FA Cup Final - Post Game thread

[remember arthur mann]

The FA Cup has lost it's sparkle, rated slightly above the Carabao Cup. Say's it all when an anti footballing team like the rags are cajoled into the final.

 

[give it to gordon]

Say what you like, weirdly, they beat both us and Liverpool on their way to winning that thing — both, teams that are vastly superior to them in all parts of the pitch. Cup football, eh?

Yea than they throw away a 3-nil lead and needed VAR to rule out Coventry 4th and winning goal !

 

[Keeper!]

Guardiola should sign a 3 year extension. Preferably today.

With some of the players we after after he will have to, to assure their signatures.

 

[hilts]

Worst night sleep in years, so many weird dreams.
In one, I was working behind a bar with a row of angry customers waiting to be served and I had no idea how to pour a drink or use the till, clueless.
A metaphor for our clueless performance yesterday, possibly. Or maybe just the bar service at the etihad. Fuck knows, glad when I woke up anyway.

I've been in that pub

 

[franksinatra]

Worst night sleep in years, so many weird dreams.
In one, I was working behind a bar with a row of angry customers waiting to be served and I had no idea how to pour a drink or use the till, clueless.
A metaphor for our clueless performance yesterday, possibly. Or maybe just the bar service at the etihad. Fuck knows, glad when I woke up anyway.

That bar is called the concourse in south stand level 3. Were there also lots of other staff just standing around looking bored and disinterested?

 

[BlueAnorak]

What a cluster fuck that match was yesterday.

 

[come-on-barney]

Why on earth wasn’t their keeper taking goal kicks, what was that all about ?

 

[remember arthur mann]

Worst night sleep in years, so many weird dreams.
In one, I was working behind a bar with a row of angry customers waiting to be served and I had no idea how to pour a drink or use the till, clueless.
A metaphor for our clueless performance yesterday, possibly. Or maybe just the bar service at the etihad. Fuck knows, glad when I woke up anyway.

Compared to the Etihad South, the Etihad North is supremely efficient.

 

[hilts]

Walker confirms only Saturday celebrations after West Ham. No midweek celebrations that the rumours are claiming.

How does he know on an individual basis though,? If they weren't in training till Wednesday. Too late now either way. I just wish the players could have a proper summer break.

 

[bluegaz13]

I've just woken up, still feel a bit tired, achy and drained. A long, long day at Wembley really does take it out of you as you get older. Set off at 6:45, back home just before midnight. Wembley is a great day out when you win but a bloody expensive, draining waste of time when you lose. That's football I guess.

The club's charter train, although expensive and slower than Avanti, turned out to be a master stroke. Guaranteed comfortable seat in first class and rag free, a huge bonus on the way home after losing. The all scouse crew were excellent as well.

Onto the game. I had a nagging feeling the rags name was on the cup since they got to Wembley and sadly so it proved. They raised their game like underdogs often do in a derby and we didn't. They had nothing to lose. Written off by the pundits and almost everyone else they fought like fuck every inch of the way. Too many of our players had an off day.

The first half, although a little flat, we were in total control without really threatening....until the rags scored. They had threatened with a couple of breaks and we went from looking a bit jittery at the back to a total basket case. We could have gone in four down at the break. The two goals they scored were horrendous defending. Gvardiol's header was almost a carbon copy of bloody Jamie Pollock's against QPR many years ago. Only Walker in the back four came out with any credit. All on Pep that. To play Ake and Stones together with their recent lack of match fitness turned out even more horrifically than many of us predicted on seeing the team sheet. A total Pep fuck up, the kind he has every now and then. Sadly this one happened in a final against the rags.

At 2-0 down it was always going to be a big ask to come back in the ever increasing and sapping heat at Wembley. Doku made a difference and scored, albeit too late and we hit the bar and Alvarez missed a sitter and they rode their luck. As I said earlier their name was on the fucker. Madely, as expected, was a fucking disgrace of a ref. Just like his brother he is an anti City ****.

The fans were okay. A typical Wembley crowd of loyal blues, only go to big game fans and tourists. As usual a lot over doing it on the drink and sniff. They tried to get behind the team and did on the whole but our pretty flat performance and being 2-0 down drained them too. If we had scored earlier in the second half I think we may have pulled it back, although maybe not, as I said earlier their name was on the fucker.

This group of players hit their magnificent peak last season with that incredible treble. Key departures, injuries and age caught up with them this year. A magnificent effort to win the league, lose on penalties in the quarter finals of the champions league and get to the fa cup final though. Credit where it's due.

Now is the time for a refresh and rebuild. We've done it before over the years let's hope Pep has the hunger and desire to do it again.

Great summary…great achievement this year….but yesterdays game was a repeat of the semi against Chelsea and even the Spurs game a couple of weeks ago…..we got away with the first half performances.

Dias needed to start for his leadership and organisation.

We only just got over the line in the league….and really need some energy, pace and creativity in the side.

Build the team around Foden…..I’m afraid Kev is nearly spent.

I’m sure it doesn’t need me to tell Pep we are in need of freshening up the squad.