Finding the missing formula
It was a difficult night for the City fans, who had turned out in number again.
After losing their last six games, Barnsley seemed ripe for another defeat and City could have taken all three points, but once again they didn’t take their chances and paid the price.
The best opportunities fell to Dany N’Guessan and he knows he should have done better, but I was particularly disappointed for Martyn Waghorn, who worked tirelessly but had a fruitless night.
Throughout the second half he chased lost causes as City pumped the ball forward into the corners in desperation. Quite often he was outnumbered and he looked increasingly frustrated. He also looked shattered at the end.
It looks from the outside as though Nigel Pearson is searching to find a strike duo on form. He has tried several combinations and has gone for Yann Kermorgant and Waghorn in the last couple of games, mainly because Matty Fryatt missed nearly a whole week’s training through illness.
He then brought on his tried and tested duo of Steve Howard and Fryatt for the final half hour as he sought a way back into the game. Neither pairing made much of an impact, although Howard and Fryatt almost manufactured an equaliser.
But the one combination I personally would like to see more of is the Fryatt and Waghorn pairing.
They were outstanding at Reading and at QPR, coincidently the last times City won away from home, and they would provide plenty of pace and movement.
The duo didn’t have much luck at Forest, I grant you, but I still believe there is potential there, with Howard or Kermorgant poised to come on if City need to go more direct.
City would certainly have to change their game and they could not afford anymore aimless balls, but it would be interesting to see if they can open up Newcastle’s defence this Saturday.
Just a thought.
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