Our second half performances

[Rammy Blue]

We might have a 2nd half problem but anyone using tonight as an example needs to give their head a wobble. 5-0 up, a very inexperienced back four, and a big game in a few days. I knew that the 2nd half would be a complete non event before it had even started.

I get that, but it’s a habit we need to get out of so to do it again was fucking stupid. On another night a good few of those Newcastle chances could have gone in, it was piss poor again and failure to score a second half goal was wank.

 

[PabZabb]

We might have a 2nd half problem but anyone using tonight as an example needs to give their head a wobble. 5-0 up, a very inexperienced back four, and a big game in a few days. I knew that the 2nd half would be a complete non event before it had even started.

Disagree with that wholeheartedly. Tonight was the perfect opportunity to get this second half nonsense out of our system and put in a dominant 90 mins of football. 5-0 up and cruising, just keep the ball, don’t give away sloppy chances. Knock it about pick and choose your moments to attack. Death by 1,000 passes.

 

[supercity88]

The most critical thing is the lack of composure in the side. From the stats you can see as are having a lot of shots, which means we are committing to trying to score more goals. In doing so we are exposing the lack of physicality and control we have in the team. The opposition can make a slight adjustment and profit from the space we are leaving. They're usually behind in the game so take more risks.

What we need to do is stay more compact and slow the tempo. If we do play aggressive football, don't commit too many forwards so we retain our shape.

When we are pressed we have a number of players who get flustered. Nunes being a prime example but Reijnders also being one who gives the ball away too much when retaining it is all we need.

It's a minor adjustment and we would be top if we made it, so everyone should be positive about the future of this side.

 

[KS55]

Bollocks

Probably, but there has to be an explanation.

 

[brian the blue]

Never seen a team drop off like we do after half time. It’s like we think the job is done and collectively trot around and stop showing for the ball.

 

[Inter Me Nan]

 

[blueparrot]

Peps explained exactly why it happens, and if he's right (he will be) then fixing it will take a more time and probably will be next season before it's eradicated.

 

[Eccles Blue]

I think that instead of giving them a cuppa or whatever and a warm dressing room at half time they should just return to the days of half an orange at half time out on the pitch. That’ll shake them up!
Freezing cold and sometimes soaking wet just like the fans. Then they’d think a bit more about relaxing their fight in the second half!!
It’s a bit like just after dinner time there is a slump in performance at work. We need, and the flipping players are taking, a siesta.










Just tongue in cheek because basically the only person/people who can do anything are the manager/coach and them flaming players themselves.

 

[Platt Lane 59]

The stats are frightening.
It will give all teams hope and optimism, even if City continue to be leading/dominating at half time.
My opinion, Pep hasn't grasped that nearly all opposition managers will usually bring on ALL 5 subs. Pep seldom does this, unless there are injuries.
Also Pep will bring on subs at 90+ minutes (he did last Sunday v Spurs). It's too late to change a game...

 

[Gabriel]

I don't think people quite appreciate how many players we have who are either unfit or carrying injuries. It also looks, these days, as if our substitutions are almost pre-planned for around the 70 minute mark, and that we're reacting, therefore, not only to on-field events but the bigger picture. We're trying to stay in contention in games and competitions, but also giving ourselves the best opportunity of having guys fit come the spring.

 

[crystal_mais]

Experience in game management, fatigue and the fact teams can now make 5 subs. We used to knacker teams out by making them run around and then kill them in the last 20/25 mins - teams can now make subs and bring fresh legs on - we don't have that level of energy for the full 90

 

[mattcity5]

I think some of this is coincidence.

Teams set up in a couple of ways now defensively against us - one is the low block, which lets us have possession and look like we're somewhat in control.

The other is going man to man all over the pitch, which puts pressure on us nearer our goal and makes winning individual duels more important.
That turns the game more physical and sometimes we struggle to keep the ball, but it also gives us a chance to take advantage of mismatches. It's a bit more of a high risk way of playing and can result in chances at both ends.

Some of our players are a bit better at one of these than the other and we're still figuring out our combinations and best ways of playing.

Having everyone fit so we can pick horses for courses a bit more would be a big help.

 

[Blue warrior]

Could fitness be an issue with the drop off in the second half it keeps happening.

 

[SamBlue]

Could fitness be an issue with the drop off in the second half it keeps happening.

If you check stats, we always end up covering more distance than the opposition, so it cannot be fitness.

For me it all starts and ends with Pep, the team is just the reflection of his input. He's been all over the place for the last couple of seasons.

 

[Franny 1234]

We might have a 2nd half problem but anyone using tonight as an example needs to give their head a wobble. 5-0 up, a very inexperienced back four, and a big game in a few days. I knew that the 2nd half would be a complete non event before it had even started.

We do have a second half problem without doubt.
But last night was to be expected 5-0 up at halftime I knew we wouldn't win the second half for sure.
And I totally understand that. CTID

 

[xmusampa]

Could fitness be an issue with the drop off in the second half it keeps happening.

I was surprised to see bbc match stats showing city running around 5-10% more per game than nearly every other team irrespective of fixture.either bollox stats or maybe the reason for us burning out so soon.
We wouldn’t have to all track back so far if the forwards and midfielders could actually tackle.
Foden definitely needs to work on it!

 

[Utter bobbins]

Abysmal 2nd half

Yawn

 

[NQCitizen]

A team built to capitalise on chaos and transition goes ahead then we revert to playing the old pausa football to keep the lead and the players can't do it.

But they can't keep attacking as they're so fatigued for some reason and our midfield tends to get more and more wide open as the game goes on.

 

[salfordbluetrue]

The media attack on our second half performances, show a few things, first that Pep got his starting eleven right, he got his tactics right,, his substitutes could not match his first eleven, and that Pep has not adapted to the five substitute rule yet, although that would mean he would have to have five fit, substitutes in the place where he needed them, and he has not for the past two seasons.
So while the media would like to tell us it is Pep`s fault, that we are doing badly since the start of the year, it is not, it is the ref and VAR in three games alone, Newcastle, utd and Tottenham have robbed City of seven points, this is what the media is trying to obscure, the PL does not care who knows it is cheating, money is far more important.

 

[Father Paul]

The most critical thing is the lack of composure in the side. From the stats you can see as are having a lot of shots, which means we are committing to trying to score more goals. In doing so we are exposing the lack of physicality and control we have in the team. The opposition can make a slight adjustment and profit from the space we are leaving. They're usually behind in the game so take more risks.

What we need to do is stay more compact and slow the tempo. If we do play aggressive football, don't commit too many forwards so we retain our shape.

When we are pressed we have a number of players who get flustered. Nunes being a prime example but Reijnders also being one who gives the ball away too much when retaining it is all we need.

It's a minor adjustment and we would be top if we made it, so everyone should be positive about the future of this side.

Sadly I don't think its as simple as that.