What is going wrong at the moment?

Can’t defend

The past two seasons we have been the best defence in the league and Joe Hart has the highest number of clean sheets. Last season especially, City looked more than capable of comfortably defending a one goal lead and seeing the game out for a win.

This season opposing teams seem to be allowed far too much time on the edge of the box and the defence seem to go to pieces every time they come under pressure. I have lost count of the amount of times Kompany has needed to make last ditch tackles or interceptions to prevent a shot on goal.

More worryingly at this time, apart from Madrid, we have not faced a first rate strike force.

Not taking our chances

Last season we racked up goals galore with two 6’s, two 5’s and plenty of 4’s and 3’s. This season we are still scoring goals but are nowhere near the free flowing regularity we enjoyed last season. This time last year we had already scored 4 against Swansea, 3 at Bolton, 5 at Spurs, 3 against Wigan and 4 against Villa.

City has the strikers, Tevez has done well so has Dzeko, Aguero has been unfortunately injured and Balotelli is yet to get going. None of them seem to be working in tandem and they are not taking the chances as they would have done last season.

It’s not all down to the strikers to score the goals though. Aside from Toure no one else appears to be a regular goal threat. Nasri and Silva need to up their goal getting from deeper positions in order to take the pressure off the forwards.

Change of formation

This has not helped (see my previous article on 3-4-3). Four Four Two against Arsenal was suicidal and does not suit our style of play at all. Mancini has mostly operated a 4-2-3-1 formation which enabled City to terrorise opposition defences. This formation also suits our players and they are used to it. This style allows free flowing quick, intricate football to be played around the edge of the opposition penalty area.

I understand the need for continuous improvement and team development and the fact other teams may have worked out how City play. However I do believe that when we are firing as we can we are by far the best side in the league. No matter what the opposition think they can do to stop us we have the individuals in all areas of the pitch to win games.

New Players

Not great so far. Maicon looked out of place against Madrid as all the problems came down City’s right. For me Garcia looks too ponderous in central midfield, he takes too long to move the ball and when he does it’s generally a negative pass. At this moment in time I much prefer Jack Rodwell.

Sinclair will fit in as he almost a direct replacement for Adam Johnson, only time will tell if he will be any better.

Unsettled side

Mancini needs to act quickly now to arrest this slide. A settled formation is a must; I do understand the need for player rotation due to games coming in thick and fast every three days.

A settled formation gives the players the confidence of knowing their role and knowing what the others are doing and where they are supposed to be. They also know it works as it has brought two trophies in the past two seasons.

Bring Back

I never thought I’d say this….Gareth Barry. He knows the league, is an experienced international and brings the best out of YaYa Toure. Both know how to play together.

Barry is solid if not spectacular and the kind of player we need in order to start putting performances together again.

James Milner has never been given the opportunity to really show what he can do from central midfield. He is always pushed wide to the left or right and restricted in how he can influence the game.

During games against United, Villa, Liverpool and Wigan last season he was given the opportunity to show what he’s all about and he grabbed it with both hands. Against United and Villa especially he was magnificent.

Milner is another honest, hardworking British player who knows the league inside out and knows what’s expected. He also has any eye for goal as well. My thoughts are that when he’s given the chance he delivers, so give him a chance. Please.

Trust in Roberto

Despite my wittering above, I do. I’m sure he will turn it round.

Grant Mills

@mancinismarvels