' Bruno Manga '
Fri Sep 25, 2015 7:16 am
Why Cardiff City must pick Bruno Manga... and changing the system to 3-5-2 is the perfect way to accommodate him
25 SEP 2015
BY GARETH ROGERS
Bruno Manga was Cardiff City's stand-out player last season but injury and the form of Matt Connolly and Sean Morrison have conspired against him so far this season
Bruno Manga was the star of last season for Cardiff City
“If you’re going to make a change, now is the time.”
Not my words but those of former Cardiff City hero Nathan Blake.
Speaking on this week’s Blakey’s Bootroom show, the former Premier League striker was debating the Bluebirds’ defensive structure in the wake of the two defeats against Hull and Rotherham.
Blakey feels strongly that star defender Bruno Manga needs to be included in Cardiff City’s team to face Charlton but admits the current centre back pairing of Matt Connolly and Sean Morrison have done little to warrant being dropped.
' Solution '
So Nathan’s solution to that conundrum is for Russell Slade to play all three centre backs and change the system to something resembling a 3-5-2.
He said: “If you’re going to play a 4-4-2 you can’t just drop one of the centre halves because neither of them have done anything wrong.
Cardiff City defender Matthew ConnollyMatthew Connolly has been superb alongside Sean Morrison this season
“For me, centre half is one of those positions where once you’ve got the shirt, you’ve got the shirt.
“However good Manga is or however much he cost can’t come into it. You can’t just drop a player who has been on fire.
Would you like to see Bruno Manga in the team?
YES
NO
“That would unsettle everybody because they would be worrying about their own position being under threat.
“But the days of sticking with 4-4-2 have gone. Football is like a game of chess now and you need to have options. It seems like 3-5-2 is crying out to be used.”
' The case for the defence '
The benefits of switching from a 4-4-2 to a 3-5-2 could do more than just accommodate Manga.
Key players like Fabio, Peter Whittingham and Joe Ralls could all be freed from their shackles to do the jobs they were born to do in the Cardiff City team.
Yes Manga is rusty after starting the season with an injury and he was at fault for Hull’s second goal in last week’s 2-0 home defeat but he was runaway player-of-the-year for a reason and the only way he’ll stop being rusty is by playing.
It could be argued that had he been on the pitch at Rotherham, the Bluebirds would have defended higher up the pitch and not been susceptible to so much late pressure.
While none of the blame for Connolly’s own goal could be laid at his door, the fact was, the winner was coming, as the Millers continued to surge forward in search of the win.
Manga’s experience, poise and leadership might well have helped in that situation, even though he would’ve needed pain killers to play.
25 SEP 2015
BY GARETH ROGERS
Bruno Manga was Cardiff City's stand-out player last season but injury and the form of Matt Connolly and Sean Morrison have conspired against him so far this season
Bruno Manga was the star of last season for Cardiff City
“If you’re going to make a change, now is the time.”
Not my words but those of former Cardiff City hero Nathan Blake.
Speaking on this week’s Blakey’s Bootroom show, the former Premier League striker was debating the Bluebirds’ defensive structure in the wake of the two defeats against Hull and Rotherham.
Blakey feels strongly that star defender Bruno Manga needs to be included in Cardiff City’s team to face Charlton but admits the current centre back pairing of Matt Connolly and Sean Morrison have done little to warrant being dropped.
' Solution ' So Nathan’s solution to that conundrum is for Russell Slade to play all three centre backs and change the system to something resembling a 3-5-2.
He said: “If you’re going to play a 4-4-2 you can’t just drop one of the centre halves because neither of them have done anything wrong.
Cardiff City defender Matthew ConnollyMatthew Connolly has been superb alongside Sean Morrison this season
“For me, centre half is one of those positions where once you’ve got the shirt, you’ve got the shirt.
“However good Manga is or however much he cost can’t come into it. You can’t just drop a player who has been on fire.
Would you like to see Bruno Manga in the team?
YES
NO
“That would unsettle everybody because they would be worrying about their own position being under threat.
“But the days of sticking with 4-4-2 have gone. Football is like a game of chess now and you need to have options. It seems like 3-5-2 is crying out to be used.”
' The case for the defence ' The benefits of switching from a 4-4-2 to a 3-5-2 could do more than just accommodate Manga.
Key players like Fabio, Peter Whittingham and Joe Ralls could all be freed from their shackles to do the jobs they were born to do in the Cardiff City team.
Yes Manga is rusty after starting the season with an injury and he was at fault for Hull’s second goal in last week’s 2-0 home defeat but he was runaway player-of-the-year for a reason and the only way he’ll stop being rusty is by playing.
It could be argued that had he been on the pitch at Rotherham, the Bluebirds would have defended higher up the pitch and not been susceptible to so much late pressure.
While none of the blame for Connolly’s own goal could be laid at his door, the fact was, the winner was coming, as the Millers continued to surge forward in search of the win.
Manga’s experience, poise and leadership might well have helped in that situation, even though he would’ve needed pain killers to play.
Re: ' Bruno Manga '
Fri Sep 25, 2015 10:08 am
I cant believe all this connolly love this year. Every game he has had moments of going walkies. Ok that may be cos he has morrison by his side but there has always been stray passes and concentration lapses.
Instead of manga - no chance the guy is class act and shoukdnt be on bench for these 2
Instead of manga - no chance the guy is class act and shoukdnt be on bench for these 2
Re: ' Bruno Manga '
Fri Sep 25, 2015 10:29 am
RYANBLUE wrote:I cant believe all this connolly love this year. Every game he has had moments of going walkies. Ok that may be cos he has morrison by his side but there has always been stray passes and concentration lapses.
Instead of manga - no chance the guy is class act and shoukdnt be on bench for these 2
he has been a class apart when compared to our other defenders
Re: ' Bruno Manga '
Fri Sep 25, 2015 12:40 pm
RYANBLUE wrote:I cant believe all this connolly love this year. Every game he has had moments of going walkies. Ok that may be cos he has morrison by his side but there has always been stray passes and concentration lapses.
Instead of manga - no chance the guy is class act and shoukdnt be on bench for these 2
I am totally with you on this one. Connolly makes mistakes every game but people overlook them. Also, when he shadows people but doesn't stop them getting in crosses and shots. Tucker thinks he is wonderful, so that should ring alarm bells in itself. He is not a patch on Manga.
Three at the back would be ok is we had someone to get forward on the right.
Re: ' Bruno Manga '
Fri Sep 25, 2015 12:42 pm
I haven't seen all the games but what I have seen Connolly has been our best defender and by some distance.
Re: ' Bruno Manga '
Fri Sep 25, 2015 3:28 pm
2blue2handle wrote:I haven't seen all the games but what I have seen Connolly has been our best defender and by some distance.
Agree.
Re: ' Bruno Manga '
Fri Sep 25, 2015 3:46 pm
Forever Blue wrote:Why Cardiff City must pick Bruno Manga... and changing the system to 3-5-2 is the perfect way to accommodate him
25 SEP 2015
BY GARETH ROGERS
Bruno Manga was Cardiff City's stand-out player last season but injury and the form of Matt Connolly and Sean Morrison have conspired against him so far this season
Bruno Manga was the star of last season for Cardiff City
“If you’re going to make a change, now is the time.”
Not my words but those of former Cardiff City hero Nathan Blake.
Speaking on this week’s Blakey’s Bootroom show, the former Premier League striker was debating the Bluebirds’ defensive structure in the wake of the two defeats against Hull and Rotherham.
Blakey feels strongly that star defender Bruno Manga needs to be included in Cardiff City’s team to face Charlton but admits the current centre back pairing of Matt Connolly and Sean Morrison have done little to warrant being dropped.
So Nathan’s solution to that conundrum is for Russell Slade to play all three centre backs and change the system to something resembling a 3-5-2.
He said: “If you’re going to play a 4-4-2 you can’t just drop one of the centre halves because neither of them have done anything wrong.
Cardiff City defender Matthew ConnollyMatthew Connolly has been superb alongside Sean Morrison this season
“For me, centre half is one of those positions where once you’ve got the shirt, you’ve got the shirt.
“However good Manga is or however much he cost can’t come into it. You can’t just drop a player who has been on fire.
Would you like to see Bruno Manga in the team?
YES
NO
“That would unsettle everybody because they would be worrying about their own position being under threat.
“But the days of sticking with 4-4-2 have gone. Football is like a game of chess now and you need to have options. It seems like 3-5-2 is crying out to be used.”
The benefits of switching from a 4-4-2 to a 3-5-2 could do more than just accommodate Manga.
Key players like Fabio, Peter Whittingham and Joe Ralls could all be freed from their shackles to do the jobs they were born to do in the Cardiff City team.
Yes Manga is rusty after starting the season with an injury and he was at fault for Hull’s second goal in last week’s 2-0 home defeat but he was runaway player-of-the-year for a reason and the only way he’ll stop being rusty is by playing.
It could be argued that had he been on the pitch at Rotherham, the Bluebirds would have defended higher up the pitch and not been susceptible to so much late pressure.
While none of the blame for Connolly’s own goal could be laid at his door, the fact was, the winner was coming, as the Millers continued to surge forward in search of the win.
Manga’s experience, poise and leadership might well have helped in that situation, even though he would’ve needed pain killers to play.
The ref cost us against Rotherham, I would drop Morrison and keep the formation the same for a while and see how we go ...........
Re: ' Bruno Manga '
Fri Sep 25, 2015 3:47 pm
RYANBLUE wrote:I cant believe all this connolly love this year. Every game he has had moments of going walkies. Ok that may be cos he has morrison by his side but there has always been stray passes and concentration lapses.
Instead of manga - no chance the guy is class act and shoukdnt be on bench for these 2
Miles better than Morrison .............
Manga and Connolly...............
Re: ' Bruno Manga '
Fri Sep 25, 2015 5:52 pm
Am not his biggest fan but connoly had been superb, when he concentrates on defending top notch when he tries to play a creative midfielders pass with his left peg that's his downfall. Can't drop either, blakes idea sounds good but theory and in practice are different. We played well against hull, lost to ten men. Wasn't a lot wrong and am not sure we need to start changing everything just yet 