Nunes is a problem. He makes horrible decisions in proper head scratching moments. We'd just gone 3-0 up and 2 minutes to half time. Rather than clear the ball up the pitch and give us a moment to get our shape he tries to control it out of the air and beat 2 players. Loses it and they score. He has the potential to be a really good player and just when you think he's proving he can be one he drops a bollock that usually costs us a goal.
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Fulham (A) | PL | Post Match Thread
- Thread starter MCFC1993
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Scaring Europe to Death
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I've not seen it since, but didn't Donnarumma make a fantastic save at 1-0?I have to disagree with that, they could easily have been 5-0 down we butchered a lot of chances and were cutting through them at will for large parts of the half.
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Now that the dust has settled... I saw a lot of blues blaming Pep for making subs at 5-1..... FIVE ONE!!
I get that Savinho is dog shit but in truth we have 2 mega games coming up in the space of a week, Nico can't play every minute with Rodri and Kova injured and needs to be managed. Hard to legislate for how shite Stones was when he entered the fray.
The players need to take full responsibility for the last 25 minutes. Camped inside, woeful clearances under no pressure etc. There's only so far a manager can take a team before what is supposed to be an elite group need to just grow a set of balls and dig in. At the end of the day Fulham are 15th, averaged a goal per game before last night and we were 5 -1 up ffs.
I get that Savinho is dog shit but in truth we have 2 mega games coming up in the space of a week, Nico can't play every minute with Rodri and Kova injured and needs to be managed. Hard to legislate for how shite Stones was when he entered the fray.
The players need to take full responsibility for the last 25 minutes. Camped inside, woeful clearances under no pressure etc. There's only so far a manager can take a team before what is supposed to be an elite group need to just grow a set of balls and dig in. At the end of the day Fulham are 15th, averaged a goal per game before last night and we were 5 -1 up ffs.
mcfcbill91
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I think there's a few issues at play.
First is we look caught between being the City of the last few seasons and this new approach of reducing possession to attack more directly or use counters.
We don't really look built to sit in for large periods. The common theme I see is a team shift to a 3 - 2 - 5 and overwhelm our defensive line, whilst we look to press but can't and become passive, which allows them wide access. Fulham were almost a 2 - 2 - 6 in the second half.
Unless everyone gets back in behind the ball and we sit 30 yards from goal then this will persist being an issue. Or we just shift to a 5 4 1.
Second the personnel didn't work in the second half either. Rodri evidently a huge miss but also we aren't connecting passes or relieving pressure correctly. They were just flimsy attacks that left us needing to cover large spaces to get back in. We never rested in possession by using someone like Cherki earlier.
The first eleven has been run into the ground and important players like Khusanov, Marmoush, Rodri and possibly Ait-Nouri haven't got going this season at all.
Next time we're in this position and a team goes all out, ideally we can move into something like this -
Donnarumma
Nunes Stones Dias Gvardiol Oreilly
Nico Rodri
Cherki Haaland Foden
There's sufficient balance of ball carrying and technique there. Also interchangeable positions like Doku/Marmoush for one of the forwards or Khusanov/Ait Nouri into the backline.
First is we look caught between being the City of the last few seasons and this new approach of reducing possession to attack more directly or use counters.
We don't really look built to sit in for large periods. The common theme I see is a team shift to a 3 - 2 - 5 and overwhelm our defensive line, whilst we look to press but can't and become passive, which allows them wide access. Fulham were almost a 2 - 2 - 6 in the second half.
Unless everyone gets back in behind the ball and we sit 30 yards from goal then this will persist being an issue. Or we just shift to a 5 4 1.
Second the personnel didn't work in the second half either. Rodri evidently a huge miss but also we aren't connecting passes or relieving pressure correctly. They were just flimsy attacks that left us needing to cover large spaces to get back in. We never rested in possession by using someone like Cherki earlier.
The first eleven has been run into the ground and important players like Khusanov, Marmoush, Rodri and possibly Ait-Nouri haven't got going this season at all.
Next time we're in this position and a team goes all out, ideally we can move into something like this -
Donnarumma
Nunes Stones Dias Gvardiol Oreilly
Nico Rodri
Cherki Haaland Foden
There's sufficient balance of ball carrying and technique there. Also interchangeable positions like Doku/Marmoush for one of the forwards or Khusanov/Ait Nouri into the backline.
stonerblue
Well-Known Member
Well said.Football is back, loved both games.
The reason we love the game is the ups and downs, highs and lows and come out of it with six points.
Even the wife who was in and out of the room ended up watching that second half engrossed and shouting at the telly.
Winning with high possession and a thousand passes is what brings in the trophy but fuck me it can be boring.
i still want to win the league of course but I want to be engrossed in the journey not entitled.
Dominance leaves only one emotion and that's disappointment with the loss while wins become normalized rather than celebrated.
And spare a thought for all the red tops who ended up having a proper bush tucker trial while city took home the stars.
Brightwell Bros.
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Yes a lot of "that's on Pep that is". But I think I've said a few times, if he doesn't have a squad who can manage a game at 5-1 then he doesn't have a squad.Now that the dust has settled... I saw a lot of blues blaming Pep for making subs at 5-1..... FIVE ONE!!
I get that Savinho is dog shit but in truth we have 2 mega games coming up in the space of a week, Nico can't play every minute with Rodri and Kova injured and needs to be managed. Hard to legislate for how shite Stones was when he entered the fray.
The players need to take full responsibility for the last 25 minutes. Camped inside, woeful clearances under no pressure etc. There's only so far a manager can take a team before what is supposed to be an elite group need to just grow a set of balls and dig in. At the end of the day Fulham are 15th, averaged a goal per game before last night and we were 5 -1 up ffs.
Matt Diablo
Well-Known Member
Pep said last season Nunes is too thick to play midfield. Says it all really. What he is best at is transition up the pitch. As he is playing RB he is allowed alot more time and space with his pace to get forward and has an excellent cross on him. He is obviously very popular with the lads and has deffo improved his tackling in certain moments but apart from that it's a massive NO for meNunes is a problem. He makes horrible decisions in proper head scratching moments. We'd just gone 3-0 up and 2 minutes to half time. Rather than clear the ball up the pitch and give us a moment to get our shape he tries to control it out of the air and beat 2 players. Loses it and they score. He has the potential to be a really good player and just when you think he's proving he can be one he drops a bollock that usually costs us a goal.
GoatersLeftShin
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It was a superb game if you were a neutral and I did enjoy it overall with a proper cup final type feel about it. But I'm not a neutral!
In both the Leeds and Fulham games we were in positions where we could've given them a solid 6-0 type beating and really ramped up our GD to put pressure on Arsenal. We've ended up with our GD going up 2 against two teams who were well beaten at one point.
Fulham did the same as Leeds - put a bit of pressure on us and attack at pace and we crumbled AGAIN. The lack of spine and leadership is striking. Pep looked beaten and the likes of Dias shrank.
I don't understand why we are taking Doku off if I'm honest. and Stones isn't midfielder, Nunes isn't a right back and Savinho is off form. You can't keep playing so many players out of position and expect to winning games. At times our midfield resembled the kind that Burnley would have!!
Pep will say we have a hard game at Real which is true, but it's hard due to the shite performance v Leverkusen. We've had 2 "easy" games v Leeds and Fulham and we still keep needing to rest players - but why does no else ever look tired? I imagine we didn't rest anyone either due to the effort of clinging on against trams near the bottom.
I'm really getting pissed off with the drop in effort after about 60 minutes. Every team knows we do it and that's when they go for it and we just take it. Teams are just basically using a bit more energy and some pace to batter and bully us, we aren't talking about Ronaldo, Messi and Naymar ripping us a new one.
We need to start buying players who are world class and we need to ask Pep if his heart is in this as at the moment I have no idea what we're trying to do. We won't win the treble, I am very confident of that.
In January we need to be ruthless and find buyers for the deadwood and ones who aren't making an impact - of all the squad I think Donnarumma, Haaland, Foden, Doku, Rodri and O'Reilly are the ones who are top class. The others I'd listen to offers for.
All that said, fair play to Fulham for having a go and making it a good game to watch. I would rather win 4-5 that 0-1 but we need to wake up a bit.
In both the Leeds and Fulham games we were in positions where we could've given them a solid 6-0 type beating and really ramped up our GD to put pressure on Arsenal. We've ended up with our GD going up 2 against two teams who were well beaten at one point.
Fulham did the same as Leeds - put a bit of pressure on us and attack at pace and we crumbled AGAIN. The lack of spine and leadership is striking. Pep looked beaten and the likes of Dias shrank.
I don't understand why we are taking Doku off if I'm honest. and Stones isn't midfielder, Nunes isn't a right back and Savinho is off form. You can't keep playing so many players out of position and expect to winning games. At times our midfield resembled the kind that Burnley would have!!
Pep will say we have a hard game at Real which is true, but it's hard due to the shite performance v Leverkusen. We've had 2 "easy" games v Leeds and Fulham and we still keep needing to rest players - but why does no else ever look tired? I imagine we didn't rest anyone either due to the effort of clinging on against trams near the bottom.
I'm really getting pissed off with the drop in effort after about 60 minutes. Every team knows we do it and that's when they go for it and we just take it. Teams are just basically using a bit more energy and some pace to batter and bully us, we aren't talking about Ronaldo, Messi and Naymar ripping us a new one.
We need to start buying players who are world class and we need to ask Pep if his heart is in this as at the moment I have no idea what we're trying to do. We won't win the treble, I am very confident of that.
In January we need to be ruthless and find buyers for the deadwood and ones who aren't making an impact - of all the squad I think Donnarumma, Haaland, Foden, Doku, Rodri and O'Reilly are the ones who are top class. The others I'd listen to offers for.
All that said, fair play to Fulham for having a go and making it a good game to watch. I would rather win 4-5 that 0-1 but we need to wake up a bit.
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Lavinda Past
Well-Known Member
We definitely missed Jack Grealish last night.
TFC
Well-Known Member
Yes a lot of "that's on Pep that is". But I think I've said a few times, if he doesn't have a squad who can manage a game at 5-1 then he doesn't have a squad.
I keep saying it, he cant kick the ball for them. Each one of them makes millions per year ffs, take some accountability and keep your heads. Just glad we scraped over the line.
Marvin.
Well-Known Member
We score 5 away from home and are top scorers. The goals flow and majority of you focus entirely on the negative when there are also positives. Take the good and bad into account. Pep's job is to accentuate the positive and solve the negative.
Where are the comments about the quality and play of Foden, or Haaland's goals because these are also very significant moment in out season. The quality of Foden's goals and his contribution in recent games has been amazing.
Where are the comments about the quality and play of Foden, or Haaland's goals because these are also very significant moment in out season. The quality of Foden's goals and his contribution in recent games has been amazing.
Marvin.
Well-Known Member
The King of game management. He's doing really well at chance creation too.We definitely missed Jack Grealish last night.
B\connellblue
Well-Known Member
How on earth can the first team be run into the ground? About 20 games in 3 and a half months. Lame excuse that.I think there's a few issues at play.
First is we look caught between being the City of the last few seasons and this new approach of reducing possession to attack more directly or use counters.
We don't really look built to sit in for large periods. The common theme I see is a team shift to a 3 - 2 - 5 and overwhelm our defensive line, whilst we look to press but can't and become passive, which allows them wide access. Fulham were almost a 2 - 2 - 6 in the second half.
Unless everyone gets back in behind the ball and we sit 30 yards from goal then this will persist being an issue. Or we just shift to a 5 4 1.
Second the personnel didn't work in the second half either. Rodri evidently a huge miss but also we aren't connecting passes or relieving pressure correctly. They were just flimsy attacks that left us needing to cover large spaces to get back in. We never rested in possession by using someone like Cherki earlier.
The first eleven has been run into the ground and important players like Khusanov, Marmoush, Rodri and possibly Ait-Nouri haven't got going this season at all.
Next time we're in this position and a team goes all out, ideally we can move into something like this -
Donnarumma
Nunes Stones Dias Gvardiol Oreilly
Nico Rodri
Cherki Haaland Foden
There's sufficient balance of ball carrying and technique there. Also interchangeable positions like Doku/Marmoush for one of the forwards or Khusanov/Ait Nouri into the backline.
Very well said.Yes a lot of "that's on Pep that is". But I think I've said a few times, if he doesn't have a squad who can manage a game at 5-1 then he doesn't have a squad.
You have to go through the midfield first and ours was pretty much none existent for most of the second half. What I don’t understand is how did Guardiola and those beside him, not see it, if we did?Who is our defensive coach?
Kinkys Left Foot
Well-Known Member
All the handwringing.
All the pundits slagging us off saying we cant possibly win the League.
Opposition fans constantly telling us were nowhere near as good as Arsenal
Arsenal fans being crowned champions in Sep, no Oct, no Nov, now Dec.
Arsenal being the best version of themselves for 22 years.
Us being the worst version of ourselves (last year apart) for years.
Yet here we are right up their arses, 2 points behind, right in their wing mirrors.
This City side will get better, there are signs there if you look. Foden being somewhere near back to his best is a huge plus. We are of course in transition with several players still bedding in. Therefore of course we can be a bit fragile occasionally. Frustrating? Yes! Thats twice in succession we have absolutely dominated a side in the first 45 minutes. Played some lovely stuff last night, as did Fulham later in the game. Annoyingly Haaland takes his two easiest chances last night and we would have been 7 - 1 up! A fitter more conditioned Rodri will come back in very soon I suspect. That will give us a quality option in the key position for us. Kova back in at the end of Feb to join the final hurrah, if were still in with a shout.
I suspect we will start purring in about Feb-March. How unusual for a Pep side! Not!
We just have to stick in there for now, thats the difficult bit and be within striking distance when it really matters towards the end. Then we'll see if this Arsenal side have big enough cojones for the job.
All the pundits slagging us off saying we cant possibly win the League.
Opposition fans constantly telling us were nowhere near as good as Arsenal
Arsenal fans being crowned champions in Sep, no Oct, no Nov, now Dec.
Arsenal being the best version of themselves for 22 years.
Us being the worst version of ourselves (last year apart) for years.
Yet here we are right up their arses, 2 points behind, right in their wing mirrors.
This City side will get better, there are signs there if you look. Foden being somewhere near back to his best is a huge plus. We are of course in transition with several players still bedding in. Therefore of course we can be a bit fragile occasionally. Frustrating? Yes! Thats twice in succession we have absolutely dominated a side in the first 45 minutes. Played some lovely stuff last night, as did Fulham later in the game. Annoyingly Haaland takes his two easiest chances last night and we would have been 7 - 1 up! A fitter more conditioned Rodri will come back in very soon I suspect. That will give us a quality option in the key position for us. Kova back in at the end of Feb to join the final hurrah, if were still in with a shout.
I suspect we will start purring in about Feb-March. How unusual for a Pep side! Not!
We just have to stick in there for now, thats the difficult bit and be within striking distance when it really matters towards the end. Then we'll see if this Arsenal side have big enough cojones for the job.
We basically collapsed after taking Nico G off. Pep knows that and has mentioned maybe moving NOR into midfield. We were so slow getting blocks in and that can only happen when players are knackered. City ran about 7km more than Fulham according to BBC stats, maybe we have to focus our energies better. Anyway thank fuck we won. Last night we beat a good Fulham team away and scored some great goals that we can now enjoy.
For me it comes down to the passion to defend by closing down opportunities. To be fair some of the goals from Fulham and City were worldies
From a defensive perceptive the first 2 goals were half chances that required excellent finishes from Fulham
If you look at Arsenal their players throw their bodies to block shots, ours first reaction is arms behind their backs to avoid giving away a penalty.
Donnaruma needs to be more aggressive in dealing with corners as well
From a defensive perceptive the first 2 goals were half chances that required excellent finishes from Fulham
If you look at Arsenal their players throw their bodies to block shots, ours first reaction is arms behind their backs to avoid giving away a penalty.
Donnaruma needs to be more aggressive in dealing with corners as well