Heard a blue on talkshite on way home saying game was boring, some poeple cant see game management yes we slowed it down second half and yes at times it was boring we all want to see city score 10 but i was impressed with the way the players just did enough to win without putting to much effort in and managing the game, totally bossing it, and conserving energy and fitness a very professional display.
Watching the way we sometimes put in what seems to be a sloppy final fifteen minutes, when the game is won, I’m pretty certain they’re all pacing it, and it wouldn’t surprise me at ll if they’d been told to do so by Pep.
More than the goals, it’s some of the approach work that astounds me. It is - yes, I’ll say it - reminiscent of the Barcelona team at their best, a few years back. The mobility off the ball means that whoever’s got it has at least two options, sometimes three. Opposition defenders simply don’t know who to watch. That’s why they went to sleep on Sterling’s first.
A couple of individual performances. People have been critical of Sané recently, but you know it’s only a matter of time (and a short one at that) before he comes and puts in a performance like that. We’re very, very demanding of our players, I find. Are we spoilt, in fact?
Otamendi: I watched his passing closely, and the plain fact is that it is astounding. By my count, his accuracy was better than Kev’s (obviously, Kev is trying far more difficult balls, but Otamendi was quite frequently playing forward passes, either angled or direct, over thirty and forty yards, and finding his man virtually every time, often setting off very dangerous counters). I just don’t understand it. I don’t get where this player has come from. I thought he was a good defender, even last year, but I saw no signs of this.
Now, having said we’re too demanding... Honestly, what on earth is up with Sergio? Is he, or is he not, carrying an injury? That perfect cross from Kev that was right onto his forehead. He’s alone, and he’s got most of the goal in front of him. No way —
no way — is the Sergio of five years, or even two, years ago, missing that. He didn’t just put it past the post. He put it
miles wide. He knew he hadn’t performed to his level. That’s why his celebration of his goal was very muted. I want my Kun back.
