Spurs (H) - Sat 23rd Nov, 17:30 | PL | Pre-Match Thread

[supercity88]

A few weeks back I was looking at our fixtures and thinking, we can and should win all of the games before what will be an inevitable draw/defeat to Spurs where they carve our high line apart and put in a defensive performance they don't show again all season. Then a draw/defeat at Anfield because that's just what happens.

Now we simply have to beat Spurs. Hopefully the two week break has allowed everyone to reset. Pep is staying, everyone has certainty and we can go and fight and win. That will steady the ship and then a draw at Anfield wouldn't be a bad result.

We need to start picking up form and consistency so we're ready to attack the Christmas/NY period where games come thick and fast.

 

[Norman kneejerk]

Looking at the weather forecast it's not looking pretty, Really strong winds and heavy showers predicted, Possibly some snow/sleet too.

Storm Bert is approaching, a good omen!

 

[TinFoilHat]

Storm Bert has to be a sign that City spank spurs and Ipshit beat the scum.

:)

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

You’ve not accounted for Storm Bert!

 

[Dave Ewing's Back 'eader]

Haringey can blow hot 'n cold. Let's hope it's the coldest day of the year for 'em. Time to put the wheels back on and stop the rot! Oh, and the Dippers get turned over!

 

[Jonas.shaffer]

Doesn’t really take into account that when we approach the opposition penalty area, all eleven of their players are inside it.

And what about the other axis, which shows that we currently have the lowest box protection rate when the opposition gets into our box?

I don't see how that Chicago guy can say it means 'nothing.' Of course, it means something that matches what our eyes have told us this season, bar maybe the opener versus Chelsea; teams have been cutting through our press and midfield like it's 2017/18 again and, to a lesser extent, 18/19.

 

[Father Paul]

classic.

Might suit us if game is called off?

 

[Mike S]

Might suit us if game is called off?

It won't be. A drop of rain with a breeze is nothing new for Manchester

 

[bluedave1894]

It won't be. A drop of rain with a breeze is nothing new for Manchester

Well looking at that it's mild, bit of light rain & a breeze. Horrendous according to the BBC!

 

[ChicagoBlue]

And what about the other axis, which shows that we currently have the lowest box protection rate when the opposition gets into our box?

I don't see how that Chicago guy can say it means 'nothing.' Of course, it means something that matches what our eyes have told us this season, bar maybe the opener versus Chelsea; teams have been cutting through our press and midfield like it's 2017/18 again and, to a lesser extent, 18/19.

“That Chicago guy” is telling you it means nothing because it is a meaningless graph that ignores what football is…risk balanced by skill.

Everyone and their brother knows:

City dominate possession in most games
City’ most defensive outfield player is often on the opposition 25 yard line, maybe 30
City usually dominate “touches in the box” while not often converting those touches into actual goals
City risk the counter often by only using the two CBs to stop them

AND, everybody knows this generally works for this squad because:

City have won the League for the last 4 seasons playing EXACTLY that way, and haven’t finished out of the Top 2 since Pep’s second season.

However, your “graph” seems to indicate that City are somehow “worse” than that.

Now, sling your Anti-City hook somewhere else or would you like some REAL STATISTICS about how much better City have been better than ANY other club in British history over the last decade or so, breaking record after record after record along the way?