Missed the quick feet and athleticism in the middle third. Really felt like we were very one paced and struggled to get up the pitch as a team tonight. Lot of negative first touches and a lack of pace. Didn’t expect to win but thought we’d see us give it a good go and have them on the ropes for spells. Disappointing performanceYep, without Bissouma and/or Sarr in midfield we lack aggression, strength, energy and athleticism.
Hojbjerg had a decent game with the exception of the almost fatal mistake at the end but on the other hand we couldn’t get the ball off City and we had zero control in central midfield. Bissouma and Sarr would have been harassing the City players all game.
@TheChosenOne
Sorry do I have to like them I must have missed that rule
Today he was. We’ve seen Deki have these performances on the right too when he isn’t on it. Don’t think he’ll play too much in the role now anyway.Kulu experiment as no8 failed today. Kulu as 8 can work aganst lesser quality teams. Today, he so bad on the ball. We cannot afford a bad passing no8 in our system
Think we missed Bissouma who is super comfortable holding onto the ball in midfield when being pressed by a team like City. Sarr too for breaking shit up.
Our insistence on passing out from the back is annoying at times.
Borderline for me. We can't slip further than 8 points otherwise it will be. Need a run of wins I feel.8 points behind Pool. Is that too much?
No offence taken and thanks for explaining.Sorry pal, I never give you out neg ratings unless by mistake.
I am pretty high on painkillers most of the time and a tad myopic because of the same reason. I try my best -I let myself down sometimes. I think I am getting close to vanishing point where I can’t post any more
Whatever-ish
City bossed a lot of the game but thought we defended well. Our commitment to make a block is top class. I thought we deserved a clean sheet tonight. However didn't create nearly enough for a home game. We missed Son and Maddison with at least one of Sarr or Bissouma. Those are players who we just can't live without against City. Then in those situations you miss Kane as well because if you can't control the game you need a forward who the ball sticks too (Richarlison did his job well don't get me wrong).
Personally think it's a foul for the goal. It always has been that's the most frustrating thing. All of a sudden they're allowing them. You can't just change the rule mid season and not announce it either. No attempt for the ball and a little back in is all it takes to impede the keeper. Sure it's a soft foul but always has been given until recently. If you know the refs are going to allow it more then you change your tactics to protect the keeper with someone.
Well for a start he is a totally different person/human/physical being so purely on that basis alone by having an entirely different human person in place of another would change something@fishhhandaricecake you might disagree with this but I have watched a lot of Nusa and whilst he is a big prospect he is still VERY raw. I’m very curious as to what you disagree with?
@SargeantMeatCurtains how exactly is my post "off topic" ?? Yawn. your negativity on here is draining yet again. Look up the definition of football "supporter" and maybe start supporting?100%. The hyperbole on here by some is ridiculous. The idea that we were going to pump City 4 nil just because they have narrowly lost to us at the stadium several times is risible. Look at their bench when Grealish and Doku can came on ....FFS.
Ange has worked miracles given what he has had to deal with and frankly as soon as I saw the FA Cup draw I was convinced we were going out - even with players coming back - because of Son and Sarr and Bissouma being unavailable. Awful draw so early on. That's not being defeatist at all, just that we are some way off City and they won the bloody Treble last season.
We go again.
Spot on mateYep, without Bissouma and/or Sarr in midfield we lack aggression, strength, energy and athleticism.
Hojbjerg had a decent game with the exception of the almost fatal mistake at the end but on the other hand we couldn’t get the ball off City and we had zero control in central midfield. Bissouma and Sarr would have been harassing the City players all game.
Literally not a soul on this forum has said or intimated we’d “pump city 4-0” and you have the temerity to accuse others of hyperbole?@SargeantMeatCurtains how exactly is my post "off topic" ?? Yawn. your negativity on here is draining yet again. Look up the definition of football "supporter" and maybe start supporting?
The attaching issue very much came from the centre of the pitch. We just couldn’t control the game for more than the odd 5 mins here and there.
I am a huge fan of Nusa and 100% want us to sign him as I think he has the potential to be world class. But he is still monumentally raw and can be physically week. The issue tonight wasn’t our wingers, we didn’t give them enough chances to be the problem in the first place.
Nusa is a raw 18 year old with a tone of potential but still has a lot of growing to do. If we are at a point where we need a 18 year old who can be bullied off the ball quite easily to make the difference in a match like this then I’m concerned about the rest of our team.