bluetonium
Well-Known Member
Let's take the positives. We went toe to toe with an in form team leading the league and undefeated in many games, and won.
Not only that, we competed. We have to play ourselves back into form and this was a good way to do it. It always seems to be something new, yesterday Rodri decided he suddenly can't pass a football after years of being a sublime passer. But you get through it, knuckle down and try again.
No idea what Ake was thinking when he hit that with his right foot, but I'm very thankful he did! Alvarez showed when he came on what was needed - have a bloody shot!
Looking back at the Holding foul on Haaland in the opening minutes, I can only think that the referee has interpreted that Haaland fouled the arsenal player first. That's a foul that's not given anywhere else on the pitch or at corners, and the frustrating thing is that var could agree either way with whatever the ref said - if he gives the foul our way var isn't contesting it. But in the opening minutes no way the ref is giving such a foul and facing a possible red card call, so instead he falls back on a flimsy position of attacker making the first foul when they're both being pretty physical, up until the point Haaland wins the duel and Holding takes him out. Also thought the ref should have booked their right back for persistent fouling, three on Grealish in the first twenty mins...
Felt much better when Laporte came on although frustrating for Stones. Akanji bless him has the belief that he'll get decisions awarded fairly playing for city in this league. On one occasion he was fouled and the ref waited until he came back and won the duel before waving play on, when the only way he could go was back to Ortega and let the attacker close him down. On another occasion he played the offside and appealed for it as it was clear and he's facing his own goal, but no flag or whistle so he played the ball and immediately the attacker is on him. Poor performance from the officials, yet again, who seem to believe that because city are regarded as such a good team in possession that just us having the ball is advantage enough, even if we're running backwards and have to lump in out of play.
Still, we won. We battled, we accepted responsibility and we are in the next round where we will no doubt again get premier league opposition. Week off now too, which is a rarity.
Not only that, we competed. We have to play ourselves back into form and this was a good way to do it. It always seems to be something new, yesterday Rodri decided he suddenly can't pass a football after years of being a sublime passer. But you get through it, knuckle down and try again.
No idea what Ake was thinking when he hit that with his right foot, but I'm very thankful he did! Alvarez showed when he came on what was needed - have a bloody shot!
Looking back at the Holding foul on Haaland in the opening minutes, I can only think that the referee has interpreted that Haaland fouled the arsenal player first. That's a foul that's not given anywhere else on the pitch or at corners, and the frustrating thing is that var could agree either way with whatever the ref said - if he gives the foul our way var isn't contesting it. But in the opening minutes no way the ref is giving such a foul and facing a possible red card call, so instead he falls back on a flimsy position of attacker making the first foul when they're both being pretty physical, up until the point Haaland wins the duel and Holding takes him out. Also thought the ref should have booked their right back for persistent fouling, three on Grealish in the first twenty mins...
Felt much better when Laporte came on although frustrating for Stones. Akanji bless him has the belief that he'll get decisions awarded fairly playing for city in this league. On one occasion he was fouled and the ref waited until he came back and won the duel before waving play on, when the only way he could go was back to Ortega and let the attacker close him down. On another occasion he played the offside and appealed for it as it was clear and he's facing his own goal, but no flag or whistle so he played the ball and immediately the attacker is on him. Poor performance from the officials, yet again, who seem to believe that because city are regarded as such a good team in possession that just us having the ball is advantage enough, even if we're running backwards and have to lump in out of play.
Still, we won. We battled, we accepted responsibility and we are in the next round where we will no doubt again get premier league opposition. Week off now too, which is a rarity.
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