Well battled tonight lads

[bizzbo]

I think we battled to an extent, but we are mentally weak across the board. And when push comes to shove I think Stoke wanted it more.

And after the past two games against them where they also wanted it more it doesn't say a lot about the mental toughness and desire of our squad I'm afraid.

I have been saying for a while we lack the mental toughness and desire when it really matters and neither Hughes while in charge or Mancini have addressed that properly yet.

These players should be good enough to beat Stoke especially when we get a second chance.
They failed to deliver and will be challenged many more times this season to see if they have the will to meet the challenge that's been put before them.

Only mental toughness and the greater will to succeed on the day will get them over the line.

The next few games will be a good test of whatever character they actually have.

When it comes to a scrap we need that desire that clearly we have not had collectively to get the job done because things will not change as far as what opposition teams know are our weaknesses.

you've got it exactly right. you have to be determined to get over the line. determined to stick together and keep playing at the right tempo for the whole 90 minutes, not just here and there. unfortunately at the moment I think we suffer from a lack of team-oriented players, a lack of technical skills in the midfield, and too many players who regularly become peripheral. hopefully barry and ireland can step it up, but at the moment their tendency to drift in and out of the game is very very frustrating.... ditto bellamy's recent wastefulness and poor touches/passes, hopefully that goal will get him going again. swp is the one who annoys me more than any. his boundless energy, quick feet, searing pace, count for nothing when he makes so many bad decisions and wastes so many opportunities with dreadful 'crosses' that go straight to the keeper, who starts a quick counter or hoofs the ball back into our third of the pitch.

 

[ZanteWeatherman]

We all know Stoke is a horrible place to go and I thought every player fought their heart out tonight. There are obvious problems in the side but they gave 100% tonight and on the whole did pretty well. If Bellamy/Ireland finished their chances we would have won tonight.

Will those that have accused the players of having no bottle stand up and admit they were wrong?

No fucking idea, it wasn't on any channel in Europe, I listened to the idiots on Key 103 giggling at each other thru the City site, but they did say heads had gone down. Show me a fucking leader.

When I see teams doing "a scrum" to big themselves up before the match, then I see City at the halfway line just before kick off looking totally disinterested, I know immediately we are up against it. No fire, belief, commitment or passion. Bollocks, not happy....................

 

[ZanteWeatherman]

We all know Stoke is a horrible place to go and I thought every player fought their heart out tonight. There are obvious problems in the side but they gave 100% tonight and on the whole did pretty well. If Bellamy/Ireland finished their chances we would have won tonight.

Will those that have accused the players of having no bottle stand up and admit they were wrong?

No fucking idea, it wasn't on any channel in Europe, I listened to the idiots on Key 103 giggling at each other thru the City site, but they did say heads had gone down. Show me a fucking leader.

When I see teams doing "a scrum" to big themselves up before the match, then I see City at the halfway line just before kick off looking totally disinterested, I know immediately we are up against it. No fire, belief, commitment or passion. Bollocks, not happy....................

Shit. I know what we need, THE FUCKING HAKA...........................COME THE FUCK ON.

Sorry, we as a team need to believe and grow balls.

 

[manchester_blue]

Did well, battled well and deserved it over 90 minutes.

Just seen the sending off on ITV and there's no way it was straight red. He's pushed him off cos getting shirt tucked and connected softly near his neck. The Stoke player should get sent off for pulling shirt, diving and play acting! 2nd yellow and red card me thinks.

Unlucky City. Well done for the effort put in, true fans included.