Spurs (A) | Post-Match Thread

[OB1]

It’s just because people go and stand with mates etc.

Indeed.

 

[Saddleworth2]

It's an odd call by pigmol. I remember a few years back they wanted the skilful players to prosper so it became almost a non contact sport. Now they want more contact. That's fine but you can't allow continual fouling like the Spurs full back yesterday, that's going too far the other way

I agree. I have no problem with most rules as long as they are applied consistently and fairly.

 

[mcfcbill91]

Whilst it was certainly a disappointing result, I think it's best viewed as an isolated game. We played 61/62 possible games last season, coming back off a short break after Lyon. Then had a huge bulk of the squad go deep into two international tournaments - the trade off of forcing them back early and risking muscular injuries for this one game probably isn't worth it. We've tended to run a short pre-season under Pep and it's been fine.

We seem to be hexed at this new ground and Spurs have had significant luck against us since the 18/19 CL quarters too.

Pep put faith in those with the most pre-season (bar Grealish & Sterling) and it was understandable, particularly as we look to be using a new build up shape with a tight back four circulating the ball, either looking to break the first line to Fernandinho or go round them to the wide player, who then is either isolated against the full back or can play inside.

Yet again we've created a number of good chances and failed to convert. There were a couple of worrying performances, plus some odd play in the second half - repeated snatching at shots and crosses. We gave up control of the game too easily resorting to those, hence Spurs then countering. I think a fully grooved in City don't do that and I'd rather we just work the ball around.

But I'm optimistic with a full week of training (and maybe a new forward) we'll be at it next Saturday.

Grealish looked promising already.

 

[OB1]

Because many of them have only just come back from a short holiday after playing 70 games last season. It really isn't complicated.

I'm losing the will to look at these threads and Twitter.

Raz started because, as Pep has told us many times over the years, he is exceptional in terms of fitness and recovery.

Ederson started because he is a GK and so not running about but maybe he shouldn't have because he wasn't sharp on their goal and Zack has been excellent in pre-season.

It always looked like a tough start for us and, after last season, our players will need to pace themselves and Pep will need to rotate a lot. People need to get that in their heads now or not bother watching us.

And while I am complaining, I was disgusted with a lot of our so called supporters. The abuse (not racial thankfully) that Mendy was getting yesterday was appalling. I don't care what you think of a player's performance, slating them, potentially within earshot, is not supporting the team. People that do it on these forums, claim it's ok to slag people because the player(s) don't see it but that's not guaranteed and it carries over into the stands into, frankly, mindless abuse. A narrative has been set and Mendy just can't win: people simply lose objectivity in my view.

 

[SilverFox2]

We have a very strong squad, with the ability to bring in a "quality second choice" player if the number one choice is unavailable. Provided we have the main stay of first pick payers on the pitch, we perform with little disruption. However when we are forced to reduce the top rank by 3, 4, or more, then we lose the cohesion and that extra ounce of craft top players have.

As you say a reasonable backup player for all positions but nothing like a backup team.

 

[flb]

Mahrez and Fern should have scored, Ederson should have covered and saved the ball that went through Ruben, all in all a tad disappointing, Mendy is a liability , and why does Aki put his foot on the ball continuously when he receives a pass?
Nowhere near our strongest team out, no panic !

 

[Fat Jim]

Im fucking pissed off. Was like 200 quid on train ticket and scran yesterday and that shower of dog shit was presented to us. I think Ederson should have probably saved the shot?

 

[Dribble]

In the modern game, players very rarely get substituted in the first half except for injury or other exceptional reasons. This applies to all leagues of football all over the world. If you think that that's the wrong thing to do, then you're up against thousands upon thousands of managers and coaching staff who've worked in football leagues across the world for decades.

So assuming Jesus starts the match and doesn't get subbed in the first half, he would be in the second half. That is a minimum playing time of 45 minutes, which is more than the 20 minutes Jesus played yesterday. More playing time when unfit means more chances of injury.

Really? So other teams who played their European Championship & Copa America players over the weekend for a full match are different how?

45 minutes for super fit professional footballers after a few weeks rest & only a few days training isn't excessive. It's called game time management.

I wasn't that arsed about the CS, albeit I hate losing any matches, but what about Leeds at home, Chelsea in the FA Cup semis & the CL final? Why did our strongest selection need resting then? :-|

 

[Dribble]

Because many of them have only just come back from a short holiday after playing 70 games last season. It really isn't complicated.

Exactly! So if they're not ready & fit enough to play, why have them on the bench at all?

Shaw & Slabhead played for ManUre on Saturday, so why not Laporte, Walker & Zinchenko away to Spurs?

 

[sky_blue]

Really? So other teams who played their European Championship & Copa America players over the weekend for a full match are different how?

45 minutes for super fit professional footballers after a few weeks rest & only a few days training isn't excessive. It's called game time management.

I wasn't that arsed about the CS, albeit I hate losing any matches, but what about Leeds at home, Chelsea in the FA Cup semis & the CL final? Why did our strongest selection need resting then? :-|

They are different because they're different players. Everybody's recovery time is different. Sterling started yesterday, yet Stones didn't. They both joined pre-season last week.

I remember Pep mentioning a few years back that Sterling and Kevin's regeneration rate was ridiculous. Kevin is still somewhat injured, hasn't done a single full training in pre-season, yet played 10-15 minutes and was comfortably the best player on the pitch.

Remember Kompany and Aguero? Kompany would play the full 90 after a 8 month injury and look like he hadn't skipped a match whereas Aguero would come after a minor injury and would play like he had cement in his boots. Aguero always needed a few matches to get up to speed and be match fit. Like I said different players recuperate at different rates. Match fitness is a subjective thing, it depends on the player.

 

[mancityscot]

saw a tweet yesterday about how we've gone from sterling and sane blitzing past full backs and sending balls across the box to a lot of slow build up play with not much end product. fair point

 

[kevin horlocks wand]

Exactly! So if they're not ready & fit enough to play, why have them on the bench at all?

Shaw & Slabhead played for ManUre on Saturday, so why not Laporte, Walker & Zinchenko away to Spurs?

this is what gets me about we are not fit and ready for the new season. It was the same last season.

we have a great team full of international players but we are not unique in that . So do the rag shit , the dippers and Chelsea.

who equally had long hard seasons last season and players played for their country over the summer but they were ready. Richarlison for Everton played in the olympics a few weeks ago but he was ready for Everton Saturday.

there seems to be a prevailing narrative (excuse even) before we have even played that we aren’t ready and we have had no pre season. We are under no different pressure on players than all the other top sides in the premier league but somehow we are the only ones who never appear to be ready.

 

[CityFan1970]

Why do we concede possession so many times from throw-ins in our own half, especially our defensive third of the pitch?

 

[Stevieatlasblue]

Not going to be too hard on Ake.

Mendy unsettles the whole defense drifting all over the Pitch.

He is woefully shit, and i do not understand why Pep plays him.

I was hoping ,and still am that we sell Sterling. Painful watching him do the same fucking thing, time, after time, game after game. Get the Ball run at the Box A. Fall over. B. lose Possession C. Miss kick it. It is depressing we already had one season of it. Please God not another.

I think he plays Mendy because the others have been in involved for their respective countries and need to come back slowly. We were always going to be slow starters because of our players heavy involvement with the tournaments. Mendy is a worry

 

[Dribble]

They are different because they're different players. Everybody's recovery time is different. Sterling started yesterday, yet Stones didn't. They both joined pre-season last week.

I remember Pep mentioning a few years back that Sterling and Kevin's regeneration rate was ridiculous. Kevin is still somewhat injured, hasn't done a single full training in pre-season, yet played 10-15 minutes and was comfortably the best player on the pitch.

Remember Kompany and Aguero? Kompany would play the full 90 after a 8 month injury and look like he hadn't skipped a match whereas Aguero would come after a minor injury and would play like he had cement in his boots. Aguero always needed a few matches to get up to speed and be match fit. Like I said different players recuperate at different rates. Match fitness is a subjective thing, it depends on the player.

I get that, but this is why I also mentioned game time management, & not flogging them for 90+ minutes if they're not ready. Evidently, if they're on the bench, they're ready for some type of PL action, so why not play the strongest of who we have, & sub them at the optimum time?

 

[decmancity]

Exactly! So if they're not ready & fit enough to play, why have them on the bench at all?

Shaw & Slabhead played for ManUre on Saturday, so why not Laporte, Walker & Zinchenko away to Spurs?

this is what gets me about we are not fit and ready for the new season. It was the same last season.

we have a great team full of international players but we are not unique in that . So do the rag shit , the dippers and Chelsea.

who equally had long hard seasons last season and players played for their country over the summer but they were ready. Richarlison for Everton played in the olympics a few weeks ago but he was ready for Everton Saturday.

there seems to be a prevailing narrative (excuse even) before we have even played that we aren’t ready and we have had no pre season. We are under no different pressure on players than all the other top sides in the premier league but somehow we are the only ones who never appear to be ready.

We won two trophies, got to a CL final and FA cup semi. Rags won fuck all and were out on their arse at the end of the year and got beat by a mid table Villareal.

But no, Pep and our world class medical staff know less than Ole.

They are on the bench to go through the motions of being back in the setup, warm ups and so forth. Do you want a load of 16yr old kids sat there?

This Saturday we will see Stones, Walker and Zinchenko (unless something happens in training).

 

[Del_Bosque]

I think we should be looking at putting Ake as our left back

He's 3rd choice for the LCB position after Dias and Laporte, Mendy isn't fit for purpose so get him used to playing out on the left to rotate with Zin

 

[Dribble]

this is what gets me about we are not fit and ready for the new season. It was the same last season.

we have a great team full of international players but we are not unique in that . So do the rag shit , the dippers and Chelsea.

who equally had long hard seasons last season and players played for their country over the summer but they were ready. Richarlison for Everton played in the olympics a few weeks ago but he was ready for Everton Saturday.

there seems to be a prevailing narrative (excuse even) before we have even played that we aren’t ready and we have had no pre season. We are under no different pressure on players than all the other top sides in the premier league but somehow we are the only ones who never appear to be ready.

My point exactly! I really don't get it... :-|

 

[Zinchilla]

We won two trophies, got to a CL final and FA cup semi. Rags won fuck all and were out on their arse at the end of the year and got beat by a mid table Villareal.

But no, Pep and our world class medical staff know less than Ole.

They are on the bench to go through the motions of being back in the setup, warm ups and so forth. Do you want a load of 16yr old kids sat there?

This Saturday we will see Stones, Walker and Zinchenko (unless something happens in training).

This, only this. Contrary to what the flappers think we’ve got the strongest squad as well - compare it to Liverpool, Chelsea and their back 3 etc. It’s a long season with 4 trophies to fight for.

 

[Dribble]

We won two trophies, got to a CL final and FA cup semi. Rags won fuck all and were out on their arse at the end of the year and got beat by a mid table Villareal.

But no, Pep and our world class medical staff know less than Ole.

They are on the bench to go through the motions of being back in the setup, warm ups and so forth. Do you want a load of 16yr old kids sat there?

This Saturday we will see Stones, Walker and Zinchenko (unless something happens in training).

We cudda & shudda won 4 trophies! We all knew our strongest team & line up for the CL Final, so explain why so many of us were shitting ourselves that Pep would over-think the final, try to pull a surprise & fuck things up.

It was our final game of the season, & the most prestigious one-off game in our history, so with a fully fit squad to choose from, were Fernandinho & Rodri being rested? Because they had a long hard season?

No. Pep selected that team as he thought an all out attack would bring dividends. It didn't, just as many feared. The day Pep is above criticism, is the day this club is fucked. No person (including the Great Guardiola) is infallible or should be above scrutiny.