Spurs vs City post match

[Marvin]

Thank you for allowing a Spurs fan on your site
Obviously I was euphoric about the win and how we controlled the game, which the majority of you have mentioned.
Whilst a few have mentioned, that you were missing DeBruyne, we were without Kane and Dembele ( a few others have mentioned your busy travel , Swansea, Celtic, Tottenham ( Approx 216, 222,190 miles) Spurs last 3 games Boro, Moscow and home ( 249 miles , 1799 miles), so it's hardly a worry in comparison .
I've only rewatched the highlights, as forgot to tape the whole game, but whilst at the game, I thought the officials were totally biased in your favour, how many times was Rose taken out, but none were shown on the highlights,so I can't elaborate on them. the biggest decision the Lino got wrong though was Son being flagged for offside, at best he was level with Stones when he received the ball, not when it was played , at worst he was still in his own half when Alli released the ball, anyway thankfully it didn't matter
Over the recent years, we've been subject to some shocking results against City, often in part to shocking referring decisions, Balotellis stamp, and twice we got early reds and penalties against us, and both reds were rescinded, so it was nice to get a win, without any major decisions affecting the result .
Anyway it's going to be a good exciting season, and I reckon we've got the strongest squad in years, so we've got a chance

No arguments about the result. You deserved to win.

Th preparation wasn't comparable though. We'd just been to Celtic and Guardiola said that the players were so tired they couldn't speak in the dressing room afterwards. That was a seriously intense game, far more demanding than the stroll you had in Moscow.

Kane is an important player but I don't think you missed him. We missed KDB, Nolito and Kompany.

I rate Spurs. I did before the game, but I think City are better, and this game doesn't alter that view.

 

[vmsuhail]

Zaba: "It's a wake-up call for who we are and where we are, when you play well and win all the games, people talk too much."
Zaba: "We got what we deserved. They were the better team and we have to recognise that. We tried our best but they were the better team."
Zaba: "We are human and cannot play well every game. There are always teams that can play better than you and that happened."

Tired of hearing this 'they were the better team' excuse. Just don't feel any better hearing that Tottenham of all teams is better than ours.

 

[Marvin]

I understand why Pep chose to play both Ferns, Zabs & Kolorov away against a younger quicker Spurs side, but the same failings we had last season were cruelly exposed on Sunday.

The big question is if Pep were allowed to play this game again would he select the same team? I for one don't think he would. I didn't disagree with Pep's starting line up because we've been brilliant this season in the main irrespective of which team he's selected, but if this were Pellegrini last season he would have been roasted as being utterly clueless.

However this is Pep's first defeat as our manager and I always think you learn more from a defeat than you do with a victory & as opposed to Pellegrini, Pep looks like a man who will learn from his defeats and do something about it. Most of us were surprised to see both Kolarov & Zabs still here after the transfer window closed & expected two younger full back to be drafted in to challenge/replace Clichy & Sagna which didn't happen. I think if anything, Sunday will have shown the limitations of Zabs & Kolarov and that in future we should try to utilise our skill & rely less on brute force just as Pep did at Barca.

Sunday hopefully provided many of the answers and was the lesson we all needed to learn. In Pep I trust.......

I expected Clichy and Sagna to start. I'm not sure they are that much better though. A weak point in the squad.

 

[Marvin]

Tired of hearing this 'they were the better team' excuse. Just don't feel any better hearing that Tottenham of all teams is better than ours.

On the day. The majority of city fans expected a very tough game at Spurs because of the way it fell after Celtic away, and we were without KDB, and Nolito.

 

[bronco]

No arguments about the result. You deserved to win.

Th preparation wasn't comparable though. We'd just been to Celtic and Guardiola said that the players were so tired they couldn't speak in the dressing room afterwards. That was a seriously intense game, far more demanding than the stroll you had in Moscow.

Kane is an important player but I don't think you missed him. We missed KDB, Nolito and Kompany.

I rate Spurs. I did before the game, but I think City are better, and this game doesn't alter that view.

From where I was sat it looked like rose clogged sterling all game !! Different strokes and all that I suppose? Can't quibble about the result at all , long way to go of course but Tottenham definitely a title contender again.

 

[franksinatra]

It was always going to be a very tough game at Spurs but I do not think it was not helped at all by the team selection.

Sterling who has played well this year on the right was shunted onto the left and by playing Navas and Fernando we we did not have enough 'footballers' in our side to counter the Spurs press.

It quite simply resulted in us being unable to retain the ball when we won posession back as there were few options for the defenders to pass to or the likes of Silva/Aguero to play off and build the play with.

This really surprised me as Pep is known for valuing the 'footballer' over any other and it seemed the introduction of Navas was to negate the threat of Rose and playing Fernando went against this principle also.

There is a template to play against us now. United did it second half, Swansea, Celtic and Spurs have all pressed us high up the field since. Against Spurs we did not have the right personnel to play the style Pep wants. Playing Gundogan deeper, alongside Fernandiniho, instead of Fernando would have helped as too often the ball was turned over or defenders forced to hurry clearances.

Gundogan would have been able to collect the ball deep and negate the Spurs press by finding passes through the lines to the likes of Silva/Aguero to attack the Spurs back 5/6.

With Fernando he neither had the ability or the skill to find the pass and often is square passes resulted in us being put immediately back under pressure by Spurs.

 

[Lovebitesandeveryfing]

Thank you for allowing a Spurs fan on your site
Obviously I was euphoric about the win and how we controlled the game, which the majority of you have mentioned.
Whilst a few have mentioned, that you were missing DeBruyne, we were without Kane and Dembele ( a few others have mentioned your busy travel , Swansea, Celtic, Tottenham ( Approx 216, 222,190 miles) Spurs last 3 games Boro, Moscow and home ( 249 miles , 1799 miles), so it's hardly a worry in comparison .
I've only rewatched the highlights, as forgot to tape the whole game, but whilst at the game, I thought the officials were totally biased in your favour, how many times was Rose taken out, but none were shown on the highlights,so I can't elaborate on them. the biggest decision the Lino got wrong though was Son being flagged for offside, at best he was level with Stones when he received the ball, not when it was played , at worst he was still in his own half when Alli released the ball, anyway thankfully it didn't matter
Over the recent years, we've been subject to some shocking results against City, often in part to shocking referring decisions, Balotellis stamp, and twice we got early reds and penalties against us, and both reds were rescinded, so it was nice to get a win, without any major decisions affecting the result .
Anyway it's going to be a good exciting season, and I reckon we've got the strongest squad in years, so we've got a chance

The comments about the refereeing are downright odd (if not a wind-up). Blue specs ripped off my face (usually superglued) I honestly don't think the refereeing was overtly favourable to either side – for once. As for refereeing in the past, well, depends how far back you want to go. Yes, if the ref had seen it, Balotelli would, and should have been off. Last year, the ref “saw” a penalty given against Raheem Sterling which was literally impossible to award. So we're getting into archive history here.
You were clearly the better team – on the day. Long, long way to go. Let's just settle for that.

 

[sktooblue]

I think we have started to look leggy. I also think that the squad fitness deteriorated under MP and it will take time to get us fit enough to maintain the energy levels that Pep insists on for a full 90 minutes. Of the other premier teams that will operate a high intensity pressing game, both Liverpool and Spurs have more time to adopt and adapt. Again, with the benefit of time, both those teams are more comfortable with that playing style. We are OK but when players are put under the sort of pressure we endured on Sunday, it is very easy to revert to old habits and the whole system falls down.
We will be fine but it will take time.

PS Any spurs fan mentioning refereeing decisions is on a wind up!! Last season Twattenburg was their MOTM in both fixures.

 

[Peggy's a blue]

Thank you for allowing a Spurs fan on your site
Obviously I was euphoric about the win and how we controlled the game, which the majority of you have mentioned.
Whilst a few have mentioned, that you were missing DeBruyne, we were without Kane and Dembele ( a few others have mentioned your busy travel , Swansea, Celtic, Tottenham ( Approx 216, 222,190 miles) Spurs last 3 games Boro, Moscow and home ( 249 miles , 1799 miles), so it's hardly a worry in comparison .
I've only rewatched the highlights, as forgot to tape the whole game, but whilst at the game, I thought the officials were totally biased in your favour, how many times was Rose taken out, but none were shown on the highlights,so I can't elaborate on them. the biggest decision the Lino got wrong though was Son being flagged for offside, at best he was level with Stones when he received the ball, not when it was played , at worst he was still in his own half when Alli released the ball, anyway thankfully it didn't matter
Over the recent years, we've been subject to some shocking results against City, often in part to shocking referring decisions, Balotellis stamp, and twice we got early reds and penalties against us, and both reds were rescinded, so it was nice to get a win, without any major decisions affecting the result .
Anyway it's going to be a good exciting season, and I reckon we've got the strongest squad in years, so we've got a chance

You see this, and you wonder why these spuds are called deluded! They win a game, aided by an horrendous own goal, a weakened tired team and they think they are Barca. I remember these losers on BBC 606 wumming us after the top four thing.
They have not won title since 1961 who do they think they are? You won't have to wait long for them to implode, when Arsenal hand out their annual lesson to them they will go back into their hovels.
They usually sell their best to the rags, and Poch will be at Madrid next year, so see you spuds, hope you manage to qualify for Europa after all you will be more at home on Thursday nights ;-)

 

[Rolee]

Thank you for allowing a Spurs fan on your site
Obviously I was euphoric about the win and how we controlled the game, which the majority of you have mentioned.
Whilst a few have mentioned, that you were missing DeBruyne, we were without Kane and Dembele ( a few others have mentioned your busy travel , Swansea, Celtic, Tottenham ( Approx 216, 222,190 miles) Spurs last 3 games Boro, Moscow and home ( 249 miles , 1799 miles), so it's hardly a worry in comparison .
I've only rewatched the highlights, as forgot to tape the whole game, but whilst at the game, I thought the officials were totally biased in your favour, how many times was Rose taken out, but none were shown on the highlights,so I can't elaborate on them. the biggest decision the Lino got wrong though was Son being flagged for offside, at best he was level with Stones when he received the ball, not when it was played , at worst he was still in his own half when Alli released the ball, anyway thankfully it didn't matter
Over the recent years, we've been subject to some shocking results against City, often in part to shocking referring decisions, Balotellis stamp, and twice we got early reds and penalties against us, and both reds were rescinded, so it was nice to get a win, without any major decisions affecting the result .
Anyway it's going to be a good exciting season, and I reckon we've got the strongest squad in years, so we've got a chance

I remember the Rose red for going to ground from behind which was the correct call as that type of tackle is outlawed now as its reckless regardless of whether you get the ball or not. Shocked when that one was rescinded.

What was the other red?

As for the ref on Sunday, he's not fit for purpose, didn't overly favour one side or the other, he's just made numerous poor calls as is the norm with him.

 

[levets]

De Bruyne was a big miss - in the 2H when we controlled things, you have to think he could have found a killer pass and unlocked the defence. Plus we had several wasted set-pieces where he would have been invaluable.

6 wins, 1 loss is very good, but my worry is with the exception of the Scum, we have beaten teams at the bottom of the table. While logic and my eyes dictate otherwise, the actual results are not that dissimilar to last year as of yet. In fact, had Lamela put away the pen, we would have lost by 3 goals at WHL again - and this year was arguably worse as there were no dubious goals.

I keep reading we've only played bottom of table teams...
However, 10 points better than last season against these same teams.
Improvement.

 

[citymad]

I expected Clichy and Sagna to start. I'm not sure they are that much better though. A weak point in the squad.

Apart from a few periods of improved performances thats been our weak part of the squad for years. About time we had a technically gifted ,quick and well conditioned left back. The difference in quality between our and Tottenhams defence is pretty clear and not improving it will probably cost us this season.

 

[lasereyes]

I keep reading we've only played bottom of table teams...
However, 10 points better than last season against these same teams.
Improvement.

Time will tell, but 3 of those 4 teams are much worse than last year. That's the flaw with the "last season" comparison argument. As I mentioned earlier, Everton will be a good test as they are much better than last year when we turned them over fairly easily.

 

[YaYa's Left Peg]

Time will tell, but 3 of those 4 teams are much worse than last year. That's the flaw with the "last season" comparison argument. As I mentioned earlier, Everton will be a good test as they are much better than last year when we turned them over fairly easily.

We drew 0-0.

 

[Father Paul]

Time will tell, but 3 of those 4 teams are much worse than last year. That's the flaw with the "last season" comparison argument. As I mentioned earlier, Everton will be a good test as they are much better than last year when we turned them over fairly easily.

But I seem to recall that we failed to turn them over in the league at home last year and scraped through in the LC when Kev got injured. Everton and Southampton are now must win games and mainly because we badly need a confidence boost. If we can replicate the home form of the Mancini League win we should come out on top. I think 83/84 points will win it this season.

 

[Aytoun]

In reply to another thread I re watched the entire game yesterday.

There were several things wrong from our point of view e.g. missing players, team selection, poor individual performances & the fourth long distance away match in 2 weeks.

However despite the media this was nowhere near a stroll for the " best team in the league - Spurs " They got a pathetic OG from one of our worst players that definitely altered the dynamic. They were also gifted another sloppy goal. But for all that we competed well enough for the entire 90 minutes.

The standout factors from the superteam was their dirty, rough & old fashioned tactics. Rose was appalling & should have gone. They committed 20 fouls to our 10 & got away with many more, but it was the nasty niggling slow down nature of these tactics stopping City in mid flow as the Italians used to do. Then the not retreating 10 metres after a foul - again slowing it down. Then the keeping hold of the ball at our throw in etc. etc.

This reminded me of Cardiff City a couple of years ago slowing everything down to get even some sort of result.

Not sour grapes, just another view & perhaps we were not quite as bad as the media make out.

 

[Gorton_Tubster]

In reply to another thread I re watched the entire game yesterday.

There were several things wrong from our point of view e.g. missing players, team selection, poor individual performances & the fourth long distance away match in 2 weeks.

However despite the media this was nowhere near a stroll for the " best team in the league - Spurs " They got a pathetic OG from one of our worst players that definitely altered the dynamic. They were also gifted another sloppy goal. But for all that we competed well enough for the entire 90 minutes.

The standout factors from the superteam was their dirty, rough & old fashioned tactics. Rose was appalling & should have gone. They committed 20 fouls to our 10 & got away with many more, but it was the nasty niggling slow down nature of these tactics stopping City in mid flow as the Italians used to do. Then the not retreating 10 metres after a foul - again slowing it down. Then the keeping hold of the ball at our throw in etc. etc.

This reminded me of Cardiff City a couple of years ago slowing everything down to get even some sort of result.

Not sour grapes, just another view & perhaps we were not quite as bad as the media make out.

Interesting to watch these things again after the event. Did you watch it all?

As for their spoiling tactics, that is something we got to do better. I have noticed Pep introducing that to a degree but we obviously got to learn from the proffessionaals.

I agree with your reviiew of the game though, but for Kolarov putting the wn goal in and setting up us up on the wrong foot we played well enough to get a draw. Stats say the same too I believe. All in all, we werent that bad, same as Celtic game.

 

[mancityscot]

Anyone else still pissed off at how cheaply we surrendered that game? I was honestly shocked at how easy Spurs had it

 

[Terra Passenger]

Anyone else still pissed off at how cheaply we surrendered that game? I was honestly shocked at how easy Spurs had it

I was - but wait for the return fixture - we won't have a passenger playing the pivot role. We're going to punish Spur's high press at the Etihad.

 

[lasereyes]

We drew 0-0.

Yes sorry, I meant the early season game at Goodison where we won 2-0. The home game was the famous 93rd minute assault on Sterling with Roger East's "courageous decision". We didn't win, but battered them and they were very poor.