totally underwhelmed

[Marvin]

regardless of the influx of new players, bonding etc, i cannot help but feel mancini again yesterday served up more of his anti football and without the brilliance of joe hart his negativity would once again have been exposed.

to my mind thats 7 games out of 8 against top sides under mancini tenure where we have barely mustered a shot. everton home and away last season, liverpool at home, arsenal away, utd at home. and now spurs at home and away. (the exception chelsea away)

in a sport that is results driven, it's just such a turn off, you work all week, spend a small fortune on tickets and travel and the manager cannot even be arsed to commit any players forward.

i suppose in the context of the league a 0-0 at spurs is a bloody good result, but the method and the style just doesn't appeal to me one bit.

i expect to get shot down in flames, but it's a forum and it's my view, and i want to see city trying to win games, not stifle the life out of them, and that has become a regular trend under mancini against the top sides.

Was it all one way traffic? Sounded that way in the 1st half, but in the 2nd we edged it?

Think you expected too much. Kolarov twisted his ankle in the 1st half, and Silva and tevez only managed 35 mins football in the last pre-season game. The team that finished was quite similar to the team we had last season, but they fought a lot harder. Moomba summed it up well. Good result, but 3 months in we'd be expecting a better performance

Remember too that Spurs are a very good team at home. As good as we will face. And they have a Champions League game coming up and have the same team.

I expected a thrashing so I'm quite happy now. I think your expectation of what was possible and how you rate Spurs determines how you feel about yesterday<br /><br />-- Sun Aug 15, 2010 11:45 am --<br /><br />

I'm not a massive fan of negative football, but if that's what it takes then fair do's and yesterday it was obvious the Arry wouldn't let us settle and would choose to hit us at a hundred mile per hour, so Bobby got it right yesterday.

Although watching Chelsea on telly I noticed that they tend to get at least three players in the box for each attack and I did find myself wishing that Bobby would take one or two chains off our forwards and midfielders and give the oppositions defenders something to worry about.

Chelsea got badly beaten up at WHL last season

And I remember our horror show there last season when we went there with an attacking line-up and got thrashed

Have you seen the media reaction to our draw? Imagine what it would have been had we lost. Getting a good start was vital.

 

[samharris]

Was chatting with a Spud last night, when I made the point that we improved after the break, he countered with 'its not hard to go from totally outclassed to slightly above average'.

Fair enough, but with tons and fooking tons of room for improvement, we still walked away from a huge bogey team with a very valuable away point, and (personally) a lot more confidence in the back line. We get the defending right (which has been our achilles heel for far too long) and the goals, the wins will follow.

Quit your bitching.

;)

Totally outclassed ?? For a fan of a club to say that yet not score is laughable..

 

[Joycee Banercheck]

regardless of the influx of new players, bonding etc, i cannot help but feel mancini again yesterday served up more of his anti football and without the brilliance of joe hart his negativity would once again have been exposed.

to my mind thats 7 games out of 8 against top sides under mancini tenure where we have barely mustered a shot. everton home and away last season, liverpool at home, arsenal away, utd at home. and now spurs at home and away. (the exception chelsea away)

in a sport that is results driven, it's just such a turn off, you work all week, spend a small fortune on tickets and travel and the manager cannot even be arsed to commit any players forward.

i suppose in the context of the league a 0-0 at spurs is a bloody good result, but the method and the style just doesn't appeal to me one bit.

i expect to get shot down in flames, but it's a forum and it's my view, and i want to see city trying to win games, not stifle the life out of them, and that has become a regular trend under mancini against the top sides.

Was it all one way traffic? Sounded that way in the 1st half, but in the 2nd we edged it?

Think you expected too much. Kolarov twisted his ankle in the 1st half, and Silva and tevez only managed 35 mins football in the last pre-season game. The team that finished was quite similar to the team we had last season, but they fought a lot harder. Moomba summed it up well. Good result, but 3 months in we'd be expecting a better performance

Remember too that Spurs are a very good team at home. As good as we will face. And they have a Champions League game coming up and have the same team.

I expected a thrashing so I'm quite happy now. I think your expectation of what was possible and how you rate Spurs determines how you feel about yesterday

We did not edge the 2nd half. We just got a little bit better than a pretty shocking 1st half. However, I think a point at WHL is a great point. Yet I can't say we deserved it. We were lucky to get it. On the other hand, we had players out there who hadn't played a full game for us yet and in key positions against good players. All in all, can't be unhappy with how it turned out, but not overwhelmed by any means just yet. A few weeks and we should be laughing.

 

[City Raider]

Chelsea WW
Liverpool DD
United LL
Arsenal WD

Not bad for big games

Yeh but look at the games under mancini...And the two recent spurs games should be included in the big games. United and arsenal at the end of last season, were there for the taking and we didn't go for it. We seem too happy to play for the draw.

The one game we did go for it was Chelsea away and look what happened there.

I'm not a Mancini hater, just frustrated with the style of play in certain matches. I think were better than the way we set up.

Yeah but we didn't go for it in the Chelsea game. We set up exactly the same way, one up front and couldn't get the ball for 45 minutes. Tevez goal was a one man show from the half way line with no support and then Chelsea were forced to throw more bodies forward.

All our goals were counter attacks as Chelsea threw players forward, not a result of dominating possession and the game. Nothing has changed, but the game proves Mancini's counter attack system can work.

 

[cleavers]

i am sorry but i have never seen a team win anything without making an attempt to score.

Fair point no team wins without shooting, however this is one game, and there were reasons why we were so disjointed, take something from the major improvement from start to finish, and then look at who we will be playing in future weeks. If we're still playing this way against Blackpool/burn in a month or so, and drawing 0-0 then he'll be on his way I expect, but we won't will we ?

In the first half Spurs were excellent yesterday, and they didn't allow us to attack, they were first to everything, but we got to grips with them and dominated possession second half, restricting Spurs to a couple of long shots, and we had a couple of good chances ourselves.

It wasn't perfect, but its 1 point more than we got last year, and 2 less for Spurs. We need to improve this way against others, and if we do we'll be challenging.

 

[samharris]

Although watching Chelsea on telly I noticed that they tend to get at least three players in the box for each attack and I did find myself wishing that Bobby would take one or two chains off our forwards and midfielders and give the oppositions defenders something to worry about.

True. But there's a big difference between playing Spuds away and recently-promoted WBA at home. And Chelsea have just won the double so they're confidence was bound to be sky-high. We, on the other hand, have players that have never experienced the rigours of life in the English Prem.

It would be a dream if we could play like we did against Burnley away last season every week...

It doesnt happen like that...Lets not forget that chelsea lost to spuds at the lane not too long ago.

 

[Blue Elmo]

I was fine with the end result but I would have liked us to go at spurs more , at times it was there for the taking , we were passing it around them brilliantly but just had no end product . I think his mistake was playing Tevez by himself , he works his socks off but he cant work it by himself . he comes deep leaving no one in the box . Ade honestly should have started as then he would have stayed up top and given us a more attacking threat . Silva and tevez play in the same position they were side by side alot of the time . I think the good thing is we didn't lose , teams who go there to attack spurs like chelsea and arsenal did last season were beaten and thats what mancini didnt want , to be beaten . Honestly I see what the OP is saying we need to have a more attack minded style against these teams we have the players to do it , look what we did to chelsea when we went for it , we turned them over . we do need to be more offensive , yes , but I dont blame mancini for putting a stall out its a very hard place to go . But we shouldnt be complaining we have a point at the spuds which is more than we have got in over 6 seasons there so just be happy with what we got cos it could have been a hell of a lot worse .

 

[moomba]

Chelsea WW
Liverpool DD
United LL
Arsenal WD

Not bad for big games

Yeh but look at the games under mancini...And the two recent spurs games should be included in the big games. United and arsenal at the end of last season, were there for the taking and we didn't go for it. We seem too happy to play for the draw.

The one game we did go for it was Chelsea away and look what happened there.

I'm not a Mancini hater, just frustrated with the style of play in certain matches. I think were better than the way we set up.

We set up no different against Chelsea. Defend well and hit them on the break.

Scoreline can often alter your perception of how the game was played.

 

[Marvin]

i am sorry but i have never seen a team win anything without making an attempt to score.

Fair point no team wins without shooting, however this is one game, and there were reasons why we were so disjointed, take something from the major improvement from start to finish, and then look at who we will be playing in future weeks. If we're still playing this way against Blackpool/burn in a month or so, and drawing 0-0 then he'll be on his way I expect, but we won't will we ?

In the first half Spurs were excellent yesterday, and they didn't allow us to attack, they were first to everything, but we got to grips with them and dominated possession second half, restricting Spurs to a couple of long shots, and we had a couple of good chances ourselves.

It wasn't perfect, but its 1 point more than we got last year, and 2 less for Spurs. We need to improve this way against others, and if we do we'll be challenging.

Got to give credit to the team Spurs have assembled. Just because we have spent like Real Madrid doesn't mean we're the only team in the League, and it doesn't mean we will be Real Madrid in one game

We must do better and we will

 

[Joycee Banercheck]

Fair point no team wins without shooting, however this is one game, and there were reasons why we were so disjointed, take something from the major improvement from start to finish, and then look at who we will be playing in future weeks. If we're still playing this way against Blackpool/burn in a month or so, and drawing 0-0 then he'll be on his way I expect, but we won't will we ?

In the first half Spurs were excellent yesterday, and they didn't allow us to attack, they were first to everything, but we got to grips with them and dominated possession second half, restricting Spurs to a couple of long shots, and we had a couple of good chances ourselves.

It wasn't perfect, but its 1 point more than we got last year, and 2 less for Spurs. We need to improve this way against others, and if we do we'll be challenging.

Got to give credit to the team Spurs have assembled. Just because we have spent like Real Madrid doesn't mean we're the only team in the League, and it doesn't mean we will be Real Madrid in one game

We must do better and we will

The whole point of the OP's argument is that it is a trend.

 

[fathellensbellend]

we can wax lyrical about spurs beating arsenal and chelsea at home last season, so in the interests of balance wolves and stoke both won at white hart lane.

i not only think we are restricting our attacking players, we are restricting players like de jong.

does a bulldog like de jong, need to be accompanied by 2 more defensive midfielders.

surely when a team packs the midfield then to boss the ball should be the aim, yet for 45 mins we were shadow chasers (vast improvement 2nd half)

the best teams always have a natural out ball, how many times did we shape to break, then have to turn 180 degrees because no-one was on, while spurs regrouped.

this isn't stuart pearce's team, this is a brilliant squad of players, lets utilise them, man for man we can compete with anyone, only city could have the players we have at our disposal and not have a shot.

 

[Marvin]

why would we have got slaughtered if we had gone for it?

some channelled attacking football, could have completely changed the complexion of the game.

i don't expect all out attack, what i do expect is gomez to have to have is kit washed.

i expect dawson and king to be shifted around, to be stretched, and to be turned, not playing in a complete comfort zone.

to win matches you have to ask questions, and the facts remain against the best sides we don't even have any shots on goal, never mind score, under mancini (chelsea 4-2) being the only exception.

there were plenty of positives yesterday, tactically we nullified lennon, whom took us apart last season, yaya is always available and has immense presence, kolo was superb, and defensively in the second half we were in control.

it's the other side that concerns me, the getting men in the box, the willingness to commit bodies in support of the ever dropping deeper tevez, and the bloody great screen we insist on placing in front of our expensively assembled defence.

i think our tactics at times restrict the wonderful players we have at our disposal.

i see another zola in silva, but yesterday he had scraps and no outlets.

the 10 mins of adebayor showed that dawson and king could and should have had an harder afternoon, and with that impact the game opens up for your silva's and wright philips etc, so instead of containing we are in fact asking the questions.

i don't dent its a bloody good point, but it's another toothless attacking display for me.

It was a good point and a toothless display, and I hope Mancini is taking your view about what he demands from the team. I just don't think we were ready on Day 1 to go to White Hart Lane and take the game to them. In 3 months time, I'd expect much more attacking threat from City.

Good thread

 

[fathellensbellend]

Got to give credit to the team Spurs have assembled. Just because we have spent like Real Madrid doesn't mean we're the only team in the League, and it doesn't mean we will be Real Madrid in one game

We must do better and we will

The whole point of the OP's argument is that it is a trend.

thank you.

 

[JoeMercer'sWay]

we can wax lyrical about spurs beating arsenal and chelsea at home last season, so in the interests of balance wolves and stoke both won at white hart lane.

i not only think we are restricting our attacking players, we are restricting players like de jong.

does a bulldog like de jong, need to be accompanied by 2 more defensive midfielders.

surely when a team packs the midfield then to boss the ball should be the aim, yet for 45 mins we were shadow chasers (vast improvement 2nd half)

the best teams always have a natural out ball, how many times did we shape to break, then have to turn 180 degrees because no-one was on, while spurs regrouped.

this isn't stuart pearce's team, this is a brilliant squad of players, lets utilise them, man for man we can compete with anyone, only city could have the players we have at our disposal and not have a shot.

we did shoot, gomes did make a save, fact is we'd have been 1-0 up if Shauny could use his right foot.

Personally I would blame Tevez for not playing as the lone striker as he should have imo, but at the end of the day I'm happy with a point so don't really care.<br /><br />-- Sun Aug 15, 2010 1:11 pm --<br /><br />

The whole point of the OP's argument is that it is a trend.

thank you.

it's the first game of a new season with new players etc. etc., it's hardly comparable.

 

[fathellensbellend]

we can wax lyrical about spurs beating arsenal and chelsea at home last season, so in the interests of balance wolves and stoke both won at white hart lane.

i not only think we are restricting our attacking players, we are restricting players like de jong.

does a bulldog like de jong, need to be accompanied by 2 more defensive midfielders.

surely when a team packs the midfield then to boss the ball should be the aim, yet for 45 mins we were shadow chasers (vast improvement 2nd half)

the best teams always have a natural out ball, how many times did we shape to break, then have to turn 180 degrees because no-one was on, while spurs regrouped.

this isn't stuart pearce's team, this is a brilliant squad of players, lets utilise them, man for man we can compete with anyone, only city could have the players we have at our disposal and not have a shot.

we did shoot, gomes did make a save, fact is we'd have been 1-0 up if Shauny could use his right foot.

Personally I would blame Tevez for not playing as the lone striker as he should have imo, but at the end of the day I'm happy with a point so don't really care.

-- Sun Aug 15, 2010 1:11 pm --

thank you.

it's the first game of a new season with new players etc. etc., it's hardly comparable.

how can it not be comparable when it's the same manager and the same style of play. explain?

 

[lostgalaxy]

I don't think Mancini is that coward by nature.

But he lacks the attacking players who he trusts and who trusts him.

If Balotelli doesn't work, he should admit failure.

It may turn out to be Tevez or Balotelli.

That will be the toughest decision to make.

Tevez lost the spark. He joined us because he wanted to prove Ferguson wrong. But to what extent? Bring his dynasty down?

Anger never gets one that far.

 

[Joycee Banercheck]

we can wax lyrical about spurs beating arsenal and chelsea at home last season, so in the interests of balance wolves and stoke both won at white hart lane.

i not only think we are restricting our attacking players, we are restricting players like de jong.

does a bulldog like de jong, need to be accompanied by 2 more defensive midfielders.

surely when a team packs the midfield then to boss the ball should be the aim, yet for 45 mins we were shadow chasers (vast improvement 2nd half)

the best teams always have a natural out ball, how many times did we shape to break, then have to turn 180 degrees because no-one was on, while spurs regrouped.

this isn't stuart pearce's team, this is a brilliant squad of players, lets utilise them, man for man we can compete with anyone, only city could have the players we have at our disposal and not have a shot.

we did shoot, gomes did make a save, fact is we'd have been 1-0 up if Shauny could use his right foot.

Personally I would blame Tevez for not playing as the lone striker as he should have imo, but at the end of the day I'm happy with a point so don't really care.

-- Sun Aug 15, 2010 1:11 pm --

thank you.

it's the first game of a new season with new players etc. etc., it's hardly comparable.

I've said my piece, mate.

 

[Crabbers]

Yeh but look at the games under mancini...And the two recent spurs games should be included in the big games. United and arsenal at the end of last season, were there for the taking and we didn't go for it. We seem too happy to play for the draw.

The one game we did go for it was Chelsea away and look what happened there.

I'm not a Mancini hater, just frustrated with the style of play in certain matches. I think were better than the way we set up.

We set up no different against Chelsea. Defend well and hit them on the break.

Scoreline can often alter your perception of how the game was played.

Chelsea are incisive... Were not. We barely mustered a shot at goal. Should be on here!

Did Gomez even have a save to make? The games towards the end of last season were similar.

It is a trend and personally I find it a bit worrying... But I sincerely hope I am proved wrong.

 

[JoeMercer'sWay]

we did shoot, gomes did make a save, fact is we'd have been 1-0 up if Shauny could use his right foot.

Personally I would blame Tevez for not playing as the lone striker as he should have imo, but at the end of the day I'm happy with a point so don't really care.

-- Sun Aug 15, 2010 1:11 pm --



it's the first game of a new season with new players etc. etc., it's hardly comparable.

how can it not be comparable when it's the same manager and the same style of play. explain?

because it's a new season with new players that aren't match fit and haven't gelled, if we are no better in these games in 6 months then I'll agree with you, but I just think that the most important thing was to not get battered yesterday and that Mancini did actually sort us out at half-time, I just think he was taking the safe point after the 1st half because Ade is too much of a gamble when it comes to all 11 working hard when we don't have the ball.

Liverpool home will be the more relevant game for this imo.

 

[shadygiz]

to coin a phrase from the late great ken barnes

"I know it’s an old saying but it’s true that attack is the best form of defence. It really annoys me when coaches try to stress negative play. It doesn’t matter how many goals you concede so long as you score more"