G
G
Gaz (FMwkdsoul)
Guest
We slung corners right into the box for once today, not exceptionally well but its a start.
Yes, Rodris physicality is missed along with his heading ability, positional sense, goal threat and passing. It is a lot to replace. I personally think we need to buy a quality replacement in January if one becomes available in that window. Someone who can eventually play along side Rodri. Whoever that is will not be of Rodris class but would certainly help Kova in the central area. As much as I like Bernardo, he does not have the physical strength to play the Rodri role.It’s Rodri not being there. He’s so important to stopping counters. He’s the only midfielder we have that can cut out passing lanes. Also miss his physicality.
I would be a total idiot to diminish Bernardo’s quality as a player. He has been fantastic BUT doku/Savinho offer totally different things and pose a different threat out wide. With gundogans poor form I just think Bernardo is an alternative in the middle.Don’t feel confident to see Kovacic n Gundo together, would rather Silva in there and then Savhino or Doku on the wing
The people calling out the players like that are bang out of order. They are probably post 2013 supporters. I don’t take anything for granted and I am really enjoying this ride. As a City for 45 years, it’s all gravy.Don't think we were that bad today, Fulham are just a really good outfit. Them and Brentford aren't the teams we've faced in the past, they've progressed each year under their current managers. The quality of the established teams in this league has gone up loads since the Centurions season in particular and days like today will be more and more frequent. I don't think people understand just how tactically astute 75% of the PL is at the moment.
We definitely had problems behind the midfield when Akanji went off (hope he's not injured? otherwise a very weird change) and Traore saved his one good performance of the season for us again, but overall I thought we just about had the balance of it. Fulham are just a good side and it seems to be a weird shock to the system for some of our fans when the opposition knows what they're doing instead of rolling over after 20 mins, but we had the quality where it mattered at both ends and the goals we scored in the second half were top, top quality.
I'd like to see both Jack and Bernardo in the middle more often from now on, just because our game seems to be progressing beyond what they bring on the wings - and because we could benefit from their workrate and stamina with Rodri out. We need to move the ball a bit quicker as well. But this is the part of the season where Pep works out whether we're good enough for a push from February onwards. We've been here before. I don't understand the stressing. Pep has watched the same game as us and he'll have a solution like always.
One thing I will say that disappointed me today - the attitude of some fans around me. Four Premier League titles on the bounce, a European treble, Fourmidables, Centurions, domestic treble winners - you name it, we've done it. And yet, one slightly iffy performance early in the season and there were people behind me tearing their hair out and calling Doku, Grealish, even Bernardo, all sorts of names and insults. Ungrateful little sods. These are halcyon days and they won't last forever; it's better to look back knowing you appreciated what you had.
That’s my point walker who is faster and stronger than Rico struggled immediately with Traores pace and strength.I thought he was pretty poor today. He's small so he needs to get much stronger.
Edersen yellow card was ridiculous- I don’t think they overly wasted time it certainly wasn’t as blatant as other (I’m looking at you Arsenal)Thought their keeper wasted a lot of time with his goal kicks, rolling the ball to the defender etc. Ironic that it was Ederson who got the yellow card for time wasting. Think Pep saw it the same way, hence his frustration and yellow card as well.
think its a tactical tweak needed at the min over personnel in the middle. Even with Silva in for Gundo, he'd be pushed right up with the winger etc while Rico is the one to roam/cover from RB.I would be a total idiot to diminish Bernardo’s quality as a player. He has been fantastic BUT doku/Savinho offer totally different things and pose a different threat out wide. With gundogans poor form I just think Bernardo is an alternative in the middle.
His last 5 minutes were his best.I only remember Rico getting rinsed once by Traore all game
Yet walker was completely rinsed within 5 mins
thought Rico did well overall
Exactly, and we don't want teams to roll over. It was a great game today - could have been a draw today and no complaints if it was...it's sport FFS... expecting and demanding wins shouldn't really be part of it. That was a great watch today - proper 3.00 pm sat match. Need more of them tbfDon't think we were that bad today, Fulham are just a really good outfit. Them and Brentford aren't the teams we've faced in the past, they've progressed each year under their current managers. The quality of the established teams in this league has gone up loads since the Centurions season in particular and days like today will be more and more frequent. I don't think people understand just how tactically astute 75% of the PL is at the moment.
We definitely had problems behind the midfield when Akanji went off (hope he's not injured? otherwise a very weird change) and Traore saved his one good performance of the season for us again, but overall I thought we just about had the balance of it. Fulham are just a good side and it seems to be a weird shock to the system for some of our fans when the opposition knows what they're doing instead of rolling over after 20 mins, but we had the quality where it mattered at both ends and the goals we scored in the second half were top, top quality.
I'd like to see both Jack and Bernardo in the middle more often from now on, just because our game seems to be progressing beyond what they bring on the wings - and because we could benefit from their workrate and stamina with Rodri out. We need to move the ball a bit quicker as well. But this is the part of the season where Pep works out whether we're good enough for a push from February onwards. We've been here before. I don't understand the stressing. Pep has watched the same game as us and he'll have a solution like always.
One thing I will say that disappointed me today - the attitude of some fans around me. Four Premier League titles on the bounce, a European treble, Fourmidables, Centurions, domestic treble winners - you name it, we've done it. And yet, one slightly iffy performance early in the season and there were people behind me tearing their hair out and calling Doku, Grealish, even Bernardo, all sorts of names and insults. Ungrateful little sods. These are halcyon days and they won't last forever; it's better to look back knowing you appreciated what you had.
Says us, Liverpool and Arseletico.Some things need to improve if we are to win this league,