Bournemouth (A) - FA Cup | Post Match Thread

[mancboy]

The booking for Khusanov was ridiculous. The bias extended into the commentary of course - when they broke up a promising attack, the commentators referred to it as text-book play in breaking up an attack; whenever our players used to do anything similar, 1. We get a booking, and 2. They always used to refer to it as the "dark arts."

Lee Dixon: the most boring pundit on Earth. A modern day Eric Olthwaite. Soporific.

Very pleasantly surprised at that 2nd half turn around after what I thought was an awful 1st half - even though Earl could have had a hat trick before we gave them their goal. Credit to Pep and the players.

Onwards and upwards?

Usually i would agree but unfortunately we live in a world where martin keown exists

 

[mancboy]

I would love to see an automatic yellow card for any player who claimed a throw in / goal kick / corner which could never have been theirs.

and a yellow for any player who waves their arms at the crowd to get them to cheer, needy little fuckers

 

[CC1]

What about 'internet' watchers who represented their town, their county, the South of England and their country at schoolboy level?

Is their opinion uninformed?

Depends - did they suffer at York away

 

[TheBlueCat]

I think Dias has struggled playing the LCB roll and that has at times affected our build up in general. First half that was incredibly pronounced. Josko barely saw the ball because of how awkward Dias is when he receives the ball on that side. Best he could do when pressed was square it back to Khusa. The big obvious thing from the moment the second half kicked off was that it was much much easier to progress the ball with Josko stepping into the LCB roll and him and O'Reilly being much more in tune with each other both from an attacking sense and also defensively.

A lot of criticism of the first half performance which I don't think is fair. Bournemouth were always going to come out intense and swinging, and we restricted their chance creation whilst also creating some big chances of our own. On another day City score 2 in that first half. Think Gundo, KDB, and Phil were much better in the second half because the build up was better as we played through the Bournemouth press a few times. This dropped them as a team and when that happened the game felt over.

It’s not a roll, it’s a muffin ;)

 

[noseve]

Kev’s performance the most important thing for me. He’s obviously fit. Ow and the rest followed by three games in a week has re booted him. He was energetic and on it all game. Massive positive from today

Definitely lost a couple of pounds too, I'd say

 

[Man_City_Loyal]

Kev’s performance the most important thing for me. He’s obviously fit. Ow and the rest followed by three games in a week has re booted him. He was energetic and on it all game. Massive positive from today

didn't he play both games for Belguim?

He was a positive yesterday i agree

 

[BillyShears]

It’s not a roll, it’s a muffin ;)

Wait, were you sitting next to me at lunch yesterday as I tried to explain this to my wife!

 

[eyalluvitt]

I thought Kovacic took control of the game after half time with his control and distribution.Gave a feeling of calm that settled everybody on and off the field.

I thought O’reilly changed the game, we went from being bullied to the bullies when he came on

 

[the blue panther]

Usually i would agree but unfortunately we live in a world where martin keown exists

Must be something in the Highbury water.

 

[thegoatsthegoat]

I think Dias has struggled playing the LCB roll and that has at times affected our build up in general. First half that was incredibly pronounced. Josko barely saw the ball because of how awkward Dias is when he receives the ball on that side. Best he could do when pressed was square it back to Khusa. The big obvious thing from the moment the second half kicked off was that it was much much easier to progress the ball with Josko stepping into the LCB roll and him and O'Reilly being much more in tune with each other both from an attacking sense and also defensively.

A lot of criticism of the first half performance which I don't think is fair. Bournemouth were always going to come out intense and swinging, and we restricted their chance creation whilst also creating some big chances of our own. On another day City score 2 in that first half. Think Gundo, KDB, and Phil were much better in the second half because the build up was better as we played through the Bournemouth press a few times. This dropped them as a team and when that happened the game felt over.

We was shite first half. We could barely string two passes together and the chances which fell to us we missed horribly. Ederson kicking the ball into touch constantly, unforced errors constantly, it really was a poor first half. That is exactly why a half time change was made, who'd have thought Gvardiol playing centre half might work and who'd have thought a bit of pace and energy may create a direct dynamic.

If the first half was as ok as some think, the sub and tactical changes would not have happened.

 

[hammersmithlad]

I think Dias has struggled playing the LCB roll and that has at times affected our build up in general. First half that was incredibly pronounced. Josko barely saw the ball because of how awkward Dias is when he receives the ball on that side. Best he could do when pressed was square it back to Khusa. The big obvious thing from the moment the second half kicked off was that it was much much easier to progress the ball with Josko stepping into the LCB roll and him and O'Reilly being much more in tune with each other both from an attacking sense and also defensively.

A lot of criticism of the first half performance which I don't think is fair. Bournemouth were always going to come out intense and swinging, and we restricted their chance creation whilst also creating some big chances of our own. On another day City score 2 in that first half. Think Gundo, KDB, and Phil were much better in the second half because the build up was better as we played through the Bournemouth press a few times. This dropped them as a team and when that happened the game felt over.

Still buzzing after getting through this fixture. Upon reflection it was O'Reilly who well & truly got us out of the tie. I've been banging on about giving this lad a chance for months now, so much to the extent I think a few people around me in the South Stand were getting fed up! However, even I was impressed how much of an impact he made yesterday. Just hope Pep continues to play him rather than sticking him in the broom closet for the next four weeks.

Agree about Dias yesterday, it was obvious he was uncomfortable on the ball & as a result we couldn't benefit from Gvardiol further upfield in the first half. As much as I'm huge Pep fan, I do think he go slightly lucky yesterday in benefiting from Nico's sub. Rather than entirely tactical from an attacking point of view, I do think he was weary of the young & inexperienced Khusanov picking up a second yellow card & ultimately us out of the cup should that have happened which forced his hand in shuffling the defensive line pack. As a result, we looked more balanced, Gvardiol was obviously more comfortable on the ball than Dias which helped the left side & all that remained was for O'Reilly to take the game by the scruff of the neck which others failed to do.

Will also give credit when its due as I thought Grealish was great when he came on & exactly what we needed to control the game & not allow Bournemouth to play to their strengths since they ran out of steam out of possession trying to get the ball back. Just wished he would shoot when there's a clear opening as a third goal would have killed the game as opposed to making sure we don't lose the ball for the entire 7 minutes of injury time.

 

[Gaz (FMwkdsoul)]

I think Dias has struggled playing the LCB roll and that has at times affected our build up in general. First half that was incredibly pronounced. Josko barely saw the ball because of how awkward Dias is when he receives the ball on that side. Best he could do when pressed was square it back to Khusa. The big obvious thing from the moment the second half kicked off was that it was much much easier to progress the ball with Josko stepping into the LCB roll and him and O'Reilly being much more in tune with each other both from an attacking sense and also defensively.

A lot of criticism of the first half performance which I don't think is fair. Bournemouth were always going to come out intense and swinging, and we restricted their chance creation whilst also creating some big chances of our own. On another day City score 2 in that first half. Think Gundo, KDB, and Phil were much better in the second half because the build up was better as we played through the Bournemouth press a few times. This dropped them as a team and when that happened the game felt over.

Think a left footed CB maybe on the lower half of the transfer wishlist come summer, once they grab a RB and CM. There's a fair few about.

 

[The Light Was Yellow Sir]

Think a left footed CB maybe on the lower half of the transfer wishlist come summer, once they grab a RB and CM. There's a fair few about.

We’ve got one. He’s called Gvardiol….

 

[Marvin.]

Still buzzing after getting through this fixture. Upon reflection it was O'Reilly who well & truly got us out of the tie. I've been banging on about giving this lad a chance for months now, so much to the extent I think a few people around me in the South Stand were getting fed up! However, even I was impressed how much of an impact he made yesterday. Just hope Pep continues to play him rather than sticking him in the broom closet for the next four weeks.

Agree about Dias yesterday, it was obvious he was uncomfortable on the ball & as a result we couldn't benefit from Gvardiol further upfield in the first half. As much as I'm huge Pep fan, I do think he go slightly lucky yesterday in benefiting from Nico's sub. Rather than entirely tactical from an attacking point of view, I do think he was weary of the young & inexperienced Khusanov picking up a second yellow card & ultimately us out of the cup should that have happened which forced his hand in shuffling the defensive line pack. As a result, we looked more balanced, Gvardiol was obviously more comfortable on the ball than Dias which helped the left side & all that remained was for O'Reilly to take the game by the scruff of the neck which others failed to do.

Will also give credit when its due as I thought Grealish was great when he came on & exactly what we needed to control the game & not allow Bournemouth to play to their strengths since they ran out of steam out of possession trying to get the ball back. Just wished he would shoot when there's a clear opening as a third goal would have killed the game as opposed to making sure we don't lose the ball for the entire 7 minutes of injury time.

Good points. I have been arguing for O'Reilly too. Hopefully the argument is won now. He has been outstanding. I thought he could be the answer to our midfield problems before we brought in Gonzalez.

I was hugely impressed with the way City controlled the 2nd half although I was a bit nervous that Bournemouth would score with a single attack.

I thought Grealish was outstanding at keeping and retaining the ball under pressure. His ability to suck players in and lay it off is so unselfish. However, I don't think he quite has the balance right between ball retention and shooting when he is in the box.

Returning to O'Reilly, could he be a box to box midfielder. His assist for Marmoush's goal was excellent. He has also showed great talent for carrying the ball which no other City player does. When we play with wingers, we miss someone who arrives late in the box. O'Reilly looks like he can do this.

 

[Marvin.]

We was shite first half. We could barely string two passes together and the chances which fell to us we missed horribly. Ederson kicking the ball into touch constantly, unforced errors constantly, it really was a poor first half. That is exactly why a half time change was made, who'd have thought Gvardiol playing centre half might work and who'd have thought a bit of pace and energy may create a direct dynamic.

If the first half was as ok as some think, the sub and tactical changes would not have happened.

I disagree. Bournemouth were dangerous on the counter but we could easily have scored 3 goals. You can't be happy when we miss chances but the performance in the first half was not sh'te, not in my opinion anyway. We bossed the 2nd half. I think the effect of the equaliser gave us some belief and damaged Bournemouth who have been on a bad run recently and who were missing players.

 

[Gorton_Tubster]

I didnt think we were shit first half tbh. We played just as well but we didnt score. Not seen the stats for that first half but it felt like we just below the level of the 2nd half but we scored the goals in the 2nd half.

It feels like Pep has given the A-team (KDB, Kova, Gundog, etc ) a break lately and been trusting the new players for their intensity and hard work. I wonder if Pep has been playing off the new guys against the older guys to get the intensity back from kevin and gundog etc. They seemed like they were back to normal yesterday, some really good passages of play like old.
Tbh I am quite hopeful for the rest of the season now. I do hope we have our mojo back.

 

[Gaz (FMwkdsoul)]

We’ve got one. He’s called Gvardiol….

and he's our starting LB, Ake is broken as it stands. I can see them getting another in tbh.

 

[Marvin.]

The performance of Dias has also been overlooked. He won everything. He was my MOTM for instilling a warrior like approach to City's defending. He played exactly the same way for Portugal in the international window.

Have City found a solid back 4 in: Khusanov, Dias, Gvardiol and O'Reilly? I know we didn't play that in the 2nd half but we could field that if we wanted.

 

[Marvin.]

I didnt think we were shit first half tbh. We played just as well but we didnt score. Not seen the stats for that first half but it felt like we just below the level of the 2nd half but we scored the goals in the 2nd half.

It feels like Pep has given the A-team (KDB, Kova, Gundog, etc ) a break lately and been trusting the new players for their intensity and hard work. I wonder if Pep has been playing off the new guys against the older guys to get the intensity back from kevin and gundog etc. They seemed like they were back to normal yesterday, some really good passages of play like old.
Tbh I am quite hopeful for the rest of the season now. I do hope we have our mojo back.

I wasn't too hopeful when I saw KDB in midfield but he did well. That's probably the best I have seen him play in a while. Realistically we probably can't expect to see City play high intensity football from KDB every 3-4 days but apart from Leicester, it's largely going to be one game a week from now on.

 

[Gorton_Tubster]

Well on Weds I am hoping we are going to crush them easily. But more important we might play them off the park. Just what we need before utd.