Bournemouth v City post match

[BillyShears]

Thought Sane was down a notch on recent performances last night. One or two very sloppy passes when we were in great counterattacking positions and 'over' dribbled a bit as well. Still, he's got good technique and pace and that's a fantastic default setting. Won the ball in the air several times as well and kept the full back pinned back all night.
The whole team was a bit ragged at times. Some great stuff some of the time and then really ragged at others; our passing out of defence in the first 20 minutes of the 2nd half was out and out dreadful, and Bournemouth getting tight quickly on Ya Ya was probably key to that.
The one man who rose above it all was Silva, who was sensationally good from start to finish, as good a performance as I've seen from any City player this season

It's interesting that you think our passing out of defence was dreadful - Kola completed 52 of 55 passes and Stones 67 of 74.

I actually think we were defensively great. Both centre halves, Sagna and Ferna, and the entire midfield, all did their bit to limit Bournemouth to almost nothing. We're at a stage where at our best we're such a dominant force, that when that drops a little and we allow the opposition onto us it feels like we're playing really badly. To me it felt more or less like we were happy to be a bit deeper and invite pressure closer to our box to have more space to counter attack. Again, on another day we score more than the 2 goals we did score.

The key is the balance. The balance of this set up is perfect. I said in the Silva the thread that the buy in from him and KDB with regards the positional side of their game is key to this working. Was noticeable how deep at times they were and also how much running KDB in particular did just to close players down from a defensive position. It's the kind of classic Barcelona press which we haven't seen enough of IMO this season.

 

[FantasyIreland]

Not sure how either of you have come to this conclusion. Jesus was barely in the game before going off, Aguero has caused them plenty of problems and had a hand in a goal?

Basing it on effort in the small amount of time Jesus had on the pitch,he didnt give the their back line a moments peace.Contrast that to Aguero,who gave them all the time in the world.
He may well have asssited our second but that isnt a sole attribute of a world class striker,the amount of opportunities we create will always present goal scoring chances for a player that gets in the right place.Its the other stuff - the cohesion,the intelligence,the industry,the link play,the desire.....that separates,and i dont think he shows enough.

 

[cibaman]

Hemorrhoids, they'll get you every time.

Indeed, but gout is worse

 

[Saddleworth2]

I think sky coverage was hit and miss last night. Mentioned money 4 times in build up and once in match (using the inflated figure of course). They tried to show graphic of net spend since 2014 (with City biggest spenders) Neville almost skipped over it and tried to avoid it as discussion point but Sky agenda was clear. After the match Neville was waxing lyrical about Sane, saying he looks like an amazing player. His hesitation over us catching Chelsea or us being favourites for second was fair enough. Tough games coming up and break up of schedules meaning momentum for anyone will be unpredictable. Quinn was both glowing and needlessly negative about us as usual.

Thought the punditry was pretty balanced last night between Caragher and GN. It is light years ahead of the pea brains that inhabit MOTD (other than Trev obviously). Quinn is a tosser though.

 

[Dave Ewing's Back 'eader]

. . . . . to limit Bournemouth to almost nothing.

MatchDayCentre raised one Bournemouth shot on target and that was it all night! They've done well at home v The Dippers and The Arse and to limit them to what is less than a paltry return for their efforts sounds like good defence - all the way from the strikers to Big Willy at the back!

 

[tonea2003]

Very weirdly, I took a look on the rag cafe at the match thread (always nice seeing them expect an upset and get fuck all after the event) and they all seem to think Quinn is as pro-City as one can get.

I don't have him commentating as I watch Bein Sport so I can the PL syndicated pair. Was Quinn that bad?

i felt so mate maybe others can add weight

 

[lostgalaxy]

I'm glad Pep has changed mind. Don't worry too much about pressing and scoring.

All we need to do is to allow luck to side with us. So play positive but solid.

FERNANDINHO SHOULD STAY AT LEFT BACK TILL END OF SEASON!

 

[inchy14]

Very weirdly, I took a look on the rag cafe at the match thread (always nice seeing them expect an upset and get fuck all after the event) and they all seem to think Quinn is as pro-City as one can get.

I don't have him commentating as I watch Bein Sport so I can the PL syndicated pair. Was Quinn that bad?

He's always that bad, everything good we do is usually down to how poor the opposition have done, and as for him saying Sane 'lunged' last night and deserved the booking, utter joke, he called it callous after seeing the replay which showed it was anything but.

 

[Marvin]

Consistently is the key for Razza,a la David Silva.......home & away,game after game after game.

Here's hoping !!

Sterling might drift out of games, but if you look at the decisive moments in games he's invariably involved. This season he has 7 league goals, and 6 assists. I would say he needs to improve his finishing, but I'd be very happy if he maintains his current level of performance.

 

[BringBackSwales]

Do you know what chippy over the last few years he has become a right wanker can't understand what we've done to him the bitter lanky streak of piss, every game he criticises us hate the twat with a passion .

Not sure why you say over the last few weeks pal, I have found him like that the entire time he has worked for Sly Sports