Brightons second was not a quick transition it was from their goalkeeper. They still managed to have overloads against our three in defence. We will continue to concede whilst we insist on playing inverted fullbacks. Other teams simply bypass midfield and immediately have overloads vs our 3 (or 2) defenders.It wasn't pissed that's just an excuse many have used to dilute our poor performance. They celebrated Sunday night after the game, at a stretch Monday too but that still gave them five days until the final to recover. What happened was a drop in intensity and mentality after winning a tough title campaign. That's understandable. It only takes 1% drop off to make a difference. I'd also add complacency. The rags who had nothing to lose approached the game like a derby, something we did in the past when we were underdogs. They had fight and desire and before we knew it we were two goals down and it could easily have been double. I will agree that Pep shouldn't have changed the side.
To the present day. At the moment we just aren't that side anymore. We've lost world class key players and are rebuilding with a lot of players not used to our system or the intensity of the premier league. Our fear factor has gone and teams have us sussed. Any well organised side with a bit of pace has a great chance against us. Stick two men on Haaland, defend deep and just wait for the transitions that are happening more regularly and suddenly we are outnumbered and chasing thin air. Even a poor Wolves side should have scored a minimum of two goals against us.
The rags will cause us problems and in spite of the Grimsby result they are showing signs of improvement. We underestimate them at our peril. As I've already said any side atm must fancy their chances against us.
Spot on mate, no more do we carry any sort of fear factor for teams. Infact I'd go as far to say that some teams are rubbing their hands at the thought of playing us now, the rags included in thatIt wasn't pissed that's just an excuse many have used to dilute our poor performance. They celebrated Sunday night after the game, at a stretch Monday too but that still gave them five days until the final to recover. What happened was a drop in intensity and mentality after winning a tough title campaign. That's understandable. It only takes 1% drop off to make a difference. I'd also add complacency. The rags who had nothing to lose approached the game like a derby, something we did in the past when we were underdogs. They had fight and desire and before we knew it we were two goals down and it could easily have been double. I will agree that Pep shouldn't have changed the side.
To the present day. At the moment we just aren't that side anymore. We've lost world class key players and are rebuilding with a lot of players not used to our system or the intensity of the premier league. Our fear factor has gone and teams have us sussed. Any well organised side with a bit of pace has a great chance against us. Stick two men on Haaland, defend deep and just wait for the transitions that are happening more regularly and suddenly we are outnumbered and chasing thin air. Even a poor Wolves side should have scored a minimum of two goals against us.
The rags will cause us problems and in spite of the Grimsby result they are showing signs of improvement. We underestimate them at our peril. As I've already said any side atm must fancy their chances against us.
Kick off time 16:30 (BST).
I hope they can work out what is happening in the next 2 weeks, the balance is just completely off.
If we lose to this lot then we have got problems.
Roll back the years. Pretend it’s the early/mid 2000s - forget everything else. Just beat this lot and the rest of the season will look after itself…
A team in terminal decline then?It wasn't pissed that's just an excuse many have used to dilute our poor performance. They celebrated Sunday night after the game, at a stretch Monday too but that still gave them five days until the final to recover. What happened was a drop in intensity and mentality after winning a tough title campaign. That's understandable. It only takes 1% drop off to make a difference. I'd also add complacency. The rags who had nothing to lose approached the game like a derby, something we did in the past when we were underdogs. They had fight and desire and before we knew it we were two goals down and it could easily have been double. I will agree that Pep shouldn't have changed the side.
To the present day. At the moment we just aren't that side anymore. We've lost world class key players and are rebuilding with a lot of players not used to our system or the intensity of the premier league. Our fear factor has gone and teams have us sussed. Any well organised side with a bit of pace has a great chance against us. Stick two men on Haaland, defend deep and just wait for the transitions that are happening more regularly and suddenly we are outnumbered and chasing thin air. Even a poor Wolves side should have scored a minimum of two goals against us.
The rags will cause us problems and in spite of the Grimsby result they are showing signs of improvement. We underestimate them at our peril. As I've already said any side atm must fancy their chances against us.
You can add Khusanov to that list.Players that absolutely have to start:
Stones
Gvardiol
Rodri
Beyond that the rest are either out of form or not technically good enough.
The lack of technical ability in the squad is winding me up at the moment.
The amount of mistakes team make and how mentally weak they are as soon as opponent score is baffling. It has to be more than just average players.Players that absolutely have to start:
Stones
Gvardiol
Rodri
Beyond that the rest are either out of form or not technically good enough.
The lack of technical ability in the squad is winding me up at the moment.
Yes - he needs to personally welcome Fernandes to the Etihad...You can add Khusanov to that list.
Donna, Nunes, Stones, Khusanov, Gvardiol, Rodri, Gonzalez, Reijnder, Marmoush, Haaland, Foden would probably be my team of they're all fit.
You can add Khusanov to that list.
I like it. Nuñes and Gvardiol providing width.and in Josko's case goals. 2 solid midfielders with Reinjders and Foden providing the spark. Omar playing off Erl.Donna, Nunes, Stones, Khusanov, Gvardiol, Rodri, Gonzalez, Reijnder, Marmoush, Haaland, Foden would probably be my team of they're all fit.