This Stoke defeat?

[lancs blue]

It's not so much the defeat that concerns me, it's that we've looked sluggish in the opening three games - even against the dippers we never really hit top gear. While it's good to get two wins while not playing especially well there are three tough games coming straight after the international break where we will need to be at our best.

Very short pre season for the WC players combined with a bad day at the office and some awful luck and cheatingofficiating from Mason.
We'll improve.

Oh yes the WC had its effect, not doubting that but I'd like to have seen a more fluent performance against Stoke ahead of those three high profile matches.

 

[tonea2003]

Seems to have hit blues harder than it should?

Obviously, nobody saw it coming, we are masters of the universe at home.

Can't help feeling it's the frustration of defeat which has since got plenty looking at everything in a negative light, following the sale of Negredo and United signing Falcao?

I'm still pissed about the performance and result on Saturday, especially with Chelsea winning at Everton, and games to come against direct title rivals.

The international break hasn't afforded us an instant pick-me-up.

In a wider sense, though, have we set the bar so high that anything negative is now seen as crisis or failure? Feast or famine?

If we had lost to Liverpool at home, instead of Stoke, would the perspective of some be any different?

We didnt exactly give them a footballing lesson last season either.

but we found a way, as generally we do.
no reason to think that will change

 

[aguero93:20]

It's not so much the defeat that concerns me, it's that we've looked sluggish in the opening three games - even against the dippers we never really hit top gear. While it's good to get two wins while not playing especially well there are three tough games coming straight after the international break where we will need to be at our best.

Very short pre season for the WC players combined with a bad day at the office and some awful luck and cheatingofficiating from Mason.
We'll improve.

Oh yes the WC had its effect, not doubting that but I'd like to have seen a more fluent performance against Stoke ahead of those three high profile matches.

Mate, we'll start at 4 times the tempo against Arse, Chelsea and den deutschen Rags, purely through the adrenaline of a big game and Chelsea at least will face a fully up to speed and fluent City team after those two matches. Whether it's good enough on the 3 match days? Time will tell.

 

[Rolee]

Perhaps a subconscious sense of foreboding that complacency will be our greatest rival this season? I dunno, just throwing it out there.

 

[nixmith2]

Being a City fan for 40 years, nothing surprises me, but the Stoke result and other things this last week have all combined into a 'perfect storm' of negativity. One that was not mentioned above: Diego Costa - about a week ago there was a rumour that he had a hamstring injury and would be out for 5-6 weeks - but it turned out to be nonsense!

The big problem for me is simple: Chelsea. I was worried about them last year, but then they let Lukaku go on loan and I always thought they may be light up-front. That turned out to be the case. But they have moved Torres on, got Costa and Remy plus if Costa stays fit, well I fear they could go on a massive run of wins.

To make sure it is at least a 2-horse race, we cannot afford any more 'blips', like at the weekend v Stoke.

 

[George Hannah]

it was grim

 

[Gabriel]

Last year, save for a couple of performances, 'them' and Norwich at home, we were rather sluggish until we dismantled Spurs in late November. After that we were too powerful for most.

Still expect a couple of 'upsets' in that week in September before the pistons start firing in October.

 

[fbloke]

Seems to have hit blues harder than it should?

Obviously, nobody saw it coming, we are masters of the universe at home.

Can't help feeling it's the frustration of defeat which has since got plenty looking at everything in a negative light, following the sale of Negredo and United signing Falcao?

I'm still pissed about the performance and result on Saturday, especially with Chelsea winning at Everton, and games to come against direct title rivals.

The international break hasn't afforded us an instant pick-me-up.

In a wider sense, though, have we set the bar so high that anything negative is now seen as crisis or failure? Feast or famine?

If we had lost to Liverpool at home, instead of Stoke, would the perspective of some be any different?

We didnt exactly give them a footballing lesson last season either.

but we found a way, as generally we do.
no reason to think that will change

I games such as those against Stoke there are fine margins that dictate the result (unlike games against united TH ;-) ).

Whereas last season we just scraped a win this season we hit the woodwork etc. But what I was alluding to was the fact that of all the games to expect a win perhaps Stoke wasnt the one?

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

The thing that bothered me more than the defeat, was the realisation that I will be watching an exact same defensive format in at least 12 of the next 17 home games, if not more.

It's dull as fuck to watch. Victims of our own success. This was creeping in more and more at the end of last season and it's now always a case of having to score first else it's a long day ahead.

Sadly, this is 100 per cent bang on.

It's why I went from thinking Barca were amazing to watch on the box to complete tedium.

Chelsea even showed it last season against us at home. Do your jobs, we've got the ability to take our chance if it comes along.

For me, if City score first, the entire team and crowd settles into it.

My opening post was more in relation to how this defeat has seemingly got some having a downer on more than just the current status of the team.

 

[ell]

Think the international break makes it ten times worse, its wednesday now we should be turning our attention to a game at the weekend