Match Thread | Sporting CP vs. Man City (05/11/24)

[OrigamiNinja]

That one pass from nunes to haaland (where haaland smacked it high and wide) is the kind of pass I scream to play about 7 times a game that never ever happens. He's really impressed me so far tonight.

KDB is the only other player in our squad plays that pass. Everyone else slows the play down/passes back/inside. Was a great pass but him just trying it is enough. More please.

 

[ninjamonkey]

Maybe he just can't address it, our current midfielders just can't protect the backline.

It's not a midfield problem, it's the whole shape, which he sets up. We throw too many bodies towards the ball leaving us badly exposed. When you've got a shape and a press that leaves us completely exposed every single time if we don't win every single duel, the shape needs to change.

Kovacic goes towards the ball, gvardiol goes towards it, Rico is still upfront somewhere and 2 simple passes later it's a 2v2 at our centre backs. That's peps fault.

 

[Gumzy97]

Absolute bollocks of a post, Sergio improved when Pep came but he was already an outstanding player. Haaland pushes himself, he doesn't need anyone else to drive him on.

Sergio got dropped for Jesus for a couple of games. Cause Pep wanted him to do more , work off the ball more add that to his game. That's in peps words in Peps book. Jesus added competition to make Sergio do that.

 

[come-on-barney]

Tell me which world class striker in the world will want to join our club if Haaland still in there.

I will wait.

Please point out where I said world class striker. I will wait…

 

[Millwallawayveteran1988]

If I have to mention leaving 1 at the back again..

A 19 year old making his debut at that. Bonkers.

 

[PragueBlue]

Foden is brilliant and then has poor decision after another. Same with Savinho.

Bernardo is hot and cold. Same with Lewis.

Haaland hasn't made the best of the few chances he's had.

As always imo our problems stem from our attack not being clinical in terms of perfect passing, decision making and shooting.

Our defense is not the problem.

But over the season our attack will click into full gear and we'll be awesome I think.

I think has been great, even with decision making. Savinho less so. Haaland has been fine, just hasn't gone for him so far.

Defence is (and has been) one of the problems. In other words, I basically disagree with all you have said except the last sentence ;-)

 

[Chak19]

It's not a midfield problem, it's the whole shape, which he sets up. We throw too many bodies towards the ball leaving us badly exposed. When you've got a shape and a press that leaves us completely exposed every single time if we don't win every single duel, the shape needs to change.

Kovacic goes towards the ball, gvardiol goes towards it, Rico is still upfront somewhere and 2 simple passes later it's a 2v2 at our centre backs. That's peps fault.

Good point.

 

[Lavinda Past]

Sporting aren't anywhere near as good as I expected. How it's only 1-1 I'll never know.

We've looked less effective since their left back got to grips with Savinho.

They've looked better since the goal, but we've got too much for them (I hope) and with a few tweaks should see them off 2nd half.

3-1 City.

 

[the-ecstacy-of-eight]

Fuck off! I'm not a big cricket fan Laura, it's fuck boring IMO!

 

[mancity2012_eamo]

That half was as good as we’ve played in weeks but yet again, gifted the opposition a goal.

Foden has been excellent.

Really liking Nunes on the wing.

Savinho needs serious work on his finishing. He makes Grealish look like Haaland in front of goal.

I really wish the old Bernie would come back. He can’t do anything right on the ball.

Bernie has been really poor this season.
Looks out of synch with the team at times.

There have been elements of that with a lot of the team this season. Like they haven’t been introduced or they’re executing some new system they don’t understand.