The Club World Cup is a huge footballing event whether you like it or not, and once we were committed to it, I was up for it. It was opening up beautifully for us but our defence was useless vs Al Hilal and we deserved to get beat.Never wanted it both ways always said my only interest was us and if we weren't in it I'd have no interest. Doubt we'll se it in this form again.Now we are out couldn't care less, just want us to get a decent 4 week break.
I was just talking generally mate. But the consensus on here was that it was a really big deal and a great opportunity and now everybody is flipping it now we’ve crashed out.Never wanted it both ways always said my only interest was us and if we weren't in it I'd have no interest. Doubt we'll se it in this form again.Now we are out couldn't care less, just want us to get a decent 4 week break.
What are you on about hahaWe can it’s our choice!
like you only wanting to post on here around 2000 posts in 16 years..
We are reliant on Stones in our back 4, and without him we can't defend one on one against fast forwards. If a counter-attack develops it runs straight through our midfield, and then straight through Dias and Gvardiol. Kompany and Stones are very difficult to beat. Dias and Gvardiol are not a great partnership imo.Marvin,
What the actual fuck was you expecting a couple of weeks after a shite season in the midst of a rebuild with new coaches? We aren't reliant on Stones, that fucker has never been reliable.
A success from football's perspective, not Manchester City's. We failed.A success?
Half empty stadiums?
Maybe that means success in some eyes but imho it's been a PR disaster.
Personally I think it is ridiculous travelling all that way at the end of a long season and then expecting decent performances.
Even if we'd romped it it'd be a no go for me.
We need rest, regrouping and work done. Going to this competition under cooked, with new signings and old legs was never going to do us any good.
Just not on the pitch haA success from football's perspective, not Manchester City's. We failed.
There were 62k last night in case you watched. I don't think you did. Average attendances will be c.40k by now. They were 34k at the end of the Groups. That's good for a tournament where travel is very difficult for many including the European clubs who are the core of the competition.
It's a PR disaster for a politicised BBC media but I suggest you use your own brain rather than Dan Roan's when it comes to assessing the success of a sporting event.
It turned out that City were too weak defensively to go deep into this competition but we should aspire to compete against the best teams in the world.
We do need rest. I agree with you there but I'd rather have been in it and preparing for the next game. I do believe Pep when we says the group was very happy and were working well as a group.
Sorry but Stones doesn't stop that happening. Never has and never will. Great ball playing defender, good awareness too but he wasn't a colossal you are making out. Throw Stones in with Gvardiol and you get the same results.We are reliant on Stones in our back 4, and without him we can't defend one on one against fast forwards. If a counter-attack develops it runs straight through our midfield, and then straight through Dias and Gvardiol. Kompany and Stones are very difficult to beat. Dias and Gvardiol are not a great partnership imo.
I wasn't expecting City to win it until we drew Al Hilal and PSG, Bayern, Real Madrid all ended up on the opposite side of the draw. Then I thought we can go to the final as City and Chelsea look to be on paper the strongest sides on the 'top' side of the draw.
I re-booted this topic not because I felt massively let down but because Khaldoon was suggesting that we'd see a new City and we didn't. We saw the old one with the same faults. We won't be able to defend until Stones recovers, or Rodri recovers, or we bring in a new central defender. I think it's reasonable to question Khaldoon on this matter because the club adopted a highly unusual strategy in January in bringing in 2 young defenders who are ones for the future, and yet this is where we were exposed at the CWC.
even more so who beat us. at least wasnt a a side from Qatar. not nice we ripped UAE's Al Ain to pieces in the group but capitulate to Saudis club lol.Bet Khaldoon is fuming at how we went out.
100%...didnt see anything to suggest a new style of play to take us forward next season and win the title.We are reliant on Stones in our back 4, and without him we can't defend one on one against fast forwards. If a counter-attack develops it runs straight through our midfield, and then straight through Dias and Gvardiol. Kompany and Stones are very difficult to beat. Dias and Gvardiol are not a great partnership imo.
I wasn't expecting City to win it until we drew Al Hilal and PSG, Bayern, Real Madrid all ended up on the opposite side of the draw. Then I thought we can go to the final as City and Chelsea look to be on paper the strongest sides on the 'top' side of the draw.
I re-booted this topic not because I felt massively let down but because Khaldoon was suggesting that we'd see a new City and we didn't. We saw the old one with the same faults. We won't be able to defend until Stones recovers, or Rodri recovers, or we bring in a new central defender. I think it's reasonable to question Khaldoon on this matter because the club adopted a highly unusual strategy in January in bringing in 2 young defenders who are ones for the future, and yet this is where we were exposed at the CWC.
Especially when we have established players already in that defensive lineSame as last season as well! Not sure Pep can fix it to be honest and the defence despite the signing of Ait Nouri (who is top class by the way) is still far too disorganised.
Especially when we have established players already in that defensive line
But it looks totally inept
even more so who beat us. at least wasnt a a side from Qatar. not nice we ripped UAE's Al Ain to pieces in the group but capitulate to Saudis club lol.
same as what they did in CL in January despite us being 2-0 up or what Sporting did or what Arsenal did in Emirates.It`s embarrassing to get beat by them mate, plain and simple and the second half was back to the way of being attacked on for 75% of last season where we tore to pieces? Just think what the dippers and PSG would do to us in that second half?
That's not strictly trueI was just talking generally mate. But the consensus on here was that it was a really big deal and a great opportunity and now everybody is flipping it now we’ve crashed out.
I said from the start on here that it’s a money grab from FIFA, it’s a way of making Middle Eastern and American teams more relevant and the whole thing reeks of greed and makes little sporting sense.
Had people arguing that it was such a big deal and that town was going to buzzing as if it were a World Cup and that rival fans were just jealous and of course none of that ever happened did it.
Nobody gave a fuck, amateur teams were getting twonked 10-0, the stadiums were empty, and most football fans forgot it was even happening.
Like you say, can’t have it both ways.
I quoted Khaldoon because he said the World Club Cup would be a new start for the club and it wasn't and I maintain we are both reliant on Rodri, and without Stones we can't defend.Sorry but Stones doesn't stop that happening. Never has and never will. Great ball playing defender, good awareness too but he wasn't a colossal you are making out. Throw Stones in with Gvardiol and you get the same results.
Khaldoon said we are taking it seriously which I feel we did. You cannot expect overnight changes when so much has changed in a little time. We have seen a new City, even in defeat we look exciting again which we could not say last year. We have to work defensively, we need to be stronger and harder to get through. Rodri will combat that but I agree he cannot do it alone. Stones playing, we would defend the same, dont be deluded. We have Khusanov easing into the side, hopefully an addition at right back to go with left back and Dias and Gvardiol having a chance. Last year when they finally got put together we didn't concede for a few games and barely a shot at goal. I have been our biggest critics, critical of the club, Pep and the players but even I realise time is needed here. You cannot change so much and expect an instant consistent improvement. We have improved for me already, with time and I am hopeful it can be an improvement enough to bring us more success but my whole arguments through the season wasn't just winning things, but actually being exciting to watch again. I think we are on the right path.
A lot of teams are reliant on their best player. We are still not reliant on Stones nor have we ever been. He has never been our go to centre half. He plays well with a Kopmpany or Dias next to him and has never been the main man. He was big in our treble season (as was grealish) but overall he has played over 20 league games only 4 times since arriving 9 bastard years ago. So no, we are not reliant on a player who is rarely available.I quoted Khaldoon because he said the World Club Cup would be a new start for the club and it wasn't and I maintain we are both reliant on Rodri, and without Stones we can't defend.
We'll have to disagree about Stones. I think his game was hugely significant in our recent success and now he is absent through injury we should see that even more strongly.
Why are you doing this?A lot of teams are reliant on their best player. We are still not reliant on Stones nor have we ever been. He has never been our go to centre half. He plays well with a Kopmpany or Dias next to him and has never been the main man. He was big in our treble season (as was grealish) but overall he has played over 20 league games only 4 times since arriving 9 bastard years ago. So no, we are not reliant on a player who is rarely available.
It is a new start for the club, deadwood to go, new players come in and new coaches. If you think that then means in a couple of weeks we are back then you are absolutely bastard bonkers
its not about quantity its about quality.We can it’s our choice!
like you only wanting to post on here around 2000 posts in 16 years..
Because I still see you quoting the same nonsense in about 15 different threads, Stones we can agree to disagree on and the fact you can't respond to many valid points about him shows you are just a bit deluded when it comes to the man.Why are you doing this?