whatever how about this:

Douglas;

Stearman, McCarthy, Gerrbrand, Nils;

Smith, Hume, Hughes/Joey, Sheeehan;

MDV, Chambers.

The more I consider it the more I believe that to be the strongest all-round City team I've written down yet. Not only can it win. It also looks like the makings of a properly balanced football team.

Hume would be fluid and Sheehan would operate as an old fashioned wing half which would suit him fine cos it's a role he's been playing (basically) in the reserves of late and he's bloody good at it.

Not left wing but wing half - it's an archaic term for left side of midfield and would give him defensive and attacking licence. Colin Appleton and Frank McLintock were excellent in that position during City's bonanza years..

[Gené and Tonic]

Would have to be rested frequently though. Not sure a 19 year old could do that for the whole of the game. But you've seen him a lot more than I have, so...

[Manwell Pablo]

Would have to be rested frequently though. Not sure a 19 year old could do that for the whole of the game. But you've seen him a lot more than I have, so...

you cant play football with a team full of kids.

[The People's Hero]

No, but it might attract investment from Michael Jackson.