Our Use of Substitutes

[Fame Monster]

I think this is a big part of why we've been getting beat so often this season. Our use of subs has been appalling when we've gone a goal down and Pep's ended up making the team worse.

I can't think of a player I'd less want to bring on the pitch than Rodri if we're trying to score a goal. But players like him and Gundogan seem to be the go-to guys when we're trying to win the game, often at the expense of match-winners like Mahrez today (although Foden came on as well). It's happened so many times over the past few seasons, whether that's Sane for Gundogan at Stamford Bridge or Gundogan for KDB at Molineaux this season.

We never seem to be able to get ourselves back into the game when we need to, and while we have the most goals from subs this season, they've nearly always came when we've been 3-0 up and the game's gone.

 

[dhruvblue]

I don't know ow maybe this was a problem during Pellegrini and Mancini era too.

Far too late and little time to impact

 

[Blu3m00n91]

He made the right subs today but the game was already set in stone. The line up from the start was the problem. City’s issue is that we resort the crossing the ball constantly to try and turn a game around. Arsenal have 11 players in the box and we’re trying to play through them. Our centre back was the only player who had the thought to shoot from outside the fucking box

 

[Thaksinssoldier]

I think this is a big part of why we've been getting beat so often this season. Our use of subs has been appalling when we've gone a goal down and Pep's ended up making the team worse.

I can't think of a player I'd less want to bring on the pitch than Rodri if we're trying to score a goal. But players like him and Gundogan seem to be the go-to guys when we're trying to win the game, often at the expense of match-winners like Mahrez today (although Foden came on as well). It's happened so many times over the past few seasons, whether that's Sane for Gundogan at Stamford Bridge or Gundogan for KDB at Molineaux this season.

We never seem to be able to get ourselves back into the game when we need to, and while we have the most goals from subs this season, they've nearly always came when we've been 3-0 up and the game's gone.

Rodri was excellent. Should have started or come on far earlier for me.

 

[Ban-jani]

Foden had to come on for Silva, Mahrez was actually offering something.

One of Pep’s worst matches.

 

[Fame Monster]

I don't know ow maybe this was a problem during Pellegrini and Mancini era too.

Far too late and little time to impact

I don't think it was.

Pep's plan A blew Mancini and Pellegrini out of the water but I'm not sure his use of subs is that great by comparison although Mancini and Pellegrini had Dzeko to throw on too. Nevertheless, if we needed a goal, it was rare to see a defensive midfielder thrown on or one of our best players taken off.

 

[Gabriel]

When do we get to speak about Bernardo?

 

[Jesus H Gabz]

Got to admit I looked at our bench at the start & thought we could be in trouble if we end up chasing the game, I know Sergio was missing but it just looked weak, only Phil & Bernie with any kind of attacking intent, we shouldn’t be relying on Phil to change big games at this stage & Bernie looks shot/disinterested/on his way

 

[Jesus H Gabz]

Foden had to come on for Silva, Mahrez was actually offering something.

One of Pep’s worse matches.

Agreed, Mahrez had just started to get going and looked quite threatening, think Pep got caught in two minds at 1-0 possibly thinking about the possibility of ET, and trying to maintain shape, I would’ve liked to of seen some more attacking intent with the subs/formation & I don’t mean throwing Ferna on to win some headers in the oppos box

 

[SWPISHOME]

I thought Riyad was starting to get into the game and get some joy down the right and suddenly got subbed. I found that substitute very strange. Should of been Foden for David Silva really.