Gary Neville remains concerned that Pep Guardiola's insistence on trialling Bernardo Silva in an unorthodox left-back role could cost Manchester City in the title race.
City failed to capitalise on their midweek win against title rivals Arsenal over the weekend, watching the Gunners enjoy a late win at Aston Villa before dropping two points against Nottingham Forest. Silva opened the scoring just before half-time but a number of missed chances handed Steve Cooper's side the opportunity to level, with Chris Wood on hand to score at the back post.
A trip to the City Ground once again saw Silva flick between midfield and an auxiliary left-back position when out of possession, a tactical tweak that Guardiola has trialled in recent weeks. On Saturday, Forest's goal came from a break down their right, with Silva pulled out of position before the ball was knocked across the area, and Neville believes Guardiola's insistence on trialling the move is costing City.
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"The Premier League title race was still in Arsenal's favour but after losing to Man City in midweek it was critical they won at Aston Villa on Saturday and for so long it looked like it was in doubt," he told his Sky Sports podcast. "Villa put up a good showing but it was a really good victory for Arsenal, important.
"There is such a long way to go and it will twist back and forward. I watched the highlights of the City game against Nottingham Forest and they missed chance after chance and were sloppy in front of goal.
"I still can't get my head around Bernardo Silva in a left-back position. I think you'll concede goals there potentially if that continues to happen and Pep Guardiola is taking a risk if he has him there. When they went ahead against Arsenal and started to look comfortable was when they went to a proper back-four and Manuel Akanji was there with Ruben Dias and Kyle Walker."
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