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| |  Posted 02/03/2008 19:04:01 | |
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| Sven looks to Plan B
2/ 3/2008
SVEN-GORAN Eriksson admits opponents have worked out how to play against his side. And the City boss acknowledges that he will have to think about changing tactics if they are to remain in the hunt for a European place.
Yesterday's goalless draw at home to Wigan extended City's run without a win at Eastlands to six Premier League matches.
That contrasts sharply to the start of the season when they won their first nine matches on home turf, prompting talk of the Champions League.
The Latics stifled the life out of the hosts, who struggled for creativity, and Steve Bruce's side could even have snatched a victory in the closing stages.
And Eriksson, who very rarely departed from his tried and trusted formula when England coach, believes the time has now come to try something new.
"We haven't been winning for a while now. It happens and no-one coming to our home ground plays open football any more," he said.
"They did it in the beginning because they didn't know us. Elano (City's chief playmaker) will not have space or time in that position any more and he had it in the beginning.
"We have to think about other things."
City have recorded just two victories in the league since mid-December and that has dealt a damaging blow to their European aspirations as they have slipped to eighth in the table.
However, Eriksson insists they remain confident of being able to secure a UEFA Cup spot.
"If we keep on dropping a lot of points it will be very difficult but it can go the other way," added the Swede.
"If we start to pick up points soon Europe is quite possible because the difference with teams around us is not that big.
"We have 10 games remaining and the only thing which is very important for us is that no-one gives up.
"We have to fight until the end and believe we can play in Europe - I believe it - and that is what we are going to talk about in the coming weeks.
"Not playing in Europe next season would be a disappointment."
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| | | Posted 02/03/2008 19:07:28 | |
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| great Sven. You should thought of that some months ago.
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| | | Posted 02/03/2008 19:09:46 | |
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| Everton and Wigan both made it difficult for us to play by getting men behind the ball and stifling the midfield. Wigan were extremely compact yesterday - left us fuck all space to operate in and we didn't have the answer. Spurs in the Carling Cup did exactly the same thing too.
I wouldn't like to guess what Sven's plan B is. If the opposition puts everyone behind the ball even the very best sides can struggle. This will be an interesting test of Sven tactical prowess.
________________________________Predicting false dawns since August '07.
 
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| | | Posted 02/03/2008 19:13:16 | |
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| As much as i hate losing i do enjoy seeing how a manager reacts to a bad run. That's what makes a manager for me. It's a huge test for Sven for the rest of the season now. We'll still pull some decent wins out of the bag though - once we get a couple of wins under our belt the confidence will be shoot back up and we'll be in with a good chance of the UEFA cup again - as long as we can get it going soon
From Manchester with love |
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| | | Posted 02/03/2008 19:17:47 | |
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| Sven's tactical prowess Sven is great at building a team and at creating a team spirit. His tactical prowess on the other side is a joke.(compared to other great coaches) A lot of people know that. Just look at his time as England's team manager. so don't be surprised if he fails the test.
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| | | Posted 02/03/2008 19:19:34 | |
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| beer (02/03/2008)
Sven's tactical prowess
Sven is great at building a team and at creating a team spirit.
His tactical prowess on the other side is a joke.(compared to other great coaches)
A lot of people know that. Just look at his time as England's team manager.
so don't be surprised if he fails the test.
I'd disagree. You don't get to the level he's been at for the last twenty years without being an exceptional reader of the game.
What other great coaches were you comparing him to?
________________________________Predicting false dawns since August '07.
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| | | Posted 02/03/2008 19:19:51 | |
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| | He is not an international manager. He is a very successful club manager. We will be a successful club aided by him. Easy really when you think before typing.
you do not mess with Jack Reacher |
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| | | Posted 02/03/2008 19:21:21 | |
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| beer (02/03/2008)
Sven's tactical prowess Sven is great at building a team and at creating a team spirit. His tactical prowess on the other side is a joke.(compared to other great coaches) A lot of people know that. Just look at his time as England's team manager. so don't be surprised if he fails the test. Let's. In his time as England manager he lost one qualifier to NI which was embarrasing. But everybody loses games they should win. In major competition he took England to three quarter finals. Correct me if i'm wrong but there was only one manager he came really unstuck against in major tournaments - Scolari. Perhaps he has to accept that Scolari is a better manager. That's hardly a massive failure though is it? Doesn't really prove your point at all.
From Manchester with love |
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| | | Posted 02/03/2008 19:22:30 | |
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| Sharp as a knife there Squidge.
________________________________Predicting false dawns since August '07.
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| | | Posted 02/03/2008 19:23:42 | |
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| Well put young Squidge
you do not mess with Jack Reacher |
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