Tonights game

[Sigh]

Boyata is a bad, bad fullback.

 

[taconinja]

One of the commentators called us a "franchise" like we're sodding McDonald's or something.

*weeps*

Anyway, they've got some big damn moles over there. At times I could only see the top of Sweep's head.

It's just a term. ;)

I know it, but it just grinds my gears. Juventus v Chivas at Carter Finley end of July mate btw.

I know. I keep pondering the tickets, but they seem a bit expensive for decent seats. :-/

And yes, Boyata looked lost at times.

 

[teddykgb]

Boyata really not up to the level of play, especially at Full Back. Really seems to struggle out wide. Dzeko's miss was bad, but his link up/hold up play remains excellent and he was flashing some creativity as well, which suggests that he's getting comfortable. Even Carlos missed a few sitters last year. I really struggle with Balotelli, he wears our shirt and I want him to come good, but he's just so damn hard to root for. Also had no touch whatsoever last night, but that's not likely to be chronic with him.

Midfield was incredibly passive in 1st half, Weiss was everywhere although he struggles to turn those posession changing runs into productivity, but that's not entirely different from us last season where we just fail to support the striker + winger and they run down field 2 on 7. Last season it was just Tevez and Johnson or Yaya and Dzeko and the results were sometimes there. Much better in the 2nd half (Milner and Barry were actually fantastic) in this regard, sort of shows the only drawback to Nigel's game, it puts a lot of pressure on his other central midfielders to always be able to get forward whenever an attack develops, whereas with Barry + Milner we had more flexibility for them to interchange. Not a hate situation for NDJ, just more of an observation on how his inclusion affects the overall dynamic of the formation.

Guidetti was much better at hold up/link up than he was on the weekend, so that was nice to see. SWP and Weiss were both dynamic and both are challenging AJ for regular play, imo. I could really see Weiss sticking around to play a Silva like role in some of the less important games, he's got that roaming style down pat, even if he doesn't quite have all of the rest of the package that makes Silva so sublime.

Clichy really stands out. Kolarov is so left footed and incapable with the ball at his feet, then you watch Clichy and it's such a dramatic upgrade. I love Kolarov and he seemed genuinely pleased to have won some silverware with us last season, then didn't moan and cry when we bought another LB, but I think he's seeing scrap minutes pretty quickly, which seems crazy given how hyped he was just a season ago. Clichy is just silky smooth, fast, can use both feet, and seems to be much better at making passes that accomplish something. I almost lost my mind in the middle 2nd half when Clichy opted to reverse field to his RB (and had the pass placed perfectly) rather than pass it back to Taylor, which is what everyone one of our other defenders would have done. I truly think he's going to give us a lot more ball movement and open up the field a bit for everyone as he plays more and more.

Final comment from me has to be on Milner, he was tremendous in the center yesterday, about as good as he's ever played there. Displayed a lot more touch and vision and seemed very comfortable, which makes sense as his natural position. Distribution was strong and he partnered well with Barry. I liked the overall 2 striker formation and think we're probably going to see more variety with this type of formation from Mancini this year, although i'm sure we'll see the NDJ + Yaya + Barry midfield 3 in most of the important matches.

 

[mancincali]

Silent "i"...pretty sure the announcer is an idiot, pronounced Kolarov's name wrong as well. On another note, I wouldn't take too much from this game with regards to individual performances...the pitch conditions made touch passing and quick movement irrelevant. I remember on several occations Balotelli tried to get up to speed with the ball and it would hit a divot, then his shin, then straight to the other team.

The american commentators - as always - were clueless numpties. With all do respect to my fellow country men they typified the american no nothing about over seas sports attitude. SO damn annoying. I remember hearing one drum on about having "a little cash" doesn't bring you very far. SHUT THE **** UP, it aint a 'little cash' were backed by the richest owners thick one! damnit I hate commentating like that. ESPN, next time, just do what fan view does and give me the mik. if that were the case, everytime de jong had retrieved the ball you'd just hear me go mental.

 

[taconinja]

Boyata really not up to the level of play, especially at Full Back. Really seems to struggle out wide. Dzeko's miss was bad, but his link up/hold up play remains excellent and he was flashing some creativity as well, which suggests that he's getting comfortable. Even Carlos missed a few sitters last year. I really struggle with Balotelli, he wears our shirt and I want him to come good, but he's just so damn hard to root for. Also had no touch whatsoever last night, but that's not likely to be chronic with him.

Midfield was incredibly passive in 1st half, Weiss was everywhere although he struggles to turn those posession changing runs into productivity, but that's not entirely different from us last season where we just fail to support the striker + winger and they run down field 2 on 7. Last season it was just Tevez and Johnson or Yaya and Dzeko and the results were sometimes there. Much better in the 2nd half (Milner and Barry were actually fantastic) in this regard, sort of shows the only drawback to Nigel's game, it puts a lot of pressure on his other central midfielders to always be able to get forward whenever an attack develops, whereas with Barry + Milner we had more flexibility for them to interchange. Not a hate situation for NDJ, just more of an observation on how his inclusion affects the overall dynamic of the formation.

Guidetti was much better at hold up/link up than he was on the weekend, so that was nice to see. SWP and Weiss were both dynamic and both are challenging AJ for regular play, imo. I could really see Weiss sticking around to play a Silva like role in some of the less important games, he's got that roaming style down pat, even if he doesn't quite have all of the rest of the package that makes Silva so sublime.

Clichy really stands out. Kolarov is so left footed and incapable with the ball at his feet, then you watch Clichy and it's such a dramatic upgrade. I love Kolarov and he seemed genuinely pleased to have won some silverware with us last season, then didn't moan and cry when we bought another LB, but I think he's seeing scrap minutes pretty quickly, which seems crazy given how hyped he was just a season ago. Clichy is just silky smooth, fast, can use both feet, and seems to be much better at making passes that accomplish something. I almost lost my mind in the middle 2nd half when Clichy opted to reverse field to his RB (and had the pass placed perfectly) rather than pass it back to Taylor, which is what everyone one of our other defenders would have done. I truly think he's going to give us a lot more ball movement and open up the field a bit for everyone as he plays more and more.

Final comment from me has to be on Milner, he was tremendous in the center yesterday, about as good as he's ever played there. Displayed a lot more touch and vision and seemed very comfortable, which makes sense as his natural position. Distribution was strong and he partnered well with Barry. I liked the overall 2 striker formation and think we're probably going to see more variety with this type of formation from Mancini this year, although i'm sure we'll see the NDJ + Yaya + Barry midfield 3 in most of the important matches.

I mostly agree with the exception of Balotelli's touch. I think the pitch had a lot to do with that as he had several brilliant touches to go along with the bad. He is erratic, though.

 

[BlumerMooner]

anyone get any news on YaYa - being told he picked up a knock?

 

[Cooper_mcfc]

I've just watched the highlights from last nights game, was dzeko's miss as bad as it looks?
Great goal by shauny I hope he can get a chance at the start of the season.

 

[SamTheGuru]

I've just watched the highlights from last nights game, was dzeko's miss as bad as it looks?
Great goal by shauny I hope he can get a chance at the start of the season.

Dzeko's miss was on par with Tevez's early last season.

 

[Cooper_mcfc]

I've just watched the highlights from last nights game, was dzeko's miss as bad as it looks?
Great goal by shauny I hope he can get a chance at the start of the season.

Dzeko's miss was on par with Tevez's early last season.

Really that bad?? He better get them out of his system for the new season because if he carrys on people really will get on his back.

 

[Rushton121]

Boyata is a bad, bad defender.