Brentford (A) | PL | Post Match Thread

[Jesus H Gabz]

Not competing him with Rodri at all, that would not be fair, but I hope you all is right. I just don't see it I'm sorry and I'm
A Lille curious what value do you think he brings?

No I know, but many are, I think he’s physical enough, has a good burst of pace to break the lines, can thread a through ball, wins plenty of duels, very good in the air, dangerous at set pieces (front post especially ) reads danger quite well, and looks a really good professional who is well up for the challenge. He needs to improve on setting the tempo, receiving the ball on the half turn, and develop those leadership skills fundamental to that role, but he’s young obviously very studious and had a very good pathway to City

 

[nico04]

All 3 Top teams have serious issues.

City - Tactically the worse of the 3, high back line system with no defenders (except AK) to compliment it, weak midfield that doesn't win duels, protect the backline or create enough chances. Long term injuries to Haaland or Rodri and we're in trouble.

Liverpool - Went from tactically sound and robust in midfield to a team that's similiar to ours, trying to pass teams to death with slow build ups and no creativity.

Arsenal - they have the best defensive structure and patterns, but also struggle to break down teams that sit deep. What makes them a better team then us and Pool is their fitness levels, midfield depth and set-piece routines, thier downfall is they have an average striker that probably won't score 10 epl goals a season and an over-reliance on Saka.

 

[mattcity5]

Good win.

Second half they had a go at us and we struggled to keep the ball as they pressed us well. They didn't create anything - one mistake from Gvardiol gave them their only really chance - and they relied on the long throw.

Well, Arsenal got fuck all against us with their corner routines and now Brentford got fuck all with their long throws.

It's brilliant to see how strong we are in these situations. To some extent it plays into our hands considering the size of Donnarumma, Haaland, Dias, Gvardiol, O'Reilly, Reijnders, Gonzalez/Rodri and Nunes.

 

[super_city_si]

New players getting used to Guardiola's system. Injured players fully fit.

Those are my guesses.

I would also add general fitness. We’re way behind at the minute, probably by design after cwc. We should have legs for 90 come winter.

 

[kingn6]

You're clutching big time lol

What the best goalscorer in the bundesliga, best attacking midfielder in France and the guy that carried our midfield last season. You got caught napping it is okay it happens. I have been there as well. Go watch their contributions last season

 

[super_city_si]

That's your opinion and you are welcome to it..my opinion is he's improving and played well today

Some people seem to be expecting the finished article. Hes not. He’s quite a way short but he shows ability and willing and pulls out some great passes between the lines.

He’d benefit having kovacic instead of reijnders next to/ahead of him.

 

[Atypical]

Good win. Looking forward to Cherki and Marmoush coming back.

 

[Trojan63]

a great midfielder here in Sweden passes like KDB. Scores as often as Haaland, fast as Walker, vision Like David Silva, dribble like Ronaldhino, Balance like Messi

Tell them we will give them 5 million quid and not a penny more

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

I would say we're a good team, not a great team.

Thing is, you only need to be a great team to win the league if there's another great team in play.
I don't think there is. There are several good teams. Arsenal, Liverpool, maybe Spurs. Maybe even Crystal Palace, although I think Europe will kill them. Then there's a thick layer of decent teams below who can beat anyone on their day. You have to drill down quite a way to hit the poor teams with no real hope of anything bar maybe escaping relegation.

A good team will win it this season. It could be us, or it could just as easily be someone else. I think you'd be brave to put a bet on.

At least we are a team this season.

Clearly a work in progress, but we’re defending better, even if the control isn’t fully back.

We could well click at some point and go on one of our long runs.

Just need to find that bit more creativity and composure.

It’ll come.

 

[Trojan63]

I take it Grealish can't play the next game for Everton?

Who cares he’s not a 100 million player for them and he never was for us

 

[super_city_si]

If matches finished at half time…

https://footystats.org/england/premier-league/half-time-table

Our half time team talks must be awful!

I can only think Pep is getting temazepam and tangerine mixed up.

 

[GoatersLeftShin]

Like most people, I thought we were great first half but I also knew we needed that 2nd goal to kill it off a bit. Haaland is the best player on the planet at the moment and there was absolutely zero threat from what ball that Gvardiol(?) dinked over but Haaland turned it into a world class goal. I cannot think of ANY other player in the world who could've scored from that! He has been absolutely superb this season. I thought Foden and Reijnders also looked good in patches too.

Rodri going off is a concern and whilst he didn't have too much to do, he's not back to his best yet. We need to get him back to near his best and we also have to try to find someone who is a decent back up. No one can replace a Ballon D'Or winner and I'm not wholly convinced by Nico either, but we have to find someone. I think for me personally, I don't see any particular skills that he has and can't think that we'd ever 'want' to play him rather than him playing by default as everyone else is injured. He seems to lack pace, physicality and I don't really remember anything going forward from him - he just seems to be average at everything.

Second half, I thought Brentford were excellent and basically they fixed the problems in their game. Their press, energy and pace caused us a lot of problems. People might moan about 'only' beating them 1-0 but they are a decent team who will put the frighteners up bigger teams on their day. They are big and powerful and the long throws will scare any team. I wouldn't be surprised to see them beat an Arsenal as they are capable of defending, running and causing chaos on set pieces/throws. They won't be as good now they've lost Wissa, Mbeumo and Frank but they aren't going down either. They are Crystal Palace-lite.

Our flanks worry me though. Doku should be starting every game in my view. Bobb looks tricky but has no end product and it's like Savinho is matching him too - did he get any crosses/shots in?! I don't know what it is with them as both have pace, tricks and both lack that final ball.

I know Donnarumma had a scare with the ball in the last minute or so of the game, but that save today won the game for us. He is talismanic. He's a beast of a keeper and overall has improved us massively. For all the questioning about whether he's any good, he's certainly answering his critics.

I think this type of game will be one we look back on in May and wonder if the 3 points we got here were actually 3 very good points.

Overall, a good result and some great play in parts.

 

[Skellhell]

No I know, but many are, I think he’s physical enough, has a good burst of pace to break the lines, can thread a through ball, wins plenty of duels, very good in the air, dangerous at set pieces (front post especially ) reads danger quite well, and looks a really good professional who is well up for the challenge. He needs to improve on setting the tempo, receiving the ball on the half turn, and develop those leadership skills fundamental to that role, but he’s young obviously very studious and had a very good pathway to City

Well we bought Rodri 2019 I think and about that age, so hopefully you are right, I do agree on the physical parts and passing and shooting is good, but I do think he reads the game bad and to slow on the ball and that gets both him and the team in trouble think he is not covering the ball that good either despite his physics and in
My mind they are key attributes that a player on his position needs.
But I hope he proves me wrong and you get it right

 

[citytill1die84]

What the best goalscorer in the bundesliga, best attacking midfielder in France and the guy that carried our midfield last season. You got caught napping it is okay it happens. I have been there as well. Go watch their contributions last season

Lol neither Marmoush or Cherki ard proven in the Prem like i said you're clutching.

 

[OldhamBlue94]

A good win at a tough ground.

 

[Vic]

We don’t learn. Good to get the three points but some players need to understand that they’re replaceable. Especially Savinho, I’ve never seen a player so lazy be rewarded with a new contract

Just to inflate his transfer fee.

 

[Abattoir Blue]

Dias, Haaland, Nunes best three players today.

1st half best we've played, pinging it around (building on Monaco where we did the same in parts).

2nd half lost a bit of confidence on the ball and the game became tense. But stood up really well to set pieces and they never really looked like scoring (except for Gvadiol mistake).

Got to be pleased with the result at a tough ground to go to.

 

[Stoned Rose]

First half excellent all round

Second half excellent defensively

They had what, one chance?

Yep. And that chance would’ve gone in v Ederson.

The Don.

 

[City Raider]

Not a great second half but wins like that are great for bonding a dressing room. The team dug in and under Pep that hasn’t always been the way when the football isn’t clicking.

 

[Eaststander1]