A game of two halves

[chris85mcfc]

I think we'll largely be fine once we get the majority of players fit again, fingers crossed that's in the next few weeks

Ederson
Akanji
Dias
Stones
Gvardiol
Kovacic
Bernardo
Kev
Foden
Grealish
Haaland

That should be the foundation of the side, with Gundogan, Savinho and Doku to come in when a spark is needed

 

[chesterbells]

Maybe other teams have more (and an increased number of) asthmatics than we do.

 

[69FACUPfinal]

Good point. We've actually played some very decent 1st half stuff.

If we don't get some players back to fitness in the next 2/3 weeks, there'll have to be a big tactical change though.

I suggest that we start parking the bus - and at Anfield, park 2 of the fuckers.

I said a few weeks ago, prior to this run of defects that I was dreading Klanfield. How come they are fresher and faster and hunt in packs like rabid dogs? Are they all 'suffering ' from asthma again??

Actually for a team of journeymen players, apart from Salah and possibly Van Hype they play remarkably good footy ATM, although it pains me to give them any praise. They still get decisions go their way too.

But no, if something not done pdq by Pep it will be a embarrassing for City 1 December.

 

[Blue Elvis]

If Pep doesn't feel he can drop the old guard , IMHO he has to change the way we play as the old guard are like chocolate soldiers.

We need pace in the middle and I'd rather see Nunes next to Kova than Gundo. We knew Rodri was irreplaceable and he ain't going to be back this season so change the system.

Rather like playing with a false 9 when we had no centre forward, we need to reconfigure the team to deal with the opposition's transitions because we are losing every one !

We are clearly much easier to beat at present than at any time over the last four seasons.

After the international break (wonder which players will come back injured this time?) I can't see us being much better unless Pep changes the system.

Time for some Pep "out of the box" thinking.

 

[the blue panther]

The difference is, Liverpool don’t look like losing a game under Slot. Klopp’s teams always had a poor 2nd half of the season, as he burnt his players out in the first half of the season. Slot’s football is completely the opposite. If, If, City lose against Spurs and Liverpool, City aren’t making 12points back on Liverpool. Not with this team and squad.

So, it's not a great time to be a blue then.

 

[the blue panther]

Just imagine this dream scenario: by December, we're ten points behind the leaders. They start dropping points, we come back to snatch it from Arserpool at the death. And we are completely exonerated from the 115, with maybe a rap over the knuckles in the form of a fine (to save PL face).
I shall bathe and frolic in the molten lava of hatred that will flow from all corners of the kingdom…

Triple like!!!
That's exactly the spirit.
And if it doesn't come to pass, SFW; we've had 12+ years of fuckin' bliss!

 

[the blue panther]

I said a few weeks ago, prior to this run of defects that I was dreading Klanfield. How come they are fresher and faster and hunt in packs like rabid dogs? Are they all 'suffering ' from asthma again??

Actually for a team of journeymen players, apart from Salah and possibly Van Hype they play remarkably good footy ATM, although it pains me to give them any praise. They still get decisions go their way too.

But no, if something not done pdq by Pep it will be a embarrassing for City 1 December.

No worries; we park a double bus - even with Carson in the back 5 if need be; no worries.
We're coming home with at least a point from Klanfield this year. Then, their bubble will burst.
Come on you blues!

 

[normskih]

Good point. We've actually played some very decent 1st half stuff.

If we don't get some players back to fitness in the next 2/3 weeks, there'll have to be a big tactical change though.

I suggest that we start parking the bus - and at Anfield, park 2 of the fuckers.

Park the bus? I’m not sure we have a player with a defensive bone in their body. Most if not all are attack minded and that’s how Pep sees football. An entertainment. I do get what you mean though, perhaps play with an extra defender? Or an extra holding midfielder, maybe?

 

[WesthoughtonJohn]

I think we'll largely be fine once we get the majority of players fit again, fingers crossed that's in the next few weeks

Ederson
Akanji
Dias
Stones
Gvardiol
Kovacic
Bernardo
Kev
Foden
Grealish
Haaland

That should be the foundation of the side, with Gundogan, Savinho and Doku to come in when a spark is needed

Still not a fan of that midfield in terms of mobility to be honest.
Not sure what's going on with Bernie but at 30 he's just not there at the moment. Kova is never going to a speedster - but brings stability. Kev, we have to wait and see. That leaves Phil who is currently a shadow of the player he's been - I'm with others here it's England's fault - and Jack who knows what the fuck is going on there.
The other observation with that lineup - other than Kova who's putting a foot in and breaking things up???

 

[stonerblue]

Just thinking about this while waiting fore my brew to be ready. We've often seen a pattern whereby we're a bit underwhelming in the first half and Pep sorts it out at half-time so we're much better second half. We say it at the game "Pep'll sort them out at half time". Yet certainly in the last two games, we've done well first half, dominated the game, yet come out looking completely lost for the second half.

What's going on? Are we getting too comfortable when we're a goal up, with Pep telling the players to try to see it out? Are we leaving everything on the pitch in the first 45 minutes, leaving us unable to respond in the second 45? Are we just vulnerable to teams upping the energy levels and pace? Is the opposition manager seeing things that Pep hasn't?

Right now we are lacking fitness.
We usually get the better of teams in the second half because we were much fitter than any of the others and also had them chasing the ball for the first 45mins.
On Saturday they all looked fucked after an hour, and no subs to change the game to come on.
Getting to this break with as little damage as possible was my hope but hey ho.