A win is a win is a win, however, this 1-0 victory could not be a confidence builder for most astute Man. City fans.
Before anyone wastes their time commentating, try to be honest in your assessment. Those who merely resort to insults generally have little knowledge of the game or like to avoid the truth.
Some observations:
- Yet another recent game where City outplayed the opposition but were unable to put the game away! Is this due to too many games, injuries or to what??
- Remember that this game ended in the City penalty area as City
hung onto their one goal lead!
- If City perform like this against some of the top teams in the rest
of the season it could be ugly.
- Unfortunately, substitute Doku again looked awful. He supposedly has great speed but always gets stopped and is usually cut off inside the penalty area! Not sure if Pep is noticing this continual issue?
- Goals win games not ball possession, and City got a very
fortunate break in their only goal.
Another "squeaker"!
posted on 21/2/24
The players that City bought in to replace those departed are no where near the same level. Gundogan is a huge miss.
No idea what Pep saw in Nunes? Played one good ninety minutes in all his time at Wolves. Doku is a one trick pony and has been found out by decent defenders, what does he offer that Adama Traore doesn’t?
Gvardiol? Kovacic? Nah, not for me Clive.
All that said, I still think City win the league. There is still enough quality there to get them over the line.
posted on 21/2/24
The problem is thinking that City will play like that against the top teams, for two reasons:
1. City know how to manage games to win a title. If they go full pelt against every team, it will have a knock on effect towards the end of the season. They know how to do enough to win against teams that don't force the best out of them.
2. The top teams will almost definitely have to beat City rather than just being happy with a draw, so they won't play the same way against City for the most part.
posted on 21/2/24
Brentford were very effective - they put the whole team behind the ball. The full backs stayed back even during breaks, denying the City wide players space when attacking. They also persistently time wasted and disrupted play with 'injuries'. They used to say in the heyday of Ferguson's United that the mark of a great team was winning when they played shiiite. We didn't play shiiite and we won. It was a tough game.
posted on 21/2/24
Bournemouth away then 5 games on the spin against teams that will be looking for 3 points rather 'creditable draw'.
Bobb ran them ragged down the left, made sense to bring Doku on to do the same with his pace and fresh legs for the last 30 minutes.
Kovacic was brought in for his experience and ability to steady the ship which is exactly what he did last night.
David Silva, Mahrez and Gundogan are 3 players I can imediately think of who failed to impress during their first season so the jury's still out on Gvaridol (who has yet to play as a CB for us), 21 year old Doku and Nunes who has been far from impressive.
Respect to Haaland on that goal, he had a long way to run with the ball and must have been aware of the criticism he received after the Chelsea game for missing that sitter.
posted on 21/2/24
Don't forget also that Chelsea missed 3 sitters as well
in that game!
posted on 21/2/24
We often struggle against the smaller clubs that play 1 9 1 system and hope for a breakaway goal, the last 2 games are a good example of that.
We need another Yaya who just ran through the middle of this type of packed defence.
Hopefully things will improve when we get back a fully fit Kev.
posted on 21/2/24
comment by gone but never forgotten (U21659)
Hopefully things will improve when we get back a fully fit Kev.
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We are still in the hunt with Kev out for months. I don't think that's the problem. In the last 2 matches, our passing has been absolutely bobbins compared to what we have been accustomed to.
posted on 21/2/24
comment by Boris 'Inky’ Gibson (U5901)
posted 14 hours, 37 minutes ago
Bournemouth away then 5 games on the spin against teams that will be looking for 3 points rather 'creditable draw'.
Bobb ran them ragged down the left, made sense to bring Doku on to do the same with his pace and fresh legs for the last 30 minutes.
Kovacic was brought in for his experience and ability to steady the ship which is exactly what he did last night.
David Silva, Mahrez and Gundogan are 3 players I can imediately think of who failed to impress during their first season so the jury's still out on Gvaridol (who has yet to play as a CB for us), 21 year old Doku and Nunes who has been far from impressive.
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Rodri was in question for his first season or 2 and I remember conversations of if we would find anyone to replace Fernandinho.
Both Fernandinho and Fernando didn't set the world on fire either, albeit Fernando was sold before we knew the 'dinho we that we all know.
And then there was Dunne-monster... but that's another story.
posted on 22/2/24
comment by Zein Mayassi (U21076)
posted 18 hours, 29 minutes ago
The problem is thinking that City will play like that against the top teams, for two reasons:
1. City know how to manage games to win a title. If they go full pelt against every team, it will have a knock on effect towards the end of the season. They know how to do enough to win against teams that don't force the best out of them.
2. The top teams will almost definitely have to beat City rather than just being happy with a draw, so they won't play the same way against City for the most part.
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Liverpool certainly seems to know how to put teams away. Recently this has been a problem for Man. City. They still have to visit Anfield and will probably have to WIN that game.