Brentford (H) | Post-Match Thread

[Roachy]

Not if you are discussing effort, which I was.

Well you chose to change the subject

Thank you.

Love a BM tagteam, lol.

 

[David Silva]

This defeat has been coming for a few weeks. We got lucky last week and got ourselves out of a hole. We haven't really played well since we ripped the rags a new one a couple of months ago. However, it's hardly the end of world, even if the media make it to be that way. We lost a game of football. We will lose another one or two also, before the end of the season. I still think we are the best team in the PL by some distance and will pick up the trophy again.

You’re right I think. We haven’t been on great form since Copenhagen away, although I thought we actually played well v Fulham considering the red card.

Luckily Pep has got a few weeks to try and work out how to get us going again. We are definitely struggling a bit more to contain counters this season & it’s too simple to say it’s just because of Haaland (its the same when Alvarez plays too).

We’ve also dropped off considerably with set pieces, and dealing with high balls defensively. Walker is a big miss for sure, but these issues were apparent before his injury (I.e v Newcastle away). I’m sure Pep will work it out mind you.

 

[BlueRhubarb]

Cancelo. Where is his head at the moment? Gifts the scousers a goal, then red carded, now booked for diving. Disgraceful!
We have 5 centre backs but instead of them being hungry for game time in the two centre back positions they are being used as full backs so 3 of them get a game. No hunger. No competition!
We have a new exciting left back that Pep won't play - what is going on here!

Cancelo is suffering a poor run of form. It happens. Nothing more. He’s still integral to this team.

We are playing a centre half at right back because our 1st choice is out injured and our alternative is a 17 kid with hardly any Premier League experience. Stones has done OK at Rob but I think we both know he will be playing at centre half for England and City when we have a full squad available. We could play over 40 games in 6 months after the WC. All our squad, including our centre backs will get plenty of game time. The most in form will play in the big games.

Our exciting new LB is a squad player and it’s clear Pep doesn’t believe he’s fully ready for the Premier League. He would have gone out on loan had we landed our no1 target Cucurella. I think our manager has enough credit in the bank to judge a player better than most of us could.

Chill folks. We will be fine. Sit back, enjoy the World Cup, hope our players do well and don’t get injured and recharge your batteries for the assault on the quad when we return at Xmas.

 

[Blue Feather]

Lacking pace and have problems in the wide areas (full-backs and 'wingers') when we set up like we did on Saturday. Despite the song, Bernardo is not a winger and while he can hold a position there it needs someone outside to support the attack and John Stones isn't that either. On the left Cancelo looks mainly to come inside so a first-time left footed cross isn't taken. Cancelo would be better on the right for balance at the moment but we have 5 first-team centre-backs and only 1 experienced Premier League full-back which is muddling selection. Would have been nice to see a bit more of Wilson-Esbrand in recent weeks so he and Gomes might offer a more natural option on the left. It's not really a one-off as the last few games have for me been the flattest run in terms of going forward and creating chances in the last 11 or so years. Pick that side again and I can see us losing a few more games unfortunately

 

[Roachy]

Cancelo is suffering a poor run of form. It happens. Nothing more. He’s still integral to this team.

We are playing a centre half at right back because our 1st choice is out injured and our alternative is a 17 kid with hardly any Premier League experience. Stones has done OK at Rob but I think we both know he will be playing at centre half for England and City when we have a full squad available. We could play over 40 games in 6 months after the WC. All our squad, including our centre backs will get plenty of game time. The most in form will play in the big games.

Our exciting new LB is a squad player and it’s clear Pep doesn’t believe he’s fully ready for the Premier League. He would have gone out on loan had we landed our no1 target Cucurella. I think our manager has enough credit in the bank to judge a player better than most of us could.

Chill folks. We will be fine. Sit back, enjoy the World Cup, hope our players do well and don’t get injured and recharge your batteries for the assault on the quad when we return at Xmas.

Yes, it's a shame Cancelo has dipped probably when we need him most with Kyle Walker injured. Great outlet in an attacking sense, but a bit iffy defensively at the moment.

 

[FantasyIreland]

We have a new exciting left back

No,we don't.

That's the issue.

 

[GazM]

Think I've just about got over this & the rest of the family have forgiven me for my foul mood post-Brentford.

These defeats are hard to take but in hindsight they are often a turning point for us (see WBA home season before last, Newcastle away before that).

Pep & his team will no doubt be looking at ways to improve & counter teams like Brentford who cause us problems. They don't always get it right (Spurs !) but more often than not they do so it'll be interesting to see what changes are made.

 

[tommy116]

One thing i have noticed about KDB is that on the very rare occassions he starts a game poorly it stays that way for the game. Really need others to step up when he does have an off day.

 

[Didsbury Dave]

No,we don't.

That's the issue.

Yeah, this lad looks like a duff one to me too so far.

 

[FantasyIreland]

Yeah, this lad looks like a duff one to me too so far.

As a left back,most definitely.

As a left winger,he's an average Prem player.

He just wasn't a player we needed.

 

[Colin Bells Boots]

Cancelo. Where is his head at the moment? Gifts the scousers a goal, then red carded, now booked for diving. Disgraceful!
We have 5 centre backs but instead of them being hungry for game time in the two centre back positions they are being used as full backs so 3 of them get a game. No hunger. No competition!
We have a new exciting left back that Pep won't play - what is going on here!

We have no experienced and proper left backs, capable of defending properly, which is crux of the problem, and Pep refuses to use the kids who normally play in that position.

If you are referring to Gomes as the " new exiting left back " . I'm not sure that you can have watched him play. At this moment in time, he is nowhere near the solution.

 

[blueju]

Looking ahead to the Arsenal games, they could be the games where Pep implodes completely. We know he overthinks big games but to be facing a team managed by one of his most trusted apprentices who’s team are playing our football but at a much quicker pace and at the moment much more successfully it could tip him tactically over the edge, like playing poker with someone who knows your every move. Extreme outlook but not totally unimaginable.

 

[mick10]

There is no arrogance, can’t fans be confident in their team that they have seen for years?

We lost but it has nothing to do with fans being confident.

Agree. There can’t have been many City supporters who didn’t see this as a 3 pointer. Shocker tbh.

 

[Didsbury Dave]

Looking ahead to the Arsenal games, they could be the games where Pep implodes completely. We know he overthinks big games but to be facing a team managed by one of his most trusted apprentices who’s team are playing our football but at a much quicker pace and at the moment much more successfully it could tip him tactically over the edge, like playing poker with someone who knows your every move. Extreme outlook but not totally unimaginable.

What absolute rubbish.

 

[Uncle Wally One Ball]

Looking ahead to the Arsenal games, they could be the games where Pep implodes completely. We know he overthinks big games but to be facing a team managed by one of his most trusted apprentices who’s team are playing our football but at a much quicker pace and at the moment much more successfully it could tip him tactically over the edge, like playing poker with someone who knows your every move. Extreme outlook but not totally unimaginable.

No, just an extreme outlook. 'Implodes completely'? Wow.

 

[bigalfromeccles]

Yes, it's a shame Cancelo has dipped probably when we need him most with Kyle Walker injured. Great outlet in an attacking sense, but a bit iffy defensively at the moment.

FFS 'a bit iffy' hes a fuxking nightmare and always has been...I think he's Pep project but dont understand why...He got rid of Sane who was better than Cancelo AND didnt have defensive duties. Why he's putting up with Cancelo as a FB is beyond me..

 

[trevorriley]

came away thinking what the fk are we playing at

 

[blueju]

What absolute rubbish.

Ha ha fair enough

 

[OB1]

Well you chose to change the subject

Love a BM tagteam, lol.

I didn't change the subject though.

 

[Roachy]

FFS 'a bit iffy' hes a fuxking nightmare and always has been...I think he's Pep project but dont understand why...He got rid of Sane who was better than Cancelo AND didnt have defensive duties. Why he's putting up with Cancelo as a FB is beyond me..

Honestly mate, know what you mean. I was being extremely generous in my post but yes, very frustrating. He gets turned far too easily for my liking. We don't look really settled at the back as a whole.