Kovacic’s deeper role helps with the balance between defence and attack, particularly when we select both Haaland and Alvarez. Not only did Kovacic have a fantastic game, he contributed to the selection of the match winner.I don’t really remember Gundo ever dancing his way past three / four players to break the press / lines in the way Kovacic does… certainly not multiple times a match.
Think the mistake here is to compare the two, we’ve never really replaced players with a ‘like for like’ and nor do I think Pep wants that as it makes us predictable.
Kovacic’s start has been incredibly impressive, he has us ticking in midfield and he is already linking play and conducting himself with total class. Absolutely bonkers that Chelsea let him go.
He might be a nice guy but he got his players to kick ours off the pitch in really nasty ways. Lost a bit of respect for the teamI actually like Howe, good manager, he’s a well spoken respectful guy who never bad mouths his opponent (certainly from what I’ve seen in his post match City games interviews)
Newcastle are a strong physical team, it was the players who made the fouls and the referee who allowed the tackles. I thought the dipper red was very harsh but there were 2 or 3 worse tackles on City players, consistency issues again with refereeingHe might be a nice guy but he got his players to kick ours off the pitch in really nasty ways. Lost a bit of respect for the team
I'm puzzled why your son ISN'T a blue ?A bit puzzled as to how people can think that the board doesn't know what Pep wants. The board has, within reason and given the constraints of FFP, given Pep everything he's wanted. That's why he's spent far longer at City than at his two other clubs, one of which is his boyhood club and the one closest to his heart.
The other evening I was discussing Pep with my son (who is not a City supporter). I was being philosophical, saying “Well, you know, he might want a new challenge, might want to try his hand at managing a national team”. He just looked at me and said, “Why on earth would he go anywhere else?”
I admit that I was a bit stumped for an answer.
Although to be fair to Eddie Howe he dragged off that little scouse twat after he racked his studs down Ruben's calf for a second time. Took him off before he got sent off.He might be a nice guy but he got his players to kick ours off the pitch in really nasty ways. Lost a bit of respect for the team
What's that all about.I'm puzzled why your son ISN'T a blue ?
I know surely you've failed as a parent!?I'm puzzled why your son ISN'T a blue ?