City v Saints post match

[Peggy's a blue]

The booing came from our, shall we say older and more dignified followers, who were moaning, jeering and muttering all game. Atmoshere was poisonous at times, but mostly non existant.

I do not understand how a poisonous atmosphere can be poisonous but non existent :-)

 

[OB1]

Including the one's he's just bought? You know my fears about playing this system in this league and I haven't seen a great deal yet to change my mind. Chelsea set up similarly today, but when they needed to put a foot through it, they did. We try to play it out almost regardless of how dangerous the circumstances are, and that directive can only be coming from Pep. To that end better defenders would help, but surely a system has to be more robust than only being capable of working with top international players to implement it?

Pep's also going to have to find an answer to our longstanding mental and physical weakness in the face of deep lying, aggressive, 9 man defences. Sunderland, Everton and Southampton have all thwarted us this season simply by being organised, and I think we may need to see more of Kelechi on that score. I can't remember the last time we beat any side of note (our record against the top 8 last season was appalling, and it's not shaping up any better this time around so far). Our finishing from distance, 18-25 yards, in particular is diabolical with Kun as guilty as anyone of scuffing/dragging shot after shot. Whatever, Barca, Spurs, Everton, Southampton. 4 games, no wins, 2 goals.

What was most pleasing today, apart from the fuck up for the goal, was the return of Kompany. No coincidence that this afternoon was the first time a big opposition striker was unable to hold the ball up with ease or win everything in the air. I actually think Otamendi's got the edge over Vinny in terms of bringing the ball out, but Kompers is composed enough to pass muster and far more effective in physical contests. The other plus (again) was Sterling, the only real individual threat we possessed.
Pep's got a far harder job on his hands than most people thought IMO, and quite honestly I'd take top 4 right now, and go again next season with 2 new full backs, another centre half, and a really dynamic powerhouse defensive midfielder (just don't ask me who). That may not satisfy everyone on here though.... ;-)

I really am not ready to worry about our playing out from the back because it will need practice but the fact remains that we are offering up very few chances to our opponents and I beleive it is possible to reduce the number of errors we are making. Unfortunately, at the moment, we have continued the trend from last season of not making enough of the attacking positons we get into, with too many final balls and shots not finding their mark, which means that our errors at the back are proving more costly results wide than they should.

At the present time, I think a little improvement at each end of the park can yield huge rewards.

I've always viewed this season as transitional but that does not mean we cannot win things, it does however mean it won't be plain sailing. You are just going to have to suffer.

 

[Grassland Blue]

First of all we were recovering from an undeserved 4-0 defeat by Barca.
We were cautious in the 1st half controlling the match quite well (although a number of passes went astray ), until Stones unfortunate error. After that we picked up the pace and John Stones had his second bit of bad luck - his goal being ruled out for Sergios infringement.
Second half a lot better, good performance from Nacho.
Couldn't understand the introduction of Navas though.
Nolito for me all day long.
Finally, for those who can't get Pep's system,
we didn't play with 3 at the back, we played with 4 - Bravo being the 4th man.

 

[sir baconface]

Pep's got a far harder job on his hands than most people thought IMO, and quite honestly I'd take top 4 right now, and go again next season with 2 new full backs, another centre half, and a really dynamic powerhouse defensive midfielder (just don't ask me who). That may not satisfy everyone on here though.... ;-)

Too true it wouldn't, Exeter! We finished fourth last year thanks to what was universally agreed to be under-performance and weak leadership. £150m and long-coveted new manager later, you think fourth would be satisfactory? No way, Pedro. And I truly believe Pep's reputation would be seriously tarnished. (Unless we win the CL, of course, of which zero chance.)

Out of interest, which three teams would it be acceptable to finish behind?

 

[Eccles Blue]

The booing came from our, shall we say older and more dignified followers, who were moaning, jeering and muttering all game. Atmoshere was poisonous at times, but mostly non existant.

And you know this because you were sitting with ALL of our 'older and more dignified followers' do you?

 

[Mr Ed (The Stables)]

I couldn't make it today as I had baby sitting duties as a grand parent which allowed my son to go on the game.

For me the first half was like watching paint dry.

There was no intensity, no quick passing of the ball, no driving runs.

On the odd occasion we did get a sniff in and around their box, we simply made the wrong decision.

They scored from yet another gift.

Second half was much better.

Great to see the young lad score yet again, and Vinnie getting 70 odd minutes, plus Kuns work rate.

At some stage we will click and someone is going to get a pasting I'm sure of it.

The game/result hasn't stopped me enjoying a wee drop or two once the little man went back home.

The Derby is next up.

At least we don't have time to feel sorry for ourselves.

Lets pick ourselves up and smash this red shite midweek. Come on City!!!!

 

[balotelli's back pocket]

I do not understand how a poisonous atmosphere can be poisonous but non existent :-)

At times, i said. Smart arse :-)

And you know this because you were sitting with ALL of our 'older and more dignified followers' do you?

I didnt mean that and i apologize for it coming across like that. Where i was sat, that was the theme. Dont let it be thought that i dont respect our older fans, god knows they've seen enough over the years!

 

[Exeter Blue I am here]

Too true it wouldn't, Exeter! We finished fourth last year thanks to what was universally agreed to be under-performance and weak leadership. £150m and long-coveted new manager later, you think fourth would be satisfactory? No way, Pedro. And I truly believe Pep's reputation would be seriously tarnished. (Unless we win the CL, of course, of which zero chance.)

Out of interest, which three teams would it be acceptable to finish behind?

I said at the start of the season I thought Liverpool would win the league and that hasn't changed. I agree with you though, with Pep on board and 4 or 5 new players, anything other than finishing higher than we did last year would be a rank disappointment.

 

[BertTrautmann'sParachute]

We have to remember that Rome wasn't built in a day. (Although, to be fair I wasn't on that job so can't confirm it.)

 

[Exeter Blue I am here]

I really am not ready to worry about our playing out from the back because it will need practice but the fact remains that we are offering up very few chances to our opponents and I beleive it is possible to reduce the number of errors we are making. Unfortunately, at the moment, we have continued the trend from last season of not making enough of the attacking positons we get into, with too many final balls and shots not finding their mark, which means that our errors at the back are proving more costly results wide than they should.

At the present time, I think a little improvement at each end of the park can yield huge rewards.

I've always viewed this season as transitional but that does not mean we cannot win things, it does however mean it won't be plain sailing. You are just going to have to suffer.

Ha ha! I'll be sure to share my misery with you on a regular basis. :-D

 

[sir baconface]

We have to remember that Rome wasn't built in a day. (Although, to be fair I wasn't on that job so can't confirm it.)

Where woz you at the time then, Bert?

Seriously, though, I wouldn't regard an immediate improvement on Pellegrini as anything ambitious.

 

[goater1985]

My god some of the crap on here. I do wonder at times if some fans understand the game at all. Blaming certain things, criticising everyone.... Do people just think other teams should roll over and don't have tactics of their own to counter us? It's the most competitive league in the world and everyone takes points off each other.... And we're currently top of it. Get a grip

 

[DiscoSteve]

We've lost that one touch football we had at the start - I remember remarking in the first few games it looked like the players had been instructed to either pass the ball straight on or touch it once and then pass it on - we blitzed teams like that - now we're going back to ponderousness, combined with an even shakier back four.

I'm not sure what the answer is but it needs to come quick or we're going to be out of the League Cup (EFL... fuck that off), in big trouble qualifying in the Champions League and fallen down the Premier League table

 

[jimmygrimblesboots]

Small time. We won't last long at top if we carry on as we are

born and bred in Manchester and hate the RAGS with a passion so when they are being schooled whilst we are top of the league ,it matters. Now jog on.

 

[HarrytheBlue]

Got to laugh at that schoolboy world class ex player whose voice hasn't broken yet, Phil Neville, providing an expert critique of Vinnie's performance. Lol.......

 

[GaudinoMotors]

The booing came from our, shall we say older and more dignified followers, who were moaning, jeering and muttering all game. Atmoshere was poisonous at times, but mostly non existant.

Were you locked in the shitter?

 

[bluebanjo]

Whilst Guardiola is being lauded for being a great coach, coaching in La Liga and the Bundesliga where you may get three teams per league who are equal to you is different than the Premier league where most of the teams will give you a hard time. I only hope Pep is man enough to realise his system may not work in this league and is willing to adapt rather than insisting everything is done his way.

 

[GaudinoMotors]

Whilst Guardiola is being lauded for being a great coach, coaching in La Liga and the Bundesliga where you may get three teams per league who are equal to you is different than the Premier league where most of the teams will give you a hard time. I only hope Pep is man enough to realise his system may not work in this league and is willing to adapt rather than insisting everything is done his way.

Nah, I imagine he just assumed it would be easy. He comes across as somewhat arrogant, work shy, presumptive and unanalytical.

 

[Mattyc55]

Southampton's shape in the first half was very admirable - we were shit but they are extremely tough to break down.

Spurs anomaly aside, I actually think this City side will gain a lot more away points than we've got over the last few years as teams will be less inclined to stifle us like the last 2 games.

 

[balotelli's back pocket]

Just a reminder, as some must have forgotten. We are top of the league. But apparently, pep needs to buck his ideas up, adapt, no improvement, same old shite as last year, same problems, blah blah blah. Its bollocks. Pep has always said this would take time. If you got carried away, and i know i did, then thats fine. But don't blame him. The team was poor today, but there was nothing to suggest that once the likes of silva, kdb and kun get their form back we won't be back to our best. We went on a good run, now we are in a bad one. On average, however, we are still the best in the country. The table does not lie. So for gods sake, cheer up! Support pep and his boys. CTID

p.s. and no, i'm not drunk