Huddersfield v City post match

[franksinatra]

You can get away with one or two changes, but when you leave out all of your creativity and pace in one go (KDB, Silva, Ya Ya, Sterling, Sane), it's a recipe for exactly the kind of turgid, one paced performance we got yesterday. Nolito, Navas, Delph, Fernando, none of them is really fit for purpose and as a collective whole they're physically and mentally slow to the point that we were never comfortable against a hustle and bustle Championship reserve team. We need significant upgrades on all 4 of them in the summer and although yesterday wasn't the best day to judge Sergio, given the lack of support, he's looking an increasingly uncomfortable fit in Pep's game plan. He badly, badly needs 2 or 3 goals in the next couple of games

The one thing we know about Kun is we will not have to wait long for the goals to flow again.

It could be be argued he is not perfectly suited to Peps system but the one thing we do lack in this side is natural goalscorers. Sane looks like he is not frightened of the goal but we are still too reliant on him to be in the right place at the right time. I think he brings another skillset others in the team lack.

I agree about the changes though. Just wish the supporting cast would put in one or two decent performances to justify them being at the club. Particularly Nolito as he looked a bery intelligent footballer at thr start of the season.

 

[franksinatra]

Silva and Yaya, in particular, were having well earned rests; however, it remains the case that if you take both of them out of the side our cohesion in possession drops. Leaving the unavailable Gundogan and Nasri aside, Yaya and Silva are still the two best passers of the ball when you take all aspects into account.

Completely agree with all that and I would fully expect us to struggle against a team at the highest level withoit them. Still a bit surprising a players such as Navas, Nolito, Fernandiniho cannot dictate a game and create a weakened Huddersfield side.

 

[blueinsa]

Completely agree with all that and I would fully expect us to struggle against a team at the highest level withoit them. Still a bit surprising a players such as Navas, Nolito, Fernandiniho cannot dictate a game and create a weakened Huddersfield side.

Navas and Nolito dont play in the same positions to dictate a game and fernandinho is defensive.

To a poster yesterday on here pre match everyone said and thought the midfield lacked creatively and that was borne out in the performance.

 

[Scaring Europe to Death]

Did I dream it, or did Navas

He was decent 2nd half because he tried to be, most of the time wheras he didn't try very hard for most of the first half imo

If only he hadn't got his deckchair back out when Navas put that ball across the six yard box, we'd be through now.

Serge has lost, one, two yards of pace & will either run a lot harder & find a new way to be as good as he was, or go imo.

And if he goes to a top team, he will have to run a lot harder there, to be fully effective.

He isn't quick enough anymore to stroll then sprint.

Thank God for that!
I thought I'd dreamt that Navas cross.

 

[East Level 2]

All this discussion about Sergio makes me wonder if he's a victim of the 11th commandment: Thou shalt not play two up front. And the commandment referred to two strikers not a striker and a winger/striker.
In 2011-12 he had Tevez, Mario, or Dzeko alongside him much of the time. You can't go to the reigning champions with two strikers can you? No of course not, but if you do then you can beat them 6-1.
In 2013-14 he had Negredo, Dzeko or Jovetic to help. And guess what; we won the league again and scored for fun. To play one up front you need midfielders/wingers contributing a large number of goals and visible support. I'm not sure we have that so Sergio is isolated all too often.

 

[IcriedwhenTueartleft]

I'll respectfully have to disagree. I think it's almost impossible to have adult conversation about Silva, Aguero, Zaba, Kompany, Hart, etc on Bluemoon. Too many people see them as sacred shrines never to be criticised, only to be worshipped.

Unfair statement but in line with your rather silly slating of Kun on your podcast of late. Silva, who I have been critical of in the past 12 months, has been magnificent this season. Kun worked very hard yesterday but had little support up front, Pep needs to be careful how he handles some of these guys and not marginalise them as he searches out of his near mythical Xanadu playing style.

 

[Gabriel]

When the keeper came racing out, Aguero had a chance yesterday to lay the ball off to Navas who could have ran the ball in against two defenders on the line (yes I know he'd probably have missed). In the second half, Aguero fed Navas and then sat back waiting for the cutback rather than attack the goal; Navas beat his man and fizzed the ball across goal to where Aguero should have been. Given how often those two have played together, it still baffles me how little synergy there is between them.

 

[franksinatra]

Navas and Nolito dont play in the same positions to dictate a game and fernandinho is defensive.

To a poster yesterday on here pre match everyone said and thought the midfield lacked creatively and that was borne out in the performance.

That side had better footballers than any Championship side and in particular a weakened Huddersfield team. Personally I will settle for the draw but think the supporting cast,based on their abilities, could do better. Fernandiniho was a box to box player for Shakhtar.

 

[Rammy Blue]

When the keeper came racing out, Aguero had a chance yesterday to lay the ball off to Navas who could have ran the ball in against two defenders on the line (yes I know he'd probably have missed). In the second half, Aguero fed Navas and then sat back waiting for the cutback rather than attack the goal; Navas beat his man and fizzed the ball across goal to where Aguero should have been. Given how often those two have played together, it still baffles me how little synergy there is between them.

It's because Navas is so shit, if I was Sergio I'd have given up long ago trying to work out what Navas is doing, I expect Sergio thought it would be smashed against the defender's legs as usual....

 

[levets]

I felt it was another shocker from Sergio.

Trying too hard to do too much in the wrong areas, letting his dented pride get in the way of making better decisions on the pitch.

Would go as far as to say his return has only highlighted how toothless we are as a cohesive attacking unit when he leads the line.

His head is always down and only thinking about what he can do by himself.

Completely disagree. I thought he was the standout performer. Shows how opinions differ. He does need a goal though, if only to get fans off his back.

I felt Fernando, Nolito, Navas, Fernandinho, Delph and Zaba were ALL under performers.

 

[Terrier_FND]

Alright chaps, the hangover is tarting to clear now so thought you might appreciate some word from the other side.

First off, I though that was a great FA Cup match. The quality and threat in your side was there for all to see, but we fought like terriers throughout - none more so than Dean Whitehead, my MOTM. If our plan was to limit your options around the final ball then we did that superbly, hence why there a lot of happy Town fans today.

We also didn't just defend, that's not our style. The offside goal was unfortunate, but it wasn't our only chance. Likewise Hudson's clearance off our line in the first half - yeah it was a 0-0 but there was a fair amount of action!

I'll admit that I was very tempted to put a bet on you absolutely crushing us when I saw the team selections - I had come on here a couple of days ago eulogising about our team and yet none of them were playing - however, I should have learned by now to just trust Herr Wagner. There were a lot of players int hat side yesterday that aren't first choice starters, but are going to be critical to us achieving success over the next couple of months. I can't describe how proud I am that they, to a man, stepped up. Craine (right back), Whitehead (CM) and Coleman (GK) especially.

How are you feeling about the replay? It's actually pretty ideal for us - bumps a league game to later in the season and gives us more time for Jonny Hogg to get fit again for the run-in.

 

[Len Rum]

Watching MOTD last night all of the Premier league sides were given (to varying degrees) a good game by lesser opposition.
Even the chavs could have been two down before they started to impose themselves in their game.
In relative terms made our below par performance look a lot better than it did at the time.

 

[OB1]

Alright chaps, the hangover is tarting to clear now so thought you might appreciate some word from the other side.

First off, I though that was a great FA Cup match. The quality and threat in your side was there for all to see, but we fought like terriers throughout - none more so than Dean Whitehead, my MOTM. If our plan was to limit your options around the final ball then we did that superbly, hence why there a lot of happy Town fans today.

We also didn't just defend, that's not our style. The offside goal was unfortunate, but it wasn't our only chance. Likewise Hudson's clearance off our line in the first half - yeah it was a 0-0 but there was a fair amount of action!

I'll admit that I was very tempted to put a bet on you absolutely crushing us when I saw the team selections - I had come on here a couple of days ago eulogising about our team and yet none of them were playing - however, I should have learned by now to just trust Herr Wagner. There were a lot of players int hat side yesterday that aren't first choice starters, but are going to be critical to us achieving success over the next couple of months. I can't describe how proud I am that they, to a man, stepped up. Craine (right back), Whitehead (CM) and Coleman (GK) especially.

How are you feeling about the replay? It's actually pretty ideal for us - bumps a league game to later in the season and gives us more time for Jonny Hogg to get fit again for the run-in.

Your guys gave a good account of themselves and it's obvious that your manager is no mug.

I disagree about your offside goal being unfortunate: if your man who was well offside had not been, I think Bravo collects the ball rather than having to stab it away...

The replay is probably an additional game that we could do without. I hope Pep fields a stronger side.

 

[OB1]

Completely agree with all that and I would fully expect us to struggle against a team at the highest level withoit them. Still a bit surprising a players such as Navas, Nolito, Fernandiniho cannot dictate a game and create a weakened Huddersfield side.

Had we been a little more clinical, we would have won. The performance was disappointing but Huddersfield worked very hard to disrupt us.

 

[OB1]

I just thought he was poor yesterday. It was a continuation of performances I've seen too often from Kun. I appreciate that he has had a tough time since Pep's come in, but at times the lack of quality and intelligence he shows drives me up the wall.

He can be frustrating and I don't think he has fulfilled his potential, despite his obvious achievements; just didn't think he was especially heads down yesterday. If I watched whole game again, I might have a different view.

 

[Neville Kneville]

Kun is barely match fit.

There were three occasions yesterday when we were effectively down to 10 men when he was down on his haunches getting his breath back and this has been happening increasingly for the last 18 months !

He is also getting like Carlitos in deciding who is worthy to receive his passes. He twice blanked Nolito in the second half when an early pass into space would've put Nolito in a good position. Then when Navas put his only cross of the match into the six yard box Kun was 10 yards away.

He has not been in elite condition for 2 years now & he seems to know it,it's affecting his mentality,self esteem & confidence,which in turn is affecting his form & performances.

He's not won the awards his previous performances deserved,dropped by Argentina,questioned by Pep,new kids on the block. There are some big challenges now for Kun for the first time in 6 years. I hope he's got the character,personality & mental strength to rise to the challenge cos we're going to need the 'old' Kun back if we are to win anything this season.

I think Aguero has always had significant spells in each season where he has played like he is doing now, but in the past it was usually (imo) because he was playing whilst carrying an injury or recovering from one. And in those teams, he was usually part of a front 2, sometimes with 2 def mids & 2 proper centre halves behind, as well as a younger Yaya in support. He could pick his moments.

If he went missing for a few weeks in build up & workrate, he'd still score at a decent rate (as he probably will now) & Dzeko, Balotelli, Tevez, Beast would take up the slack (or not depending which season).

As he has got older, it appears to me that his lightning sprints, where he knocked the ball ahead of a defender & burned him off, have all but disappeared & as you say, he picks & chooses who he passes to.

Wheras Jesus will play the 1-2 or look for your run 90% of the time, Serge is more of a solo artist, which is fine when it's all working but playing with 10 men when it isn't.

We have seen him (& Tevez) in the past, pick up a long pass & just attack the oppo centre backs & frequently beat them & get a shot in, often scoring. When a player can do that you can forgive the lack of picking out team mates etc & it's worth the others putting in the yards to close down & feed him. But either Serge can't do that anymore or is afraid to in case his hamstring or whatever goes. So it rarely happens.

I agree we can't do it without him, we need him to be effective & I agree he seems to get tired trying to put the extra yards in. But I don't think he will get fitter, he is what he is. He has to adapt to his condition, not just to play in a Pep team but to play for Argentina or anyone, to the standard he is capable of. He has to use his brain more. The ability is still there.

I think it's a terrible shame not just for City, but for Aguero, that Jesus is injured. I think he could really have helped Serge & is just too good for Serge not to pass to.

Now it feels as if he will have to do it all himself.

 

[OB1]

Completely disagree. I thought he was the standout performer. Shows how opinions differ. He does need a goal though, if only to get fans off his back.

I felt Fernando, Nolito, Navas, Fernandinho, Delph and Zaba were ALL under performers.

All about opinions but, for my money, Nando was our best performer and did his job well. He won lots of ball and had the most touches and best pass completion on the park. If you were expecting him to be David Silva, he underperformed.

 

[Neville Kneville]

It's because Navas is so shit, if I was Sergio I'd have given up long ago trying to work out what Navas is doing, I expect Sergio thought it would be smashed against the defender's legs as usual....

He might be 'shit' but he'll get at least one through the 6 yard box in every single game he plays. Someone like Van Horseface, Ian Wright, Lineker, would score almost every single one, just by playing the percentages, rather than expecting to be picked out.

In fact you can add Sean Goater in the past to that list. Brian Kidd, further in the past. We ahould be scoring almost all of those.

 

[Terrier_FND]

Your guys gave a good account of themselves and it's obvious that your manager is no mug.

I disagree about your offside goal being unfortunate: if your man who was well offside had not been, I think Bravo collects the ball rather than having to stab it away...

The replay is probably an additional game that we could do without. I hope Pep fields a stronger side.

Yeah, for sure. It was pleasing to see for us though as we've been crying out for another option upfront - a big bassa that can disrupt defences, which it feels like Quaner might just be. Halcyon times being a Town fan :)

 

[Neville Kneville]

Alright chaps, the hangover is tarting to clear now so thought you might appreciate some word from the other side.

First off, I though that was a great FA Cup match. The quality and threat in your side was there for all to see, but we fought like terriers throughout - none more so than Dean Whitehead, my MOTM. If our plan was to limit your options around the final ball then we did that superbly, hence why there a lot of happy Town fans today.

We also didn't just defend, that's not our style. The offside goal was unfortunate, but it wasn't our only chance. Likewise Hudson's clearance off our line in the first half - yeah it was a 0-0 but there was a fair amount of action!

I'll admit that I was very tempted to put a bet on you absolutely crushing us when I saw the team selections - I had come on here a couple of days ago eulogising about our team and yet none of them were playing - however, I should have learned by now to just trust Herr Wagner. There were a lot of players int hat side yesterday that aren't first choice starters, but are going to be critical to us achieving success over the next couple of months. I can't describe how proud I am that they, to a man, stepped up. Craine (right back), Whitehead (CM) and Coleman (GK) especially.

How are you feeling about the replay? It's actually pretty ideal for us - bumps a league game to later in the season and gives us more time for Jonny Hogg to get fit again for the run-in.

Huddersfield played really well & can be proud. I didn't think they created much tbh (Kolarov created a fair bit ;) ) but they were always a threat & both defended & pressed well & broke well, & on the whole were not easy to play against at all.

It's hard to tell about the replay. For one we have no idea what side we will put out & how 'up for it' the players will be. We have had several disasters at home v teams from below & in Europe, so nothing is written.

What I would say, is that it's a different game on our pitch & IF City are up for it, the team we can be is 400% better in every aspect, than the one you saw yesterday. Under those circumstances it would be very difficult for Huddersfield as they have not faced anyhing like it, to practice on. City yesterday, included.

I wouldn't rule anything out, us losing or us scoring ten.

It's City ;)