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.

 

[Blu1]

Our subs have been as bad as our corners

 

[come-on-barney]

I never understand why any manager does not make changes, even in the first half if they got it wrong, or need to respond to another teams tactics.

 

[chaddblue]

I don't understand why two subs weren't made at half time? That's an additional sub opportunity with the new rules. Especially when its clear its going so badly wrong

As for taking off David and putting on Dinho when you need 2 goals. Don't get it

 

[Alcatraz]

None of the changes gave us a different dimension, we had nothing to prize open a packed and organised defence....no pace , no height , no strength up front , no guile.
No impact from the bench

 

[citymad]

Our subs have been as bad as our corners

Talking of, where were the short corners tonight? It was like we played the whole game with no intelligence.

 

[LongsightM13]

I don't understand why two subs weren't made at half time? That's an additional sub opportunity with the new rules. Especially when its clear its going so badly wrong

As for taking off David and putting on Dinho when you need 2 goals. Don't get it

65 minutes, no matter how badly they’re playing. Often when it’s too late

 

[Citycity76]

Why Mahrez sacrificed all the time, it losses me off he can beat a man give us a chance never Sterling or D Silva despite how bad they are.

 

[ninjamonkey]

He took mahrez off just as he was finally beginning to do something, at that instance he would have been the last person I would have taken off. Foden should have come on in the middle. When we resorted to pumping balls into the box towards the end why didn’t we stick stones and/or Otamendi on upfront for some actual presence? Was that Pep just saying he will never deviate from his plans?

 

[jonah62]

Ahh well, gives us an extra week on the training ground to prep for Madrid
Why was Silva selected to start, when he’d played against Bournemouth. Looked leggy.

 

[LawFitz]

Losing two of their top three offensive players (Aguero, Sane) really showed today. Tired of watching Jesus either go completely MIA like today or whiff on plays that a world class striker would make. He is not that and City needs to find a better plan for Aguero's backup/transition.

And yikes Mahrez. One trick pony. Stop his inverted wing cut inside and shot with his left and he seems unable to do anything else. And he has little vision or inclination to pass, which makes it even worse. Signing this guy was the start of the end for Sane and, I am sorry, but it's a major step down in talent that is really starting to show.

And where is Bernardo? He better find his better form soon, or City is big trouble. Subs today should've been Foden for David Silva and Bernie for Mahrez. Good news is Mendy looks fantastic as an attacking wing back and displaying a dynamic from left crossers that will pay huge dividends once center and right forward get back to acceptable City form.