Photo by Mirror.co.uk

Potentially the most interesting and exciting team to watch this season, regardless of who you support, is Manchester City. You may hate the fact they are now the richest team and subsequently they’ve bought a boatload of talented players, yet there is still a certain mystique that follows the City boys. One of my closest soccer confidants is a City supporter (and has been for 50 some odd years), and the chats I have had with him recently have covered both what everyone knows (City’s attacking force is obscene, and their creativity is unrivaled now, no matter who Arsenal has), what they have been wondering (What, or even better who, is going to fix the defense, is Lescott and Toure enough?) and what many haven’t realized (Is Santa Cruz even going to fit with this squad? Despite the midfield depth, do they have the versatility to win week in and week out?). Here is my analysis on the squad and formation City should adapt:

------------------------Adebayor---------------------
-----------------Tevez--------------------------------
-----------------------------Ireland-------------------
---Robinho-------------------------Wright-Phillips---
------------------------Barry--------------------------
---------------------Kompany-------------------------
----Bridge-----------Lescott------------Richards-----
-----------------------Given----------------------------

Strikers: Adebayor, Tevez

Not really any surprises here, as Adebayor has started strong, scoring in both Prem games this season and I do believe he is a better finisher than Santa Cruz. Granted, Adebayor always seems to fall into a midseason slump, where City will be more than happy to give Santa Cruz his go at the squad, but an in-form Ade will always make the lineup before an in-form Santa Cruz. Due to City having creative wingers rather than true wingers (wingers that can legitimately cross the ball) City’s forwards will have to create opportunities themselves, and this is much more possible with and Adebayor/Tevez combination. Tevez is an obnoxious bulldog of a player that all opposing teams can’t stand, but I guarantee you every single one of those teams is secretly in envy and would love to have a player with that much drive on their squad. Adebayor is tempermental, so Hughes must do well keeping his head out of the clouds and focused on the game or his form will suffer drastically.

Attacking Mid: Ireland

Ireland is the most impressive player to emerge from last season. The young, tireless midfielder is filled with creativity and attacking sense plus he scores a fair share of goals while setting a decent amount up as well. He will thrive from the service of Barry, and in this attacking role he won’t have as much defensive duties to draw him out. Ireland provides an extra threat to any City attack as he streaks through to take the space created as defenders rabidly chase after Adebayor and Tevez. There is no way Ireland scores less than 12 this season.

Midfield: Robinho, Barry, Wright-Phillips

Just writing that sends me chills. City’s best signing was undoubtedly Gareth Barry, as he finally brought stability to a creative and attacking midfield, but one that lacked significant service from the mids. His distribution to the wings as well as to Ireland will see City have the flowing, attacking football they have desired. Unfortunately Barry may run into mid-season fatigue, as a bulk of the defensive duties of the 5 players in front of him get dumped on the England international, but while he is on the pitch I highly doubt City will get shut out. Robinho has the technical ability to beat anyone down the left, and while crossing isn’t his strong point, he can play some dangerous balls across the face of goal, and everyone knows he’s capable of an incredible goal or two every few months. Wright-Phillips has the speed though his crossing also leaves something to be desired. What SWP brings is the capability of running to the touch line, cutting in, and playing the ball back to a waiting Ade or Ireland to easily finish for a quick-fire counter-attack.

Holding Mid: Kompany

A very defensive holding midfielder like Kompany allows City to employ only three backs on the pitch. I have to explain how this works: Kompany is not an attacking threat, despite him being lined up in a position ahead of Lescott, even the City new boy is expected to score more often in my lineup than the Belgian youngster. Kompany has a simple role, if all three backs are behind him, he takes the holding role. However, when on the attack, Kompany drifts to the side of whichever attacking back makes a run. This allows Bridge and Richards to streak up the field and provide a crossing threat without completely leaving the defense out to dry, completely susceptible to a quick counter-attack. This is the only option for City if they are to only play three defenders.

Defense: Bridge, Lescott, Richards

Yes, it isn’t very often that a top-flight team only sends out three backs, but as I explained with the Kompany position, it’s almost as though he is a defender, he just fills the gap between the defense and Barry, which will allow Barry not to die of a heart-attack by January if he had to cover all of that ground. Bridge is the best crossing left back in the Premiership, and I don’t think too many people would disagree with that. The more attacking he gets, the more likely Adebayor is to take advantage of his height. While Richards isn’t as capable as Bridge, his youth and speed can aid SWP in torching the league’s left backs, and still provide a decent defensive presence. Lescott will solidify the back, and always provides that extra threat on set plays and corners.

Goalkeeper: Given

Shay Given fits perfectly with this squad. He is one of the most athletic keepers in the league, and is always worth one or two amazing saves a game. Still, if he gets left out to dry like he has been these last few matches, City fans can’t expect the Irishman to save them all. Everyone who has watched Arsenal knows that no matter how creative your team is, there is that off chance that none of your tricks work, in which case they can only hope the Keeper keeps them in the match for the draw.

Subs:

Taylor: With Hart on loan, Taylor is the new number 2, and while nowhere near Given's talent, he should suffice in times of need.

Santa Cruz: He may have been relegated to a bench slot given the arrival of Adebayor, but he is a scary man to have on the pitch, capable of many things....if he is healthy.

De Jong: A more attacking alternative to Kompany. Could either replace Kompany if more attack is needed (if that is the case then something terrible has gone wrong) or replace Barry to give him a rest and solidify the defensive duties.

Dunne: It may seem harsh to throw the City captain straight out of the lineup, but any City fan will tell you, while the love the fiery captain, he is too much of a red card threat, and seems to have lost a step or two, making him more expendable.

Sylvinho: He's experienced, some may even say he's old, but he will be key off the bench for Bridge who will inevitably run himself ragged in this formation as he has the most ground to cover.

M. Johnson: Why? I like him, nothing further. I want to see City not drop all their youth prospects just because they loaded up on talent. Johnson is a great prospect, and with this squad there should be plenty of opportunity for him to get a good run out after City take a comfortable lead.

Toure: The most likely defensive sub if one is needed, once a lead is gained you can expect Ireland, Barry, Robinho, or SWP to be sacraficed for Toure to enforce the middle of the defense and close out the game.

Manager: Mark Hughes

I want to give Hughes the chance, I really do. He is the epitome of underdog, ever since his playing days when he never possessed much speed, but still showed everyone that he could put the ball in the net with his technical ability and field presence. Still, trying to contain this team of fresh new uber-egos will be no easy feat. He already struggled with the mini-egos of last season, and this fresh new batch should prove a right challenge for the Welshman. Still, I imagine he will be kept on, especially if he keeps getting results. If he manages to pull off a top 5 finish I think his job is safe, but any lower and he’ll be kicked to the curb.

Click here for Biggy's analysis

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