Perhaps if the gulf in resources between those at the top and bottom of the Premier League wasn't so huge - and getting bigger - there would be fewer games where teams parked the bus. Whilst ever this is the case you will see this happen.
The reason we parked the bus for so long is because it took an hour for City to score. I was almost relieved when Haaland scored, it was becoming inevitable and it forced us to try and get into the game. If we had played differently we would have probably lost by four or five.
I do respect Manchester City , they are the best team in Premier League history, but it is important that football remains a competitive game.
I hate coming up against 10 men behind the ball week in week out, but I in no way blame Sheffield United for adopting whatever tactics you deem fit.
It is City’s job to contend with that and my admiration for Pep and the team’s application of our own tactics grows season on season, when I see subtle changes in play. Even changing things within the same game going short to long, mixing things up.
I get a kick out of listening to commentators trying to articulate what he has done differently here, game after game, season after season.
Pep is the best manager I have ever seen in the game and we are blessed to have him, but so is the league. So many teams at every level of football are adopting tactics that you can see he brought to the PL.
Ball retention and not panicking in small triangles at the back has become so widespread. I’ve seen it at every level of football.
Ferguson’s United team did dominate, but to my mind the fact that he was a bully and had too much influence ( I’ll leave it at that) in the league, skewed things in their favour unlike what City have to contend with.
Make no mistake, the off field rubbish you are spoon fed about City is highly orchestrated.
I too hope the PL remains competitive but fairly so.
I wish to see City raise the bar again and have to pull performances out of their locker that continue to exceed anything we’ve watched before.
I just like watching good football on a level playing field.
The only thing I’d say about The Blades tactics the other day is that you bordered on giving away at least one other penalty as you got over physical.
You got away with it against us. Good luck with that against any of the red tops.
In all honesty though I say good luck to you. It was an honest performance from your team. They had a game plan and it nearly worked, but a bit of lack of experience perhaps relaxing after you scored.
City don’t settle for draws. The effort you put in for 85 mins was need all the way. One lapse of concentration and we were back on top and never going to give up that lead.
Frustration does come into it, watching City trying to breakdown a team every other week, but if you want to be the best then that’s what you have to contend with. I am enjoying seeing new challenges that are keeping things fresh.