Southampton (A) - Carabao Cup | Post Match Thread

[Eric Hitchmough]

You have a long time to think on a coach journey from Southampton, and after opening my front door at 2:58, I reached a simple conclusion.

Best Case Scenario: This has happened more times than we remember in the domestic cups and even some of our Carabao Cup Successes have masked an awful performance at home to Wolves, and Claudio Bravo’s finest hour at the ETIHAD

Worst Case Scenario: This defeat is part of a wider picture that has been creeping-in for almost a year, and aside from 2-3 routine victories, virtually every away game, (plus a few at the ETIHAD) have witnessed silly mistakes from players who are simply not at the required standard, or more established stars who are now in the 31-32 bracket, and either through being protected or overplayed, are slowly losing their desire and consistency.

Only time will tell, but our next two PL games might establish if it was a blip or something far worse.

Is it true the players and Pep didn’t acknowledge the City fans at full time mate?

 

[Dr.Faustus]

Is it true the players and Pep didn’t acknowledge the City fans at full time mate?

No. They came over, clapped, Foden gave his shirt to a fan etc.

 

[Tolmie scores]

Gundogan: “The desire and hunger is not as in recent years”

That’s a pretty big admission. This is where Fernandinho would gather the squad together and crack some skulls. Who’s doing that this time? Gundo is the fucking club captain and he’s seemingly just hoping blindly that we’ll rediscover it. Yeah, we’re fucked.

Playing for Pep must be pretty tough for long periods. Not much room really to deviate from plan. Grealish is a great example. Dean Smith...run where you feel you could maximise your talent...that was music to JG's ears of course. Might not have helped the team but more fun as a player

 

[Bigga]

You've named 4 that could have started so why didn't they? Why shoe-horn a full-back in there? If you think it was to save someone for the rags game then why start Walker at all?

Firstly, Walker needs a run of games to get form; we know this.

Secondly, we had enough professionals to deal with Southampton; all play for their national teams.

It was a crap night, but the real goal is the Prem and the Chumps League.

The FA Cup and Carabou are bonuses for me.

 

[Sleeping_Easy]

Cancelo and Gomez both taking foul thrown ins, sums both up.

Utter dogshit.

Pep seems to have strangled the spontaneity out of this team?

We seem to care more about what the opponent can do than we can?

Buy a proper left back this window or end up with nothing this season.

£200m on Grealish, Phillips, Ake and Akanji.

These are not top shelf players.

I think thats a little unfair on Akanji and to an extent Ake. They've both played fairly well this season.

Grealish must be running on borrowed time now though. Its one thing giving someone time to adapt but he doesn't seem to be showing signs of clicking with the team. I'd be surprised if he started on Saturday

 

[blue whippet]

Gundogan: “The desire and hunger is not as in recent years”

That’s a pretty big admission. This is where Fernandinho would gather the squad together and crack some skulls. Who’s doing that this time? Gundo is the fucking club captain and he’s seemingly just hoping blindly that we’ll rediscover it. Yeah, we’re fucked.

Yes that's a little worrying and doesn't inspire much hope.

 

[Grassland Blue]

Can’t win everything but we won’t win fuck all this year

What are the odds?

 

[tonea2003]

Depends on what you mean by "available". Laporté played and Walker has played at CB before. I wouldn't have risked Stones or Akanji with the next upcoming game. Aké, I'll give you, but with Cancelo not playing very well, why would you risk him playing above the next game when Aké could cover left back then?

I see the logic of the back line was and I think Walker will survive the next starting lineup.

in his right position

 

[SamBlue]

Is it true the players and Pep didn’t acknowledge the City fans at full time mate?

Mate, they didn't acknowledge the fixture, bloody assholes didn't want to be there including Pep. That was not just one of a few below par performances we have every season, even against the team that caused us problems recently. Even during the closing era of Pellegrini, when nobody was giving shit expecting Pep's arrival, we didn't look so clueless and inept. For all 90 minutes we looked like a team 2 conferences bellow them. That was unbelievable arrogance to expect us to turn up in that stupid kit at St. Mary's and win by not having one shot on goal!

 

[ONTHERUNWITHTHAKSIN]

Mate, they didn't acknowledge the fixture, bloody assholes didn't want to be there including Pep. That was not just one of a few below par performances we have every season, even against the team that caused us problems recently. Even during the closing era of Pellegrini, when nobody was giving shit expecting Pep's arrival, we didn't look so clueless and inept. For all 90 minutes we looked like a team 2 conferences bellow them. That was unbelievable arrogance to expect us to turn up in that stupid kit at St. Mary's and win by not having one shot on goal!

The kit is a good point as on telly it seemed to clash more with Soton kit, not sounding like a Rag about the grey kit

Was it similar in real life viewing

Not sure why we didn't where blue