Manchester City Set To Adopt 1-1-8 Formation

Manchester City’s insistence on signing strikers on top of strikers has given me an overwhelming sense of déjà vu and I think I know what it is. It’s the sort of managerial tactics I employ in the transfer market when I’m playing on Championship Manager.

The capture of former United striker Carlos Tevez is the latest addition to a squad that already includes the following international strikers: Valeri Bojinov, Robinho, Felipe Caicedo, Ched Evans, Benjani, Craig Bellamy, Roque Santa Cruz and Jo who has been farmed out to on-loan to Everton for the rest of the season.

Now I’m obviously not a manager and I don’t have the same level of experience in the game as Mark Hughes, but surely he must recognise that he will be unable to accommodate all seven strikers in his starting line-up, unless of course he plays the playground formation of rush-keepers, the fat kid at the back (Richard Dunne) and everyone else plays upfront.

Further to this it has been rumoured on the Sky Sports website that Emmanuel Adebayor is in talks over a possible move to Eastlands, as he would obviously complete the required amount of eight strikers that are needed to tackle a difficult season in the English Premier League?

Even if Hughes adopts a rotation system with his strikers, it will be difficult to keep all of his forwards happy with the amount of games that they play. Also the new signings Santa Cruz and potentially Adebayor, will want to be involved on a regular basis to justify their move, Adebayor in particular considering his descent down the league table, so battling egos will also be competing for a place.

Now I’m sure at this point, many City fans and even fans of other teams will be reading this and thinking that I’m just jealous of the riches on offer to Hughes at City. I’ve thought about this all day and I’ve decided emphatically that I’m not. In fact my main emotion is that of sorrow and pity for Mark Hughes.

During his time with Blackburn, Hughes built a strong and dependable side that were difficult to play against and were a regular contender for a European place come the end of the season. Last season City finished a long way off the pace in tenth position, despite heavy investment and so their remedy for this is seemingly to score more goals, so they are offering bucket loads of cash to any player remotely interested in a move, just ask shallow money-grabbing England international Gareth Barry, who was a surprise midfield addition.

Chelsea and England captain John Terry has also be linked with a move to City, but I’m sure even he’s being looked at for his ability to score from set-pieces, not for his defensive abilities.

It feels as though Hughes isn’t making all the decisions and that Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak is having fun with his new toy, by buying big names that will earn him kudos with his friends down the pub, or wherever oil sheiks congregate.

Now this could all come back to bite me in the arse when my beloved Villa line-up against City and each one of their eight strikers scores in an 8-0 mauling. I’m not worried though, as the only player who consistently and frustratingly scored against us was former Villan Darius Vassell and he’s been released on a free transfer.

Posted By Dan Mobbs - Monday July 13, 2009.
Tags: Manchester City, 1-1-8 Formation