Spurs (H) | PL | Post Match Thread

[Vic]

When we started playing out from the back we all had palpitations - until we realised we had players (and keepers) who could do it and create space to go forward.

But how much of the mess now is down to the rule change in 2019 that meant the ball didn't need to leave the penalty area? That seemed it would suit City as it gave options - but in practice it's led to danger as mistakes are made within the penalty area. Under the old law we could have four defenders around the penalty area and most teams would not risk marking each one. Now we tend to just play it around the goal area and there isn't time to create the space to pass the ball safely through or over the pressing forwards.

 

[IBlue]

Maybe lack of preseason told for us. Spurs looked physically in a better place, 7 games preseason including games against Arsenal, Bayern and a competitive super cup game against PSG had certainly put miles in their legs

 

[YaYa's Left Peg]

I thought yesterday encapsulated all of last season into 90 minutes. Great for 10 minutes, average for 30 minutes, awful for 40 minutes. We saw some individual moments, missed chances (Marmoush, Haaland), mistakes from our back 4, midfield constantly being played through. And finally, when Pep does make changes they are too late (Rodri, Foden).

We are no where near a title side - at the moment I’d honestly say Newcastle look more exciting and at least play decent football.

As a City fan, the last 10 years has been dreamland and it’s our turn now to re-build and get things right on the pitch. I for one would rather get to playing decent football and having 100% effort back again. If we won a trophy great, if we don’t then at least don’t roll over!

I’m not convinced what we’ve done since January is the hallmark of a top club. We’ve essentially signed quite a few players which most others clubs wouldn’t even consider. Marmoush was on €2m a year in Germany and if you go by what’s reported, we’ve given him £275k per week or £14.5m a year. An absolutely shambles if that is true.

The body language from some of the players yesterday was poor. Not a good look.

What were we like for the other 10 minutes plus ;)

 

[jabbar52]

What were we like for the other 10 minutes plus ;)

Ball watching or trying to get their keeper to stick to the 8 second rule!

 

[Cuban heels]

2 poor sides on the ball but they worked much harder than us off of it.

Timewasting is pathetic though, 8 second rule is pointless, they made it back on throw ins and free kicks. Not sure the ball was in play 2nd half.

How can you possibly say Spurs were poor ??
They dominated us for 109 minutes

 

[paulchapo]

How can you possibly say Spurs were poor ??
They dominated us for 109 minutes

No we had the best of the opening exchanges and with a bit more luck could have scored three goals in the first 20 minutes which would have made it a different game. We didn't then we gifted them two goals with our usual slipshod defending. Once they went 2-0 up it was hard work. I will agree they looked sharper and fitter than us but we haven't had a pre season so that's understandable.

 

[Greenjob]

The main thing that stood out was we have a team who no longer has any physicality. Our players were bullied off the ball, time and time again. This you can live with to a certain degree if you have an out ball and play the ball quickly. Playing back to Trafford isn't like playing back to Eddie, who is like playing with another outfield player. He might have been subject to the odd brainfart but Walker provided that aggressive nastiness which we are missing, we are all too nice.

The game is clearly being refereed differently over the last few seasons where more physical players (unless its Haaland) are allowed more leeway yet we dont start players like Kushanov. We need someone in the middle, who is an alternative to Rodri who brings a bit of bite to the team, Nico isnt that player.

Im sure we will look a different team when we have Rodri and Gvardiol back but we are far from complete.

Finally can we get someone who can head the ball, or at least train someone who can because Ive never seen a tall striker like Haaland be so bad at it.

Thank you. Someone who agrees with what I have been saying for a while. We do not have any tough/physical players (ala: Zabba, Kompany, Tevez, Bellamy etc etc). Kusanov is probably of that ilk but pep being Pep, will not start him. Unless we get some physicality and speed, we will be trailing again. Yesterday I clung to the mitigation that we had less 'pre season'. That will not last but let's hope we can get back on point. CTID

 

[chickaroon]

Yep, player awareness has often been his problem .... and not only in this match either!

The Spurs player clearly wanted to meet that cross MORE than he did.

Lewis is not quick enough to outrun Johnson. Nunes would have.

 

[invisibleandalone]

The fuck ups yesterday were no better or worse than the fuck ups we saw all of last season irrespective of who was in goals. When closed down Lewis, Nunes, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol, all floundered. Playing out from the back worked with better players. It doesnt work anymore. We need to change our style.

Don't get your point. Our squad was decimated last season and it was a miracle we finished 3rd. Lewis and Nunes are both midfielders and are playing at right back , a position where a player really needs to be sharp more than skilful. Stones hardly played a game, Dias had very little playing time and Gvardiol was voted player of the year.
If a teams total way of playing is altered by a keeper unable to play a system we've played for a decade, well, we're going to have problems.

 

[Corky]

When we started playing out from the back we all had palpitations - until we realised we had players (and keepers) who could do it and create space to go forward.

But how much of the mess now is down to the rule change in 2019 that meant the ball didn't need to leave the penalty area? That seemed it would suit City as it gave options - but in practice it's led to danger as mistakes are made within the penalty area. Under the old law we could have four defenders around the penalty area and most teams would not risk marking each one. Now we tend to just play it around the goal area and there isn't time to create the space to pass the ball safely through or over the pressing forwards.

It changed in 2018 and everyone started playing short then, before that it was more risky like when we got hammered at Leicester away with Stones and Bravo messing up.

 

[invisibleandalone]

TBH I think playing out from the back is past its sell by date. Teams have now sussed out how to overcome it as Spurs did yesterday. A goalkeeping punt/ pass up field can enable our midfield to pick up the second ball and move quickly forward. OK we may lose possession half the time but it gives the defence some respite.

How can punting the ball up the pitch give our defence some respite ?? If the opposition gain control of the ball and come straight back on the attack ?????

 

[fathellensbellend]

couldn't understand haaland dropping deep and trafford punting it miles beyond him, marmoush needs to play in and around haaland, we need a proper right back not a vanity project that doesn't work, zabba, walker, then Lewis seriously? Bobb needs to receive the ball on the edge of the box any further out and he is out run or out muscled, gonzales is a nothing player, when will he pass forward. Bernardo staying and Jack leaving makes no sense whatsoever, we have let another top player go for god knows why while keeping legs that have long gone. Cherki worries me already not convinced he is athletic enough amongst a team of slowness. I am at the point where i think we need change.

 

[bluegaz13]

Maybe lack of preseason told for us. Spurs looked physically in a better place, 7 games preseason including games against Arsenal, Bayern and a competitive super cup game against PSG had certainly put miles in their legs

Unfortunately I think at any time of the season Spurs will be ‘physically in a better place’……..we have always relied on our superior technique and ability.

Teams have caught us up and we need another dimension.

 

[mattyads]

Thank you. Someone who agrees with what I have been saying for a while. We do not have any tough/physical players (ala: Zabba, Kompany, Tevez, Bellamy etc etc). Kusanov is probably of that ilk but pep being Pep, will not start him. Unless we get some physicality and speed, we will be trailing again. Yesterday I clung to the mitigation that we had less 'pre season'. That will not last but let's hope we can get back on point. CTID

I'm with you!

I got pulled to bits on the Transfer forum for suggesting our signings might not be the right ones, as we need to change the balance of the squad in terms of physicality.

Semenya, Baleba types, maybe not as tidy technically, but a good mix of both.

What ive seen against wolves and Spurs just confirms what I feared.

 

[Mr. Shush]

How can punting the ball up the pitch give our defence some respite ?? If the opposition gain control of the ball and come straight back on the attack ?????

I think what he's saying is if we go long, we can press hard from there. Which I get. If we look at PSG at kickoff - they just dump the ball out of bounds and then press. But I think they have the personnel to do that. Pep will never do it tho. He hates not having the ball. We've seen it if we are down 1 or 2 goals with 10 minutes to play. Our style does not change. We won't take any chances with the ball, even if we're down. I will say that if we are truly interested in getting Donnarumma, then I think this signals some change with Pep.

For me, Ederson should have started yesterday. He should start against Brighton and definitely against the Rags. I think its also time for Nunes to start. With Ait Nouri out, perhaps we go with O'Reilly.

 

[Keepingthefaithsince1976]

I don't get how we look so good one week and bobbins the next.

 

[69FACUPfinal]

Thank you. Someone who agrees with what I have been saying for a while. We do not have any tough/physical players (ala: Zabba, Kompany, Tevez, Bellamy etc etc). Kusanov is probably of that ilk but pep being Pep, will not start him. Unless we get some physicality and speed, we will be trailing again. Yesterday I clung to the mitigation that we had less 'pre season'. That will not last but let's hope we can get back on point. CTID

I agree with you both.

 

[Roachy]

I thought yesterday encapsulated all of last season into 90 minutes. Great for 10 minutes, average for 30 minutes, awful for 40 minutes. We saw some individual moments, missed chances (Marmoush, Haaland), mistakes from our back 4, midfield constantly being played through. And finally, when Pep does make changes they are too late (Rodri, Foden).

We are no where near a title side - at the moment I’d honestly say Newcastle look more exciting and at least play decent football.

As a City fan, the last 10 years has been dreamland and it’s our turn now to re-build and get things right on the pitch. I for one would rather get to playing decent football and having 100% effort back again. If we won a trophy great, if we don’t then at least don’t roll over!

I’m not convinced what we’ve done since January is the hallmark of a top club. We’ve essentially signed quite a few players which most others clubs wouldn’t even consider. Marmoush was on €2m a year in Germany and if you go by what’s reported, we’ve given him £275k per week or £14.5m a year. An absolutely shambles if that is true.

The body language from some of the players yesterday was poor. Not a good look.

Our historical slick passing and pressing during the majority of Peps tenure caused so many problems for the opposition. It's still there but not in the abundance it once was. As a consequence we are now being bullied and harassed by other teams, and at times can't cope. Back peddling as soon as we cheaply lose possession is causing us some real issues.

 

[TurboDuo]

The guy is winning aerial duels, which is amazing to see from our current position.

If he came tomorrow he would be the best CB in Manchester, and I'm not kidding.

 

[hobbsisablue]

Out muscled. Out ran. They won every 50/50. They were faster, fitter and so much stronger. Lewis and Bobb looked out of place on that pitch. Boys amongst men. But then we had 3 players in the starting line up from the CL final.