Totally predictable result. Many of us called it pre match but you still get the "Wipe your fannies" merchants everytime people see and voice it.
All their goals were preventable. Everyone knows to stop their crosses yet they got two in unhindered, two goals. What Bravo and Walker are doing for the third I have no idea. The first Stones is backing off, the ball comes in, Gundogan with a piss weak clearance then no one closes the scorer down.
For me we played okay in patches but too nice and pretty, no devil, no anger, no busting a gut until we did start to get angry in the last 20 minutes. Strange game, still not sure how to explain what I have just written, hard to do so, odd feeling.
Vinny just said we get outmuscled in midfield there and I agree. They got very fortunate but their physicality, hunger and energy won that for them in the first half. People can say we looked good near the end but they were 3-0 up and let us play. One of those days, been a bit like that all season. Soft goals conceded and missing and not having any luck at the other end. On the non penalty, now i have calmed down,I have to admit it would have been harsh and I would have been fuming if it was given against us.
Going forward we need a world class centre half to partner Laporte when he is fit. Stones and Otamendi aren't it. Probably the same at left back, also an upgrade on Gundogan in midfield. I have thought and mentioned this before and today just reinforced it for me.
We have had two incredible unforgettable seasons so we can forgive a dip. If we win a cup or two and kick on in the league, maybe finish runners up, go deep in the champions league I'll be happy. Nobody is giving anything up but nine points behind is going to be some ask.