Without spending another half a billion in the winter window, I can't see how the dips improve at all. They look a totally mismatched "team" that will never work as intended. The media blowing smoke up their arses up until the recent turn around by them just makes it more obvious.If we keep improving who knows. I think Liverpool will improve but inconsistences will remain to a certain degree. I see Arsenal maintaining this style of play throughout the season but there will be a few blips. The other comps have to be added in to the equation as well. Out of the three teams I think we've got more headroom to get better. The defence is looking stubborn and the attack not too bad. Got to keep plugging away.
That's fine, but replace Brentford with Brighton or Monaco (or even Arsenal) and your description of yesterday is a microcosm of virtually every away game this seasonWe could have been 3 or 4 up at half time yesterday
It's the finishing that is the issue, not the performances
In times gone by, we'd have been 2 or 3 up yesterday, and then passed them to death in the 2nd half
Unfortunately, if you aren't finishing teams off, especially away from home, you're always likely to get sucker punched
I agree that we are making silly mistakes, even basics like misplaced simple passes; but at the same time Brentford had one shot on target yesterday, which came from Bobb getting brushed off the ball in their box, and then Gvardiol getting a header horribly wrong
Arsenal aside, the common theme is not taking our chances.That's fine, but replace Brentford with Brighton or Monaco (or even Arsenal) and your description of yesterday is a microcosm of virtually every away game this season
Should have been 2 up but weren't
Lightweight winger outmuscled
One big sloppy mistake
That's what I meant by performance
Well saidWe can improve in more respects than Arsenal or Liverpool. Plus the team is being trained to peak in the 2nd half of the season.
Possibilities for improvenent:
Donna: his understanding of the league and his communicatuon with our defenders will only get better.
RB: both Khusa and Nunes can and are likely to improve as they still are learning the position.
CB: Dias has improved this season and Gvardiol has the potential to be one of the very best CBs in the world. In the last two games alone, Gvardiol assisted 2 goals for Haaland, which is probably more than Dias and Stones combined in the Treble season. Plus we have experienced CBs in Stones and Ake who can help in decisive moments (if available). Khusa is a great option as well.
LB: O'Reilly will only get better. RAN as well.
DM: Hopefully Rodri can get better, Gonzalez is getting better and becoming a seriously good option.
Reijnders is still learning. He can get a lot better.
Cherki is a fabulous talent. He is yet to be fully utilized.
Bobb and Savinho can only get better.
Much more is to come from Foden and Marmoush.
We are work in progress. The potential of the team is huge. Right now we are seeing glimpses of how this City team can play. The spirit is there.
The key to this season: getting Rodri back to his best or at least to 90% of his preinjury form. Imo, that would make us the best team in the 2nd half of the season.
Not with Ait Nouri in it, we won't.Donnarumma
Khusanov
Dias
Gvardiol
Ait Nouri
Rodri
Reijnders
Foden
Marmoush
Doku
Haaland
If in form, that team can defo win the league!
Ait Nouri is not getting the LB spot back from O'Reilly. The lad is really talented and currently among the best in the league in a position that is not even his natural one. Or, maybe it is.Not with Ait Nouri in it, we won't.
Just as some will have to accept Khusanov is our best right back, they need to accept O'Reilly rescued our season last year and is currently the best left-back in the league.
And Cherki should start on the right.
Not with Ait Nouri in it, we won't.
Just as some will have to accept Khusanov is our best right back, they need to accept O'Reilly rescued our season last year and is currently the best left-back in the league.
And Cherki should start on the right.
At this same stage we weren'tWere 7 points better off from the same games from last season, unbeaten in Europe, top scorers in the league, got the old Foden back, and somehow improved Haarland! And unbeaten in our last 7 games!
Last season Arsenal beat us 5-1 at the Emerates and United beat us at home and we drew at Brentford! We are a lot better this season than last season mate!
Not a chance, Ait Nouri will get games but O'Reilly has made himself one of the first names on the team sheet.Not knocking Nico mate, just think Pep will go back to Ait Nouri when he is fit.
I can see where you are going with Nico, but, let him have some rest time and let's take our time with him. He'll be better for it.Ait Nouri is not getting the LB spot back from O'Reilly. The lad is really talented and currently among the best in the league in a position that is not even his natural one. Or, maybe it is.
You don't think Arsenal have been a stand out team given the fixtures they've had ? Bournemouth and Palace have been very good too.It’s the strongest, as a whole, the league has ever been.
If you mean there isn’t one standout team I agree.
Not knocking Nico mate, just think Pep will go back to Ait Nouri when he is fit.