Stoke post match thread

[chaddblue]

Navas is just shite.

When Pep looks back on his managerial career he's going to be scratching his head wondering how Navas ever got a start in one of his teams

He is appalling isn't he. Has he got 1 redeeming aspect to his game cos I can't think of one

 

[Nelinho]

I new in the first 10 mins we wouldn't score,everyone looks tired
Still 3rd

I knew before ref's 1st whistle what we all should know: that it would be tough as we would lack sharpness. Which is normal and well expected, Karen, we play every 3 days. All decisions were justified, and if Guardiola trusted in Nolito, for example, he would have rotated much more, Leroy would not have started either...

By the way, I am happy to meet people that apparently do not fully understand the concept of physical fatigue and its consequences. They obviously live comfortable lives therefore lack the necessary experience, so it's not their fault. I truly envy them. Had they not been that fortunate, they would probably know that when you feel tired, you don't think straight, your decision making / actions are bound to be slow or wrong...

I have not one single complaint from the team tonight. They have all worked extremely hard throughout the season, and they again did everything they could. In Sunderland, against a team fighting for their lives, we ran more than them. Had we scored the crucial 3rd goal there, Guardiola would have felt more secure to sub some players earlier (who would seem fitter tonight). It didn't happen, football is an extremely complicated game. We did keep a clean sheet again (of course Stoke being pretty predictable in their counter attacking game helped), and we created enough to score the winning goal (because it was a one goal match). Had Sergio, David, Kelechi or Leroy scored in their chances, future would look bright and all would feel happy right now...

All? Well not exactly. Nice night tonight for haters. Especially for all those people who deserved to be in Guardiola's position and make the correct decisions -but we all know life is a woman, isn't it? City have a pretty busy schedule, so they will have their next opportunity soon, in like 2,5 days. I'm sure we'll meet again on Saturday. Till then, as a great man used to say, good night and good luck...

 

[tommo74]

we aren't as good as barca or bayern, but most teams aren't. we are good enough to win it though

How does that work? If we aren't as good as bayern or barca? We would have to play 1 of them to win it

 

[Bluep*ss]

There were 4 mins added on time. During that 4 mins that rag **** Bardsley blatantly wasted at least 30 secs and the ref pointed at his watch to say he'd stopped the clock... then blew for time before 4 mins was up

First half injury time was a joke - 1 min.This after Diouff was sat down 3 mins. being treated.

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

Two things.

Starting lineup had no creativity. KDB is mining a rich vein of shite at the moment. Whatever it is, he's not right.

We also missed Raheem badly. I didn't think Navas played that badly, but he's too one dimensional. Raheem will burst into the box, pulling defenders with him, and making room and chances for Serge. Navas doesn't do that.

Stoke came to spoil, were very good at it, and for 70 minutes we weren't at the races.

sane, aguero de bruyne and yaya there was plenty of creativity tonight.

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

How does that work? If we aren't as good as bayern or barca? We would have to play 1 of them to win it

chelsea won it and they weren't the best team. player for player we aren't as good, but in a one off game we can beat them

 

[CTID1988]

I'm pissed off i missed the Barca game for that shit.

 

[Bill]

Hypothetical bullshit, we have a fixture congestion that requires rotation.

Silva, KDB or Sane put away their chances and you don't whine about rotating tonight. Meanwhile, Pep plays a full strength squad and rotates at Boro and we slip up in the FA Cup and you'll be on here posting the same tired dross.

You're one of the "we've gone backwards under Pep" brigade from day one and have had to bide your fucking time during the good performances lately waiting for a 0-0 draw to get back at it. Well done!

Let's meet educate you.

Firstly you have no fucking clue on how I view our progress. I called the team selection the moment it was announced. I did thar because I know how football works. As for the cup we stand zero chance of winning that because pep the genius has hoofed England's number one and replaced him with a ballet dancer that can't catch.
Stuck around,you'll get the hang of this football lark in the end.

 

[Proy]

he did alright when he was with us, a top ten finish and good european run. he bought players like kompany and zaba to us swell. last week the attacked at spurs this week they didn't, its just their game plan and it worked tonight. last week they got battered so they changed it up. even if he does have a grudge so what ?

Could spot a player, but woefully inept when it came to using them effectively.

It was his shot at a big club. He wasn't the chosen man, but a better record beforehand with a decent squad and he may well have been afforded some time.

Anyway, that's by the by. He's made Stoke into much more of a footballing unit. They don't generally shut up shop, haven't for a while.

Tonight he came for a point. I'm not saying hand it to us, but it's just such a classic British way of management. It's shit, and it's why he didn't get more time in a big gig and hasn't been given that opportunity since.

 

[oakiecokie]

A truly shocking performance and for all those people pre-game who slagged of Navas, you should look no further than KDB,Yaya or Sane who were so much worse than him.
I accept it was one of those nights when we could have played till mid night and still not scored but hell we were shit virtually all over the pitch.
My MOTM without a doubt was Oti who was superb in his defensive duties.He fucked up at times with his forward passes but his wonderful arial wins was nothing short of superb.