Southampton (H) | PL | Post-Match Thread

[metalblue]

It wasn’t what I’d call poor but it was predictable and frustrating which made it a hard watch, not helped with it being 1-0 and Southampton were always a threat - how fucking tall was that lad they brought on?

We are missing KbB’s creativity in the middle and no one has really taken that role on. It’ll come, in the meantime we will have to grind out results against well organised teams as our build up play is slow. Fair play to Southampton they came and had a go, they looked open to a drubbing at the start but didn’t happen, we let a couple of chsnces go by, and they certainly grew in confidence.

 

[M23 Citizen]

It wasn’t what I’d call poor but it was predictable and frustrating which made it a hard watch, not helped with it being 1-0 and Southampton were always a threat - how fucking tall was that lad they brought on?

We are missing KbB’s creativity in the middle and no one has really taken that role on. It’ll come, in the meantime we will have to grind out results against well organised teams as our build up play is slow. Fair play to Southampton they came and had a go, they looked open to a drubbing at the start but didn’t happen, we let a couple of chsnces go by, and they certainly grew in confidence.

It’s the creativity that’s the issue. We have gone from having a team full of creators (de Bruyne, DSilva, Sané, Mahrez, Sterling, Agüero), to a team where it’s whittled down to just the odd pure creative player and one is injured (constantly) and the other is 34 and looks like he’s lost that creative touch a bit.

Other than that we actually control games well, last few weeks we’ve passed the ball quicker, we have players who can take players on or have decent shots on them from distance… we just lack those chances we used to create where it is that final pass that has quality and unlocks the tight defence.

That’s where, especially at home, I’d rather see McAtee who is a proper midfielder rather than Lewis who works hard and is a good short passer of the ball. McAtee will be much more instinctively creative than Lewis and has a much better eye for goal.

 

[East Level 2]

Southampton are better than their league position suggests. They came and defended well but also tried to attack. Seen a lot worse go to Etihad and get something. They will go down playing like that though because they probably need to score 3 to win any game (usually).

Every team is deemed to be "better than their league position suggests" when we have a narrow victory against them.

 

[Scaring Europe to Death]

Too many one footed players without Rodri and De Bruyne and this seems to amplify our lack of pace.

However a win's a win.

 

[Big Swifty]

Too many one footed players without Rodri and De Bruyne and this seems to amplify our lack of pace.

However a win's a win.

Indeed.

Three points, clean sheet, no injuries (AFAIK).

Other than that - not a lot to say.

 

[Roachy]

It’s the creativity that’s the issue. We have gone from having a team full of creators (de Bruyne, DSilva, Sané, Mahrez, Sterling, Agüero), to a team where it’s whittled down to just the odd pure creative player and one is injured (constantly) and the other is 34 and looks like he’s lost that creative touch a bit.

This echoes my thoughts. By and large we dominate and control the match but the creativity and a little bit of flair has really fallen away. KdB is fantastic but has been on the wane for 12- 18 months now. Can't complain as we're top of the league and hopefully will be at seasons end. I think a major splurge is required next summer for this squad.

 

[Gorton_Tubster]

Walker, Kevin, Stones, Ake, Rodri... The equivelent of Salah, vvd, taa all being out at the same time. Difference is we dont get that coverage so it isnt talked about as much, even by City fans. We have an injury crisis so grinding out these results is to be expected.

 

[M23 Citizen]

This echoes my thoughts. By and large we dominate and control the match but the creativity and little bit of flair has really fallen away. KdB is fantastic but has been on the wane for 12- 18 months now. Can't complain as we're top of the league and hopefully will be at seasons end. I think a major splurge is required next summer for this squad.

If Pep wins the league with this squad, it will be one of his greatest achievements.

So far we’re picking in the points and may be top come the end of this round of games, but we aren’t as good at creating chances as we used to be. de Bruyne will come back soon but we just don’t know how long for.

 

[M23 Citizen]

Every team is deemed to be "better than their league position suggests" when we have a narrow victory against them.

Pep said the same thing to be fair.

 

[Man_City_Loyal]

christ we can't half be depressive on here after a win