In the final part of our Q&A, BBC Radio Manchester’s Mike Minay digs into Pep Guardiola’s tactics and player positions.
Kevin asked: I am surprised that Josko Gvardiol has not been considered as a holding midfield player. He has played games in that position, so is it because we don’t have real cover at left-back until Nathan Ake is back?
Mike answered: You are totally right in the aspect of having little cover at left-back.
Right now, Rico Lewis has had to play there if Gvardiol is not chosen. Being the current designated left-back, as we saw at Newcastle, has not stopped Gvardiol getting forward, but I think with Ake’s injury he has to remain at left-back.
Guardiola knows he has players who can offer the midfield role from defence: Lewis, John Stones and Manuel Akanji. When Ake returns, it will be interesting to see how this develops.
Kurt asked: Defensively we have not been great this season. How concerned are you with how many we are conceding and do you feel our defence needs more attention, especially with Rodri not there to protect? Apart from Akanji, we seem to lack pace, and Kyle Walker isn’t going to keep his pace for much longer.
Mike answered: There are only two frustrating goals I can remember City conceding this season – Gabriel’s for Arsenal, because there had literally been a warning sign of their set-piece set-up moments before, and the first goal Fulham scored in the game before the international break, because it just seemed sloppy from a defensive perspective.
The number of chances Fulham created at times had me concerned – although a pace battle with Adama Traore is about the only one Walker will not win. As long as the team is scoring goals, it is fine.
A few years ago, I remember Guardiola bemoaning “one shot, one goal” of the opposition -but City still won the league.
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