Strange one that. There were times in the second half when I'm not even sure we were even that bothered about winning it. I know Guardiola makes the same noises as Pellegrini used to about taking each game as it comes and doing everything to win it (which is a little hard to square with the starting selection), but even at the end, there was almost an air of 'oh well, another round' about the celebration. It was certainly in stark contrast to the euphoria last season, albeit the circumstances then were rather different. I just wonder if, knowing what happened last season and the toll it takes, he'd have stomached going out on penalties tonight if it meant saving energy for the bigger prizes.
Anyway, Burton or Bournemouth, please.
Would prefer to play Spurs or Gunners over two legs in the semi. If we don't meet them until the final there is more chance of a freak one-off result imho...Strange one that. There were times in the second half when I'm not even sure we were even that bothered about winning it. I know Guardiola makes the same noises as Pellegrini used to about taking each game as it comes and doing everything to win it (which is a little hard to square with the starting selection), but even at the end, there was almost an air of 'oh well, another round' about the celebration. It was certainly in stark contrast to the euphoria last season, albeit the circumstances then were rather different. I just wonder if, knowing what happened last season and the toll it takes, he'd have stomached going out on penalties tonight if it meant saving energy for the bigger prizes.
Anyway, Burton or Bournemouth, please.
Why are bournemouth through?
I disagree. Quick, technicallly gifted, football intelligent players will always win out. Trouble is Zinchenko doesn't
fit into any of those categories. He's not bad technically but gifted, no.
Thought Stones looked so uncomfortable, his control looked worse as there is less time on the ball. It was a case of just about controling the ball and getting rid of it (backwards) safely more often than not. Gundogan was his usual self, looked ok.
Stones looks terrified he's going to get caught out. Frightened to turn with the ball, as more often than not he's facing our goal.
Fern receives the ball more facing the opponent goal, where he can see all in front. If he does receive the ball facing ours, he's not afraid to turn and
if he does play the easy ball back he's quickly into position to receive it again. He's familiar with his surroundings so knows when he has space to turn into and
even then he still gets caught out at times, as that space can disappear in a nano. Stones is far to cautious and always seems to be in two minds.
Stones - Was shite, not his fault, never want to see him play there again.
Diaz - Looked ok.