Southampton (H) | PL | Post-Match Thread

[OB1]

No you're right we dont attack as quick, but that's by design, we often end up on a counter and have 3 on 3 or 3 on 4 and we slow it down and build at a steady pace. Bernardo does it all the time. It's clear we are playing to the tactics Pep wants. It's probably not as exciting but Pep must believe it's the best way to win games.

We often see our wingers double marked, there was times today where Savinho got the ball and had 3 players in front of him, bringing the ball out with defence means we have an extra attacker in a forward position and brings extra defensive players out to meet our defender with the ball, we just need our forwards to find the space or drag players out of position and leave the defenders in space (Gvardial as a good example)

Someone sat near me yesterday said take your man on when one ball went to one of our wingers and I bemoaned but it’s two men.

Almost every team we play doubles up on our wingers the moment they get the ball, and so they often pass inside to the full back (or…). This is where City need to move the ball laterally very quickly to try and find a space caused by the opponents going two on one but they move across quickly. Eventually, City often tire teams out and get more goals simply through attrition but yesterday, Southampton kept the ball well and our overworked players were very tired by the end. Haaland was visibly knackered and Duracell Bernie was sat on the pitch after the game.

 

[Damanino]

So taking Haaland out of the equation, we've scored 9 goals in 9 games. What's the problem?

thats 38 goals over a season then. add Haalands 25-30 so thats 70 goals top... we havent scored less than 80 in any of Pep's seasons:)
usually its 90+, with tw times going above 100...

 

[.db.]

See the perfect goal vs Sparta for an example of what City can do and why teams go out of their way not to allow us the space to do that.

We’ve been facing packed defences since Mancini’s time with us and I don’t really think we’re seeing it more than we used to in say 2018-19 to the treble season under Pep.

We simply had more players to unlock those defences with more runners and movement that would move defenders around and create space, first time through balls before defenders are set, one-twos, pull back crosses from the byline, those chips over the top, trivelas etc… we had much more creativity and variety.

Last season our defensive midfielder was our second top assister in the whole squad behind de Bruyne who only played half a season. What were the rest up to?

And we had more goal scorers previously as well. Take the 2020-21 season as one example: Gundo (scored 17 goals), Foden (16), Jesus (14), Sterling (14), Mahrez (14), Torres (13), de Bruyne (10), Agüero (6), BSilva (5), Stones (5)… and for some of those players that is half of what they scored in some other seasons (Mahrez, Sterling) and Agüero missed nearly all of the season yet scored more that season than some of forwards will all this season.

 

[lionheart]

In response to some idiot predicting a 9-0 thrashing, here was my comment on Friday..."I will be happy with a 1-0 and no more injuries, please." Happy this morning.

 

[vmsuhail]

Did you pay good money to travel to the ground and watch the game?

No. I pay very little money to watch at the comfort of my home, thousands of miles away.

 

[ancoats]

In response to some idiot predicting a 9-0 thrashing, here was my comment on Friday..."I will be happy with a 1-0 and no more injuries, please." Happy this morning.

Spot on.

We haven't been Champions 4 times in a row because we steamroller teams every week. Some people only come to see the glory and want rugby scores every week, The Win is the most important thing, then no injuries.

God helps us on Wednesday away to Spurs, Pep has already said we might have to play EDS team ?

 

[.db.]

Spot on.

We haven't been Champions 4 times in a row because we steamroller teams every week. Some people only come to see the glory and want rugby scores every week, The Win is the most important thing, then no injuries.

God helps us on Wednesday away to Spurs, Pep has already said we might have to play EDS team ?

Mad to think this and if I’d heard anyone said this twenty years ago I’d slap them with a wet fish across the chops… but with the injuries we have with our two best players out, and the season we have going on until July that will have an effect on next season, I wouldn’t mind a full EDS team and getting knocked out against Spurs.

The fewer games the better this season.

 

[OB1]

We’ve been facing packed defences since Mancini’s time with us and I don’t really think we’re seeing it more than we used to in say 2018-19 to the treble season under Pep.

We simply had more players to unlock those defences with more runners and movement that would move defenders around and create space, first time through balls before defenders are set, one-twos, pull back crosses from the byline, those chips over the top, trivelas etc… we had much more creativity and variety.

Last season our defensive midfielder was our second top assister in the whole squad behind de Bruyne who only played half a season. What were the rest up to?

And we had more goal scorers previously as well. Take the 2020-21 season as one example: Gundo (scored 17 goals), Foden (16), Jesus (14), Sterling (14), Mahrez (14), Torres (13), de Bruyne (10), Agüero (6), BSilva (5), Stones (5)… and for some of those players that is half of what they scored in some other seasons (Mahrez, Sterling) and Agüero missed nearly all of the season yet scored more that season than some of forwards will all this season.

I think it has got worse but I can’t prove it. I’m sure there is data out there that could be used to show one way or another if teams are sitting deeper etc. City certainly have more possession now than in Mancini’s or Pellegrini’s day and although it has gone up and won under Pep, I would think we have more in the opposing half now than we used to.

We do need more goal contributions from our wingers but they are mostly young and need will hopefully develop that. Sav needs his first goal. Jack might be a lost cause on goal scoring; I think he has the ability but somehow it just doesn’t seem to happen for him with City although that can change.

 

[citizen_maine]

thats 38 goals over a season then. add Haalands 25-30 so thats 70 goals top... we havent scored less than 80 in any of Pep's seasons:)
usually its 90+, with tw times going above 100...

Except, using that logic Haaland gets 46 :-)

 

[johnevans]

But did we win, YES

I wouldn't have cared if they scored an own goal to win us the game it's 3 points and a win, Sometimes you aim for the stars but hit the moon, I think we looked better and stronger in our defence today which was a plus and a clean sheet. Look I agree 100% it could have been better, but also it could have been 100% better and we lost, that's football

Spot on! Said before the game, I don't care if the winner goes in off Haaland's backside in the 98th minute, just get the three points!

Mind, your comment re 'the stars/moon' reminded me of the last line of 'Now, Voyager' when Bette Davis (as Charlotte) tells Paul Muni:

'Oh Jerry, let's not ask for the moon; we already have the stars..!'

But then again, it might've been 'Phoenix Nights' I was thinking of, when a spaced Jerry St Clair says 'Bring down the moon..' and Brian Potter said 'Garlic bread.. it's the future Jerry.. I've tasted it!'

 

[OB1]

Mad to think this and if I’d heard anyone said this twenty years ago I’d slap them with a wet fish across the chops… but with the injuries we have with our two best players out, and the season we have going on until July that will have an effect on next season, I wouldn’t mind a full EDS team and getting knocked out against Spurs.

The fewer games the better this season.

I am interested to see if Pep can bring himself to send kids out vs Spurs. Not that I will see live as I have a pre-existing engagement.

I have a great fondness for the League Cup - first thing I saw us win in ‘76 and my first final in ‘74 - but it has become a competition that should be retired in my view.

If we had a fully fit squad, then have a go but we the current and potential demands of this season and the number of injuries, I will have no complaints if Pep fields a lot of EDS players, although that could lead to a horrible scoreline.

 

[give it to gordon]

I am interested to see if Pep can bring himself to send kids out vs Spurs. Not that I will see live as I have a pre-existing engagement.

I have a great fondness for the League Cup - first thing I saw us win in ‘76 and my first final in ‘74 - but it has become a competition that should be retired in my view.

If we had a fully fit squad, then have a go but we the current and potential demands of this season and the number of injuries, I will have no complaints if Pep fields a lot of EDS players, although that could lead to a horrible scoreline.

Agree we need to rest and protect the first team squad at the moment due to lack of numbers. Its risky playing the EDS lads as a hammering could affect them moving forward.

 

[kaz7]

Was utter garbage,again. Had piss easy hone games and it's been terrible,every game,boring as fuck. Let's hope we can liven up when it counts. Tho no rodri or kev is killing us. Midfield is a joke.

This is a rag or dipper post with a twist of the arses

 

[Mike S]

With the run of games we've had and that are coming up, and with the amount of injuries we also have, I'd have snapped your hand off before kick off for a 1-0 win and 3 points. Zero moans from me after yesterday [emoji106]

 

[Ducado]

It wasn’t a great game and we could have done better but Southampton played the best they have played all season, if only they could play like that in every game they would be a top 6 team glad we got over the line with no silly goal conceded although if we had one suspects that we would have won 4-1

 

[mcfcmart]

Very predictable play today but a wins a win.

 

[ancoats]

Mad to think this and if I’d heard anyone said this twenty years ago I’d slap them with a wet fish across the chops… but with the injuries we have with our two best players out, and the season we have going on until July that will have an effect on next season, I wouldn’t mind a full EDS team and getting knocked out against Spurs.

The fewer games the better this season.

Yep

Not so long ago we only scored 10, yes (TEN) league goals at home that season, Now that's value for your money

 

[Lovebitesandeveryfing]

I am interested to see if Pep can bring himself to send kids out vs Spurs. Not that I will see live as I have a pre-existing engagement.

I have a great fondness for the League Cup - first thing I saw us win in ‘76 and my first final in ‘74 - but it has become a competition that should be retired in my view.

If we had a fully fit squad, then have a go but we the current and potential demands of this season and the number of injuries, I will have no complaints if Pep fields a lot of EDS players, although that could lead to a horrible scoreline.

I understand exactly what you're saying. I too was at the final in ’74, although weirdly I seem to have excised it from my memory, because I can recall nothing specific about that match, other than that we lost. (I was also at the ’81 match — too young for ’69 — so I wasn't too lucky with seeing us win finals until we beat Arsenal in, yes, the League Cup in 2018! So I have a particular affection for the competition…)
It's worth repeating that it was the last serious trophy we won — with that memorable goal from Tueart — before we started the long drift into the crossing of the wilderness that lasted for twenty years (or more, depending on how you look at it).
But let's look at it clear sightedly. Yes, the League Cup will be abandoned. But let's tell it like it is — it will have, in effect, been forced out, by the greed of the PL, the greed of UEFA, the greed of FIFA. With all the extra games in competitions that truly don't interest me very much (especially the League of Nations, which UEFA pulled from their arse, and which it took a while for me to even understand what it was, vacuous European club competitions like the Europa Conference League, the ever-expanding cash cow or goose that lays the not very golden egg in the form of the Champions League, the now expanding World Club Championship) there are now just too many games for players at the top clubs, especially those in England, and I do believe we're seeing the results in terms of injuries.
The League Cup was never the premier competition of course, but it was an indigenous competition, by and for the members of the four divisions that make up the English football league. As such it shouldn't be sneered at, by anyone.
And yes — with a heavy heart — I am resigned to us throwing this match, because I just don't see what alternative there is. But I repeat: we the fans, and the players, and the clubs, have been railroaded by governing bodies that we appear to have absolutely no control over. Gradually, I think, I'm falling out of love with football.

 

[Axel Freed]

Never heard so much shite in all my life.

How can the novelty of winning wear off when the team you support is chasing league titles and other cups every year.

Yeah, let's fuck off winning for a 5-4 thriller either way.

What a bizarre comment!!!!

I agree, it is bizarre to the likes of you
and me but these days the demographic of the match goer has changed to such an extent that I think a pretty sizeable minority are there to be “entertained” regardless of the result.

I’m entertained by seeing City win, i couldn’t care less how uneventful the game is, if we get 3 points I go home happy as a lark

 

[Sheik Battle and Goal]

Having read most of the posts on here I am not going to change my mind - it was a bloody awful 98 minutes of turgid crap.

Bit late to post about Stuart Pearce’s time as manager .