Gameweek 7: The Post-Mortem. MCI v SUN

Man City 3 Sunderland 0, Everton 2 Wigan 2

Summary:

In this game, we explore a simple facet about Man City's tactics, as well as a side of City that had been developed over the years. Balotelli's substitution was logical and effective, but we will focus more on how their fullbacks stole the show.

Gameweek 6: The Post Mortem. CHE v ARS, MNU v TOT

Arsenal 1 Chelsea 2,  Man United 2 Spurs 3

Summary:

Both sides decide to go with their the same plan A as last week, but Arsenal show more weakness and Chelsea capitalise, while Arsenal show more strength but don't capitalise.

Sir Alex Ferguson walked the tightrope and ultimately failed as his attempt to control the game left a glaring weakness exposed and Spurs duly scored from that weakness. By the time United plugged the holes and started playing properly, Spurs were over the hills and far away.

Gameweek 6: The Post Mortem. FUL v MCI, NOR v LIV

Fulham 1 Man City 2, Norwich 2 Liverpool 5

Firstly, apologies for the delayed posts. New work schedule, new arrangements graphically and financially as I have to seek a new source for my diagrams. Will put up the summaries first, but will only do the relatively big games and go with predictions come Friday. The pictures will come too when they are ready

Summary:

Fulham leave a huge hole in the left with Bryan Ruiz moving center to help defend, and City punish the for it. Fulham brought more balance in the second half and should have punished City, but City ultimately deserved better and played arguably their best (or at least most coherent) attacking formation this season so far.

Norwich make more errors than Liverpool and Suarez duly got his hat-trick out of it. Liverpool stick to their 4-3-3, but the front three of Suso, Sterling and Suarez, who are relatively fluid compared to when Borini was there, prompted the likes of Gerrard and Sahin to take up more advanced positions and duly got their goals.

Gameweek 6: The Pre-Game

For once, the really good games are on Saturday. Quality matches all over with Arsenal v Chelsea at the Emirates as an OPENER, we see in-form Everton play Southampton with the expectation of goals all over the place, and straight after that, we see how Sir Alex Ferguson reacts to AVB's tactics in Man United v Tottenham. 

This Gameweek will also see a clash of styles when short-passing Stoke play Swansea, and Norwich's directness square up against Liverpool's possession game.

Gameweek 5: The Post Mortem. LIV v MNU, TOT v QPR

Liverpool 1 Man United 2, Tottenham 2 QPR 1

Summary:

Liverpool seem contented with having the same weaknesses and strengths as their last 4 games, while United are worryingly poor in executing their strategies against teams who have their plan A sorted out.

Tottenham and QPR played out game that was high on entertainment but low on tactical quality, as AVB tried to have his cake and eat it by fielding a star-studded lineup in midfield WHILE having Gareth Bale in defence. AVB fixed that problem in the second half, but the match was still equally as poor but the entertainment level never dropped, and Spurs, as most pundits would put it, "wanted it more".

Gameweek 5: The Post Mortem. MCI v ARS, NEW v NOR

Man City 1 Arsenal 1, Newcastle 1 Norwich 0

Summary:

Ramsey is the secret weapon for Arsenal as the Gunners bossed possession, clear cut chances and most importantly, City's midfield. However, as both teams made their tactical changes, it was quite disappointing to see both goals come from set pieces. Arsenal, however, can take heart from the fact that they have outperformed City's best XI, and the points will surely be merited for their performances soon.

It's reactive vs proactive defense as Newcastle's calculative bunch take on Norwich's energetic squad, but it's an early error that decides the game as both teams didn't do too much to influence the game tactically thereafter. Unsurprisingly, both sides were unable to produce the moment of magic as the game ended the way it started.

Gameweek 5: The Post Mortem. WHU v SUN, CHE v STO

West Ham 1 Sunderland 1, Chelsea 1 Stoke 0

Summary:

A tactically simple battle determined by the brilliance of the respective teams: Larsson showcased his vision and Fletcher showed his predatory instincts, while Kevin Nolan is now CONFIRMED to be really, really good at taking first time shots. Sunderland also show that they are improving at defending the lead, but their lack of initiative will cost them in terms of the team's mentality.

Chelsea field a really, really offensive lineup that warrants goals, but as Stoke defend deep, Chelsea do not have the answer. Or do they?