Match Thread | Sporting CP vs. Man City (05/11/24)

[Phil1]

Still think we win this.

Why would anyone possibly think different? We’ve been very good for the most part.

 

[madloaf]

That one pass from nunes to haaland (where haaland smacked it high and wide) is the kind of pass I scream to play about 7 times a game that never ever happens. He's really impressed me so far tonight.

 

[youngbob]

The same problems persist, wide open at the back to every single simple 3 pass attack. how many times have we seen teams get in the exact way they did for their goal the last half a dozen games? It's absurd Pep is refusing to address it.

An improvement on last weekend but their naivety together with foden looking good made us look better than we've been in reality. Foden and Nunes have both been great, savinho looks lively but absolutely zero end product tonight and looks weak, Lewis has been really poor, anonymous in defence and keeps giving the ball away. Bernardo started deeper alongside kovacic and both he and the team looked better, seemed to push up more as the half went on and we looked progressively worse for it.

Kovacic is going to have to come off early, can't risk a red.

It's a big problem with Bernardo and Kovacic. Both of them have a tendency to keep drifting forwards. Kovacic could stay behind the halfway line at all times and we'd be better off.

 

[DTKOAG]

Excellent half just missed the chances our play deserved

 

[northendenton]

Tell me which world class striker in the world will want to join our club if Haaland still in there.

I will wait.

Well me oh sorry ,class not crass

 

[TonyM]

Foden is brilliant and then has poor decision after another. Same with Savinho.

Bernardo is hot and cold. Same with Lewis.

Haaland hasn't made the best of the few chances he's had.

As always imo our problems stem from our attack not being clinical in terms of perfect passing, decision making and shooting.

Our defense is not the problem.

But over the season our attack will click into full gear and we'll be awesome I think.

 

[MMA]

Kind of game where I think Phil will get a second and erl will get an end game third..

As long as pep makes the right subs

 

[johnny crossan]

Excellent half just missed the chances our play deserved

not so excellent then

 

[phargrave]

Keep going lads we played really well in that half.

You’ll catch a few with that line…..

 

[yeah whatever !!]

3 second half City goals please. Cheers !!

 

[wolviedinho]

That must’ve taken some finding!

I can always find a warm pussy…cat -:)

 

[Brewster's millions]

That one pass from nunes to haaland (where haaland smacked it high and wide) is the kind of pass I scream to play about 7 times a game that never ever happens. He's really impressed me so far tonight.

He’s showing that he has a lot to his game, rather than just the mobility he offers to the team.

 

[blue b4 the moon]

We've got another couple of goals in us yet tonight, just be careful at the back and it's 3 points.

 

[willipp]

Some really good stuff apart from the final finish. Enjoying it as a game but we look so piss poor defensively we need to take a few chances otherwise it’s gonna cost us.

 

[.db.]

I really don't think they're very good at all and we should be comfortably ahead. Finishing nowhere near where it has been in previous seasons and we can't keep a clean sheet to save our lives.

They are distinctly average. Like a United or West Ham level bottom half Prem side. But when we don’t take our chances, especially in the style of play we play, there’s always a risk of the opposition scoring in the counter.

 

[No.8]

of course it’s a systemic error. and if you check, many goals were conceded last season with rodri playing too. imho pep doesn’t really mind coz he would’ve changed something. many chances created tonight, the finishing sucks.

Or maybe City are so on top and dominating possession that teams only chance is to Nick the ball and hit on the counter!!

 

[eastmanc]

You’ll catch a few with that line…..

?

 

[Kamaro011]

Not the most popular player on here but a fit Kyle Walker is a huge miss to City. That goal and the 1 v 1 chance earlier don’t happen if a fit Walker is playing. His pace at the back is a big loss

City should still win this comfortably as they have been excellent at times. Foden on this form is practically unplayable

Replacing Rodri and Walker will be difficult in january, not many proven player in the market have near their skillsets atm.

 

[stonerblue]

If I have to mention leaving 1 at the back again..

 

[Millwallawayveteran1988]

Rico has a great touch and control under pressure but all he offers around the box are sideways passes/ball retention, not much creativity and is always reluctant to shoot himself. Would like to see him overlap winger every now and then.

I think he keeps us ticking nicely when he plays further forward but for me he should be in midfield. He is so slow to get back when we lose the ball.